October 02, 2024

Dear Beloved Community,

I am so happy to hear that this past Sunday's worship service and potluck were a hit, and that the weather was beautiful. I am so looking forward to next month's potluck and sharing a meal together. And, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in Saturday's Work Day and cleaned up the church. Also, I was not able to participate in the “2024 Pilgrimage to End Detention…” interfaith spiritual pilgrimage because I tested positive for Covid on the day I was supposed to head out. I am feeling better.

This weekend is the annual CHC men's retreat held at the one and only Polly’s home in Pacific Grove. I am so looking forward to that time together with the men. I will be back with you all on Sunday morning for church. I'll be reflecting on 2 Timothy 1:1-14, and talk about how at our most faithful, we find ways of survival and liberation that do not cost us our own souls, but work towards God’s ultimate vision of collective liberation. The kind of liberation where all forces of destruction are overcome. I believe this is the work of faith. We only need a little in order for God to do great things among us.

I hope all of you are having a great week so far, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Peace and blessings!

-Jorge

September's Giving Sunday offering is for Mission Hospice in San Mateo. Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts. You can learn more about the Mission Hospice in San Mateo here.

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

Annual Men's Retreat: October 4-6 at Polly’s house in Pacific Grove. RSVP to Roy Gesley if you are interested.
Borg Discussion Group: Thursday, Oct 10, 7pm on Zoom. Read Chapter 4 of “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” by Marcus Borg.
Taize Service: Friday, Oct 11, 7:30 pm. Our monthly contemplative service of chant and prayer. Poetry by Jane Hirshfield. Trumpeter Danny Cao will be back to play for us. Also available on Zoom.
Council Meeting: October 20th, after church service.
Celebration of Life for Karen Conklin: Saturday, Oct 26, 2 pm. Stephen wrote a lovely obituary for Karen, posted here.
Book Group: Sunday, Oct 27, 7pm, on Zoom. This month's book is "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler. This is an acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel published in 1993 but set in the years 2024-2027. In northern California of all places.

Links and resources

There's a Meal Train calendar to coordinate providing food for Isabel and her mom while her mom is recovering from a fall. The 24/7 caretaking bit is exhausting, as those of you who have done it know. Any help you can provide is very much appreciated.

If you want to contribute to the UCC's support of Hurricane Helene impacts, here is information and a link to donate.

Find out about Prop 5 on affordable housing and infrastructure here. The election is coming up and as usual, the ballot has a lot on it.

Congregational Church of the Peninsula's annual Chocolate Fest fundraiser is on Oct 19. More info here.

Quote of the week

Breathing in, I see all my ancestors in me: my mineral ancestors, plant ancestors, mammal ancestors, and human ancestors. My ancestors are always present, alive in every cell of my body, and I play a part in their immortality. - Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Living

Weekly events

• Meditation group: Wednesdays at 7:30 am

In person at the church building.

• Sunday worship: 10 am

In person at the church building.