News - The Week Ahead at UUCB

The Longest Night and the Irresistible Dawn
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Sunday December 21 Worship Service 11 amWe know the longest night will end. We know there will be a new day to come. So why are we so anxious all along the way?In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube
Wanna watch last week’s sermon? Replay it here.
Listen to a recording of our sermons wherever you get your podcasts

Saturday, December 41 at 4 pm Messiah Sing-Along
Come sing Handel’s glorious Messiah, join the fun, ring in the holidays with great music – Hallelujah! Tickets are General Admission and Student rates available and no one turned away for lack of funds. More Info.

For the week of Sunday, December 28 – January 3, please contact event hosts about events on the calendar. many regularly meeting groups take a break for the holidays and then resume in the new year.

Saturday, December 20

4 pm Church du Soleil: A Winter Solstice Celebration
In Person – The Winter Solstice is a time to journey inward and reflect on the lessons, joys, and sorrows of the last year. Join us for a service of readings, songs, stillness, and ritual. Walk the enchanting Tinsel Labyrinth in the social hall and enjoy music, warmth around the firepit, and community sharing. Bring cookies, drinks, and other nourishing snacks to share, as well as your hopes, intentions, and anything you wish to release for the fire ritual. We encourage families to attend!

6:45 pm Youth Group Gathering
Safir Room – The Youth Group (middle & high school) meets on the third Saturday of the month to have fun and build community! Bring a friend! There will be food and games and good conversation. Please email Rev. Kathryn Jay for more information.

Sunday December 21, 2025

Come walk the Tinsel Labyrinth in the Social Hall from Dec 19 – 29!

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.

10:30 am Coffee and Community
Atrium – Starts at 10:30 am in the Atrium

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. Please email Kathryn Jay, Minister of Congregational Life for more information: kathryn@uucb.org.

11 am Worship Service
In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube – The Longest Night and the Irresistible Dawn. Rev. Marcus Liefert, preaching.

12:30 pm Immigrant Solidarity Group
Music Room – The Immigrant Solidarity Project of the Social Justice Council has been formed to collaborate with outside organizations, including East Bay UU congregations, to create a safer environment for immigrants in the East Bay. If you are interested in participating, please join us on the third Sunday of the month.

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom and Safir Room – December 21: Ray Westergard will lead the discussion topic “How can we UUs stop Trump,” followed by a group discussion. 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.

Click here to join on Zoom

1 pm Moon Circle
Fireside Room – Join us as the Mist Tree Moon Circle celebrates the Winter Solstice! Ginger Frederick will be our convener, along with Jim Gasperini. Bring items for the altar to celebrate the return of the light. 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. More Info.

4 pm Messiah Sing-Along
In Person – Come sing Handel’s glorious Messiah, join the fun, ring in the holidays with great music – Hallelujah! You do not need to know how to read music, you do not need to know the score perfectly. We have a professional orchestra and soloists and the entire audience joins in singing Handel’s fantastic choruses and many of the solos. Tickets are General Admission and Student rates available. No one turned away for lack of funds. More Info.

The Week

Monday, December 22

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

9 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 pm Climate Justice CommitteeZoom – The Climate Justice Committee, a project of the Social Justice Council, meets once a month to plan and carry out projects and actions that address local and global climate and environmental crises. We are also working to earn Green Sanctuary recognition from UUCB from the Uniitarian Universalist Association’s Green Sanctuary program. We are an action-oriented group. Contact SocialJustice@uucb.org for more information.

Tuesday, December 23

10 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi
In Person – Email Neil Clark for more information.

10 am Lunch Program at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
In Person, off-site – UUCB volunteers prepare and/or serve lunch at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) every fourth Tuesday. Make sandwiches from 10:15 to 11 am, serve lunch between 11:15 am to 12:45 pm. If you’re interested. Contact: Gillian Smith.

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

1:30 – 3:30 pm Immigrant Solidarity Project VigilsIn 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.

7 pm World Peace CommitteeZoom – The mission of the World Peace Committee at UUCB is to promote peace through education, social action, and charitable funding. Our work includes providing a forum to facilitate gathering information, sharing and discussing all perspectives, and promoting constructive dialogue. We also provide a platform for members conducting peace-related action projects supporting our mission. Contact Don Klose for more information.

Wednesday, December 24

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.

5 pm Christmas Eve Service
In Person – Intergenerational candlelight service, pickup pageant, and stories. First service of the day. We will put out cookies after the service!

10 pm Christmas Eve Service
In Person – Intergenerational candlelight service, pickup pageant, and stories. Second service of the day.

Thursday, December 25

Merry Christmas to our UUCB community!

Staff will be on holiday and offices closed December 25 – January 1.

Friday, December 26

9:30 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi
In Person – Contact Neil Clark for more information.

Saturday, December 27

Upcoming Events

Dec 19-29 – Winter Labyrinth
Jan 4 – Personal Theology: The Church of the Big Dome: Landscape as First Theology, with Liesl Dees, Ministerial Intern.
Jan 17 – Youth Group Gathering
Jan 25 – Vote for Candidates for Board of Trustees
Jan 26 – Personal Theology: “Amazing grace: How UUs saved me from burnout…” with Dr. David Belden

Announcements & Resources

Our Good Neighbors have been announced for 2026! After a very competitive vote, 12 nonprofits have been selected from the 21 nominees. A representative from each non profit will come speak at UUCB about their mission. List of selections and speaker dates.

Your Nominating Committee is proud to announce three vetted candidates for the UUCB Board of Trustee open positions for the upcoming 2026-2029 cycle! One current Board Member is seeking re-election. Two additional candidates were identified through recommendations from the congregation, as well as from our own vetting process. All three possess excellent qualities that will support the Board of Trustees well: David Rosales (Incumbent), Karin Werner, and Ryan Devine. Voting takes place Jan 25.

We were just gifted with a donation for Blessings Bags. Blessings Bags had “retired,” but because there is such momentum and interest, we are re-starting the project! We ask that if you travel and acquire toiletries (such as toothpaste, brushes, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion) please bring them to UUCB and there will be a fuchsia box in the atrium to welcome them. We also need socks. Our first assemble will be in January 2026.

Beloved community, as the season of generosity approaches, let us remember how essential our staff are to the life of our church. Their dedication in facilities, administration, music, family ministry, and more keeps our community inspired and thriving. Through Dec 22, a cash-only donation box will be in the atrium for end-of-year staff appreciation gifts. With over 20 staff members, our goal is at least $100 per person, to be presented at a special gathering later this year. Thank you for your generosity! Please contact Carla McCasland with any questions.

We are looking for a new home for our Baldwin Baby Grand piano! If you would like this piano, or know someone who would, please reach out to Janae Heard soon – we are trying to re-home it as soon as possible!

Good Neighbor for December

Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development (NIAD)
Their mission is: “Through its visual arts studio program, NIAD gives people with disabilities the skills and experience to express themselves, be independent and earn income as an artist. This nurturing community of artists fosters experimentation, increases competence to make informed choices and increases connections among diverse communities through the commonality of creative expression.”

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): in office Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-5. Works remotely M-W-F. Email
Peter Barnholdt (Facilities Manager): Tuesday-Friday 11-7:30. 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

Staff will be on holiday and offices closed December 25 – January 1.

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.
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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 racialjustice, embodying anti-racist practices, and confronting anddismantling 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.”