If you've noticed big gaps in information on here, let me tell you, I think the tide may have turned. We've been having terrible problems with the site running slow and crashing often. But, thanks to a switch in hosting, I think our problems (cross fingers) are behind us!
So, what's happening around UCC Petaluma these days?
We're getting ready to celebrate Pentecost, the holiday that marks the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church. It's always a fun time around here, and...
Advent is here, this season of waiting and watching! There is a lot happening around here as we think, pray and sing together, so make sure to check the events page to find out ways to join in. And as you head into a busy and maybe even chaotic season, may you find a place of stillness and peace in which to anticipate God's coming into the world in new and maybe even surprising ways!
We've had some fabulous food pantry fundraisers recently, which are very welcome as our numbers served increase in the holiday season. We want to thank Louise Morris who donated some beautiful scarves and quilted hot dish carriers, which were sold during coffee hour and raised about $150, which will support a week of distribution to 50-70 families.
We also want to thank everyone who contributed to our Mission 1 effort. We gathered almost 1300 pounds of food to give away to...
We have copies of the CD of Robin Meyer's sermon on Original Blessing available from the church office. CD's are always available of our services beginning the following day. To receive one, please call or email and ask Terese to reserve a copy for you.
Copies of Saving Jesus from the Church and tickets for the lecture and workshop with Dr Robin Meyers are now avaiable at the church office. Please call 763-2454 or email to purchase either.
We'll begin a new educational series this Thursday exploring the big questions of faith. Members and guests alike are welcome for a potluck at 6, followed by a class at 6:45 exploring the question 'Who is God and what does it mean to have a relationship with God.' We'll use Rob Bell's excellent Nooma series to kick off our conversation and explore together the ideas that form our spirituality. Come join us! This is a place where curiosity is welcome and where we...
We had our youth group kickoff this weekend with about 20 kids showing up to celebrate and plan a great year together. We will offer two youth groups this year, one for our younger youth in 5th -6th grade and one for our older youth in 7th grade and up. Newcomers are always welcome!
We had an amazing time this July at our first Day Camp offering. With 23 kids attending, we learned about core qualities that we cultivate in the life of faith, kids explored stories together, and we did lots of drama and art. Plans are in place to expand on this offering with a monthly workshop for elementary age kids. If you're interested in learning more, please email our pastor.
Oh, y'all. I just wrote a beautiful reflection on psalm 36 and the computer ate it. I'm not sure I have the heart or the time to do it all again, but here is the summary: the psalms are full of what I like to call 'a theology of God doing what we think God should do.' I.e. - the evildoers are wicked and God punishes them, while God rewards our obviously good behavior. I'm not saying this is what God does, just that this is how we wish God would do things and so we describe God as...
I missed posting yesterday, due to a day that didn't stop from 8 in the morning till 9 at night. But I didn't want this line from Psalm 9 to go unnoticed: The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed... the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. Just meditate on that one for a little while. One of the pieces of busyness yesterday was a meeting with the police department about traffic safety issues related to undocumented immigrants....
