Rev. Burke Owens, Senior Pastor
Pastor Burke has been serving as pastor in the California Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church for nearly ten years. He began through a two-year internship at Napa United Methodist Church in 2013, was then appointed as a licensed local pastor in 2015 to Petaluma United Methodist Church, before appointment to St. Helena United Methodist Church in 2017. As of July 2023, he began a new appointment as Senior Pastor at Palo Alto First United Methodist Church. Burke was welcomed as an Elder and installed as Ordained Minister by Bishop Minerva Carcaño in 2018. He was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 2017 from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.
Prior to his call to ministry, Burke worked within and passionately enjoyed the wine, food and hospitality industries. His extensive experience in the producer, importer, wholesale, retail, restaurant, on-line and education arenas allowed Burke a unique and multi-disciplined understanding of the complexities inherent in the industry. Sales, marketing, public relations, media, compliance and logistics are among his talents, but it is communication about wine and food that was his true gift. A background in theater arts and an ability to clearly verbalize his passion for food and wine allowed him to share the wonders of the vine. Burke is particularly grateful for his time at Masa’s in SF, where as sommelier he was nominated for a James Beard Award, at COPIA in Napa, Continuum Estate in St. Helena, WINE.COM, the original on-line wine platform, and at Manka’s Inverness Lodge in West Marin.
Burke and Caroline have been married for 41 years and have two adult children, Rose (35) and Bryn (34). No grandchildren yet, but one never knows.
Burke grew up in New England and went to college in New York City. There he met Caroline while both were studying experimental theater. Soon afterwards, they moved to a spiritual community in upstate New York, located in a former Shaker village. In addition, Burke has studied and engaged in the Sikh, Zen, Tibetan Buddhist, Hebrew, and Sufi orders faith traditions. He also is a lover of all types of music, art, film, literature, poetry and the natural world.
Burke’s call to spirit has been a core part of his life for decades and continues to inspire, motivate, and remind him of God’s grace, Christ’s love and the spirit’s continuing renewal of creation.
Rev. Gerardo García Palacios, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries
Rev. Dr. Gerardo García Palacios was born in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1996. Raised in the Presbyterian tradition, he developed a deep commitment to faith, leadership, service, and community through his involvement with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and, later, with Latino Unidos en Cristo Presbyterian Church in San Mateo, California.
For more than twenty-five years, he has served the church in a variety of leadership roles, including youth leader, Christian educator, worship leader, deacon, ruling elder, commissioned pastor, and ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). His ministry experience includes congregational leadership, theological education, chaplaincy, and community-based ministry with immigrant and underserved populations.
Gerardo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from the Latin American Faculty of Theological Studies (FLET), a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Berkeley School of Theology. He is also a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) and completed both a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency and Fellowship at Stanford Health Care, where he provided spiritual care to patients, families, and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to his congregational ministry, Rev. Gerardo serves as a healthcare chaplain and has provided spiritual and emotional support to immigrant students through his work with Upward Scholars in San Mateo County. His doctoral research focused on the role of spiritual care in supporting Latinx immigrant college students as they navigate the challenges of higher education, identity, and belonging.
Gerardo is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping people of all ages grow in faith, discover their God-given gifts, and experience the love and grace of Christ in everyday life. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Rev. Dr. Ana García Espinoza, and their son, David Mateo.
Mark Shaull, Director of Music
650-323-6167 x111
Mark Andrew Shaull has been Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto since 1995. Prior to coming to Palo Alto he held Director of Music positions at Bethel Lutheran Church of Cupertino and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Los Altos. He is currently in his 36th year of music ministry. He holds a B.A. degree from San Jose State University, where he has completed graduate studies.
Mark previously was Director of Choral Activities and Performing Department Coordinator at Los Altos High School, directing The Main Street Singers and five other choral ensembles on campus. Under his direction Los Altos High School choral ensembles achieved a truly international reputation, having traveled to 47 countries on six continents.
Diane Keller, Organist
Diane is a native of Tucson, AZ. She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Organ Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University.
Her musical career has included serving as a Guest Organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle from 1994-2012, teaching piano and organ lessons both privately and in groups, and teaching preschool music classes.
As an active member of the American Guild of Organists she has served on the board of the San Jose Chapter for many years including serving as Dean from 2011-2013.
Diane and her husband have lived in the Bay Area since 1999 and are the parents of three children. Diane joined us as organist in January 2015.
Susan Stephens, Administrative & Facilities Manager
650 323-6167
Susan Stephens is our Administrative & Facilities Manager, She can be reached at the main church number during office hours 9 AM to 4 PM.
Char Cutkosky, Administrative and New Media Associate
(650) 323-6167 x103
Char grew up as a member of First Palo Alto and now works as an administrative associate and manager for our website and social media pages. Their office hours are 12 PM through 4 PM.
