October 31, 2024
Dear Beloved Community,
This Sunday, Rev. Polly will be sharing part 2 of her trip report from southern France. (Part 1 was about the Cathars.) She will be talking about the ritual use of psychotropic substances in early Christianity. She is calling it “Our Lady of the Mushroom” based on an old statue in the village church where she stayed. Fascinating! The scripture reading for Sunday is Lev 19:1-2, 26.
In addition, this Sunday is communion Sunday. We will remember and share in an egalitarian meal, where we recall Jesus’ table fellowship with the marginalized and outcast. At a table where Jesus is the host, everyone is accepted and welcomed.
I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday, and I continue to be blessed by the presence of each and every one of you.
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
November's Giving Sunday offering is for Samaritan House. Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts. Learn more about what this fund supports 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
Worship & Arts: Sunday, Nov 3, after worship. Come help us plan the Advent season (already!).
Borg Discussion Group: Thursday, Nov 7, 7pm on Zoom. Read Chapter 6 of “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” by Marcus Borg.
Taize Service: Friday, Nov 8, 7:30 pm. Our monthly contemplative service of chant and prayer. Poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye. Also available on Zoom.
Book Group: Sunday, Nov 24, 7pm, on Zoom. You get another chance to read "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 California of all places. Those of us who have read the book highly recommend it. Note the new date.
Links and resources
Check out a podcast episode featuring Robin Wall Kimmerer discussing how Indigenous knowlege can heal the earth.
Chanticleer singing verse 2 of our favorite "This Is My Song."
Quote of the week
"Christianity is a lifestyle -- a way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established "religion" (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain in most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is one's "personal Lord and Savior"... The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on Earth is too great." -- Richard Rohr
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.
Comments