May 21, 2026 | #Uncategorized
Story and photo courtesy of St. Bede’s, Menlo Park
The flag pole itself was destroyed, but St. Bede’s dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community of Menlo Park is not. The Pride flag has flown at St. Bede’s for many years, and that is not going to change any time soon. This act of vandalism is not in line with the promises we make in the Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
The Gospel of John reminds us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
From the official office of the Episcopal Church:
For decades, LGBTQ+ Episcopalians and allies have worked to make The Episco
pal Church a place of belonging and inclusion. They have prayed, studied, and discerned, and in doing so, we have all seen the evidence of God’s blessing in the lives and love of our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ. In 2026, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our church affirming that LGBTQ+ people have a full and equal claim to the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the church. The journey to make that promise a reality continues today, as we remember the struggles, celebrate the joy, and give thanks for love and for lives that refuse to be erased.
Learn more >>
The bracket and flag pole have since been repaired and the Bede’s Pride Flag returned to its place of prominence in front of the church, but hatred directed at our LGBTQ+ neighbors continues to run rampant. We as a church community are in a unique position to provide enthusiastic support for marginalized communities and all of our neighbors. Pride Month is fast approaching, and now is a greater time than ever to remember: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
To learn more about the uphill battles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the reason for the existence of the pride flag, and how you can help, we recommend the following resources:
May God’s love shine on us all, and protect our neighbors from hatred and violence.
Feb 18, 2026 | #Uncategorized
Icon painted by Tina Vieira, photo by artist
Visio Divina—the prayerful practice of contemplating a sacred image—begins long before anyone gazes upon the finished work. It starts with the artists themselves, whose hands, hearts, and attention become instruments of prayer as they “write” an icon. This was the experience of a group of first–time iconographers at Holy Cross Church.
Holy Cross is blessed with artists of every kind, and in late 2025 several of our visual artists felt called to offer an icon- writing class. Ten courageous participants stepped into this ancient tradition, guided by Ann Maloney Mason, Roy Nunes, and Debra Collins.
“I was so grateful for the opportunity to share my artistic gifts with my Christian community,” Roy reflected. “It was a truly humbling experience to witness the spiritual growth of this little group of new iconographers. Serving alongside these wonderfully supportive and warm hearted people has filled my heart with joy and a renewed sense of peace.”
Roy Nunes describes an icon painting technique to participants. Photo by Debra Collins
The class opened with a brief exploration of Orthodox icons and Mexican retablos, grounding students in the history and theology of sacred imagery. From there, time, materials, and gentle instruction created space for each artist to develop a personal interpretation of the Good Shepherd. Week by week, they gathered to paint, pray, and reflect—discovering how creativity can become a doorway into deeper relationship with the divine.
Participant Emilie Nepveux later reflected on the artistic process: “I just had to trust the process… just like in all creative things I do. It’s confusing at first—totally out of my comfort zone. Then you just keep going… you’re going to end somewhere. Just keep fussing a bit with it, asking questions, redoing the perceived mistakes, and eventually you can see the path you have been on and, to a degree, where you are headed. If you don’t like it, you can change course to improve the outcome. I thought some of my ideas were not doable—which of course some of them were not. But some of them worked out.”
Emilie Nepveux applies gold leafing to her icon. Photo by Debra Collins
While the work itself was contemplative, the atmosphere each week was anything but solemn. Laughter, encouragement, and a lively sense of play filled the room. It turns out the creative Holy Spirit delights in joy just as much as devotion.
Participants staying focused on the minute details within their icon designs. Photo by Debra Collins
When every artist completed their icon, the community gathered for an exhibition in the parish hall. Following the tradition of this sacred art form, the icons were then blessed by the Very Reverend Jeff Dodge-Hogarth, marking the culmination of weeks of prayer, creativity, and shared discovery.
The Very Reverend Jeff Dodge-Hogarth blessing the icons. Photo by Debra Collins
Parishioner Terry Miller’s reaction to the display captured the spirit of the event: “The resulting icons are stunningly beautiful, with colors, textures, and attention to detail that immediately engage and delight the viewer. Each distinct image of Jesus invites interaction and an opportunity for a spiritual connection. This has truly been a transformational experience on so many levels!”
All in all, this was a joyful and deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved. A second session of icon writing will begin in March, with a Guardian Angel as the focus.
The finished icons by the artists (starting at the upper left) Glenda Vieira, Roy Nunes, Ann Maloney-Mason, Pamela Lowe, Karen Sheffield, Tina Vieira, Jill Gidlund, Estella Magallanes, and Annabelle Nunes. Photos by the artists
Jan 6, 2026 | #Uncategorized
On this Feast of the Epiphany, the Diocese of California gives thanks for the faithful ministry of our clergy and laity. As the light of Christ was revealed to the nations, so you continue to bear that light through your leadership, compassion, and service to the church and the world.
In our diocese, we’ve seen the faithful work of love in many of our communities. Backpacks distributed to students, food pantries feeding the hungry, shelters and showers for the homeless, community gardens, more solar panels and EVs and community charging stations, sharing hope with our trans and non-binary siblings; the work of immigrant rights activists supporting our vulnerable communities, and prayers always for the fretful and marginalized… These are but a few examples of the work of love by God’s people in the Diocese of California.
Friends, thank you for your dedication to this work of social justice, of love, throughout the Bay Area. Like the Magi guided by the star, you help our communities recognize Christ’s presence in the world. When any of us in our actions, our work, serves Christ in all persons, loving them as ourselves, when any of us respects the dignity of every living being, we do this as faithful Episcopalians, in God’s Holy Name.
Thank you, thank you, for being God’s love incarnate in this world.
May this season renew your strength, deepen your joy in ministry, and bless you with wisdom and peace as you continue to walk forward in faith, hope, and love. And may your New Year be blessed as you continue to make Christ known to the nations this day!
Oct 8, 2025 | #Uncategorized
St. Columba’s Church recently launched its
Beacon of Light series — a monthly gathering designed to spotlight stories of hope, healing, and faithful action from around the world. The inaugural evening featured
Thrive Co-Founder and Executive Director, Priscilla Heffelfinger, whose message invited listeners into a movement where nourishment is both a daily act and a sacred calling.
Priscilla shared Thrive’s humble beginnings, recalling how she, together with a few expat moms, used to deliver bananas in an old baby stroller to schools tucked within the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. From those early acts of care, Thrive has grown into a vibrant network of mother-led feeding programs across the Philippines and Bangladesh. She spoke of women who rise before dawn to prepare warm, nutritious meals, not just for their own children, but for every child in their school. These daily acts of service spark powerful ripple effects: improved school attendance, healthier children, and communities strengthened by shared purpose.
“Feeding is not just about food,” Priscilla said. “It’s about dignity. It’s about the Gospel lived out in service, in nourishing not just bodies, but also children’s dreams for brighter futures.”
The evening culminated in a live Zoom call with mothers and students from one of Thrive’s partner communities in the Philippines. As their faces appeared on the screen — some shy, some waving — the sanctuary at St. Columba’s leaned in. Audience members were invited to ask questions and listen as the mothers described what the feeding program meant to them. One mom, Nancy, speaking softly in Tagalog, said, “Life is hard and finding work is not easy. I hope they [the schoolchildren] can aim higher and not always be stuck at the bottom.”
Thrive’s talk bridged hearts across continents, a reminder that true nourishment is physical, relational, spiritual, and communal. Through Thrive’s work, churches have the opportunity to step into that story as co-builders of a more nourished world.
How Churches Can Get Involved
- Sponsor a Feeding Program: Help provide daily meals to over 3,000 children through mother-led school kitchens.
- Lead a Local Campaign: Join Thrive’s Church Partnership program to raise awareness and support within your congregation and community.
- Join the Prayer Circle: Receive monthly updates and field-based prayer prompts to lift up Thrive’s work and families served.
As the Beacon of Light series continues, St. Columba’s invites congregations across California to listen, learn, and light the way alongside communities near and far. Thrive’s story reminds us that even the smallest acts—like stirring rice at dawn—can ripple outward with grace.
Jul 29, 2025 | #Uncategorized
Successful collaborations, as highlighted in the Collaborating video, are built on a foundation of shared values, open communication, and a willingness to engage. During the July 28 diocesan Zoom gathering, the chat was filled with ideas of what makes collaboration successful.
- Mutual Respect and Trust: This includes recognizing each other’s gifts, setting aside competition and jealousy, and building trust among participants.
- Open Communication and Interaction: Actively talking, meeting, listening, and accepting diverse opinions are crucial. This also involves asking for what’s needed and being open to providing help.
- Shared Vision and Passion: Identifying a common need, interest, or passion, whether it’s specific programs, shared liturgy, or community needs, provides a strong unifying force.
- Flexibility and Willingness to Experiment: Being open to trying new things, experimenting, and even allowing for failure fosters innovation and growth.
- Humility and Vulnerability: Acknowledging that you can’t do it all alone, being willing to be vulnerable, and asking for help are essential for effective partnership.
- Generosity and Resource Sharing: This involves sharing resources, invitations to collaborate, and demonstrating a willingness to help others, even with existing workloads.
- Intentionality and Action: Collaboration should be deliberate, with an openness to doing rather than just talking about it, and a focus on taking small, tangible steps together.
- Focus on Strengths and Opportunities: Looking at available resources and building on what’s working, rather than dwelling on what’s lacking, promotes healthy collaboration.
- Community Building: Sharing meals and laughter, fostering personal relationships, and creating events for neighboring groups help build strong bonds.
- Non-Competitive Spirit: Letting go of fear of “sheep stealing” and approaching collaboration with a non-competitive attitude allows for genuine partnership.
Mar 20, 2025 | #Uncategorized
Mark your calendars with these opportunities to see Bishop Budde!
- Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to Deliver Inaugural Robert N. Bellah Lecture
Wednesday, April 9 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
Get tickets here | Learn more
- Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to Give the Palm Sunday Sermon at Grace Cathedral
Sunday, April 13 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Grace Cathedral
More information coming soon
- A Conversation with Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: How We Learn to Be Brave
Sunday, April 13 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Grace Cathedral
Learn more
Bishop Budde’s bestselling book, How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, is available through various booksellers, including BooksInc, Walden Pond Books, and Biblio.
The flag pole itself was destroyed, but St. Bede’s dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community of Menlo Park is not. The Pride flag has flown at St. Bede’s for many years, and that is not going to change any time soon. This act of vandalism is not in line with the promises we make in the Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
The bracket and flag pole have since been repaired and the Bede’s Pride Flag returned to its place of prominence in front of the church, but hatred directed at our LGBTQ+ neighbors continues to run rampant. We as a church community are in a unique position to provide enthusiastic support for marginalized communities and all of our neighbors. Pride Month is fast approaching, and now is a greater time than ever to remember: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
