Compassion Week Interfaith Service at Pacifica
Join us as we celebrate Compassion Week and tour the new Pacifica Institute Facility.
Compassion Week Concludes 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 11th with an Interfaith Service at Pacifica Institute’s new Community and Cultural Facility (539 E Weddell Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94089).
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 Narthex. 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.
Weekly Meditation Group
The Christ Church Meditation Group meets on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom only.
Community Dinner
Our weekly Community Dinners continues this Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. This week we'll have State of Mind pizza and Teacher Jenny will be with us for an art invitation. Please RSVP using this Google Form so we can know how much food to purchase. We hope to see you there!
Women’s Read-What-You-Want Book Club
The Read-What-You-Want Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, October 15 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!
Saint Francis in San Francisco
Eight hundred years after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, relics connected to Saint Francis and Saint Clare will travel from Assisi to the city that bears his name for an extraordinary six-week exhibition, free and open to the public.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco
October 16 – November 28, 2026
Free admission
The exhibition comes at a uniquely meaningful moment: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’s death, the 250th anniversary of San Francisco, and Italian Heritage Month—just days after October 4, Italy’s National Day of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Joining the celebrations will be the San Francisco–Assisi Sister City Committee and an official delegation from Assisi led by Mayor Walter Stoppini and City Council President Annalisa Rossi, further strengthening the historic ties between the two cities.
This remarkable initiative has been made possible through the efforts of the Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi, together with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and partner institutions, in strengthening the historic connection between Assisi and San Francisco.
From Assisi to San Francisco: two cities united by the name of Francis and by a message of peace, fraternity, and dialogue that continues to resonate eight centuries later.
Forum: Nambale Magnet School 2027 Trip
Our Sunday morning adult forum resumes for the program year with a forum about visiting Nambale Magnet School in the summer of 2027. NMS has been an outreach partner of Christ Church’s for many years and we have had the joy of welcoming their founder and principle, the Rev. Evalyn Wakhusama, several times in recent years. Two years ago three members of our parish participated in a joint trip with a San Francisco congregation to visit the school and now we are planning our own CCLA trip. There’s currently a mixed age group of 12 who are seriously interested in going. We could fit a few more people if you’d like to join! We’ll be discussing timing, interests, and general details at this forum and then inviting people to commit to the trip over the following few weeks. We’ll meet in the Fireside Room - drop off for childcare will happen in the Library. All are welcome! The following week - October 25th - will mark the beginning of a several week series called Flourishing Together: Rethinking the Fundamentals of our Faith during which we’ll explore the history of Christian fundamentalism and ponder the real practices, beliefs, and sources of nourishment at the heart of our faith.
Beyond the Divide: A Conversation on Belonging
Prof. John A. Powell in conversation with Prof. Margalynne Armstrong.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Palo Alto. 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto.
Please join us for the next installment of our speaker series. Jon A. Powell is Professor of Law, African American Studies and Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley and the Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute. The Institute’s focus is on addressing the exclusion, marginalization and structural inequality of groups – what they call othering – by creating an environment of fairness, justice and care for the earth – what they call belonging. john will speak about their approach and how best to bridge this divide, after which he will be interviewed by Margalynne Armstrong, Associate Professor of Law at Santa Clara University. Prof. Powell has authored several books, including The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where we all Belong , which will be available for sale at the event.
Un Producto de Immigración a Master Choral Conducting Recital for Ivan Vielma
Everyone from Christ Episcopal Church is invited to Un Producto de Immigración, a choral conducting recital next month on October 24th, 2026, at 12:00pm at Campbell United Methodist Church, (1675 Winchester Blvd,) held by former parish choral scholar, Ivan Vielma.
“This recital is a project that I have been working on for the past year, taking inspiration from my own family and upbringing. I would not be in the position that I am in if it weren’t for the sacrifices they have made. I am a product of immigration. This recital will also serve as a fundraiser to support local San Jose organizations that provide resources to immigrant families needing financial or legal assistance. If you would like to make a donation, please use the link below to donate. Donations will also be accepted in person at the concert.”
Outreach Committee Meeting
On Sunday, November 1st at 12:00 p.m. the Outreach Committee will meet to discuss outreach ministry donations and service projects for the coming months. We’ll gather in the Sapphire Room (located just behind the bank of restrooms outside of the parish hall). Anyone interested in learning more about this ministry is welcome to attend the meeting!
Faure’s Requiem 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 second Evensong will be on All Saints Day on Sunday, November 1st, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto) and will feature a string quartet to accompany our combined choirs as we share Gabriel Faure’s Requiem.
Requiem Service
Join us at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 8th, 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." As part of our celebration, the parish choir will chant a necrology naming the dearly departed for whom we have prayed over the course of the last year. If you have recently lost anyone and they were not added to our prayer list, or if you are particularly mindful of someone whose death happened in previous years and would like to remember them by name as well, please email these names to David (david@ccla.us) by Sunday, November 1st, so that we can update our list and set it to music. You are invited to bring small photographs of deceased family members or friends for the Remembrance Table near the altar.
Meeting of the Columbarium Association
Members of the Columbarium Association (i.e., everyone who owns a niche) are warmly invited to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 8th 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.
Blessing of the Animals
This year we’ll once again be partnership with Los Altos United Methodist Church to offer a blessing of the animals in Cuesta Park on the Feast of St. Francis (Sunday, October 4th at 3:30 p.m.). Bring your pets, invite your friends, and come celebrate the joy our animal companions bring to our lives! This year, LAUMC is also using this occasions to highlight a local non-profit dedicated to animal welfare: Mini Cat Town in Palo Alto. If you'd like to help us extend the blessing to animals in need, please consider donating through their wishlists or Venmo, or bring some of the listed supplies to the Blessing. NOTE: we will meet meet the main parking lot and the large playground, just off Cuesta drive!
Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QW47WDR06VG1/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Chewy Wishlist: https://www.chewy.com/g/mini-cat-town_b90319803
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 for Stu Farwell
Christ Church parishioners are warmly invited to the memorial of longtime member Stu Farwell to be held on Sunday, September 27th at 1:00 p.m. There will be a reception afterward in the Parish Hall. Please join Stu’s family and friends for this beautiful remembrance.
Memorial for Severene and Jon Bylin
The family of Severene and Jon Bylin warmly invite parishioners to attend their joint memorial service on Saturday, September 26th at 2:30pm here at Christ Church. The service will include Eucharist and both Severene and Jon will be inurned in the Columbarium afterward. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow. All are welcome.
Going In, Staying In Jail Ministry Training
Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy (CIC) invites those interested in serving individuals
in the Santa Clara County jails to attend Going In, Staying In (GISI) volunteer
training. Learn how you can offer encouragement, support, and hope through chapel services and visits.
CIC Ministries is a community of people from diverse life experiences and spiritual backgrounds united in our call to be with those who are incarcerated. We train volunteers to meet the spiritual needs of individuals inside Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County Jails and Juvenile Detention Facilities.
Our volunteer chaplains provide one-to-one spiritual counseling, worship and prayer services, bible and other study groups, spiritual writing groups, meditation groups, and more!
Next training: Saturday, Sept 26 | 9:00–11:30 AM at Foothill Covenant Church 1555 Oak Ave., Los Altos, CA 94024
Learn more and sign up: www.cicministries.org/jail-ministry-training
Questions: info@cicministries.org
Neighborhood Gathering
Christ Church and Ventana School are pleased to welcome our friends and neighbors from across Los Altos and Silicon Valley to a festive evening on the Lower Lawn as we say goodbye to summer and welcome the fall! Please join us on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on the Lower Lawn (1040 Border Road, Los Altos). Enjoy a relaxed evening outdoors with old friends and new - RSVP HERE.
WE’LL HAVE TWO FOOD TRUCKS!
Including The Waffle Roost and SAJJ Mediterranean, with kosher/halal food options
FACE PAINTING
BOUNCY HOUSE
FOOD • FUN • FELLOWSHIP
Bring the whole family, invite a neighbor, and come enjoy a final summer evening together!
Seeing and Being Seen - Young Adult Retreat
Young Adults: Join us for a fellowship and prayer retreat!
Young adults ages 18-39 are invited to "Seeing and Being Seen", a weekend retreat at the Bishop's Ranch, September 11-13.
This Diocesan-sponsored retreat will include plenty of unstructured time to relax and enjoy fun and fellowship with other young adults from across the diocese, as well as opportunities to connect and share where God is at work in our lives, worship together, and learn about opportunities for leadership and involvement. Maleah Rios will be our facilitator, leading us in prayer each morning and night as well as in a time of formation on Saturday.
The cost is $200 ($150 for students), with scholarships available for those who cannot afford to pay full price. Cost covers shared room accommodations in the St. Stephen's Cottages, as well as all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. Register to attend today! If you have questions or want more information about scholarships, please contact Hannah Cornthwaite, vicar@holyinsf.org.
Rally Sunday
Our annual Rally Sunday will be on Sunday, September 6th. This Sunday marks the return of the parish choir during the 10:15 a.m. service as well as the beginning of many of our other regular programs. It’s an exciting time as we begin a new church year! We hope to see you there.
Episcopal & Interfaith Presence at Silicon Valley Pride
On August 29 and 30, members of the Christ Church community, along with our ecumenical and interfaith partners, will offer a progressive faith presence at Silicon Valley Pride’s Festival and Parade. Because we had a parish booth at Mountain View PRIDE earlier this year, we will not have a CCLA-specific site at this year’s Silicon Valley celebration, but parishioners are encouraged to sign up HERE to volunteer with the Interfaith Booth. Everyone is also invited to march in the parade on Sunday, August 30 at 10:30 a.m. If you want to march with the local Episcopal group, please contact Rev. Claire (claire@ccla.us). If you’d prefer to explore the festival on your own, you can purchase tickets for Saturday and Sunday here.
Young-ish Family Dinner
Our families with young and young-ish children meet monthly for a dinner - usually on the third Friday - in one another’s homes. Our next gathering is Friday, August 21st. If you’re a family with kids at home who would enjoy hanging with other families in a similar stage of life, you’d be so welcome to attend! Contact Rev. Claire (claire@ccla.us) for more details and to get added to the WhatsApp group.
Welcoming Guest Preacher the Rev. Katie Cadigan
Welcoming our guest preacher for Sunday, August 16th.
Celebrating Rev. Cal’s Ministry
As recently announced, our Associate Rector, the Rev. Cal Payne-Taylor, has accepted a call to complete a residency in hospital chaplaincy at UCSF beginning this fall. His last Sunday with us will be August 9th. We’ll have a special celebration for him at both services as we send him with our warmest blessing, and a festive coffee hour as well.
We hope you can make it!
Coffee Together: Coffee and Conversation Group for Singles over 60
Are you divorced or widowed, single by chance or choice? Join members of Foothill Congregational Church and Christ Church for coffee and conversation on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Red Berry Coffee Bar, 145 Main Street, Los Altos. No agenda, no dues, no membership required — just a chance to connect with other men and women over 60 who are navigating life without a partner. Only cost is what you choose to purchase for yourself at the coffeeshop. Let’s have coffee together.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, at 1:30 p.m. at Red Berry Coffee Bar, 145 Main Street, Los Altos.
For more information, email Heather at clarktrail2020@gmail.com
Celebrating Deanne's Ministry
As noted in last week's newsletter, our Director of Parish Administration, Deanne Phillips, has moved on from her position here at Christ Church and Ventana School. We will have an opportunity to celebrate her nine years as an employee here at both our 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services on Sunday, July 26th. We'll have a special coffee hour following the 10:15 a.m. service that day as well as part service of this special morning. We hope you can make it!
World Cup Watch Party for USA v. Türkiye Match
Calling all World Cup fans!! The local Muslim organization with which our parish has had a longstanding relationship, The Pacifica Institute, recently suggested hosting a joint watch party for the USA v. Türkiye match coming up Thursday, June 25th. Kickoff is at 7pm but you're warmly invited to come to a BBQ dinner on the lower lawn at 5:30 and then move up to the parish hall for the game at 7pm. The Pacifica Institute will provide food and commemorative T-shirts. We hope you can make it!
Christ Church presence at Mountain View Pride
On Saturday, June 20th, members of the Christ Church community will offer a progressive Christian presence at the Mountain View Pride festival. This is the second year that this event has ever been offered, and we are proud to join St. Timothy's Episcopal, Mountain View as the second faith-based organization to be represented at this event. We are seeking volunteers to staff our Christ Church booth from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. If you can volunteer for even an hour during that time, we gladly welcome your participation! Together, we will offer a friendly and affirming Christian presence to Pride attendees, and will hand out small goodies and gifts. Please contact Rev. Cal (cal@ccla.us) for more information or to RSVP to volunteer at the booth for an hour or more. The event takes place at City Hall Plaza & Pioneer Park (500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94040). All are invited to join in for a fun Saturday of celebrating and supporting our LGBTQ+ neighbors!
Peace Journey, a concert by the New Choir
All are welcome to attend Peace Journey, a concert of hopeful music from the classical choral tradition to today, sung by the New Choir. Our own tenor chorister, Paul Ingraham, will be among those singing in this concert. The New Choir will offer music by Palestrina, Gibbons, Beethoven, Brahms, and double chorus works by J. S. Bach and Rheinberger, together with more contemporary works by Arvo Pärt, Kim Arnesen and compositions written for the New Choir by Korean composers Paul Shin, Nack-Kum Paik and Hyun Chul Lee. Concerts will take place at All Saints Episcopal Church, 555 Waverley St, Palo Alto on Saturday, June 6, 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 7, 5 pm. Tickets may be purchased online at newchoir.org or at the door on concert dates.
End of Life, Explained: A Community Forum on Care, Choice, and Meaning at the End of Life
Foothills Congregational Church Los Altos is hosting a free community gathering on end-of-life issues and the California Aid-In-Dying Act. Please join us on Saturday, June 6 at Foothills Congregational Church at 461 Orange Avenue, Los Altos.
A compassionate, informative conversation about:
Hospice care: what it is and how it works
What patients and families can expect
Spiritual care in medical settings
Ethical and spiritual questions at life’s end
California’s End of Life Option Act (Medical Aid in Dying)
Featuring a panel of experts:
Dr. Ron Watson – Hospice Medical Director (retired)
Rev. Mariah Callison – Stanford Medical Center Chaplain & Educator
Rev. Dr. Evelyn Vigil – Pastor, Ladera Community Church, Hospice Grief Counselor
Moderator: Rev. David Green
Includes: Practical information Take-home resources Audience Q&A
Free & open to the public
All are welcome
foothills-church.org
(650) 282-7718
Hold the Date: Be Still and Know — A Contemplative Mini-Retreat Sunday, May 31 | 12:15–2:15 pm | on Zoom or in person in the chapel
“Come to me, all you that are weary… and I will give you rest.”
In a time marked by busyness, stress, and the steady pressures of daily life, you are warmly invited to step into a quieter space of prayer, listening, and renewal. Join the Rev. Cal Payne-Taylor and Minister for Adult Formation Alice Kochunov for a contemplative mini-retreat as we gather with scripture, silence, reflection, and sacred sound. Together, we will make room to set down what is heavy, breathe more deeply, and rest in the presence of God.
To RSVP for either in-person or Zoom participation, please contact Alice Kochunov at alice.j.landis@gmail.com. Those attending in person in the chapel are asked to reply by May 24th so that lunch may be provided; menu options will be shared by email. Zoom participants will also receive the link from Alice.
Sunday Adult Forum
Our Adult Forum returns this Sunday, May 31st. This will be our last Adult Forum until the program year resumes in September. We'll dedicate the morning to reflecting on the classes and programs we have offered this past year during the Forum and will also discuss what topics, classes, or invitation for the Fall would be most enlivening for our congregation. We hope everyone enjoys the more relaxed schedule this summer and are eager to reconnect on the other side! We hope to see you on the 31st before we break for summer.
CHCP Presentation: "Chinese Americans' Fight for Civil Liberties: A Legal History of Resistance and Civil Disobedience"
Join CHCP on Sunday May 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at History Park in San Jose for a presentation and panel discussion on the subject: "Chinese Americans' Fight for Civil Liberties: A Legal History of Resistance and Civil Disobedience."
Hear a powerful presentation and discussion by Historian David Lei with esteemed panelists, CHCP Advisory Board Member/Historian Connie Young Yu and Historian/Lecturer Dr. Anna Eng. Discover stories that shaped history and learn about the vital and often overlooked role Asian Americans played in shaping civil rights and social justice in America.
Considering Matthew Shepard
Join Penninsula Cantare on Saturday, May 16th at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (1985 Louis Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303) for a performance of Considering Matthew Shepard, written by acclaimed composer Craig Hella Johnson, an expansive choral work that reflects on the murder of Matt Shepard in his last year of college in Laramie, Wyoming in 1999. Drawing inspiration from the Passion, the work explores themes of love, death, grief, community, and renewed joy through a variety of musical styles and thought-provoking poetry.
Schola Cantorum: Echoes of Appalachia
Join Schola Cantorum on Saturday, May 16 at 7:30pm at Valley Presbyterian Church, Portola Valley for a journey through the musical landscapes of Earth’s oldest mountain range. With haunting harmonies, aching beauty, and fierce spiritual depth, Echoes of Appalachia invites you into the heart of a region whose music is as layered and resilient as its history.
HSJ/CHCP South Bay Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
Join History San Jose (HSJ), the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP), the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), and Mosaic America for the South Bay AANHPI Festival on May 16th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at History Park.
Come for a fun-filled day of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) culture through performances, cuisine, crafts, and discussions, as we come together to honor AANHPI heritage. This event is designed for anyone eager to celebrate and learn about the vibrant cultures that make up the AANHPI community. Free admission.
Our celebration of activities includes free Asian & Pacific Islander-centric games and crafts, community booths and vendors, food truck fare for purchase, ice cream and treats at O’Brien’s, a panel discussion sponsored by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, open exhibits at the Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM), and an array of cultural performances sponsored by History San José, Mosaic America, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, and the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.
Ascension Day: A celebration with Word + Communion
Join us in celebration of the Feast of the Ascension and 20+ years of Episcopal + Lutheran campus ministry on Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm at Stanford’s Memorial Church. Bishops Lucinda Ashby, Jeff Johnson, and Austin K. Rios, along with musicians and a communal choir from local Episcopal and Lutheran parishes will lead us on this special occasion.
Clergy are invited to vest and process. Parking most anywhere on campus except the Oval is free after 4pm but check signs to be sure. There will be hypoallergenic incense. Want to join the combined choir? Great! Contact Matthew Burt at matthewburt@saint-marks.com for details.
Artificial Intelligence Panel Discussion: Ethics, Religion, & AI
AI is reshaping our world. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on ethics, faith, and the future we’re creating together titled, Voices In The Valley: AI Panel Discussion - Ethics, Religion, & AI.
Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of our lives, from how we work to how we understand creativity, ethics, and even how we understand ourselves. Join us for a timely conversation with leaders in technology, ethics, and faith as we explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents, and consider what kind of future we are building together.
Guests may register by emailing Chantal at admin@ccpvw.org and are also welcome to submit a question for the panel via the same email.
The panel discussion will be held at Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside at 815 Portola Rd, Portola Valley on Thursday, May 14 at 5 p.m.
Gazelle — Limited screening event + Q&A with Nadir Sarıbacak
Join us at Landmark's Aquarius Theatre in Palo Alto on Monday, May 11, at 7:30 PM for a limited screening event of Gazelle, a story of exile from Turkey.
Yakup arrives in New York with one goal: to bring his family to safety. After being forced to leave Turkey due to political unrest, he builds a fragile life in the United States while trying to reunite with his wife and daughter. When he learns the legal process could take years, he faces an impossible choice: wait, or risk everything. As the pressure of uncertainty grows, the struggle shifts inward. Time begins to blur. Relationships strain. What starts as survival slowly turns into a psychological unraveling.
Gazelle is a deeply human story of exile, identity, and the quiet cost of waiting.
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with director and lead actor Nadir Sarıbacak. The conversation will explore the personal story behind Gazelle, the psychological impact of displacement, and the experience of rebuilding a life in a new country.
Tickets and more information about the film can be found here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gazellefilm/2164970
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Fall Campus Work Day
Fall Campus Work Day
Saturday, May 9, 2026 9:00 a.m.
Many hands make light work! Support our campus and lend a hand at our Fall Work Day, Saturday, May 9, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The Ventana School and Christ Church community will come together to tackle a list of landscape campus projects ranging from weeding to planting. This is a great opportunity for members of the school and the parish 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. Please use RSVP: HERE if you can help as it will help us with planning. When you arrive that day, come to the Parish Hall to get assigned a job.