March
17, 2014
Pastorgraphs: “Exodus Parish”
It is with
great joy that I share with you the formation of Exodus
Cooperative Parish, made up of four Methodist-related congregations
who call Christ Ministry Center home. A few months ago, I shared the
concept with you. It is now a reality.
I have been
meeting with the ministers of the four congregations on a regular basis as we
worked though the details of how we will be one-in-four and four-in-one. We had
a wonderful meeting recently with our District Superintendent, Rev. John
Farley, who is sharing what is happening at 33rd and Meade with the
Cabinet and Bishop. It is our desire that the Parish will become chartered
within the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church. We
have begun functioning as such until then.
What this
means is that a new Parish has emerged from what was Christ Church
(discontinued in 2011). The combined membership of the four congregations is
almost 300. I will serve as both Director of Christ Ministry Center and as
“Elder-in-charge” of the Cooperative Parish. I will provide mentorship and
guidance to the four ministers who will continue their pastoral and pulpit
ministries as they currently do.
Many of you
are receiving the E-Vangel Newsletter today for the first time, as we are using
this means to communicate to all four congregations.
We are
using the “Larger Parish” model of Cooperative Parishes from The Book of
Discipline, 2012.
“Larger
Parish—a number of
congregations working together using a parish-wide council and other committees
and work groups, as the parish may determine which provides representation on
boards and committees from all churches; guided by a constitution or covenant
and served by a staff appointed or assigned by the bishop and involving a
director.” (Paragraph 206)
To that
end, I want to share with you some exciting coming events:
March
23 (6:00 PM)
Fifth Anniversary (Haitian
Methodist Church)
April
13 (2:00-4:00 PM) Palm
Sunday Music Program
April
20 (10:15 AM)
Easter Service - Joint Worship
May
1, Thur. (10:00-2:00)* National Day of Prayer
(Service
12:00 Noon)
June
18-21
Cal-Pac
Annual Conference, Redlands
*National Day of Prayer: Sponsored jointly
by Christ Ministry Center, Exodus Parish and Mid-City Minister’s Prayer Group.
Come and pray in the Sanctuary or Chapel anytime between 10:00 and 2:00. A
non-denominational, multi-national Prayer Service will be conducted 12:00-12:45
so you can stop by on your lunch hour. The Ladies of Exodus will provide a
sandwich lunch in the Social Hall.
It has been
the greatest joy of my 45+ years in ministry to see the transformation of
Christ United Methodist Church into Christ United Methodist Ministry Center,
and now the formation of Exodus Cooperative Parish, a “new church” in the
Wesleyan-Methodist tradition. The whole will be greater than the sum of its
parts!
“To
God Be The Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!”
Devotedly
yours, Bill Jenkins
Image:
Drawing of Christ Ministry Center Steeple by David Stump
From the
Quote Garden:
“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
~ Henry Ford ~
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
~ Henry Ford ~
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
Home of
Exodus
Cooperative Parish
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