WATSONVILLE—For the first time in more than two decades, the Watsonville First United Methodist Church (UMC) has a new pastor.
Rev. Jon Song, who has been practicing ministry for the past 35 years, took helm of the church earlier this month. He follows Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson after she had remained at the assignment since 1999.
Song admitted it was a quick turnaround—it wasn’t until late May when he knew he’d be being transferred from his current assignment at a church in Los Angeles, and the Watsonville UMC congregation wasn’t notified until early June.
“It was high anxiety for a while,” Song said. “Pastor Robin had been here for 22 years. That’s very unusual in the Methodist system. But she made her mark. And I had some concerns … as a man, replacing a woman pastor who’s been here for so long.”
For the past few weeks, Song has slowly settled into his position. He said he feels “extremely grateful” for landing in Watsonville.
“I feel it’s the right fit,” he said. “I am very happy to be here.”
Song was born in Korea and immigrated to the United States in 1968 at the age of 9. His family settled in Los Angeles, and he completed his undergrad at Cal Berkeley. It was at this time that Song fell in love with the greater Bay Area, and when he had what he called a “conversion experience,” one evening at home.
“I had always felt an unease about everything,” he said. “But suddenly… I felt a sense of oneness with the universe. It was the best thing I had ever experienced.”
Song headed up to Holy Hill in Berkeley, where nine different seminaries are located. He chose the United Methodist path, he said, because he felt it was more diverse and inclusive.
“I call myself an ‘Integral Christian,’” he said. “Put simply, that means, anything that supports reality and truth—science, medicine, literature, humanities… I integrate into my faith practice.”
He added that learning from other religious traditions and wisdom is also important.
“We are all trying to understand the same thing, even if we ask different questions,” he said.
Song served at various churches in the Bay Area, and in Middletown, a small town in Lake County. He was also assigned as a campus minister at UC Merced for a while.
His new position at UMC, he said, may be his last.
“I don’t know how long it’ll be—I’m 63,” he said. “I see this as my final appointment, my last hurrah.”
Looking ahead, Song said he is still learning the ins and outs of Watsonville, but hopes to work closely with his new congregation and community to serve them as best he can.
“Ministry is about relationships,” he said. “Building relationships, caring about them… You are given the special privilege of entering into people’s intimate aspects of their lives… weddings, funerals, divorce, job losses. I want to see where I can be most helpful in contributing my gift to the community.”
Every Tuesday, Song leads a youth worship team meeting on Zoom, where he asks their advice on how he can improve as a faith leader.
“I tell young people, one of the most precious gifts that God has given you is your freedom to think freely, and speak your voice,” he said. “Never completely give over your mind to a single group, nation, your parents, a religious organization … Don’t let someone else tell you how to think.”
