News for May 22, 2024

Dear Beloved Community, 

This Sunday, we will be welcoming Nadia Tavera as our guest preacher. She will be reflecting on Joel 2:28-32 and Luke 21:25-26.

I have known Nadia for a few years. When I was the Associate Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, she would cover for me at the Spanish services. I am currently her Clergy Advisor, for her discernment process, to be ordained in the United Church of Christ. I am so happy she will be with us this Sunday.

Nadia Tavera (they/them) is a Member in Discernment of the NCNC-UCC and member of Ministerio Latino UCC in Oakland. Nadia currently serves as a coordinator of the newly arrived immigrants program at the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. They are a pioneer in preaching the gospel to LGBTQ folks in Mexico City and empowering marginalized women. Nadia enjoys riding their bike and hiking with their partner. 

The sermon they will deliver is entitled "Signs & Wonders are for All," and you can read a brief summary below:

May 26th is the first Sunday after Pentecost. According to the Scripture, Signs and Wonders were expected for the First Century Church. Jesus' followers experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing, as a result, the birth of the church as a community of believers. Some people believe that eclipses and other astronomical events are divine signs. Have you experienced any signs and wonders like these or any other type? Do these Signs and Wonders have any spiritual meaning for your life or community? Let's reflect together on how relevant signs may be in our time.

As always, I look forward to seeing many of you this Sunday, and let's give a great College Heights welcome to Nadia!

Peace and blessings!

-Jorge 

The Giving Sunday offering for May is for California Clubhouse. California Clubhouse, in San Carlos, is a social and vocational rehabilitation program in San Mateo County for individuals living with a mental illness.

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

• Book Group: Stan Tune

• Borg Discussion Group: Thurs, May 30 (7 pm) on Zoom. It’s not too late to join the conversation. We’re still on Ch. 2 of Marcus Borg’s “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.” Jorge will lead the discussion during Polly’s sabbatical.

• Annual Meeting: Sunday, June 2nd. Please join after church for our annual meeting. Members will be voting on the proposed slate of new church officers.

• Northern California Nevada Conference UCC Annual Gathering: June 6-8, First Congregational Church of Fresno (2131 N. Van Ness Blvd. Fresno, CA 93704).
  

• San Mateo County Pride 2024!: Saturday, June 8th 11:00am-5:00pom. College Heights, along with the rest of the Peninsula UCC churches, have been confirmed to participate in the 2024 San Mateo County Pride Parade.

• Church Picnic: Sunday, June 16. We will be having our church picnic in our front lawn at College Heights. Stay tune for more information.

• UCC Family Camp: July 19-21, Monte Toyon Retreat Center, Aptos. Save the date to join the Belmont UCC like last year. More info coming.
  

Links and resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the UCC Mental Health Network has sent worship resources as well as two videos to use during this time. May 19 is Mental Health Sunday this year, but any Sunday is a great day to focus on mental health!

“I Can Pilot my Own Heart”, conversation with Alok Vaid-Menon

Check out the history of the Six GrandfathersoM

Quote of the week

“God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us – in the dreariest and most dreaded moments – can see a possibility of hope.” - Maya Angelou

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.

Image: Nadia Tavera