Chuck M.
(he, him)
Charles (Chuck) is a retired professor of geography and planning and college administrator at the University of Akron. He enjoys nonfiction reading, especially history, biography, and world affairs. He is enjoying his time in the East Bay, which allows frequent contact with his two pre-school grandchildren, his daughter, and son-in-law. He looks forward to his association with the friendly and active First Church family.
Laura M.
(she, her)
I grew up on Long Island, NY, and spent 40 years in living and working in Akron, Ohio. For most of that time I worked at the University of Akron. I taught freshman writing and business writing for more than 20 years and ran the campus writing center for the last seven years of my career. I still tutor online for an Ohio tutoring collaborative part-time. We first visited First Church on Christmas Eve 2018, came back for Christmas 2019, and then found your online services during Covid and have been worshipping with First Church ever since. We moved to El Cerrito in September to be near our daughter, son-in-law, and our two grandchildren—and they bring us joy!
Vanessa R.
(she, her)
My daughter sent her baby off to college and she did not want to live alone. We are now both in a new condo, in Oakland, living a perfect life, she cooks and I clean… a marriage made in Heaven I would say. I’m a retired deputy sheriff and have spent more than 20 years working with Hospice and Habitat for Humanity. I have been a UCC member for 30 years and First Church just popped up on Facebook one day. Divine intervention.
Mike C.
(he, him)
Mike is a native of Connecticut and has also spent some time in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and New York City. He moved here last year (from CT) and lives with his wife Amy and his daughter Frankie on the Athenian School campus in Danville. Mike also has two other (technically adult) children off at college. His oldest Hudson identifies as nonbinary and is a senior at Grinnell in Iowa. His daughter Charlotte is a sophomore at the University of Chicago. He likes the open and accepting environment of First Church and is transferring from another UCC church in CT.
Hannah T.
(she, her)
Hannah grew up just South of the Bay Area in Morgan Hill and moved to Texas in 2019 to finish up Seminary with some in-the-field work and to be with her partner, Bailey. After enduring what was three too many Texas summers and one freeze…she is happy to be where it stays 70 year around. Hannah is First Church’s Minister for Youth, Young Adults, and Emerging Ministries. You can read her bio here.