What’s next for Rev. Mike?

Here’s a short piece that Rev. Mike wrote with answers to some of the common questions that he’s received about the transition:

A lot of my friends have been wondering what’s next for me after I leave MCC San Jose.

In terms of work, I’m thinking that I would like to go back into software design and implementation for a while. That was a fun career, and it exercised a part of my brain that I haven’t gotten to use a lot while working as a senior pastor. I will probably take a month or two before I begin my job search in earnest. I’ve been out of circulation for a while, and I would like to take a little time to play with some of the new development tools before I really start looking.

In terms of church, I’m planning to be a church tourist for a while before I settle at another faith community. As a pastor, one doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to visit other houses of worship to see what they do, and I’m looking forward to a period of exploring before I settle down again. I will be maintaining my MCC affiliation, and I also look forward to spending some time with other faith communities both inside and outside of Christianity. I don’t plan to take another senior pastor position for a while, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself back in a full-time ministry role at some point in the future.

In terms of MCC San Jose, our denomination’s guidance is very clear. Once a senior pastor leaves a church, he or she is not supposed to return for at least a year. While I will be sad to leave the wonderful community that is MCC San Jose, I recognize the wisdom of our denomination’s policies and I will abide by them.

In terms of the council of churches, I will be continuing to serve as the president of the Council of Churches of Santa Clara County until my term of office expires in June.

In terms of geographic location, I am planning to remain in San Jose.

Overall, I don’t have a lot of specific answers about what’s next, but I have a very strong sense that I am on the right path, and I’m doing what God is calling me to do.

Remarks from our former Senior Pastor

For those of you who were not able to be with us on February 7, 2010, here is a video of Rev. Michael Patrick Ellard, explaining why he decided to step down as our senior pastor.

A Message from our Senior Pastor

May the peace of God be with you!

One of my courses in seminary was taught by a minister who was also the pastor of a large, successful church. One day I and my classmates were shocked to learn that our teacher had just announced his resignation from his pastorate. I will never forget what he told us in class that day:

“I love the church, and I enjoy my work as a pastor. Nevertheless, it has become clear to me that I have finished the work that God brought me here to do. I am proud of what the church has been able to accomplish during my time here, and now it is time for me to step aside so that someone new can come in to take the church to the next level.”

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Human Rights & the National Prayer Breakfast

Some of the coordinators of the National Prayer Breakfast have also been involved in working against LGBT rights in Uganda. Here are two short videos that explain the situation and tell how you can get involved. The first video is in English, the second one is in Spanish.

For more information, please visit the American Prayer Breakfast website.

MCCSJ’s Holiday Schedule

As Christmas and New Year’s Eve approach, here is some information about our holiday schedule:

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
We will have our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 10:00pm on December 24

Sunday Services
Sunday Services will occur on their usual schedule

Reiki Clinics
There will be no Reiki clinic on December 21
We will have a Reiki Clinic on January 4 as per our usual schedule

“A Course in Miracles” Study Group
Our ACIM group will meet on its usual schedule all through the holidays

Choir
We will have choir rehearsals as usual all through the holidays

HIV Support Group
There will not be an HIV Support Group meeeting on December 24 or 31.

Fun & Fundraising Team
Our Fun & Fundraising Team will meet as usual through the holidays

Coming Out in Faith Group
The “Coming Out in Faith Group” will not meet on December 25 .
Update: The group will meet as usual on January 1.

Board Meetings
Our December Board Meeting has been moved from its usual time to December 19 at 2pm.

Publicity Team
Our Publicity Team meeting for December has been cancelled

Worship Planning Team
Our Worship Planning Team meeting for December has been moved to January 3.

Walk for AIDS Oct 18 – No Morning Prayer Gathering

Please join us for the Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley on Sunday, October 18. The MCC San Jose Choir will be singing for the opening ceremonies around 9:30am, and the step-off for the walk will be at 10:00am. The walk starts at Discovery Meadow, at the intersection of San Carlos and Woz Way downtown.

There will not be a morning prayer gathering on October 18.

Our 2009-2010 Taize Season begins September 16

Please join us at 7:30pm on Wednesday, September 16, for the return of our monthly Taizé services. Our September service will feature the deep and beautiful music of the Taizé Community and our choir singing Anton Bruckner’s “Locus Iste.”

This will be our first Taizé service at our new home. We are now sharing a building with Grace Baptist Church, located at 484 East San Fernando Street in downtown San Jose. Please click here for directions.

For a complete set of dates for our 2009-2010 Taizé season, please click the following link to visit our Taizé page.