Pastor Michael kicks off a new sermon series on the book of Acts by speaking about the Spirit’s work- both in the early Church and throughout history- of creating a community where differences are honored and diversity can thrive. How might we choose to both resist the impulses toward nostalgia and nationalism and surrender our need for control and conquest, while choosing instead to follow the Spirit into a world of unconditional belonging- even in midst of our differences?

Tom Huetteman concludes our "Passions of the People" series by sharing his passion for both creation care and community building, and how those desires have intersected in the shared labor and fruits of the San Leandro Community Garden.

Becky Wong shares about her pilgrimage to Wadi Foquin in 2018, and how her relationship with a small rural village in Palestine has inspired her commitment to solidarity and justice for all God's children.

Becky Luoh shares about her passion for making, and the joy that comes from both embodying and practicing our collective call to be creative, just like our Creator. During her sharing, she presented various creative projects from both our church maker's group and her family in the past year, including items such as a mushroom hat, a museum of insects, shibori and ice dyed pieces, handwoven baskets, paper collages, and more. 

How might we all find joy as we reclaim our practice of creativity? What might we all adopt a practice of creativity in our lives?

Heidi Chen shares about her passion for building with straw as a concrete expression of cultivating shalom. How does straw bale construction help us cultivate a reciprocal relationship with nature? How might it expand our imagination for what might is possible as we remember our place in the community of creation?
To view slides from Heidi’s presentation, please click here.

Manny Solorzano-Lee continues our "Passions of the People" by sharing about his passion for Nicaraguan history. By interweaving his own family's journey along with the story of the Nicaraguan Revolution and Church history, he reminds us of the enduring voice of prophetic Christianity while reminding us that the past always informs how to live faithfully in the present.

Jada West kicks off our "Passions of the People" series by sharing about their work with Camp Ten Trees, a residential camp in Washington State that provides supportive and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and children from queer families. They share about what their camp experience has taught them about loving in action and how to meet people not just where they are in this moment, but in their continual evolution.

For more on Camp Ten Trees, check out their website: https://camptentrees.org/

Pastor Michael concludes our "Queering Scripture" sermon series for us by reflecting on the disruptive faith of the paralyzed man and the four friends, who aren't afraid to interrupt Jesus for the things they desperately need. What houses do we need to be willing to disrupt in order to ensure that all our friends have access to the presence of Jesus? And how might we live in the truth that we are worthy to be carried by our friends in times of need?

Guest preacher, Rev. Alicia T. Crosby, preaches us from 2 Corinthians 10 by reminding us that we each are the weapons God uses to tear down strongholds and to set people free. How might we- in the diversity of our bodies and our stories- model new possibilities and usher in a world where all people can walk in the fullness of who Creator made them to be?

Guest preacher, Rev. Remi Shores, reflects on Matthew 10:32-42 and the Jesus following-movement as a queer and disruptive presence to the peace of Rome. Through tender storytelling and insightful cultural and scriptural exposition, they remind us that the Jesus following-movement was a queer and disruptive presence to the peace of Rome, and that the peace of Jesus does not always make our life more safe, but instead brings a sword.

How might we faithfully choose to welcome all our queer kin- even when it's costly- knowing that to welcome them is to welcome the very presence of Jesus into our lives?