Photo of person holding a microphone close to their mouth

Beyond Words: Special Worship Event with David Worm and Friends this Sunday

Sun., May 15, 2022, 10 amSanctuary Oakland native David Worm, who will be our guest “preacher” this Sunday (see more detail in Molly’s message), began his singing career in 1985 with the Bay Area groups Jazz Mouth and Vocal Front. In 1989 he became a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra ensemble and has remained a regular performer with McFerrin, …

Image of a poster about 3rd Wednesday Community Circle Singing beginning May 18, 7 to 8:30 pm, First Church Berkeley

Are You Longing to Sing in Community?

Every 3rd Wed. of the month, 7 – 8:30 pmFirst Church Berkeley Sanctuary 3rd Wednesday CircleSinging is a tradition started in 2002 in Oakland to gather and celebrate how our voices can change the world. Voices in a New World is so grateful to First Church Berkeley for extending the invitation to make First Church their new home. You are invited to experience …

Poster of event taking place Sat., May 21 entitled "This Is Crucial," a panel discussion about the future of faith.

The Future of Faith: A Panel Discussion

Sat., May 21, 2022, 6 to 7:30 pmSanctuary, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley (2407 Dana Street, Berkeley, CA)Parking garage available; corresponding kids and youth programming availableLive streamed at YouTube/FirstPresBerkeley Join Rev. Molly and PSR President Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy along with the new senior minister of First Pres Berkeley, Charlene Han Powell, and her podcast cohost, Rev. Amos Disasa, for …

Did You Know…?

…that Rev. Molly has an occasional author newsletter called Doomsday Dance Party, and you can subscribe here? …that you can donate to the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) Ukraine Relief Fund here? …that you can donate to the Black Wealth Builders Fund? Donate directly by sending a check to the Richmond Community Foundation, 3260 Blume Dr., Suite 110, Richmond, CA 94806. …

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive difference in the lives of Ukrainian refugees, the Ministry of Justice and Service would like to point you to a donation page set up by the United Church of Christ:https://www.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/ukraine-emergency-appeal/The UCC is appealing for support for refugees and for elderly and other vulnerable people who are displaced within Ukraine and …

Spring flower budding with invitation to attend Men-Connect Spring Mini Retreat, May 7, 2022 at First Church Berkeley

Men-Connect Spring Mini Retreat

Sat., May 7, 9:30 am to 1 pmLoper Chapel, Sanctuary, Playground Join us for an in-person gathering of First Church men on Sat., May 7 at the church.  Lunch will be provided.  Our program consists of gathering as a large group in the Sanctuary and then dividing into smaller groups of 3-5 people for in-depth sharing for an hour, and then …

Photo of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies cooling on a rack

Blessings & Cookies for Cal Students

Tues., May 10, 12 – 2 pmSproul Plaza, Berkeley campus Our church was founded 150 years ago to support the Cal Berkeley community and its students—students who are more pressured and stressed than perhaps ever before. We have a sweet (literally!) and simple way to support them every Final Exam period—hand out homemade cookies and blessings from pastors on Sproul Plaza. …

Black Wealth Builders Fund Receives First Applications

The Black Wealth Builders Fund (formerly known as the Black Homeownership Reparations Fund) is moving into its next phase: making our first loans. According to the Richmond Community Foundation, where the fund is housed, two applications have been received via Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, one of our partner agencies. That means that soon we will be helping our initial group …