Sophia Jackson, called to the work of Justice for those Marginalized by Incarceration and Addiction, June 2

Minister Sophia Jackson is a graduate of Ohio Christian University. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Divinity & Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley California, where she is pursuing her dream of becoming ordained in the United Church of Christ and becoming a Prison Chaplain; she is also a Member in Training and Care with the Disciples of Christ.

She answered the call to do the work of justice for those marginalized by incarceration and addiction, and her goal is to one day create a foundation that works to end the cycle of recidivism that Mass Incarceration fuels and feeds. She enjoys life to the fullest, even when it is full of the challenges and rigors of being a full-time student, minister, life-partner to Tysha Hayes, and parent to an 2 year old Pitt Bull puppy named Rootie Marie.

We’ll have an informal Q and A with her during coffee hour. Come join us!

________________________

Rosario Ibarra, Disciples of Christ Church Extension Fund advisor, June 9

From Rev. Ibarra:

“If our church buildings could talk, what story would they tell? Challenging times inspire creativity in our communities of faith. Let’s explore how our congregations are responding to God’s call to mission and ministry.”

Rosario is building and capital services advisor for Disciples Church Extension Fund and is passionate about the church using its space to its fullest extent. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ricardo Palma University in 
Peru and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. She is originally from Peru.

On Sunday, May 19 at 3pm, we’ll gather in the Sanctuary to do three things:

1. Worship
2. Ordain Lauren and install her as Minster for Urban Outreach
3. Eat. A lot.

Pastor Lauren graduated with an M.Div from Emory University in Atlanta in 2013, thinking she wanted to be a hospital chaplain. However, she found after graduation that her call had changed. She didn’t know what it had changed into, until God led her to parish ministry. Now, she’s saying “yes” to the call God has for her life, and being ordained in the United Church of Christ!

An ordination is a special occasion, and we’ll be celebrating with bluegrass hymns, prayer, Communion and of course, the Laying on of Hands to bless Lauren for her ministry. Afterwards we’ll be enjoying some soul food from Jackie’s Place, as well as cake and refreshments courtesy of the hospitality team at USSJ.

This event is free, and the more, the merrier!

Image by Wallpressions.

Friday, May 3, 7:30am

Though Recovery Cafe isn’t a ministry of Urban Sanctuary–that is, RCSJ has its own staff and governance–we are very proud to support the work they do. Also, many of our members work with or participate in the various programs RCSJ offers, providing and receiving services to folks who are homeless or struggling with addiction. Their presence downtown, and in our building, is a blessing and a gift, to us and to the community.

So come join RCSJ for a celebratory breakfast, on May 3 at 7:30! This is a major event and will feature the RCSJ Chorus, the presence of donors and local government, and of course, RCSJ members themselves. Click here to register. 

Hope to see you there!

Looking for a place to worship on Easter morning? Someplace that’s open and affirming, welcoming and spiritually rooted in the message and ministry of Jesus? Come join us!

10 am @ Urban Sanctuary

80 N. 5th Street

San Jose, CA 95110

Fancy dress not required. Kids are welcome in the sanctuary. There’ll be Scripture reading, a Message, Communion (you don’t need to be a member, and if you’d rather not participate we won’t force you), and fellowship time afterwards. We will sing out of the hymnal, so if you don’t know a song, don’t worry–the music is available! And if you can’t read music, still don’t worry: everyone else sings pretty loud anyway.

On-site, free parking, which is worth giving thanks for no matter what holiday we’re celebrating.

USSJ is partnering with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) at Sacred Heart, to bring you a very special event! “Encouraging, Empowering, and Equipping Allies: Using the White Ally Toolkit to Help Dismantle Racism, One Conversation at a Time,” with Dr. David Campt, will be held on April 7, from 2-5 PM, at 160 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95112.

This is USSJ’s next step after our book club around White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, which asked us to think critically about white privilege and, closer to home, why our church itself is mostly white, and how to change the culture so that it’s more welcoming to people of color. Check out the video below to see what to expect.

Street parking is free on Sundays. Register here, and please note that payment is on a sliding scale. We are covering Dr. Campt’s costs; this is not a fundraiser for either SURJ or USSJ.

See you there!