Westhope Upcoming Events

Social Justice
Sep
16

Social Justice

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 3PM

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ allyship, promoting human rights for Palestinians, and deconstructing Christian nationalism. If you are passionate about these or other topics, please join us – we would love to hear from you.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact – with more joy – as we work for justice. Join us first or third Wednesday afternoons to learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community, we CAN make a difference.

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THIRD THURSDAY FILM NIGHT: Palestine ‘36
Sep
17

THIRD THURSDAY FILM NIGHT: Palestine ‘36

Palestine, 1936. The uprising that took on an Empire. As villages across Mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule, Yusuf drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest. But history is relentless. With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe, and the Palestinian population uniting in the largest and longest uprising against Britain's 30-year dominion, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.

Guest Speaker: Alexander Key, Stanford Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature

Film screening followed by a discussion
Thursday September 17 | Film at 6pm

Doors Open At 5:30pm

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Faith and Democracy - A Voter Primer Class
Sep
20

Faith and Democracy - A Voter Primer Class

Faith and Democracy - A Voter Primer Class

As we begin to turn our attention to the midterms, Pastor Erik Swanson will take time to talk about voting, the values on which we base our voting, and the issues that may be at stake in these midterms. He will NOT be telling or suggesting how we vote. Instead, we will look at deeper issues and way to express our faith through the sacred voice of a vote.

There is an accompanying toolkit that you can access via the link below.

This is a hybrid event on Zoom and on the Westhope campus.

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Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Sep
24

Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar

ARE YOU…

  • Spiritual but not religious?

  • Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

  • Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

  • Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

  • Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

  • Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

  • Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?


JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

SPIRITUAL STEW
Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Meets Twice Monthly 7 to 9PM
Fall Schedule:
 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5


WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

  • We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

  • We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

  • We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

  • Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

  • Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

  • All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
    not to impose beliefs on others.



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Grateful Gatherings
Sep
27

Grateful Gatherings

Join others to explore the transformative possibilities of grateful living, and discover greater meaning, purpose, and joy in your life. Grateful Gatherings take place every month both online and in homes and communities around the globe. 

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Modern Day Concentration Camps: A Faithful Response
Sep
13

Modern Day Concentration Camps: A Faithful Response

You've heard about the planned detention centers in Gilroy and Dublin. Now, come learn about the detention centers from someone from our congregation who has been there. Long-time immigrant rights activist, Meredith Hurley, will share about her recent visit to the California City detention center and how she has been organizing with local groups to support our immigrant neighbors. You will also be invited to faithfully participate in upcoming local actions to prevent the further development of the detention centers in Gilroy and Dublin.

About our speaker: Meredith Hurley has been a volunteer with the Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County since 2017 and has organized with Showing Up for Racial Justice, the Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, and Pangea Legal Services on a number of local immigrant rights campaigns.

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Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Sep
10

Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar

ARE YOU…

  • Spiritual but not religious?

  • Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

  • Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

  • Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

  • Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

  • Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

  • Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?


JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

SPIRITUAL STEW
Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Meets Twice Monthly 7 to 9PM
Fall Schedule:
 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5


WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

  • We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

  • We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

  • We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

  • Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

  • Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

  • All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
    not to impose beliefs on others.



View Event →
Social Justice
Sep
2

Social Justice

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 3PM

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ allyship, promoting human rights for Palestinians, and deconstructing Christian nationalism. If you are passionate about these or other topics, please join us – we would love to hear from you.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact – with more joy – as we work for justice. Join us first or third Wednesday afternoons to learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community, we CAN make a difference.

View Event →
Silicon Valley Pride Parade: Walk with Westhope!
Aug
30

Silicon Valley Pride Parade: Walk with Westhope!

Walk With Westhope!

We are proud to announce our second year attending SV Pride!

SV Pride happens each year in August and the activities are focused on celebrating love, diversity, and community. We invite everyone to come and join us in showing support. To learn more, sign up to attend, participate in a carpool, please fill out the form.

It’s a lot of fun – we hope you will join us!

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Grateful Gatherings
Aug
23

Grateful Gatherings

Join others to explore the transformative possibilities of grateful living, and discover greater meaning, purpose, and joy in your life. Grateful Gatherings take place every month both online and in homes and communities around the globe. 

View Event →
Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Aug
20

Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar

ARE YOU…

  • Spiritual but not religious?

  • Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

  • Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

  • Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

  • Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

  • Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

  • Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?


JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

SPIRITUAL STEW
Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Meets Twice Monthly 7 to 9PM
Fall Schedule:
 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5


WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

  • We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

  • We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

  • We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

  • Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

  • Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

  • All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
    not to impose beliefs on others.



View Event →
Social Justice
Aug
19

Social Justice

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 3PM

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ allyship, promoting human rights for Palestinians, and deconstructing Christian nationalism. If you are passionate about these or other topics, please join us – we would love to hear from you.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact – with more joy – as we work for justice. Join us first or third Wednesday afternoons to learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community, we CAN make a difference.

View Event →
Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Aug
6

Spiritual Stew: Community Event Hosted by Eric Dittmar

ARE YOU…

  • Spiritual but not religious?

  • Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

  • Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

  • Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

  • Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

  • Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

  • Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?


JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

SPIRITUAL STEW
Hosted by Eric Dittmar
Meets Twice Monthly 7 to 9PM
Fall Schedule:
 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5


WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

  • We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

  • We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

  • We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

  • Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

  • Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

  • All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
    not to impose beliefs on others.



View Event →
Social Justice
Aug
5

Social Justice

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 3PM

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ allyship, promoting human rights for Palestinians, and deconstructing Christian nationalism. If you are passionate about these or other topics, please join us – we would love to hear from you.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact – with more joy – as we work for justice. Join us first or third Wednesday afternoons to learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community, we CAN make a difference.

View Event →