2011 was a Triple Anniversary year for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley: 120 years as a congregation, 50 years at the Kensington location, and 50 years since the merger of Unitarians and Universalists. The theme of our year-long celebration was “Looking Back, Looking Forward: Honoring a Proud Tradition.”
As part of our “Looking Back,” members Grace Ulp and Kay Fairwell asked present and former members for help in telling UUCB stories. We asked for memories, anecdotes, and reminiscences about events and activities over the past 120 years. Keep in mind that the history you see here is a collection of memories; the definitive history is yet to be written.
- What Was Berkeley Like in 1891? by Maizie Newman
- Uncivil War—The Move Up the Hill by Grace Ulp
- Name Change by Grace Ulp
- Mileposts from the Centennial Calendar, 1991
This section on the arts includes articles on art objects, poetry, choirs and musical groups, dance, drama, music in general, and musicals and concerts. It also includes a list of Musical VIPs and Scott Merrick’s List of Events, which includes musical performances.
- Art Objects at the Church by Grace Ulp
- Altar Table Decoration by Grace Ulp
- Poetry by Claire Baker
- Blended Voices by Grace Ulp
- Gamelan Group by Grace Ulp
- Youth and Children’s Choir by Michèle Voillequé
- Memories of Dance by Kay Fairwell
- Plays by Margaret Gudmundsson
- Squirrel Hill by Grace Ulp
- Scenery by Marin Fischer (the artist formerly known as “Lois”)
- Acoustics at UUCB by Warren Zittel
- Concert Grand Piano by Jo Maxon
- Grand Pianos by Eric Howe
- Harpsichord by Sandra Sodurlund
- Music Groups and Mama Sez by Kathleen Baumgardner
- Opera a la Carte by Grace Ulp
- South Pacific by Ken McPherson
- Musical Memories by Jeanne Griffith
- Musical Performances by Terry Merrick
- Partner Church Concert by Grace Ulp
- Music VIPs since 1960
- Music Directors
- Choir Directors
- Organists
- Choral Accompanist
- Community Ministers by Rev. Jane Ramsey
- The Institute of Logotherapy by Fern Roberts-Labuhn
- [As of 1991] Ministry at UUCB by Kay Fairwell, adapted from the 2010–2011 UUCB Annual Report on Global Ends
- Small Group Ministry – Chalice Circles – by Kay Fairwell (adapted from the Chalice Circles brochure)
- The Numinous Circle by James Schinnerer
- UUCB Men’s Group History by Tony Bushman
- Summer Workshop in International Living by Elaine Miller
- Summer Workshop in International Living by Fern Labuhn
- More on the Summer Workshop by Grace Ulp
- Memories from a Former Religious Education Director: August 1980 to June 1988 (I think!]) by Anne Greenwood
- RE Progression by Paul Hudson
- Bring Your Weight in Food by Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway
- Environmental Justice by Amy Petré Hill
- Brief History of UUCB/GRIP/Souper Center Involvement by Ray Westergard
- GRIP: Housing the Homeless by Dorothy Herzberg
- The Gunplow Monument
- Health Care Reform by Amy Petré Hill
- International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) Congresses: Choir Trips by Barbara Back
- IARF Conferences by Dorothy Herzberg
- Marriage Equality
- Promise the Children by Eileen Peck
- The Read-Aloud Program and UUCB by Winnie Sayre
- Searchlight Peace Vigil by Grace Ulp
- Searchlight Peace Vigil by Margaret Gudmundsson
Stewardship – Taking Care of the Church
- The Office in 1973 by Grace Ulp
- Rides to Church by Jay Hanks
- UUCB Buildings and Grounds by Bob Sayre
- Partner Church by Jay Hanks
- Partner Church Historical Sketch by Stephanie Ann Blythe
- 2011 Memories of Starting Our Transylvanian Partner Church Relationship
- by Anne Greenwood, co-chair, Transylvanian Partner Church Committee, May 2011
- Visiting Homoródújfalu: Chronology 1990–2006 by Anne Greenwood
Personal Stories… and Miscellaneous Musings
This section contains personal stories, anecdotes, and miscellaneous entries that don’t fit easily into one category,and those entries that seemed to be more reminiscences than reporting. The entries are in alphabetical order by last name of contributors. Note that these authors may have entries in other sections of this history.
- Lindsay Staubus Alger
- Phyllis B. Bischof: UUCB Memories of the 1980s
- Lynne Cahoon: A Wedding at UUCB
- Roger Dillahunty: Sharing My History at UUCB
- Minerva Mendoza Friedman: My Memories of the Past in Relation to UUCB
- Anne Greenwood: A Children’s Chapel and Other Memories of Conversations with Judith Fabry
- Jeanne Griffith
- Margaret Gudmundsson: Remembering the Searchlight
- Dorothy Herzberg: Tuesday Potlucks
- Erda Labuhn: Explanation of Unitarianism (from 1976)
- Scott Merrick
- Elaine Miller: Memories of Church
- Luana Pohlman: Memories of Church
- Fern Roberts-Labuhn: Joining the Church
- Kendra Smith: UUCB History Bits
- Phyllis Whiteman: Singles Club and Yoga Class
This section is a potpourri of groups. There are individual descriptions of groups, a list of groups that existed at a specific time, and individuals remembering one or more groups
- Bona Fide Organizations and Their Chairpersons in 1986
- Abraxas by Grace Ulp
- Appreciation Circle by Barbara Hamilton-Holway
- Caring Circle
- Centerpoint by Karlyn Ward
- Chalice Circles by Grace Ulp
- The Eclectic Songsters by Mark Woodbury
- Evensong by Grace Ulp
- The Green Committee by James Schinnerer
- Humanist Group by Grace Ulp
- Membership Committee by Grace Ulp
- Memories of Groups at UUCB by Martha Helming
- Mental Health and Counseling by Fern Roberts-Labuhn
- The Merry Moon Circle Memories by Lois Atkinson
- Personal Theology: Memories of Bernie Loomer and Personal Theology by John Tucker
- Personal Theology by Grace Ulp
- Philosopher’s Club by Grace Ulp
- Psychology Forum by Grace Ulp
- Safe Congregation Commission by Kay Fairwell
- Women’s Alliance by Grace Ulp
- Young Adults: A History of Young Adult (18–35) Community at UUCB 1991–2011 by Paul Hudson
- All-Church Retreats by Grace Ulp
- Freestone by Bob Moore
- Freestone Retreat by David Lingenfelter
- The Deer that Didn’t Quite Make It by Grace Ulp
- Oasis by Grace Ulp
