“Once I knew only darkness and stillness. . .
My life was without past or future . . .
But a little word from the fingers of another
Fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness,
And my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” Helen Keller
Read MoreThe Gospel of John is full of signs of a different sort. From the opening of Jesus’ ministry at the Marriage Feast at Cana, people are all really interested in Jesus giving them a sign. Some of the signs in John’s Gospel are easy to see. And some aren’t. Peter gets a very interesting sign in John 21 as he and the Disciples encounter Risen Jesus on the beach at the Sea of Tiberius/Galilee. To see it, you have to be able to read a little Greek.
Read MoreSo here we are, already at Easter. It seems like a week ago we were celebrating Christmas and I haven’t even sent out my Christmas cards yet! What does all of this mean to us? How can we authentically celebrate Easter? In other words, what in our own lives, is the living out of the Resurrection experience?
Read MoreI sometimes let Clivie have a snack and watch a show or two before I move him on to homework in the afternoon. It gives me a chance to breathe, unload the dishwasher, and hopefully have a few minutes to pray. One recent afternoon, as I pulled out the tablet and asked him what he wanted to watch- he said emphatically “I want the show with the green excalius Beyblade!”
Read MoreFans of the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy will recognize the classic catchphrase that was spoken in many of their films in the early days of American cinema.
Read MoreCrayons and coloring books are among my treasured childhood memories of days long past. I usually had the standard box of 8 broken and well used colors but longed for the tantalizing large box of Crayola’s, the one with 64 crayons including white and all those glorious metallic colors.
Read MoreStanding in one of several seemingly endless lines at the post office during pre-Christmas days, I watched one of the clerks. As each person approached that clerk’s counter space, she greeted them with a warm smile.
Read MorePrior to the surge in residential growth of the 1950’s and being away from coastal fog and wind, the rich land between Mission Blvd. and today’s Fremont Blvd. and surrounding Mission San Jose was ideally suited for the planting of grapes.
Read MoreI just listened to "Holy Now" by Peter Mayer for about the fifth time. I did not listen to it over and over, but rather with a day between each listen. I have listened multiple times because each time I hear a different part of the lyrics and my heart sort of leaps.
Read MoreThe world lost a bright light yesterday morning. I received the following note from Mary Oliver’s Facebook page:
“Mary Oliver, beloved poet and bard of the natural world, died on January 17 at home in Hobe Sound, Florida. She was 83….
Read MoreWe all experience them – moments when we stand nose to nose with a fear – knowing we need to step into the experience and walk through it. Fear can appear when we need to speak in public, change jobs, face unexpected medical issue, loose a loved one, move to a new location, and other situations only you can name.
Read MoreFrom our living room window in Fremont we can see a large portion of the panorama of the rolling hills stretching from the “Niles” hillside sign down to Mission Peak, Mount Allison and Monument Peak. It’s not a completely unobstructed view due to trees and neighboring houses, but pleasing enough to be able to enjoy the fresh green tinge that is beginning to appear and the brilliant glow of winter sunsets.
Read MoreEvery year, we gear up for this huge Christmas celebration. Try as we might to get into Advent and prepare for the rebirth of the Lord in our lives, we all get caught up in the sharing of gifts, the joy of the Season, the worry about who will do or say something to upset the “family celebration”, enjoying the music we have listened to and sung for most of our lives, and trying to figure out how we are going to get it all done, get to Worship, and not lose our sanity.
Read MoreAdvent (which in Greek means “appearance or coming”) is a liturgical time we prepare and wait for the Light of Christ to come into the world on Christmas. It’s a time of light, shadow, candles, pondering, reflection, and prayer. It’s a time to notice the seasonal summer light fading and winter darkness rising. On each of the four Sundays of Advent we will light a candle in our Advent altar wreath to mark the coming of the light of Christ. (There is no Christ candle during the Advent season- Paradoxically, Jesus is present and also not born yet).
Read MoreWe have been talking about Gratitude a lot recently. When I listen to what Jeanne and others say, I wonder if I am always grateful, or am I just thankful. I know for some, these two things are the same thing, but that is definitely not my understanding.
Read MoreI was born in Burbank, California about where the airport is now. When I mentioned this to a Montana neighbor she said “Forever more! Why were you born there?” “Because I wanted to be near my mother” I replied.
Read MoreStress brought on by dealing with difficult situations, disappointments and loss can leave you feeling physically drained. Furthermore, the old “guilt trip” sneaks in telling you that since you are in the midst of the “serious stuff” there is no room for the lighter side of laughter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Scientists tell us that “laughter is the best medicine.”
Read MoreOften many of us think and/or act as if the place where we find God is the Sanctuary.
Read MoreWhat does Communion mean to you? What does it mean to us at UCH and in the United Church of Christ? I invite you to give that some thought before you dip your bread in the cup on Sunday and are blessed by that holy act.
Read MoreMy dad was a Farmer. That is, during the 1920’s he was a Hayward High School “Farmer” (Actually a tool and die maker for Caterpillar Tractor Company for 47 years). Founded in 1892, Hayward High is one of the oldest high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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!
