Alliance
Third Thursdays of the month, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., September through June
The Alliance meets for potluck and discussion with a speaker offering comments and information on subjects of interest and current events. Yearly dues are $10. For those not bringing food a $3 donation is suggested. Visitors are always welcome. Contact: Susan Bergmans (510) 741-9993 or Sue Thomson (510) 524-4576.
Applied Buddhism
Tuesdays, 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
In supportive group discussions, we share how we apply Buddhist teachings in our lives. This spring, we will read writings by American Buddhists. We welcome new participants. Contact Lynnette Delgado (510) 799-0747.
The Appreciation Circle
Second Tuesdays of the month, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Appreciation Circle keeps eyes and ears open for people whose work for the church makes a difference, and we look for joy-filled ways to offer appreciation. New members of the Appreciation Circle are welcome. Contact the church at (510) 525-0302.
Blue Mountain Center of Meditation
First, Third, and Occasional Fifth Tuesdays of the month, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
The BMCM satsang is an opportunity for like-minded spiritual aspirants to discuss Eknath Easwaran's instruction and guidance in meditation and spiritual disciplines as applicable to our daily lives, and to read and meditat together. It is recommended that one read the book entitled, Meditation by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, call Lois Schneider at (510) 843-0281.
The Caring Circle
First and Third Tuesdays of the month, 11:00 -12:00 p.m.
The Caring Circle meets for worshipful support, reflection (for example: What
am I learning about listening? What am I learning about limits? How does
participation in the Caring Circle shape my understanding of the divine, of
being human, of community?), meditation and prayer for church members, sharing
and planning. The Caring Circle visits, and/or calls and sends cards to church
members and friends who are in special need of a caring presence. One member
of the Caring Circle is on call each month to provide a listening presence and
pastoral care to members. If you are dealing with an illness or loss or you
know of someone who is, you are encouraged to speak with the Caring Circle
person on call for the month. New members of the Caring Circle are always
welcome. Contact the church office at (510) 525-0302.
Casual Potluck Dinners
Casual Potluck Dinners are a great way for members, friends, newcomers, and visitors to get better acquainted. These Sunday evening potlucks are held several times a month. Look for the Casual Potluck Dinner table in the Social Hall to sign up, or contact Leslie O’Hara at (510) 236-8583.
Denominational Connections
We publicize and coordinate events and programs with the Pacific Central District (PCD), and with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). We present Study Action Issues from the Commission on Social Witness for congregational vote, and coordinate selection and accreditation of congregational delegates to General Assembly.
Contact: Karin Hart.
Devout Atheists
Second Sundays of the month, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m., September through May
This group meets in the North Safir Room to discuss a wide variety of topics, generally related to religion, science, morality, etc. Everyone is welcome regardless of their theological beliefs. For more information, contact Ray Westergard at (510) 653-9220.
Facing Aging & Death
First and Third Wednesdays of the month, 1:30 p.m.
Come join our workshop and discussion as we deal with our common concerns about getting older, changing lives and approaching death. Contact Rev. Jane Ramsey (510) 236-7781 or email or just drop in.
Freestone
Retreat
Freestone Retreat, built by UUCB members and
friends in the early 70’s, is a geodesic dome designed by famous
Unitarian, Buckminster Fuller. It can be reserved by UUCB members at a nominal fee (just $25 per night per person). Members are invited to come to the second Saturday of every month for work and comraderie. Contact: Jean Moore (510-917-1006).
Friends Outside — Jail Ministries
Friends Outside is a non-profit organization that works with the families of prisoners in the Richmond and Martinez jails. Please bring greeting cards to the Social Hall every Sunday. For information about their activities contact Dorothy Herzberg: (510) 524-0649.
Good Neighbor Donations
Each month we share our offering with local non-profit organizations serving the community, particularly the needy. Each month’s donations benefit a different group, such as the Alameda and Contra Costa Food Banks, etc. Contact: Lee Lawrence: leehelenalawrence@yahoo.com
Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
UUCB is a “member congregation” of GRIP. This is a council of 40 churches, synagogues, and mosques in West Contra Costa County. Our GRIP contact is Dorothy Herzberg, GRIP Board Member, (510) 524-0649.
GRIP Souper Center
Volunteers from our church prepare and serve lunch on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Souper Center’s new permanent location at 165 22nd Street in Richmond.
For information on serving at the Souper Center, please call Ray Westergard at (510) 653-9220.
Green Committee
First Sundays at 12:30 p.m.
The purpose of this committee is to educate, advise, and provide leadership to the congregation in becoming more environmentally responsible. To do this, we work to implement the Green Sanctuary Program created by the UU Ministry for the Earth, which includes a comprehensive and ongoing program that encompasses theological reflection and spiritual growth, religious education, social justice activism, and sustainable practices in both our individual and congregational lives. Contact: James Schinnerer at (510) 524-3774 or just drop by a meeting.
Hatha Yoga with Phyllis
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
This group started in 1979 and has been meeting every Wednesday since. Basic
breathing exercises and gentle stretches in a series that will give your whole
body the message that you care about it. All levels welcome. Contact Phyllis
Whiteman at (510) 232-1933.
Humanist Connection
Fourth Sundays, 12:30 p.m.
Humanist Connections meet every week after service at 12:30, often in the Safir Room but consult the UUCB church announcements/calendar each week. All are welcome, all meetings are free. Optional reading selections available on church office table.
Humanist Connections seeks to explore the transcendent in the absence of the supernatural. We have focused on human development, morality, evolution, the nature of the universe, the qualities of the human brain, our connections with other species, the latest scientific discoveries, and how we can live together with cooperation and creativity. Contact George Jahad at (510) 769-6125.
Literature Group
Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
We meet every Tuesday to read aloud from books we’ve decided would be worth our time: old and new fiction and non-fiction. The range is boundless and satisfying. For more information, contact Jean Jackson at (510) 533-2945.
Men's Group
Meets monthly.
Contact Tony Bushman at (510) 558-8092 or Mac Lingo (510) 525-1881 for dates, time and place.
The Mist Tree Moon Circle – A CUUPs Chapter
(Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans)
Third Sundays of the month, 7:00 p.m., September through June
(except for the October weekend retreat at Freestone)
We hold ritual celebrations of the seventh UU principle respecting the interdependent web and the sacred circle of life. This is an eco-feminist,Goddess-centered exploration born in 1995 of the UU curriculum, “Rise Up and Call Her Name: A Woman-Honoring Journey into Global Earth-Based Spiritualities.” The circle provides a space and time for direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces which create and uphold life. For more information, call Lois Atkinson at (510) 841-9016, Carole Carlisle at (510) 528-9310 or PhoeBe ANNE Sorgen at (510) 528-9428.
Numinous Circle
Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the month, 7:30 p.m.
"20-to-40- Somethings" gather for a ritual of deep sharing/listening. Contact James Schinnerer via email or phone 510-524-3774. Or subscribe to uucb-ya-announce@uuyan.org to join the young adult mailing list.
Roundtable
Fridays, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Moderator: Mark Woodbury
We try to overcome:
The cowardice that dares not face new truth.
The laziness that is content with half truth.
The arrogance that thinks it knows all truth.
We (the people) discuss current issues in Newsweek
magazine (dated the following Monday) or the Great Decisions program. Suggested donation
is $1. Contact: Mark Woodbury at (510) 653-3209.
School Volunteer Projects
Participation in the Read-Aloud Volunteer Program has been an outreach activity of UUCB for over 10 years. We read to elementary school students at inner-city schools in Richmond and San Pablo. For more information or to volunteer for the coming school year, please contact Judy Sam via email or call (510) 527-1661.
Sharing Books We Love
Last Wednesday of the Month, 12:30 p.m.
Led by Alberta Knepper (510-486-1930).
Transylvanian Partner Church Connections
Our Partner Church congregation is in the Transylvanian region of Romania in the beautiful Homorod River valley. Since 1990, after the fall of the communist regime when we reestablished our historic relationship with this Unitarian village of Homorodujfalu, we have gotten to know the villagers, their children, their hopes and their dreams. We have visited them, brought the minister to visit us once in 1999 and sent them greetings and funds for a variety of mutually agreed upon projects. Our ongoing project is the Homorod Village Education Fund, which enables students to attend high school, trade school or university in far away cities. We are currently helping fund a milk cooling station to enable villagers meet new EU agricultural standards.
Those of us who have traveled there have been changed forever as we experienced the birthplace of Unitarianism, have experienced the wonderful hospitality of our village people, and have participated in fostering new hope for a brighter future in these uncertain economic times.
UUCB participates with the First Unitarian Church of Oakland and with the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco, on a rotating basis, in sponsoring a Balazs scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry for an academic year. The 2007-2008 Balazs scholar, Bela Botond Jakabhazi, is being sponsored by our church. Please join us in making him welcome.
Uniquest
Sundays, 8:00 - 8:30 p.m., Bay Vision East Network, Channel 26
Excerpts from our Sunday worship services are featured in these half-hour
programs. Contact: Mary Pugh at (510) 525-0302.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
UUSC coordinates membership and fundraising activities, UUSC Celebration
Sunday, holiday card sales, and the Guest at the Table program with RE. It
also supports women's rights, children, and oppressed groups and racial
minorities at home and abroad, focusing on economic justice issues. Contact Sara Marsh.
UUs Against the Death Penalty
This group provides a new network for those opposing the death penalty and involves vigils, petition, education, and advocacy. Contact Sue Magidson. or (510) 845-3446
UUs At UC
Meets at noon on the second Thursday of most months at the Lewis Room of the UC Berkeley Faculty Club.
We enjoy fellowship, discussion, and a monthly speaker or presentation. Bring, buy, or skip lunch. All are welcome. You don’t have to be a UU, you don’t have to be at UC. Contact: Lee Lawrence at (925) 376-9000.
UUFETA Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
First Sundays of the month, 12:15 p.m.
Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (UUFETA) is a local chapter of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) affiliate organization. As we affirm the worth and dignity of every person, we extend this principle to include other species as well. For more information, contact Mary Dewey-Wagner at (510) 649-0229.
Video Committee
Have you ever missed a Sunday service? Video tapes of Sunday services are available for loan or purchase. Contact Mary Pugh at (510) 525-0302.
Welcoming Congregation/Interweave/LGBTs
The UU Church of Berkeley is a Welcoming Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and UUCB has a vibrant LGBT community. The UUA’s Welcoming Congregation Program, from the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender concerns, helps congregations to consciously examine homophobia, heterosexism, and what it means for heterosexual people to be allies to people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Unitarian Universalists actively honor the worth and dignity of all people.
UUCB is a chapter member of Interweave, the national organization for UU LGBTs and straight allies. Welcoming Congregation members from throughout the Bay Area meet to further LGBT awareness within our congregation’s and the larger community. Join our email list for announcements of upcoming events: uucb-wc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and/or contact Stephanie Ann Blyth at 510-530-1099.
Wisdom Circle for Elder Women
First Wednesday of the month, 10:00 a.m. to noon, September through June
This drop-in Wisdom Circle offers an opportunity for elder women to share and learn from each other about aging with grace, power, and a plan. Contact: Lucy Scott at (510) 525-1586.
Women's Meditation Group
Mondays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
This group practices "insight" or "lovingkindness"
meditation in the Southeast Asian Buddhist tradition.
For more information, contact Fran Moulton (510) 559-3265. If unable to reach Fran, call Carolyn West (510) 559-9269.
World Peace Committee
Third Sundays of the month after the worship service.
With our country still militarily embroiled in Afghanistan and Iraq, with unresolved conflict in the Mideast between Israelis and Palestinians, and with our current administration apparently intent upon future military action, this is a crucial time for the voices of peace to be heard. The World Peace Committee works within the church and the community to foster disarmament, peace, and non-violent solutions to conflict through education and advocacy. Contacts are Ingeborg Nienhold and Pam Drake. Contact: Pam Drake at (510) 525-0302.
Write For Your Life
Mondays, 9:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Our writing is a form of meditation. We spend time writing in response to a reading heard by the group at the beginning of the hour. After we write, we are invited to read to the whole group, if we wish. The writing group is a place of discovery. We welcome new members. Contact: Beth Glick-Rieman at (510) 524-2858, or just COME and try it out.
Young Adults at UUCB
Please visit our website to join our e-mail list and find out more about each of the following groups.
The Young Adult Network (UUYAN) is group (participants are typically 18 to 35 years old) that meets regularly to form a spiritual, social, and service-oriented community of young adults at UUCB. We meet the first Sunday of each month after the service for lunch at Cactus Taqueria on Solano Ave. Contact: Rebecca Mitchell.
Numinous Circle is a group of “20- to 40- Somethings” who gather for a ritual of deep sharing and listening on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 pm. Contact James Schinnerer via email or phone 510-524-3774, or subscribe to uucb-ya-announce@uuyan.org to join the young adults mailing list. UU Campus Ministry is a college-age group.