Two Peninsula Churches Become One
New Vision United Methodist Church sits on Chadbourne Avenue in Millbrae, a small Peninsula city between San Bruno and Burlingame. The congregation was formed in 2000 when two older Methodist communities on the San Francisco Peninsula joined together.
The older of the two traces back to 1904, when the San Bruno United Methodist Church was organized. That congregation's original building later became the home of the first Tongan United Methodist Church of San Bruno, on El Camino Real. The second congregation, the Community Church of Millbrae, was organized in 1939 and met in the very building that New Vision UMC still calls home. When shifting economics and demographics reshaped the Peninsula, the two churches merged in 2000 and chose the name New Vision to describe what they hoped to build together.
The combined congregation is part of the California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Bay District within it. The Resident Bishop of the San Francisco Episcopal Area is Sandra K. Olewine, and the District Superintendent for the Bay District is Sun Hee Kim.
Sunday Morning at 450 Chadbourne
Sunday worship at New Vision UMC is called the Worship Celebration, and it begins at 10:00 AM each Sunday morning in English. Holy Communion is observed on the first Sunday of every month, and the table is open to all who wish to participate. Communion is served in a formal style using pre-packaged elements. A fellowship hour with coffee follows the service on the first Sunday of each month.
Sunday School meets at 10:30 AM in Room 103 and is open to children in fifth grade and up. For younger children, the church provides day care during the worship hour in a separate nursery staffed by caring workers who have all been background checked. The nursery is open from 9:55 AM to 11:00 AM for infants and toddlers. Parents who prefer to keep their children with them are welcome to do so; the sanctuary is open to all ages.
Those who cannot attend in person can join the Sunday service on Zoom. The meeting ID is 850 9554 2224, with passcode 386228, and the gathering begins at the same 10:00 AM hour as the in-person service.
Children, Youth, and Confirmation
Children and youth are at the heart of New Vision's life. Katie Lynn Baker serves as the church's Children Director, and the Sunday morning programs pair learning with a safe and creative environment. Vila Fakava directs the youth ministry alongside Co-Youth Director Maryah Tucker, who also leads the Confirmation program.
Confirmation is offered each spring for students in sixth through twelfth grade. Classes meet on Sundays from 10:15 to 11:15 AM in Room 101 and follow a curriculum that walks students through what faith is, who Jesus is, what it means to follow him, and how to put faith into action as a modern disciple. The program ends at the Bishop's Confirmation Retreat at Camp Lodestar, where Bishop Sandra Olewine confirms the new class. The fee is $25 per student, with confidential scholarships available for families facing financial hardship.
At the close of Confirmation, youth are confirmed as new members of New Vision UMC and of the California-Nevada Conference. The program's stated goal is that each young person leaves with a stronger connection to other Christian youth, a clearer sense of their own values and beliefs, a faith rooted in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and a greater compassion for others.
Tuesdays on Zoom: Faith, Hope & Love Bible Study
On Tuesday mornings from 7:00 to 8:00 AM, the church gathers online for the Faith, Hope & Love Bible Study. Co-host Etika Mesulama and Pastor Tupou Veikoso Taufatofua lead the hour together, welcoming anyone who wants to grow in faith, deepen their understanding of Scripture, or simply spend time learning alongside others. A downloadable study guide is available, and the Zoom link and passcode are posted on the church's events page.
The study is open to all and meets on Zoom so that members and friends across the Bay Area and beyond can join without driving to Millbrae.
Saturday Mornings with the Prayer Warriors
Every Saturday from 6:00 to 7:00 AM, the Prayer Warriors meet in the New Vision UMC sanctuary for an early hour of prayer. The gathering is simple and open: those who come lift up the church, the community, loved ones, and the needs of those around them, beginning the weekend in fellowship and reflection.
Anyone with a prayer request can reach the Prayer Warriors through Ana Hurrell or Sili Lokotui, by calling the church office at (650) 697-8300, or by email. All are welcome to come as they are.
Family Life and Fellowship Events
New Vision UMC has a robust calendar of family gatherings that bring the church together outside the sanctuary. Recent and ongoing events include Family Movie Nights in the church's Fellowship Hall, with popcorn and snacks provided and attendees invited to bring pillows, blankets, or folding chairs. The annual Luau fundraiser features an island-inspired feast, cultural performances by the church's youth, live music, and raffle drawings, with proceeds supporting the Young Adult and Youth Ministries.
Out in the wider community, the Kin-Dom Generation Family BBQ gathers the church at Bayside/Joinville Park in San Mateo for a day of food, music, games, and fellowship, with food served at noon. A similar Kingdom Generation Family Picnic is held at the large picnic site in Washington Park in Burlingame, a potluck-style meal where families are invited to bring a dish to share. An evening of Jazz Night has featured live traditional jazz from Tim Price's Gold Dust Band, with light refreshments and donations supporting the musicians.
These gatherings reflect the church's vision of building meaningful relationships and creating small groups for all ages that support one another on the faith journey.
Leadership, Mission, and Outreach
The church's leadership team includes Pastor Tupou Veikoso Taufatofua, Lay Leaders Fua'Inga Cook and Paluhea Lokotui, Music Director Costas Dafnis, Children Director Katie Lynn Baker, Youth Directors Vila Fakava and Maryah Tucker, Men's Ministry Director Dr. Siona Falevai, and Evangelism and Outreach Directors Fine Taufatofua and Lady Miki Charlamagne.
New Vision's stated mission is to be a faith community united by God's love, worshiping, serving, and learning the life and purpose of Jesus Christ. The church's vision statement describes a community where everyone is embraced and valued, where diversity is welcomed, and where small groups for all ages help members grow together in faith and love.
Outreach and evangelism are directed by Fine Taufatofua and Lady Miki Charlamagne, and a dedicated audio/visual team supports worship and online gatherings. The church publishes a quarterly newsletter called Pathways, which carries news of the local congregation and of the wider United Methodist connection, with submissions welcomed at the church office.
Plan a Visit
First-time visitors often ask what to expect. Dress is casual and appropriate; the worship service is open to all ages; and a sign language translator is available on request. Worship begins at 10:00 AM on Sundays, with Sunday School for fifth graders and older at 10:30 AM and nursery care available throughout the morning for infants through fourth graders. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month, and the church welcomes anyone who wishes to participate. There is no requirement to be a member to attend.
For those wishing to hold a wedding, a funeral, or a community event at the church, the front office can provide details. Offerings can be placed in the plates during worship, mailed to the church, set up through automatic bank transfer, or given online. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the pastor can be reached through the office at newvisionumc@gmail.com or (650) 697-8300.