Author: Pastor

First off, tomorrow, Saturday 2/20, our Peace, Environment, and Christian Social Concerns Committee will hold a meeting to discern our suggestions on priorities for Friends Committee on Legislation (FCNL).Every two years, FCNL asks Friends meetings and churches across the country to help identify no more than seven priorities for their core lobbying work in the next Congressional session. All BFC members and attenders are invited, as well as Berkeley Friends Meeting and Strawberry Creek Meeting. 1:30 PM in the fellowship hall; childcare will be provided. Then, on Sunday, 2/21, the Singing Ensemble meets for rehearsal at 9 AM. Then our regular Sunday School classes for children and adults will meet at 10 AM. Worship is at 11 AM, with a message based on another of the queries--number 11, on social…

It's a busy weekend at Berkeley Friends Church! 1) Tomorrow, Friday, 2/12, Friday Night at the Movies returns for 2016, with the documentary Merchants of Doubt. Doors open at 6:30 PM, film at 7 PM, discussion to follow. 2) On Saturday, 2/13, is the bi-monthly Harvest Day food collection for the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project, from 9:30 AM to 12 noon. If you'd like to help, contact Pantry Director Sara Webber; if you forgot your green bag last week and need to bring it in, come by any time between 10 AM and noon. 3) Then this Sunday, 2/14, the Stewardship & Finance Committee will convene first, at 9 AM. Our regular Sunday School classes for adults & kids follow at 10 AM. Then we'll gather for Meeting for Worship…

This Sunday, 2/7, will be a full day at Berkeley Friends Church! While others in the Bay Area will be worshiping at the temple of professional football, we'll be gathering to give worth to the Creator of all things. First off, don't forget to bring in your green bags for the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project collection!Bring them on into worship with you. Second, a reminder that Sunday is our day to take part in the Friends United Meeting Chain of Prayer. This is an opportunity to pray alongside others for the global ministries and people of FUM. If you would like to participate, it's not too late--see Giuseppe Rensi on Sunday to sign up for a shift. And if you would like to have pictures to go along with the…

This Sunday, 1/31 is one of those ones that only comes three or so times a year--no committee meetings or other events to crowd the schedule, JUST: Fantastic Sunday School classes for children and adults, at 10 AM; Deep worship, with song, prayer, stillness, and a message from Faith Jansen Brewer, at 11 AM; Joyful fellowship time following worship, lasting for as long as Friends want. Please join us!

Our time together on Sunday 1/24 begins with Sunday School for children and adults at 10 AM. Then there's Meeting for Worship at 11 AM, including a message entitled, "What is Written in the Law?" based on Jesus' dialogue with a clever lawyer in Luke 10:25-37. We'll consider that question alongside others that are known among Friends as "queries"... Fellowship time follows worship, and then the Peace, Environment and Christian Social Concerns Committee will meet at 1 PM. Please join us!

First off, a reminder of the memorial service for long-time Food Pantry volunteer Wes Ikeuchi: tomorrow, Saturday, 1/16, 3 to 5 PM in the fellowship hall. Note that this won't be a worship service per se, but more of an informal time to share memories of Wes and encourage one another. Everyone who knew him--or just appreciated his many years of service to the community--is welcome! Then, on Sunday, 1/15, the Singing Ensemble will begin with a rehearsal at 9 AM. Then our regular Sunday School classes for children and adults will meet at 10 AM. Worship is at 11 AM, with our monthly time of extended open worship and some special music--an instrumental prelude and a short Beethoven song as ministry in music! A potluck lunch follows, and then…

We're getting back in the normal order of things, now that the decorations are (almost) all put away... This Sunday, 1/10, at Berkeley Friends Church, the Stewardship & Finance Committee will convene first at 9 AM. Then our regular Sunday School classes for adults & kids gather at 10 AM, as well as the new membership/intro to Quakerism class, which will meet for its first session in Brian's office. (As a reminder, this group is an opportunity to learn more about the faith of Friends. Attending doesn't commit you to our membership process, although we will take time to talk about how it works--but anyone who would just like to know more about Quakerism is welcome to join us!) Then we'll gather for Meeting for Worship at 11 AM, reaching…

In the wake of the time called Christmas, the last Sunday of the year approaches. It is still a season of good tidings of great joy--a time to treasure in our hearts the mystery of God-with-us, Emmanuel. As we gather this Sunday, 12/27, the children will convene for their usual Sunday School class downstairs at 10 AM. Upstairs in the worship room, all are invited to gather at 10:30 AM for carol singing (the kids are welcome to join us, or remain in their class). In Meeting for Worship at 11 AM, we will sing, pray, read together some words reflecting on the life of Jesus, and wait for that Life to be born in our midst. Fellowship time follows worship, and then we will have a brief called Meeting…

The season called Advent continues, and as we near "the time called Christmas," the celebrations and the obligations and the hurrying and the worrying increase... may you stay mindful of God with us, Emmanuel, the Good News of great joy for all people, in this and every season! This weekend, our annual celebration of Jesus' coming is scheduled for Saturday evening, 12/19, beginning at 6:30 PM. Please bring a dessert to share if you can. There will be crafts, caroling, candles and community! Family and friends welcome. Then, for the fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/20, we gather beginning at 9 AM, when the Singing Ensemble rehearses. Then Sunday School classes for adults and children convene at 10 AM. In worship at 11 AM, we will hear a message from Luke…

Here are the goings-on this weekend at Berkeley Friends Church: 1) Tomorrow, Saturday, 12/12, is the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project's bi-monthly Harvest Day, from about 10 AM to 12:30 PM. If you need to bring in your green bag, you can drop it off any time during those hours. Volunteers might still be needed; check with Food Pantry director Sara Webber to find out. And we hate to mention it for fear of crying wolf yet again--but there's a chance that the long-delayed paving project for the Food Pantry entrance just might get done, so keep an eye out on Sunday. 2) Then, on Sunday, 12/13, the Stewardship & Finance Committee meets at 9 AM, and then we have Sunday School classes for children and adults, at 10 AM. Worship…