In the Shelter of Old Growth
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Sunday May 3 Worship Service 11 am

In our annual tradition of Doctors of Durability, we recognize those who’ve made 80 circles and more around the sun. We celebrate the old growth among us, and sit together under its shelter, learning what only the lessons of durability can teach.

In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube
Wanna watch last week’s sermon? Replay it here.
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Sunday May 3, 2026

9:30 am Personal Theology – Dr. Mary Mackey, Author and Poet 
Fireside Room and Zoom – The Personal Theology Committee is delighted to have Dr. Mary Mackey, author and poet, present her personal theology talk “Above Us, Beneath Us, Around Us, Inside Us: The Light of Creation.” Dr. Mary Mackey, an Emeritus Professor of English, taught Creative Writing and Film at the graduate and undergraduate levels at California State University, Sacramento until her retirement in 2008. More info. 
 

9:30 am Parents’ Discussion Group
Safir Room – Parent/Grandparent Discussion Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 9:30 am. We welcome parents and grandparents at all stages of the parenting journey. Drop-ins welcome!

10 am Youth and Children’s Choir Rehearsal
Meditation Room (below the Sanctuary) – Open to all children and youth, ages 5½ and up. Prior musical experience is not required. Email Teacher Katie for questions.

10 am Coffee and Community 
Atrium – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments

11 am Religious Education
In Person – Join us for Religious Exploration (RE). We have activities for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Together, we will talk about building the common good. For more information, please email Kathryn Jay, Minister of Congregational Life. 

11 am Worship Service
In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube – In the Shelter of Old Growth. Rev. Marcus Liefert, preaching.

12 pm Light Lunch
Social Hall – Be our guest for a light lunch in the Social Hall after the service. Helpers to prepare food and clean up are always welcome! For information on how to volunteer, please email Rev. Kathryn Jay.

12:30 pm Pathway to Connection: Covenant
Sanctuary – One of three short classes where participants share their own spiritual journeys, learn how we create loving community in our congregation, and the history of our church and tradition. This class focuses on UUCB’s mission and covenant, and explores the meaning of membership in the church. This series is especially useful for people who have newly joined the church or are considering becoming members, but it is open to everyone.

1 pm Doctors of Durability Reception
In person – Each year, the first Sunday of May we celebrate our members 80 and better for their decades of contributions to their families, our church, and the world around them. In these uncertain times, their experience in the challenges of the past can help bring our UU values to life. Their resilience and wisdom can help guide us and give us hope for the future.

1 pm Pride Project
Safir Room (South) – The Pride project’s objective is to initiate social gatherings, increase visibility, provide a platform for education and awareness, offer support and develop responses to current events.

1 pm Humanist Connections
Safir Room (North) – Topic and speaker TBD. The Humanist Connections group meets weekly to discuss topics relating to our humanity, values, ideas. “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” (4th principle of Unitarian Universalism.) For more information, contact Harold Ogren.

1:30 pm Working to Overcome White Supremacy (WOWS)
Zoom  – Working to Overcome White Supremacy (WOWS).  Andrea Prichett of Berkeley Copwatch will share how the organization holds the Berkeley Police accountable.  Please also come prepared to share any MAUBs (Moments of Awareness of Unconscious Bias) or MOIs (Moments of Inspiration) that you have experienced. For more information, contact Julia Rogers and Julie Winkelstein at wows@uucb.org or 510-520-8230 (Julia). 

Click here to join on Zoom or dial 669-900-9128
Meeting ID 894 0793 2840
 

The Week

Monday, May 4

9 am Write for Your Life
Zoom – “Write For Your Life” is a meditative sharing practice for people who like to write. Please email Kit Hewitt for Zoom link and details.

11 am Textile and Art
Safir Room – The Textile and Arts Group provides support, fellowship and growth through sharing and exploration of fiber and other arts/media. Creative growth enriches our UUCB Community. Organizers: Helen Toy, Judy Sam, Karen Tripp. Email adulted@uucb.org to contact organizers.

1 pm Grief Circle
Fireside Room – Grief is part of our shared humanity.  Whether we grieve the death of a loved one or another loss, healing begins when grief is shared and witnessed. In this circle, we gather in a spirit of compassion to listen, speak honestly, and hold one another in care. Show up as you are, with no expectation to “move on” or have answers. Through conversation, reflection, and deep listening, we create a community where grief is honored and healing can unfold.

Tuesday, May 5

10 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi 
In Person – Tai Chi reduces stress, improves cognitive functions, increases your body awareness, enhance your stability, and build strong muscles. Share in quiet community with Neil, a seasoned practitioner and patient teacher. Sessions are donation based. Email Neil Clark for more information.

12:15 pm Applied UU Buddhist Sangha
Zoom – A weekly discussion group with time for meditation. Contact Lynnette Delgado for more info.

12:30 – 2:30 pm Immigrant Solidarity Project Vigils
In Person – Join us to show solidarity with people going to immigration court in Concord at 1855 Gateway Blvd. We’ll be on the sidewalk between the entry and exit lanes of the building driveway. Bring sun protection, water and a chair if you need one. We have signs in English and Spanish. Contact Francey (970) 391-2547 for more info. Interest Form and Calendar.

Wednesday, May 6

10 am Walk & Talk Group
A small group meets for a vigorous one-hour walk. All are welcome. We are building loving community while supporting our physical and mental well-being. On 1st Wednesdays, meet at Pt. Isabel (dog park) parking lot. On 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, meet at the UUCB front parking lot and we will walk from there. On 3rd and 5th Wednesdays, contact Ann Harlow or Lisa Maynard for meeting location.

10:30 am Aging with Grace 
Zoom – A weekly gathering of people sharing ideas and encouragement as they age. Contact Anne Greenwood or Jane Ramsey.

7:15 pm Board of Trustees Meeting
Zoom – Contact Selene Fabiano for more info: secretary@uucb.org. 

Thursday, May 7

9:30 am Women’s Meditation Group 
Zoom– This group meets weekly to practice “Mettā” (pr. METTT-tttah) or “loving kindness” meditation in the Southeast Asian Buddhist philosophy tradition.  Contact: Evelie Delfino Såles Posch.

5:30 pm Learn Javanese music at UUCB! 
In Person – Experience firsthand the meditative Javanese gamelan. All ages and levels of musical skill welcome. Contact Daniel Schmidt or Tom Tripp.

7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
In Person – Luminescence, our choir of adults, joins to sing on Thursday nights in the Sanctuary.  New singers are most welcome! You don’t need choral experience, nor do you need to read music—though both help in learning the new music.

Friday, May 8

9:30 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi 
In Person – Tai Chi reduces stress, improves cognitive functions, increases your body awareness, enhance your stability, and build strong muscles. Share in quiet community with Neil, a seasoned practitioner and patient teacher. Sessions are donation based. Email Neil Clark for more information.

7:30 pm Contra Costa Chorale Presents: The Eras
In Person and Livestream – The Contra Costa Chorale, led by artistic director Dr. Brad Schultz and keyboardist Christopher Alexander, presents spring concerts celebrating 60 years of community and song. The program highlights music from the Chorale’s history, such as Haydn, Brahms, Lloyd Webber, Lauridsen, Szymko, and includes the premiere of Let Children Walk by local composer and Chorale scholarship recipient Justin Trujillo. More info and tickets.

Saturday, May 9

Upcoming Events

May 10 – Three Sisters Garden Annual Spring Garden Blessing
May 17 – Congregational Meeting: Budget Approval
May 17 – Raise Your Voice In Love And For Justice
May 17 – Newcomer Q&A
May 31 – Bridging for Democracy

Announcements & Resources

A Little Work, A Lot of Community

Join us for Volunteer Hour—an easy way to connect while helping with small tasks around UUCB. Drop in, chat, and lend a hand for as long as you like. Thursdays, 1–3 pm. More info.

Dear UUCBers: THANK you for all the donations you’ve made for the Blessings Bags, and then taking them to share with others. As we start to travel and hotel, if you collect toiletries to give to the BBs, the fuchsia box will be in the atrium throughout the summer to collect them. Our next ASSEMBLE will be in September.

THANKS!  Beth Jerde

The Textile/Arts Group, the Peace Committee, Immigrant Solidarity at UUCB, and the Social Justice Council are collaborating on the RESIST with RED FUNDRAISER!  We have mini red hats you can wear on your lapel in solidarity.  We’ll be in the atrium this Sunday (sofa area) before and after the service!  Norwegians wore red knit hats during WW II in solidarity, as a sign of resistance to the Nazis.  We are wearing mini red hats in solidarity, resisting this regime. Funds go to Cuba-Gaza-our local Immigrant community.


UUCB’s Chalice Camp in August is now enrolling! Chalice camp is a fun and meaningful week-long summer day camp for rising 1st through 6th graders. We have many community building activities throughout the week.We welcome regular UU church attendees, occasional UU church attendees, and all families interested in learning more about UU values! More info.


UUCB’s Ukulele Summer Camp in July is now enrolling! Family-friendly (Ages 8 and up, including adults) Ukulele Summer Camp is a fun day camp for learning to play and sing with the ukulele with musical instruction, games and activities, and a performance with invited family and friends at the end of camp. Parents are encouraged to enroll and learn along with their kids, and families with two or more campers enrolled receive a discount. More info.

Good Neighbor for May

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
Their mission is: “Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is a statewide California organization that connects clergy and people of faith to the work of social justice. We work to make the criminal justice system more just, and the immigration system more fair and humane. ”

UUCB Staff and Board Availability 

  • Board Listening Presence: Helen Toy. 
  • Rev. Marcus Liefert (Minister) meetings by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Email
  • Rev. Kathryn Jay (Minister of Congregational Life): open office hours Tuesday and Thursday. By appointment on Wednesday and Friday. Email
  • Bryan Baker (Director of Music): in person Thursdays and Sunday mornings, and remotely Fridays. Email
  • Janae Heard (Operations Director): by appointment only. Email
  • Peter Barnholdt (Facilities Manager): currently out on leave. Email
  • Charis Domador (Manager of Membership and Engagement): in office Thursdays and Sundays. Works remotely M-W. Email
  • Eliza Cantwell (Office Administrator and Rentals Coordinator): in office Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-4. Email.
  • Diana Steinbach (Finance Administrator) works remotely Mondays and Thursdays. Email

Stay in Touch 

  • Pastoral Care Need? If you or a UUCB congregant you know is sick, hospitalized, recovering, grieving or otherwise in need of attention and support, please email us at pastoralcare@uucb.org. In case of a pastoral emergency, you may call Rev. Marcus Liefert at (510) 525-0302 ext. 303  He is always available for pastoral needs, as phone messages will be forwarded to him. 
  • Subscribe to our newsletters.
  • Social Justice email list: Email Sheldon Jones.

Submit items for The Week Ahead to weekahead@uucb.org by 8 am Wednesday. Please limit announcements to 325 characters (with spaces).

Submit items for the Beacon monthly newsletter to beacon@uucb.org by the 15th of the month.

Our Board of Trustees Widening the Circle Vision Statement:
“We, the trustees of UUCB commit ourselves to championing racial
justice, embodying anti-racist practices, and confronting and
dismantling white supremacy culture and all forms of oppression
(including but not limited to racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia,
transphobia, classism, ageism, xenophobia and religious oppression,
including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia) in everything we do.”


Donate

Mailing address: 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, CA 94707
Telephone: 510-525-0302
Email: info@uucb.org

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