Join us for Celebration worship services, in-person and online, every Sunday at 10 a.m.

Intellectually stimulating, warm and welcoming

My husband and I moved to Oakland on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend 1994 – from New Jersey. My X-husband’s first wife whom I had attended church with in the 70’s (in St. Louis, MO)  told me I should check out Montclair Presbyterian Church.  So on the day after we moved into our new home, I headed down the hill to MPC to attend the service.  I was warmly welcomed by an elderly woman wearing a bright red beret and informed that the service was in the courtyard – not the sanctuary.  The service, by now retired Duke Robinson, was intellectually stimulating, the people were warm and welcoming and the day was glorious.    I have been attending ever since.  Over the 17 years, through two regular pastors and two interim pastors,  it has truly become my faith community. Being a member of a congregation interested in social justice issues has gently  nudged me into becoming more active.  I am a better person today – having absorbed the lessons modeled at MPC on how to care for one another and our planet.  MPC welcomes all as evidenced by the fact that my husband, who is not a Christian,  regularly participates in activities and even c-chairs the “Art Gang” group within the church.

Pat Schwinn