--Jan Richardson writes,  "This day, this empty tomb: has been our destination all this time. But we see, with (the women) that this is not a place to stop. This is not the end toward which we have been traveling. Instead this is the beginning." 

And so on this Easter Sunday we also come to the end and the beginning of our journey and conversation about the Spirituality of Jesus -we are going to explore Luke's version of this beloved story on in two parts- The first starts in Luke 23 in the aftermath of the crucifixion, and continues in Luke 24 with some fascinating rising and waking up/"woke" language, a good dose of confusion, a (still ongoing 20 centuries later) lesson about minimizing the stories of women, and a lot of mystery, and amazement that culminates in a strange and joyous encounter on the Emmaus road. We will be looking at the evocative language and "struggle to find the words" to describe what is going on here and seeing what we can learn about the spirituality of Jesus and his inner circle that will help us as we embrace the journey. Don't forget to bring your communion elements to worship. And I look forward to being with you on this celebratory day for part I of Arriving at the End and the Beginning: Our Amazing (thaumazó: θαυμάζω) Spiritual Journey(s) of Rising/Waking Up (egeiró: ἐγείρω)  -Rev. Jeanne 

Join us on Zoom, or by phone (audio only): (669) 900-6833 or join us here for the sermon live stream.

As Jan Richardson prepares the beloved community to come to the communion table, she writes, "(God) To your table we come. Hungering for your bread, we come; thirsting for your wine, we come; singing your song in every language, speaking your name in every tongue, in conflict and in communion, in discord and in desire, we come, O God of Wisdom, we come."  

If I say "we are coming to the table" in worship, most of you will know I am talking about sharing Holy Communion. But have you ever considered the importance of tables in our liturgy and in our lives? As we explore this familiar story in Luke 22, I think you will come to agree with me that without the table, this pivotal event in the ministry of Jesus would not be happening. Join us this Holy Week Thursday evening, April 2 @7:00 PM Pacific as we talk about tables - communion tables, kitchen tables, picnic tables, underrated tables, seating assignments, hospitality, and the holy (and sometimes not so holy) complexities of gathering at tables. I look forward to being with you for  In “Conflict and In Communion We Come”: A Place at the Table (trapeza:: τράπεζα). 

Join us on Zoom, or by phone (audio only): (669) 900-6833. or join us here for the sermon live stream.

On the first Thursday of each month our Transitions group gathers on Zoom from 10:30-12:00. We provide a safe place- a circle of love, support, and wisdom for everyone who is in transition. Some of us are in places of not knowing about health and family issues, some are on cancer journeys, some have lost jobs, are having financial struggles, are grieving the loss of loved ones, or just trying to find the ground after the trauma of the pandemic. We have a covenant of confidentiality with one another and use poetry (Currently Jan Richardson's book "Blessings in times of Grief") as a container and talk about how the Divine is present and moving in our lives. And we do it  in a very ecumenical openhearted way- so no matter what your spiritual background (or not) you are welcome to join us. Rev. Jeanne leads this group and offers gentle group care and guidance for our conversations. Please contact us via the form on the contact page of the website if you are interested in attending or have questions.  We are grateful to have this ministry opportunity to offer the big-hearted journey support that is one of our core strengths at UCH.  

P.S. This is safe, welcoming space for lgbtqia+ folkx.   

As we discussed last Sunday, Luke uses the Greek verb sumballo συμβάλλω, (which is usually translated pondering) to describe Mary's internal process as she brings Jesus into the world. As I suggested in my Advent blog, "Sumballó/pondering is not linear. It’s a winding journey from present, to past, and back to present. It involves remembering, feeling, thinking things through, tossing them together, and listening for the voice of the Holy- all while cultivating hope for the future." And so we continue our spiritual practice of pondering in the Non-Canonical Gospel of James with young Mary, who has taken on a very special sewing project for the temple. As she is immersed in her important and time consuming work, things get more than a little weird. Join us this Sunday as we continue our pondering with James' midrash of Mary trying to make sense of the ordinary and the extraordinary in her young Jewish life. I look forward to being with you for  "Stay, Wait, There’s Something On The Horizon: Pondering (Sumballó:συμβάλλω) With Mary the Restless Weaver (From the Non-Canonical Gospel of James)"  Don't forget to bring your communion elements to worship so we can share holy communion. I look forward to being with you for Zoom and Live-Stream as we ponder and journey through Advent together. -Rev. Jeanne

Join us on Zoom, or by phone (audio only): (669) 900-6833 or join us here for the sermon live stream.