The “Dolly Mama” New Year’s Retreat with Donna Schaper!

Donna Schaper, who sometimes goes by the title “Dolly Mama” and other times by “The Rev. Dr.,” who teaches leadership at Hartford Seminary to Doctor of Ministry students, and is senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in NYC, will come visit us to say what little she knows about mature and humorous spirituality at a day-long retreat at First Church …

Stewardship Update!

Many thanks to everyone who made a sustaining giving commitment for 2020 through our church’s “Come Be a We” Stewardship Program. As of Dec 30th, the church received 169 sustaining giving commitments totaling $676,876 for 2020. Sustaining giving to First Church Berkeley enables our church to thrive as a faith community and place of transformation. We also want to thank …

Alameda County Food Bank Sign-up Opportunity

Tuesday, January 7, 8:30 – 11:30am by Charles Taylor Happy New Year to All.  Our first event of 2020 is  a shift  at the Alameda County Food Bank on Tuesday, January 7 – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. If you haven’t already confirmed that you will attend, please let Ann ([email protected]) know ASAP so that I can give a final count …

Budget Information Session

Sunday, January 19 after Worship There will be a Budget Information session after church on Sun., Jan. 19 before the Congregational Budget Vote on Sun., Jan. 26th.

Expressive Arts Therapy

Mental Health Ministry Forum:  January 12, 11:45 am in Loper Chapel Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) serves as a powerful bridge between the unconscious and conscious mind.  It can enhance a person’s emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being through its focus on “process” over traditional talk therapy, offering insight and healing for emotions and issues that may be blocked or inhibited.  …

A Year of Simple Spiritual Stories

by Molly Baskette With the new year upon us, we will have a new spiritual practice on Sunday mornings that aligns both with the “new forms of worship” and the “growing in intimacy” parts of our Vision! The big idea: A Year of Simple Spiritual Stories. Like the testimonies we have done in the past, these will be stories told …

Helpers During Rev. Kit’s Sabbatical

by Kelly Colwell and Sheryl Johnson We are excited to be helping out during Rev. Kit’s Sabattical in January and February! We will be holding some office hours, offering some pastoral care, holding some young adult events, and generally helping out wherever we are needed! We would be happy to be in touch at any time with you – e-mail …

Sunday, December 29, 2019

PJS & POEMS ALL-AGES SUNDAY/ FIRST SUNDAY IN CHRISTMASTIDE 10:00 Worship, Kit Novotny, meditation, Amar Khalsa, musician; Elizabeth Forsyth, organist; Derek Tam, director of music, Sanctuary 11:15After Party, Terrace

Sunday, December 22, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT (LOVE)Matthew 1:18-25 9:40 Carol Sing, Sanctuary 10:00 Worship, Kit Novotny, preaching; Amar Khalsa, musician; Elizabeth Forsyth, organist; Derek Tam, director of music, Sanctuary Musical Highlights, “Mary, Did You Know, arr. Pentatonix, Songs of the Soul, Linda Crebbin-Coates, director; “African Noel,” arr. André J. Thomas, Sanctuary Choir 11:15After Party, Pillar Room

Poetry and PJs on Dec. 29

For the Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 29, we’ll have a fun, relaxed PJs & Poetry Sunday! Roll out of bed and come in your coziest pajamas, sweats, or slippers. The service will intersperse poetry and music, and a brief reflection from Rev. Kit. It will be an all-ages worship, meaning no Sunday School classes will meet, including for preschoolers. Feel …