Rev. Elizabeth Robinson

SENIOR PASTOR

Elizabeth studied literature and psychology at Bard College in New York, and then earned an MFA in creative writing at Brown University. She earned her Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in bioethics at the Pacific School of Religion. Along her vocational path, Elizabeth has worked with autistic people, been a part of an intentional community in Los Angeles devoted to racial reconciliation, and taught at several universities. For the six years prior to her arrival at Orinda Community Church, she worked full time with people experiencing homelessness in Boulder, Colorado. She also served as Minister in the Community and Poet in Residence at Community United Church of Christ in Boulder.

The great joys of her life are her sons, her husband, Randy Prunty, writing poetry, and— most centrally! —working in community to share God’s loving kindness. Elizabeth enjoys exploring her faith through contemplative practices, through the arts, through conversation and prayer, and through outreach into the community.

Reach Elizabeth at elizabeth.orindachurch@gmail.com

DAVID MILNES

MUSIC DIRECTOR

David Milnes joined OCC as Organist/Choir Director in 1998. He also serves as music director of the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players. 

Following early musical studies on the clarinet, piano, organ, cello and voice, he earned degrees from SUNY Stony Brook and Yale University. His conducting teachers have included Leonard Bernstein, Erich Leinsdorf, Max Rudolf, Herbert Blomstedt and Otto-Werner Mueller.

David has recently conducted the Oregon, Columbus, Anchorage and Cheyenne Symphonies, and has performed at the Tanglewood, Aspen, Monadnock and Killington Music Festivals. He has guest conducted and lectured at the Juilliard, Curtis and Mannes Schools as well as at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has also had a lifelong interest in jazz which has led to appearances with Gene Krupa, Chuck Mangione, Billy Taylor and John Pizzarelli.

David can be reached at office@orindachurch.org