May 21, 2025

Dear Beloved Community,

I will be missing you this Sunday, because I will be at the men’s retreat in Pacific Grove. I will get to experience the men's retreat for the first time. Thanks to Polly, who shares her home there, we get the opportunity to gather and be in community outside of church walls. And what a gift that is! 

Polly says...

Those of you who will be here on Sunday will get to hear a story --- "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono. It's an ecological parable with a surprisingly powerful impact. For a background story on someone for whom this book made a life-changing difference, check out this one.

And of course we'll have the monthly potluck after worship. Bring enough to feed the guys if they make it home by lunchtime!

See you the following Sunday! 

Peace and blessings!

-Jorge

P. S. May's Giving Sunday offering is for the California Clubhouse. They provide social and vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals living with a mental illness.

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

• Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, May 22, 7pm on Zoom. Read Chapter 8 of Armstrong's "The Battle for God."

  
  

• Men's Retreat: May 23-25 (Memorial Day weekend) at Pacific Grove. Talk to Roy Gesley for more information.

  
  

• Monthly Potluck: Sunday, May 25 after worship. Bring something to share.

  
  

• Book Group: Sunday, May 25, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life" by Agnes Callard. Read chapters 3 and 4. We are spending several months on this book.

  
  

• Congregational Meeting: Sunday, June 1 after worship. Vote on new Executive Council.

  
  

• Worship & Arts: Sunday, June 8 after worship. Everyone is welcome.

  
  

• Women's Retreat: Aug 22-24 (weekend before Labor Day) at Pacific Grove. Talk to Polly for more information.

Links and resources

Sanctuary People Resource List

The final concerts of this season for Masterworks Chorale will be June 7 and 8 at St. Peter's in Redwood City. The program features music by women, from Hildegard of Bingen to Gwyneth Walker, Clara Schumann to Dolly Parton. Innovative, heartfelt, fun. More info here. Here's a sample from the program: Elaine Hagenberg's "You Do Not Walk Alone."

Quote of the week

For the CHC men, as they head out on retreat this weekend:

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)

it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.

- E. E. Cummings

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.