June 17, 2026
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dear Beloved Community,
This past Saturday, Sabrina, Reina, and I had the joy of attending San Mateo’s Pride event alongside our friends from the Congregational Church of the Peninsula, Congregational Church of San Mateo, and Island United Church.
Events like this are so important for us as churches to participate in because they allow us to show up publicly with love, welcome, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. It is one more way we can live out our commitment to being an open, affirming, and inclusive community of faith.
I also want to express how deeply grateful I am that we are a church that stands on the side of love. I am proud of College Heights and what we stand for: welcome, justice, dignity, and the belief that every person is beloved by God.
Lastly, I want to express my deep gratitude to the Congregational Church of the Peninsula, Congregational Church of San Mateo, and Island United Church for doing so much of the organizing and helping secure a booth where we could connect with people throughout the day.
Toward the end of the newsletter, you will find some pictures from the Pride event.
This upcoming Sunday, we look forward to hearing from Roy Gesley, who will be bringing the sermon.
See you Sunday!
Peace and blessings,
Jorge
P. S. June's Giving Sunday collection is for the UCC's fund called Strengthen the Church. It helps local conferences and the national setting, as well as new churches, youth ministries and innovation in existing congregations.
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
Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, June 18, 7pm on Zoom. Dream exploration. We're continuing with the new book -- "The Spirituality of Dreaming" by Kelly Bulkeley. His thesis is that dreaming is/can be a spiritual practice.
Church Council: Sunday, June 21, after worship.
Church Pot Luck: Sunday, June 28 , after worship. Our monthly meal together.
Book Group: Sunday, June 28, 7pm on Zoom. We are reading Pope Leo's recent encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas: On safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence." You can find the text online. Everyone is invited to join the discussion.
Taize Service: Friday, July 10, 7:30pm. Our regular monthly service of chant and prayer.
Worship & Arts: Sunday, Aug 9, after worship. All are welcome to come help us plan worship.
Women's Retreat: Aug 28-30, Pacific Grove. All CHC women are invited. Info and RSVP's to Polly.
Links and resources
Homebrewed Christianity is holding a 4-week online course called "The Future of Religion" with Sr. Ilia Delio and Dr. Tripp Fuller. This is a broad overview of the development of religion from early rituals through the Axial Age, and then projecting into the future as evolution continues. There is one lecture and one streaming Q&A session per week. It dovetails nicely with the AI discussion that will be happening in the Book Group this month. The class just started last week and everything is recorded, so you're not too late. Check it out here. Sliding scale, starting at $0.
Quote of the week
"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" — Corrie Ten Boom
"Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God."
— St. Ignatius Loyola
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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