The Week Ahead at UUCB

Sunday August 23, 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 Childcare and Childrens Chapel
In Person – Religious Education returns on August 30, but for today, childcare for all ages is available starting at 10 am. Pre-register for the RE season here. 

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

11 am Worship Service
In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube – Holding Under Pressure. Rev. Kathryn Jay, preaching.

12:30 pm Newcomer Q&A
Fireside Room – Informal gathering where visitors and newcomers can learn more about what UUCB has to offer.

12:30 pm Amp Up the Arts Artist Call
Social Hall – Please bring 3 images of your art if you would like to be considered for the November Art Show and Sale. 

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom and Safir Room – “How does Our Sleep change as we Age?” 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.

The Week

Monday, August 24

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.

5 pm Climate Justice Committee

Zoom – 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, August 25

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.

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: Andrew Swan.

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 – 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.

7 pm World Peace Committee

Zoom – 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, August 26

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 27

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, August 28

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 Circle

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.

Saturday, August 29

9 am Bird ID and Count Walk
In Person – Learn to identify the birds of UUCB.  Meet in front parking lot of church.  Walk is about 0.5 mile.  Wear good shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. Questions or suggestions contact Phil Maynard.

Upcoming Events

Announcements & Resources

Good Neighbor for August

UUCB Staff and Board Availability 

• 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): Currently out on leave. 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.