The season of Lent is a time for intentionally slowing down, clearing away what stands between ourselves and God, and paying attention to the ways that Jesus is inviting us to draw nearer to him. In fellowship, discernment, and service, we have been practicing our faith with intention and joy. Here are a few highlights of how this has taken shape over the last few months:
All-church retreat brought together 125 City Churchers to cultivate kinship community. Over the weekend, folks across ages and stages of life gathered, listened, and centered on Jesus as they deepened relationships and made new connections.
“Deacon Discernment” trainings have kicked off. At our first gathering, we reflected on the history of deacons in scripture and what their ancient practices of mutual aid could look like for our community.
Our partnerships have invited us to participate in God’s transformative love in many ways. With Open Door Legal, we’re spearheading a coalition of churches to advocate for civil legal services on behalf of the most vulnerable in our city. At City Hope, we continue to deepen our rhythms of volunteerism through grocery delivery, karaoke nights, and our Service Sunday pop up deli. Our Faith and Justice cohort gathered for an annual conference to reflect on the theme of belonging in a world of borders.
Discipleship
Joshua Jalandoon, Associate Pastor for Discipleship
Whatever else discipleship means for our changing cultural landscape, it involves forming communities of presence. Patterned after the Incarnation, presence feels especially sacred in a moment where market forces monetize our attention, disconnect us from our bodies, and encourage us to live as isolated individuals. Resisting these forces does not mean replacing our spiritual practices, but rather going deeper into them, and learning how to practice them together. That’s why this Lent, we’re experimenting with a renewed discipleship strategy of GATHERING, LISTENING, and CENTERING – three frames have emerged organically from many conversations within the City Church community. Additionally, our community group are focusing on Elizabeth Oldfield’s Fully Alive (CG Guide Sample 🔗 Here). Wherever you are on your journey, I encourage you to participate with us this Lent. This takes all of us.
Elder Board
Thomas Igeme, Vice President
Your elder board recently spent time away together on retreat. If I’m honest, I came prepared to talk about governance: how we steward the life of the church, how we make wise decisions. I don’t always come expecting to retreat. But this time, God met us differently. We sat in Luke 22 and watched Jesus step away into the garden; not to escape, but to pray; not to prove strength, but to receive it. In that light, our own time away became soul-rest: a reminder that leadership begins in dependence, and that comfort is not weakness. It’s grace.
We also gave thanks for this community: for those who have been here for decades and those who have been here for weeks, and for the many quiet ways you choose to care. We named, with tenderness, that some carry real scars from the church, and we honored the courage it takes to try again… to love again… to grow again. Finally, we spent time reflecting on partnership, because God’s transformative work of love in San Francisco is bigger than any one church. We gave thanks for the partners God has placed alongside us and we recommitted to partnering with greater humility, clarity, and shared hope. My greatest takeaways? God is not finished with us. And you do not have to walk this road alone.
Staffing
Our staff continue to thrive and evolve in ways that reflect God’s activity in their individual lives as much as in our organization:
Pastoral Associate for Community Life. June 14th will be Amanda Samuel’s first day, following their graduation at Princeton Seminary in May.
Director of Children’s Ministries. Barbara Lyon has discerned that it is her time to step away from her role. Families received a special message from her earlier this week, which you can read here. Trusting that when the Spirit calls someone away, someone else is also being called forward, I invite your prayers for Barbara and all that is ahead for our church. Stay tuned for more information about next steps and how we will celebrate (but not say goodbye!) Barbara.
Looking Ahead
How to Know a Person. This is more than a book discussion; it is a reordering of how we build relationships and make new connections amidst cultural forces that pull us apart. Learn more here.
Holy Week. We will journey with Jesus in the final days of life: gathering on Maundy Thursday (4/2) for a shared potluck meal and reflecting with members of the NOPA community group on Jesus’ call to love one another. Good Friday (4/3) will feature testimonies and art. Holy Saturday (4/4) will include a pilgrimage to the cross on Mt. Davidson. And, on Easter Sunday (4/5), we will again celebrate resurrection at the Golden Gate Park bandshell.
“A Good Goodbye” Workshop. This is an opportunity to learn about end-of-life planning through the lens of your values and the spiritual questions that accompany them. Learn more here.
In a time when our news cycles feed us a steady diet of despair, ours is a community grounded in the hope of God’s boundless promises of life abundant through Jesus. Let us continue to gather and cultivate sacred kinship in this complex world, animated by a God whose love accompanies us on the journey.
Faithfully,
Pastor Emily