July 02, 2025
- College Heights
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Dear Beloved Community,
What a blessing it was to come together as a church family for our annual picnic this past Sunday! I very much enjoyed watching our time together filled with laughter, love, and the unmistakable joy of being together.
But more than the food and fun, what made the picnic truly special was the sense of community. It was a reminder of the strength and warmth of our church family, a time to catch up, laugh together, and thank God for our existence to one another.
Thanks to everyone who organized, cooked, and cleaned. Your efforts made everything possible, and your service reflects the love of one another.
I look forward to more opportunities to gather, grow, and embrace one another. My hope is that we continue to carry the spirit of the picnic into our everyday lives: joyful, connected, and rooted in love.
Also, I want to share some good news with you. I've recently accepted a new part-time role with the Presbytery of San Francisco as their Racial Equity Coordinator. This aligns well with my calling, and allows me to serve in a different way during the week. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited about what God is doing.
Please rest assured: this position is part-time and flexible, and it will not interfere with my responsibilities as your pastor. I remain fully committed to walking alongside you in ministry, just as I have been. Below is a link to my bio at the Presbytery of San Francisco website.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and partnership in ministry. I’m grateful to be on this journey with all of you.
Now this Sunday, our newest member, Reina Gonzalez, will be offering a reflection on Mark 5:1–20, focusing on the theme of Immigration and Faith. I’m truly sorry to miss what promises to be a powerful message from Reina, as I’ll be away preaching at Island United Church, covering for Rev. Michael Cronin.
I look forward to being back with you the following Sunday. In the meantime, I hope you’re all having a wonderful week!
See you Sunday!
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
P. S. July's Giving Sunday offering is for Mission Hospice. This offering helps Mission Hospice & Home Care provide compassionate end-of-life care by supporting patients with serious illness through personalized medical, emotional, and spiritual services, whether at home or in their hospice house. They also offer grief counseling, volunteer support, and community education to help families navigate the challenges of illness and loss with dignity and understanding.
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
Worship & Arts: Sunday, July 6 after worship. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, July 10, 7pm on Zoom. We're moving on to Laura Lynne Jackson's second book, called "Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe". Any one is invited to the discussion (book-reading is optional). Lots of us have stories to tell of asking for a sign and receiving something pretty amazing. Come share your story!
Taize Service: Friday, July 11, 7:30pm. Our monthly service of chant, prayer and silence. We'll be joined by Hermann Lara and his saxophone. Poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye. Also available on Zoom.
Instant Choir: Sunday, July 20, rehearsal 9am. We'll sing during the service.
Council Meeting: Sunday, July 20, after worship.
Book Group: Sunday, July 27, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life" by Agnes Callard. Read chapters 8-11 (Part III). We are spending several months on this book.
Women's Retreat: Aug 22-24 (weekend before Labor Day) at Pacific Grove. Talk to Polly for more information.
Links and resources
Hospice nurse tells an end-of-life story that convinced her angels are real
Quote of the week
“Perhaps one of the problems with the world today is that every country thinks it has God on its side. And as long as everybody struts about with that attitude, ‘tisn’t gonna work. I don’t think God could be on the side of anybody that’s dropping bombs.” - Joan Baez
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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