JENNY ODELL Sunday November 14 10 am first church berkeley

Jenny Odell: Life Meets Art on November 14

Sunday, November 14, 10 amSanctuary As part of our occasional Life Meets Art series, we will host Oakland author, Stanford professor, and multidisciplinary artist Jenny Odell in church on Sun., Nov. 14! Rev. Molly will interview Jenny during the 10 am worship service and, for those who want a deeper dive, Jenny will also lead us in a forum after …

Advent Crafts for Kids

Sat., Nov. 20, 12 to 2:30 pm The Families, Youth & Children (FamChY) Ministry is hosting an Advent Craft table at the Hanging of the Greens (taking place simultaneously in the sanctuary). Come make advent crafts, help decorate the Sanctuary for Advent, and join in singing carols (ukulele accompaniment encouraged). Pizza and merry companionship provided as well as “to-go” crafts …

Call to Congregational Meeting

Sunday, November 21, after 10 am worship service In early October Moderator Sara Woods announced the plans passed by Church Council on staffing for the future and called a Congregational Meeting for Nov. 21. You can find the article here.   We’ll be voting to settle Rev. Kelly Colwell into a settled Associate Pastor role for our church after she has …

Support Project Rahab this Christmas

Consider supporting Project Rahab (find out more here) this Christmas by purchasing gifts from Creations @ The Edge, an online makers’ boutique that sells inspirational handmade products by women. Rev. Heather McDuffee (a friend of Rev. Molly’s) founded Project Rahab, a 7-month program that empowers women who have a significant barrier to employment. In 2019, Rev. Heather walked away from …

praying hands

A Call to our First Church Berkeley Community from the Prayer Team

Every other Monday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, we gather to pray for our church members, families, friends and world-at-large. Being together regularly in prayer during the pandemic has felt deeply poignant, potent, and has been a very direct way to feel connected to God, the world, and each other in this time of outward separation. Praying in community and out …

Long Haul Living: 2022 Sustaining Giving Campaign Update

The Ministry of Stewardship, Finance, & Administration (SF&A) wishes to thank everyone who has committed to being a sustaining giver for the coming year so First Church Berkeley can continue to thrive as a faith community and place of transformation. As of December 1, the church has received 111 commitments totaling $508,266 in sustaining giving commitments for 2022. If you …

Advent Text Prayers

This year we’ll have the return of our Advent Text Prayers, which will arrive on your phone at 10 am and 4 pm each day in Advent for those who sign up. When you receive the text, take a moment to breathe deeply and pray. Even one minute of prayer, twice a day, will help you feel connected to God …

My Heart Shall Sing

Advent Already??!

You may be surprised to see Advent has started to appear at First Church. “Wait, isn’t Advent only four weeks long?” Advent is the church season leading up to Christmas, when we practice waiting and longing for the world God has promised. Four-week Advent has been the standard practice for Christian churches for decades— although some of our older members …