First Congregational Church, UCC

Office Administrator – Barbara Watts

Telephone: (401) 253-7288
Fax: (401) 253-5650
Email: office@fccbristol.org

 

Senior Pastor – Rev. Daniel Barron Randall

Telephone: (401) 253-7288
Email: pastordan@clergy.net

Rev. Daniel B. Randall is the 26th Senior Pastor of historic First Congregational Church, founded in 1680. “Pastor Dan” was born and raised in the small farm town of Sheldon, Iowa. From there he graduated from a state university in Iowa, going on to graduate from Yale University Divinity School. At Yale, Pastor Dan studied his keen interest in the pastoral and systematic teachings of Karl Barth, Martin Luther, John Calvin, St. Augustine, Teilhard de Chardin, Søren Kierkegaard John Howard Yoder, and St. Francis. His favorite professors at Yale included Hans Frei, Brevard Childs, Robert Clyde Johnson, David Kelsey and Harry Adams.

He believes that the best of religion unites us and call us to serve others. Pastor Dan was ordained in 1987 and has served UCC churches ever since. In addition to his ministry here, he is the Protestant Chaplain at Roger Williams University.  He is known for thought-provoking sermons, a strong commitment to speak out regarding social justice issues, and for his “Tommy the Church Mouse” children’s messages.

In 2001, Pastor Dan was awarded the Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant for excellence in parish ministry.

Pastor Dan served as a reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Officer Training School and was named Top Graduate of his USAF Chaplain Training Institute class. As a reservist, Pastor Dan was called to active duty after September 11, 2001, and served in Operation Enduring Freedom overseas and in Operation Noble Eagle in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has deployed to Europe on NATO missions and Central America for drug interdiction missions.  He is authorized to wear National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal,  the Chaplain Corps service badge and the Armed Forces Parachutist (Airborne) badge and many other awards and decorations.

Pastor Dan has a deep commitment to ecumenical and interfaith relations. He and his wife, Anita, are active associate members of the Iona Community in Scotland. The Iona Community is an international community dedicated to building the common life, through working for social and political change, striving for the renewal of the church, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship based upon an integrated understanding of spirituality.

Pastor Dan is passionate about social justice issues, especially as they relate to those facing hunger and poverty.  He, along with the Deacons of the First Congregational Church, founded the East Bay Food Pantry, now a separate 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to engage, educate and empower the East Bay in creating a hunger-free community.

Pastor Dan is happily married to Anita and they have three children, Molly, Claire and Gabe. His hobbies and interests include playing the bagpipes and the guitar, writing music and poetry, hiking, bicycling, trout fishing, gardening and traveling to Scotland, his ancestral home.

Minister of Christian Education – Helen Sousa

Telephone: (401) 253-8012
Email: helen@fccbristol.org

Helen has a creative writing/marketing background and has taken classes at Andover Newton Theological Seminary. She is a committed member of the New England Association of United Church Educators.

Helen has been a dedicated member of FCC since 1993. She has been involved in Christian Education here since 1995, when she was a teacher in her son’s class! Since 1998, she has been the Director of Christian Education at FCC. She is highly trained in this work, regularly taking continuing education classes sponsored by the United Church of Christ. Helen was instrumental in ensuring that Safe Church policies and procedures are in place for all classrooms and educational venues at FCC. Her vision for FCC education is that there is something for everyone! She has implemented meaningful classroom experiences and fellowship from birth through high school graduation. Her energy and vision began the junior and senior youth programs at FCC, which are thriving today. She also leads a class for women, called WISE, (Women In Spiritual Education). Helen’s programs also reach out to the entire congregation, enriching our faith community in countless ways.

Most of all, Helen has a love for all our church school children and youth. Her dedication, devotion and creativity shine in all she does. Your children will thrive under her care and dedication, and that of her dedicated teaching staff. Our classrooms are full due to her dedication, creativity and hard work!

Helen is married to Tom and has two children, Jared and Jameson.

 

Minister of Music – Othniel Clarke, Jr.

Telephone: (401) 253-3652