Pastor, Rev. Tami Groves

Tami Groves was born and raised in a small town in Northeastern Ohio and a suburb of Columbus. She is therefore a dyed-in-the-wool Ohio State University Buckeyes Football fan, loves rhubarb, knits as a spiritual practice and loves snow. Her immediate local family consists of a Pandemic Puppy Mocha (aka MoMo), her daughter Michelle and a lovely diverse group of people who are “adopted” family.

In 1998 Tami was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Brookhaven Christian Church in Atlanta, Ga. From that day forward she has served churches both DOC and UCC in several cities such as Detroit, Atlanta, Berkeley, and Fremont (Ca). She had the privilege of working as a researcher for the Howard Thurman Papers Project at Morehouse University in Atlanta, Ga.

Tami is passionate about reconciling people to each other and to God. Helping people find spiritual growth, healing and hope is her calling.

Music Director, Reece Owens

Reece Owens moved to San Francisco from Fresno, CA when he was 18 years old, and quickly got himself associated with the church’s music program. His music career started when he was barely big enough to climb onto the piano bench at his grandmother’s house back in Fresno.

He went on to learn many more instruments whilst keeping the piano closest. He was accepted to Berklee College of Music at Boston Conservatory when he was 16, but due to the death of his mother was not able to study there. He plays bagpipes in the Irish Piper’s Band of San Francisco Grade 3 competition band, and studies conducting with a private instructor. He attends the San Francisco Symphony almost weekly and loves to incorporate music from the classical repertoire into the church’s services. Having just turned 20 years old, he is planning to further his education in orchestral conducting and composition which has been his dream ever since he climbed down from that piano stool.

Reece has composed works for string quartet, choir, concert band, piano solo, and piano with violin; some of which have been performed in the church services. He is happy to be where he is and is thrilled to share his love of classical music to others.