Events

This weekend we remember Jesus' Passion and celebrate his Resurrection! 1) Tomorrow, 3/25, observe Good Friday with the Bay Area peace & justice community with two opportunities for public witness: A) The annual vigil at Livermore Nuclear Weapons Laboratory, this year with the theme "Empire and the Cross: Sowing the Seeds of Hope." Gather at Vasco and Patterson Pass Roads in Livermore at 6:45 AM; worship at 7:00 AM, followed by procession to the gate of the lab and acts of civil disobedience (not required of everyone!). For complete information, see the Ecumenical Peace Institute website. B) A little closer to home, the East Bay interfaith community sponsors "The Crucifixion Continues" at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza, in front of Oakland's City Hall, 12th & Broadway. Gather at 12 noon to…

This Saturday, 3/19, the quarterly gathering of the Christian Friends Conference-Western Region will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Palo Alto Friends Meetinghouse, 957 Colorado Avenue in Palo Alto. If you don't know the CFC, this is a group that we often host, composed of Christian Quakers from around the Bay Area. They meet for Bible reading, waiting worship in the traditional manner of Friends, and fellowship. For more information, see the attached flyer. Then, at BFC on (Palm) Sunday, 3/20, things begin with our Sunday School classes for children and adults, meeting at 10 AM. Worship is at 11 AM, with our monthly time of extended open worship, readings meditating on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and corporate song and prayer. A potluck lunch follows, and…

First off, this Sunday, 3/13, is the one where we all lose an hour of sleep due to the return of Daylight Saving Time. Before you turn in on Saturday, set your clocks ahead one hour so we'll see you bright and early on Sunday! Then at BFC, the brightest and earliest will be the members of the Singing Ensemble, gathering for a special rehearsal at 9 AM. Sunday School for adults and kids convenes at 10 AM. In Worship at 11 AM, we will reach towards God in song, stillness, and supplication, and consider together a message focused on Ephesians 5:15-20 and our query #6, on standards of life. Fellowship time follows worship, and then, if needed, the Singing Ensemble may have additional rehearsal time at 1 PM. Even…

Third Month rolls in (lamb-like?), and we have another First First Day: To start, the Trustees meet to attend to the care of our building & grounds at 9 AM. Then our Sunday School classes for children and adults gather at 10 AM. We meet for Worship at 11 AM: song, silence, communal prayer, and a message based on both Mark 10:13-16 and two of our queries--this time, #s 4 & 5, on home, family, youth and the church. Fellowship time and refreshments follow worship, and then the Missionary, Outreach & Christian Education Committee meets at 1 PM. Hope to have you with us as we praise the Lamb together!

Here's what's coming down the pike for this Sunday, 2/28 at Berkeley Friends Church: Sunday School classes for children and adults at 10 AM; Worship at 11 AM, with singing, group prayer, waiting worship, and a message from Steve Sims on John 15:1-5, entitled, "Weakness and Strength." Fellowship time following worship; At 1 PM, either: The monthly meeting of the Peace, Environment and Christian Social Concerns Committee, OR: A conversation with a Ugandan human rights attorney working for human rights for all in that country. Our guest will be the executive director of Chapter Four Uganda. In 2014, Chapter Four led the constitutional challenge that struck down the country's Anti-Homosexuality Act, which called for life imprisonment for LGBT people. You can learn more about Chapter Four at http://chapterfouruganda.com/. As we…

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!