New Spirit Community Church originated as a dream of the pastoral staff of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco. With a large constituency in the East Bay and many more people migrating across the Bay, a church project in the East Bay was a natural outreach for MCC-San Francisco.
The project began in 1998, and our inaugural Worship Celebration was held on August 6, 2000 under the name of East Bay Community Church. Almost 150 people attended this exciting "birthday" celebration. In November 2000 we changed our name to recognize our intention of being something new and different in regards to church; spirit reflects the importance of a unique spirituality and our intention to be led by the Spirit of God.
On February 4, 2001, New Spirit celebrated its first installation of members. At a special Worship Celebration on that day, 90 people joined the church as Founding Members.
In August 2001, we celebrated our first anniversary with over 200 people in attendance at our New Spirit Takes Flight gala. At the end of 2001, Rev. Karen Foster was granted clergy "standing" in the United Church of Christ, and is believed to be the first MCC-ordained minister to achieve this designation.
We continue to experience joy, excitement and growth as we seek to become something new, led by the Spirit; a bridge-building spiritual community.
If you would like to know more about the experience of starting a new church, specially the birth of New Spirit Community Church, click here for a excellent description of that process, written by Angela Jernigan.