News for July 25, 2023

This Sunday, July 30: In-person service at 10am

Our very own John Latham is the guest preacher this Sunday, ready to introduce us to the poetry of D. H. Lawrence. Although best known for his novels, Lawrence wrote at least 800 poems in his lifetime, in addition to essays, plays and short stories. He lived from 1885 to 1930.

The Giving Sunday offering for July is for San Mateo's Catherine Center, helping women re-enter society after incarceration.

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.

Instant Choir Aug 13

Calling all singers! We're re-instituting our pre-Covid version of church choir, called Instant Choir. One Sunday a month, we come early to rehearse and then we sing for that day's service. No auditions, all ability levels welcomed.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Aug 13. Rehearsal at 8:45 am.

Report from Church Camp

Karen Conklin writes:

Camp Monte Toyon in Aptos in the redwoods is great. It’s about 90 minutes from San Mateo if you avoid rush hour.

Camp was a lot of fun. After 2 meals we were mingling and making friends with the Belmont crowd. There are about 20 of them, so as a small church, we felt right at home! Campers had wonderful fun with 1/2 day hikes, softball, sing alongs in the shade, talent / no talent night, after hours karaoke, marshmallow roasting, sharing home baked treats, etc., and a get-to-know-each-other game. George Conklin has lots of photos — ask when you see him! There is talk next year of providing a worship service, and maybe some optional workshops — juggling, beginning guitar, origami, altar creating (you know who…). Let us know if you have any creative ideas: quilting, an art activity, photography, pickle ball (can a volleyball court be adapted???)

The camp itself is contiguous to the town of Aptos, and only about 10 minutes from its downtown, which has several yummy restaurants and a state beach. The weather was balmy and lovely: 70’s at the beach, 80’s at midday at camp. (Eat your hearts out!) The main camp itself is about 300 feet long, laid out along the main road from town. Parking is near the dining hall and fire pit / amphitheater, as well as sports fields and shady picnic tables for more sedate activities.

The farthest dorm-like cabin where we stayed was lovely — only 300 feet away from the dining hall on an easy asphalt path. It is handicapped accessible, with men’s and women’s bathrooms with showers and hot water shared by 8-10 rooms. Most rooms are 2 bunk beds, but we were mostly all couples, and there were 3 or 4 singles rooms to spare! Rooms have a desk, two chairs, some shelf space and a few hangers, plus the top bunks to dump stuff on. They also had a gathering room with fireplace for late night chatting. Nearby was a great hall with fireplace and sofas at one end and a well-equipped sound system and stage at the other.

There are lots of very nearby venues for enjoying nature, yoga, meditation. Consider yourself invited for July next year!

Upcoming services and events

• Church Council. There will be no Council meeting in July. Enjoy the break!

• Weds discussion group: July 26 (7 pm), Zoom

"Basic Bible Stories", continuing with the Abraham cycle. Come meet the main figures in the foundational history of Judaism (and thus, Christianity). Everyone is welcome.

• Book Group: Sun, July 30 (7 pm), Zoom. Reading the book "On Vanishing: Mortality, Dementia, and What It Means to Disappear" by Lynn Casteel Harper.

• All-church potluck: Sun, Aug 6 after worship. Sandwich fixings and dessert provided; bring something to share. The smorgy lives!

• Taize service: Fri, Aug 11 (7:30 pm) at church. Also available on Zoom. We will be singing Marty Haugen's vespers service, "Holden Evening Prayer." Kevin Doyle and Polly Moore, cantors.

• Instant Choir.Sun, Aug 13. Rehearsal at 8:45am.

• Women’s retreat: Sep 1-3, Pacific Grove

Contact Polly Moore for details.

• Men’s retreat: Sep 22–24, Pacific Grove

Contact Roy Gesley for details.

Links and resources

• "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" played on the carillon at Grace Cathedral by Peter, as part of the city's tribute to Tony Bennett last Friday.

• Wind-powered "creatures" on a Dutch beach. Amazing!

• San Francisco Mime Troupe appears all over the Bay Area. Palo Alto on Aug 6 is the closest to us.

Quote of the week

"The first step on the path to wisdom is to say I don't know." -- Lao Tzu

Weekly events

• Meditation group: Wednesdays at 7:30 am

In person at the church building

• Sunday worship: 10 am

In person or on Zoom — see the newsletter or this site for updates

Image: D. H. Lawrence