Highlights of Past Events at St. Paul's
The community of St. Paul's offers many opportunities to learn and grow. Here are highlights of previous events from the current program year:
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Echoes of Eureka
April 19 | 4pm
Explore a fascinating chapter of the Chinese American experience in California through Echoes of Eureka, a multimedia program melding opera and film, followed by an illuminating panel discussion on the making of the show, the history and its contemporary reflections, such as citizenship, immigration, and reparations. Christ Church’s former Director of Music Eric Tuan’s opera Echoes of Eureka, performed by the 40 voices of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, tells the true story of the 1885 expulsion of the Chinese community in Humboldt and their subsequent fight for justice and dignity. The opera is paired with Chisato Hughes’ powerful film Many Moons, in which Chinese community members search for those who may have survived Humboldt’s 1885 expulsion and 60 years of enforced exclusion – the only known survivor being Charlie Moon, whose descendants are Native tribal members. Moon's story is one of those told in Echoes of Eureka. A panel discussion featuring Tuan and Hughes will illuminate the genesis of the opera and film and explore this little known facet of California’s history.
Please join the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, and Christ Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. to explore this little known facet of California’s history. This event is free and will be held at Christ Episcopal Church (1040 Border Road, Los Altos). Your RSVP here will help us plan for the event and reception to follow.
Echoes of Eureka
April 19 | 4pm
Explore a fascinating chapter of the Chinese American experience in California through Echoes of Eureka, a multimedia program melding opera and film, followed by an illuminating panel discussion on the making of the show, the history and its contemporary reflections, such as citizenship, immigration, and reparations. Christ Church’s former Director of Music Eric Tuan’s opera Echoes of Eureka, performed by the 40 voices of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, tells the true story of the 1885 expulsion of the Chinese community in Humboldt and their subsequent fight for justice and dignity. The opera is paired with Chisato Hughes’ powerful film Many Moons, in which Chinese community members search for those who may have survived Humboldt’s 1885 expulsion and 60 years of enforced exclusion – the only known survivor being Charlie Moon, whose descendants are Native tribal members. Moon's story is one of those told in Echoes of Eureka. A panel discussion featuring Tuan and Hughes will illuminate the genesis of the opera and film and explore this little known facet of California’s history.
Please join the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, and Christ Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. to explore this little known facet of California’s history. This event is free and will be held at Christ Episcopal Church (1040 Border Road, Los Altos). Your RSVP here will help us plan for the event and reception to follow.
Hike at Fort Funston hosted by the Healing Team
Saturday, April 25 |9:45am
meet at the Northwest Corner of the Fort Funston parking lot
Come hike together! The trail is approximately 3.4 miles out and back and is relatively flat. Parking is free, but can be crowded. So allow time to park recommended.
What to Bring: Bring your best walking shoes; sunscreen, a hat, layers (as it can be both cold and hot on the same hike) Water and a snack are recommended.
Dogs: Dogs are permitted at Fort Funston. But if you bring your dog we ask that you please keep them on leash for the duration of the hike to prevent trips, falls and discomfort of any attendee.
RSVP: Let us know you will be coming so that we can watch for you. Email Leslie Smith at Lasnvst@gmail.com
This is a beautiful hike along the Bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is a hike that is considered easy. If you are an expert hiker and want to extend your walk, there are additional trails.
Fort Funston - Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
Florence the Musical
Sunday, April 26 | 4pm
The Choir School invites you to the premiere of their original musical on the life and music of Florence Price (1887-1953), America’s first celebrated Black woman composer.
Follow her inspiring life in word and song from Little Rock, to the premiere of her First Symphony in e minor by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, to a 2009 rediscovery of her manuscripts in an abandoned attic. The performance highlights music by Florence Price for choir, solo voice, piano and organ. Free-will donation. A reception follows.
Interfaith Comedy: God, We're Funny
April 26 | 7:30pm | Peninsula Jewish Community Center
Interfaith Comedy reduces prejudice through laughter. This unique show is a nationally touring, 90 minute “clean” comedy show (70 minutes of stand-up, followed by a 20 minute Q&A). The comedians make fun of their own religion and/or culture, but no one else’s. This is feel-good “edutainment.” Go to https://pjcc.org/event/interfaith-comedy/ to buy individual tickets at $20 plus fees.
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POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN! (updated 04.10 @ 1pm)
Interested? Get on the list to receive a notification of the upcoming date.
Morning Prayer on the Beach
Sunday, April 12 | 11am
Poplar Beach, Half Moon Bay
Celebrate Eastertide informally along the coast where God’s creation is evermore vibrant and new.
8am & 10am services are still happening at St. Paul's.
The Circle's Final Spring Donation Drive-Thru Drop Off
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 10am - 1:30pm
Occidental Parking Lot
This is your last chance to drop off items before the big Spring Rummage Sale! Donating is effortless: just pull up and our volunteers will handle all the heavy lifting. We are gratefully accepting new or gently used items to support the community.
Please enter the drive-thru via Occidental, and remember to check our updated Donation Acceptance List before you arrive.
Holy Week & Easter Schedule
Maundy Thursday | April 2
5:30pm Community Meal
7:30pm Holy Eucharist & Foot Washing
Good Friday | April 3
7:30pm Service
Easter Vigil | April 4
7:30pm Holy Eucharist beginning with fire and candlelight
Easter Sunday | April 5
9am Choral Eucharist
10:30am Egg Hunt in the Playground!
11:15am Choral Eucharist
Help Us Pack Hope
Hygiene Drive for Samaritan House | items by Maundy Thursday, April 2
Let’s ensure our neighbors have the essentials they need. We are collecting new, travel-sized toiletries to support the Samaritan House of San Mateo County.We need: Shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine/dental hygiene products, nail clippers, combs, and new socks/underwear. Get Involved: Volunteers (ages 5+) are needed to pack kits on April 2 during the Agape meal.
Palm Sunday with The Chosen
Sunday, March 29 | 11:30-12:30pm
Higbie Library
Watch Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. Light brunch will be served as we share our reflections on The Chosen’s latest Season.
Making Palm Crosses
Sunday, March 22 | 11:15am at Hospitali-tea
Learn how to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday!
Lenten Evensong
Sunday, March 15 | 4pm
You are invited to pray through the song of evening prayer on this Fourth Sunday in Lent. This choral service will include evening canticles by Orlando Gibbons and an Irish Blessing by Ross Bernhardt. A reception follows in Brewer Hall.
Jesus for Everyone (Not Just Christians)
Wednesday, March 11 | Brewer Hall
5:30pm Community Dinner
6pm Conversation: Theme - Family Values
The spiritual journey invites us to emulate God’s values as Jesus’ life takes root in us.
Amy-Jill Levine’s book will seed our monthly conversations. You are encouraged but not required to read her text as a backdrop to this small group experience. All are welcome!
Come as you can, for any or all sessions.
Enjoy a simple supper and exploration together. Find the book at local and online booksellers.
Conversation Themes from the Book
Sept 24 | Economics
Oct 22 | Enslavement
Nov 19 | Ethnicity and Race
Jan 14 | Health Care
Feb 11 | Family Values
March 11 | Politics
Evensong & Talk by Mia Malhotra
Sunday, February 22 | 4pm
You are invited to pray through the song of evening prayer on this First Sunday in Lent. This February 22nd Evensong will include a setting of the e. e. cummings poem i thank You God by Eric Whitacre. A talk on Creativity and Spirit by poet Mia Ayumi Malhotra will follow, including reflections on spiritual community and writing as a vocation, with refreshments offered in the chapel.
DioCal Equipping Day
Saturday, February 28 | 10am-3pm
Leadership training for vestries, bishop’s committees, and other lay leaders.
Interested in volunteering? Go here.
Interested in attending?
For more information, go here.
To register, go here.
Preacher Series | Señor Antonio Lopez
Sunday, March 1 | 10am | Church
We are honored to welcome Antonio De Jesús López, ALAS and San Mateo County Poet Laureate, an award-winning poet, author, and community leader shaped by his roots in East Palo Alto. Join us as he brings a powerful, poetic voice to the pulpit, weaving faith, lived experience, and the beauty of language.
Lenten Retreat with Jocelyn A. Sideco
Saturday, March 7 | 9am-4pm
Sunday, March 8 | 9am-9:45am; 11:15-12:30pm
Come for a contemplative weekend retreat, featuring insights, practices, and reflections from St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises.
In addition to Saturday’s day-long session, from 9am to 4pm, Jocelyn will offer two more sessions of practice between Sunday services, one from 9-9:45am and another from 11:15am to 12:30pm.
Conversation Themes from the Book
Sept 24 | Economics
Oct 22 | Enslavement
Feb 11 | Family Values
March 11 | Politics
Nov 19 | Ethnicity and Race
Jan 14 | Health Care
Jesus for Everyone (Not Just Christians)
Wednesday, March 11 | Brewer Hall
5:30pm Community Dinner
6pm Conversation: Theme - Family Values
The spiritual journey invites us to emulate God’s values as Jesus’ life takes root in us.
Amy-Jill Levine’s book will seed our monthly conversations. You are encouraged but not required to read her text as a backdrop to this small group experience. All are welcome!
Come as you can, for any or all sessions.
Enjoy a simple supper and exploration together. Find the book at local and online booksellers.
The Circle's Pi Day Donation Drive-Thru Drop Off
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 10am - 1:30pm
Occidental Parking Lot
Donating is as easy as pie! Just pull up and our volunteers will do the heavy lifting. We are gratefully accepting new or gently used items to support the community.
Please enter the drive-thru via Occidental, and note that our team will adhering to our updated Donation Acceptance List.
St. Paul's Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 1 | 11:15am | Foote Hall
Celebrate God’s love at St. Paul’s with a rousing 2025 year in review. Reflect on the generous ways people contribute to the vitality of our community. Elect new members to the Vestry, Diocesan delegates, and Trustees. Relish highlights and strategic priority updates from leadership, including the vestry-approved Operating Budget for 2026. Anticipate seminal milestones & parish-wide celebrations yet to come!
Healing Team and Reach & Teach
Tuesday, February 3 | 6:30pm | Higbie Library
Craig Wiesner and Derrick Kikuchi, owners of Reach & Teach, will present and you will get to use Go Wish cards, a wonderful and fun sorting card game to help you easily start a comfortable conversation and choose your own way – in life, and at the end-of-life. Refreshments will be served.
The Annual Marcia McCowin Concert
January 25, 2026 | 4pm
The Annual Marcia McCowin Concert arose from the visionary sparkle of Marcia McCowin, who designated an estate gift to St. Paul’s Burlingame to highlight the work of women composers and poets. Dr. McCowin (1952-2020) was a Professor of Clinical Radiology at UCSF, a generous supporter of Music at St. Paul’s, and an inspiration to all who knew her.
The 2026 concert program features the cantata Lobgesang (Song of Praise) by Fanny Hensel, performed by the Choir of St. Paul’s and the New Century Chamber Orchestra.
The program also includes a discussion with Indian-American composer Shruthi Rajasekar and poet Mia Ayumi Malhotra on their collaboration in the anthem “O this fluted Marvel,” premiered at the Christmas concert. The portraits shown here were commissioned from Dutch artist Margit van der Zwan, and are displayed as part of the composer timeline in the choir room.
Shruthi Rajasekar will be visiting St. Paul’s throughout this weekend, including a workshop with St. Paul’s Choristers on hymn composition.
Read more about this award-winning young musician at www.shruthirajasekar.com.
Everyone can play a role in healing the wounds of foster care
Preaching Series: The Rev. Rebecca Edwards
Jan. 25 | 8am & 10am | 11:15am Community Conversation
Co-founder of Braid Mission, an organization that supports foster youth through intergenerational teams of volunteers, the Rev. Rebecca Edwards has ministered within and beyond the Episcopal Church for 14 years. From leadership of Big Brother Big Sister in her hometown of Chattanooga to ongoing ministry with young people, Rev. Rebecca’s wisdom continues to guide Braid’s model, which holds that all children deserve to be surrounded by adults who encourage and empower them and that volunteers need supportive community to thrive.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 19 | 8am | San Bruno Mountain ecosystem
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a unique opportunity to work side by side with those of other faiths and cultures to benefit our local community. St. Paul's participants are encouraged to sign-up for a project, do the service and meet people, and return the following Sunday, January 25 to share your experiences with one another.
If you are a family with teens, St. Paul's is organizing a contingent to contribute to the "Help restore San Bruno Mtn's ecosystem” project.
Midwinter Sound Bath with Logos Sound Journey
January 13, 2026 | 7-8:30pm
What better gift could we bring than a symphony of soothing sounds to ring in resilience, peace, and well-being in 2026?
Your own mat, blankets, and pillows will create physical comfort during this immersive experience. Register early and invite your friends and family!
Sign up online at tinyurl.com/Logos-Events. Apply coupon code SP2026 at check out to save 100% off the regular registration cost!
Contact Rev. Sarah with any questions. Register early and invite your friends and family!
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Circle's Donation Drive-Thru Drop Off
Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 10am - 1:30pm
Occidental Parking Lot
Our cheerful volunteers will meet you at your car to accept new or gently used items this Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Please enter the drive-thru via Occidental at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and note that our team will strictly follow the updated Donation Acceptance List.
Preacher Series: The Rev. Susanna Singer, “What are we waiting for?”
Dec. 14 | 8am & 10am services
in Community Conversation with Beth Stokes at 11:15am
Episcopal Community Services has decades of experience addressing the complex issues that cause people to fall into homelessness. Come with your questions and concerns as we reflect on the needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors, and how we can help them.
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Community T'ai Chi
Wednesday, Dec. 10
5pm | Foote Hall
Jeff Madonich will guide our gentle and grounding warm-up exercises. Beginner and experienced levels are welcome for this gathering, a perfect prelude to the community potluck and Blue Christmas experience.
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Soup & Salad Potluck
Wednesday, Dec. 10
6pm | Brewer Hall
Come enjoy the comfort of a simple supper shared with friends. Bring a soup, salad, bread and cheese, fruit, or simply your appetite!
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Blue Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 10
7pm | Church
This quiet evening offers space to acknowledge the complexity of our emotions in this sometimes difficult season. Come rest in the grace of readings, rituals, prayers, and music.
The Circle's Christmas Tea
Saturday, December 6
Please join this festive celebration on December 6! The Circle’s Boutique will open at 1:30pm and tea will be served at 2pm. Reservations may be made from Sunday, Nov. 16 after the 8am and 10am services. Space is limited. This is a great way to kick off the holidays!
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 7 | 4pm
The service of Advent Lessons and Carols carries us from darkness to the light of seeing God among us. Carols for congregation and choir alternating with lessons of the prophets include all in a dramatic candlelight procession to the good news of the Gospel of Luke.
Percussionist Ahmad Yousefi will accompany the choir on congos for André Thomas’s arrangement of the spiritual "Keep your lamps" and snare drum and tambourine for John Gardner’s "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day."
Christmas with The Chosen
November 30 | 11:30am-12:45pm
Come to watch the entire 45 minute special episode of The Chosen, depicting the birth of Christ, followed by a 30 minute chat with the gathered Chosen fans.
Advent Giving Tree
November 23-December 21
St. Paul's Giving Tree for advent kicked off last Sunday and will continue with tags to choose for food and gifts this Sunday. Please stop by the parish hall on Sunday to pick up a tag or tags to help one of the Samaritan House families that we are supporting this Christmas. Want to help but can't attend church this Sunday, contact Tish.
There are also different ways to help on Sunday, December 21 when we will be wrapping sorting food for the families and making deliveries.
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Preparing for Advent
Wednesday, November 19 | 7pm | Church
Come to pray with the themes of the upcoming season. Try a new practice, consider the themes of the Gospel as we travel together through the re-telling of the Nativity story.
Advent Festival
Sunday, November 23 | 11:15am | Foote Hall
This cherished tradition anticipates Advent (which starts on November 30) and offers intergenerational activities including Advent wreath-making, candle-lighting with our luminous Acolyte Team, and the launch of our Advent Giving Tree.
Luminous Reading with Bishop Bill Swing
Monday, September 18 | 7pm | Church
This workshop will equip readers of all ages—especially lectors and intercessors—to confidently serve in worship with the aid of tried-and-true techniques. Come discover what makes Scripture spring to life! All are warmly invited, whether you are currently a lector or curious about this important Sunday ministry!
Choral Evensong
September 17, 2023
All are invited to the first Choral Evensong of the Fall, on Sunday, September 17. In a candlelit church, pause in delight as the Choir of St. Paul’s leads a 45-minute service of sung evening prayer for the Holy Cross:
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) | Caritas abundat
Katie Burk Webb (b. 1990) | Preces and Responses
Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980) | Magnificat & Nunc dimittis
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange (b. 1971) | The Chorister’s Prayer
Sarah MacDonald (b. 1968)| Crux fidelis (Words: Emily Dickinson and Emilia Lanier)
Summer Choir
Sundays, August 6-September 3
All are invited to join in the Summer Choir, Sundays August 6 through September 3. Drop-in to rehearse at 9am and sing with the choir at the 10am Holy Eucharist on those five Sundays - for one, a few, or all Sundays. This is a terrific way to experience singing in the choir at St. Paul’s. The 2023-24 season officially begins after Labor Day, including mid-week choir rehearsals, and the Choir of St. Paul’s returns for the 10am Holy Eucharist on September 10. Email the director, Dr. Susan Jane Matthews, at smatthews@stpaulsburlingame.org to receive summer choir scores and for more information on joining the choir this Fall.
Read more at www.stpaulsburlingame.org/choirs