Sunday Adult Forum
Join us as we continue our several-week Adult Forum offering of the Being With series on Sunday, October 26, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. Being With is a transformative 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 week we'll explore topics like essence, story, community, suffering and hope, while holding space for sharing and listening to one another’s stories. There is no expectation to come for all weeks in this series, join us as you are able! Nursery care is available in the Parish Hall Library.
Weekly Adaptive Yoga Class
All are welcome to join our weekly yoga class on Monday mornings, 8:30-9:45 a.m. in the Church Narthax.
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. Please bring a yoga mat (though we have extras if you don’t have one) and dress for ease of movement.
Eucharist Service at The Forum
Note: this service has been moved to Mondays.
Christ Church offers a simple Eucharistic service each month usually on the 4th Monday of the month at 11:00 a.m. in the Gardenia Room in The Forum’s Health Center. This month it will be on Monday, October 27. 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!
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 celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - a beautiful Mexican tradition observed on November 1 and 2 to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. This is a joyful celebration of life, filled with color, music, and memories. We’ll learn about the tradition of the ofrenda (altar) and its offerings - such as food, flowers, and candles - and take a moment to share stories of those we love and remember. We’ll have Mexican food and pan de muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead), and pizza, and crafts to make marigolds. If you’d like, bring a photo of a passed loved one (including pets!) to place on the ofrenda and share a memory. We hope you can join us! Note that we order the food Wednesdays before noon, and while we do plan for a little overage your RVSPs using this Google Form are important in helping us plan for enough food.
An Evening of Cabaret
Join Peninsula Cantare for their 2nd annual Gala Fundraiser and Cabaret Night on Saturday, November 1, 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45) at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto). Oliver Chiang, our parish choir bass section leader, sings with Cantare and welcomes all to come and enjoy this evening of music from all genres, including musical theatre, jazz, pop, and more, sung by some of the Bay Area’s best performers. The annual silent auction will allow you to bid on a few delectable items all to support Peninsula Cantare’s programs. Early-bird ticket prices are $60 per person and $600 for a table of 10 and will last until October 14 at 11:59 p.m. Purchase your tickets now to lock in your low price. Ticket prices include heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, plus wine! You can purchase tickets here.
Sunday Adult Forum
Join us as we continue our several-week Adult Forum offering of the Being With series on Sunday, November 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. Being With is a transformative 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 week we'll explore topics like essence, story, community, suffering and hope, while holding space for sharing and listening to one another’s stories. There is no expectation to come for all weeks in this series, join us as you are able! Nursery care is available in the Parish Hall Library.
Requiem Service
Join us at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 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.
Amor! 2: Music from Brazil
Join Christ Church parish choir members Jo Darius, Charles Thompson and Marie Alberry-Hawkins, and Ventana Teacher, Julie Kelsey, as they launch their Schola Cantorum season on Sunday, November 2, 4:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto). Amor! 2: Music from Brazil is an exuberant celebration of Brazilian music, full of rhythm, color, and soul. From playful sambas and infectious maracatus to haunting lullabies and evocative folk melodies, this program showcases the rich tapestry of Brazil’s musical traditions—both timeless and contemporary. For tickets and more information, click here.
Día de los Muertos Remembrance
A parish-wide remembrance of those inurned in our Columbarium
The service begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 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
Film Screening - American Agitators
Silicon Valley Allied for the Common Good presents a special screening of the award-winning documentary American Agitators in partnership with Santa Clara University on Tuesday, November 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Santa Clara University Library (500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara). American Agitators highlights IAF organizer Fred Ross Sr.'s work empowering ordinary people to fight injustice through grassroots organizing against police brutality, segregation, and voter suppression. Featuring leaders like Dolores Huerta and César Chávez, the film reveals the power of collective action to create a more democratic society. After the film, we will engage in conversation. A light meal will be provided. You can register here.
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!
Memorial Service for The Rev. Vern Jones
A memorial service will be held for the Rev. Vern Jones at Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street, San Francisco) on Thursday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome! Please RSVP to Revvernjones@yahoo.com. As we shared previously, Vern passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 16, at the age of 98. He was a familiar face to many Christ Church parishioners from his days as a priest for the Mandarin Chinese Congregation here and his occasional preaching at our regular Sunday services. He continued to be a presence as a parishioner at many Sunday services and Christ Church events until his declining mobility made it harder for him to get here. Please direct donations in his honor to Grace Cathedral: https://gracecathedral.org/tribute-giving/.
Holy Hike at Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
Join us for a holy hike at Los Trancos Open Space Preserve on Sunday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m. We will meet in the parking lot of Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, located on Page Mill Road, Los Altos. The exact location of the parking area is linked here on Google Maps. Our hike will begin from the parking area promptly at 2:10 p.m. We will explore the geological wonders of the San Andreas Fault Earthquake Trail, which allows hikers to view a portion of the San Andreas Fault within the preserve. We'll be joined by members of Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside for a fun afternoon adventure with both parish communities. This hike will be beginner-friendly, and all ages and levels are welcome! Please RSVP to Rev. Cal at cal@ccla.us so he knows you're coming before the group hits the trail.
Memorial Service for Howard Nelson
Long time parishioner Howard Nelson passed away on September 7. Both he and his wife Nancy were active members at Christ Church for many years. Howard served on the vestry and as pledge secretary, supported our Twelfth Night events, was a member of the BBQ crew, and was actively participating in a men’s poker group until recently. A memorial service for Howard will be held on on Monday, November 10, 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (1301 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga). All are welcome! The service will be live streamed and that link will be added closer to the service date.
Fall Campus Work Day
Many hands make light work! Support our campus and lend a hand at our Fall Work Day, Saturday, October 25, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The Christ Church and Ventana School community will come together to tackle a list of campus projects ranging from weeding to painting. This is a great opportunity for members of the parish and the school to work side by side on our shared campus. We plan to do some planting and are looking for donations of drought-tolerant, non-toxic, native California plants. Questions please contact Diana (dianah@ventanaschool.org). All are welcome, there will be something for everyone, children included. Your RSVP will help us with task planning. When you arrive that day, please come to the Parish Hall to get assigned a job.
Women’s Read-What-You-Want Book Club
The Women's Read-What-You-Want-Book Club meets next on Thursday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. 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!
A Timely Discussion on Book Banning
Join Linden Tree Books on Tuesday, October 14, at Christ Episcopal Church (1040 Border Road, Los Altos) at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of discussion and questions on the current trends around banning books across our county. The evening will start with a reading of the recently released picture book The Day the Books Disappeared from authors Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard. This will be followed with a lively Q&A and panel discussion on the theories and philosophies of book banning, and how we all can get involved in addressing this issue. Joining authors Ho and Pritchard on the panel will be Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author of many beloved books and one of the founders of Authors Against Book Banning, and Mychal Threets, nationally known librarian and library advocate. Copies of The Day the Books Disappeared will be available for purchase and signing after the event. There is no charge to attend but an RSVP is required. You can RSVP and pre order copies of the book here.
Saint Francis Evensong
Join members of the parish choirs from Christ Church Los Altos, St. Bede’s Menlo Park, St. Mark’s Palo Alto, and Christ Church Portola Valley Woodside for a series of Evensong services. The first Evensong will be on Sunday, October 5, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Bede’s (2650 Sand Hill Drive, Menlo Park) and will celebrate Saint Francis. The service will include pieces from composers including Reginald Unterseher, Richard Ayleward, Gabriel Jackson and John Rutter. All are welcome!
Blessing of the Animals
Join members of the Christ Church and Los Altos United Methodist Church communities for a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 5, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at Cuesta Park (615 Cuesta Drive, Mountain View). The group will meet on the grass area adjacent to the parking lot off of Cuesta Drive. All are invited to bring furry, feathered, scaly, or stuffed companions to receive a blessing of love, health, and gratitude. In the spirit of gratitude and giving back, you are invited to support the Silicon Valley Humane Society by purchasing items from their Amazon Wishlist. Your generosity helps provide care and comfort to animals in need. All are welcome to this joyful, all-ages community event--whether you come with a pet, a memory or photo of a beloved animal, or simply your love for creatures great and small.
Sunday Adult Forum
Join us for the second week of our Adult Forum exploring the Acts of the Apostles, on Sunday, October 5, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. The Acts of the Apostles is one of the fastest-moving, most action-packed books of the Bible. Written by the same author as the Gospel of Luke, and immediately following the gospels in the New Testament, it includes visions and miracles, conflicted friendships and countless controversies, and ultimately traces a rag-tag grassroots movement led by the early disciples to the birth of the church. In this two-week Bible Study we’ll explore the major themes and highlights of this essential and exciting book. Nursery care is available in the Parish Hall Library.
Ventana's Fall Fest
Fall Fest is Saturday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy Ventana School’s annual fall celebration with carnival games, crafts, a preschool bike-a-thon and elementary school obstacle course.
We will have a Food Truck from Sajj Mediteranean as well as Cocina Karma Mexican catering. To see the day’s schedule, pre-order your lunch (you can pre-order through Thursday the 2nd and will be able to buy lunch in person on Saturday) and purchase carnival tickets, click here.
All are welcome to come out and enjoy the fun!
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
Stanford Ministry Opening BBQ
All are invited to the Stanford’s Progressive Christians: Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry kick off BBQ on Wednesday, September 24, 6:00 p.m. at the Gibbons Grove on the Stanford University Campus (campus map link here).
Abbeys, Minsters & Priories: A Trip
As part of Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside’s Voices in the Valley Speaker Series, join Yorkshire born and bred, Angela Hey, on Tuesday, September 23, at 10:30 a.m. for an exploration of England’s religious ruins, and sacred site. This illustrated talk will discuss the legacy of magnificent abbeys, minsters and priories across England. There will be an informal Q&A with lunch to follow after the talk. Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside is located at 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
Sunday Adult Forum
All are welcome to our Adult Forum on Sunday, September 21, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. We’ll do a deep dive into the incredibly confusing parable from Luke this week where Jesus seems to endorse embezzlement. Could this really be true? Could it be that the more faithful person gets a better car? Or is there something else happening here? Nursery care is available in the Parish Hall Library.
SpiritCare Fundraiser
On Wednesday, September 17, from 4:00-6:30 p.m., SpiritCare will have a fundraiser at The Avant (4041 El Camino Way, Palo Alto). SpiritCare visits over 80 care communities in the Bay Area each month to provide worship services, hymn singing and prayer time for older adults in long-term care. You can learn more about this ministry at here. SpiritCare is always interested in volunteers who can join in for worship services, for example, on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00 p.m. they are at The Sequoias in Portola Valley. For more information about volunteering, contact Angela Hay at amhey@heymash.com.
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Service Event
Join the Christ Church and Ventana School community to pack meals for Rise Against Hunger in the Parish Hall, on Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Our previous events have been fun, energizing and inspiring as we came together to make a positive impact and provide food for over 10,000 families in an impoverished country. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate - there is something for everyone to do. All are welcome! Registration is required, click here to register. We need volunteers for set up and clean up, you also can sign up for either of those when you register (you can check multiple boxes when you register).
Jail Chaplaincy Training Opportunity
On Saturday, September 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m., CIC Ministries (Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy of Santa Clara County) is offering a training for volunteers interested in jail chaplaincy. The training will take place at Trinity Church (330 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park). CIC Ministries is a community of people from diverse life experiences and spiritual backgrounds united in a common call to be with those who are incarcerated. They train volunteers to meet the spiritual needs of individuals inside Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County Jails and Juvenile Detention Facilities. See the event flyer linked here for more information on what the training entails and how to register.
Episcopal Presence at Silicon Valley Pride
On August 30 and 31, members of the Christ Church community, along with our ecumenical partners, will offer a progressive Christian presence at Silicon Valley Pride’s Festival and Parade. Everyone is invited to march in the parade on Sunday, August 31 at 10:30 a.m. If you want to march with our group, please contact Rev. Cal (cal@ccla.us). We are part of an Episcopal Church booth at the festival on Saturday, August 30, 6:00-9:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, August 31, 12:00-6:00 p.m. If you want to explore the festival, you can purchase wristbands for Saturday and Sunday here. Come by the booth and say hello!
Weekly Community Dinner - BBQ!
All are welcome to a family-friendly weekly community dinner on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Lawn picnic area. Next week we’ll BBQ – burgers, sausages and a vegetarian option. Please bring a dessert (last name starts A-M) or a salad or side dish (last name starts N-Z) to share. Bring serving utensils with your dish if that will be needed. Hope you can join us! RSVP using this Google Form so we can make sure that we have enough food.
Weekly Community Dinner
All are welcome to a family-friendly weekly community dinner on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Lawn picnic area. Next week we’ll have a potluck which means everyone needs to bring something to share (last name A-I brings dessert; last name J-Q brings main dish; last name R-Z brings side dish). Sign up for what you will bring here. Please bring any required serving utensils for the dish you bring. Hope you can join us! Your RSVP using this Google Form will help us plan for enough food.
Weekly Adaptive Yoga Class Returns
Our weekly yoga class in the Church Narthex returns in August! Please note that there will be one Tuesday class, August 5, 8:30-9:45 a.m., before the class moves to Monday mornings on an ongoing basis.
No previous yoga experience is required to attend. Contrary to popular belief, flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga, options or modifications are offered for every pose to accommodate individual bodies. Please bring a yoga mat (though we have extras if you don’t have one) and dress for ease of movement. All are welcome!
Sunday Adult Forum
Join Rev. Julie for our Adult Forum on Sunday, July 20, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room to explore the Scriptures appointed for that Sunday. We will engage the time-honored practice of Lectio divina ("Divine Reading"), unpacking the Scripture through the four-step process of Lectio (reading), Meditatio (meditation), Oratio (prayer), and Contemplatio (contemplation). All questions are welcome, and all are invited to join us in this exploration of our Scripture passages! Childcare is available in the chapel.
Holy Hike at Windy Hill Preserve
Join us for a holy hike at Windy Hill Preserve on Sunday, July 13 at 2:30 p.m. We will meet in the parking lot of Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside, located at 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Our walk will start from the church parking lot promptly at 2:40 p.m. We'll be joined by members of Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside for a fun afternoon adventure with both parish communities. This hike will be beginner-friendly, and all ages and levels are welcome! Click here to view the flyer for this hike. Please RSVP to Rev. Cal at cal@ccla.us so he knows you're coming before the group hits the trail.
Sunday Adult Forum
Join Rev. Cal and David Deatherage for a special Adult Forum on Sunday, July 13, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. This special Forum, "Surprisingly Spiritual Songs," will be a listening session for the nonreligious songs that hold spiritual meaning for each of us. You are invited to send Rev. Cal (cal@ccla.us) the YouTube or Spotify links to one or two songs that resonate with your soul, regardless of genre. We'll listen to each song, hear from the person who submitted it about how the song feeds their spirit, and share reflections as a group. All are welcome to this spiritually-minded listening party! Childcare is available in the chapel.
Sunday Adult Forum
Join our Minister for Adult Formation Minister, Alice Kochunov, and Rev. Cal for our Adult Forum on Sunday, June 29, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room. Drawing on Alice's gifts in the visual arts, we will delve into the practice of Visio Divina, a multi-sensory adaptation of Lectio Divina ("Divine Reading"). Together, we will explore that Sunday's Scriptures through the visual contemplation of Christian art to delight the senses and engage both the mind and the heart. All are welcome! Childcare is available in the chapel.
Memorial Service and Reception for Carole Lopez
Christ Church members are warmly invited to attend the memorial service for longtime parishioner, Carole Lopez, to be held in the Church on Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m. A reception in the Parish Hall will immediately follow the service.
The service will be live streamed via Zoom.
Join via Zoom
Click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84955104031?pwd=8NpJZ6KySUnVTlvWN9hkkjdy1eFaUQ.1
Meeting ID: 849 5510 4031; Passcode: 671749
Sunday Adult Forum
This Sunday we will celebrate Trinity Sunday. Rev. Sheldon will hold a special Adult Forum on Sunday, June 15, 9:00-10:00 a.m. between the services in person in the Fireside Room to explore the mysteries of the Trinity, which have perplexed and inspired Christians for two thousand years. Together, we will delve into the strange and wondrous dimensions of our Triune God. All questions are welcome, and all are invited to join us in this exploration. Childcare is available in the chapel.
Songs of the Soul
Slavyanka Chorus presents “Songs of the Soul,” a concert of Russian spiritual music on Saturday, June 14, 7:00 p.m., at Church of the Redeemer, 380 Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos. The concert will include music from the Orthodox Church – and monastic poems of ancient chant, spiritual chants of the late 17th-early 18th centuries, folk poetry, songs of wandering lyre players or pilgrims, and even some deeply moving contemporary music on spiritual themes – as some performers used to say, "songs in the presence of God." More information and tickets can be found here.
6th Annual Juneteenth Festival in Los Altos
All are welcome to Justice Vanguard’s 6th Annual Juneteenth festival on Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos. Thousands of Bay Area students, parents and families attend every year. Come engage with the community in a positive celebration of culture and progress, and have fun at an outdoor summer festival. There's no cost to attend and all are welcome! Find out more details and reserve your free tickets here.
