SUMMER 2014
Science & Spirit: Kiss & Make-up
Saturday, August 16th
BACH FESTIVAL
It's a field trip to the Carmel Bach Festival!
Sunday, July 27th
The Carmel Bach Festival is offering Saint Matthew's Passion
We will carpool together after church on Sunday, July 27th. Tickets will be purchased in advance. RSVPs are important! Cost is $72 per person for tickets. We will enjoy a meal together after the show. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy either at church before leaving, or in the car.
The concert begins at 2:30.
There is only one ticket remaining to this event. Contact Pastor Michelle directly if you are interested in attending.
Sunday, July 27th
The Carmel Bach Festival is offering Saint Matthew's Passion
We will carpool together after church on Sunday, July 27th. Tickets will be purchased in advance. RSVPs are important! Cost is $72 per person for tickets. We will enjoy a meal together after the show. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy either at church before leaving, or in the car.
The concert begins at 2:30.
There is only one ticket remaining to this event. Contact Pastor Michelle directly if you are interested in attending.
Religion and Science: working together
Sign-up to teach in our Summer Sunday Children's Program about how Religion and Science work together.
This is a unique learning opportunity!
This is a unique learning opportunity!
100th Anniversary oF our Sanctuary
Saturday August 23rd
ONE-HUNDRED YEARS!
In the Year 1914 our beautiful Sanctuary was built. On the afternoon of August 23rd of that year Christ Episcopal Church held the first church service in, what is now, the Foothills Congregational Church Sanctuary.
The staff and leadership of FCC is beginning the process of planning a one-hundred year anniversary celebration exactly 100 years from the first service – August 23, 2014 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. The celebration will include music, food, displays of our FCC programs and displays of programs from groups that use our facilities and a rededication of the sanctuary.
In the Year 1914 our beautiful Sanctuary was built. On the afternoon of August 23rd of that year Christ Episcopal Church held the first church service in, what is now, the Foothills Congregational Church Sanctuary.
The staff and leadership of FCC is beginning the process of planning a one-hundred year anniversary celebration exactly 100 years from the first service – August 23, 2014 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. The celebration will include music, food, displays of our FCC programs and displays of programs from groups that use our facilities and a rededication of the sanctuary.
Other Programs and Events
Nature and travel
Join the Foothills Congregational Church Hiking Group
Meet Wednesdays at Hidden Villa through May
Meet in the parking lot promptly at 9:00am
Click here for directions to Hidden Villa
Meet Wednesdays at Hidden Villa through May
Meet in the parking lot promptly at 9:00am
Click here for directions to Hidden Villa
Visit the Holy Land? A new possibility for 2015!
We have chosen to work through National Geographic for our trip and plan to go in Spring of 2015.
We need at least 9 more people to come with us. Let us know if you would like to come!
We have chosen to work through National Geographic for our trip and plan to go in Spring of 2015.
We need at least 9 more people to come with us. Let us know if you would like to come!
Grab a cup of tea and study the Bible
with seminary professors - ONLINE.TEL's live seminars put students face to face with each other and the instructor via Adobe Connect, where they will have real-time conversation and interaction. In the days between the live seminars, students will complete self-paced, online assignments.
Text & Culture I:
A Survey of the
Old Testament
May 12 - 19, 2014
$120 CTEL & PSR Students / $200 General Public
Opening live seminar: Monday, May 12th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Closing live seminar: Monday, May 19th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
This course examines the Old Testament in the context of the ancient near east as a product of its time. Attention will be paid to the historical, social and cultural forces that shaped the texts and the ways Jews and Christians have read these texts. Coming to an appreciation of the content of selected books and their relevance for contemporary culture will also be a focus of this course.
About the Instructor:
Steed V. Davidson is associate professor of Old Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. His research interests center on Israelite prophetic literature and postcolonial studies. His book Empire and Exile offers a postcolonial treatment of the book of Jeremiah. As well as contributing to other publications on the issue of postcolonial readings, he teaches contextual readings of the Bible. In his classes he pays critical attention to reader and text as they interact in varying contexts as a means of developing competencies in reading from multiple contexts. Dr. Davidson received his PhD from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York.
from the Pacific School of Religion. Click here to see more
Text & Culture II:
A Survey of the
New Testament
June 2 - 9, 2014
$120 CTEL & PSR Students
/ $200 General Public
Opening live seminar: Monday, June 2nd, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Closing live seminar: Monday, June 9th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
This course intends to explore the literature and background (thus “text and culture”) of the early Christ-following movement. Our study will basically progress in two steps: first, an overview of the socio-cultural and religious contexts out of which Christianity developed; second, a selective survey of New Testament books (mainly Paul and Mark, and to a lesser degree, the other canonical Gospels) to emphasize the theological diversity within the canon of Scriptures. We will also give special attention to the contextual and ideological nature of textual interpretation.
About the Instructor:
Tat-siong Benny Liew is Professor of New Testament at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. Dr. Liew is most interested and invested in transdisciplinary study of the New Testament. Alongside New Testament studies, his scholarly interests include literary theory, postcolonial studies, gender/sexuality studies, and ethnic studies (particularly Asian American history and literature). Dr. Liew is the author of What Is Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics? Reading the New Testament(2008), and Politics of Parousia: Reading Mark Inter(con)textually (1999). He also editedReading Ideologies: Essays on the Bible and Interpretation In Honor of Mary Ann Tolbert(2011), Postcolonial Interventions: Essays in Honor of R. S. Sugirtharajah (2009), They Were All Together in One Place? Toward Minority Biblical Criticism with Randall Bailey and Fernando Segovia (2009), and the last issue of the journal, Semeia, with Gale Yee on "The Bible in Asian America" (2002). Dr. Liew also serves on several international editorial boards, and is currently the book review editor of the journal, Biblical Interpretation.
An Ancient Text for Today's World:
Biblical Interpretation
November 2014 (exact dates TBD)
$120 CTEL & PSR Students
/ $200 General Public
Registration will open closer to the date of the class
Click here for a mail-in registration form. (pdf)
This course will introduce learners to the basic tools and strategies for interpreting the Bible. The Bible is a huge book—or rather collection of books—that shapes our religious communities, our political landscapes, as well as our personal lives; therefore, learning strategies for interpretation is important. The course will build on what you already know concerning the Bible and give you constructive tools and strategies for expanding your understanding of the Bible. In our time together we will focus specifically on historical interpretation (who wrote it, when, where and why) and literary and metaphorical interpretation (what is this story about? what are its features?). We will also take into consideration our own social locations to see how our own lives, and those of our communities, become part of our interpretations. By the end of the course, you will have a toolbox for doing Biblical exegesis, which will lead you to your own interpretation of Scripture.
About the Instructor:
Katy E. Valentine is a PhD Candidate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She has lectured at St. Mary's College of California(Moraga, CA) and at the Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, CA) and is a frequent guest teacher at local churches. Katy is a passionate teacher of Biblical Studies who engages students in the relevance and importance of the Bible in our culture today.
Katy's work embodies the following:
“I am a teacher in every sense of the word. Committed to my undergraduate students, I design courses to help the Bible come alive in its ancient context and also become relevant to our modern society. In the seminary context, I work closely with graduate students so that they become informed theological leaders. With other adult learners, I partner with individuals and groups so that they become passionate about the relevance of the Bible to their communities.”
with seminary professors - ONLINE.TEL's live seminars put students face to face with each other and the instructor via Adobe Connect, where they will have real-time conversation and interaction. In the days between the live seminars, students will complete self-paced, online assignments.
Text & Culture I:
A Survey of the
Old Testament
May 12 - 19, 2014
$120 CTEL & PSR Students / $200 General Public
Opening live seminar: Monday, May 12th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Closing live seminar: Monday, May 19th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
This course examines the Old Testament in the context of the ancient near east as a product of its time. Attention will be paid to the historical, social and cultural forces that shaped the texts and the ways Jews and Christians have read these texts. Coming to an appreciation of the content of selected books and their relevance for contemporary culture will also be a focus of this course.
About the Instructor:
Steed V. Davidson is associate professor of Old Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. His research interests center on Israelite prophetic literature and postcolonial studies. His book Empire and Exile offers a postcolonial treatment of the book of Jeremiah. As well as contributing to other publications on the issue of postcolonial readings, he teaches contextual readings of the Bible. In his classes he pays critical attention to reader and text as they interact in varying contexts as a means of developing competencies in reading from multiple contexts. Dr. Davidson received his PhD from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York.
from the Pacific School of Religion. Click here to see more
Text & Culture II:
A Survey of the
New Testament
June 2 - 9, 2014
$120 CTEL & PSR Students
/ $200 General Public
Opening live seminar: Monday, June 2nd, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Closing live seminar: Monday, June 9th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
This course intends to explore the literature and background (thus “text and culture”) of the early Christ-following movement. Our study will basically progress in two steps: first, an overview of the socio-cultural and religious contexts out of which Christianity developed; second, a selective survey of New Testament books (mainly Paul and Mark, and to a lesser degree, the other canonical Gospels) to emphasize the theological diversity within the canon of Scriptures. We will also give special attention to the contextual and ideological nature of textual interpretation.
About the Instructor:
Tat-siong Benny Liew is Professor of New Testament at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. Dr. Liew is most interested and invested in transdisciplinary study of the New Testament. Alongside New Testament studies, his scholarly interests include literary theory, postcolonial studies, gender/sexuality studies, and ethnic studies (particularly Asian American history and literature). Dr. Liew is the author of What Is Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics? Reading the New Testament(2008), and Politics of Parousia: Reading Mark Inter(con)textually (1999). He also editedReading Ideologies: Essays on the Bible and Interpretation In Honor of Mary Ann Tolbert(2011), Postcolonial Interventions: Essays in Honor of R. S. Sugirtharajah (2009), They Were All Together in One Place? Toward Minority Biblical Criticism with Randall Bailey and Fernando Segovia (2009), and the last issue of the journal, Semeia, with Gale Yee on "The Bible in Asian America" (2002). Dr. Liew also serves on several international editorial boards, and is currently the book review editor of the journal, Biblical Interpretation.
An Ancient Text for Today's World:
Biblical Interpretation
November 2014 (exact dates TBD)
$120 CTEL & PSR Students
/ $200 General Public
Registration will open closer to the date of the class
Click here for a mail-in registration form. (pdf)
This course will introduce learners to the basic tools and strategies for interpreting the Bible. The Bible is a huge book—or rather collection of books—that shapes our religious communities, our political landscapes, as well as our personal lives; therefore, learning strategies for interpretation is important. The course will build on what you already know concerning the Bible and give you constructive tools and strategies for expanding your understanding of the Bible. In our time together we will focus specifically on historical interpretation (who wrote it, when, where and why) and literary and metaphorical interpretation (what is this story about? what are its features?). We will also take into consideration our own social locations to see how our own lives, and those of our communities, become part of our interpretations. By the end of the course, you will have a toolbox for doing Biblical exegesis, which will lead you to your own interpretation of Scripture.
About the Instructor:
Katy E. Valentine is a PhD Candidate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She has lectured at St. Mary's College of California(Moraga, CA) and at the Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, CA) and is a frequent guest teacher at local churches. Katy is a passionate teacher of Biblical Studies who engages students in the relevance and importance of the Bible in our culture today.
Katy's work embodies the following:
“I am a teacher in every sense of the word. Committed to my undergraduate students, I design courses to help the Bible come alive in its ancient context and also become relevant to our modern society. In the seminary context, I work closely with graduate students so that they become informed theological leaders. With other adult learners, I partner with individuals and groups so that they become passionate about the relevance of the Bible to their communities.”
WORSHIP and Faith Practices
We have two worship services.
Our 8:30am contemplative service is in our sanctuary every Sunday between September and May. Our 10:00am celebration is in our sanctuary every Sunday year round.
We are located at 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos, CA
Practicing Prayer
This group will explore different kinds of prayer in three week segments.
Our June prayer is Lectio Divina of the Psalms
Mondays at 10am June 2nd, 9th, & 16th at 10AM
We will take a break in July and August
Our 8:30am contemplative service is in our sanctuary every Sunday between September and May. Our 10:00am celebration is in our sanctuary every Sunday year round.
We are located at 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos, CA
Practicing Prayer
This group will explore different kinds of prayer in three week segments.
Our June prayer is Lectio Divina of the Psalms
Mondays at 10am June 2nd, 9th, & 16th at 10AM
We will take a break in July and August
STUDY
Lectionary Bible Study
Taking a Break for the Summer
Truth Seekers
Meets at 11:00 in the Learning Center Downstairs Meeting Room.
This group explores truth through many different sources, including the bible.
This group explores truth through many different sources, including the bible.
Announcing "That They May All Be One" - a TEL-UCC Partnership in Online Learning
We are excited to announce that the TEL program will soon complete its first cycle of ONLINE courses in UCC Polity and Ministry this June! The one-week course in UCC History taught by Rev. Carol Barriger will mark the end of the year-long series. These classes have been designed to create an opportunity for lay leaders in the UCC, people in churches considering joining the UCC, and persons seeking LIcensure or Commissioning in the Northern California Nevada Conference to gain a working knowledge of the United Church of Christ.
The TEL UCC Identity Series was developed under the guidance of PSR faculty member, Dr. Randi Walker and take the place of what was formerly known as the NCNC Ministry Institutes. The classes will utilize both the Adobe Connect live seminar and Moodle online, self-paced formats to teach the material. Participants can enroll for the individual courses or the entire series. Please contact us for more details!
UCC History - June 2014 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor
UCC Polity - October 2014 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor
UCC Ethos - March 2015 - Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Instructor
Click here to find out more
We are excited to announce that the TEL program will soon complete its first cycle of ONLINE courses in UCC Polity and Ministry this June! The one-week course in UCC History taught by Rev. Carol Barriger will mark the end of the year-long series. These classes have been designed to create an opportunity for lay leaders in the UCC, people in churches considering joining the UCC, and persons seeking LIcensure or Commissioning in the Northern California Nevada Conference to gain a working knowledge of the United Church of Christ.
The TEL UCC Identity Series was developed under the guidance of PSR faculty member, Dr. Randi Walker and take the place of what was formerly known as the NCNC Ministry Institutes. The classes will utilize both the Adobe Connect live seminar and Moodle online, self-paced formats to teach the material. Participants can enroll for the individual courses or the entire series. Please contact us for more details!
UCC History - June 2014 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor
UCC Polity - October 2014 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor
UCC Ethos - March 2015 - Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Instructor
Click here to find out more
On-Going Opportunities
Chancel Choir sings a variety of styles, from Mozart to gospel. Singers generally have some musical experience. Performs on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Chamber Choir is our most advanced group. Singers read music reasonably well and spend some time on their own outside rehearsal learning their music. Performs on the 4th Sunday of the month. Check music schedule for rehearsal times.
Handbell Choir meets each Wednesday evening at 6 pm for rehearsal and music fellowship. The bells play in worship service once a month. Special concerts are periodically scheduled. Contact Bell Choir Music Director, P.L. Groves, if interested in joining.
Chamber Choir is our most advanced group. Singers read music reasonably well and spend some time on their own outside rehearsal learning their music. Performs on the 4th Sunday of the month. Check music schedule for rehearsal times.
Handbell Choir meets each Wednesday evening at 6 pm for rehearsal and music fellowship. The bells play in worship service once a month. Special concerts are periodically scheduled. Contact Bell Choir Music Director, P.L. Groves, if interested in joining.