News for July 10th, 2024

Dear Beloved Community,

What a great Communion Sunday we had this past Sunday. I always look forward to celebrating communion together. Communion for me, along with many other things, is always a reminder of the power of community. It helps us remember to widen the circle for others to be welcomed into the community. No matter who they are, where they come from or where they find themselves on their life's journey, all are welcome to the table. The table that reminds us that there is enough for everyone, versus a scarcity mindset. That God’s love knows no bounds.

Unfortunately, I won’t be around next Sunday. I will be traveling to Los Angeles for a friend's wedding. The great news is that our very own Caje will be sharing some words with us, starting off our summer theme of "Legacy". It is always a gift when we can hear from one of our own. So, I hope many of you will show up, and show some love.

May all of you enjoy the rest of the week.

Peace and blessings!

Jorge

July's Giving Sunday offering is for "Catherine Center". Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts in life. Below is their programs video.

Recent sermons

Check out our YouTube page to see recent sermons. Go to our archive of slides to see bulletins and slides used during recent services.

Recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.

Upcoming services and events

Borg Discussion Group: Thursday, July 11, 7pm on Zoom. We are moving on to Ch. 4 of Marcus Borg’s “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time”, for a discussion of Jesus’ role as a wisdom teacher.
Taize Service: Friday, July 12, 7:30pm. Our regular in-person contemplative service, also available on Zoom.
UCC Family Camp: July 19-21st, Monte Toyon Retreat Center, Aptos, CA. Save the date to join Belmont UCC like last year! Registration closes on July 11 (Thursday).
Church Council: Sunday, July 21 after worship.
Book Group: Sunday, July 28, 7pm, on Zoom. We’re going to try again with “Catastrophe Ethics” by Travis Rieder. (The gathering last time was very small!). Al recently led a 20-person discussion of this book at Enso so he’s totally into it. The question it deals with is ‘How to make choices when every action has so many ripple consequences, many of them unintended and unknown? It’s tempting to conclude that individual actions don’t matter, but that logic is flawed too.’
Worship & Arts: Sunday, August 4 after worship. Join us and help plan worship for the early fall.
Annual Women’s Retreat: Labor Day Weekend (Aug 30 - Sept 1) at Polly’s house in Pacific Grove. All church women invited; details to come. Save the date!
Celebration of Life for Jim Mathews: Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm.
Annual Men's Retreat: October 4-6 at Polly’s house in Pacific Grove. RSVP to Roy Gesley if you are interested.