Jason, We Hardly Knew Ye

October, 2022: the Bishop installs our new Minister

His ministry began with such promise in 2022. He was young, energetic, and empathetic, especially with Sunday School students. He introduced outreach efforts to the Bayview community and the Peninsula Spanish-speaking congregation, and the church members responded enthusiastically.

Alas, a health problem sidelined him for October. His absence stretched through Christmas. Then it was announced that his leave would extend through the end of February.

Blessing of the Animals, 10/1/23:
his last official act.

At today's annual meeting what we feared came to pass. The senior warden announced that our new rector would not be coming back but return to Minnesota to recuperate. After praying for his health, the congregation voiced concerns about the immediate future.

I looked around the room and saw at least a dozen stalwarts, all of whom led different ministries. They absorbed the news and--it could be my imagination--had a look of determination.

The Treasurer delivered some encouraging information about the 2024 budget. Even with conservative assumptions, the church is likely to run a surplus.

If the past two years has taught us anything, it's that we overreact to news. With a new leader we thought that we would be set for the next 5-10 years, but it was not to be. However, I think we're going to be all right.

A New Mission

This week we took a break from shopping for friends and relatives and shopped for strangers.

Our Foster City congregation filled 50 boxes of food for clients of the Episcopal Church's Bayview Mission, which ministers to the residents of Bayview-Hunters Point. There was also room in the Outreach budget to replace the mission's freezer and place a Safeway gift card in each box.

Our new priest became familiar with and volunteered for Bayview Mission when he attended the Berkeley seminary 14 years ago. Not only has he brought fresh ideas and perspectives, he also has stimulated our suburban church into forming new relationships.

We expect to have a monetary and personal stake in Bayview Mission next year.