We hope all of the Moms who read this had a Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you for your love, support, faithfulness, and wisdom. We hope today and every day you feel loved and blessed by God.

To the women who gave birth this year or are pregnant with their first child, we hope you had an extra special and memorable first Mother's Day.

We also wanted to acknowledge all of you who have a mom who has passed or those mom's who had a child pass away. We are so sorry for the loss you feel today, and we hope that the memories of your loved one warmed your heart this Mother's Day. God loves you and wants to comfort you. He is there to cry with you and to give you strength. We are so sorry for your pain and your loss.

We wanted to share a poem for the moms in our fellowship, that we also shared last year. We hope you enjoy it....

I Hope You Know How Much I Love You, Author: Rita Luna

To My Son [Daughter],

I hope you know how much I love you so.

I might embarrass you from time to time

By giving lots of love and needless kisses,

But you need to know Mom loves you so.

Before you were born I didn't know

Just how much I would love you so,

But when I looked into your eyes for the first time,

I felt my heart grow and grow.

A Mother's love is hard to explain,

Not everyone will feel the same.

Now that you are getting older I felt the need to tell you

Just how much I love you so.

Time may pass day after day or year after year,

But the love I have for you grows

nearer and dearer to my heart each day and year.

To my son [daughter], I hope you know just how much I love you so.

We have some absolutely amazing news to share with you! Our season singles group is growing stronger and more vibrant every week. Two weeks ago we had an absolute blast at Pinstripe in San Mateo, where we went bowling and had a fantastic time together.  We all had a chance to get to know each other better and meet some new friends. Pinstripes provided a modern take on bowling and bocce, offering a sophisticated and enjoyable experience. Their Italian-American cuisine, made from locally sourced ingredients, is top-notch. Our time spent there was simply outstanding, and we look forward to returning for another inspiring experience.

But that's not all - we have some thrilling plans for our next outing! On June 29, we'll be going kayaking in the East Bay.  The Season Singles are making unforgettable memories and we would absolutely love for you to join us! If you are interested in being part of the fun, please don't hesitate to join our WhatsApp group to stay updated on all the latest information.

We hope the singles on June 29th!

- Diana, Tri-Valley Fellowship Group

Enjoy your lunch while learning about mental health and the role of faith communities.

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 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.

Our fellowship groups will again meet in person around the Bay Area next weekend for Sunday Church Services. We would love to see you at one of our services! Many of our church events are on our website; you can see them by clicking the link below.  If you have any questions about our services, email us at community@sfbayfellowship.com or go to our website's "Find Your People" page. Each Fellowship Group around the Bay has its email posted for additional information. 

This Wednesday, we will have our All-Fellowship Zoom Midweek Service at 7:30 pm. We are continuing "Mission May" and will have some guest speakers joining us on Zoom. They will be some of the "globe changers" in the RevivEE group currently in Bucharest. To participate on Wednesday, please use this link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88694942713?pwd=ME13dGw1TWdIc0pMOVNXcmFEaHFqZz09

(Meeting ID: 886 9494 2713, Passcode: midweek)

We also have a wedding in our fellowship this upcoming weekend! Please pray that Jerry and Lynn's wedding goes well and that both their families and all of their friends have a wonderful time! We hope to share photos next week! 

Have a great week!

1 Peter 1:8-9 You have never seen Jesus, and you don't see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him, and no words can tell how glad and happy you are to be saved. This is why you have faith.