Celebrating 100 Years in the HEART of Mission Hills!
Community & Leadership
Christian Education (CE) provides guidance for the spiritual
journeys of children, young people and adults through the
development of a variety of educational programs. The work of this
ministry helps members and friends to explore what we believe and to
deepen our faith.
The United Church of Christ proudly embraces the fact that its
members and friends do not check their brains at the church door!
This ministry keeps us thinking, studying, and journeying together.
The CE ministry oversees the
Sunday School (Preschool-6),
Youth Forum (7-12) and activities, confirmation classes, and
Adult Bible Study. Frequent education programs are offered
addressing topics such as marriage equality, environmental
stewardship, social justice, and progressive theology. Secular
topics, such as children’s literacy, conscientious consumerism, and
voter education, are also offered to the wider community.
Learn more about the Christian Education Ministry through our
Small Groups, and
Get Involved! pages.
The Diaconate Ministry provides pastoral care during times of
special need. This ministry team reaches out when our friends
and members are going through difficult times, are hospitalized or
homebound due to illness, or experience a major loss in their lives.
This ministry team will be found quietly and gracefully assisting a
family with their loved one’s memorial service and reception.
If you have ever wondered what happens to the beautiful flowers in
the Chancel after Sunday service, this ministry team will break them
into smaller arrangements that are delivered to our homebound
members and friends. The Diaconate Ministry also organizes our
Prayer Partners which is a group that has covenanted to pray for the
requests of anyone requesting prayer.
Learn more about the Diaconate Ministry through our
Small Groups and
Get Involved! pages.
The Fellowship Ministry plans monthly gatherings of all shapes
and sizes that are opportunities for members and friends to get to
know each other on a deeper level. Because we are a church
where “one size DOES NOT fit all,” this ministry is very innovative
in its event planning. To create and build the connection and
community that so many in our church value, they have organized a
wide variety of events such as a kite flying day, hiking excursions,
game nights, Christmas light viewing bike rides, and the ever
popular all church potlucks. We are blessed to be a congregation
FULL of many ages and abilities and the Fellowship ministry gets
everybody engaged – form our senior Pilgrims to our youngest
friends.
Learn more about the Fellowship Ministry through our
Small
Groups, and Get Involved! pages.
The ministry of the Membership and Church Growth team is to find
innovative ways to share the story of Mission Hills United Church of
Christ. Participants in this ministry team work together to discover ways
to extend an extravagant welcome to each guest while continuing to
sustain relationships with the members and friends that have
attended here for a few weeks as well as those who have been here
for years. One way they develop new relationships is through
the bread ministry. If you have attended MHUCC for a few
services and left your contact information on the sign in sheet or a
blue visitor card, you should soon find a loaf of delicious homemade
bread and a note waiting for you at your front door. No
strings attached - it is simply our way of saying welcome and that
we’re glad you have been sharing your journey with us!
The Membership and Church Growth Ministry is also here to help you
discern if you are ready to dive a little deeper into the life of
this congregation. This team sponsors quarterly “Inquirer
Classes” to help you get to know the denomination, the particulars
of this church, and what “membership” in this church means.
Learn more about the Membership and Church Growth Ministry through
our
Small
Groups, and Get Involved! pages.
MHUCC’s Mission and Outreach ministry takes an active role to reach
out to help others in concrete ways in our community, near and far.
This ministry team is responsible for planning and organizing
volunteers in several outreach programs including the quarterly
Chollas Canyon Clean Up, Rolling Readers at Logan Elementary,
assisting at Special Delivery, and monthly Feeding America free food
distribution events, which includes Food Stamp registration
assistance. Another special outreach program this ministry
sponsors is the Uptown Faith Community Service Center. Uptown
was created over 25 years ago when MHUCC teamed with our ecumenical
partners to open a full service center where our homeless neighbors
could find assistance. Today it is stronger than ever,
providing food, counseling, and necessary services to thousands in
need every month.
This ministry team provides the information to our congregation
regarding the UCC “Special Offerings” which provides assistance to
our Global Missions programs, educational programs, justice and
witness ministries, and financial assistance to retired clergy and
church workers among other things. This congregation is proud
to be a “5 for 5 Congregation” meaning that we support all 5 of the
UCC’s special offerings.
Each year MHUCC holds a large fundraiser, the proceeds of which are
given to a local organization. The Mission and Outreach
Ministry selects the recipient out of dozens of nominees. Past
recipients have included Alpha Project for the Homeless, Special
Delivery San Diego, Garfield School’s Art Program, and McKinley
Elementary School Foundation. This year’s recipient is Becky’s
House.
At Christmas, Mission and Outreach sponsors Alternative Christmas.
As an alternative to the usual stuff, you can make a donation to
local charities in honor of loved one. In 2010, Uptown Center,
Canine Companions, Water Station, and Archi’s Acres were the worthy
charities receiving the funds.
If you are enjoying the coffee during our social hour following
worship, you are enjoying a cup of justice thanks to Mission and
Outreach and its determination to bring Fairly Traded coffee and
products to our members and friends. Our coffees and teas are
purchased through Equal Exchange and all their products are
available for sale in Fellowship Hall thanks to this ministry team!
Learn more about the Mission and Outreach Ministry through our
Small
Groups, and Get Involved! pages.
This team is the human resources arm of MHUCC. Personnel plans
for the further development of our church staff; clarifies job
descriptions and responsibilities and oversees performance reviews.
Learn more about the Personnel Ministry through our
Meet the Staff page.
When members and friends walk through the open doors of MHUCC and
see the beautiful sanctuary and feel the extravagant welcome, it is
in great thanks to this ministry team and its stewardship of the
campus.
The first structure of MHUCC was built in 1911 and has been added
onto over the years to create the amazing spaces we enjoy today.
Maintenance of our current building takes the talents of many and a
sizable budget commitment as we work to meet the needs of our
growing congregation. This team also works to make the spaces
of our campus available to local community groups in need of space.
Pacific Children’s Theatre, Mission Hills Garden Club, San Diego
Women’s Chorus, and Hillcrest Wind Ensemble are just a few of our
“tenants.” Members of this ministry help plan for future
space needs and ongoing maintenance and repair. Many days
you’ll see this team painting, checking for leaks, or trimming the
shrubbery around the church.
Learn more about the Property and Administration Ministry through
our Get Involved! pages.
Stewardship and Investment (S&I) takes the lead role in our
financial planning so that we use our resources wisely. In addition
to overseeing our investments, S&I leads our fall Financial
Stewardship campaign with the goal of helping all of our members and
friends understand and embrace MHUCC’s mission plan in order to
support it with their time, talent, and treasure. Working with
the other ministry teams to determine costs, S & I and plans MHUCC’s
annual operating budget. The challenge of this ministry team
is to help members and friends realize that financial ministry and
the operating budget about more than just about keeping the lights
on and the staff paid. There is so much that happens here and
it all has to be supported somehow. From the crayons in the
Sunday school classrooms to the supplemental protein provided by the
church during the Feeding America food distribution has to be paid
for, and S & I ensures that funds exist to fund our programs and
outreach projects. This team also works hard to ensure that
the funds left by our predecessors are maintained and that there
will be funding for future programs and projects so that MHUCC will
continue to be a leader in the community for many years to come.
Learn more about the Stewardship and Investment Ministry through
our Giving page.
The Worship, Arts, and Music Ministry Team helps to plan and create
meaningful worship experiences throughout the year. Together
with the staff, WAM coordinates special services during Advent and
Lent. The music ministry – led by director Max Chodos and
organist Rick Parks explore a variety of musical styles and keep our
Chancel and Children’s choirs busy and on their toes. The
Christmas Candlelight program, Christmas Eve service, Lenten
Cantata, and special concerts such as the Rutter Requiem are
beautiful musical offerings that provide another way to lift our
hearts in prayer. Max and Rick have a special ability to find
and highlight musical gifts within our congregation - many of our
members and friends have sung solos or played musical offerings
during services.
The creative members of this ministry team also decorate the
Sanctuary with art and seasonal decorations.
Learn more about the Worship Arts and Music Ministry through our
Small
Groups, and Get Involved! pages.