News for Mar 14, 2023

This Sunday, March 19: In-person service

Our guest preacher this Sunday is Rev. Dr. Jim Gertmenian, retired Congregational pastor and Polly's Oberlin classmate. From his bio, "Jim Gertmenian is a graduate of ... Union Theological Seminary and has served parishes in Upstate New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota. From 1996 to 2015 he was Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. While there, he led the establishment of a non-profit that, to date, has built nearly $200 million worth of housing for formerly homeless people. He is also a hymn writer whose work appears in various denominational collections, including The New Century Hymnal. He holds honorary degrees from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and Piedmont College in Georgia." Jim and his wife Sam, a poet, have retired to Great Cranberry Island off the coast of Maine. They're out here visiting grandchildren in San Rafael, so we get to hear Jim in person. His sermon is titled "To an Unknown God."

Church Council meets after worship.

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.

Masking discussion coming

The COVID-19 emergency is officially over in San Mateo County. Masking is no longer required except perhaps in medical facilities. We should decide as a congregation what we want to do. Continue masking? Or not? Make it optional? The goal is for all of our members and guests to feel safe coming to church. We'll have a group discussion after worship on Sunday, March 26 and make the decision together. Be thinking about your preferences.

Holy Week services

• Palm Sunday (Apr 2) -- Rev. Roy Gesley preaching

• Maundy Thursday (Apr 6) -- joint service at CHC, with Many Journeys, Island United and Belmont UCC. Light finger-food supper at 6 pm, service at 7.

• Good Friday (Apr 7) -- joint service at CCSM (the downtown church), reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ.

• Easter Sunday (Apr 9) -- Rev. Polly Moore preaching. Flower cross for the altar, memorial lilies, choir singing.

Crossan Easter Videos

Noted progressive Christian scholar John Dominic Crossan has prepared a series of four illustrated video lectures on the Easter stories, using material from his books "The Last Week" and "Resurrecting Easter." We will gather on Zoom to watch these videos together (followed by discussion, naturally) on Thursday evenings in March, with the next one on March 16 at 7 pm. It's titled "The Western Tradition of Individual Resurrection." All are welcome.

Upcoming services and events

• Crossan video #2: Mar 16 (7 pm), Zoom.

"The Western Tradition of Individual Resurrection"

• Weds discussion group: Mar 22 (7 pm), Zoom

We’re continuing with the “writing your spiritual journey” exercise. Ask Polly for more details.

• Conversation on Continued Masking: Sun, Mar 26 after worship. The COVID-19 Emergency is officially over in San Mateo County. What does that mean for CHC and continued masking indoors?

• Book Group: Sun, Mar 26 (7 pm), Zoom. Reading "Peach Blossom Spring" by Melissa Fu.

• Worship & Arts committee: Sun, Apr 16. Join us after worship to plan future services

• Taize Service: Fri, April 21, 7:30 pm.

Note the change in date from the usual "second Friday."

• Enlightenment Intensive: May 4-7 in Pacific Grove

A retreat led by Roy Gesley

• 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

• Masterworks Chorale will sing Beethoven's Mass in C and more, April 1 & 2 at Carlmont Performing Arts Center in Belmont. Tickets and info here.