Dear Family,
Over the past several months, the elders, staff, and I have been reading a book called Another Way. Together, we have been exploring four key practices that can help us not only move through this time of transition purposefully and faithfully, but do so in a way that cultivates a culture of deep connection:
Create Hospitable Spaces
Ask Self-Awakening Questions
Reflect Theologically
Enact our Next, Most Faithful, Step
By reflecting on the C.A.R.E. practices, we are learning that how we do what we do is just as important as what we do – whether it is cultivating transformative spaces, creating the conditions for the wisdom of our community to emerge, or building a kind of spiritual resilience that not only transforms ourselves but our relationships with God and the city. Here are some of the ways we are experimenting to explore this:
- Establishing spaces for questioning and fostering deeper understanding through giver's gatherings.
- Creating opportunities to listen and learn from each other's testimonies.
- Strengthening our close partnership with City Hope, led by our Pastoral Resident, Jesse.
Financial Commitment: Be Part of God’s Story
The Spirit is actively working among us to bring about an expression of Christ’s love that liberates us – and others – to co-create with God. I hope that you will continue to be part of this exciting time – both in your participation and openness, as well as in your financial giving. If you have not yet made your faithful financial commitment to support God’s work at City Church yet, be sure to do so today. Your contribution is essential for helping us to not only stay encouraged but also enable us to continue pursuing this next expression of being God’s presence in San Francisco.
Staffing Update: Jay Wilson
These practices of deep listening have allowed space for folks to reflect on how God is inviting them to most faithfully live out their vocation, something I talked about this past Sunday. While some have experienced a renewed sense of call at City Church, others have discerned that it is time to move on. We have said “goodbye and God bless” to a handful of folks over this past year and now we will look toward one more. The Rev. Jay Wilson, Director of the City Church Counseling Center, has discerned that after 14 years of ministry at City Church, it is time for him to move into his next chapter. You can learn more by reading this message from him here.
I have come to deeply appreciate the faithful leadership that Jay has provided our church and staff over the past years. Jay’s final day on staff will be December 31, 2023. We are working together to finalize interim plans to ensure that the City Church Counseling Center continues to be a place where folks can receive the resources they need to navigate mental health challenges. While Jay will be stepping down from this role, he expressed to me how hopeful he was about the future of City Church and that his family looks forward to continuing being part of the community.
Some might, understandably, receive this news with a bit of sadness. I certainly feel the same way! I have so appreciated Jay’s leadership. Sometimes it can be a challenge to recall that we are part of a much bigger, ongoing story that God is writing through us. Because of this, I invite you to recall how scripture reminds us that Jesus is “the author of our faith.” God is inviting us to be part of a much bigger story at City Church – a story of renewed community, collective wisdom, and a spiritual resilience. As we practice living this out, we do so as co-authors with the Author of Life. Thank you for continuing to be part of God’s story at City Church – and beyond.
Faithfully,
Pastor Emily