941 The Alameda Berkeley, CA 94707Calendar of Events
Please contact the church office for information on our events.
Upcoming Event
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - Community Dinner and Lecture. Ron Sebring, pastor of Northbrae, will lecture on Neo-Christianity and the Gospel of Thomas. Christian tradition contains many valuable insights and practices that have enabled enlightenment over the years. However many scholars believe contemporary Christianity is limited if not "hamstrung" by culture and conservatism. The shape of a 21st century Christianity discussed among scholars today is in part due to the opportunity made available by recent discoveries. The Dead Sea Scrolls are shedding new light on first century Judaism and the Nag Hammadi library is expanding our understanding of early Christianity. Books like the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Phillip and the Gospel of Thomas offer insights for spiritual practice, which are as grounded in Christianity as the Biblical gospels. An optional pasta dinner ($7.00) is served at 6:30 p.m., lecture at 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, September 12, 2010 - The Book Group's next selection is Collapse by Jared Diamond. In his million-copy bestseller Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond examined how and why Western civilizations developed the technologies and immunities that allowed them to dominate much of the world. In this brilliant companion volume, Diamond probes the other side of the equation. What causes some of the great civilizations of the past to collapse into ruin, and what can we lean from their fates. We will meet at 7:15 p.m. in The Parlor. All are welcome.
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Sunday, September 26, 2010 - All Church Pot Luck Dinner. It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed Ron and Connie to Northbrae with a gathering in the parlor -- but it has been almost ten years. So we have decided to celebrate the 10th anniversary with the second of our monthly fellowship dinners on Sunday, September 26th at 5:30 pm. Bring your families and join us as we celebrate ten years together.
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Tuesday Group - meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor on the second and third Tuesdays of each month to read and discuss religious topics. The current book under discussion is The Once and Future Faith. It is a collection of articles written by authors of the Jesus Seminar. Authors include, among others, Karen Armstrong and John Shelby Spong. The subjects of the articles are diverse but all are related to the future of Christianity.
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Wednesday Bible Study - meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Led by Ron Sebring and Carolyn West, this year we are looking at the Bible as a genre of literature and the "hermeneutical circle," the idea that we need a sense of the whole to understand the parts, and we need a sense of the parts to understand the whole. Hence, the interpretive circle that goes back and forth. On summer break.
- Drop by Lunch on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:45. Drop by for soup and baguette. $2.00 donation is requested.
- Yoga - A yoga class is held every Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. to noon in the parlor. This is an easy yoga class designed to benefit seniors. There is no set fee but a donation to the instructor, Pondurenga Das, is suggested.
… Annually and Periodically
Christmas Eve Services - Christmas Eve we have two services. An early 5:00 p.m. service for children and a 10:00 p.m. service for adults. The choir goes to great length in preparing music for the service. The children's service accommodates all children who want to be part of the celebration.
Hanging of the Greens, cookie walk, potluck dinner, and carol singing - Each year, prior to Christmas, we sell cookies members have baked, which raises money that helps support our church school. At the same time we decorate Haver Hall (Hanging of the Greens) and get ready for Christmas. Members and friends bring dishes of food and we have a joyful meal together. Later we gather around the piano and sing Christmas carols.
Easter Sunday Activities - Easter Sunday is special at Northbrae. The church is decorated with Easter lilies, which are later delivered to our shut-ins at home or in nursing homes. It is a time, like Christmas, that we especially want to remember them.
Mother's Day Brunch - This event is prepared primarily by the men in
the church to honor the mothers of the church and others. It provides
our men an opportunity to work together and develop camaraderie that in
turn strengthens the church.
Children's Sunday - Children are an important part of our church, particularly their education in the church school. This day gives them an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year.
Music Sunday - Our choir takes off during the summer but blasts off with an hour-long songfest that entertains the congregation.
Father's Day Breakfast - a pancake, egg, and fruit breakfast prepared by the women and children in the church for the men and fathers. The breakfast is followed by a church service in the sanctuary.
Annual Bazaar - Northbrae has been having an annual bazaar in October for so many years that it has become institutionalized in the community. It is one of the events that the church has to raise money to support our community outreach and social programs.
Moveable Feasts - Getting together in order to become better acquainted with one another, we have dinner at various members’ homes. Each person brings something to share in addition to good friendly conversation.
Work Parties - Northbrae is fortunate to have so many members who possess the skills and desire to keep things running around the church. Since many groups use the church, things tend to wear out or need repair. The work parties get many things done, but also are a way of building our own church community.