941 The Alameda Berkeley, CA 94707Calendar of Events
Contact the Church Office for information on these programs.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 - We have another water theme for the next Book Group selection. We will be reading The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman. The book brings a mind-changing narrative on water. Water runs our world in a host of awe-inspiring ways, yet we take it for granted. But the era of easy water is over. We meet at 7:15 p.m. in the Parlor. We welcome new members and book suggestions for our reading.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - Wednesday dinner and lecture - MUSICAL HEART-WORK, the World of Esoteric Jewish Prayer with Cantor Richard Kaplan. With the realization that “the map is not the territory,” we will dive into the ancient contemplative practice of mytho-poetic and psycho-spiritual sung words of prayer from the ocean of Jewish spirituality. We will also reference new cosmologies and other World Wisdom Traditions throughout the evening. Hazzan (Cantor) Richard Kaplan will lead us through a process of putting our entire beings into a single word, a process which can thus open up inner universes of in-sight and sacred artistry. Richard Kaplan, MA, is a singer, composer, pianist and ethnomusicologist, as well as a concert and recording artist. He is co-leader of the monthly Song of Songs Minyan (Shir Hashirim) in Berkeley, and has served Temple Beth Abraham as its cantor for the past fifteen years. Please visit www.northbrae.org, www.kaplanmusic.com, and www.shirhashirim.net for more information. 7:30 pm Lecture: Suggested donation $5.00. 6:30 p.m. Pasta Dinner: $7.00 includes lecture.
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - Annual Congregational Meeting at noon.
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. All are warmly welcome. We are reading and discussing A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby K. Payne.Drop By Lunch meets the third Tuesday of each month at 11:45 a.m. in Haver Hall. $2.00 for soup, bread, coffee/tea and good company.
Creative Circle - meets the last Sunday of each month after coffee hour. Bring a brown bag lunch and your craft: knitting, scrap booking project, painting, etc. Good conversation and fellowship are created as well as completed craft projects.
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 - a joyful celebration of music by the choir and guest soloists.
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.