Our Staff

Office Administrator – Barbara

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 Rev. Randall was awarded the Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant for excellence in parish ministry.

Rev. Randall 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, Rev. Randall 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.

Rev. Randall 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.

Rev. Randall 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.

Rev. Randall 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.

Minster of Outreach – open

Director of Christian Education – Helen Sousa

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

Director of Music – Othniel Clarke, Jr.

Telephone: (401) 253-3652