Christ Church offers a simple Eucharistic service each month usually on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. in the Gardenia Room in The Forum’s Health Center. This month it will be on Tuesday, March 25. Although this is held in the Health Center, it is open to all residents of The Forum. It’s a simple service with music and a bread-only Eucharist, and those who attend enjoy it greatly. Come join us if you can!

Join Rev. Claire on Zoom for this three-week journey into the creation of the Bible on Fridays, March 7, 14 and 21, 12:00-1:00 p.m. As Episcopalians, we uphold scripture as one of only three sources of divine revelation, alongside tradition and reason. But we also have many questions about the Bible and how to most faithfully engage its words. In this series, we explore the origins of the Canon we call the Holy Scriptures. If you've ever wondered who decided to put the books of the Bible together, how they became authoritative, what was left out, why some Bibles contain certain books and others don't, this series is for you! And if you've never given much thought to such questions, the history of the creation of the canon is fascinating and complex, and our time together will surely enrich your engagement with these holy works. We invite you to bring a song, poem, spiritual writing, or any other text that you would “add” to the Bible if you could.

Join via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86029151370?pwd=twOyft69KVOk6p99lNbfZoR0RII2Fu.1

Meeting ID: 860 2915 1370; Passcode: 772849

All are welcome to a family-friendly weekly community dinner on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Next week we will celebrate Holi, a significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring. We’ll have Indian food and pizza, as well as a dance performance and crafts. Hope you can join us! RSVP using this Google Form so we can make sure that we have enough food.

The meditation group meets via Zoom on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. If you’re interested in learning more about contemplative practices drawn from the Christian and Buddhist traditions, as well as contemporary psychology, you’re welcome to attend. All are welcome!

Join via Zoom

• Click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/197694657?pwd=ekg3Y24zL2RjV2pKNEs5eVpFVzdidz09

• Meeting ID: 197 694 657; Passcode: 450305

Being With is a transformative ten-week long invitation to discover faith in the context of discovering friendship. This series is based on the belief that Being With us is what God is all about, and that being with God, one another, ourselves, and creation, is the calling of our lives in turn. Each class explores topics like essence, story, community, suffering and hope, while holding space for sharing and listening to one another’s stories. We offered the first Being With cohort in 2024 and are pleased to announce that it will be available several times this year! A new cohort will begin meeting weekly via Zoom on Thursday, March 13th from 4:00-5:30pm. We also plan to offer a summer cohort and another in the fall. If you're interested in participating, or in learning more, please email Rev. Claire at claire@ccla.us.

For many years, Christ Episcopal Church has chartered Scouts BSA Troop 30. Again this year the Scouts will be hosting our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner to give back to and thank the Church. The Pancake Dinner will take place on Tuesday, March 4, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Think pancake breakfast with all the fixings and various sides for dinner. This is a delicious opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors, all are welcome! The evening will include have some activities and games for the youngest members of our community led by Jenny Bishop.

Note: This will replace our Weekly Community Dinner which will return Wednesday, March 12.

The next talk in this series hosted by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto (600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto) — Religion Race, and the ‘Heathen’ — will be on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Kathryn Gin Lum is a Professor in the Religious Studies Department, in collaboration with the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, at Stanford University. Her teaching and research focus on the lived ramifications of religious beliefs; she specializes in the history of religion and race in America. Dr. Gin Lum will speak on themes in her most recent book, Heathen: Religion and Race in American History, which considers how the figure of the "heathen" in need of salvation underlies American conceptions of race. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Please register for free tickets here.

On Friday, February 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Bobby Jo Valentine will be performing a free concert at All Saints Episcopal Church (555 Waverley Street, Palo Alto). His music exists outside the lines of any genre, but the music’s thoughtful, spirit focused lyrics and catchy melodies reach listeners across all walks of life. Bobby has found a voice with original, hopeful songs about the gentle everyday spiritual awakenings of an openhearted life. Along with theaters, house concerts, and many other kinds of stages, he is often invited to offer his stories and songs at faith communities around the nation. Bobby’s music has won Song of the Year twice at West Coast Songwriter’s Association, and his work has appeared on radio, TV, and feature films. He has performed artist residencies, hosted songwriting workshops, and been involved in helping communities of all types use their spaces and voice in more creative and powerful ways. Register for free tickets here.

On Sunday, February 2, we’ll welcome back the Rev. Evalyn Wakhusama, the second woman ordained in the Anglican Church of Kenya and founder of the Nambale Magnet School. NMS was founded to serve orphans of the AIDS epidemic in the rural part of Kenya from which Evalyn is from, but the school has grown into a strong regional academic hub in the years since, serving both boarding and day students. Rev. Evalyn attended Yale Divinity School a few years before Rev. Claire, who learned about the school while still in seminary. Christ Church has supported Nambale Magnet School through our outreach grants for several years and NMS is a “Sister School” of Ventana. We also sent three members of our congregation on a youth service trip to Nambale two summers ago, in partnership with The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco. All are welcome to a forum following Coffee Hour to meet Rev. Evalyn, learn more about NMS and discuss future possibilities for collaboration! 

On Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside and other members of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort are hosting a Reading of Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” This will be a powerful and inspiring public action event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together, we will read his profound and timeless “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” reflecting on its significance in the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. This event is open to all and serves as an opportunity for the community to come together, stand in solidarity, and reflect on the values Dr. King championed.

Event Location: 400 County Center Plaza, Redwood City

Dick Coulter was Eric Tuan’s predecessor as the director of music at here Christ Church and was beloved by many in this community. He passed away on November 28, 2024. There will be a memorial service for Dick on Saturday, January 18, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Los Gatos (20 University Ave, Los Gatos). The service begins at 1:00 p.m. with 30 minutes of prelude starting at 12:30 p.m., offered by Dick’s colleagues. All are welcome to join the family for a reception in the parish hall after the service. May Dick be playing beautiful music with the angels in heaven.

Those who cannot attend the service in person can watch the live-stream of it on St. Luke’s YouTube channel at

https://stlukeslg.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6b480e88ca3defb11c535df54&id=a9344cbb50&e=f19cf3ccf2

A Call to Action for People of Faith

On Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church will be hosting Jeremy Steele, a seasoned author, and progressive pastor with over 25 years of experience in religious leadership. Jeremy will be talking about his new book, How to Not Suck as a Christian which is being released in February. As you can tell from the title, he has a sense of humor!

Much of Jeremy's work is around reconciliation with people who have been harmed in the past by the church. He has a heart for this ministry and wants to empower others to be part of this work by being better Christians. He will be talking about common issues of faith-exploring doubt, relating to the bible in the 21st century, the difference between choosing and inheriting beliefs, and cultivating inclusive, loving, and equitable communities of faith. This event is an opportunity for people to attend who have questions about how they can cultivate a spirituality that is authentic to their lives as people of faith that also aligns with their modern values and morals. 

Jeremy Steele is a seasoned author, and progressive pastor with over 25 years of experience in religious leadership. By his own admission, he also sucks as a Christian. His books and hundreds of articles in major religious publications have inspired readers worldwide to explore a faith that transforms. His primary outreach of ministry is through digital platforms. He has over 120K followers on TikTok and has a large digital congregation through his Discord channel, “Not Church” which provides a safe space for everyone from agnostics to mystics to post-Christians to connect and choose spiritual beliefs that work for them.

All are welcome!

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga

On Saturday, January 11 at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Cal, Amy Deatherage, and David Deatherage will lead an all-ages, family-friendly parish outing to Half Moon Bay. That afternoon, there will be a special low tide revealing the fascinating creatures and plants that live in the tidepools. We'll meet at the church at 1:00 p.m. to carpool to Half Moon Bay, then we'll explore these tidal wonders together from 2:00-4:00 p.m.! More details can be found in the information Amy has provided here. Please email Rev. Cal at cal@ccla.us with any questions or to RSVP. Please note that this activity will take the place of the previously-scheduled parish hike that day. 

Christ Church has a long-established tradition of celebrating 12th Night on the last day of the Christmas season in the church year. Come join the fun on Sunday, January 5, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. as we continue this tradition in partnership with St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. Bring a hearty appetizer, a dessert, or something more substantial to share. There will be activities for children, we’ll sing carols, drink wassail (non-alcoholic options will be available), crown the King and Queen, and enjoy the Herod Play together in the Parish Hall. Then we’ll follow the Three Kings into the church for a short but beautiful candlelight service. All are welcome!

There will be no remote option to join the festivities in the Parish Hall, but the short candlelight service in the church will be available via Zoom.

Download the bulletin

To join the portion of the celebration in the church remotely, please log into Zoom by 7:15 p.m.  

• Join via computer 

  • Click this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89774094032?pwd=z5zhWobInKbcDbL7aPDnwbzmbwViw2.1

  • Meeting ID: 897 7409 4032; Passcode: 059476

• Join via phone

  • Dial the phone number for your time zone: 1-669-900-9128 (Local / Pacific); 1-346-248-7799 (Mountain); 1-312-626-6799 (Central); 1-646-558-8656 (Eastern)

  • Enter this information when prompted: Meeting ID: 897 7409 4032; Passcode: 059476

Ring in the season on Sunday, December 15, at 10:15 a.m. with this festive musical celebration of Advent and Christmas, based on the famous service at King's College, Cambridge. The Christ Church Parish Choir will serenade you with beloved carols ranging from the medieval era to the present and invite you to join us in singing your favorite seasonal hymns. The service features reflective and joyful carols by Craig Hella Johnson, David Willcocks, Shawn Kirchner, James MacMillan, and others.

There are two ways to attend remotely, choose the way that works best for you.

• Join via computer 

  • Click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84513266275?pwd=HPkI2Z7xWE8rhN8we9IsLGx9HwnD9M.1

  • Meeting ID: 845 1326 6275; Passcode: 501479

• Join via phone

  • Dial the phone number for your time zone: 1-669-900-9128 (Local / Pacific); 1-346-248-7799 (Mountain); 1-312-626-6799 (Central); 1-646-558-8656 (Eastern)

  • Enter this information when prompted: Meeting ID: 845 1326 6275, Passcode: 501479

Note: This service does not include Eucharist so anyone wishing to receive communion will need to come to the 8:00 a.m. service.

Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside has extended an invitation to join them at their annual Christmas Banquet, Sunday, December 8, 5:00-8:00 p.m. It's a tradition of great food, company and Christmas Carols which they host each year. Guests are welcome to dress in medieval garb. They are offering our parishioners a buy one, get one half off code to use in purchasing tickets. General admission is $50.00 person and childcare is $30.00 per child (plus fees). You can purchase tickets and childcare here, using the code BOGO50. All are welcome!

Our in-house yoga instructor, Desiree Weaver, and Rev. Cal will host a half-day yoga retreat on Sunday, December 8, 1:30-5:00 p.m. in the Church. We’ll begin our time with a few words of welcome and an easy stretch as a group. We’ll continue with a spiritual teaching by Desiree, who is both a yoga instructor and a Spiritual Director, helping folks to befriend themselves on their path to authentic connection with the Holy. Drawing from ancient and contemporary wisdom, Desiree brings an awareness of how the body holds onto our experiences, and that the body needs to be included in our inner processes of healing and spiritual growth. Following the teaching, we will reflect as a group while enjoying herbal tea and light refreshments. Moving from contemplative conversation to mindful movement, we will transition into a 75-minute, all-levels yoga flow. After luxuriating in this time spent caring for our bodies and souls, we will conclude by a brief time of reflection on our experiences during our shared yoga practice. As a yoga teacher and practitioner, Desiree is delighted to roll out her mat alongside you and see what we discover together. Please RSVP for this retreat to Rev. Cal at cal@ccla.us. We look forward to sharing this restful and invigorating afternoon with you!