This week, we join with Christians around the globe to join with Jesus as he journeys down his final path in ministry. It is a road filled with anger, frustration, grace, and justice. Throughout his ministry, and among these last days, Jesus sought to create space where everyone could belong with their fullest selves. From Galilee to Samaria, Judea to Jerusalem, Jesus especially paid attention to those who assumed they didn’t belong – working class fishermen, strong-minded women, folks living with disabilities, and those grappling with mental health challenges – to not only invite them in, but show us how to do the same. All along the way, a new imaginary was being seeded, cultivated, and brought forth: that the way things are is not the way things must always be. This Sunday, as we gather at the Golden Gate Park bandshell, we will not only convene for celebration; we will also be reminded, encouraged, and empowered to claim that new imaginary and bring about the kind of world that Jesus set in motion. Easter Sunday is not the culmination but, rather, a launchpad and a springboard for faith! So bring a blanket, a picnic meal (or food truck money), and a friend as we celebrate in God’s sanctuary to proclaim God’s life-giving, liberating, and loving work through the resurrected and risen Christ.
Faithfully,
Pastor Emily
Lenten Prayer Walks, Saturday, 9:30-11am
During Lent we have been engaging in the practice of walking with some of our partners (Open Door Legal, Kingdom Rice and City Hope SF) in the neighborhoods they call home and work for justice. These walks are intended to stir our imaginations for how we are shaped by place and how places shape us. Register here and join us for our final walk in the Tenderloin. Full audio and content for all our walks can now be found on the Resource Tab inside of the City Church app.
Beyond Deconstruction: Faith After Disorientation - begins April 18th
There is a time to tear down and a time to build (Ecclesiastes 3:3, 7). In this class with Rev. Dr. Peter Choi and guests, we will learn what it means to do both – to deconstruct an inherited religious tradition that does not represent God and reimagine a living faith that draws us closer to God. Exploring five shifts for faith after disorientation (from triumphalism to lament, from morality to dignity, from certainty to mystery, from superiority to mutuality, and from rhetoric to embodiment), we will help one another discover and follow God’s Spirit at work in the world. Over five consecutive Tuesdays, we will share a meal, listen to a short lesson, and spend the bulk of our time exploring concrete examples of faith beyond deconstruction. In-person and streaming options are available. Register here for dinner and conversation!
Queer Theology Study Group Part 2 - begins April 19th
Our LGBTQ Community Group will be hosting a 6-week discussion group for LGBTQIA+ and questioning folks on the subject of queer theology. Becoming affirming can be one part of the theological journey, but what comes next? What does it mean to be queer and how can that strengthen our faith? How might we view Christianity and the stories of the Bible through a queer lens? Dinners will be provided. Please register here as space is limited!
Grief and Loss Support Group, begins April 17th
Grief is a natural response to great loss and it's okay to feel it. It's a messy and non-linear journey, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Join this new 8-week ONLINE group to cultivate a safe space where you can be yourself and explore your feelings without judgment or expectations. Together we'll shift the focus from fixing grief to tending to our experiences together. You can learn more about what you can expect in this group and register here.
MAKING MARRIAGE WORK, April 21-23
Join other couples for a Gottman Workshop to strengthen your marriage commitment. This workshop is for marriages of all ages and stages, healths and experiences, and LGBTQ inclusive. Cost is $300 per couple and includes some and will include childcare, some meals, and materials. Space is limited so sign up ASAP here. Scholarships are available here.
STAFF SEARCHES
We’re hiring! You can view the position descriptions HERE.
Applications for these positions will be available until April 30th.