April 03, 2025
- College Heights
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Dear Beloved Community,
This upcoming Sunday we have the honor to have Rev. Alice Cabotaje as a returning guest preacher once again. Alice, as many of you know, is the Director of Spiritual Care for Stanford Health Services and an ordained minister with the Metropolitan Community Church. We are happy to have her continue to bless us with her presence.
Also, I am writing this newsletter on March 31st which is Transgender Day of Visibility. Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.
On this day, as every year, I am reminded that allyship is not an identity, it's a practice. For all of us to live in a world we deserve and dream of, we must commit to taking action daily. Trans people are being attacked, from gender-affirming healthcare bans to being censored in our media. Our trans relatives' lives are actively being threatened, and it's up to us to make a difference in our communities. We have the power and responsibility to care for one another, especially when this nation’s political systems fail to protect our most vulnerable. As a faith community, my hope is that we continue to support trans rights, because to support trans rights is to defend human rights. May we never stop taking action with and for our trans relatives because no one is free until we’re all free, and in a system designed to keep us apart, it needs to be our priority to stand with one another against all forms of oppression.
Also, this Sunday is communion Sunday. It is a beautiful ritual to celebrate and remember how Jesus repeatedly shared meals with many different groups of people in the Bible, from the last supper with his disciples, to his meal shared with Zacchaeus after beckoning him down from the tree; He loved to share food with people.
I hope all of you are having a great week so far, and hope to see many of you on Sunday.
I do hope all of you are having a great week so far, and see you Sunday!
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
April's Giving Sunday offering is for the UCC's One Great Hour of Sharing, supporting especially disaster and refugee ministries at home and abroad.
The Church Council recently clarified what monies in the collection plate go to our Giving Sunday recipient each month. On the first Sunday of the month (the "Giving Sunday"), the whole plate goes to the designated nonprofit. Any other time during the month you can contribute by way of a check with the name of the nonprofit in the memo line.
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
Lenten Choir Practice: Every Sunday during Lent at 8:45am. Everyone welcome.
Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, Apr 3, 7pm on Zoom. Read Chapter 5 of Armstrong's "The Battle for God."
Worship & Arts: Sunday, April 6, after worship. Everyone welcome to help plan for Holy Week, Easter and beyond.
Lenten Taize Service: Friday, April 11, 7:30 pm. Also available on Zoom.
Holy Week Services
Apr 13, Palm Sunday: CHC, 10am
Apr 17, Maundy Thursday: joint service at CCP (Belmont church), 7 pm
Apr 18, Good Friday: joint service at CCSM (downtown church), 7 pm
Apr 19, Holy Saturday: joint service at CHC, 7 pm. Vigil with Mary Magdalene.
Apr 20, Easter Sunday: CHC, 10am
Book Group: Sunday, May 4, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life" by Agnes Callard. Suggest beginning with the Introduction, then the last chapter (on Death) and then chapters 1 and 2, for the discussion on May 4. We will spend several months on this book.
Monthly Potluck: Sunday, April 27, after worship. Bring something to share.
Links and resources
Lenten Online Class with John Dominic Crossan: "Paul the Pharisee". Lectures you can listen to anytime, with a live-streamed Q&A starting Thursday, March 13 at 11am. More information here.
Quote of the week
“Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are.” - St. John Chrysostom
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
• Church Office Hours: Thursdays 2:30pm-5:30pm, in person at the church building.
To schedule an appointment please call or text 510-754-6796 or email xicanominister@gmail.com.
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