If you’re reading this, then you probably already know that
back in January my role at HMBFC changed from full-time associate pastor to
half-time co-pastor (alongside Jeff Eddings). This freed me up for a half-time
role organizing a new church in the Oakland neighborhood called The
Commonwealth.
In February, I began weekly meetings with the launch team
for this new community and then we hosted our first public event - a free
dinner followed by a worship gathering - in April. Next week we will be hosting
our fifth monthly dinner/worship event!
We’ve been really encouraged by the energy around these
mid-week gatherings. As we’ve been meeting new folks from the homeless
community and from the campus community we are hearing that they appreciate the
friendly atmosphere of our family-style dinners and our open-minded
conversations about faith. It seems like there is a solid foundation to build
on.
Earlier this month, The Commonwealth received a generous
grant that is opening up new possibilities for this new worshiping community
and for me. Because of the grant, I am able to devote all of my working energy
to developing The Commonwealth as a full-time organizing pastor.
But in order to do take advantage of this opportunity I will
need to step away from my role as co-pastor of Hot Metal Bridge Faith
Community. My last Sunday will be September 30, 2018.
I am very excited about The Commonwealth. But discerning
whether to end my time at HMBFC was still difficult. I have devoted the last
ten years of my ministry to this wild, unique, and wonderful community. Since
starting here as a student intern you have challenged me and encouraged me and
caused me to grow as a pastor. Marianne and I are blessed by deep friendships
here. And both of our kids were baptized during Hot Metal worship gatherings!
Together, we have walked through a lot of changes. And so
even though I am writing this with some feelings of nostalgia (hence the photo collage!) I am mostly
feeling hopeful about our future. My role as a pastor is changing but the work I
feel called to now is very much an extension of the mission of HMBFC. I am
taking the lessons and skills that I learned here into a new context. Most of
the people who are doing the work of launching The Commonwealth with me are Hot
Metal people. And Marianne and the kids plan to keep worshiping at HMFBC on
Sundays.
So in some significant ways we will still be in this
together!
Please pray for Team Holohan as we navigate this major life
transition, grieving the loss of what was, enjoying the things that remain, and
anticipating the gain of what’s coming.
Come to think of it, that’s a good
prayer for HMBFC as well! I for one am looking forward to what's coming in HMBFC’s journey of faith.
In the peace of Christ,
Mike Holohan
P.S. The Personnel Committee is putting a transition plan to work and will be
sharing details soon.
Also, I think that Jeff is planning some kind of fun
thing where we can celebrate our ministry
together - I’ll let him fill you in on the details about that!
And oh yeah,
pray for that guy, too!
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