WELCOME TO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SONOMA
WELCOME TO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SONOMA
FCC Sonoma is excited to offer many ways to be together in Christian love. Our Sunday gatherings are Contemplative at 9:00am, and regular service at 10:30am. Details for the current Sunday's services can be found by clicking the "This Week" tab located at the top of this page. Our Earth Care Team offers monthly learning opportunities and spiritual walks, our Social Action Team organizes outreach activities, and our Thrift Shop is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.! We enjoy being together to pursue new ideas and grow spiritually, to seek justice and serve those in need, and to advocate for the care of the earth. We invite you to join our community of love, acceptance, and service. Click here to learn about our Mission and Values. Click here to contact us directly.
We laugh freely and rejoice in the wonder of God’s love and care, while investing our energy, our courage, and our creativity in building a world of justice and equal opportunity for all.
We affirm our high calling to care for all creation and to seek justice for the oppressed, ever-conscious of the socioeconomic dimensions of climate change and ecological disruption and its effects on global inequality.
We are spiritual seekers who embrace Jesus’ message of love and compassion, and often find ourselves more comfortable with questions than answers. We value science, culture, and the wisdom of other religious traditions.
In the spirit of love, we welcome people of every age, economic status, ethnicity, physical ability, nationality, race, religious background, and sexual orientation to participate fully in all aspects of our church’s life and ministry.
The slightly irreverent Reverend Dr. Curran Reichert has been stirring up “good trouble,” and serving up questions that challenge us to grow spiritually for the past seven years at FCC. She believes in the power of Spiritual community to be a force for good in the world. Curran is highly educated and completely dedicated to making Sonoma Valley a more just and equitable place.
Throughout the Valley, Rev. Reichert lends her perspective as a faith leader to addressing the need for fair housing and worker justice. She has been a leading voice concerning fair treatment of those without permanent shelter. She is committed to doing her part to end racial bias and deconstruct colonialism in the church and in our community.
Rev. Reichert also understands that Christianity can be scary for people who have suffered abuse, or oppression due to bigotry and religious intolerance. She creates what she hopes will be a safe entry point for those seeking the support of a radically inclusive community of faith. Her motto is “Purpose, Presence, and Practice,” she embodies all three.
We love our pastor, and we think you will love her to. If you would like to make an appointment to meet with Rev. Reichert, receive prayers, or a visit from our support team, send her a message or call the church office at 707.996.1328.
Rev. Reichert often says, “FCC is the place you would want to go to church if you went to church.” We are a gathering of spirited people who care about earth justice, speaking out about injustice, tending to the vulnerable, and learning to find common ground, these are the relevant earmarks of our congregation. We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings either contemplative at 9:00am or regular in person at 10:30am.
February 3, 2025
Beloved Community,
This column is devoted to all the people who made it possible to celebrate the life of Judy McCracken in such a special way on January 25. This was a proper sendoff for a genuine church lady - complete with bells, loving testimonies, homemade cookies, and topped off with a beautiful stone heart filled with rose petals to lay Judy to rest in our beautiful Redwood Grove.
The Redwood Grove is an instructive symbol for us as a church community today. This place was once Indigenous land, which became church occupied land, which became a Redwood Grove with a Labyrinth dedicated to the much beloved pastor, David McCracken. When it was no longer functional as a labyrinth, it was transformed by volunteers into a reflective space utilized by Old Adobe School, the Garden Club, and FCC for respite and relaxion, and sacred ritual. The Redwood Grove became a sacred space to scatter the remains of those who loved this church and wished to have their families visit in their memory. Rev. McCracken’s ashes were scattered eight years ago and after Judy’s service, David and Judy’s ashes were commingled, so that they would forever be together.
Judy’s son Marc wrote:
“What an incredible service. The family is SO grateful to Pastor Curran and the church for hosting such an amazing celebration of our mom’s life. Everything was just perfect - the bell choir performance, the music Curran and Pat put together, Pastor Curran’s comforting words, the rose tribute, and the reception hosted by the "church ladies". The rose petal arrangement in the Redwood Grove was so beautiful and we are thankful to have Mom's and David's ashes now together forever there.
When we remember what has been, and grieve what is no more, we open our hearts to the possibility of what can be. The Good news is that God’s presence is with us and in us through it all.
May we walk into the future with bright spirits and hopeful hearts. Judy would have wanted it that way.
With love,
Curran