June 1st begins PRIDE Month here. We will celebrate communion, dedicate a new parament (cloth that hangs on the pulpit) in loving memory of Wally Beckstrom and Jim Wittliff, who were early members of COLLAGE, and will honor our graduates and scholarship recipients for 2025-2026.
Following worship on June 1st, there will be a book signing and brief discussion about Dawn and Liz’s recently released book Searching for Dawn: A Journey from Chaos to Recovery
Mental Illness
Substance Abuse
Trauma and the Criminal Justice System
The ultimate purpose for writing their book was to find healing while illustrating, in a deeply personal way, why there is a need for criminal justice reform. In alternating chapters, Dawn and Liz boldly share their struggles through the web of mental illness, addiction, and the criminal justice system. While Dawn finds herself doing time in a solitary confinement cell in San Jose, California, her mother is serving as pastor of a church in Brooklyn, New York that was founded by formerly incarcerated persons and their families and supporters. Through faith, love, and the power of supportive communities, Dawn and Liz find new life in the midst of crisis and despair. It is a story of universal significance in these critical times. The cost of the book is $14.99 and is available on Amazon.
Our next gathering to discuss the Psalms will be June 2nd at 4 p.m. at the Oasis Center or Zoom. There is a handout in the narthex with tips for reading the Psalms. You can find the daily devotions on Pastor Wes's blog and Facebook.
June 8 is Pentecost Sunday — wear something RED to church to celebrate and hear how the Spirit delights in diversity.
We will also offer a heartfelt thank you to Stephen Fancher for filling in so many times over the last year. Stephen brings joy to worship, and his improvisations at the end of worship bring a smile to our faces (you may still remember him playing, 'Don't Worry Be Happy" this lastyear).
Grief is as unique as your fingerprint, and no one can tell you the exact “right” way to grieve. As we process our grief, having a safe space to share our emotions matters.
Please join Pastor Wes to share where you are. Whether your grief is from a family member or friend’s death, anticipatory grief with an illness, or the state of the world, come and share what is on your heart and soul in these days.
All are welcome.
On June 15 th, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Jason Branham to our church as our Director of Music! (Insert confetti being thrown here and a loud cheer!) This is also Father's Day, so wear a wonderfully bright/colorful shirt to worship and join us for strawberry shortcake. We will also shower our choir with thank-you cards for their dedication and gift of beautiful music while we are in transition. We will also honor Juneteenth during the service.
The next gathering to discuss the Psalms is on June 19 at 4 p.m. in the Oasis Center and on Zoom. There is a handout in the narthex with tips for reading the Psalms. You can find the daily devotions on Pastor Wes's blog and Facebook. All are welcome to come, listen, and learn from the wisdom of the Hebrew Hymnal.
~ Our wonderful congregation did this last year in June, which is designated by activist organizations nationwide as Gun Violence Awareness Month.  Brady, United Against Gun Violence, has selected June 21st this year as ASK Day, when we all commit to ASK if there’s a gun in the houses where our children and grandchildren go to play; and, if the answer is yes, we ASK if those guns are locked away.  So, get out your orange this year on June 22nd, and we’ll re-commit ourselves to working for gun safety.
Grief is as unique as your fingerprint, and no one can tell you the exact “right” way to grieve. As we process our grief, having a safe space to share our emotions matters.
Please join Pastor Wes to share where you are. Whether your grief is from a family member or friend’s death, anticipatory grief with an illness, or the state of the world, come and share what is on your heart and soul in these days.
All are welcome.
On June 27th -29th, we are delighted to welcome Amanda Udis-Kessler. Amanda blessed us in March with two Zoom sessions on the use of sacred language. Amanda will continue the conversation with us in person! On Saturday, June 28th, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Amanda will share how to craft worship that reflects our values as a church. Saturday morning is free and open to all members, friends, and community members. Please share this event with others. On Saturday evening, she will work with our covenant groups. Sunday, June 29th, Amanda will share worship leadership with Pastor Wes. Amanda Udis-Kessler is a hymnwriter, songwriter, composer, and writer who specializes in music and lyrics for liberal/ progressive religious people and communities, including inclusive, social justice-minded Christians, Unitarian Universalists, and other open-hearted religious traditions. Amanda's religious music is in use across the US and in Canada, the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand. GIA has published several of her hymn texts.
The next gathering to discuss the Psalms is on June 30 at 4 p.m. in the Oasis Center and on Zoom. There is a handout in the narthex with tips for reading the Psalms. You can find the daily devotions on Pastor Wes's blog and Facebook. All are welcome to come, listen, and learn from the wisdom of the Hebrew Hymnal.