Nearly a year ago, members of two historic South Valley churches embarked on an exciting adventure. The Gilroy United Methodist Church (7600 Church St.) and the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church (17175 Monterey Road) began sharing co-pastors.
What made this even more intriguing is that the ministers involved are married to each other. The Rev. Patrick Davis is lead pastor in Morgan Hill and the Rev. Dawn Boyd is lead pastor in Gilroy. However, they rotate preaching duties between the churches and divide up other responsibilities as appropriate.
At 10 a.m. June 29, the congregations will share a worship experience in the amphitheater of the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, at the corner of East Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road, directly across from the Morgan Hill U.M.C.
This has become a popular venue in the community because it features a large band shell, stage, modern sound system and casual seating for sizeable crowds with convenient wheelchair access.
The casual service will include music by talented musicians from both congregations, as well as songs performed by children who attended Vacation Bible School during the previous week.
The guest preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Mary Maaga, a popular speaker who recently led a women’s retreat on the topic of women’s spirituality, sexuality and power in early and contemporary Christianity.
Maaga is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who was voted “the most inspirational person in El Dorado County” during her ministry at Foothills United Methodist Church. A former lecturer at the University of Stirling in Scotland, she has a Ph.D in religious studies from Drew University and a master’s degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
She is the author of two important books:
• “Hearing Voices of Jonestown” is a non-fiction analysis of the suicide/murders that took place in Guyana in 1978.
• “The Alabaster Orphan: A Mystic Girl’s Journey with Jesus” is the fictional life story of a woman portrayed in the Gospels who washed the feet of Jesus and was forgiven of her sins.
The worship service will be followed by what Pastor Dawn refers to as “the age-old Methodist tradition” of a potluck as members of the congregations and guests share a picnic. Brad Gremban, the chef behind the community suppers served weekly by the Morgan Hill church, will supervise dining.
Pastors Patrick and Dawn, as well as the membership of both churches, invite local residents to “a wonderful experience, an opportunity for fellowship, spirituality, connection, radical hospitality and passionate worship together.”
For more information call (408) 779-4044 or (408) 842-4021.
Chuck Flagg is a retired teacher with a passion for religion. Reach him at ch****************@gm***.com.
