 FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO United Church of Christ |
| FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO United Church of Christ |
What is our future?
We are transforming lives and serving the people of San Francisco.
Consider joining our path!
 Welcome |
| Who
are we? |
| Where
are we? |
| When
do we gather? |
| What's
happening? |
| Who
are our contacts and links? |
| What
is our history? |
 What
is our future? |
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OUR MISSION First Congregational Church of San Francisco, United Church of Christ, an Open and Affirming Church, is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ working together for the purpose of sharing in the worship of God, seeking God's will for our lives, and responding to the needs of God's people. Our heritage is founded upon strong independent Christians striving to live a Christ-centered life sensitive to issues of peace, justice, inclusiveness and acceptance. In fulfilling our mission we are committed to:
OUR BUILDING 5 STORY  Part
1: Moving the CongregationPart
2: Defining our New HomePart
3: Details of Our BuildingThe congregation held a workshop to discuss what our mid-range visions of the church and its mission would be. While we may not meet every one, we would like to meet as many as possible! A summary of the findings include: Part 1: Empowering internal faith journeys of our members and friends with worship, fellowship and local outreach. Our vision of worship: We will provide meaningful worship, with a variety of forms and times, with at least 3 services each week. We will offer a premier music venue and an outlet for arts as part of our worship. We will publish our own hymn book. We will offer new ministers a place to train. We will include taize dancing, meditation, healing services and house meetings as part of our worship program. Our vision of community activism and mission: We will be a bastion for liberal positive Christianity. We will continue our multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic diversity. We will provide spiritual support for people living with life-threatening illnesses, including healing services and counseling. We will sponsor service projects, including a visiting program for home-bound people and those in nursing homes. We will encourage support groups. Our vision of fellowship: We will have a daily fellowship activity open to any member. We will sponsor health-oriented fellowship, including a walking group. We will support groups to explore city life, including dining events and an arts-oriented group. We will conduct annual church and council retreats. We will have a focused set of fellowship activities for children. Our vision of education: We will actively support education and small groups focused on interesting topics and spiritual needs. We will have education of religion and society throughout the week. We will encourage thought through a lecture series, coffee hour talk backs, laity training and workshops, and support of a library and archives. Our vision of our building: Our building will be flexible enough to enable all of these multiple activities, and allow for more than one at the same time. Part 2: Enhancing our San Francisco quality of life for all through sponsorships, partnerships and seeds for greater good. We will support facilitating adequate housing for all, including providing affordable housing resources and information, and service to the homeless. We will support education. We providing resources for seminaries such as a minister training ground. We will support programs for those who need literacy training. We will expand our library resources for use by members and the wider community. We will support counseling to those in need. We will support lecture series and other forums for community education. We will support music. This includes providing a performance venue for community groups, and using music as a healing art. We will support daily care activities, including care for both child care as well as seniors who require care. We also will continue to support nutrition programs at our building. We will support social justice issues. We will offer an open forum for public decisions. We will support our leaders who seek to address social justice issues. We will support a mission to those in need. We will "adopt" facilities which provide care, such as assisted living facilities, hospitals and other congregate living quarters. We will provide a chaplaincy for sick people including those in San Francisco for medical treatments, tourists and recent San Francisco immigrants. Part 3: Providing contributions to the world as a community, such as resources and world missions. We will provide a resource center for world concerns, and accept a leadership role when appropriate. This includes providing resources to global concerns such as world hunger, balanced economic development, support and prayer for cancer patients, and information about key world events. We will seek to have a prophetic presence on contemporary issues, establishing ourselves world-wide as a strong, socially-concerned liberal church. We will explore improving human rights for everyone, especially those who suffer because of gender, race or ethnic reasons. We will provide a resource for lesbian, gay and transgendered people. We will provide a West Coast center for learning. We will provide a resource for media, including a publishing house. We will support ecuminicism. We will support teaching of Christianity that is integrated and healing. |
BUILDING 5 CHRONOLOGY Site Search: 2000 through Spring 2002 Visitation of eight properties Unsuccessful bids on three properties Choice of architect Property Purchased: Summer, 2001 Property bid accepted Member discussion Ballot approval Final purchase arrangements Congregational Design "Charrette": January 12, 2002
Presentation to Congregation at Spring Meeting: April 7, 2002
Preliminary Design Acceptance: September, 2002
Conditional Use Permit Applications: November, 2002 Planning Department/Commission Approval: August, 2003 Revised Preliminary Design Submitted and Accepted:
Building Permit Application Submitted: Building Construction Begun: Building Opening (ground level): Sanctuary Opening: Final Certificate of Occupancy: CELEBRATION SUNDAY:
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First
Congregational Church of San Francisco
Last update: March 10, 2009