“If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
~ Philippians 2:1-2
Dear friends,
Pastors Jenell & Jason Coker
As we approach Pentecost Sunday on May 24, we are struck by what a meaningful and energizing Easter season this has been at The Oceanside Sanctuary. Between new leaders volunteering, new Meetups launching, a Community Defense Training, a memorable Lent service, and a new monthly youth group gaining traction, there is so much to celebrate. More than 70 of you attended our Good Friday service and Fish Taco Fry afterward. The following Sunday, more than 300 of you joined us for Easter services and celebrated the baptism of 6 fellow members. Our weekly gatherings have truly become a sanctuary for so many people searching for a thoughtful and inclusive expression of Christianity to, as Paul says, be in full accord. It was a joy to experience the fullness of the Easter season with you in this Spirit.
As we move into May, our newest Meetups have all officially launched, including new groups for families, book studies, and dinner & dialogs. These spaces foster connection, thoughtful conversation, and community-building in ways that reflect our shared values. Click here to see all the Meetups and details.
We are also excited to host Dr. Hilary McBride this coming Thursday, May 7th at 6pm on Zoom for a conversation about her latest book, Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing. This is an incredible opportunity to engage with a thoughtful and respected leader in the field of spiritual trauma healing. Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Our next Belonging Class begins on May 13th at 6pm and happens over three consecutive Wednesday nights on Google Meet. It’s the best way to learn more about our distinctive beliefs, mission, and programs. If you are new, we hope to see you there! Click here for details.
We are rolling out the final features of our new centralized system for coordinating groups, events, and volunteers called Church Center. This platform makes it much easier to manage your volunteer availability, sign-up for groups and events, and even chat with your Meetups and teams in one centralized place (no more long text or email threads!). To get the most from this platform, click here to download the Church Center app on your phone.
With Church Center launching, we have decided to close our Mighty Networks online community space. While it served an important role last year, especially during the final months of Mission 2030, Church Center offers more clarity and effectiveness for coordinating and communicating. If you have been using the online community space, please know it will shut down at the end of May.
We remain in awe at the passion, impact, and growth of this church community. Thank you for your continued presence, participation, and commitment. Each step forward reflects our shared work of building a loving and liberating expression of Christian spirituality for all who desire it.
Grace and peace,
Jason & Jenell Coker
Co-Lead Pastors
PS: We know, we know…not another app! But seriously, you’re going to love using Church Center. We use it every day. Click here to download it now and get started or click here to see a video of what it looks like first.