Minister & Staff

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Liza H. Klein - Pastor Liza has been in ministry for 9 years and is in her third year as pastor at San Rafael First United Methodist Church. She and her husband Chris have 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 1 dog. After earning her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology (specializing in religion and culture and personality), she taught for 14 years. Influenced by a family history that includes alcoholism and homelessness, she left teaching and answered a call to serve homeless children by starting and directing a day-time drop-in center for homeless parents and their children. She worked at Homeplace Family Center until entering the Pacific School of Religion in 1996. A member of the Religious Society of Friends for many years, in her ministry Pastor Liza is a practical theologian and a progressive Christian. In her preaching and in spiritual leadership she connects the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ to personal transformation, spiritual healing, and issues of contemporary life. She feels blessed to be the pastor in an active and creative community and to provide leadership to both the historic English-speaking congregation and the newer Fijian ministry at San Rafael First.

Ellen Randall, Church Administrator – Ellen handles the daily business of the church. Call her in the office at 415-453-8716 for information about events, to schedule building use or to report problems.

Sterling Rainey, Organist & Choir Director – Sterling Rainey has been organist-choir director at First UMC for over 50 years. He is an active member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA) and has served on several national committees for that organization. He is co-convener of the Annual Conference Chapter of the Fellowship.

Carol Robb, Lay Leader – Carol is a professor of Christian Ethics at the San Francisco Theological Seminary and a long time member of San Rafael First United Methodist Church. She is an advocate of small church and is a leader in congregational formation and social justice concerns.