Rev. Matt Prinz Installed as 19th Pastor of First Church

On November 14, representatives from the San Francisco Presbytery and as far south as El Cajon, California, were welcomed for the installation of Rev. Matt Prinz as pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Matt is the nineteenth person installed by the Presbytery as pastor of the East Bay oldest established congregation.

The installation service, a ceremony whose contents are prescribed by the national church, included a Charge to the Pastor, delivered by longtime friend of Matt Prinz, Rev. Kim Dawsey-Richardson. Local pastor, Rev. Monte McClain of College Avenue Presbyterian, delivered the Charge to the Congregation, recalling First Church’s participation in the June 2020 Oakland Youth March that ostensibly inspired Matt Prinz to answer the Call to serve here. Rev. Ben McBride delivered the sermon.

The service included an activity for the congregation to hang written prayers on a tree branch installed at the communion table. Pastor Matt was administered the church’s Constitutional Questions. In a portion of the service with ancient roots, he knelt, surrounded by elders who prayed for his work and ministry, and for the church itself.

Pastor Matt was presented with a white stole, a symbol of his ordination and role as Minister of Word and Sacrament. The stole was a gift from the Pastor Nominating Committee. A lively reception followed the service, with food, wine, and conversation.