The Care, Fellowship & Invitation Ministry is looking for greeters for the three Christmas Eve services: 4 pm Family Service, 6 pm Service in the Cloister & 10 pm Candlelight Service. You can sign up for more than one! For more info, contact Diana Graham. We also need ushers for the 4 pm & 10 pm Christmas Eve services! Contact …
Winter Solstice Service
All are invited to a contemplative, Winter Solstice service on Wed., Dec. 18, 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Led by members of the congregation, it will include music, rituals, meditation, and readings.
Stewardship Year-End Update!
As of Dec. 1, the church has received 142 sustaining giving commitments totaling $624,000 for 2020. We encourage everyone who is able to participate financially at any level in sustaining our church into the future and have some new giving opportunities! One of our newer members wants to encourage new sustaining givers for 2020 and has generously offered $50 for …
The View from Here
Derek Tam Music Director Wait Actively “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:13-14, NRSV; (Taizé chant partially based on this Scripture: https://youtu.be/s7GexIvX8HU) We live in an impatient age. The conveniences afforded to …
Christmas Cookie Events!
Care, Fellowship & Invitation Ministry invites you to share your holiday hospitality at the following two fun holiday events: The Great Christmas Cookie Bake Off, Sat., Dec. 21, 1–4 pm, Durant House. We will provide ingredients for a basic sugar cookie recipe and you are invited to mix, bake, and decorate Christmas cookies to be shared with our church family …
Associate Minister Rev. Kit to Take Sabbatical in 2020
by Rev. Kit Novotny Early next year, I’ll be celebrating five years as one of your ministers here at First Church, which is both hard to believe, and yet, we have shared so much life together! My role has shifted considerably since I joined the staff in 2015, and this fall we officially updated my job title to more accurately …
Did You Know…?
…that we’re still looking for a few folks in Berkeley to host a Caroling Mob (potluck, with optional tree-trimming, and caroling in the neighborhood), to share some much-needed joy with our Berkeley neighbors? If interested, contact Kate Lucchese very soon.
Committee of Involvement Nominations
The Committee of Involvement is requesting nominations for church leadership positions for the six ministries: Adult Education; Care, Fellowship & Invitation; Children, Families & Youth; Justice & Service; Stewardship, Finance & Administration; and Worship & Spiritual Life (Deacons). (See complete description of ministries on pg. 5.) Members will be elected at the annual meeting in February. Other positions to be …
City of Refuge UCC Holiday Art Bazaar
City of Refuge UCC (8400 Enterprise Way Oakland) is having a Holiday Art Bazaar complete with unique gift items, handmade crafts, homemade goodies, and so much more on Sat., Dec. 7, 11 am–7 pm.
Deckers Christmas Party
All are welcome to the Deckers Christmas Party on Sat., Dec. 14 at 6 pm at the Helliesen’s house. RSVP what you’ll be bringing for the potluck to Kathy or Bob. Once again they are gifting the YEAH kids movie tickets. Bring or send cash or checks to Annis Kukulan.