Author: Pastor

Dear Friends: Tomorrow, Sunday, 12/14, at Berkeley Friends Church begins with the Stewardship & Finance Committee meeting at 9 AM. Then our regular Sunday School classes for kids & adults begin at 10 AM. We gather for worship at 11 AM, with song, prayer, stillness, and an Advent message from John 1:6-8 & 19-28. Fellowship time follows, and then the Singing Ensemble rehearses at 1 PM. Also, this Sunday afternoon we will have an opportunity to join with other members of Berkeley's faith community to peacefully express solidarity with the African-American community in Ferguson, Missouri, Staten Island, New York, and elsewhere, and to call for change in our communities and across the nation. Two nonviolent public actions are planned, beginning at 12:30 PM at First Congregational Church. See the attached…

Dear Friends: Plenty of things are going on this weekend at Berkeley Friends Church! Here's what's planned: 1) On Saturday, 12/6, you are invited to the quarterly gathering of the Christian Friends Conference. Come take part in waiting worship and Bible reading in the manner of Conservative Friends, and share fellowship and  discussion with Christian Quakers from around the Bay Area and beyond. 9 AM - 3:00 PM. Beverages and bagels will be provided in the morning; please bring your own lunch. See the attached for the full schedule. 2) We will gather for worship, learning and fellowship on Sunday, 12/7: first off, we will be collecting the church's contributions to the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project a week early, so please bring your green bags with you and bring them…

Dear Friends: Is there any better way to give thanks than to join together in worship? Please join us this Sunday, 11/23, when things will start at 10 AM with our regular Sunday School classes for adults & children. Meeting for Worship begins at 11 AM, with song, prayer, and corporate meditation on thankfulness in our monthly extended time of open worship. Fellowship time follows worship, and then at 1 PM, the Peace, Environment, and Christian Social Concerns Committee will meet. Having you with us as we gather is one more thing to give thanks for! -- In Christ's Light, Brian Young Pastor, Berkeley Friends Church O: 510-524-4112 C: 510-355-6715 Connect with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/berkeleyfriendschurch/

Dear Friends: Another active weekend at Berkeley Friends Church! Here's what's what: 1) Saturday morning, 11/15, will be our second Thanksgiving bag packing event for the many families from Berkeley and Albany that depend on the Food Pantry in the holiday season. Come anytime between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM; we will try to pack many more bags than we were able to the first time. Note also that a Food Pantry work crew will also be painting the reception room on Saturday--if you'd rather paint than pack, they might need some assistance. 2) On Sunday, 11/16, the Singing Ensemble will rehearse at 9 AM; then our regular Sunday School classes for children and adults will meet at 10 AM (parents: don't forget the special party for Kirsten and the…

Dear Friends: It's another full weekend at BFC: 1) This Saturday, 11/8, the Food Pantry will have another all-day work day to clean and do painting prep work. The scheduled time is 9 AM to 5 PM. If you can help for some time in there, please contact Pantry Director Sara Webber at director@berkeleyfoodpantry.org. 2) On Sunday, 11/9, don't forget about the Berkeley Half Marathon--see my separate message for info on street closures and the course map. Once you get to BFC, things start at 9 AM with the Stewardship & Finance Committee. At 10 AM, we'll have our regular Sunday School classes for adults & children. Meeting for Worship begins at 11 AM, with corporate prayer, song & silence, and a reflection from the pulpit. Fellowship time follows worship,…

It seems like we'll be in high gear for the next couple of weeks, as Thanksgiving approaches--here's what's going on: 1) This Saturday, 11/1, the Food Pantry will have an all-day work day to clean and begin making some changes related to the Alameda County Community Food Bank's recent inspection. The scheduled time is 9 AM to 5 PM. There are plenty of things to do, especially if you already know your way around the Pantry. Regardless, if you can help, please contact Pantry Director Sara Webber. 2) On Sunday, 11/26, things start at 9 AM with the Trustees Committee meeting. Then at 10 AM we'll have our regular Sunday School classes for adults & children. Meeting for Worship begins at 11 AM, with corporate prayer, song & silence, more…

Dear Friends: Here is what's on the horizon this weekend at BFC: 1) On Saturday, 10/11, we'll have the bimonthly Harvest Day for the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project. All of the donations from the various neighborhoods will be coming in to the Food Pantry that morning. This time around, the Food Pantry has a large volunteer group coming from Cal, so unless you've been asked personally, volunteers will not be needed. But: if you're participating in BFC's "neighborhood" and didn't bring in your bag last Sunday, you're welcome to bring yours by any time between 10:30 AM and noon. 2) Then on Sunday, 10/12, we will begin with Sunday School at 10 AM for children and adults. In worship at 11 AM, we will gather for song, prayer, a spoken…

Dear Friends: Here is the schedule for this coming Sunday: The Trustees Committee bats first, meeting at 9 AM. Then, at 10 AM, we'll have our regular Sunday School classes for children and adults. In Meeting for Worship at 11 AM, we gather in song, prayer, and quiet, and hear a message from Steve Sims: "Show Me the Fruit," drawn from Matthew 21. Fellowship time follows worship, and then the Missionary, Outreach and Christian Education Committee will meet at 1 PM. -- In Christ's Light, Brian Young Pastor, Berkeley Friends Church O: 510-524-4112 C: 510-355-6715 Connect with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/berkeleyfriendschurch/