Today is Ash Wednesday, which opens the Christian season of Lent, a time marked by the purple robe placed around Jesus when he was shamed and tortured by his guards.
Spiritual Life
Longtime Foothills Congregational Church pastor retires
Foothills Congregational Church in Los Altos bid farewell last month to the Rev. Matt Broadbent, who retired after 17 years of service.
Broadbent and his wife, Barbara, are retiring to a condominium in Aptos. Barbara has served as spiritual director for the Northern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ.
Feminist icon's 'meaning' comes in professional talent turned to public good
Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service
Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke about “the meaningful life” at Stanford February 6.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke about “the meaningful life” at Stanford February 6.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg visited the Bay Area last week to speak in a spiritual venue about a contemplative theme – the meaningful life.
Yet the crowd of largely young people who packed Stanford’s Memorial Church sought out a spicier side of the 83-year-old icon.
Future challenge: Seeing our lives from God's point of view
The beginning of a new year is often when we look back at what the previous year brought us, and we look forward to what we want to be different. We ponder lessons learned from the past year and try to glean wisdom for the future – careful not to spend too much time in regret.
In a world that offers no unconditional do-overs, it is amazing that Jesus-followers are offered a fresh start every single moment of every single day: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Los Altos church parishioners mourn drowning deaths of mother, child
Courtesy of Fritz Schneider
The Claassen family
The Claassen family
Christ Episcopal Church and Ventana School in Los Altos are mourning the loss of Polly and Trent Claassen, a mother and son who died Jan. 6 after drowning in a pond while on a trip to Kansas.
Polly Claassen was the church’s friendly, outgoing youth director and administrator, usually the first voice callers would hear when contacting the church.
Woman founds nonprofit with a vision to end sexual violence: Spiritual Perspective
Nikole Lim has a vision – to end the cycle of sexual violence everywhere.
What motivated a young woman who grew up in the Bay Area and attended film school in Los Angeles to chase such a difficult goal – and to start in Africa?
