More faiths needed in ministerial group More faiths needed in ministerial group (January 02, 2004)

by Jeb Bing

S ince taking over the ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church at Hopyard and Del Valle Parkway 13 years ago, the Rev. David Beard has more than doubled the size of its congregation, spearheaded the construction of a $2 million dollar sanctuary, office and counseling center, and is now leading a fundraising program for a new church education center. As demanding as his work has been at this once-troubled church that was losing members, he may face even greater challenges starting next week when he becomes president of the floundering Pleasanton Ministerial Association. The group is best known publicly for its ecumenical Good Friday services, sponsorship of baccalaureate programs for graduating high school seniors and, after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, its quick work in organizing and conducting a communitywide prayer service at the Fairgrounds.

But since then, the once 30-member strong ministerial association has seen its active membership dwindle, dropping to just over 15 last year with only six showing up for its December monthly meeting. Beard's first priority will be to resuscitate an organization he considers vital to the spiritual well-being of the community. Like similar organizations across the country, the ministerial association keeps local clergy informed about issues affecting their churches' congregations. The Rev. Garry Senna, senior pastor at Harvest Valley Christian Church and a past president of the ministerial association, has long been active with local youth groups, including the city's Youth Commission, and conveys the interests and needs of youths to other clergy at the monthly meetings. Another association member, the Rev. Dan Danielson of St. Augustine and Elizabeth Seton Catholic churches, frequently speaks out for more religious diversity in Pleasanton, including an appeal to a Bernal task force to help a Fremont group acquire acreage for a Muslim youth center on the Bernal property.

Beard wants to step up these efforts. Already, the association has been a catalyst for talking up the city and school district's "Community of Character" program among local congregations and Sunday schools. Beard's own church now reaches out to the hungry by hosting the city's only soup kitchen through its alliance with Open Heart Kitchen on Fridays. Its new sanctuary and meeting rooms are open for concerts, musicals and other fundraisers by the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council and other nonprofits. He now plans to use the ministerial association to offer greater support to Tri-Valley nonprofits and to expand the organization's social action programs.

Besides regenerating interest among the absent clergy, Beard also has an opportunity to expand the ministerial association's base, changing what has historically been solely a Christian base into a broader interfaith organization that is more representative of changes taking place in Pleasanton's religious community. That would include an invitation to Rabbi Richard Winer, whose Congregation Beth Emek will move here from Livermore later this year. Another would be a representative of the new Islamic Center of Pleasanton/Dublin on Quarry Lane, where the city Planning Commission just authorized Muslim worship services and youth activities. And Beard should also reach out to the fast-growing Mormon congregations, who have never had representation in the association. With less than 10 percent of Pleasanton's 66,000 residents attending religious services on a regular basis, the ministerial association should be reaching out to its own as well as to the needy and nonprofits, which also need its help.

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