MBCC Blog

Upcoming Events

2010-02-04T02:06:37-08:00

As you know, Mission Bay Community Church shares space with Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church. Therefore, it is helpful to know about activities that each of the two churches have organized. Here are a couple to add to the list:

1. Church Work Day- Saturday 2/6/10, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM (lunch provided). Painting walls, cleaning kitchen.

2. Haiti Relief Benefit Concert- Wednesday 2/10/10, 7:30 PM. Performers: Sean Kana Aloise, Alissa Deeter, Benjamin Liupaogo, Will Skaff, and Kristine Sinajon. Suggested donation $20.

Questions? Contact the church office for MBCC or OAPC.

Sacramento or Bust: MBCC style

2010-02-03T20:36:24-08:00

Well, you can finally put the mission trip on your calendar!

MBCC will be headed to Sacramento for an inter-generational mission trip this summer! The plan is to leave Tuesday, July 27th in the evening and return sometime on Sunday, Aug 1. There will be much information to follow in the coming months, and a call for official "registration" too, but for now...here's the skinny:

What: Mission Trip for anyone interested, babies on up to great-grandparents

Where: We'll stay at Charmichael Presbyterian Church and work throughout the Sacramento area.

When: July 27 (evening) - Aug 1. But, if you can't make it for the whole time, we can work something out!

Who: Anyone looking to serve, grow with God and the group, and have some fun along the way! Kids of all ages are welcome, though we may not be allowed to have young kids at all the work sites -- more info on that soon.

Why: Because a mission trip allows a unique opportunity for faith exploration, service, and group-bonding :)

What else do you need to know? Of course any trip costs money, but we'll try to keep it as low as possible and we can fund raise too. If you want to help plan any part of the trip (work, food, etc) please let me know! Questions? Just ask!

California Is A Ridonkulous Mess!! But You Can Help.

2010-02-03T11:04:02-08:00

One of the things that really grate me are the folks who complain about our dysfunctional government but don't bother to do anything about it, including to vote. Well here's your chance to step up. It will soon be time to redraw the lines of political districts (done every 10 years, based on the new Census data), and the way this is done is a huge factor in determining who gets elected to office. When redistricting is done by the legislature, it is typically done to make districts "safe" (i.e. non-competitive) for one party or the other. This has been done to a great extent in California, and is one of the reasons why our state government is so ineffective, since representatives end up being more extremely partisan and less responsive to the voters.

Fortunately this process has been reformed by the passage of Prop 11 last November, taking the job of redistricting away from the legislature and putting it in the hands of a Citizens Redistricting Commission. It will be comprised of 14 Californians who will be selected according to a process designed to make the Commission as impartial as possible. There are certain conditions (must have been registered to vote for the last 5 years, and voted in at least 2 of the last 3 statewide elections) and exclusions (cannot be a lobbyist or have worked for an elected official, plus some other limitations). The application period to join the Commission is now open, and I encourage anyone who is interested to apply.

Read more about the process, and find the application here:

http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/

Applications can be submitted until February 12th.

FYI, the Commission will only be determining the district lines for California state offices (State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization), not the US Congress.

get your social justice on!

2010-01-28T16:30:40-08:00

"Our (working) definition of Social Justice:

v. a process, not an outcome, which

(1) seeks fair (re)distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities;

(2) challenges the roots of oppression and injustice;

(3) empowers all people to exercise self-determination and realize their full potential; and

(4) builds social solidarity and community capacity for collective action."

The UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare is hosting a free and open-to-the public event to raise awareness of social justice issues and inspire people to act for social change through action-oriented workshops.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feburary 6th at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. Click here for more information or to register. You can email Megan with any questions.

Church World Service is already in Haiti

2010-01-18T19:18:26-08:00

With all the news headlines about the earthquake in Haiti, I would like to let folks know that Church World Service is already active in Haiti. Three-fourths of the $13,000 raised at the 10/18/09 SF CROP Walk was designated to Church World Service, so the money that our SF CROP Walk participants raised was available to immediately help the people in Haiti.

Because Church World Service is already in Haiti, they had staff who were affected by the earthquake. I am sad to report that one of Church World Service's board members, Rev. Sam Dixon, was killed when he was trapped in the rubble, and we reach out with prayers and support to his family, as well as to numerous others who have been impacted by the disaster. Be assured that the mission work continues and the need is greater than ever. Feel free to contact Marc Jung marc@missionbaycc.org if you have questions about the SF CROP Walk or Church World Service, and I will try to find answers or put you in touch with Church World Service.

A special word of thanks goes to those who walked or sponsored at the SF CROP Walk, as it enabled Church World Service to help people in Haiti even before the earthquake struck this month.

Peace,

Marc

where my girls at?

2010-01-07T18:48:55-08:00

Attention all Ladies of MBCC! It's not too late to sign up for the annual Women's Retreat at Westminster Woods!!

The Woods is a PC(USA)-affiliated summer camp in Sonoma County, about an hour-and-a-half drive North of San Francisco. Nestled among beautiful trees, rocks, and streams, the Woods is a perfect setting for reconnecting with God, nature, yourself, and your fellow LoM (Ladies of MBCC).

A group of lovely LoM will be attending the January 29-31 retreat led by Rev. Gail Doering. The theme is "Soul Food: Nourishment for the Mind, Body & Spirit." There is no doubt that it will be a weekend of fun, fellowship, music, the great outdoors, delicious food, and Jesus!! Can it get any better? I don't know if it can.

Don't miss it! Click here for more information and to register!

Mission Trip Decision Time!

2010-01-07T08:37:32-08:00

Hello MBCCers,

As many of you know, we are planning a mission trip for this coming summer. After meeting with a group of folks, I began a search for sites throughout North America. I tried to focus on sites that are (relatively) easy to get to, provide a variety of volunteer possibilities, and allow children. The last factor ended up being the deal breaker for many sites as liability is preventing many places from allowing anyone younger than high school. So, I have found two options and I would like your feedback. Send me an email or catch me on Sunday to let me know your thoughts so we can make a decision in the next couple of weeks!

Option 1: Washington DC

There is an organization called The Pilgrimage which houses groups on mission trips and helps to coordinate their volunteer activities. They have connections with many different organizations and agencies in DC so we could have a wide variety of working experience. They have dorm-like housing facilities and a kitchen for group use, but in return charge $31 per person per night. Of course the other major cost would be plane fare, probably around $250 per person depending on when we book. So, with food, transportation, housing, etc, we'd be looking at probably between $500 and $600 per person. One big advantage with The Pilgrimage is that mission trips is what they do, so it would hopefully be a very seamless trip.

Option 2: Sacramento

For a much closer option, there is a church just east of Sacramento that could house us, Charmichael Presbyterian. It would be sleeping on the floor, but they do have showers and all. They have several different regular volunteer activities at the church and connections with many agencies and organizations around Sacto. We could even do an educational component with a tour of the capitol and some NGO visits, or visit a farm. Or, if we went during the week of July 12-16, they do a large VBS for the community (150 kids, only 30 of which come from the church). Otherwise work could work in organizations around the city, with agricultural groups, etc. Of course this is a much cheaper option and much closer. This means we could do a shorter or longer trip, or people could even join in late.

This is just a glimpse at each site, and I can provide a lot more information if you want. So, if you are interested in the trip, let me know your thoughts on the site so we can begin more concrete planning!

Year-end financial update, pretty good, but . . .

2009-12-23T11:43:41-08:00

Dear MBCC,

2009 was a year of big steps for our little congregation. We've made it through some major changes and need your help to forge on ahead. Last fall, we mobilized and moved from Mission Bay/Potrero Hill to the Excelsior District. We started meeting at night and weathered that transition. Shortly after our move, last December, we chartered as a church and ordained our first class of elders. Bruce continued his journey as moderator of the PCUSA and we said goodbye to beloved staff members, Abby, Tiffany, and Nick. As is common in our community, we also bid farewell to many friends and members who left San Francisco for greener (is that even possible?) pastures.

At the same time, we continued to grow in 2009. Even as people moved to Austin, Chicago, Portland and beyond, new members have continued to join our church. We have welcomed several new babies into our community. We've most recently welcomed new staff members, Erin and Miriam. One small group with a vision even implemented the Excelsior Community Food Pantry. This group has fed hundreds of families through its monthly pantry and is continuing to grow. We also formed a Pastoral Care Committee, which, speaking from personal experience, does an excellent job caring for and serving our members in need.

Looking forward to 2010, I hope that our congregation will dream big and continue to grow in Christ, uplifting and supporting one another and serving our wider community. Looking back at 2009, however, we have begun to look at our budget and expenses for the past year. In congregational meetings earlier this year we discussed how our church operates on, frankly, a shoestring budget. Our budget and expenses are available for review at: MBCC Budget: 2009 Year-to-Date. Nearing the end of the year, our income puts us a little more than $5000 short of meeting our budget. It has not been an easy year for folks financially, but if you can manage to donate to the church, it would help us to end this year in good shape for continuing to minister in the year to come.

You can make a contribution online at www.egive-usa.com and/or for other ways to support our ministry through things like eScript and other programs CLICK HERE. Please consider giving and thank you for your continued support.

Katina [email]
Elder for Administration and Support

Christmas Eve 2009 with MBCC and OAPC

2009-12-16T20:38:39-08:00

[image: starwarsblog]

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
December 24th at 8:00 PM
32 Ocean Avenue @ Mission
a joint service with
Mission Bay Community Church and
Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church

Feel free to bring some cookies or other snacks to share. We'll provide the hot drinks!

It is hard to believe that we are a little over a week away from Christmas 2009. With the Advent season in full swing during Sunday PM worship, the anticipation is clearly growing. Having three very excited little girls in our house certainly doesn't hurt. As always MBCC will have a Christmas Eve Service and once again we will partner with Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church. Once again we will have a "Lessons and Carols" kind of service with our young folks retelling the Christmas story combined with plenty of carol singing. This is a great time to invite friends and family!

Lastly, as we do fully move into this time of joy and hope, let us remember the many people from whom the holiday season brings about deep emotional pain and suffering. We should also remember the many people around the world who during this time live and die on our streets separated from the communities that some many of us are part of. If you would like to remember those that have died on the streets of San Francisco this year, please feel free to attend the Candlelight Memorial for the Homeless Dead on Monday, December 21st at 5:30 in the plaza in front of SF City Hall. I will be there and hope you can be present for so many who have needlessly died this year. Please be sure to bring a candle for the service.

If you are traveling over the next few weeks, blessings on your adventures, otherwise, hope to see you soon!

Peace,
Bruce

A Note from the Personnel Committee

2009-12-14T10:08:26-08:00

Dear MBCC,

As we reported earlier, the Personnel Committee is in the process of surveying the congregation to assess the possibility of shifting to a tentmaking pastoral model next year. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond to the survey. The idea of tentmaking and sharing the work of pastoral ministry and care in new and different ways raises a lot of exciting and important questions and concerns.

We would really like to receive input from everyone – thoughts, concerns, and questions. One way to make your voice heard is to fill out the survey – available here. If you would prefer to just talk face-to-face, members of the Personnel Committee will be hanging out at dinner after the service this Sunday and would love to chat with you.

Just as we ask questions and seek participation during sermons at MBCC, we also request your thoughts and input in running the show around here. After we receive input from the congregation, we will be meeting with Bruce, we are scheduled to interview a local pastor about his experience tentmaking, and we’ll be sharing what we learned and discussing all this in more detail at an upcoming congregational meeting early next year. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Katina (for the Personnel Committee of Katherine, James Van Z., and Joe)

It's been a year...

2009-12-07T00:30:09-08:00

Did you realize that it has been around a year since MBCC officially chartered as a church in the PCUSA denomination? Yes, it was in December of last year that we advanced from our previous New Church Development (NCD) status. What a year it's been! By the very nature of our demographics, we recognize that during the year, some folks will move to other cities while others will move into the area. This is how MBCC maintains fresh energy and a willingneess to constantly explore new ideas.

Tonight (12/6/09) we had the opportunity to celebrate infant baptism, and also to recognize six new members. It's an exciting way to start our second year as an official church. We also welcomed a youth group visiting from another church in our Presbytery, who got to experience MBCC's unique style firsthand. The surprise feature tonight was baptismal water brought over from the Sea of Galilee by Caden's parents. Congratulations to our newest members (Joel, Jeanette, Chris, Jamie, Tom, and Denise), and also to baby Caden (plus friends and family). Welcome!

Mark Your Calendars for Sunday 7/18/10

2009-12-01T20:15:53-08:00

Today is December 1, 2009, World AIDS Day. It's a chance to celebrate the achievements in the fight against AIDS. But at the same time, it's also a moment to pause and reflect on what still lies ahead to combat this global pandemic. This is also an opportunity to say thank you to the numerous walkers and sponsors of our Presbyterian team at AIDS Walk San Francisco, who each did their share to help in the fight against AIDS, by walking and sponsoring. By having a number of SF area Presbyterian churches join forces for form a large team, our team raised more funds this year than last year, despite the weak local economy. In addition, an elder on MBCC's Session works for an organization that received a grant from the money raised at this year's AIDS Walk.

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, July 18, 2010, which is the date for the next AIDS Walk San Francisco. Once again, we'll have a chance to make a difference in the fight against AIDS, by walking and sponsoring. Plus, if we qualify in advance for a team table, or better yet, a team box, we'll have our traditional post-walk BBQ. Stay tuned for details, and as always, I can be reached at marc@missionbaycc.org if you have any questions.

Thank be to God!

2009-11-25T09:56:45-08:00

It is hard to believe that 2009 will soon come to an end. Where has the time gone? Crazy.

In any case, as we begin our Advent Season - the Christian new year and time of waiting for the birth of Christ - it does seem appropriate to begin to give thanks for where God has taken us over the past year. I would love to hear what you are thankful for, but here are just a few floating around my head these days . . . and then an invitation.

Giving thanks to GOD for the opportunity to be part of such a community I lift up In no particular order prayers to say . . .

THANK YOU to . . . so many who continue to just show up and help with set-up and tear down each Sunday: Chris, Marc, Arnold, John, Katherine and others.
THANK YOU to . . . staff over the past year/s who have helped to shape who we are and will become: Nick, Abby, Tiffany, Leslie, Virgie, Evelyn and newest folks, Eric and Miriam. BTW, Virgie's final Sunday will be on November 29th, so please be sure to give her a hug as she moves on!
THANK YOU for . . . those who help provide and lead music: too many to name, but in particular those who have lead: Tammie, Megan, Shawn, Beadle, Leslie and Tiffany.
THANK YOU for . . . those who have been present for others in times of struggle, pain and need.
THANK YOU for . . . those who have done so much work to get the Excelsior Community Food Pantry going. What a gift you have provided the community and this church.
THANK YOU for . . . those who have helped to provide food for Sunday dinners. Mmm mmm good.
THANK YOU for . . . those who have helped shepherd and guide so many who have become new parents this year and for all of us as we commit to raising these children in the faith.
THANK YOU for . . . our 32 Ocean Avenue roommates, Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church, as we have continued to learn to live together: in particular Pastor Susan, Kathryn, Nancy, Mela and the OAPC Session.
THANK YOU for . . . the various committees and teams that have been helping MBCC move into a structure that is both fluid, but will help create sustainability over the long term: Session, Pastoral Care Team, and Personnel Committee.
THANK YOU for . . . all those who have and still support our work and ministry through prayers, fiscal resources and their presence.
THANK YOU for . . . folks who have rolled with the ebbs and flows of our community in all things.
THANK YOU for . . . everyone who continues to take part in helping us grown into whom hopes us to become.

. . . and always risking leaving someone out, please feel free to add to the list.

Despite great tragedies that have hit individuals as well as the world, we rest in the knowledge of God's presence in the midst of it all. So on this day, thank you.

Bruce

Calling all kids and youth...!

2009-11-18T08:59:53-08:00

I am very excited to announce that both kid and youth programs will start up on Sunday, December 6!

For Elementary Kids: We are going to bring back the handchimes for Advent! We'll practice during the Sunday School time (during worship) on December 6th and 13th, and then play in worship on the 20th. Adults and youth are certainly welcome to play as well!

Starting January 10th, we will begin "regular" Sunday School during worship.

For Youth: We are going to have our first youth group December 6th starting at 3:30 at church. This is for anyone in sixth grade or up, and friends are certainly welcome! We'll do introductions, something fun, talk about what we want to do in the new year.... If you have regular Sunday activities in January and beyond, bring a calendar with you so we can figure out a regular time to meet!

*Help needed* If you want to help lead the handchimes, please let me know. Also, if you are interested in teaching or helping with Sunday school starting in January, we could really use more help!

Isn’t it always the little things?

2009-11-13T11:56:34-08:00

I joke around quite a bit. Its one reason I feel as though I fit here at MBCC. In my first few weeks, I have joked that I will be ‘browbeating’ folks into signing up to do things, which is part of my job. (The signing folks up part, at least, not the browbeating.) But I have also made some observations about why we do things the way we do at MBCC. Many things seem mundane or small, but they are important parts of our ministry together. After all, the front of our bulletins say the entire congregation are ministers of this community. What does that mean to you?

Hospitality

Worship set-up~ We make tea and coffee to create a warm, welcome space. We place candles in the windows so the room glows. We put information cards in pews with journals; so people can engage worship, engage God, in many different ways. We say hello to new faces while we greet our dear friends. We pull out the café tables and chairs, because not everyone likes a pew. We take special time to create a communion table, a place where we gather to partake and remember.

Welcome/ Announcements~ This is the official welcome to MBCC worship. We share a little bit of who we are as a community, and we “orient” folks to our way of being.

Running the digital projector/ soundboard~ A digital projector is not only environmentally friendly (no copies for music!), but also helps people who may not know the words to a song. Some people are visual learners, and we want to be vehicles for God to meet us where we are.

DINNER~ I’m not sure this needs much explanation! We fellowship together over food each week. It is a special time for us to connect with each other, and food only makes it better.

Sharing God…

Reading scripture~ Reading the Bible gives shape to our church life together. Yeah, the words are sometimes difficult or antiquated, but the message is important.

Serving communion~ We share one loaf of bread, one cup together. We unite in communion with each other, while we remember the One who made sacrifices for us.

Sharing music~ Make a joyful noise for the Lord! I am grateful our musicians share their talents with us. Whether we have an acoustic evening or a full band, music punctuates our life as church.

Stewardship: it’s not just about money…

Cleaning up from worship/ dinner~ Its an easy task that not many people like to do… but blowing out candles, putting compost in the compost bins, washing out the coffee urn, or putting things away are the little things that make a huge difference!

Counting Offering~ You don’t have to be an account to count the monetary gifts of the community. There’s even a cheat sheet and people who are willing to teach you how to make the correct notations.

These are little things that make a huge difference in our ministry at MBCC. I also know there are so many more gifts and talents just waiting to be shared or plugged into our community. How can we help you discover them? Are you ready to try something new?

What are the small things in your life that can change your attitude in an instant?

Blessings, Erin

P.S. Yes, I can sign you up to do any of the above tasks. Please email me or let me know when I see you next!

Mission Trip? Let's chat during dinner on Nov 8

2009-10-28T16:21:13-07:00

It seems like everyone is talking about the recession - it has usurped the weather as the "safe" small talk topic, and balloons from there. Certainly we have all adjusted our thinking, spending, budgeting, etc. My husband and I were faced with a new city (SF) which has nearly double the cost of living as our old city (Memphis) coupled with several months of my unemployment. This prompted us to adjust our lifestyle: less eating out, cutting out a home phone, no new clothes, no vacation....

But, in addition to adjusting our wallets, I think the current economic state can also help us realign our priorities. Many non-profits have taken a serious beating over the past 18 months with less money coming in as people are faced with reduced income as well as less volunteer hours as people are picking up second or even third jobs. For those of us who can make either the time or the money, there is much work to be done in our neighborhoods, our country, and our world.

MBCC already has a great opportunity for volunteer work and giving through the Excelsior Community Food Pantry. I would like to also gauge the interest on another: a mission trip. Why a mission trip when there is great need right around us in SF? A mission trip provides a unique opportunity for a community of believers to remove themselves from "normal life" and push outside their comfort zones physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mission trips can also serve to strengthen relationships (between communities, individuals, and God) in a way unlike anything else I have experienced. And in case you aren't convinced, see what the PC(USA) has to say: http://www.pcusa.org/missiontrips/

Have I piqued your interest? If you are even a little interested in the idea of an MBCC mission trip, lets have a chat during dinner time on November 8. Together we can explore when and where a mission trip might take place and how it would come together. If you have thoughts before (or after) the meeting, please feel free to contact me :)

From the Personnel Committee - Tentmaking update #1

2009-10-28T14:58:21-07:00

Dear MBCC Friends and Family,

On the horizon are a handful of exciting possibilities that can strengthen MBCC, and we’d like your help in shaping them. MBCC embraces its identity as a very dynamic, fluid group of Christ-followers and has been exceptionally open to new adventures and trying new ways of building the body of Christ through the unique experiences of our community. Recently, we’re transitioning to a more inclusive leadership style. Thank you, everyone, for stepping up into roles to help build the church, share the gospel, and extend MBCC’s sincerely welcoming, open-door invitation into community and into Christ-centered relationships.

What will help serve the church’s big goals?

One option floated recently is trying a tentmaking pastoral model. This could help share leadership duties and would allow MBCC to invite an associate pastor to support and cooperate with Pastor Bruce. If a tentmaking model is eventually put in place, Pastor Bruce, who loves and enjoys our church family, would plan to remain as head pastor part-time while simultaneously pursuing additional opportunities. As we have been very blessed by his family’s service through the years, we invite all of our brothers and sisters at MBCC to help find an agreeable model to advance all of these major goals of the church and further strengthen the leadership and vision for what/who MBCC will be.

What’s the tentative plan and how can we all help?

Over the next several months, the Personnel Committee (Katina M., James V., Katherine W., Leslie V., Joe C.) invites ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE to help us figure out what all of us need MBCC to be and HOW to make it happen. During the first 2 weeks of November, we will collect people’s input through an online survey. The second and third Sundays in November (11/8 and 11/15), Personnel Committee is offering to hold “office hours” to invite everyone to sit and share 1-on-1 (or in small groups) what are your thoughts about the tentmaking option (i.e. What concerns do you have? How can we help address your concerns? What are other good options that can serve the goals and mission of the church? etc.)

We are really trying to invite and hear everyone’s most critical input by end of November so we can report back to the church what we’ve heard and help shape a plan to incorporate all feedback. If (and only if) the tentmaking model will agreeably serve our church family and shared goals at MBCC, we are considering searching for an associate pastor starting in January with interviews in April. August 2010 is the potential hire month.

Again, this is just 1 series of options. We’re asking everyone in MBCC to PRAY about and to help us consider and modify this possibility. We will be in ongoing discussion with Session and trying to figure out what God wants for MBCC and how God would lead the church to serve the body of Christ in vibrant, enthusiastic ministries in years ahead. Pleases engage with our church family as we enter optimistically into these conversations.

So at your earliest convenience, please fill the ONLINE SURVEY by NOVEMBER 11.

Please get in touch with any of us if you have any questions!

Peace,
The Personnel Committee
Katina M.
James V.
Katherine W.
Joe C.
Leslie V.

Read more about tentmaking option and models at:

A Pastoral Letter: Staffing plans for the future of MBCC

2009-10-16T16:14:05-07:00

[blooming image: cobalt]

Dear MBCC friends and family,

I hope this letter finds you doing well and enjoying the odd weather we have been having as of late. As I sit here at the church amidst the sunshine after the storms, I am reminded of the wonderfully chaotic world and city in which we live.

And yes, "wonderfully chaotic" is how I would describe our life together at MBCC. During my nine years here in pastoral leadership, I have come to embrace the ways in which we shift and adapt to life around us while maintaining a commitment to being constantly recreated by God, sustained by the movement of the Holy Spirit and compelled by the calling of Christ. For this gift and for the privilege of being part of the pastoral staff over the years I thank you.

With that buttering up . . . we move on to a new time in our life that will require all of us to again be open to the possibilities that God may have for our community. God is not done with us yet, and like I said, what would MBCC be without some new adventure to navigate?

Over the past few months, The Session (Our governing body), the Personnel Committee (Yes, we have one) and I have been in discussion about my future here at MBCC after my Moderatorial term is complete in July of 2010. This is been a good time of discovery and discernment for all involved as we reflect upon our nine-year history, the past few years and where/how we would like to into the future.

Here are a few of the general things we have discerned and discovered over the past few months of discussion:

You: The past 15 months of this Moderator adventure, has been difficult in regards to some of the ways MBCC has been able to fully settle into our current ministry location. I am grateful that MBCC and my family have shared me with the denomination, but I also know that my energies have been spread thin. At the same time the term has provided us, thanks to so many who have stepped into leadership, with some opportunities to explore and discover creative ways to express pastoral leadership.
Me: As a person who has now been in ministry for 14 years, has been on pastoral staff here for nine years and is coming off of a larger-church leadership experience, I am yearning and hoping for some new challenges in ministry so that I may continue to growing personally and professionally into who God intends for me to become. I also greatly embrace being a local pastor, especially serving in a community such as MBCC, one that feeds and nourishes my soul.
Us: Neither I or MBCC is ready to let go of one another. So barring any dramatic discovery, membership revolution or other unforeseen development, I am not going anywhere. While there will certainly be a time some day that I and you will will need something different, we have discerned that that time is not now and we still, together, have much ministry yet to live out. In short, if you will still have me, I will still be the Pastor here.

So here is what we are going to explore together . . .

What I am hoping that we do together is explore the idea of "tentmaking" as a model for our pastoral staffing. While you can read more about the concept HERE*, basically this means that I would be bi-vocation, part time pastoring here at MBCC and part time pursuing other endeavors. This tentmaking model would then create a situation where I would be the Pastor and we would call an additional part-time ordained Associate Pastor to complement my skill set and complete a full time pastoral presence.

The Apostle Paul, for example, made tents for a living so that he would not have to burden the small, struggling fellowships of believers during the first century A.D. From Saint Paul's example we have adopted the term "tentmaking" to describe a situation in which a minister of the Word and Sacrament works in a usually secular occupation and works for a particular church on a less than full time basis. - PCUSA

In my case, I will pursue some other interests primarily some freelance blogging, co-hosting God Complex Radio and completing a book project, all of which will have have me physically present at MBCC far more than I have been over the past 15 months.

Why this is good for MBCC:

Clearly, if I did not ask that we explore this possibility I/we would probably simply shift into a full-time pastoral role here at MBCC. We would be having a very different conversation, one based on the question, "What will Bruce do as the only paid staff?" Quite honestly, the idea of this route scares me a bit because, one, we have never had only ONE paid staff person and, two, the idea that one person can provide the kind of pastoral presence that we need to keep us creatively moving forward seems daunting.

If this model works well, with MBCC discerning what gifts are needed to move us into the future AND we find the right second person, we - along with Leslie - will have a pretty awesome pastoral staff team. You would in essence have more complete and energized pastoral staff that will continue to be challenged and informed by one another as well as their vocational contexts outside of MBCC.

Next steps . . .

I do understand that for many of you this is pretty unexpected and probably a different staffing model that you may be used to. And while some of us have been talking about this for a few months, this is not something that the Session, I nor you all should ruch into without a great deal of care.

We have roughly nine months until my terms ends and the hope is that ever the next six months or so we will build a job description and structure that will allow us to bring someone on by the Fall of 2010.

Here is what you should know about the process . . .

Current Staffing: Session and personnel acknowledge that there have been some ministries that have not been kept up over the past 15 months so with Abby and Nick shifting into new chapters in their lives, we need to not only survive the next 9 months, but begin to be forward thinking and creative. For this reason we hired Erin and Miriam to help provide support and help us think about the future. I will also shift a small portion of my time to begin preparing for what I am entering into, mostly taking some concentrated hours to finish my book.
Session's charge: The Session has asked the Personnel Committee to begin a process of discovery and planning with the outcome to shift to this model. Most of the conversations will be about the expectations, needs and wants of the congregation for it's pastoral leadership and what that then looks like in a two-person structure.
Seeking input: Personnel over the next few months will be approaching the congregation individually and collectively to seek out the hopes and expectations that are had of the pastoral position as well as what roles you think that position plays in the life of the congregation. Past and present staff folks as well as myself and Leslie will also offer information in terms of how some of the internal structures play into future positions.
Developing a staffing structure: After information is gathered, the Personnel Committee will begin to develop appropriate post-moderator job descriptions for myself as well as any other position/s that they deem are needed.
Calling of a new Tent Making Associate: While this can be a complicated process and will require us to navigate the exciting waters of Presbytery and other denominational systems, it is our hope to begin searching for someone some time in the spring of 2010 in order to start in the Fall.
Keeping you in the loop: Throughout all of this, the Personnel Committee will be reporting back to both the session and the congregation with updates, requests for information and anything else they might need to help us best discern the Spirit in the midst of these changes. Personnel meets this weekend and will come up with some best ideas for feedback from you as well.

So . . . that's it for now. You know now everything that some of us have been talking about. As we do, I would expect nothing other than complete transparency as we engage in this process and I hope that you will take every opportunity to provide feedback, engage in discussion and help us define God's future for MBCC.

While the Personnel Committee will be communicated with you all soon, if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to drop me a note or lets schedule coffee.

And my the peace of Christ be with you!

* And in case you were wondering, of course there is an Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers ;-)

Welcome Erin and Miriam to the crazy that is MBCC!

2009-10-16T12:00:15-07:00

We have staff! Woot. I wanted to introduce you to the two folks who have joined the MBCC staff team. What a gift it is to have connected with Miriam Dolin, who will be taking on Mission and Christian Ed/Youth, and Erin Moore, who will be taking on Worship, Volunteer and Administration Coordination. Each will be working 40-60 hours a month to help us move and creatively cruise through the final months of Bruce's term as Moderator.

Here is a little more about them as well as various contact points, to please take moment to welcome them to the MBCC Crew!

Erin Moore: Twitter | Facebook |eMail
Volunteer and Worship Coordinator

I'm Erin Moore, a born and raised Texan (but please don't hold that against me!), who makes her home with an adorable pup named Emily and my partner, Beth. I'm a 3rd year seminarian at Pacific School of Religion, in the ordination process with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You might want to know that I: love Texas Dr. Pepper, made with pure cane sugar instead of corn syrup; really, really, really, really love my dog-child; and I actually enjoy reading an abnormal amount of theology.

My favorites:

TV shows: Bones, NCIS, Grey's, Numb3rs, Dexter, Weeds, The Closer, Lie to Me . . . all on Hulu;
Movies: Love Actually, Mama Mia!, Labyrinth, anything Pixar, British comedy;
Hobbies- knitting, hiking with the pup, and enjoying a great meal with friends;

Miriam Dolin: Twitter | Facebook |eMail
Mission, Service, Christian Education and Youth

Growing up in Louisville, KY, Miriam threw herself into the youth group at Harvey Browne PC, a legacy that follows her to this day. She studied the sticky relationship between church and state and faith and politics as a religious studies and political science double major at Rhodes College in Memphis. Since graduating from Rhodes, Miriam has taught high school history and worked in the non-profit world. She recently relocated to the Bay Area with her husband, Dave, and is thrilled to learn all that San Francisco has to offer.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Miriam loves to read anything, especially books about history, other cultures, and religion. She also loves anything with food - cooking, eating, trying new restaurants, and watching cooking shows. And finally, Miriam loves music, both listening and participating.

Favorites: (in no particular order)

TV shows: Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, Bones and The Office
Music: REM, Gillian Welch, Mary Lou Lord, Wilco
Movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding - that is the only movie I can watch over and over again and still laugh
Hobbies: Photography, playing games, cooking and eating, reading

just in case...

2009-10-08T21:32:38-07:00

Hey folks. We have gotten no RSVPs for Saturday's work day, so it is canceled.

I repeat... DON'T COME TO CHURCH ON SATURDAY. THERE IS NO WORK DAY.

Or show up and wonder where everyone is :)