The Week Ahead at UUCB

The Power of Heartbreak
Rev. Kathryn Jay
Sunday August 2 Worship Service 11 am

Broken-heartedness is a fact of life. How can we grow and be transformed by the moments that break our hearts, making space for individual and communal healing in a world beset by loss and disappointment?

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

We are in Summer schedule mode. Please check our calendar or with program organizers to see if meetings and events are happening. During summer, Religious Education is on hiatus; childcare is available. 

Sunday August 2, 2026

9:30 am Pathways to Peace: Palestinian Media Literacy Workshop
Fireside Room – Sponsored by the World Peace Committee, The Media Literacy Workshop will be facilitated in-person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom by Rani Sanghera, member of Albany El Cerrito for Palestine.  The conversation will center on media literacy as it relates to Palestine and current events, supported by an original zine (provided to each audience member) and an analysis of compiled news headlines. More info. 
 

10 am Childcare
In Person – RE is on summer break, but childcare for all ages is available starting at 10 am.

10 am Coffee and Community 
Atrium – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments

11 am Worship Service
In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube – The Power of Heartbreak. Rev. Kathryn Jay, preaching.

No lunch will be served throughout the summer. Join us for conversation, coffee/tea, and a snack before and after the service.

1 pm Pride Project
Fireside Room – 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.

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom and Safir Room – Harold Ogren will help arrange for the selection of topics and speakers for September followed by a “Freethinkers” 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.

The Week

Monday, August 3

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.

11 am Textile and Art
Safir Room – The Textile and Arts Group provides support, fellowship and growth through sharing and exploration of fiber and other arts/media. Creative growth enriches our UUCB Community. Organizers: Helen Toy, Judy Sam, Karen Tripp. Email adulted@uucb.org to contact organizers.

9 am Chalice Camp
In Person – Chalice camp is a fun and meaningful week-long summer day camp for rising 1st through 6th graders. At camp, they learn values while expanding their knowledge and capacity to be articulate about what they believe. The activities during the week include energetic daily outside worship, classic childhood games, drama, art, cooking, community building, and community service based on curriculum developed by religious educators of our faith. We welcome regular UU church attendees, occasional UU church attendees, and all families interested in learning more about UU values! More info. 

Chalice Camp runs August 3 – 7.

Tuesday, August 4

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.

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

9:30 – 11:30 am Immigration Courtroom Vigils
In Person – SUMMER HOURS! Come show solidarity with people going to immigration court in Concord at 1855 Gateway Blvd. We’ll be on the sidewalk in front of the building’s driveway. We hold signs, offer food and blessings, and side with Love. Bring sun protection & water — a chair if you need one. Register to volunteer here: Interest Form. Contact Karen (510-219-5544) for details.

Wednesday, August 5

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, August 6

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.

Friday, August 7

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, August 8

Upcoming Events

Aug. 9 and 16 – Pathways to Peace: Finding Moral Compass in the Age of Nuclear Weapons
Aug. 9: Caring for Aging Parents
Aug. 15: Work Party
Aug. 15: Youth Group Gathering
Aug. 16: Church Year Starts!
Aug. 16: Pathways to Peace: Finding Moral Compass in the Age of Nuclear Weapons
Aug. 25: Lunch Program at GRIP

Announcements & Resources

We’re cleaning out our Lost & Found closet! There will be a table in the Social Hall with all the contents from the Lost & Found closet for the next few weeks. In August, anything that has not been claimed will be donated or discarded. Thank you! 

Good Neighbor for August


Read Aloud Volunteer Program  
Mission: To support and improve reading outcomes, help children develop literacy skills, self-confidence, and a love of reading, particularly in under-resourced schools. 

UUCB Staff and Board Availability 

Staff availability is limited during summer; please reach out via email to make an appointment. Note: Peter is out on extended leave and is not currently responding to emails.

  • Board Listening Presence: Helen Toy. 
  • Rev. Marcus Liefert (Minister): Email
  • Rev. Kathryn Jay (Minister of Congregational Life): Email
  • Bryan Baker (Director of Music): Email
  • Janae Heard (Operations Director): Email
  • Peter Barnholdt (Facilities Manager): Email
  • Charis Domador (Manager of Membership and Engagement): Email
  • Eliza Cantwell (Office Administrator and Rentals Coordinator): Email.
  • Diana Steinbach (Finance Administrator): 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.”


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

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