Category Archives: Church News

Dear Congregation, This coming Sunday is designated as The Baptism of Christ Sunday. In reflecting on the importance of Jesus’ baptism at the very beginning of his public ministry, we’ll consider the meaning of our own baptisms. There will be the opportunity for all who choose to do so to reaffirm their baptismal vows and […]

Dear Congregation, I was happy to receive a new 2020 Mary Englebreit calendar for a Christmas gift. It has become kind of a tradition that my daughter Darcy gets me one every year. I really enjoy the artist’s illustrations and the various quotations listed month by month. One January’s quote was from Mark Twain who […]

Dear Congregation, A New Year and a new decade begins next week on Wednesday. As we’re poised to leave 2019 behind, with all that it has contained of joys and sorrows, we pause to both look back and to look ahead.  I’d like to share with you a poem from a favorite book of prayers […]

Dear Congregation, Christmas is coming! This Sunday Lorrie and Isabella LeGrand & Jose Otlaora will light the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath, the purple LOVE candle, during the late worship service. I hope you’re able to take time to be present at one of the services either at 8:45 a.m. or at 10:30 a.m.  […]

Dear Congregation, Advent is going by quickly as it always seems to do. The purple candles of Hope and Peace have been lit on the Advent Wreath, and this Sunday the Smith family will light the third candle, the pink candle of Joy. One definition of joy is   “the emotion of great delight or happiness […]

Dear Congregation, Advent begins this year on Sunday, December 1st.  The word Advent means “coming” and so, throughout the 24 days of Advent, Christians are invited to prepare for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. It is a time of hopeful waiting and joyful anticipation. When my children, and some of my grandchildren, […]

Dear Congregation,   I invite you to be present in worship this Sunday either at 8:45 a.m. or at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate Thanksgiving in several ways. In the casual service in the beautiful Garden Chapel we’ll reflect on our blessings and share in Holy Communion. In the later service our Thanksgiving will center around […]

Dear Congregation,   This Sunday is Stewardship Ingathering when you have the opportunity to turn in your Pledge Cards to be consecrated and receive a blessing. In that spirit of grateful giving, I’d like to share with you this Stewardship Prayer by The Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette, Senior Pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC. God, like […]

Dear Congregation,   What a joy it was this week to see the Miami Herald article announcing that the Homestead detention center, where thousands of immigrant children were housed since 2018, will essentially be closed! The contract of Claiburn, the for-profit contractor that operated the facility, will not be renewed at its expiration on November 30th. Rep. Debbie […]

Dear Congregation,   This Sunday after worship you’re encouraged to attend the ‘State of the Church’ PowerPoint presentation to be given by Moderator Lorrie LeGrand and Trustees’ Chairperson Julio Balcells. This will take place during a potluck lunch in Kelsey Hall. I’ve had a chance to preview the program and promise you that you will find […]