Sunday Adult Forum
We begin a new Adult Forum series, "A Mixed Ecology of the Christian Biosphere," on Sunday, February 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m., between services in person in the Fireside Room.
The premise of this series is that expressions of Christianity are a richly varied garden of belief and practice, rather than a monocrop predominating our spiritual landscape. And so, as we cultivate our life in Christ together, we can faithfully come alongside one another across generative differences in theology, worship, and spirituality. In this series, we will hear from members of the Christ Church community whose faith has been informed by a range of Christian expressions beyond the Episcopal Church. We will learn about the bountiful riches of these traditions, acknowledging that we may be called to different places in different seasons. Join us as we celebrate our faithful diversity and reflect on the ways that our unique backgrounds support our shared life in Christ. For it is our mixed ecology that brings us to an abundant harvest of prayer, service, and joy here at Christ Church. Childcare is available in the chapel.
Forum with the Rev. Evalyn Wakhusama
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!
Adaptive Vinyasa Style Yoga Class
You are invited to join our yoga class on Tuesday mornings from 8:45-9:45 am in the Church Narthex. WAIT! Before you assume this is not for you, Vinyasa just means movement with breath. We will start with a warming flow of movement progressing into strengthening poses and finally balance, lengthening and sweet relaxation. You must be able to make multiple transitions with your body (e.g., from lying down to seated, standing or otherwise bending) to be safe in the class, but no previous yoga experience is required to attend. And contrary to popular belief, flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga! Options or modifications will be offered for every pose to accommodate individual bodies.
Equipment needed: please bring a yoga mat. We have extras if you don’t have one. Many folks find a towel or blanket to be useful for sitting on at times. Dress for ease of movement and in layers.
Weekly Meditation Group
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
Weekly Community Dinner
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 be joined by 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. All are welcome to meet Rev. Evalyn, learn more about NMS and discuss future possibilities for collaboration! We will have pizza for dinner. Hope you can join us! RSVP using this Google Form so we can make sure that we have enough food.
Monthly Lunch Outing for Men’s and Women’s Groups
Mark your calendars for the first Thursday of every month and join us for lunch!
Women’s Read-What-You-Want Book Club
The Women's Read-What-You-Want-Book Club meets next on Thursday, February 20 at 2:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Come join our group of book lovers who enjoy talking about their latest reads. There are interesting discussions, plenty of laughter, and lots of great book recommendations. Give it a try!
Bobby Jo Valentine in Concert
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.
Speaker Series: Community, Faith and Racial Justice
The next talk in this series hosted by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto (600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto) will be Religion Race, and the ‘Heathen.’ 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.
Do Kindness, Love Justice: A Prayer Vigil
On Monday, January 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m., the Christ Church community will co-sponsor a prayer vigil with Foothills Congregational Church and Los Altos United Methodist Church. The vigil will take place in the Creekside Building of Los Altos United Methodist Church, located at 655 Magdalena Ave. During this time, our communities will gather around the call to "Do Kindness, Love Justice," and to draw from our shared hope and faith as we continue to seek a kinder, more just world. We will hold space for the complex emotions that shape our journeys, acknowledging both the burdens we carry and the strength that sustains us. Through candle-lighting and intercessory prayer, we will honor the fears and concerns of our time, and find solace in knowing that we are not alone. All are welcome to join in this evening of reflection, prayer, and community support. Let us gather to bring light into the darkness, fortify one another, and move forward with love and determination.
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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 Memorial
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
Author Talk: Jeremy Steele
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
Tidepooling in Half Moon Bay
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.
A Twelfth Night Celebration
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.
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
Eucharist Service at The Forum
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, December 24 (the 3rd Tuesday). 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!
Longest Night Service
All are welcome to this somber liturgy marking the longest night of the year.
A Service of Lessons and Carols
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.
Christmas Banquet
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!
Half-Day Yoga Retreat
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!
Succulent Planting and Seed Scattering
This Sunday right after the 10:15 a.m. service, kids are invited to join Rev. Cal in planting locally sourced succulents in pots outside the Sanctuary. After that, community members of all ages are welcome to help scatter native wildflower seeds, symbolizing our Advent hope of new life in Christ.
St. NIcholas Festival
Join our friends at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (2094 Grand Road. Mountain View) to celebrate Advent with their annual St. Nicholas Festival on Saturday, December 7, 5:00-8:00 p.m. There will be activities for all ages, crafts, gift vendors, food and music. All are welcome!
37th Annual Christmas Crèche Exhibit
Celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. Share the joy of Christmas. The Christmas Crèche Exhibit is the longest-running community-led, annual crèche experience in the country. This beloved tradition features nativity art from around the world, hands-on activities for all ages, concerts, stories, marionette shows and more. It’s a free community event offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in collaboration with exhibitors, artists, and musicians from many faiths.
December 7 - 11, 2024, Saturday - Wednesday, 12:30-8:30 p.m.; 3865 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
For more information visit christmascreche.org.
Sunday Adult Forum
Our weekly Adult Forum concludes our conversation on Creating the Canon on Sunday, November 24, 9:00-10:00 a.m., between services in person in the Fireside Room.
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. Join us for an Adult Forum series exploring 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 ... well, 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. This Sunday, we invite you to bring a song, poem, spiritual writing, or any other text that you would “add” to the Bible if you could. Childcare is available in the Chapel. All are welcome!
Our next series, Outward and Visible Signs, begins on December 1. We will delve into the materials and sensory dimensions of worship, the liturgical calendar and feasts of the church, and the ways we embody the sacraments together as the mystical Body of Christ.
Walking the Wilderness Together: A Workshop Exploring Grief
Grief is a deeply personal journey, often sparked by loss or change, and can even surface in times of celebration. Rev. Cal Payne-Taylor and Minister Alice Kochunov invite you to join them on Sunday, November 17, 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the chapel for a workshop where we will hold space for grief within our beloved Christ Church community. Through shared stories, liturgy, and contemplation, we open to support, hope, and nourishment, even in the loneliest stretches of grief's wilderness. We’ll begin our time with a potluck lunch, inviting participants to bring a dish that honors a departed loved one and to share the story behind it. After a time of fellowship and mutual nourishment, we’ll delve into an exercise we call “Cartography of the Heart,” mapping the complex terrain of our unique grief journeys. We’ll name and honor the experiences in our lives that are laden with both joy and grief, creating meditative space for the holy ambiguities that come with being human. Affirming our collective wisdom, resilience, grief and joy, we’ll conclude with A Liturgy of Shadow and Light, a new service drawn from the liturgical richness of our Episcopal tradition. To help with planning, please email Rev. Cal (cal@ccla.us) if you plan to attend.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
The Spirit of Thanksgiving: Grateful Hearts, Shared Blessings
Join us on Wednesday, November 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner with an evening of grateful hearts and shared blessings. In partnership with Pacifica Institute/BAYCC, Building Bridges, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council and hosted here at Christ Church, the evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a musical celebration in the church and transition to a Thanksgiving feast in the Parish Hall.
Volunteers are needed to help with set up, serving or clean up, you can sign up here.
If you are interested in offering a musical performance, you can submit information for that here.
Please RSVP here. We hope you will join us for this celebration of gratitude. All are welcome! Note: This will be in place of the regular Community Dinner.
Meeting of the Columbarium Association
Members of the Columbarium Association (i.e., everyone who owns a niche) are warmly invited to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 10 at 11:45 a.m. Members may join from either inside the Church or remotely using the log-in information for the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service. This is an opportunity for the Trustees of the Association to update members on any new business and to re-elect the trustees, which must be done every year.
Día de los Muertos Remembrance
A parish-wide remembrance of those inurned in our Columbarium
Service begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Columbarium followed by a reception on the Lower Lawn.
Join us to remember and celebrate our loved ones who, in death, remain alive in Christ (John 11:25). You are encouraged to bring an “offering” for the altar we will create together on the stone shelf below the niches. Suggestions: a photo of your loved one; something they liked, or something that reminds you of them; a candle (with holder); or some flowers. You may take your offerings home with you, or leave them for a few days, if you wish.
Please R.S.V.P. by October 31st to Kris Stanfield: kasras@aol.com
Director of Music Search Information Gathering Session
The Director of Music Search Committee is seeking your thoughtful responses to a few questions found in the survey linked here. If you have not had a chance to respond, please take time to reflect and share with as much detail as you wish. You are also welcome to contact one of the members of the Search Committee to share your thoughts and/or attend an information-gathering meeting on Sunday, November 3, following the 10:15 a.m. service during coffee hour in the Fireside Room. Thank you for being a part of this important discernment.
Requiem Service
Join us at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, for our annual meditative Requiem service during which we honor all those who have recently passed into eternal life. This service marks our observance of the Feast of All Faithful Departed, also known as "All Souls." You are invited to bring small photographs of deceased family members or friends for the Remembrance Table near the altar.
Día de los Muertos Family Event
Come and celebrate the Day of the Dead, Diá de los Muertos, with a family event and drive-in movie at Christ Church Portola Valley Woodside on Saturday, November 2, 4:00-8:15 p.m. Admission is free. There will be face painting and art projects, and a couple of local Mexican food trucks. Bring a photo of your departed loved one(s) for the Ofrenda (altar) if you wish. At 6:30 p.m. there will be an drive-in screening of the movie Coco. You can watch from your car or bring some blankets and there will be chairs available. All are welcome!
Schola Cantorum
Schola Cantorum is an unique choral arts organization with multiple community programs whose members include parishioners Marie Alberry-Hawkins, Jo Darius, and Charles Thompson and Ventana School teacher Julie Kelsey. The theme for the season is Encounters! as they will be performing three of their concerts with other groups. The first concert is Carmina Burana, Sunday, October 27th, 4:00 p.m., at the Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. Hear Carl Orff’s masterwork Carmina Burana: Fortune, Empress of the World performed by Schola Cantorum and Singers from the Palo Alto High School Choirs with two pianos and percussion.
LAUMC Trunk or Treat
Our neighbors at Los Altos United Methodist Church are hosting a community-wide Trunk-or-Treat event on Sunday, October 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Come dressed in your favorite costumes for fun, games, and treats! If you wish to be one of the “trunks” and decorate your car, fill out this registration form: Trunk or Treat Car Registration – Google Forms. We hope you will join us!
Association for India's Development Annual Gala Fundraiser
The Association for India's Development (AID) will be holding their annual fundraiser gala again this year in the Christ Church Parish Hall. The event will be held over dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19 and will feature Jayakumar, the director of the Pesticide Action Network (India) and Somnath, an environmental and indigenous-rigths activist. This event is a wonderful chance to learn about real-life struggles for environmental justice in the developing world and how we can be in solidarity. Entry is free; AID would be delighted if any Christ Church parishioners could join this very special event. RSVP online!
Christian Spirituality as Understood Through the Teachings of Pope Francis
Pacifica Institute and Maryknoll Society cordially invite you to an interfaith lecture on “Christian Spirituality as Understood Through the Teachings of Pope Francis,” Saturday, October 19, 4:00 p.m. at Maryknoll Society, 23000 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos.
Dinner will follow (Halal). All are welcome! RSVP here.