Parking Advisory for Sunday, August 24
Because the weekend of August 23-24 is move-in for UC Berkeley students FCCB members will not be able to use the Dana-Durant parking lot on Sunday morning, August 24. We can use the Channing-Ellsworth lot.
TEARS and FCCB Participate in Anti-Torture Month
Read an Op-Ed piece by Louise Specht describing why it is important to continue to take action to stop the use of torture even as we wait to see how the national political situation will unfold.
Read more about FCCB’s TEARS Ministry Team which works on anti-torture issues.
A bold new banner outside the church proclaims “First Congregational Church of Berkeley Says Torture is a Moral Issue.” during the month of June. We are marking Anti-Torture Month by participating in the NRCAT (National Religious Campaign Against Torture} Banners Across America project. Congregations in Berkeley and all over the US are flying these banners this June, a powerful nationwide witness against torture.
Take a look at other banners that have been put up across the country by various faith communities as part of NRCAT’s banner project.
Read and listen to an interview with The Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director of NRCAT, by the Christian Science Monitor.
Read the text of Louise Specht’s “Moment for Mission” about Torture Awareness Month, which she shared in the June 8 worship service.
TEARS Endorses Declaration of Principles on Torture
Also in cooperation with NRCAT, TEARS asks members of the FCCB community to endorse the Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty. By our endorsement of the Declaration of Principles, we are asking President Bush and Senators McCain and Obama (upon becoming our next President) to issue an executive order banning torture by all US personnel.
A coalition of religious leaders of many faiths, former military commanders and foreign and security policy experts have launched the nationwide Campaign to Ban Torture. To ensure that America will not engage in torture and cruelty, this diverse group of nationally respected leaders is urging the President to issue an executive order that prohibits torture by embracing six principles of humane treatment that reflect deeply cherished American values.
Copies of the Declaration of Principles based on traditional American values will be available at the TEARS table at coffee hour. You are invited to add your signature.
Endorse the Declaration of Principles online.
Action you can take on these issues.
News stories about the Campaign.
Final Codys@FCCB Event Featured Robert Scheer
On June 25, journalist and author Robert Scheer talked about his new book The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America in conversation with Daniel Ellsberg. This was the last in a long series of author events that FCCB has hosted in cooperation with the Berkeley-based independent bookstore, Cody’s Books. The First Church community was greatly saddened that the store has closed. We are exploring other avenues for presenting these kinds of events in the future.
You can still listen to audio presentations of Codys@FCCB events featuring Parker Palmer, Paul Hawken, Chris Hedges and more!
First Church Welcomes Summer Intern
First Church is excited to welcome Neichelle Guidry, currently a Masters of Divinity student at Yale, as an intern here this summer. Because of our relationship with The Beatitudes Society, FCCB has an opportunity for a paid summer intern. Neichelle has a BA in religion and mass media arts from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is “passionate about the Arts” and hopes to ultimately enter the pastorate in an urban ministry. Neichelle will be with us in worship on June 8, attend work camp with Winthrop, and preach in worship on June 29. We look forward to having Neichelle with us.
Geoffrey Gaskin to Serve as Next Browne Barr Intern
FCCB member and Pacific School of Religion seminarian Geoffrey Gaskins will serve as FCCB’s next Browne Barr Student Intern. This is what he wrote for a recent edition of the Carillon.
“I began my path to ministry, more-or-less officially, as a member of the United Methodist Church. I was active in youth and young adult ministries at the local and conference levels, and was planning a seminary education and eventual parish ministry. I left that denomination over its position on the matter of ordaining homosexual clergy and spent almost ten years studying Judaic mysticism and various Eastern religious traditions. My Christianity is infused with these experiences.
“I will be working largely with our Campus Ministry program. I have a strong evangelical interest in the survival of mainline Protestantism, and I believe that answers to many questions about that issue are held by young, thinking Christians.
“First Congregational Church is unique in my experience of progressive Christianity around the country by our commitment to young adults. Our Campus Ministry program represents the kind of aggressive innovation that is required to bring about a revival of interest in, and commitment to, the gospel of the Good News. I can’t tell you how exciting it is for me to be a part of that and how honored I am to be a part of this faith community.
“I greet the opportunity to serve First Congregational Church of Berkeley over the next year as the Browne Barr Minister In Training with the kind of excitement I had long assumed was reserved for youth. I am happy to report, at fiftysomething, that dreams really do come true…still. Since entering the Pacific School of Religion, I have known that I wanted to do my internship at First Congregational. I am still pinching myself that I will get that opportunity.”
This position was created in honor of FCCB Minister Emeritus Browne Barr who served as Senior Pastor from 1960-1977. Others who have served in this position are Adam Blons, Jennifer Butner, Deris Rice and Cordelia Strandskov.
Conversation on Same-Sex Marriage
Did you know that FCCB members Huong Nguyen and Alison Beck picked up their marriage license “as soon as they could”. Their photo was in the June 18 San Francisco Chronicle along with others who showed up to take this step toward getting married as soon as it was legal in the state of California.
Alison describes the scene this way: “It was an amazing event, with couples saying vows around every corner, the Unitarians out front with cupcakes, people who just showed up with supportive signs, flags, balloons, flowers…the building was full of love.” They plan a church ceremony in August with Senior Minister Patricia de Jong officiating.
The ruling of the California State Supreme Court that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional has created a flurry of interest in this issue in progressive Christian churches around the state. Senior Minister Patricia de Jong has received requests to perform several weddings for gay couples this summer. Members and friends gathered for an evening of conversation on same-sex marriage on Thursday, June 26. Katherine Fulton and Katharine Kunst and Alison Beck and Huong Nguyen shared their stories.
A Marriage Equality Ministry Team in also being formed to work to defeat Proposition 8 which which amend the California State Constitution to ban marriage between same-sex partners. Watch here for more details!
Are you interested in having a wedding ceremony? Contact the church at 510/848-3696 to find out more!
Welcome Sunday!
Join us for an exciting and Spirit-filled worship service on Sunday, September 14, at 10 am in the Sanctuary! Each Fall, the church celebrates the beginning of an exciting season of worship, programs and activities. After the comings and goings of summer, the church reunites. The Chancel Choir returns in full force, children move into new Church School programs, and a host of new offerings for spiritual growth, community action and fellowship begin.
Directions to the church, including public transportation.
Winthrop Workcamp Goes to South Central
The high school youth of the First Congregational Church of Berkeley are back from this year’s workcamp! They were in South Central Los Angeles to work with the children at the All People’s Christian Center. This amazing center offers daycare, after school tutoring, and gang intervention programs in one of the most vibrant and depressed communities in the city. In addition to working with the children, we will be doing odd jobs around their facility. They had great opportunities to work and play with the children and learn about the social justice issues in this community.
Read some of their stories and see pictures on the Workcamp Blog! And check out the photos below!
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Pat and Sam Share Iran Stories
Patricia de Jong, Senior Minister at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, United Church of Christ and her husband Sam Keen, well-known author and philosopher left from New York City on Tuesday, April 29, for a 12-day fact-finding and friendship mission to Iran. They were part of a 21-member peace delegation organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), the oldest and largest interfaith peace organization in the United States. First Church member Katharine Kunst was also a member of the delegation.
Pat, Sam and Katharine shared an evening of stories about their recent trip to Iran on Sunday, June 29. They shared their pictures and discussed the political, cultural and religious aspects they encountered in their trip with the Fellowship of Reconciliation in May. They were joined by Sean McConnell who is the Communications Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California and a member of the FOR delegation.
Calaveras South Africa Benefit a Huge Success
On Sunday, June 15, Calaveras, an award-winning New Folk trio featuring First Church members Greg Beattie and Victoria Crebbin Blythe performed a benefit concert at First Congregational Church of Berkeley in the Sanctuary. The proceeds of the concert, sponsored by First Church’s South Africa Ministry Team, will go toward HIV/AIDS education and eradication in South Africa. Over $6300 was raised through ticket sales and donations.
Listen to some of Calaveras’ music from their new CD “Green Girl”.
Read Frederica Bunge’s “op ed” piece “Reining in South Africa’s HIV/AIDS Pandemic.” Freddie is a leaders of the South African Ministry Team. She describes the HIV/AIDS situation in South Africa and the vision behind this concert and the Team’s work.
Benner Film Performance in Festival
Lindsay Benner, daughter of Richard and Pat, has a lead role in the film, The Lost Coast. The film will be screened as part of the Frameline San Francisco International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Film Festival, on Friday, June 20, at 10 pm at the Victoria Theatre (16th Street at Mission Street).
Check out the trailer for the movie and read Lindsay’s bio to find out more about her work.
Science and Religion at First Church
First Congregational Church of Berkeley and the United Church of Christ have a long-standing commitment to an open and fruitful dialog between religion and science. Our congregation is blessed with many scientists, including the Rev. Dr. Robert Russell, who is a member of our church and also the director the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union. Bob is in a Four-Way Ministerial Convenant with First Church which means that we honor and support his work as a minister in this special setting. Bob founded CTNS in 1981.
Bob preached at First Church on June 8, 2008 and did a wonderful children’s sermon with Senior Minister Patricia de Jong.
Listen to Pat and Bob talk to the children about how many stars there are in the sky.
Find out more about the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.
Read a pastoral letter from the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. John Thomas, on the dialog between science and religion.
Students to Serve Social Justice Organizations
This summer 10 college students will participate in an innovative 9-week internship developed by First Church and the Metta Center for Nonviolence. The students will be placed with East Bay community organizations that address poverty, racism, immigration, environmental degradation and violence prevention.
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, the Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center, Better Alternatives for Youth, and the Multicultural Institute are just a few of the organizations where the students will be working.
The students will work four days each week directly with their community partner organization and spend one day each week in an education forum to reflect on their experiences and learn new skills in community-based leadership and nonviolent communication.
First Church is providing stipends for five of the participants through the Campus Ministry’s Fund for Innovation. First Church member Salavador Alcántara is coordinating the program with Betsy Crites from the Metta Center, and together they have created the curriculum for the program.
Read more about the students who were chosen and the organizations where they will work.
All–Church Picnic
FCCB members and friends gathered for the annual all-church picnic on Sunday, June 22,at Lake Temescal. Folks of all ages shared food, played games and enjoyed each other&rquo;s company on a beautiful summer day. Thanks to the members of the Care, Fellowship and Invitation Ministry Team for organizing the event. Check out the photos below!
First Church Holds “Sacred Conversation on Race”
The United Church of Christ called for the country to have a “Sacred Conversation on Race” on Sunday, May 18. This call was partially in response to the controversy surrounding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Senator Barack Obama.
First Church responded to the call by planning a special worship service and “Second Hour” for that day. The congregation met in the Large Assembly for worship to create a special place for contemplation and speaking our truth. Members of the community spoke movingly during this time and then others shared thoughts and stories after church during the adult education time afterwards which was moderated by First Church member Bill Jersey. Don Hill from the national staff and a friend of First Church also attended and participated in leading the service and Rev. John Deckenback, Conference Minister of the Central Atlantic Conference, was a special guest as well. The Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Mark Wilson also sang during the service.
You can hear the UCC General Minister and President John Thomas comment on the call to this conversation in an article below.
Gwen Thomas is the Assistant Coordinator of the God is Still Speaking Initiative of the United Church of Christ. She is also the daughter of First Church member Frank Thomas and grew up in First Church. She lives and works in Cleveland. She recently sent out an email with some of her reflections on the sacred conversation about race. Read Gwen’s reflections here.
Read a Pastoral Letter on Racism written by the members of the United Church of Christ leadership.
Confirmation Class Shares Statements of Faith
14 youth have been participating in the Confirmation Class over the last few months—Gabe Alexander, Chloe Bash, Alex Stuetz, Sita Wong, Brianna Contaxis/Tucker, Emma Dudley, Mae Petti, Brennan Smith, Hannon Ayer, David Ayer, Xian Wong, Amaya Rodriguez, Laura Alberti and Adam Smith. On Sunday, May 4, 10 youth joined the church by confirmation. The service was lead by the group, the Confirmation leaders Adam Blons and Cordelia Strandskov, and the mentors to the confirmands. Four of them shared their faith stories as the sermon for the moment.
Listen to Hannon Ayers, Emma Dudley, Chloe Bash, and Brianna Contaxis Tucker.
Cordelia’s Last Sunday
Sunday, May 11 was a Jazz/Gospel Worship Service Sunday, and also our wonderful Cordelia Strandskov’s last Sunday as our Browne Barr Seminary Intern. She preached in worship on being Spirit-filled. She was also honored during the Fellowship Hour after worship. This was an opportunity to shower Cordelia with gratitude and well wishes as she circulates her ministerial profile, hoping for a call to a position in a local church.
On Sunday, May 25, Cordelia graduated from the Pacific School of Religion and we celebrated this major milestone with a party at the church, in the Large Assembly, at 7:30 pm.
Listen to Cordelia’s sermon from the May 11 worship service.
Watch a video of Cordelia’s Pentecost sermon.
First Church Hosts Immigration Teach-In
The Immigration Ministry Team presented a free Teach-In on Saturday, May 3, with Prof. Margaret Hunter. The event began with an interactive, multimedia historical overview of immigration policy in the U.S. by Prof. Hunter, followed by a testimony from a local family. Margaret Hunter is an author and Asst. Prof. of Sociology at Mills College.
View a video of this presentation on immigration.
UCC President Appears on Anderson Cooper 360°
Watch the YouTube video of UCC President and General Minister John Thomas appearing on Anderson Cooper’s CNN show. This clip also includes footage of a press conference at Trinity UCC featuring Thomas, Trinity pastor Otis Moss, III, and Dr. Michael Kinnamon, from the National Council of Churches, in which the church leaders call for a “sacred conversation on race” on May 18.
UCC Runs Full-page National Ads
In response to the controversy surrounding UCC minister the Rev. Jerimiah Wright, Jr., retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, and several weeks of information and misinformation about the UCC, the denomination ran a full-page ad in the New York Times, on Wednesday, April 2. It shares both the history and vision of the denomination, and was supported financially by scores of donations from across the country from UCC members and churches and others. Because of the strong response from donors, the UCC decided to run a second ad in USA Today on April 10, which invited the country to consider issues of race in this country on May 18, 2008.
First Church held a “Second Hour” discussion on Race, Religion and the UCC on April 6, co-sponsored by the Adult Education Committee and the Diversity in Community Ministry Team. Barack Obama’s historic March 18th speech was viewed and discussed. The Church Council voted to make a contribution of $1000 to the ad campaign.
The Worship Planning Team is also planning a special service and Second Hour on May 18th as part of this call to have a “sacred conversation” about race.
Take a look at a pdf version of the New York Times ad.
Take a look at the pdf version of the USA Today ad.
Donate online to the advertising campaign called “Tell Our Story”.
Congregation Shares Favorite Bible Verses
During the Jazz and Gospel Worship Service on Sunday, April 13, congregation members were invited to share their favorite Bible verses. The worship leaders had also asked members and friends to bring their favorite Bible to church since this was also the day that children in 3rd and 4th grades were receiving Bibles.
Read the list of verses that folks submitted including some texts and comments. (This file was updated on May 9 to include some new submissions.)
Scenes from Holy Week
Thanks to First Church member Dave Sutton for most of these photos!
Holy Week at First Church was a deeply moving and powerful celebration of this most important part of the Christian story. Palm Sunday included a celebrative palm processional and four new larger-than-lifesize puppets were part of the parade. These characters, witnesses to the story of Jesus’ Holy Week journey, also returned at the end of the service when the Good Friday cross was brought in and on Easter Sunday morning. On Wednesday, March 19, the community gathered at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to make the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Story and video below. On Maundy Thursday we gathered for a simple meal and the ritual of foot and hand washing. Good Friday was marked by an ecumenical service led by representatives of the UC Berkeley campus ministry community. On Sunday morning, about 45 people gathered at 7 am for a Sunrise Service in the parking lot of the Lawrence Hall of Science in the Berkeley Hills overlooking the Bay. And then the Easter Celebration hit many high notes back in the First Church sanctuary. The place was packed, organ and brass music lifted our spirits, banners were waved and the puppet “witnesses” celebrated the resurrection, the preaching was powerful (watch here for the audio version of Patricia de Jong’s sermon), the Chancel Choir and Songs of the Soul gave stellar performances, and at the end of the service, over 75 people joined the choir in the Chancel for an impromptu singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus”.
First Church & Grace Cathedral Join for Peace Vigil
Read an article about this event at insidebayarea.com.
Watch a video news report about the event.
First Church collaborated with Grace Cathedral to create a Peace Vigil on Wednesday, March 19, to mark the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Over 300 poeple attended. First Church Senior Minister Patricia de Jong preached. A special exhibit called “Eyes Wide Open,” created by the American Friends Service Committee poignantly illustrated the human cost of the Iraq War. It featured dozens of pairs of army boots signifying fallen California soldiers and was installed on the labyrinth.
33 First Church members attended and several (Patricia de Jong, Dave Sutton, Hank Leeper and Nan Joesten) were seen in this Channel Two news report about the event.
Parker Palmer Audio Now Online
Listen to Parker Palmer’s recent Codys@FCCB presentation. Other author presentations also available for audio download!
Controversary Surrounds Obama and UCC Paster Wright
Read President John Thomas’s response to Rev. Wright’s most recent comments.
Read an essay by Bill Moyers called “Beware the Terrible Simplifiers”. Moyers had interviewed Wright on his PBS show. This article was written after the comments Wright made at the National Press Club.
Read an essay by UCC Associate General Minister Edith Guffey on race issues in our church and in the country. This piece was actually written before the Wright controversy.
Watch Bill Moyers interview of Jeremiah Wright.
The news recently has been full of reports recently of statements that UCC minister the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., now-retired minister of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, has made during various sermons in past years. Presidential candidate Barack Obama has been a member of that church, which is the largest church in the UCC (over 7000 members), for twenty years. In response, Senator Obama delivered a speech calling the United States to a conversation on race.
You can view the speech through this link to You Tube.
View a video of UCC President John Thomas celebrating the ministry of Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. upon his retirement. This YouTube video is uploaded on the Trinity UCC website, and will also give you a sense of that church and it’s congregation. If you click on the “menu” button on the YouTube screen you will be able to view other videos that represent the church.
Read an article from the New York Times telling more of the story of Obama’s connection to Trinity UCC.
Read an article that appeared in the Chicago Tribune written by a Euro-American member of Trinity UCC, William A. Von Hoene, Jr.
Read an in-depth article in the New Yorker magazine called “Project Trinity.
Read the “Truth About Trinity” blog.
Marietta Plays "By Request"
Larry Marietta, Director of Music at First Church, played a concert on Sunday, March 30, of pieces requested by members of the congregation. Over the previous couple of weeks, the community was asked to name its favorite pieces. Larry used this as the basis for choosing works for the concert, played on the church’ new organ. In the poll, the favorite was Bach’s “Air on a G String”.
Watch this “hand-held” video of an excerpt of “Air on a G String”.
Winthrop Goes to the Snow
Each year, Winthrop, the Senior High youth group at First Church, goes to the mountains for a retreat. This year’s group just spent the weekend near Lake Tahoe. Lorenzo Llanillo, one of the group leaders said this about the trip: “We had the youth to think about the changes that take place in this time of great ferment as many head off to college, or new responsibilities on the road or just a change in seeing the world. The youth really challenged themselves and I feel richer for the opportunity to share this time with them.”
Take a look at more photos from the trip, including a photo of the whole group.
Shoe Collection for Peace Vigil
To complement the “Eyes Wide Open” exhibit which was part of the Grace Cathedral Peace Vigil (see above), faith communities and individuals collected shoes to represent the more than 88,800 Iraqi civilian casualties. These shoes were lined up on the Great Steps during the vigil. Afterwards, they were donated to organizations serving those in need.
First Church members brought over 150 pairs of shoes to the Palm Sunday service. They were brought forward to the chancel during the offertory and placed around the communion table.
Steindl-Rast Shares His Deep Wisdom
As part of a Lent adult education series called “A Taste of Prayer and Meditation”, Brother David Steindl-Rast shared his powerful spirit and personal insight about Benedictine prayer and meditation practices. Brother David, a senior member of Benedictine Community in New York, divides his time between living the life of a hermit and being an internationally-acclaimed author and teacher. More information can be found at his website www.gratefulness.org.
Listen to Brother David Steindl-Rast’s presentation.
Anti-Torture Ministry Team Decries TV Torture Portrayals
TEARS, the FCCB anti-torture Ministry Team, is working with Human Rights First, an international organization that promotes laws and policies that advance universal rights and freedoms to address the way that torture is portrayed on television, and also NRCAT, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. Human Rights First has created a video called Primetime Torture. This 14-minute movie shows the difference between the way that interrogation is shown on TV and the way it ought to work in the field. The film weaves together clips from some of TV’s most popular shows with the comments of seasoned interrogators.
You can view the video in two parts on YouTube.
View Part One.
View Part Two.
You can also learn more about the portrayal of torture in primetime at www.primetimetorture.org.
More about the activities of TEARS.
New Moderator Delivers Annual Meeting Address
At First Church’s Annual Meeting in early February, Janet Eadie, the newly elected moderator, gave a moving and powerful address to begin her year in this role. Eadie has chosen “Sharing the Light of God” as her theme for the year. The Moderator chairs the Church Council and convenes meetings of the congregation. The person in this lay position is also a close collaborator with the Senior Minister.
UCC President Preaches at First Church
On Sunday, January 20, also Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, Rev. John Thomas, the President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, preached at FCCB. You can hear his sermon, “After Forty Years: The Urgency of Now”
Listen to John Thomas’ sermon.
Up the Ganges: A Trip to Explore Religious Traditions in India
Alice Clark and Charles Taylor, who have both been students of India for a long time, took a group of travelers, including several First Church members on a tour up the Ganges River. They explored the various religious practices of the country, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, and Sikhism, as they traveled by train and bus. The group presented images and stories from the trip. Some of the photos are below.
First Church celebrates its many connections with other peoples, places and traditions, and encourages its members to share what they have learned from their travels with the rest of the community.
Church Dedicates New Organ and Renovated Sanctuary
On Sunday, December 9, during Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m., First Church dedicated its renovated sanctuary and its new Petty-Madden organ. Over 400 people attended. The planning for the changes in the Sanctuary began over 10 years ago, and countless members and friends of the church contributed to the project. The chancel of the sanctuary was expanded, and all elements on it were made so that they could be removed. The organ pipes that used to be on the center back wall have been moved to the sides and a wheel-chair ramp was installed. Lighting was updated and the whole room was repainted. Special music was performed on the organ during a special prelude. A wonderful catered lunch followed with great food and a stirring celebration of all that was accomplished.
Dr. David Harrison Visits First Church
The South Africa Ministry Team hosted David Harrison, M.D., South African physician and friend of the congregation, on Sunday, December 2. David participated in worship on Sunday, December 2, 2007, and was the featured speaker at a Second Hour presentation on the same day.
Find out more about the South Africa Ministry Team
First Church Member Honored with National Medal of Humanities
Congratulations to FCCB member Henry Snyder, who received a National Medal of Humanities from President Bush on Thursday, Nov. 15 in an East Room White House ceremony. Henry, a scholar and innovator, was being recognized ”for visionary leadership in bridging the worlds of scholarship and technology. His direction of massive projects in the digital humanities has opened new frontiers in cataloguing and preserving ideas and documents for future generations.“
Winthrop Videos
“Winthrop” is FCCB’s Senior High youth program that meets on Sunday evenings. Recently, for one of their programs, the youth were given a list of words and a camera and asked to stage photographs in the neighbor to illustrate the words. This twist on the “scavenger hunt” idea resulted in two videos that you can check out on the Youth programs page.
Take the “Carbon Challenge”
What is your carbon footprint? How much carbon dioxide are you adding to the planet? Would you like to learn how to reduce your emissions? Climate Action, a new Ministry Team at FCCB invites you to take part in the “Carbon Challenge”. They hope that 50 families at FCCB will sign up to monitor their carbon emissions and work to reduce them over a period of months. The team is also holding “Carbon Anonymous” meetings to help members reduce their carbon use, where they also distribute helpful information. Check out lots of interesting resources on the Climate Action newspage!
Now You Can Hear Codys@FCCB
FCCB has teamed up with Cody’s Books to present authors and speakers who are addressing issues important to those who share progressive values both within the church and in the wider community. Cody’s Books, a popular Berkeley-based independent, is located on Fourth Street in Berkeley and on Stockton Street in San Francisco. FCCB is committed to seeking and sharing truth and fostering an open dialogue of ideas.
Audio: Progressive Christians Approach the Creation/Evolution Debate
The cultural debate about creationism and evolution is an important one for progressive people of faith. In a recent series of talks, experts in the fields of Science and Religion presented their views. Listen to Dr. Ted Peters, seminary professor and co-author of Evolution from Creation to New Creation: Conflict, Conversation, and Convergence and Dr. Robert Russell, founder and director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union.
Listen to Dr. Ted Peters—Evolution vs. Creation: Who’s Fighting Whom for What?
Listen to Dr. Robert Russell—Science and Religion: What Does A Progressive Christian Believe?
More About Us
- Read a “Seekers Statement” recently composed by members of this community
- Read our statement of inclusive community (Open and Affirming)
- Read about some of the courageous actions of FCCB and the United Church of Christ