Rev. John has agreed to try to help us grow, work on organizational development, and get ready to attract our next long-term minister. Now 75, but full of good energy, John cares about congregations both large and small. Last year he worked with the UUs in Napa in a similar way. He retired as Senior Minister of the First UU Society in San Francisco in 2017.

He served as UUA President from 1993 to 2001. He is author or co-author of eight books on liberal religion. He lives in the Inner Richmond District of San Francisco with his wife of 50 years, the Rev. Gwen Langdoc Buehrens, a pioneer among women clergy in the Episcopal Church. They retired in San Francisco to be close to their elder daughter and her children also active UUs.

Often cited as “the evangelical rabbi of liberal religion,” Rev. John was national co-chair of Freedom to Marry from 2002 to 2012, and has been a strong advocate both for LGBTQ rights and for human rights and social justice, both nationally and internationally.

Rev. Bonnie is honored to be serving UUP this year in partnership with Rev. John. In addition to preaching, she will be available for pastoral care, support, and rites of passage.

Since retiring after 11 years of ministry with the Napa congregation in 2017, she has had the privilege of providing pulpit supply and pastoral care coverage for several Bay Area congregations, including UUP.  Rev. Bonnie is a Bay Area native and spends her time communing with nature, cooking, and traveling with her newly retired husband. Their two adult children live in Davis and Sacramento with their spouses. She is looking forward to working with you again!

Kevin Jernegan, Administrator
A perpetual student, Kevin’s background has been somewhat nomadic, living, studying, and working in a wide variety of different parts of the country and in Europe. He went to Washington, DC for his Masters in public policy and spent approximately 20 years there in academia and nonprofit advocacy, focused chiefly on immigration and refugee law and policy. He is a lifelong progressive activist, voracious reader, student of languages, philosopher, and incurable windmill tilter. He lives in Santa Rosa with his spouse, who teaches at Sonoma State University, and their two spaniels. Contact: uupetaluma@gmail.com.

Rachel Steiner, Choir Director and Cantor

Our choir, Larking About, rehearses weekly and is led by Rachel Steiner, who also leads singing twice per month during services. Rachel is a graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in Music Education emphasizing Vocal Performance, as well as a teaching credential in music. She has performed extensively in classical, opera, and theater settings, and plays guitar and ukulele too! Plus, she’s an excellent whistler.