MBCC Blog

We are "GREEN" for potluck today, both environmentally as well as St. Patrick's day-ly.

2010-03-21T10:48:56-07:00

Remember that our monthly potluck is today and the theme is GREEN so bring our goodies to share with the rest of the crew. If you want to RSVP, here is the FB Event and while you're at it, tell your friends about our Easter Celebration and Disco Egghunt.

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Summary and Recommendations: Congregational Tentmaking Survey

2010-03-19T10:01:03-07:00

First and foremost we all need to thank the MBCC Personnel Committee for their amazingly faithful and diligent work over the past few months. Over the final few months of this process, we continue to lift all involved in prayer: the personnel committee, the congregation, current staff and our future staff members.

THANK YOU: Joe Callahan, Katina Miner, James Van Zoeren, Leslie Veen & Katherine Williams

The SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS below were received and Approved by Session on Thursday, March 18th with the following next steps:

share with and receive feedback from the congregation on March 28th
develop more detailed job descriptions of the Worship Coordinator and Administrator.*
post Job Descriptions no later than May 24, 2010
receive Applications by June 15, 2010
conduct the first round of evaluations/interviews by July 1, 2010
conduct the final round of interviews by July 21, 2010
set an Start Date: TBD to allow for some overlap with outgoing staff

*Session reaffirmed our need to support our Church School program and will look at ways to support this area as the first two positions are more clearly defined. We will also begin the process of notifying our local Presbytery of our plans.

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

In November 2009, the Personnel Committee ("Committee" or "The Committee") distributed a survey to the congregation in hopes of collecting insight and input on current and future MBCC staffing and a possible shift to a tentmaking¹ staff model after Bruce's term as PCUSA Moderator ends. The Committee received thoughtful survey responses from 18 people and spoke in person with all elders. We also talked in small (focus-type) groups after Sunday services.

Overall, the congregation is open to the possibility of tentmaking and wants to create a staffing arrangement that allows us to retain Bruce as our Pastor. Although the survey highlighted how our congregation is open to change and willing to be flexible, the responses also shed light on some reservations. Our impression is that our community yearns for more stability after a year of being in flux. The Committee recommends adopting a tentmaking staff model, but advise ensuring that it provides for consistent pastoral presence. The most feasible model would probably entail having Bruce as the called Pastor and leader of our congregation with a partner positions for a lay adminstrator and worship coordinator.

The following sections summarize what we learned from the survey. While we have strived to be objective in preparing this summary, we will also share the verbatim survey responses with Session.

DETAILS

MBCC's Strengths: - "What is MBCC doing well that should be continued?" These responses emphasized MBCC's friendly, open, welcoming, and accepting community. In that vein, some responses mentioned weekly sharing of communion and community-building congregational dinners. Many people also complimented the Food Pantry and the worship environment. For elders and worship leaders with "behind-the-scenes" knowledge of worship coordination problems, it was somewhat surprising to learn that we are masking problems and that things looks more smooth to the community as a whole
Pastoral Requirements: - "What do you/MBCC/our community need from a pastor?" "Consistent pastoral presence" was the recurring theme in these responses. Many responders also mentioned the importance of the pastor being approachable and available to members of the church. Several responses also expressed a desire for preaching and Biblical teaching.
MBCC's Weaknesses: - "At present, are any of these needs not being met? How so?" - Responders indicated that the church needs Bruce around more. The general sense seems to be that we are "holding on" and "keeping it together," but we are not thriving. Bruce's absence has been felt on Sundays and also on a relational basis. People are concerned that without Bruce around consistently, our oversight and organization has slipped and our growth has slowed due to a lack of momentum. Children's education was also listed as a missing piece by a couple of responders.
Where should we go from here? - "What are your big, audacious dreams for the congregation?" - Even though we only recently moved to the Excelsior District, the survey responses indicate that our congregation already has a heart for serving our immediate community. Many people also hope to expand the Food Pantry. In addition to these service-related goals, people also want our church to grow in membership, involvement of regular attenders, and diversity. Some responders mentioned that a larger community with additional lay leaders would help us reach out to the community and care for Christ "in our midst."
What do we need in a new staff person - "If an associate pastor were hired, what traits should that person have to complement Bruce's strengths/gifts?" - The way we framed this question confined the responses to a certain degree. Since it sought feedback on an associate pastor, we did not deliberately ask people to think outside of the pastoral box. Perhaps this also led some people toexpress reservations about bringing on someone new, due to the history of MBCC being unable to support a second pastor. The majority of responses envisioned a new staff person taking on administrative and ministry duties currently performed by Miriam and Erin. The responses stressed a need for the staff person to have excellent attention to detail and administrative follow-through. A few people also emphasized a desire to have a consistent worship leader. This was especially important to a couple of elders. Preaching and teaching also surfaced as desired qualities for a new staff person.
Other concerns - Responders shared their concerns openly and eloquently. People desire growth for our church and more education for our children. All of this plays into a general concern about our "sustainability." People want to pursue any staffing changes carefully and prayerfully and want to focus on bringing new attendees into the congregation so we can develop into a more involved, and inwardly and outwardly focused group.

The survey also included multiple choice questions to solicit input about priority areas for an associate pastor's leadership and to discuss both excitement and reservations and about tentmaking. The top priorities for an associate pastor's skill set were (1) "organization and coordination skills;" (2) "Adult Seminars (Bible Teaching or other subjects);" and (3) missions (both in terms of local community outreach and activities like the Food Pantry). Top concerns about tentmaking are whether there will be adequate funding for two people, whether the Pastor will be as "available to the congregation," and whether more involvement, leadership, and energy will be required from the congregation in a tentmaking model.

RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION

We knew this before, but the survey confirmed that our congregation is tired from the past year and Bruce, no doubt, is also exhausted from his term as Moderator. It seems that our community is in need of some self-care and and a focus on growth to ensure that we remain viable. While we need to work on our internal growth, the Food Pantry is a testament to how we may be best able to build community by reaching out and serving others.

Once Bruce's term as Moderator is over, our finances will change significantly when we lose stipends from the General Assembly. Miriam and Erin's positions also end in August. The Committee recommends working with Bruce to change his call to a part-time position so he can pursue his other interests in social media, radio, and writing. Financially supporting another called pastor would require the church to cover PCUSA pension benefits for that person. We are concerned about that cost and about putting the congregation in a precarious financial situation. The Committee also received comments that raised concern about whether our church was ready to try having two pastors again. Long-term members, in particular, have serious reservations about such a plan.

Despite those reservations, the responses to the survey indicated an interest in finding additional staff. While this may introduce new financial challenges, we present the following four options, some more ambitious, some more practical, for staffing as we move forward. We also note that it has been several years since Bruce was the sole staff person at MBCC. Our church is big enough now that it would be impossible for Bruce to carry out all the duties our staff performs on his own. For that reason also, we recommend hiring additional staff. In addition to keeping Bruce, we see the following four possibilities moving forward into tentmaking:

Search for a second called Pastor: In this model, Bruce would take on enhanced responsibility in areas that the congregation considers to be his strengths (teaching, personal relationships, maybe SF community ties). To fill in the gaps (administration, worship leading, etc.) we would shoot for the moon and send out a job description that asks for everything else. In other words, we would look for a dream candidate and would pay them as a called pastor - PCUSA pensions and all. Pros: The ideal candidate would fulfill all our requirements in one fell swoop and we'd get the benefits of a called pastor (preaching and teaching) along with administrative skills. Cons: This is a very idealistic solution and impractical on a financial level. It's also unlikely that we could find a candidate willing to take on primarily administrative work who is ordained.
Find a strong administrator and a pastor: Since there is a chance that we'll take over the Ocean Avenue building at some point, we would take this shift to tentmaking as an opportunity to find a strong church secretary who will get us organized and help run the building. We would also find a second pastor who could lead us in worship, teaching, and mission activities. Pros: If we do grow into the entire Ocean Avenue space, it is likely that we'll need to increase staff anyway. This option would allow us to hire a dedicated administrator and a called pastor without trying to push administrative duties on a person who is more interested in teaching and ministry. Cons: This would be even more financially out of our reach than the first option.
Hire an intern(s): In the past our church has worked with interns and some have stayed on past their internship period to serve the congregation. We could search for interns to support different areas, like missions, children's education, etc. Pros: Working with interns would cost less than hiring a staff person. Some seminaries (like Harvard) even pay for their own interns. Cons: Bruce's time spent mentoring would cut into his time with the congregation. MBCC clearly needs and desires more time with Bruce. If we were to pursue this option, we would want to be certain that the intern relationships would not suck up too much of Bruce's energy and time. We would also want to find a good fit with interns who perhaps could help with music, administration, teaching, etc. A final concern about this option is that it still seems like a bit of a stopgap solution. The survey responses were something of a call for us to get our act together, and hiring interns does not seem stable or forward-looking.
Hire a church administrator and worship coordinator/leader: This option differs from (2) since it would focus only on looking for a for a tech-savvy, highly organized and coordinated, church administrator and a lay worship leader. In other words, neither new staff person would need to be ordained and we would not be paying them as a called pastor. With Bruce present on Sundays much more consistently once he is no longer Moderator, he could use his time at MBCC to focus on fulfilling teaching, preaching, relational, and leadership roles. The administrator could deal with billing, office and building issues (which may explode with work if we acquire the OAPC facilities), Sunday worship coordination, church school coordination, and our local mission efforts (the Food Pantry). A worship coordinator and leader could bring our worship experience the consistency it has been lacking and could help with behind-the-scenes logistics. Pros: Financially this option should be feasible since by spreading job duties around across positions, hours for each employee can remain low, and we can thereby afford reasonable compensation. By retaining Bruce as the sole, called pastor, we meet the church's desire to maintain Bruce as our leader, we avoid any shared leadership problems, and we only pay pension/health care benefits for one person (Bruce). Hiring three people would also round out our staff and achieve our main objectives: to keep Bruce and to administer the church effectively. We would also achieve the goal of improving worship coordination . Cons: The option may still be costly and the hiring process may be more involved as we'll be searching to fill two positions. This option will not result in another called pastor, and Bruce (along with Session and other members) will still be tasked with priorities like church school and missions.

CONCLUSION

The Committee recommends moving into a tentmaking model but treading carefully as we make this transition. The Committee further advises ensuring that Bruce's presence and expectations for his role as our pastor are very clearly defined. With Bruce no longer serving as Moderator, his schedule will open up for him to spend more time at MBCC. Even with a reduced schedule due to tentmaking, Bruce will spend more time with us than he did over the past two years. As a tentmaker, we hope and expect that Bruce will have the energy and time to focus on preaching, being present at Sunday worship, teaching, and leading our congregation. In partnership with a gifted administrator and worship coordinator, we also hope that our church will get organized and ready for growth and that our experience in worship will be enhanced and invigorated.

Financially speaking, if we move ahead with the recommended option #4, we would still need to support Bruce with pension and health care benefits of $15,750. We are also required to provide study leave, mileage and professional expenses for Bruce which total $3,700. Bruce currently earns $50,000 per year and if he goes half-time at MBCC we would reduce that salary to $25,000. GA funding has been providing Bruce and his family with a childcare stipend and covering the salaries of Abby & Nick (previously) and Erin and Miriam (now). Although GA funding will end when Bruce is no longer moderator, we will have $25,000 in our budget from the salary Bruce earns from his other endeavors to devote to new staff people.

It seems reasonable to pay a worship coordinator at least $800 per month, considering that we will require presence at Sunday worship and coordination of other musicians. Just being around on Sundays will probably take 4 hours and coordination will take another 2 hours or so for an average of 8-10 hours per week. Given that an average month has four weeks, this would work out to between $20-25/hour. Over the course of the year, that will total $9600. If we can find a music coordinator at that rate, then we would have $15,400 to devote to a church administrator. That salary works out to about $1300 per month, or in a four-week month, $325 per week. If we required our administrator to work on Sunday (for probably 5 hours that day) we could reasonably require in office presence for 4 half-days, 2 full-days, or some other combination reaching 16 hours. At an approximately 20 hour workweek, this person would be earning around $16.25 per hour. Considering that we have to pay workers' compensation insurance and cover payroll taxes, even paying these salaries will require us to bring in more offering to break even. All the same, this rough proposal would allow our church to flex the money that Bruce was earning as a full-time pastor to bring in two new staff positions even as we lose funding from the GA.

NOTES
¹At the outset, we learned that we should have defined "tentmaking" more rigorously. For purposes of this report, "tentmaking" refers to a shared job structure wherein a called pastor works less than full time with another staff person or staff people working to fill out the pastoral position and serve the church.

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Congregational Meeting on March 28, 2010

2010-03-19T08:59:17-07:00

Just want to let folks know that there will be a congregational meeting in TWO Sundays, March 28th. Session approved yesterday a few things that we need to take care of as part of our congregational life. First, we will be voting on two more Elders and second we will received the report from the Personnel Committee on our future "Tentmaking Plans" and staffing suggestions. Please be sure to come to plan on staying for the meeting immediately following worship. You should be receiving more info in the next few days so watch the blog and a special eZine! - Bruce

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Excelsior Community Food Pantry goes to bi-monthly distribution!

2010-03-03T21:28:48-08:00

March marks two important landmarks for the Excelsior Community Food Pantry!

First, March is our one year anniversary. One year ago this month, the food pantry went from an idea in a bible study group to a monthly event where clients throughout the community could come for produce and dry goods free of charge. In that year, the food pantry has grown from around 150 clients to nearly 200, increased our numbers of volunteers, and developed relationships over coffee and cookies!

With a very successful year under our belts, the steering committee made the commitment to expand the food pantry to a bi-monthly distribution. The Excelsior Community Food Pantry will now have distributions on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10:00-11:30, doubling our efforts to strengthen the Excelsior community by distributing food to families in need.

How can you help? There are many ways you can get involved with the ECFP. We always need volunteers for our 3rd Saturday distribution (9:15am to noonish), though our 1st Saturday distribution is covered by a volunteer coordinating group, One Brick. We can also use volunteers for other tasks including shopping for the food, making connections with local businesses, providing baked goods, to name a few. Finally, we can always use donations as it costs about 3 dollars to provide the produce and dry goods to each family.

Want more information? Check out our website or send us an email: foodpantry@missionbaycc.org.

Now Up! Online Reg. for Presbyterian Team- AIDS Walk SF (7/18/10)

2010-02-23T15:41:12-08:00

As I write this post, it is a cold, rainy winter day outside. But now it's time to start making plans for summer. One of the first things we should all do right now is to register (free!) for the Presbyterian team at AIDS Walk San Francisco. There's no fundraising minimum, no requirement to walk the entire 10 km at Golden Gate Park, and no minimum donation (if using checks instead of credit cards). In order for us to qualify for a team table, we need a certain minimum number of walkers registered in advance. So please, register each family member individually. Be sure to also tell your friends and relatives to register on our Presbyterian team!

Support the mission to end the suffering that HIV/AIDS causes, and give back to the San Francisco community. Join in fellowship together with other Presbyterian churches, during and after the walk, including the now-famous post-walk BBQ organized by MBCC. (Qualifying for a team table is mandatory for our BBQ, so please register today!)

Questions? Email marc@missionbaycc.org

Ahhh… Lent. Again.

2010-02-16T11:57:40-08:00

Lent is my favorite time of the Christian year. Ash Wednesday is my favorite service of the entire year. I appreciate the constant reminder to keep spiritual intention throughout my day. It is a way to recharge my spirituality each year and a way to discover new spiritual practices to sustain me throughout the next year.

I invite you to discover your own new journey of faith and spirituality for the season of Lent.

We will expand the stations available during worship each Sunday. We invite you to bring images (pictures, drawings, other artwork) or items that represent your journey through Lent. Get creative—write a poem, finger paint, sculpt with Play Dough, sew, knit, take a picture of your sandcastle. We will create our own altar for these objects. Bring your object on any Sunday. You can leave it, so it will be in the altar for the duration of Lent, or you can take it back home with you.

In January, I took a class with 10 Episcopalian priests. Tom Theoni, a priest in a small town in South Florida, and I became pastoral colleagues in this class. We ended up collaborating on the following list of 40 ideas to observe Lent, though we made some contextual changes to each of our lists to accommodate urban San Francisco and small town Plant City, Florida. What a cool way to share Lent with fellow Christians so far away! These are suggestions and please feel free to create your own…

Forty ways to keep Lent

1. Write a note to someone just because. Try actually writing it and putting it in the snail mail.

2. Say no to at least one request of your time each week for the right reason.

3. Consider how you can declare a blessing each time you utter a curse.

4. Eat from your freezer and/or pantry.

5. Give the money you have saved to a hunger ministry.

6. Make sure each Sunday is a celebration of something.

7. Change one habit for the sake of the environment.

8. Consider very carefully any discipline you choose. Will it bring life or be a burden?

9. Try a quiet day, a day of retreat.

10. Give up any news source that propagates anxiety, anger or negative feelings.

11. Choose a single day to focus on how many times you say the word, “I”.

12. Only wear shoes that are comfortable.

13. Stop and take a moment of awe at God’s creation.

14. Do something touristy in San Francisco or the surrounding areas that you have never done because you live here.

15. Do something nice anonymously.

16. Pray for your neighbors, especially those you don’t like.

17. Pray daily for someone you need to forgive.

18. Read that book you have been meaning to read.

19. Reread you favorite book or the book that you first fell in love with.

20. Walk.

21. Change the side of the bed you sleep on.

22. Visit a loved one’s grave, in person or in your imagination. Tell them what you have always wanted to say but never got the opportunity.

23. Go to the coast or bay and watch the sun set.

24. Pray for the person behind you in the line at the supermarket.

25. Make a list of three things you do well and enjoy doing.

26. Find a way to do those things at least once a week.

27. Consider the Jewish call to Tikkun Olam—to repair and heal the world. Consider how you can actively participate in a new way.

28. Turn off the TV or Internet or cell phone or Facebook or Twitter.

29. Pray for an international area of conflict at least once a week.

30. Read a novel or rent a video from another culture, e.g. Muslim, Eastern, Native American, African-American.

31. Commute in silence.

32. Tweet or update your Facebook status with a quick prayer five times in one day.

33. Think about what it would be like to pray five times each day as our Muslim friends do.

34. Try a fast from dinner to dinner (this way you only miss two meals).

35. Draw or create your own sacred image.

36. Dance while no one watches.

37. Greet another as your dog greets you.

38. Collect your pocket change and give it to a good cause.

39. Pray before each meal.

40. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Buy them from local farmers, a co-op, or farmer’s market.

Finally, live so you are able to love. Love so you are able to live.

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!