About this time last year, our staff were reflecting together on the first step in moving our community forward into our vision to be a Jesus-centered community, attuned to the activity of the Holy Spirit, so that we might courageously participate in the work of God’s transformative love throughout San Francisco. What rose to the top in our conversations was the conviction that before we could plant anything, we had to prepare the soil. For us, that looked like cultivating a culture of kinship: hospitality, interdependence, and participation.
Throughout the year, we looked for big and small ways to do this. We hosted gatherings for ministry leaders to celebrate, reflect together, and refill their buckets. We invested generously – in time and finances – through hosting an all-church retreat. We hosted opportunities for cross-pollination across the congregation to foster relationships outside of our particular affiliations. By almost every metric we identified, we have been thrilled with the results. I am proud of the way that some of you stretched to connect in new ways. In a world where our differences are exploited to deepen division, I celebrate the way that folks took the risk to open themselves to new relationships and ways of being! I also celebrate the recent fruit of our many and varied efforts:
6 Deacon Candidates approved by the Elder Board and up for member election next month. (Members will receive an election email.)
23 affiliate churches from across the theological and traditional spectrum who joined us in support of our key partners, Open Door Legal, to form the “Exodus Coalition” urging our city leaders to support funding for civil legal services.
$4.2 Million restored by the Mayor to the SF city budget AND a commitment that civil legal services are part of the city’s strategy for reducing homelessness after our efforts.
Community and relationships, built and sustained over time, highlighted during Holy Week, when Rev. Paul Trudeau remembered Dennis Domontay, and with the 1-year celebrations of our Ladies Social Club and Men’s Community Night.
Finances
As we enter Q4 of our finances, we are on track to meet our budget goals, with 79% of our budget met ($1,377,257 of $1,745,500) and 87% of pledges fulfilled ($1,100,078 of 1,268,780). Thank you to those who have faithfully fulfilled their pledge for the year – and for those who have contributed to help us close the gap!
As we look toward the end of our fiscal year (August 31st) and the beginning of the next, please help us to finish strong!
Staffing
Pastoral Associate for Community Life. Amanda Samuel officially joined the staff on June 14th! Through the summer, Amanda will be half-time as they complete their Biblical Greek requirement for ordination. Top on the list of priorities is the design and establishment of our Deacon Board. When they begin full time at the end of August, Amanda will turn their attention to the full portfolio of their ministry: Congregational Care, City Engagement, and Community Life.
Children’s Ministry Director Search. In advance of Barbara’s last day (June 30), we have been working to craft an interim strategy that keeps our children’s ministry thriving. Details can be found here. Barbara’s departure is an invitation to remember our baptismal vows to the children of our church: to help them know God’s love in all its fullness. I invite you to support our Children’s Ministry – especially on Sunday mornings! A handful of folks committed to supporting in a classroom just once a month would make a big difference! Contact Nikki Milbrath to get involved.
Elder Update
Thomas Igeme, Vice President
It's been a busy last few months for the elders. One of the things I'm most grateful we took on is defining what partnership really means for City Church. We got specific: what we look for in a partner, what we commit to, and how a partnership should feel. That clarity keeps our partnerships tied to who we actually are as a church, and it moves us from a charity mindset to a kin-dom one of mutual aid, where we have as much to gain as to give. What's next is deepening those relationships and discerning future partners with the same care. On a personal note, Bethany and I are both rolling off as elders. 3 years goes by fast!
Serving here has been one of the real gifts of my life. Last Sunday, I shared a hug and a warm laugh with one person just minutes after sharing a tear with another. This is a place where I can be my whole, complicated self, where people are genuinely known, loved, and celebrated. That's rare, doesn't come for free, and it's a credit to you all. Most of all, I'm grateful for the elders, staff, and pastors I've served alongside. The eldership is in good hands, and I trust God to keep raising up leaders here. Thank you for the trust you placed in Bethany and me. I'm not going anywhere; I'm just changing seats, and I'll be praying for and cheering on this church as much as ever.
Looking Ahead
This Sunday, we’ll be worshiping in the streets at the SF Pride Parade (the Russian Center will be closed). Together, alongside faith communities across San Francisco, we will celebrate God’s inclusive love and pass out invitations for our neighbors to experience that love at City Church. Beginning in July, we’ll enter into the slower rhythms of summer and drop a little deeper. In worship, we'll simplify aspects of our liturgy to savor space and allow the spirit to move. We’ll also focus on forgiveness – what it is, what it takes, and why it’s worth it – with Desomond Tutu’s The Book of Forgiving as a guide. Our summer book study, Who Will Be a Witness, invites us to reflect on building an ethic of love and solidarity in the spirit toward a more faithful witness to the way of Jesus. And we’ll continue to have opportunities for gathering – including our family camping trip the first weekend of August (open to all – human and fur baby friendly).
It’s been quite a year! Rest well.
Faithfully,
Pastor Emily