Events
See events on our calendar and see below for more details.
All our welcome to our events that include:
Special Services for Holy Seasons
Volunteer Opportunities
Carillon School Fundraiser: Under the Western Sky
Join us for an unforgettable adults-only evening benefiting Carillon Preschool.
Ethics, Religion, and AI: What Kind of Future Are We Building?
Overview
AI panel exploring ethics, religion, and the future of artificial intelligence and what kind of world we are building together.
Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of our lives, from how we work to how we understand creativity, ethics, and even how we understand ourselves.
Join us for a timely conversation with leaders in technology, ethics, and faith as we explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents, and consider what kind of future we are building together.
Panelists
Fr. John D. Whitney, SJ Fr. Whitney is a native of San Mateo who spent much of his ministry in the Pacific Northwest. Since returning to the Bay Area, he has served at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco and now he is the Assistant for Pastoral Care at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. Father Whiney brings his deep background in theology, education, and pastoral leadership to conversations on ethics and emerging technologies.
Christine McLeavey Christine leads an audio research team at OpenAI, where she has worked since 2018. Her team has contributed to groundbreaking models including Whisper, ChatGPT’s original voice mode, MuseNet, and Jukebox. Beyond her work in AI, she is a classically trained pianist who performs chamber music across the Bay Area and is a very proud mom of three children, all of whom attended and loved Carillon Preschool at Christ Church Portola Valley.
Adnan Iftekhar CEO of Catalyst Consulting and author of AI Culture Shift, Adnan works with leaders across business, education, and government to explore the ethical and human implications of artificial intelligence. His work focuses on responsible innovation, AI governance, and ensuring that human judgment, dignity, and adaptability remain at the center of technological change.
Reception to follow: wine, cheese, and continued conversation in the library.
Attendees are invited to submit a question for the panel when registering.
All are welcome! RSVP here.
Flower Power
Come and see what it takes to design and arrange a large floral arrangement.
The Rev. Deacon Lauren P. McCombs has been designing flowers for over thirty-five years. She owned Carlmont Village Florist and designed flowers for Filoli’s Manor House. An exhibitor representing Filoli on two occasions at the de Young “Bouquet to Arts” exhibit, Deacon Lauren willshare the secrets to what makes flowers last longer as well as her insights to create a floral masterpiece!
About The Rev. Lauren P. McCombs
Deacon Lauren has been attracted to flowers since she was a little girl growing up in San Jose, CA. As an adult, her love for gardening led her to create an oasis in her backyard. Here are a few professional highlights:
- From 1995 to 2000, she owned Carlmont Village Florist and created floral arrangements that met the unique needs of each customer. She doubled the revenues in the first year.
- From 2003 to 2020 Deacon Lauren designed flowers for the Manor House at Filoli, a National Historic Monument located in Woodside, CA. Seh served as the co-lead of the forty talented designers.
- In 2019, Deacon Lauren represented Filoli and created a design for the de Young Museum “Bouquets to Art Exhibit” complementing the painting by Gustav Grunswald, The Niagara River at the Cataract.
May 21, 2026 | Community Dinner
Pizza and Play!
The end of the school year is approaching and summer is just around the corner. Come to relax with others over pizza and games.
Evensong at CCPVW
Join the musicians and clergy of Christ Church for a collaborative Evensong featuring four of our neighboring Episcopal churches. Click here to learn more.
Organ Recital (AGO Chapter)
Local organists young and old share their talents on Christ Church’s Visser-Rowland Pipe Organ.
Episcopal 101
If you are curious about the basic history, ethos and faithful practices of the Episcopal Church please plan to join Rev. Matt for a Sunday Morning Forum on Sunday, April 19th, in the Library.
This program is especially designed for newcomers to the Anglican Christian tradition, but all are welcome.
Questions of all kinds are encouraged!
Voices in the Valley | Ted Robinson
Join us for a very special morning conversation with Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Ted Robinson.
From his early days at Notre Dame to a career covering 15 Olympic Games, Wimbledon, and the French Open, he will share personal stories, professional insights, and reflections on a remarkable likfe in sports, travel, and storytelling.
Honored with four Emmys, Ted has created countless unforgettable sports and family memories along the way. In addition to his broadcasting work, he serves on the board of East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT) and is a lifetime Council Member of Caminar, supporting mental health, substance use, and well-being services throughout the Bay Area.
This is a very special conversation, and we look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be an insightful and memorable morning.
Organ Recital (Loreto Aramendi)
Join us for an organ recital by Loreto Aramendi, international concertist from San Sebastián, Spain!
Sunday Forum Series | Ukrainian Easter Eggs!
Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Egg) Making with Mark Zdeblick
Healing Service
Spiritual healing is God's work of offering us balance, harmony, and wholeness of body, mind, spirit. Healing was an essential part of Jesus' earthly ministry that offered unconditional love to all. Through such healing, God works to bring about reconciliation between God and humanity, among our communities, as well as for ourselves. We can achieve this healing now, through confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
St. Benedictine's teaches us that "it is that certainty of that love, that total and unconditional love, that total and unconditional love makes all things possible, that we can dare to move forward on the path of healing, transformation and new life."
Voices in the Valley | Walter Moore
Protecting the Land That Shapes Our Lives
Walter Moore has spent over 30 years at Peninsula Open Space Trust, where he played a central role in protecting open space throughout the Bay Area and Santa Cruz region. During his tenure, he served as General Counsel, Executive Vice President, and President, and now continues to support POST as an Advisor.
This presentation will be livestreamed: youtube.com/@ccpvw.
Sunday Forum Series | Living with Contradiction
Rev. Matt will draw on the themes of Living with Contradiction
Community Dinner | Celtic Christian Spirituality
Join us for dinner! Rev. Matt will share reflections on the significance of St. Patrick.
St. Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is a 5th-century Roman-British Christian missionary who brought Christianity to the Irish people
Taize Service
An hour-long service of contemplative music and prayer.
A Taizé service is a meditative, ecumenical Christian worship service originating from the monastic Taizé Community in France. Founded by Brother Roger (Roger Louis Schütz-Marsauche) in the 1940s, it focuses on prayer, silence, and song, specifically designed to foster reconciliation and peace. Services are characterized by candlelight, repetitive chants (ostinatos), and profound, extended silence for contemplation.
Sunday Forum Series | Contemplative Prayer Part 2
Contemplative Prayer Part 2: Centering Prayer with Rev. Matt
Rise Against Hunger
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Service Event
Join the Christ Church Los altos & Ventana School community to pack meals for Rise Against Hunger in the Parish Hall, on Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Our previous events have been fun, energizing and inspiring as we came together to make a positive impact and provide food for over 10,000 families in an impoverished country. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate - there is something for everyone to do. All are welcome! Registration is required, click here to register. We need volunteers for set up and clean up, you also can sign up for either of those when you register (you can check multiple boxes when you register).
Sunday Forum Series | Contemplative Prayer Part 1
Contemplative Prayer Part 1 with Deacon Lauren and Jocelyn
If Music Be the Food of Love: A Shakespeare Recital
VON BRINGHURST (Countertenor) and ASHLEY SERRANO (Guitar) present the Music of Shakespeare.
Voices in the Valley | Craig & Lisa Reid
The Heart Talk: Reduce Your Risk This could be the most important presentation you ever hear.
On February 3, 2025, Craig Reid’s heart stopped just outside a San Francisco BART station. He was 57 years old and had experienced the most deadly form of heart attack – the widowmaker. He was given hands-only CPR by a bystander who hadn’t taken CPR training since a teenager, four decades before.
Miraculously, he recovered. His wife, Lisa, initiated her own preventative cardiac care due to her own family history of heart disease. Together they highlight how prevention and self- advocacy are key to saving lives.
Evensong at St. Mark’s
Join the musicians and clergy of Christ Church for a collaborative Evensong at St. Mark’s in Palo Alto centering black composers. Click here to learn more.
Ash Wednesday Service
Come for the Imposition of Ashes, be reminded of our life in common and leave inspired to practice a faithful Season of Lent. Service begins at and will conclude by 1pm.
Pancake Breakfast Celebrating Shrove Sunday
Let’s make pancakes! Breakfast will be served immediately following our 10am service in preparation for the beginning of Lent a few days later on Ash Wednesday.
Community Dinner | St. Valentine's Day
Listen to love songs from the bell tower from 5:45-6:05pm, then join us for dinner at 6:15pm.
Deacon Lauren will share the story of St. Valentine. All are welcome!
Community Dinner | MLK's Legacy
Dr. Martin Luther King enjoyed family meals, such as this one, where his favorite Southern foods were often served.
Chili Cook-Off
Join us for the much-requested return of our Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the Stewardship Committee!
Christmas Day Worship and Brunch
Members of Christ Church are warmly welcome to join our neighbors in Los Altos at the home of Rev. Claire Dietrich Ranna for a festive service of Christmas Carols and Eucharist (in collaboration with CCPVW musicians!).
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Our Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve celebrates the wonder of the Nativity with beautiful choral music, beloved carols and the Holy Eucharist, all in a cozy setting of twinkling lights. Join us in the parish hall afterwards for hot cider and cookies.