Prayer – which is one way to deepen your relationship with the Lord - takes many forms too. We are familiar with prayers of praise, thanksgiving, petition, personal devotions and meditation. Consider this definition: “Prayer is lifting the mind and heart to God.”
Read MoreOne of our great Christian spiritual teachers, Thomas Merton suggests that “Breathing is actually a form of prayer- a pathway to the Divine.”
Read More"She was beautiful, but not like those girls in the magazines. She was beautiful for the way she thought. She was beautiful for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn't beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful deep down to her soul." F. Scott Fitzgerald
I saw this quote, and it drew me in. I wondered how many of us really look at each other. Do I even take the time, when I look people in the eye, to see who they are, how they are, or even gather them into my heart? We human beings are a strange people. Somehow we get into worrying so much about ourselves that we forgot that we came to be who we are by caring, communicating, meeting, playing, working, believing, and being with each other. Then, I look at the city, county, state, country, and world, and I think to myself, why am I surprised that peace seems all but impossible?
Read MoreTrusting Jesus during his public ministry seems fairly easy to the disciples as Jesus feeds the multitudes, cures the blind, heals the sick – things are going well. And then - Wham! One fine Friday their entire world turns upside down! Their perspective is thrown out of whack.
Read MoreIn years past, tourists and locals traveling between the Bay Area and Santa Cruz would pass several roadside attractions including alluring signs encouraging travelers to stop and experience the wonder of the “Worlds Strangest Trees”.
Read MoreWhat I need to do is to pay attention to the fact that all in life is holy, we don't see miracles because all of life is a miracle, the Scriptures are Holy and all words are holy. How shall I walk in this? How shall I speak this? How shall I pick myself up when I miss the mark? What is my strength in life and how do I use it?
Read MoreOn the International Day of Women, I reflected on the women who have gone before me and helped make me who I am. I don’t want to write about the women who were famous “first” women or those who fought for and won rights for women. I know I owe them gratitude for a multitude of rights that I take for granted. I won’t even write about my mother and my grandmothers, or this article would get much too long. Instead, I would like to remember those “other” women who touched my life and formed me.
Read MoreAs days go, Sunday evening is much like any other evening, unless you’re in our house. It really starts at about 7 am as we get some breakfast, sit and chat, and begin to discuss who should shower first and get ready to head off to Church.
Read MoreA vibrant music program and talented church choir have been the hallmark of the United Church of Hayward since our inception in 1959. Through the years, dozens of talented congregational members, choir directors and musicians have stirred our souls with the gift of music.
Read More“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” What does it mean “to praise” God? The word “praise” - coming from Middle English - means “to value,” or “to prize.” How easy it is to sing praise to God when we think we are experiencing blessings. Sometimes, however, all does not seem to be “going well with my world.” Is God still praiseworthy then?
Read More1) Make Time for Our Still Speaking God. God wants to be in conversation with us. There is grace to be found, especially when things are chaotic. Pray and meditate each day. Pray for our Nation and our Nation’s leaders. Pray for Rev. Jeanne and the Council. Pray for the Care Team and for God to show up in your life and give you strength. Come to Soothing Sanctuary. Talk to God about what you are being called to do and how you can make a difference. Creating a daily prayer practice is an act of Social Justice.
Read MoreAfter serving Alameda County laborers for almost ten years, the Hayward Day Labor Center had to close on January 31, 2017. The Day Labor Center (DLC) lost its fiscal agent and, due in part to cash flow problems caused by how grants are awarded and when they are paid out, it could not find a new fiscal agent. This is a great loss for Southern Alameda County and Hayward in particular. Some statistics based on a report by Gabriel Hernandez, the director, follow.
Read MoreAs luck would have it, I got the “bug” that has been going around from person to person, and have been stuck at home coughing and blowing and aching and feeling very sorry for myself.
Read MoreThe cold days of Winter are here. You don’t need to look out the window or watch the evening news to know that a dark cloud has fallen over our beloved community. Just down Mission Blvd. in Union City the Meyers Garden at Dry Creek remains dormant in the brisk breeze. But even with the chill in the air we can take comfort in the promise that Spring can’t be too far behind.
Read MoreAn often quoted scripture passage is First Corinthians 13:13, “There are three things that last, faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” Yes – love endures forever, but how often do we just skip over “hope” without a second thought.
Read MoreSandy and I occasionally take our daily walk at Marina Park at the San Leandro Marina where the spectacular beauty of the bay reminds me how lucky we are to live in the Bay Area. It’s particularly true at this time of year when hear about the East Coast getting hammered with freezing temperatures and blizzards. Here the smooth blue Bay waters, encircled by rolling green hills and the view of San Francisco is right out of a scene of Dorothy’s Emerald City.
Read MoreOn the days leading up to December 25th I had been thinking about what the day after Christmas will be like. I guess this is because the day after Christmas has often been a let down. The excitement is gone and things don’t look as nice, and all of the preparations that took days and sometimes months are over and here I am. Now what?
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Waiting for the expected, no matter what it is, does not come easy for us. We wait for the rain, and when it arrives, we want the sunshine. We have the sunshine, and wonder if it will ever rain again. Sometimes we ponder a memory and say, “Oh, if only I had appreciated it more when I had it.” Perhaps the wisdom to gain from this experience is that NOW, while we wait, is also the time to appreciate what we do have. As we approach the closing of Advent, what have you dreamed for during this time? What have you needed? What have you hoped would happen?
Read MoreFragile, beautiful, painful, messy, and oh so wondrous is the birth process! Advent brings us back to the reality of God Incarnate – becoming one of us – that we might realize our heritage as children of God. Four weeks to prepare for the birth of Jesus and all year to celebrate it!
Read MoreMy dad was an “old school” photographer. He didn’t use a cell phone, pad or tablet but rolls of either 20 or 36 exposure black and white film or an optical camera. We grew up in a home with a darkroom where dad, in addition to family pictures, would supplement his postwar income by photographing kids’ sports teams, youth groups and dance classes.
Read MoreThe United Church of Hayward is an open and affirming church that serves the Bay Area community.
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When the Israelite people were in the wilderness, Moses invited everyone whose "hearts were stirred and spirits were willing" to offer their gifts, time, and talents so the people could gather, worship God and serve the community. They discovered they had everything they needed and then some! Is your heart being stirred to support our UCH ministries in the Hayward area? Click here to make a difference!
