Cynthia Cochran-Carney became Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael in April 2019.

She is a native Californian who grew up in Santa Ana. She has served churches in Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Sacramento, and Garden Grove.

A graduate of the University of Oregon and San Francisco Theological Seminary, she says some of her favorite things about being a pastor are opportunities to listen to people’s life stories and join others in recognizing the presence of the Holy One in ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.

She finds joy in spending time with her family, singing, hiking in state and national parks, reading novels, and attending live theater productions. Her husband, Jeffrey Cochran-Carney, is a retired Presbyterian pastor who plays the guitar, writes songs, and enjoys reading books on Celtic spirituality. They have two young adult sons and a sweet golden retriever named Gracie.

Contact: ccochran-carney@fpcsr.org

Rev. Bob Hirni has lived in San Rafael for over 30 years, attended FPCSR, and served as a Parish Associate for much of that time.

After graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary, Bob served parishes in Ogden, Utah, and Tuba City, Arizona, before returning to Marin County. While in a doctoral program at U.C. Berkeley and the GTU, he served the Stinson Beach and Bolinas Presbyterian Churches. Bob worked with two Christian academic publishing houses for over 30 years, retiring in 2009.

Bob and his wife, Barbara, have three daughters and two grandchildren. Bob says his time with FPCSR has been very fulfilling and interesting, and he looks forward to continuing to work with the wonderful people of this church.

Contact: rhirni@aol.com

Joan grew up in the Presbyterian church near her home outside Pittsburgh, PA. 

After Middlebury College in Vermont, she was ordained a deacon in a Presbyterian church.

After she raised two children and had a career as a high school guidance counselor, she went to seminary and was ordained as a pastor in the United Church of Christ. She became a spiritual director and, in 2006, opened Healing Soup Retreat on the coast of Maine. She moved to California in 2019 and served as the Bridge Pastor here for a few months between Pastor Jan Reynolds's retirement and Pastor Cynthia Cochran-Carney's arrival. 

Joan enjoys writing, gardening, and spending time with her daughter Heidi, her son Eric, and her grandchildren.  

Contact: joanlois4@gmail.com

Ann grew up in Fairfax and still lives there with her husband, John. They have two grown sons working as firefighters in the Bay Area.

Ann has a degree in Health Science from San Francisco State. She has worked as an office administrator for various nonprofits for over thirty years, ten of which were as the office manager for the Program in Christian Spirituality at the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Ann has also been on staff with the Companions on the Inner Way week-long retreats for many years. 

She loves to hike in the surrounding hills of Fairfax and enjoys traveling to other places of natural beauty within the US and abroad. 

Contact: apope@fpcsr.org

Alan is a longtime art director and Graphic Designer. He is a widower and single dad of two young adult kids who live in Oakland. He asked for a miracle, for some way he could serve the community, and his prayers were answered with an opportunity to work on the staff of FPCSR starting in June 2024. 

Contact: apatten@fpcsr.org.

Originally from New York City, John began his professional career as a keyboardist for the pop singing group New Edition.

In 1985, the band – and John – went west to Los Angeles; it was there that he met longtime friend and collaborator J.S. Kingfisher, who later produced John's three piano recordings, "Out of the Blue,” “Into the Green," and "Impressions.“ John moved to San Francisco in 1989, where he earned a B.A. in Music from San Francisco State  University. He is the composer and pianist for the San Francisco Center for Spiritual Living and FPCSR.

John feels most connected to the flow of spirit when channeling new music. Many of his improvisations eventually become written compositions on his CDs. He intends to send to bring healing vibrations to the world through his music.

Flutist Amanda Hahn is also a choral conductor, vocalist, and music educator.

She has taught music and directed choruses in various Bay Area schools and organizations for 25 years. She is currently the choral director and a music specialist in Ross Valley Schools in Marin County. She was the Lower Division Director for Marin Girls Chorus for 12 years and has had ongoing appearances as the director of adult community choruses and substituting with church choirs.

Amanda is also a devoted private teacher of her flute, piano, and voice students of all ages. With music degrees from Boston University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she continues to learn through intensive training courses and education certifications.

She lives in San Rafael with her family—her husband Kevin Gerzevitz, a jazz pianist and music educator; their son Owen, a dancer, trumpeter, and drummer; and their sweet kitties Jasper and Jackimo.

Contact: amandajhahn@yahoo.com

Marquise Usher has played bells since he was 10 years old and is a member of the renowned Sonos Handbell Ensemble. He is an accomplished bell soloist, composes music for bells, and also sings and plays trumpet.

Contact: marquise.usher@yahoo.com

Owen Xu is our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service pianist and accompanist for the Chancel Choir.

An accomplished violinist and pianist, he is currently a junior at The Branson School. He has been performing with the Marin Symphony Youth Program since 2016 and serves as Co-Concertmaster. He is a multiple-time recipient of the Marin Music Chest Scholarships.

Hector DeLeon was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the US in 1990 at the age of 14. He immediately began working two jobs to support his family back home and has held positions in different food and grocery industry sectors since he arrived.

Hector has worked at FPCSR for more than 12 years. He also works at Woodlands Market and takes on freelance landscaping jobs in his spare time.

When he is not working, Hector loves to run and spend quality time with his son.

Ryan Knauber will be our seminary intern in 2024-25. He is a candidate for ordination in the PCUSA, Redwoods Presbytery, and is finishing his final year at San Francisco Theological Seminary. This is a joint internship with First Presbyterian, San Rafael, and  Windsor Presbyterian Church.

His current ministry focuses on sharing creative rituals, joy, inner critic work, and a true relationship with Christ.

He has a background in street chaplaincy with the homeless, camp ministry with youth of all ages, and Zen Buddhism, which fueled his initial call to Christian seminary.

He is married to Olivia. In his non-work life, he loves contemplative mystery and body practices like kung fu, running, yoga, and playing soccer video games.

Contact: ryan_knauber@redlands.edu

Conner Tate, makes our Sunday Mornings work.