Our Staff - First Congregational Church of Sonoma

Pastor Curran Reichert

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 online at 8:30 or in person at 10:30.

Stephanie Ozer performs in jazz festivals, concert venues, intimate clubs, house concerts, corporate events and weddings — in ensembles of jazz, folk, klezmer, and Brazilian jazz. Stephanie’s CD, “O Começo: New Beginnings in Brazilian Jazz”, was recorded in Rio de Janeiro with the legendary, Grammy winning vocalist Leny Andrade with whom she has subsequently toured.

Nominated twice as Best Jazz Musician in the North Bay, Stephanie holds a classical Piano Performance Degree from the University Of Michigan School of Music where she played in the University Javanese Gamelan. Her award winning Ozer-Moore piano/vocal jazz duo opened for Abby Lincoln and Phoebe Snow in Ann Arbor, MI.

With her inventive and poetic musical spirit, Stephanie performs in the Bay Area and nationwide — solo, duo, trio to sextet — in genre bending music in collaboration with top flight musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including vocalists Claudia Villela, Maria Marquez, Sax/flautists Mary Fettig and Harvey Wainapel, guitarists Luiz Brasil and Randy Vincent and bass players Scott Thompson and Peter Barshay. Her most recent group, As Três Meninas (Fabiana Passoni, vocals, Ami Mollineli, percussion) performs Brazilian Jazz, Samba, Bossa Nova and Choro-inspired compositions with these bandleaders who came together to craft their unique sound.

Stephanie teaches many styles of piano, technique and improvisation and coaches vocalists in accompanying themselves and performance techniques from her home studio in Sonoma Valley and at Jazz Camp West.

Angela has worked for First Congregational Church since February, 2014.

Her family moved to Sonoma in 1968 following her grandparents’ move here a few years prior. She worked 12 years at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Companies where she met her future husband, Denis, and his son, Erik.

Angela devoted 18 years to raising their children, Owen and Anika, and volunteering in both their schools and at St. Andrew Presbyterian, her family’s church since 1999. She is an ordained Presbyterian Deacon and Elder. Angela is very close to her large, extended faith-filled family who make a priority of regularly visiting each other.

When not enjoying her time at FCC, Angela takes pleasure in her ordinary life of hikes and explorations with Denis, entertaining, playing card and board games, and organizing just about anything. But mostly, you’ll find her in the kitchen planning the next gathering, cooking, and baking expressions of love.