Winthrop Work Camp on the Farm
Eight Winthrop youth and four leaders took part in this summer’s Work Camp this year at the Farm Sanctuary in Orland, CA (near Chico). The Farm Sanctuary works to end cruelty to farm animals and promotes compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. Currently, about 300 animals live comfortably at the sanctuary. Workcampers did various projects around the farm including building a goat jungle gym and rabbit activity centers. At the same time, they were learning more about where their food comes from and the stories of the animals at the sanctuary. They stayed at the First Christian Church of Chico and returned home on June 28. The group will be commissioned in worship on June 21 before they leave. Please pray for them!
Read about the adventures of this group on the 2009 Work Camp Blog.
First Congregational Welcomes Summer Intern
On Sunday, June 14, FCCB welcomed Phoebe Coloma as the 2009 Beatitudes Society Summer Intern. Phoebe will be graduating from Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Master of Divinity degree next May and plans to “develop a faith community where diversity is embraced, unity is promoted and the love of God is concretely expressed by how we interact with each other and those in the world.”
She will be with us through July to “be a part of a church who actively makes an impact in the community they are in by helping address relevant social justice and peace building concerns.” She has been meeting and worshiping with us, and is particularly interested in the ministry teams that serve global interests, and participating in the upcoming Progressive Bible Study and conversations (time and places to be announced).
This internship is part of a program created by the Beatitudes Society which links emerging church leaders with progressive congregations and institutions. FCCB Senior Minister Patricia de Jong is a member of the Board of Directors for the Beatitudes Society.
Live Webcast of de Jong Synod Sermon
Senior Minister Patricia de Jong will be delivering the sermon during the final worship service at this summer’s General Synod, the national meeting of the United Church of Christ, in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tuesday, June 30. The service will be broadcast live, and everyone is invited to come to the Small Assembly that day at 4:30 p.m. to view the service together. Light refreshments will be served.
Pat has served in many roles during General Synod over the past 30 years but this will be the first time she has preached at one. She is also a native of Grand Rapids, so she will be “at home” in her home state.
Minister of Campus Life Shelly Dieterle and Minister of Art & Communication Phil Porter will also be attending the event.
FCCB Anti-Torture Banner Flies Again
Listen to Adam Blon’s sermon about torture and healing from Sunday, June 14.
Download the text of Adam’s sermon.
June is Anti-Torture Month, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (of which FCCB is a member) is encouraging its member congregations to spend the first part of the month in worship and study. On May 24, the TEARS Ministry Team presented “Torture, Popular Culture and the Truth”, a study of what we believe about torture and what its real uses are. On Sunday, June 14, Adam Blons will preach on torture, followed by an Adult Education event Wednesday, June 17 using the new NRCAT video and curriculum, “Ending Torture Forever”. Saturday night, June 27, we will be participating in the “Night Vigil”, joining Christians all over the world in fifteen minutes of prayer to end torture.
In Washington DC, a march and rally in front of the White House is scheduled for June 11. Our denomination President, Dr. John Thomas, will attend, as will many clergy and laypeople. If you will be in the area and able to attend, please let Louise Specht know, as she is looking for someone to bring the FCCB banner to display at the event.
NRCAT’s local group, the Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture, is co-sponsoring an interfaith conference, “Torture is a Moral Issue” together with the Santa Clara County Council of Churches. It will be in Palo Alto June 26-27. Their director, Diana Gibson, has recently joined BARCAT and is building BARCAT in the South Bay.
The second part of June will be the time for Congressional office visits. We will ask our Representatives to support the Conyers bill (HR 104) calling for an independent investigation of possible crimes by members of the previous administration. If you would like to join a delegation, or need information about anything we are doing in June, contact Louise or Randy Summers or any TEARS member.
More about the TEARS Ministry Team.
Call for Performers: “Garage Door Nativity”
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule.
The “Garage Door Nativity” is an original and unique retelling of the Christmas story being created by members of the FCCB community led by Patty Contaxis, Adam Blons and Phil Porter. This production, to be performed at least six times in December of 2009, can include an onstage cast of as many as 30 people of all ages who might do one or more of several things: act (but without words), move, create percussion or music, and/or enliven puppets. No special skills are required other than availability, enthusiasm, and willingness. All else will be taught.
All who wish to be involved can participate either in performing or production roles. 14 people came to the second of two opportunities to learn more about the production and to “play around.” Adam had folks create simple puppets using brooms and other available tools by adding just a couple of eyes and one hand. It was amazing to watch these simple characters come to life. Several scenes in the Garage Door Nativity involve various characters and objects that are animated by puppeteers. There are many other parts to be played by humans!
Questions? If you want to be involved contact Patty, Adam or Phil at church (510/848-3696). This production is supported in part by the Cellar Thrift Shop.
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule.
Go to the “Garage Door Nativity” newspage.
Below, Spike and Mo get very excited about getting involved in the Garage Door Nativity.
Songs of the Soul Perform Rousing JC Superstar
Members of the talented Songs of the Soul youth choir performed excerpts of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, after church on Sunday, May 31. The group which is made up of high-school students and adult leaders, including live musicians, is led by Linda Crebbin-Coates. The group sings on many occasions during Sunday morning church services and also creates special performances like this one.
You can watch a series of YouTube videos that captured this performance.
JC Superstar Video 1
JC Superstar Video 2
JC Superstar Video 3
JC Superstar Video 4
First Congregational Celebrates Long-Time Members
On Sunday, May 17, 2009, the church celebrated the gifts of those in the community who have been members for 50 years or more. We were delighted to have 38 of these long-time members attend church, some traveling a distance to be with us, and many with family members present. Each received a red rose. After church they gathered for this photograph. See a larger version of the photo.
Read some of the memories of these long-time members.
Sign up for eScrip; It’s Free!
On Sunday, June 7 and 14, the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Administration (SF&A) will sponsor on-site assistance in signups for eScrip in the Large Assembly after worship. eScrip.com is a national organization that enables non-profit groups to generate significant additional funding streams by means of a simple concept: by registering with eScrip, at no cost to you, FCCB will get a percentage of your purchase amount whenever you shop at an eScrip merchant, such as Safeway, Macy’s, Cal Mart, Andronico’s, etc.
You can enroll after worship on June 7 and 14, or you can sign up at home by going to www.escrip.com and registering your credit, ATM and Safeway cards, specifying “First Congregational Church of Berkeley” as the organization to support. This program has the power to generate a significant addition to our operating budget. Contact SF&A co-chair Allison Addicott with questions.
Read a list of all the eScrip merchants.
FCCB Members Enjoy All-Church Picnic
About 50 members and friends of First Congregational gathered after church on Sunday, May 31, at nearby Lake Temescal for a picnic. There was music, games, food and great fellowship and even some juggling! Folks didn”t let typical Berkeley late-Spring weather (cloudy and a bit chilly!) get in the way of the fun. The event was masterfully organized by the Ministry of Care, Fellowship and Invitation.
5th Sunday Offering Benefits Food Bank
The Alameda County Food Bank (ACFB) was the recipient of our 5th Sunday (May 31) Offering. FCCB members and friends filled more than four barrels with food and contributed over $2400 in cash.
Founded in 1985, ACFB provides food assistance to 40,000 people each week. The Food Bank also educates the community about the causes of hunger and poverty, advocates for policies that improve the lives of low-income people and operates an emergency food referral helpline. ACFB workers report they have never been so short of food to give to the poor.
These are the foods most-needed by the Food Bank: Canned fruit and vegetables, canned meats and fish, peanut butter, pasta, beans, rice, canned soup (low-salt), low-sugar cereal and oatmeal, tomato sauce, powdered milk.
When a month has five Sundays, the Ministry of Outreach, Mission and Service coordinates a special offering of items that will benefit a particular organization. These are collected before worship and brought forward during the regular offering.
Read about the variety of outreach projects the church is and has been involved in.
UCC National Executive Visits FCCB
The Rev. Steve Sterner, Acting Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ, visited FCCB on Sunday, May 17. Steve is one of the five-member Collegium of Officers that heads the national church. He shared the sermon time with Patricia de Jong and they answered questions about the future of the United Church of Christ. You can hear audio of the sermon below. Steve has been nominated to serve another term and his call will be voted on at this summer’s General Synod in Grand Rapids, MI.
Read more about the UCC’s Collegium of Officers.
Church Trends: A Sermon Series
Over the course of several weeks, we have been looking at trends in church life in the US and how they are reflected at First Congregational. Patricia de Jong has preached two sermons on trends in membership and worship practices and style. Phil Porter preached last week on church, faith and technology. You can listen to any of these sermons below. The series continued on May 17 in a dialogue sermon between Pat and Rev. Steve Sterner, who is the Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries for our denomination, the United Church of Christ. On May 24, Browne Barr Seminary Intern Geoffrey Gaskins challenged the congregation to imagine how a progressive Christian perspective is articulated both within the church and outside its walls.
Listen to Pat’s sermon “You Are Witnesses” from April 26, 2009.
Listen to Pat’s sermon “Larger Than Life” from May 3, 2009.
Listen to Phil’s scripture reading for May 10: Words Not in the Bible and Favorite Words That Are that are collected from his friends on Facebook.
Read the entire list of words that Phil collected from Facebook: Words That Aren’t in the Bible and Favorite Words That Are.
Listen to Phil’s sermon “00011100101101011” on church, faith and technology from May 10, 2009.
Listen to Rev. Steve Sterner and Rev. Patricia de Jong reflect on the “Past, Present and Future” of First Congregational and the United Church of Christ, from May 17, 2009.
Listen to Kate Noson’s wonderful version of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” sung during the service on May 17, 2009.
Listen to Geoffrey Gaskins preach about progressive Christianity from May 24, 2009.
Marriage Equality: Supreme Court Decision Action
On Sunday, May 24, immediately after the service, over 50 people gathered for prayer around the communion table in the chancel.
There will be a prayer service at Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street San Francisco) on Monday, May 25 from 7:00-8:30 pm. This will be an excellent time for supporters of Marriage Equality to have their voices heard.
On Tuesday, May 26, 150 people, including 30 clergy, sat down at the intersection of Grove and Van Ness Streets in San Francisco to protest the CA Supreme Court’s decision on Proposition 8. FCCB members Margie Groeninger, Maura Tucker, Ali Beck and Adam Blons were present as witnesses. Traffic was stopped for over an hour before the group was cited by police. Several UCC ministers and faculty and staff from Pacific School of Religion were involved in the civil disobedience.
An East Bay Rally in response to the court ruling will take place on Thursday, June 4. Begin by gathering at 6:30 pm at the 12th Street BART station (bring signs, pictures of your family, clergy are invited to wear liturgical robes). The group will then walk to to Lake Merritt United Methodist Church at 1330 Lakeshore Ave for a service of prayer and music on the front steps of Lake Merritt Church in celebration or in lament (or depending on the outcome it could be both!) at 7:30 pm.
We will also be responding to the decision in the worship service on Sunday, May 31.
Read several articles about First Congregational Church’s response to the call for Marriage Equality and the defeat of Proposition 8 below.
UCC Clergy Most Supportive of Marriage Equality
An recent article on mainline Christian clergy’s views on lesbian and gay issues reports that UCC clergy are the most supportive of gay marriage compared to clergy of other mainline denominations. The chart at the right shows the results of a question about the support of same-sex marriage. The survey was done by Public Religion Research. Read the whole study here.
Audio on Our Theological “Grandfathers”: Thurman, Niebuhr
In May of 2009, the Adult Education Committee hosted presentations on great theologians of the twentieth century who have dramatically shaped the ways we understand our faith. On Monday, May 11, Sam Keen, noted author, professor and philosopher, offered his thoughts on Howard Thurman (1899-1981), who greatly influenced Keen“s own life and work. Thurman, a philosopher and civil rights activist, is the author of many works including his well-known The Growing Edge.
Listen to Sam Keen’s presentation on Howard Thurman.
On Monday, May 18, Delwin Brown discussed Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), the author of such works as The Nature and Destiny of Man and Moral Manand Immoral Society. Brown is Dean Emeritus at Pacific School of Religion and is the author of numerous books and articles on theology and the church. He studied with Niebuhr at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Listen to Del Brown’s presentation on Reinhold Niebuhr.
Youth Rebuild Together
On Saturday, April 25, youth members and adult leaders of Winthrop, FCCB’s senior high youth fellowship, participated in “Rebuilding Together,” a program that provides volunteer building repair to individuals and organizations who need to have work done but may not be able to afford it. FCCB has participated in this program annually for nearly ten years.
This year’s project was to pour a gravel path, repair and repaint wooden stairs and build new planter boxes in the garden at the Fred Finch Youth Center in Berkeley. They worked alongside two FCCB members who organized the day: Moe Wright and Jonell Lucas.
Participants included youth Alex Stuetz, David Ayer, Gabe Alexander, and Kerrigan Addicott-Case and adults Alexa Maremaa, Louis Arighi, and Julie Llanillo along with Adam Blons. The previous week other FCCB members, including Ken Iha, Bob & Kathy Helliesen, Judy Norberg, Nick Kukulan, Chris Stuetz, Joanne Lagerstrom & Robert Bradley, and Paul Huston, began the work that the youth finished. Everyone is a little sore, but so satisfied with our contribution.
Special thanks to Jonell and Moe for coordinating this event and seeing it through so faithfully.
More info about youth programs at FCCB.
FCCB Experiences Powerful Holy Week
Palm Sunday, April 5, was a rousing beginning to Holy Week, with a major processional of giant puppets and palms, music by three choirs and communion. See the photos below. At the end of the service we turned our attention to Holy Week by carrying the cross into the Sanctuary. Later that afternoon, the Chancel Choir joined the First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and the Pro Sonus Orchestra to present Haydn’s masterpiece “The Creation” in the First Presbyterian Sanctuary.
Maundy Thursday Ritual Draws Crowd
More than 80 people gathered on Maundy Thursday, April 9, for a simple but delicious meal of soup, bread and fruit and a ritual of washing hands and feet. Candles lit the room and moving music played by clarinetist Terry Jackson and Larry Marietta set a background for church members and friends to have their feet washed by one of the ministers or share in washing each other’s hands. Angela Arnold’s moving rendition of “Were You There” and a benediction by Patricia de Jong closed the evening.
Many pots of steaming soup made by members of the congregation delighted the senses of the gathered “family.” One popular version of a classic—Cream of Tomato—was prepared by Katharine Kunst. Download her recipe. Anyone else want to submit your Maundy Thursday soup recipe? Email it to pporter@fccb.org.
Three Easter Sunday Celebrations
Members and friends of First Congregational had three opportunities to celebrate on Easter Sunday morning—a Sunrise Service overlooking the Bay, a Jazz/Gospel Service, and the Easter Celebration in the Sanctuary. Each service had its own unique character and allowed us to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in a variety of ways. Here are the early photos of the events on Sunday, April 12.
Palm Sunday Photos
We recreated the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with giant puppets, palms and special music by the Pilgrim Choir and Songs of the Soul.
Border Immersion Team Gets Firsthand Look at Immigration Issues
Listen to Adam Blon’s April 19 sermon on immigration issues.
Read two poems Chris McCoy wrote on the Immigration Immersion trip entitled “Barred” and “The Crossing”.
Listen to Chris read “Barred” during the April 19 worship service.
Read Adam Blon’s report of the deportation hearing for Maria and Augustin Sanchez just below.
Read more about the “Second Hour” presentation made by the Immigration Immersion Trip participants on April 19, including ways you can be involved in immigration issues.
Read the Blog! On Friday, March 20, a team of 8 students, 3 church members, and leaders Tinley Ireland and Adam Blons embarked on a service-learning border immersion experience at the San Ysidro/Tijuana border. The trip has been organized and sponsored by the Immigration Ministry Team. On Sunday, March 15, the congregation commissioned the group (see video below), and then the group had a final meeting to explore the topic of immigration, create a community covenant, and personalize their reflection journals with images that speak of transcending borders.
The group which has diverse religious, cultural, and national backgrounds and experiences was united by a commitment to be immersed in the situation at the border, discern how to better be agents of justice, and return ready to make change in our communities. Their experience on the trip was powerful. Adam Blons, Minister of Community Life and one of the teams leaders, had this to say about his experience: “Personally, this trip fueled my desire to expand my sense of community in Berkeley by reaching across the racial borders that exist there. The five walls separating Tijuana and the US are not just about citizenship, but also race. And the border is not just here. It is in our communities, it is in our conversations, it is in our economic system, and it is in our church, and it is in our hearts. I am called to try to heal those divisions in my own life and community through the power and possibility of loving relationships.”
Check out the Immigration Trip Blog for wonderful reflections on the trip.
Read more about the Centro Romero, an organization run by the Justice & Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ, which the group visited on their immersion trip.
Immigration Hearing Report
Minister of Community Life Adam Blons attended an immigration hearing last week for a family that has been part of the Immigration Sanctuary Movement. Maria and Augustin Sanchez are threatened with deportation even though some of their children are legal residents of the United States. Adam writes, “The judge for this case was very compassionate and the government’s lawyer was benign. I felt that the dignity of the family was honored during the hearing. That said, it is still shameful that the government would even consider splitting up a family. In addition, I observed many times today how misunderstanding created doubt during the testimonies. The language barrier in these situation goes beyond words.” The hearing was not completed and will continue this week. Read Adam’s full report of the hearing. It provides an inside look at what deportation hearings are like. Also you can download an Interfaith Immigration Platform, which provides a framework for immigration policy reform.
UPDATE We originally learned that the judge ruled that the Sanchez family will not be deported. However, the government lawyer decided to appeal the cancelation of Maria and Augustin Sanchez&rsqou;s deportation orders. This is very disappointing news for the family, who now must wait through another long process (anywhere from 3 months to 3 years) for a ruling. The appeal is made to the Board of Immigration Appeals and is done only through an exchange of briefs. At this point the burden of proof is on the government. The Sanchez’s immigration lawyer believes that the judge in the previous hearing issued a solid ruling that should withstand this appeal. But think of the time and money that will be spent during this process. Please continue to pray for Maria and Augustin and their family during this difficult process.
Watch the blessing of the group that took place on Sunday, March 15, below.
Living a Greener Life: One Habit at a Time
FCCB friend Hilary Perkins has created a wonderful new website Sacred Living: One Habit at a Time with the aim of inspiring people to live a greener life by changing one habit at a time, such as committing to bring one’s own bags to the store or taking Navy showers. The site includes some wonderfully simple ideas, shares background on the issues, considers the spiritual angle of these practices and has multiple links to other sources of information. It even includes Adam’s story about saving and reusing plastic bags.
Cellar Thrift Shop Spreads the Love Around
The Cellar Thrift Shop is an FCCB institution that first opened in 1986. It offers a wide range of attractive bargains that anyone could afford. It is open on Wednesday from 10 am-4 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, and before and after the Sunday morning worship service which is at 10 am. The Shop is staffed by a helpful and committed group of volunteers who sort, price and display thousands of items each month. Each quarter the proceeds of the Cellar Thrift Shop are given away: more than $1,500 a month goes to outreach projects, more than $300 a month goes to the church’s operating budget, and over $1000 goes to special projects. A few of the organizations that have benefitted from Cellar Thrift Shop donations are Berkeley Emergency Food and Housing, Berkeley Chaplaincy to the Homeless, the Haiti Food Program, and Berkeley Free Clinic.
You can help this effort by checking out a list of popular items that you might donate. Donations can be brought to the church during regular business hours.
More about the Cellar Thrift Shop and other First Congregational Church Ministry Teams.
The Bald Truth
Donate! On Saturday, March 14, Minister of Art & Communication Phil Porter and his partner Chinh Nguyen took part in a fundraiser organized by the St. Baldrick Foundation and had their heads shaved. They did it in honor of Brianna Contaxis-Tucker (shown with her dog Jester) and her moms Patty and Maura. 10 years ago, they received the good news that the doctors were able to completely remove a serious brain tumor that was threatening Brianna’s young life.
Phil and Chinh were joined by a neighbor of the Contaxis-Tucker family, Garey Mills, to make up “Team Gratitude,” so aptly named by Maura. It was estimated that 175 people had their heads shaved at the event at Emery Bay.
Watch the video below of Phil, Chinh and Garey getting the “buzz” and donate online to this worthy cause!
Remembering Minister Emeritus Browne Barr
Dr. Browne Barr who pastored FCCB from 1960-1977 died of pneumonia on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Barr was a powerful preacher and teacher and was much beloved by members of the congregation. Even though his pastorate ended over 30 years ago, many current members of the congregation experienced his leadership and honor his ministry. In particular, he helped the congregation navigate the difficult times during the 1960s when so much was happening on the UC Berkeley campus. When he retired as dean of the faculty at San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1983, the church voted to give him the status of Minister Emeritus.
Dr. Barr also served as minister of South Church, Congregational, in Middletown, Connecticut, and professor of homiletics at Yale Divinity School and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He wrote several books including East Bay and Eden, High Flying Geese, and Never Too Late to Be Loved: How One Couple Under Stress Discovered Joy and Intimacy. He moved from San Anselmo to Calistoga with his wife Leigh after his retirement from the deanship in 1983. He had been in failing health for a number of years.
Dr. Barr’s memorial service will be on Sunday, March 8, at 2 pm at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. The service will be webcast as well. Click here for the webcast page.
Read a full bio about Dr. Browne Barr.
You may also make an online contribution to the Browne Barr Seminary Internship Fund in Dr. Barr’s honor. When you get to the part where you designate the purpose of your offering, mark “other” and write in “Browne Barr Intern.”
The News from our Members in Israel/Palestine
The travellers to Israel and Palestine have returned safely. You can still share in the amazing stories and photos that the group captured on the Israel/Palestine Blog!
Download the 2008 Annual Report
Now you can read about all the activities of First Congregational Church of Berkeley in it’s 2008 Annual Report. Read what the Church Council and the ministries were up to last year, get a behind the scenes look at the work of the staff, check out the membership numbers, be amazed at the amount of money the church donated in various ways (over $145K!), and check out some great photos of the church. You will be amazed!
Congregation Votes in Favor of "Axis of Friendship" Synod Resolution
On Sunday, December 21, the congregation of First Congregational Church of Berkeley voted to send a resolution on relationships with Iran to next summer’s General Synod, the national meeting of the United Church of Christ. Our church and five others in our denomination have now voted to approve sending the resolution.
Read more about this story below.
Children’s Choirs on YouTube
On Sunday, December 14, 2008, the choirs of First Congregational Church created a wonderful Festival of Carols & Choirs. In this YouTube video you can hear the Carol Choir and the Pilgrim Choir, the two children’s choirs, coming together to sing.
Authors & Ideas Launched
Check out the new Authors & Ideas @ FCCB webpage.
Authors & Ideas @ FCCB is a new series of presentations by exciting contemporary authors. First Congregational is teaming up with Melissa Mytinger, formerly of Cody’s Books and Praveen Madan, co-owner of The Booksmith to present a full line-up of authors addressing issues and sharing ideas that will help us understand more about where we have been and where we are going as progressive people of faith.
2009 will bring with it these exciting events:
Tamim Ansary
Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes
Ansary clarifies why western and Islamic civilizations grew up oblivious to each other, what happened when they intersected, and how the Islamic world was affected by its slow recognition that Europe—a place it long perceived as primitive and disorganized—had somehow hijacked destiny.
Ruth Reichl
Not Becoming My Mother: and Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way
The editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine confronts the painful transition her mother made from a hopeful young woman to an increasingly unhappy older one and comes to understand the lessons of rebellion, independence, and self-acceptance that her mother succeeded in teaching her.
Full details at Authors & Ideas @ FCCB.
First Congregational Stands for Marriage Equality
November 5, 2008
Although it looks like Proposition 8 has passed (get the lastest updates from Equality California), First Congregational Church of Berkeley will continue to stand strongly for the rights of all people to marry. The church has supported performing commitment ceremonies and weddings for same-gender couples long before Prop 8 became an issue and will continue to do so. Our denomination, the United Church of Christ, spoke out as a denomination for Marriage Equality in 2005, and the work on that issue will continue.
To take a stand on this issue as a congregation has been a watershed moment, and the church can be proud of its involvement in the No on 8 campaign. Many members became directly involved in a variety of ways and the church became an organizing hub for No on 8 activism. The church is proud of the Marriage Equality Team, especially Alison Beck who has been a powerhouse of information, inspiration and organization. The defeat of this measure will not dim the power of the reaction of the congregation to its congregational vote in opposition to Prop 8, made on September 14 (read the story of this vote below), and its celebration of weddings of same-gender couples on October 19 (read this story below).
Several elements of this powerful story will remain on this website as part of the church’s witness to this issue.
Read more about the Marriage Equality Team on its newspage.
First Congregational Votes “No on Prop 8”
On Sunday, September 14, “Welcoming Sunday”, First Congregational Church of Berkeley voted unanimously as a congregation to oppose Prop 8. Proposition 8 is a voter initiative on the November ballot that would eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. About 200 people remained after the Sunday morning service to take part in this historic vote. It was the first time the congregation had voted to take a specific stand on a ballot issue.
As the meeting began, Moderator Janet Eadie read the church’s Open and Affirming Statement which was adopted by the congregation in 1995. There was a wide spread belief that any other response to Prop 8 would be inconsistent with this statement. At it’s most recent meeting, the Church Council had voted unanimously to bring this issue before the congregation.
Before he read the resolution, Moderator-Elect Milton Fujii referred to his personal reaction to the ballot measure, comparing it to past laws banning marriage between members of different racial groups. He knew, he said, that if any such law were proposed today that the church would take a stand, ensuring the right of he and his wife to be married.
Alison Beck, who coordinates the Marriage Equality Ministry Team, shared background about Prop 8 and the wide ranging effect of the measure if it were to pass: “The rights of our community, the rights of the families, couples, and individuals sitting right here in this room today, are on the line. The initiative would invalidate our marriages, performed by our ministers and sanctioned by our church. This is not somebody else’s battle, or somebody else’s issue—it is ours.” Alison and her partner Huong Nguyen were legally married this summer. After the vote, their young sons Theryn and Rowan came up to give their mother a big hug.
Maura Tucker, another leader of the Marriage Equality Team assured the congregation that it was well within the legal rights of the church to take a stand on an issue such as this without compromising the church’s not-for-profit standing. She felt it particularly important for Christian churches to speak out: “As I have spoken with people in other arenas beyond FCCB, I am painfully aware that the very word ‘Christian’ has become associated with those who have promoted this proposition and who are outspokenly against the right of gay and lesbian people to marry. The rhetoric is harsh and painful: ‘A confrontation between light and darkness will happen this November. A battle to save the very sanctity of marriage. To the victor goes the soul of the nation.’”
Still, it was a departure for the congregation, which places a high value on individual expression and freedom of thought, to take such a vote. That the vote was unanimous was a powerful statement of the congregation’s shared commitment. Many members were moved to tears by the vote, including Senior Minister Patricia de Jong, who had spoken passionately about the issue in her sermon that morning.
The Marriage Equality Team has swelled from 8 to 80 members over the last few weeks, and the team has organized phone banks, and opportunities to speak out and donate to the No on 8 campaign. After the service, many members were carrying home “No on Prop 8” lawn signs, as well as other signs and stickers.
First Congregational Celebrates Weddings of Same-Gender Couples
On October 19, 2008, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, United Church of Christ, celebrated the weddings of same-gender couples who have been able to marry since it became legal in the state of California. Eighteen couples took part in the blessing, some who are members of the congregation and others from the larger community. A widespread invitation had gone out to welcome couples to come and have their weddings blessed by a faith community, regardless of their denomination or faith tradition.
The couples stood in the chancel to receive red roses and introduced themselves. They were greeted with sustained applause and a standing ovation. Then they moved down the center aisle into the middle of the congregation to receive a blessing from the whole group led by Senior Minister Patricia de Jong.
The Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus sang several songs during the service and Music Director Larry Marietta and pianist Amy Hiestand played several familiar wedding pieces during the prelude and postlude. Minister of Art and Communication Phil Porter joined Pat for a humorous recounting of the story of the wedding at Cana. Listen to this scriptual enactment of Jesus’s first miracle. Then they shared their reflections on marriage, weddings, and the new ability of same-gender couples to be legally married. Listen to Pat and Phil’s sermon. Pat has been doing same-gender weddings since 1984, but she spoke of her feelings when she signed her first marriage certificate for a gay couple. “It wasn’t until the very moment that they handed me the piece of paper to sign my name that I realized that it was an amazing moment of transformation.” Phil reflected on the long lines of couples that came to City Hall when San Francisco first started issuing marriage certificates. “It is such a deep desire within us to have our relationships honored in community. Why shouldn’t that opportunity be available to all of God’s children?&rdqou;
A three-tiered wedding cake with orange and yellow flowers was served after the service.
First Congregational Church also voted in a congregational meeting in September to oppose Proposition 8, which would amend the constitution to make marriage between same-sex couples illegal. Under the direction of the congregation’s Marriage Equality Ministry Team phone banks have been organized and No on Prop 8 materials have been distributed.
See some great photos of this event.
More info from the Marriage Equality Team.
Want to Get Married?
First Congregational Church of Berkeley welcomes all couples who wish to marry, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or heterosexual. Our ministers have performed several weddings for same-gender couples over the past decade, and will continue to do so. Please contact the church office at 510/848-3696 or info@fccb.org for more information or to set up a meeting with one of our ministers.
Audio of Codys@FCCB Presentations Still Available Here
For over three years First Congregational teamed up with Cody’s Books to present wonderful authors reading from their works and discussing new ideas for our times. When Cody’s closed that series ended, but a new one is beginning.
Although the series has ended, you can still listen to audio presentations of Codys@FCCB events featuring Wangari Maathia (pictured), Parker Palmer, Paul Hawken, Michael Eric Dyson and John Dean.
Celebrating an “Axis of Friendship”
On September 12, America’s tragedy of 9/11 elicited an outpouring of sympathy from many unlikely places, none more unlikely than Tehran, Iran. Iranians spontaneously lit candles in solidarity with the families of 9/11 and people in the U.S. From every race and nationality, rescuers and aid arrived to help in the smoking remains of the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon.
We in the Bay Area have an opportunity this September 12 to reignite the remaining embers of the “Axis of Friendship” that responded to 9/11. Join Bay Area Iranian-Americans and their friends for the Axis of Friendship Festival, Friday, Sept. 12, 3:30|6:30 pm, Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco, for music, poetry, and food to celebrate our commitment to peace and cross-cultural friendship. The Festival will then adjourn to a nearby mosque where we will celebrate the breaking of a fast day of Ramadan.
If you cannot be in San Francisco, you can be part of the Axis of Friendship in this simple way: Light a candle at sundown Sept. 12 and put it in a window. In remembering September 12, we will honor and celebrate the faiths, families, and friendships that bind us—Americans and Iranians—in a global Axis of Friendship.
Among the members of the Planning Committee for this event are Rita Nakashima Brock (First Congregational Church of Berkeley), Amir Soltani (US-Iran Alliance), Nilou Nouri (Bay Area Iranian American Voter Association), Betsy Rose, Diana Gibson (Council of Churches of Santa Clara County), Sean McConnell (Episcopal Diocese of California), David Stark (Stiles Hall), and Pat de Jong. For more information, go to the Axis of Friendship website or contact Rita N. Brock.
Science and Religion at First Congregational
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 Congregational 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 Congregational 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.
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 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
