Rev. Caedmon Grace will be honored Sunday, Aug. 7 before he departs after six years of serving as the Minister of Congregational Life at the Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego.
Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall made the announcement July 31 that Caedmon was stepping down and his last Sunday will be on Aug. 12.
Caedmon, who is the first MCC ordained Transgender Minister to serve locally, has been caring for his mother who has Lewy body dementia. She lived in Bakersfield, but recently moved to Tennessee, making commuting back and forth difficult for Caedmon.
The congregation gave a standing ovation to Caedmon, who was working in the sound room at the time, and afterwards there was a line of people waiting to hug him as he emerged.
Koeshall suggested people can give him gift cards if they wish or just write out cards to him on Aug. 7.
“Caedmon has been an important gift that God has given our church for the past six years,” said Koeshall. “His last day with us will be Aug. 12.”
“We honor him, and we support him and as we put our trust in God, I’m confident that God will watch over Caedmon and guide him during this season of life,” said Koeshall.
“Our community has very significant and sometimes urgent needs that can only be met with a pastorial presence who is here in our community full time,” said Koeshall.
“We ask each of you to join us with your prayers in finding our next minister of congregational life,” said Koeshall. “This will be a challenge we will undertake together with the needs of our community at heart.”
Four years ago, Caedmon had a painful motorcycle accident in which he broke his leg in three places. He had a long recovery and was visited by MCC members in the hospital.
He talked about that experience in some of his sermons. He will be missed very much!
MCC is having only one Sunday service at 10 a.m. in August and September. Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. may return in October.
The church is located at 2633 Denver Street.