What You Can Depend On
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Sunday April 12 Worship Service 11 am

Our culture’s economic system and mechanistic worldview teach us to understand relationality as fundamentally transactional. But at our roots we live in a complex interdependence, which requires relating to our inevitable disapointments and frustrations not with the fix-it attitude of a manager, but a reorientation toward mutality. 

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

Sunday April 12, 2026

9:30 am Personal Theology – Dr. Karen Voorhees
Fireside Room – Participants listen to and engage with theological, scientific, spiritual and consciousness leaders, as well as present their own topics and spiritual journeys. Seminars pursue the UU values of drawing inspiration from diverse traditions and deepening one’s life. Honoraria for some speakers are supported by contributions from the audience.
 

9:30 am Caring for Aging Parents
Safir Room – Are you caring for an aging parent? Join us for a supportive Discussion Circle where we’ll explore the challenges and emotions of this journey together. Through readings, reflection, and deep sharing, we’ll cover themes including grief and loss, complex emotions and changing roles, self-care and boundaries, and community support. Drop-ins welcome, no sign-up needed. 

9:30 am Blessing Bags Assembly
Social Hall – The Blessings Bags Assemble is this Sunday April 12th.  The youth and others will assemble them.  You can pick them up after the service in the social hall to have on-hand when you encounter someone who could use one.  See you then!

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 – What You Can Depend On. 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: UU/UUCB History
Fireside Room  – 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 UU history in general and UUCB’s specific history, and features a tour of the church and the grounds.

1 pm Raising Your Voice In Love
Sanctuary – Singing both protest/witness and hymn-like songs and learning how to use the body to support the voice, and how to do that with a grounded, open-hearted presence… all with the goal of building the physical and emotional capacity required for public witness. Everyone is welcome! Not just those interested in public witness “out in the world.” More Info. 

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. Meeting begins as soon as Sunday Service concludes. 

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom and Safir Room (North) – Harold Ogren will will lead the discussion topic “The Hardest Problem in Science- Consciousness,” 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.

1:30 pm Working to Overcome White Supremacy (WOWS)
Zoom  – Working to Overcome White Supremacy (WOWS).  Bring your MAUBs (Moments of Awareness of Unconscious Bias) and MOIs (Moments of Illumination) to share.  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, April 13

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.

Tuesday, April 14

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, April 15

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 pm Program Council
Zoom – Monthly meeting for church programming reports and discussion. Contact Marta Tobey for more info.

 

Thursday, April 16

10 am Women’s Meditation Group 
Meditation Room– 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, April 17

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.

Saturday, April 18

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

4:30 pm Parents’ Night Out
In Person – We provide childcare, pizza, and a short parent discussion, plus you get a night out! Space is limited, so please click here to RSVP.

7 pm Youth Social Event
In Person – 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.

Upcoming Events

Apr 19 – Earth Day Worship Service
Apr 22 – Lessons in Loss, Love & Resilience with Arik Housley
Apr 24 – Earth Day: Growing Our Green Sanctuary
Apr 25 – French Connection: Kensington Symphony Orchestra and Luminescence Concert
Apr 26 – The Vitality of Indigenous Storytelling: Place, Time, and Beings
Apr 26 – Newcomer Q&A
May 17 – Raise Your Voice In Love And For Justice

Announcements & Resources

This month we are hosting a number of events in celebration of our Sacred Earth! Please join us in these Earth Day celebrations. You can view all the events here. 


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.

May 3 is Doctors of Durability Sunday! Our annual service will recognize those “80 and better,” in appreciation for their years of contributing to their family and friends, our church, their workplaces, their communities, and the world. We’ll especially celebrate the 25 people with milestone birthdays in 2026, as some share their learned wisdom.

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 April


Berkeley Food Network
Their mission is: “The Berkeley Food Network seeks to end hunger and poor nutrition by using innovative, community-centered solutions to build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system.”

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 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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