This past Sunday (10/26) after worship, we held our fall congregational gathering. It was an opportunity to share key updates, as well as begin to imagine what the next iteration of our Deacon Board might look like. Not everyone was able to attend the meeting, and we want to keep everyone in the loop, so here are the highlights:
FINANCIAL UPDATE
After a few years of transition and uncertainty, we are grateful to have arrived at a place of financial stability. A few highlights:
- We ended the last fiscal year a bit under budget, due to not filling our open pastoral position (more on that below!). This enabled us to replenish our reserve fund, which had been drawn down.
- Our financial commitments for this year have increased: 92 pledges to cover 75% of our budget. (This is compared to 84 pledges and 50% coverage for 2024/25).
- View finance slides here
STAFFING UPDATES
Current Staffing structure. A lot has changed over the last few years! You may view our current staffing/org chart here.
Pastoral Associate for Community Life. We are thrilled to share that Amanda Samuel has accepted our offer to step into the role as Pastoral Associate for Community Life, following the completion of their Master of Divinity at Princeton Seminary! After much discussion and discernment about the needs of the community and the gifts that Amanda brings, it was clear that this was the path forward. Amanda’s portfolio of responsibilities will include leading the Deacon Board, nurturing our LGBTQIA affinity group and broader community life, as well as coordinating service and justice opportunities for the whole church. You can hear from Amanda here.
Nigel Tan has discerned that seminary is not for him and so has stepped down from serving as a ministry intern. (His participation in the community remains the same!)
DISCIPLESHIP
We are focusing on building deep community this year at City Church. This includes:
- Kinship gatherings. Times for appreciation and community building among the folks that help us be who we are and do what we do in every corner of our church
- Upcoming events: Silent Retreat for Leaders, Guest Preacher Kat Armas
- All-Church Retreat! Feb 13-16 – REGISTER TODAY!
SERVICE & JUSTICE
Service Opportunities. Some upcoming opportunities to engage in service as a community.
- 11/9: Service Sunday: Learn more and sign up for opportunities to clean up our sidewalks and streets in the Mission and the Haight. Or an afternoon work day in the East Bay at Heirloom Farms.
- 11/10: City Hope Volunteering
- 11/22: Beatle’s Choir
Our Public Witness Team has been focusing on two areas of partnership and courageous participation. To learn more about any of these activities, contact amelia@citychurchsf.org
1. The Exodus Coalition. Under the leadership of Open Door Legal, we are partnering with other SF congregations to present a united front to urge our city leadership toward maintaining funding for civil legal services. This is a continuation of our advocacy work from this past spring.
2. Immigration has emerged as a key area of focus for the team and the congregation. Along with other congregations in San Francisco, we have committed to praying about issues related to immigration, drawing from a set of prayer requests provided by a collection of immigration lawyers, advocates, judges, and more. For those who feel called to embody prayer in a more concrete way, there are two ways that we are encouraging people to do so, at varying commitment levels:
- Prayer vigils. Providing compassionate presence and care for immigrants waiting in line for court dates.
- Direct action. This is a higher level commitment (contact for more details)
DEACON BOARD
We spent some time reflecting on key questions to reimagine what our Deacon Board might look like moving forward. The purpose of this exercise was to get a sense of common threads and observations among the group. While not every suggestion will be put into practice, all responses will be taken into consideration as your elders and pastors reflect on pathways for planning. Below are summaries of your responses (full responses here):
1. What spiritual and material needs have you observed at City Church?
A need for authentic spiritual care, relational care that counters loneliness, accompaniment through particular life stages and transitions, mental health support, and practical assistance with immediate material needs (whether during a crisis or otherwise). Meals Ministry and financial need came up frequently, particularly in response to worsening economic conditions in 2025 and 2026.
2. Recall a time of crisis. Who was helpful? What was helpful?
Respondents primarily discussed forms of relational support, such as meeting once a month with someone who offered general emotional and mental support. It’s helpful to be able to meet with someone who’s had a similar experience. It’s important for deacons to be good listeners (especially in a diverse congregation), to name what they see, and to consistently follow up after a conversation. Other aspects mentioned were the value of talking to someone you already know, and the value of taking the initiative to check in on regulars who haven’t come in a while.
Respondents also mentioned therapy, and forms of material support such as a Housing Board and a Deacon’s Fund which helped address a medical need. It’s also important and helpful for these resources to be accessible - people must know who to go to, and how. This must be equally available to people who aren’t part of a community group.
3. How might the diaconate uniquely help us fulfill/realize our vision?
A Deacon’s character should be relational, trustworthy, well-respected, wise, and faithful. They should be mature and self-differentiated, capable of engaging in uncomfortable conversations and understanding that life is messy. They should uphold good boundaries.
As a team, the Diaconate must have diversity across age, background, ethnicity, etc. The Deacons should be known to the congregation, and should themselves have “eyes on the congregation” - that is, they should be attuned to what’s going on amongst congregants. The Diaconate must also be Spirit-led, and gifted at being attuned to the movement of the Holy Spirit within our community.
Functionally, the Diaconate can be a connective tissue between communities and resources. They focus inward, on City Church’s own community. They should be organized and able to quickly mobilize to reach out in response to people’s needs, such as after a death in the family. They should be conscious of how dynamics of privilege and power shape City Church and who might currently feel supported and welcome within the congregation.