Pastor, Rev. Nathan Watts
Rev. Nathan Watts joined in the ministry of First Congregational United Church of Christ Flagstaff as our Pastor in March 2019. Nathan was raised around the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex and completed his Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee in 2013. After completing theological studies Nathan moved to Tucson, Arizona to work with BorderLinks, a non-profit which coordinates US/Mexico border immersion trips for student groups and church groups to raise awareness and inspire action for immigration justice. He joined the staff of The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Arizona in 2015 and served as their Assistant Minister of Worship and Christian Formation for three years. Upon completing the Member in Discernment process through the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, Nathan was ordained as an Authorized Minister in the United Church of Christ in May 2019.
Nathan serves an integrated ministry position, working as the Pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ Flagstaff as well as the Campus and Community Outreach Minister in Flagstaff for the Southwest Conference.
You can contact Pastor Nathan by calling the church office or by email at pastor.fccf@gmail.com.
Music Director, Steven Schaefer
Steven Schaefer is a second-year graduate student at Northern Arizona University pursing a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting. Steven serves as the Bell-Master for the Harold M. Harter Memorial Handbell Choir and the accompanist for the Shrine of the Ages Choir. Steven earned his bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance with a minor in Spanish from Northern Arizona University in 2013. While at NAU Steven won the Concerto Competition performing Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the NAU Orchestra. The past 5 years he taught music to grade 1-8, most recently at BASIS Flagstaff. Currently serving as Director of Choirs for the Flagstaff Youth Chorale, Steven is excited for his third season with the organization collaborating with the Master Chorale of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Steven serves as the Director of Music at the First Congregational Church of Flagstaff directing choir and accompanying. He is also the Principal Organist at Peace Lutheran Church.