Worship Planning Retreat

On Saturday, January 18, from 10:00-2:00, we will have our next Worship Planning Retreat, which will be an opportunity for anyone—and everyone—to come together to help envision and chart a course for our worship services over the next 3 months, including Lent and Easter. We will read scripture together and brainstorm themes, songs, poems, prayers, art, and ways we might structure our worship time. Everyone is welcome! So, bring yourselves, your ideas, a lunch, and snacks to share. We will share a refreshing and life-giving time together, while doing the work of the church—it is a retreat, after all! I look forward to seeing you there!

Common Ground 2020 Kickoff Action

Exciting things are happening in Common Ground and we want you to join us! After the new year we will hold our Kick-off Action for 2020 "A Different Kind of Politics". The event will take place in the gymnasium at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church on 1/21/20 from 6:30 to 8.

Common Ground members and members of our community will be represented, as well as several power people in the Vallejo City Council, candidates for County Supervisor, and members of the City of Vallejo staff. We are also expecting the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, Jaime Soto, to visit and listen and support our community.

We will have Common Ground members telling their stories to the people who hold the power, and asking for their support in moving forward with two main issues affecting our city – the Vacant Lot Ordinance and the Housing/Rental Crisis. We also want you to share your story and your concerns about this community face to face with city and county officials and staff.

We are expecting over 200 participants from the community and Common Ground member groups. Our community is changing, and together, through organizing, we can have a seat at decision making tables.

A Special Blue Christmas Service

The holidays are always full of heightened emotions and expectations. Our culture readily celebrates the excitement, joy, and consumption of Christmas, but many of us also experience difficult feelings during this time of year. It is easy to get lost in the demands, activities, lights, shopping; the holidays can be quite stressful.

At our Blue Christmas Service, we create a quiet, peaceful, and supportive place where you are invited to slow down and recognize whatever emotions you may hold—including anxiety, stress, sadness, loneliness, depression, overwhelm, frustration, grief, loss, addiction, uncertainty. We will provide a space for anyone having a difficult time during the holidays—anyone needing to acknowledge some pain or loss they are carrying—and anyone simply needing to take a long, deep breath and slow down—in the midst of this season. 

All are welcome to join in this beautiful and contemplative candlelight service, which will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m., the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. 

Join Us For Advent!

After all of the wonderful activities of November, Advent begins on December 1. We celebrate Advent for the four Sundays before Christmas by preparing our hearts once again for Christ to be born into the world. During this time, we will light special candles, read inspirational scripture, sing powerful songs, and decorate our worship space with beauty and anticipation. This year’s Advent theme is “Prepare the Way. . . .” And together, we will once again prepare the way for Christ to be born and transform our world. 
Throughout Advent , we have several special events going on:
On Dec. 8, 15, and 22, we will collect new socks and underwear, as well as gently-used coats, sweaters, and blankets for people in need.  
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5:00-6:00 p.m., you are invited to a Full Moon Labyrinth Walk at the Earthrise Retreat Center with Pastor Christy Newton. Earthrise Retreat Center is located at 101 San Antonio Road, Petaluma, CA 94952. We will meet and carpool from the church at 3:45 p.m. For more information and to register, visit https://www.veriditas.org/event-3524955. The event is free.
On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 p.m., we will hold our Blue Christmas Service to make space for the complexity of emotions arising during this time of year.
We hope you join us and participate throughout the Advent season!