By Joan Passarelli
 Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier |
Meet the Clergy
The Rev. Mike Clark, a descendant of William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, is following in his ancestor’s footsteps. In his church’s transitions and in his own free time, Clark, 47, likes blazing new trails. Clark was ordained in 1980 and served in churches in Pennsylvania and in Morgan Hill before coming to Union Presbyterian Church in 1994.
Union is among the oldest churches in Los Altos. It traces its roots to a prayer group organized in 1909, which became a nondenominational church chartered in 1914. The church was located at Second and Main downtown until 1957, when it moved to its present location on University Avenue off El Monte.
“I still feel we are a community church,” said Clark. “The only challenge is that, since we’re no longer on a corner that people pass all the time, it’s hard for them to find us.”
Because of its long history, it was hard for Clark to oversee the transitions in the congregation when he came in 1994. “Some members were elderly and died,” he said. “Others have moved away. We’re grieving for the ones we’ve lost. But I’m very grateful for how God is faithful to us even in difficult situations.”
Union Church, with their children’s programs, has begun to attract new members with young families.
Clark has staked out new territory on the Internet. He has his own page at the church’s Web site where he answers questions about religion.
“I don’t feel Mike Clark has much truth for people,” he said. “I can’t help people find their car in the parking lot. But God has truth for us, so I help people look in God’s word (the Bible).”
Like his ancestor, Clark enjoys outdoor expeditions. He paddles a sea kayak, camping on island beaches; takes nature photos on his many travels; and is a serious road biker. He is married and has three children attending Los Altos High School.
Clark is excited about the involvement of his congregation in the church’s worship. “Our people are participants, not passive, in our worship,” he said. The church has many gifted musicians, from classical to rock, and a choir of over 30 members.
“We’re really a friendly church,” Clark concluded. “We like to share God’s love with people. If anyone wants to know about that, we’d be happy to help.”
Union Presbyterian Church, 858 University Ave., has a regular Sunday service at 10:20 a.m., preceded by the Discipleship Hour (Sunday School) at 9:00 a.m. For more information, call 948-4361 or logon to www.unionpc.org.
