We want to introduce Lizanne, baptized on January 20, 2024, at Pacifica State Beach and now our sister in The City Fellowship Group. She was brought to church by her roommate, Neleen, who has been a disciple for over ten years. Despite her struggles and challenges, Lizanne searched for the redemptive love of Jesus and studied the bible with great eagerness and without hesitation or pause. She is adored and respected by her family, grandkids, nieces, and friends as they witnessed her decision to follow Jesus on her baptism day.

Lizanne and Neleen were roommates in Redwood City for three months. As a fellowship, we admire her outgoing personality, kindness, gratitude, strength, courage, and love for people. She applies and puts into practice all the lessons learned from her studies. It is a privilege to know her as a roommate, a friend, and now our sister in Christ! 

Lizanne, welcome to the Kingdom of God and the SF Bay Fellowship Family!

Nellen, The City Fellowship Group

An Opportunity for Learning, Honoring & Healing

Black History Month is celebrated every year in February. In this country, it is a time to recognize, celebrate, and honor Americans with African ancestors and to acknowledge their central role in the history of the United States.

This celebration began back in the early 1900s when Carter G. Woodson celebrated Black History as an event on a week-long basis yearly. However, it wasn't until 1970 that this became a month-long celebration that happened first at Kent State in Ohio. Then, six years later, it was celebrated all over the country by different institutions, like community centers, colleges, and universities. Finally, in 1976, Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month at our country's bicentennial celebration. He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Many events are happening around the Bay Area in honor of National Black History Month. Below is an article with some of those events, but it only includes some events happening around the Bay. Some events are at Cal, others at Stanford, many at museums in Oakland and San Francisco, and then there is the Annual Joy Parade in Oakland on Feb 25, with events from 12:00 PM to 7 PM, and their parade starts at 12:30 PM.

The Bible is a book of history. God's story. He loves history, and he loves the truth. The Bible acknowledges the oppressed and those treated with injustice and calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, do justice, and love mercy. Many resources speak to biblical justice. This month, take the time to read a book about it or listen to a sermon or podcast. Take this opportunity to learn more about this topic from a biblical perspective. Honor the less honored, love the historically oppressed, and acknowledge the truth of history in this country. 

Micah 6:7-8 Does the Lord take pleasure in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my firstborn for my wrongdoings, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Mental health, often shrouded in stigma and misconceptions, can be a challenging topic to broach. For 27 years, as a devoted member of our church, I've witnessed families silently grappling with the burden of mental illness, hindered by societal stereotypes and fears. I've also seen compassionate individuals within our congregation, yearning to support their loved ones but unsure of how to navigate the complexities of mental health.

Recognizing the profound impact of faith and spirituality on the path to recovery, NAMI-Santa Clara County is committed to breaking down the barriers that surround mental health within faith communities. We understand that for many, the church serves as a sanctuary, a refuge, and a source of solace. However, the reality is that countless faith leaders and individuals of faith often lack the knowledge and tools necessary to guide, support, and empower those affected by mental illness.

I currently work for NAMI-Santa Clara, and in response to these pressing needs, NAMI-Santa Clara County is proud to announce a series of free online events aimed at fostering mental health awareness and equipping faith leaders to be allies in this important journey. We believe that faith communities have the potential to be powerful allies in the fight against mental health stigma, offering a safe space for healing and support.

We invite all members of our congregation and beyond to join us in these transformative events. Whether you're a faith leader, a caring disciple, or simply someone interested in creating a more inclusive and compassionate faith community, we encourage you to participate.

Event Details:

• Thu Feb 15, 2024
• Thu May 16, 2024
• Thu Aug 15, 2024
• Thu Nov 21, 2024

Time: 11:30 am -1:00 pm

Location: Online with Zoom

Register here: bit.ly/nami101

Let us come together to dismantle the barriers of stigma and fear surrounding mental health. By arming ourselves with knowledge, compassion, and empathy, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those affected by mental illness within our faith communities. Join us in this vital mission to create stigma-free faith communities that promote healing, understanding, and hope.

- Sarah, Peninsula Fellowship Group, Program Manager at NAMI-Santa Clara

FLYER: https://namisantaclara.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MH-101-Flyer-2024.pdf

DID YOU KNOW?

50% of mental illness begins at age 14.
The average person waits 8-10 years for treatment.
People with mental illnesses die on average 25 years earlier.

Join us to learn...
• Various mental illnesses and the mental health continuum
• How to support someone with a mental illness using proven techniques and methods.
• How to avoid harmful behaviors such as toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing

Please RSVP by the Monday before! Zoom information will be sent following your registration.

Join us for one of our Sunday church services or other events around the Bay.

We have an Oakland/Alameda, Tri-Valley, South Bay, Peninsula, Palo Alto, and San Francisco church service. Some of our services are meeting in the afternoon and having a Super Bowl Party and Potluck as well.

Our Winter Quarter midweek classes are continuing this week! We have four classes, some are this week and others are next week. All information is on our website. If you still need to join in on a class but would like to, please go to the event page on our website and look for the event that coincides with the class you are interested in, and there is an email there with who to contact to join the class.

We have our All Fellowship Service at the end of the month and Tarik Burton from The Valley Church will be our guest speaker. A brief bio of him is on our website.

We have many additional things happening here at the SF Bay Fellowship next month, and we hope you can join us soon!

Have a wonderful week!