The Value of Friction
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Sunday February 22 Worship Service 11 am

Technological innovations have led to a more and more “frictionless” society. But what if friction is just what we need to grow our spirits and warm our souls?

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, February 21

9 am Work Party
In Person – Help spiffy up of our UUCB Building and Grounds. Enjoyable work for all, in good company! party starts at 9AM with coffee and cake; but come anytime to help. Outdoor Projects include weeding, pruning, and improving the terrace and parking lots. Bring work gloves. Questions or suggestions, contact Phil Maynard.

2 pm Joanne Wile’s Celebration of Life
In Person and Livestream – Joanne had been a member at UUCB since ​2014, contributing in so many different activities, including a Members’ Connection Outreach Project, the Coming of Age Mentorship program, her weekly washing of kitchen towels, and more. All are invited to attend the memorial or to watch the live-stream on our Facebook Live or YouTube channels

5 pm Parents’ Night Out 

7 pm Youth Social Event

Sunday February 22, 2026

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. 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 Value of Friction 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.

1:00 pm Congregational Meeting
Sanctuary and Livestream  – Congregational meeting on results of the vote for new Board of Trustees members. Voting ends at 12 pm (More Info on voting). Join us in person or watch the livestream on our Facebook Live or YouTube channels. More Info.

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom and In Person – Don Anderson will lead the discussion topic “Wittgenstein Lite (as opposed to Heavy)” 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.

5 pm LGBTQIA+ Potluck & Viewing: I Have Two Moms
Fireside Room  – Enjoy a potluck while we view I Have Two Moms, the 20:20 special where Cynthia Asprodites’ and Kerry Simpson’s family was highlighted: There are scenes in the Church. All are welcome, especially allies. Hosted by the PRIDE Committee.

The Week

Monday, February 23

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.

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, February 24

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.

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.

12:30 – 2:30 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, February 25

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.

Thursday, February 26

9:30 am Women’s Meditation Group – now on Thursdays!
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.

6 pm LGBTQIA+ Support Group
In Person – Support Group for adults on the LGBTQIA+ continuum. A confidential place to share from your heart & encourage others. Facilitated by Marsha Lanier, MSW

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, February 27

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.

11 am Textile and Art and Thank You CircleSafir Room – Provide support, fellowship and growth through sharing and exploration of fiber and other arts/media. Creative growth enriches our UUCB Community. They are joined by the Thank You Circle. Come join us for coffee, chatting and note-writing to thank the MANY volunteers at UUCB. We meet on the fourth Friday of the month. Contact: Carla McCasland, Judy Sam, Karen Tripp, and Beth Jerde.

Saturday, February 28

7:30 pm Kensington Symphony Orchestra
Sanctuary – Join KSO for its Winter Programming! More Info and Tickets.

Upcoming Events

Feb 22 – Congregational Meeting, Board of Trustees Vote Closes
Feb 22 – LGBTQIA+ Potluck and Viewing: I Have Two Moms
Mar 1 – Personal Theology: UU Mystic, Alice Yeager, The Journey of a UU exploring the Mystical
Mar 1 – Love Songs and Chocolate
Mar 6 – Mindful Movement Class
Mar 6 – Fire Soiree
Mar 8 – Pathway to Connection Session 1 Covenant
Mar 8, Apr 12, May 17 – Raise Your Voice In Love And For Justice
Mar 15 – Newcomer Q&A
Mar 21 – Church du Soleil Spring Equinox

Announcements & Resources

 

The 2026 year’s Stewardship campaign has begun! Please visit the stewardship table all this month and next month to hear about all the fun and exciting things we’re doing with this year’s annual pledge drive. You can get your pledge form and make your pledge, sign up for a Fire Circle and RSVP for our early pledger Fire Soiree.

 

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.
Dear UUCBers
We thank you for the socks and the visit from the tooth fairy who brought toothpaste! We still need small toiletries for the Blessings Bags like shampoo, lotion, soap, toothbrushes. Please put them in the fuchsia box in the atrium.
Thank you!
Beth Jerde

Good Neighbor for February

 

Youth Spirit Artworks (YSA)
Their mission is: “YSA envisions that local transitional age youth (16-25) will emerge centered, joyful and thriving in the world. The YSA mission is to create spaces of safety, dignity, and belonging for the healing, transition, growth and development of local TQBIPOC youth experiencing homelessness and various vulnerabilities and challenges.”

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

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 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.”


Donate

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

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