Jesus modeled flexibility: hardship and persecution bent but didn’t break him. Change and challenge strengthened his ministry. Impossible situations yielded to healing and release. Take time during Lent to bend low and be renewed. From the UCC’s StillSpeaking Writers’ Group (Rev. Molly is part of this group!), this year’s devotional provides daily readings, reflections, and prayers for the Lenten season: Ash …
Dimanche Gras–Fat Sunday!
Sun., Feb. 11, 10 am, as part of Service as Worship Sunday Join Rev. Kelly and others in the Pillar Room kitchen to make yummy waffles to celebrate Dimanche Gras! Bring your favorite waffle topping (savory or sweet) to share. There will be Dixieland music, and the Ministry of Families, Children, and Youth is setting up a mask-making craft for all …
Join the Green Team!
Mon., Feb. 26, 7 pm Every 4th Monday of the month on Zoom The climate crisis is ringing alarm bells – the world just experienced the hottest year on record. Come join the Green Team as we aim to make the faith voice heard at the state and federal levels in a year when climate policies are at stake, and as we …
Lenten Faith-Sharing Group: In-Person
Sundays, Feb. 18 to March 24, 11:30 am First Church Berkeley, Loper Chapel (location may vary) If you’re looking to deepen your prayer and spirituality during the Lenten season, join us as we explore the Sunday lectionary readings and reflect on how they speak to our faith lives today. We’ll meet after getting soup and snacks after the service. The …
A Step Toward Stopping the Utility Tax
Thanks to our efforts as part of a broad coalition, there is now a bill to repeal the Utility Tax! This is a tremendous turnaround and the direct result of our advocacy. Thank you! Led by Asm. Jacqui Irwin and a team of co-authors, this bill (AB 1999) would repeal the Utility Tax provision in AB 205 and prevent an …
Service as Worship Sunday
Sun., Feb. 11, 10 am Come sing and pray during a brief worship service, and then join a project or two for an hour of hands-on work in support of our local community. If you can’t be there in person, your service could be in the form of a donation to the bag lunches. Prep Work for Quilts for Formerly …
Airport Rides Needed for Montgomery Pilgrims
Mon., Feb. 19, afternoon & evening An important way you can support our church Antiracism/Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama (and keep down costs!) is to do airport runs! We need drivers to pick up our pilgrims from SFO throughout the afternoon/evening on Mon., Feb 19. Email Rev. Molly at [email protected] if you can help!
Pilgrimage Fundraiser Dinner this Saturday!
Sat., Feb. 3, 3:30 to 5:30 pmHome of Craig & Pat Pratt You are invited to a fundraiser dinner this Sat., Feb. 3, from 3:30-5:30 pm at the Pratt’s home in Oakland’s beautiful Montclair Hills, to help subsidize our church’s first ever Alabama Civil Rights Pilgrimage Trip and make it affordable for all! Please reserve your spot by clicking on …
Resonance Concert – Nature Sounds with Sara Couden & Derek Tam
Sat., Feb. 10, 7:30 pmSanctuary Do you know what sound a dodo makes? No one alive knows, but this concert will attempt to answer this burning question and more! Contralto Sara Couden—praised in Opera News for her “unusually rich and resonant” voice—will bring a program both silly and sublime. From lamenting a pet canary to rhapsodizing about the wonders of the outdoors, …
149th Annual Meeting
Sun., Feb. 4, 2024 @ 10 am, in-person & live-streamed Watch our Annual Meeting here. View & download the 2023 Annual Report here. First Church Berkeley’s 149th Annual Meeting takes place this Sun., Feb. 4 during our 10 am worship service with lunch to follow. Join us as we worship together, reflect on the milestones of 2023, hear about this year’s …