Our church has long been a mecca for cultural events, particularly for classical music concerts. We have an opportunity, whenever there is a big event at our church, to stand up and offer a welcome to come back to our sacred space on a Sunday morning–and now we can additionally offer an invitation to help us get over the finish …
Help Loomis Basin UCC Fight Back Against Hate
Our spiritual siblings at Loomis Basin UCC north of Sacramento, which has a thriving ministry to LGBTQIA+ youth, are facing violent threats from far-right hate groups and need our support. Project Veritas, an alt-right propaganda group, circulated a hateful video about the church and its pastor, Rev. Casey Tinnin, which put them on the radar of other homophobic hate groups. …
March for Queer and Trans Youth SF
Fri., March 31, 2:15 pm, San Francisco We would love for you to join us on Fri., March 31 for a march in San Francisco for queer and trans youth autonomy. We’ll be joining Queer Youth Assemble (a queer youth-led nonprofit serving queer youth under 25 in the US) as folks gather from all over the country to march in their main …
FCCB African-American Listening Circle
Dear FCCB Family, I am reaching out to share an invitation from the current FCCB African-American Listening Circle members to join in and be a part of a healing circle that is specific to the African-American experience. During our time, we offer listening presence as a peer to peer support and spiritual practice. Please consider joining this community for a …
A Message from Emily Carduff
Hi, First Church! It’s Emily, your church’s seminarian and UCC Member in Discernment currently studying at The University of Chicago Divinity School. I can hardly believe that in September 2021, I departed Berkeley and began my Master of Divinity program. Now, I’m currently finishing up my second year. Time flies! This school year, I’ve been taking some great classes. In …
Did You Know…?
… that member Frances Falling will be soloing in next Sat., April 1, 7:30 pm Pacific Edge Voices concert at First Presbyterian Oakland? Find out more and buy tickets here. …that Easter Sunday, April 9, will be preparing Second Sunday Sandwiches? Please help us extend hospitality to our unhoused neighbors. We’ll be preparing 50 bag lunches in the Cloister. We …
McGee Avenue Baptist Church Invites Us!
Rev. Mike Smith and the congregation of the historic African-American McGee Avenue Baptist Church have invited us to attend their Palm Sunday service and luncheon outside in their vegetable garden, an offshoot of their Center for Food, Faith and Justice! Eager to strengthen ecumenical ties in Berkeley, and step outside of our church’s bubble to befriend other people of faith in …
April 2 Learning Hour – Considering the Homeless
Sun., April 2, 11:45 amLoper Chapel Join us April 2 for a conversation with Paul Kealoha (President of Consider the Homeless, President of the East Bay Media Center, and member of the Berkeley Homeless Service Panel of Experts) about how the First Church community can better connect with our unhoused neighbors. Far from a distant service provider, Paul’s approach over …
Holy Week 2023
Here’s a rundown of all the holy goodness we have in store to honor Holy Week! Maundy Thursday Gathering (April 6, various times): We’ll gather in-person or on Zoom to share a simple meal and the ritual of foot/hand washing. We’ll sing, pray, and read scripture together. Register for one of the in-person gatherings here at homes throughout Berkeley, El …