Taking Root
Rev. Kathryn Jay, Ministerial Intern Liesl Dees, Coming of Age Participants
Sunday May 10 Worship Service 11 am

Join us to celebrate our youth who are coming of age. They have been asking the big questions together all year. This All-Ages Sunday they share what they’ve found.

The Three Sisters Garden Blessing will take place during the service. More info. 

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 May 10, 2026

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. 

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 – Taking Root. Rev. Kathryn Jay, Ministerial Intern Liesl Dees, Coming of Age Participants. The Three Sisters Garden Blessing will take place during the service. More info. 
 

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 Budget Q&A
Fireside Room – Meeting to answer any questions about the 2026-27 budget.

1 pm Humanist Connections
Safir Room and Zoom – Don Anderson will lead the discussion topic “Death as seen in Eastern and Western Philosophy,” followed by a group discussion. 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.

The Week

Monday, May 11

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, May 12

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.

7 pm Budget Q&A
Zoom – Meeting to answer any questions about the 2026-27 budget. It will start promptly at 7 pm, and if no one shows up, then will end at 7:15.
 

Wednesday, May 13

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 Social Justice Council
Zoom – Who decides the strategic direction of social justice at UUCB? YOU DO! Please join us to vote on proposed Sponsored Projects and the SJC leadership for the coming year! For more information, contact Cyndy Greenleaf.
 

Thursday, May 14

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 15

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, May 16

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 removing invasive weeds and improving the terrace and parking lots. Bring work gloves and sun hat. Questions or suggestions, contact Phil Maynard. 

4 pm Berkeley Broadway Singers Presents: Puttin’ On The Hits
In Person – Come enjoy the Berkeley Broadway Singers for their spring concert! No tickets required, donations appreciated. More info. 

Upcoming Events

May 17 – Congregational Meeting: Budget Approval
May 17 – Newcomer Q&A
May 31 – Bridging for Democracy
June 20 – Church du Soleil Summer Solstice

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


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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