MBCC Blog

Life In All Its Glories

This past Saturday was a very eventful one.  Mark Regis and Christina Freeze, two much loved members of the MBCC community, were married in an amazing wedding that made a lasting impression on all those in attendance.  Afterwards, in the stunning ocean-side setting of the Cliff House restaurant, we all boogied the night away to songs by Journey and the Village People while we carefully gripped our overly strong mixed drinks.  It was a happy, joyous time as we celebrated Mark and Christina's transition into a new phase of life, one in which they were no longer separate and autonomous but rather joined and interdependent.  

That same day, across the country, another family was experiencing a transition, as Senator Edward Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  No matter one's personal political beliefs, it is undisputed that Ted Kennedy was one of the -- if not the -- most influential senator of the last century, and the last surviving brother of a political dynasty.  But more than Ted Kennedy's presence in the public sphere, it was his cherished role as a father, uncle, brother and colleague that really came through in the funeral services.  After his brothers were gunned down, Uncle Teddy became the de facto father figure to numerous children who all looked up to him as the head of the extended Kennedy clan.  These people, too, will be entering a new phase of life as they struggle to cope with life without Uncle Teddy.

So Saturday was a special day.  We both celebrated the lifelong union of two people in love, and we mourned the passing of an American giant.  These events remind us that life, in all its glories, is constantly on the march.  The old makes way for the new, and we find hope and inspiration in all of it.

Making ministry real at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry

    

Last Saturday I had the privilege of FINALLY being part of the Excelsior Community Food Pantry that MBCC folks have been organizing the past six months.  Along with people from Ocean Avenue PC and some other churches and groups, this ministry has been gradually picking up steam and energy.  

The day was filled with great meaning for me as I simply participated in the well-oiled machine that is the ECFP.  I reveled in watching a few of our young folks find joy in the experience as they helped carry, sort and distribute food; I was touched when folks I knew personally came through the line bridging the awkwardness of the moment with a hug; and I was moved by the general sense of gratitude and thoughtfulness that everyone had in doing this important work in the community.

As I reflect on the big picture of this part of what we do as MBCC in this part of San Francisco, I do not forget that there are larger systematic issues that we must confront when it comes to issues of economics, hunger and the working poor, but I am also reminded that there is a great deal of power that will come from communities gathering together to distribute food, compassion and presence. 

For the small part that we are doing, I am grateful.

And now the ask . . .

• YOUR TIME - We would love to have more people involved and even to have a group take over a Saturday or two.  While there would be a good deal of work to be done, the SF Food Bank would LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to go weekly.  We are hopeful that we could do this, but only if we can guarantee the people-power to make it happen.
• YOUR MONEY - It takes less than $3.00 to feed each family.  Yep, three hundred buckaroonees,  a $300 donation, basically feeds 100 families for the week.  So, above and beyond what you would also give to other organizations and your church, please consider making a designated gift to the Food Pantry.

Here is the info that you need to make a difference:

• To volunteer, ask questions, be part of the Steering Committee etc: foodpantry at missionbaycc dot org
• To donate online (one time of regularly): eGive
• To donate via check/corporate matching:
  Mission Bay Community Church
  ATTN: Food Pantry
  32 Ocean Avenue | San Francisco CA 94112
• on Twitter: @ecfp
• on Facebook: FB Group

Lastly to those who, out of grappling with God's call on our collective lives, really helped this thing get off the ground and continue to provide energy as the ministry expands, thank you.  You know you who are!

Open source + san francisco + church = MBCC

[image and explanation: Intersection Consulting]

Every once in a while I find myself in some great conversations about this crew we call, Mission Bay Community Church.  One topic that always comes up is the general feel/culture of leadership and authority here at MBCC.  This has to do with everything from how we engage in worship, to how we structure ourselves to how the community interacts throughout the week.

Now without getting too deep into things that I probably don't know as much about as I would like to think I do, I can pretty confidently say that MBCC is a open source, urban manifestation of a historically protestant tradition.  Say that five times fast.

One of the core elements of open source culture is how we perceive and engage in communal discernment and the place of authority in that discourse.  You will notice that I really TRY not to hold a posture of "the pastor says it, so it must be true" because, one, most at MBCC would be like, "What the . . .?" and, two, it just not feel right to me.  Now this is not an abdication of authority for I, and other pastoral staff, still play a role here but it is NOT to dispense wisdom.  Our role is to invite and encourage people to use the authority of their heart and mind that God has given to help us all discern the mind of Christ and the will of God. And our own authority lies in how well and faithfully we fulfill that role.

As a church community we try to remain consistent in holding a posture of communal discernment and engagement throughout all we do.  We each may play particular roles in our life together, but none of us holds the absolute truth in any part of our life together: theology, organizational structure, music or coffee choice . . . well, maybe coffee choices* ;-)

This is one of the reasons you see so many folks rotating through music leadership, preaching and other facets of our life.  In worship you will notice that we encourage folks to engage either through our conversation time, through movement through stations and especially in our prayer time.  If you've wondered why, now you know.

Of course, another aspect - some may call these "opportunities" -  of this way of being is that we are always in flux.  This can be frustrating for those that need a more solid and set way of being that lasts for more than a month, but try as we might, that is just not who we are.  And while it might seems easier if we could just set things for a while, I firmly believe that our fluid and adaptive nature has, in the long run, created a meaningful community of faith here in San Francisco.  Sure, it will not be for everyone, but a place like MBCC is only once glimpse of what it means to gather as the Body of Christ in the world today.  And for that I give great thanks to God.

So . . . hope that was helpful, feel free to ask more questions if ya got em.

Have a great rest of the week and I'll see ya on Sunday!

Bruce

*Philz Coffee is liquid joy, just saying.**
** The author of this blog receives no kick-backs from the aforementioned coffee company, but only because he has not been offered as of this date.***
*** kidding.

Are you saved? Theories on the Atonement // Two week online Bible Study w/Bruce

[image: pipistrula]

Are you saved?
A look at the theories of atonement

DATES: September 8 and 15
TIME: 9:30-10:30 Sharp
LEADER: Bruce, the pastor they say
LOCATION: Tokbox.com
PREP: WebCam, Tokbox Account, a smile ;-)
LIMIT: 6 People

Okay you nocturnal MBCC'ites. lets try to get together for a couple of weeks, online, at night for an hour to talk theology.  First up, theories of the atonement and all this talk about being "saved" . . . what the heck does that even mean?  In this brief time ee'll explore the controversy and the breadth of theological perspectives. 

Bruce will eMail you the documents each week so all you gots to do is a little readin', a little thinkin' and then some talkin'.  So lets do this! 

IF you are interested, please eMail Bruce.

We made a difference for some great Bay Area organizations!

Thanks to the Presbyterian team at AIDS Walk San Francisco, which was part of the 25,000 walkers raising $3.5 million for several dozen Bay Area nonprofit organizations, we have some good news to share!  The list of benefitting organizations receiving grants from the walk proceeds is extensive.  Check it out on www.aidswalk.net/sanfran for details.  We're pleased to announce that one of MBCC's elders, Ricky Choi, is affiliated with one of the organizations that made the list of grants.  Congragulations!  I'm sure you all know Ricky, who along with Arnold Lee organize our post-walk BBQ at our team table at AIDS Walk San Francisco every year.  It's wonderful to see how our team members are directly involved with the cause.  Again, congratulations!

It's not too late to sponsor a walker!  There's 10 more days to send in a check, payable to AIDS Walk San Francisco, P. O. Box 193920, San Francisco, CA  94119-3920.  Be sure to write in the name of the walker you are sponsoring, in the "memo" field on the lower left corner of your tax-deductible check.  You may also sponsor online www.aidswalk.net/sanfran --> sponsor a walker (and follow the links) but keep in mind that credit card donations have a minimum, whereas checks have no minimum.  Thank you again to all the walkers and sponsors!  We'll be back next year!