Coalition of Welcoming Congregations of the Bay Area http://cwcbay.org Bringing Spirituality Out of the Closet Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:37:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 CWC, CLGS and PSR in the New York Times! http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/cwc-clgs-and-psr-in-the-new-york-times/ http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/cwc-clgs-and-psr-in-the-new-york-times/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:15:23 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16573 read the article “A Quiet Struggle Within the Gay Marriage Fight” here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/us/within-gay-marriage-battle-a-quiet-struggle-in-churches.html?_r=3&scp=1&sq=pacific%20School%20of%20Religion&st=cse

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/cwc-clgs-and-psr-in-the-new-york-times/feed/ 0 Another State Closer to Marriage Equality! http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/another-state-closer-to-marriage-equality/ http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/another-state-closer-to-marriage-equality/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:48:59 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16565 The momentum continues as the state of Maryland gets one step closer to Marriage Equality! Read about it here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-senate-could-take-gay-marriage-vote-this-week-committee-will-vote-on-house-version-tues/2012/02/20/gIQATZnZPR_story.html

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/another-state-closer-to-marriage-equality/feed/ 0 Marriage Equality Update http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/marriage-equality-update/ http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/marriage-equality-update/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:42:46 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16561 There has been a lot of changes in many states. Here is an overview of where we are at across the country:

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/18/428044/catching-up-on-the-current-state-marriage-equality-efforts/?mobile=nc

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/marriage-equality-update/feed/ 0 Blending Welcoming Congregations http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/blending-welcoming-congregations/ http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/blending-welcoming-congregations/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:15:12 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16553 Rev. Roland Stringfellow

Clergy and congregations are supporting each other in very unique ways in the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations throughout the Bay Area.

East County Shared Ministry (200 E. Leland Rd., Pittsburg, CA) is a blend of two congregations that have merged their worship into one – Community Presbyterian of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch.  I was invited to be their guest speaker on January 15 for their Martin Luther King themed service.   The energy and hospitality of these two congregations that have joined together on a common mission to outreach to their community was high on that day.  It was also “Glitter Sunday” where people were encouraged to wear glittery tinsel as a symbol of their joy and welcome.  Both pastors, Rev. Will McGarvey and Rev. Christy Parks-Ramagehave, have long standing reputations in the Bay Area and in their respective denominations as standing strong for the inclusion of all people in their community.

Fremont Community Church (38255 Blacow Rd, Fremont) and New Seeds of Faith Ministry (a home ministry also in Fremont) hosted a joint service of their two congregations on January 29.  Both clergy, Rev. David Borglum and Rev. Cherie Brumfield, met at the Coalition of Welcoming Congregation’s Clergy Retreat hosted in South San Francisco in August 2011 and were encouraged during that time to get to know other leaders in their area.  The two had met several times and hosted joint events for both congregations.  The worship on January 29 was the first time joining their services together.  Unlike the East County Shared Ministry, these congregations are not merging their congregations together.  I was also honored to be the guest speaker for this joint worship, which was a blend of up tempo praise and worship music with traditional hymns led by a choir.  The mix was beautiful and a testament to how bridges can be built and crossed on the issue of inclusion.  Both congregations will become members of the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations by utilizing the “guest preaching” option to make their membership dues.  We gladly welcome both congregations as members of the CWC!

Blessings to these blended ministries in Pittsburg and Fremont!

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2012/02/blending-welcoming-congregations/feed/ 0 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-pauls-episcopal-church-walnut-creek/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-pauls-episcopal-church-walnut-creek/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:09:12 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16531 1924 Trinity Avenue
Walnut Creek 94596
Office Phone – (925) 934-2324
info@stpaulswc.org
http://www.stpaulswc.org/

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-pauls-episcopal-church-walnut-creek/feed/ 0 St. Mark’s Lutheran Church http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-marks-lutheran-church/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-marks-lutheran-church/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:02:42 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16527 3051 Putnam Blvd
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
925-934-6114
Email: officeadmin@sm-lc.net
http://www.sm-lc.net/
Pastor: Pastor Kerstin, pastorkerstin@gmail.com
 

 

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/st-marks-lutheran-church/feed/ 0 Hanukkah and Christmas services http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/hanukkah-and-christmas-services/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/hanukkah-and-christmas-services/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:22:55 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16518 Looking for a place to worship that is welcoming to GLBT people? Here is a list of some services within the Bay Area.

Hanukkah Celebrations

Kehilla’s Chanukah Festival of Lights!

http://www.kehillasynagogue.org/article.php/20111117172006293

Thursday evening, December 22. A Celebration for All Ages! Featuring award-winning singer/performer, Gary Lapow. Tickets wil be available for purchase at the door.

Kehilla School Party: 4:45-6:00pm  (Nonmembers welcome! Please RSVP to Sophia@KehillaSynagogue.org)

Chanukah Songs for Preschoolers:  5:00-5:45pm

Candelighting for Everyone:  6:00pm (Bring your Chanukah menorah and candles if you can!)

Vegetarian Potluck for Everyone: 6:15-7:00pm Latkes provided! Please bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share. (Fish okay, but no shellfish please!)

Family-Friendly Community Chanukah Party: 7:00-8:30pm

Cost:  School party is free with tuition or RSVP to Sophia@KehillaSynagogue.org. Single price for all other events is $5/child, $10/adult, $25 maximum per family. No one turned away for lack of ability to pay the full amount.

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav     290 Dolores Street, SF             http://www.shaarzahav.org/

Shabbat Miketz, 28 Kislev 5772 / 23 – 24 December 2011 [Special Klezmer Shabbat starts at 8:15 on Friday]
Shabbat Vayigash, 5 Tevet 5772 / 30 – 31 December 2011

  • Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday at 7:30 pm
  • Lay-led Torah Study, Saturday at 9:00 am
  • Shacharit, Saturday at 10:15 am

Congregation Beth Am             26790 Arastradero Rd  Los Altos Hills, CA     http://www.betham.org/

Tues., Dec. 20     1st Night of Chanukah     12:00 noon – Yaakov Agam Sculpture Unveiling

Thurs., Dec. 22  

8:00 a.m. – Thursday Morning Minyan

5:00 p.m. – Chanukah Candle Lighting

5:00 p.m. – Tot Latke Dinner

Fri., Dec. 23    

5:00 p.m. – Lay-Led Gates of Prayer

6:00 p.m. – Chanukah Candle Lighting

6:15 p.m. – Shabbat Service in the Round

7:30 p.m. – Community Potluck Dinner

Sat., Dec. 24    

10:15 a.m. – Torah Minyan

10:30 a.m. – Lay-Led Minyan

Tues., Dec. 27                                                              BAW Rosh Chodesh

Coastside Jewish Community          540 Crespi Drive        http://www.coastsidejewishcommunity.org/

Interfaith worship

First Unitarian Universalist Society of SF          1187 Franklin Street           http://www.uusf.org/

December 22            5 – 7 pm         Winter Solstice, in chapel

You are invited to participate in an Interfaith Service for people to come together to remember, honor, and bless their unborn. All whose lives have been touched are welcome.  Officiants will include the Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, members of the congregation, and clergy from the larger community. Participants are invited to bring a memento to place on the altar space. Organizers look forward to sharing this space of memory and hope with you.

Christmas Celebrations

Walnut Creek UMC www.walnutcreekumc.org.

Saturday, December 17             7:30pm

Join us for “A Night of Wonder” musical concert featuring our Sanctuary choir, and special musical guests including a harpist, oboist and organist.

Wednesday, December 21         7:30pm  Las Posadas Celebration

Our bilingual (Spanish/English) service will open the doors to Mary and Joseph to find shelter as they await the birth of Jesus.

Saturday, December 24             7pm & 9pm

We are happy to offer two candlelight services on Christmas Eve. Our 7pm service will have a children’s Christmas pageant that all children are welcomed to participate in.  At our 9pm service it will be cozier as we anticipate the birth of Christ.

Sunday, December 25   9:30am

On Christmas morning we will gather as a “family” to celebrate the birth of Christ.

 Niles Discovery Church  255 H Street Fremont, CA                     http://www.nilesdiscoverychurch.org/

December 21        7:30 p.m.                        Longest Night Service

a time of special music, scripture, stories, silent reflection, and healing prayer. The service will be followed by a simple time of fellowship for those who wish to participate.

Attendees will be invited light candles during the service as a quiet response and act of prayer. Pastor Jeff hopes that the service will provide a space for people “to release their anger, face their emptiness, have a good cry (if that’s what they need), and know that God cares.”

December 24             5PM                               Christmas Eve Service

service will include leadership from the children and youth of our church.

December 24             11:00PM                    Christmas Eve Service

service will include special Christmas Anthems from the choir, familiar Christmas Carols, and candlelight.

Trinity Cathedral 81 North Second Street, San Jose, CA 95113     http://www.trinitysj.org/

December 24

5:00 pm                      Carols and Communion Family Service

10:00 pm                     Lots of Christmas Music and Carols

11:00 pm                     Choral Eucharist

December 25

10:00am                     Carols and Communion Service

Mira Vista United Church of Christ 780 Ashbury, El Cerrito   www. miravistaucc.org/

December 24              8 pm                Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, All are welcome!

Eden UCC                           21455 Birch Street Hayward             http://www.edenucc.com/

December 24          5 PM  Nochebuena Bilingual Family Service

7 PM   Candlelight Family Service

 December 25                10 AM Intergenerational Worship in Pioneer Chapel

St Alban’s Episcopal church     1501 Washington Avenue, Albany, CA  http://www.st-albans-albany.org/

December 24                                        

5 pm Family Service  (kids decorate the tree, special children’s sermon, lots of music!

10 pm Candle-lit Festive Eucharist

December 25                                       

10 am  Holy Eucharist

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church              114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland      http://www.stpaulsoakland.org/

December 23                                                           7PM    Lessons and Carols of Christmas

December 24                                                            5 PM   Family Christmas Service

December 24                                                           10:30PM   Christmas Eve Concert

First Christian Church Concord    3039 Willow Pass Road                 http://www.concordfcc.net/    

December 21                                                              7pm   Longest Night Service

Even in the midst of a holiday season that preaches joy and goodwill, Christmas is still a time of unease for untold numbers of people. And as the nights reach their lengthiest, and as the darkness reaches its longest points, it is important that we reunite as a close-knit community of Jesus. We do this by hosting a special worship service at 7 pm on the night of the winter solstice, Tuesday, December 21st.

December 24                                                             7 pm  Christmas Eve Service

Please join us for our traditional candlelight service on Christmas Eve at in the Sanctuary.  A special offering will be collected for the Helping Hands Fund.
December 25                                                          10 am   Christmas Day, Service of Lessons and carols

Community Congregational Church Tiburon  145 Rock Hill Drive            http://ccctiburon.net

December 24                                                            8 PM   Candlelight Christmas eve service

December 25                                                            10 AM Family worship service

St. John’s UCC              501 Laguna Honda Boulevard, SF            http://sfstjohnsucc.org/

December 24                                                           5 pm Christmas eve candlelight service

December 25                                                           10 AM Christmas Day service

Congregational Church of Belmont   751 Alameda De Las Pulgas                http://www.uccbelmont.org/

Friday, Dec. 23                                                   5:30 p.m.,  Family caroling, with caroling visits to the home-bound and a pizza party after. Gather at the church at 5:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24  

5:30 p.m.   Family Christmas Eve service. Children will take part in the telling of the Christmas story with lots of carols.

10 p.m.,       Candlelight communion service with the Sanctuary Choir is a magnificent and glorious celebration.

Sunday, Dec. 25                                                 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Worship

San Rafael First UMC                     9 Ross Valley Drive,  San Rafael                 http://sanrafaelfirstumc.org/

Napa Valley Lutheran Church        1796 Elm Street          http://napavalleylutheran.org/

December 24  

5 PM   Family friendly service with candles

8 PM service of carols, candlelight and Holy Communion

December 25                                                            10 AM- carols and Holy Communion

Community Congregational Church         1305 West 2nd Street,  Benicia               http://www.cccucc.org/

December 24                                                         6:4o PM with Jazz Gorilla doing a jazz arrangements of Christmas carols, followed by worship at 7:00pm.

December 25                                                        10 AM Christmas Day service

City of Refuge UCC                      1025 Howard Street, SF                      http://www.sfrefuge.org/index.cfm

Epworth United Methodist Church   1953 Hopkins, Berkeley        http://www.epworthberkeley.org/

December 24

5 PM    Children’s service for all ages

11 PM  Service with candlelight and choir, music starts 10:30 PM

December 25                                                           10 AM Communion of Carols

Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg    200 E Leland Rd       http://www.cpcpittsburg.org/

December 24                                                         5 PM candlelight service

10 PM candlelight service

December 25 

10 AM Christmas Day service

1 PM Orphan’s Christmas Party

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/hanukkah-and-christmas-services/feed/ 0 Happy Holidays? Maybe Not for Everyone http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/happy-holidays-maybe-not-for-everyone/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/happy-holidays-maybe-not-for-everyone/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:21:32 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16516 Happy Holidays? Maybe Not for Everyone

Decorations, music, lights, jolly laughter, candy, cookies, bells, carols all declaring this to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for some, it is not. While the holiday spirit may bring out the best in some, it also aggravates conditions such as depression, grief, sadness and loss.

Realizing that not everyone is full of joy, Rev. Will McGarvey will be holding a “Blue Christmas” service on the winter solstice, Wednesday, December 21, at 7 p.m., at East County Shared Ministry, 200 E. Leland Road (between Railroad and Harbor) in Pittsburg.

Those attending are invited to bring a photo or memento of loved ones who are no longer with them. These will be displayed along with an opportunity to light candles in their memory. The service will also offer hope for healing, comfort, strength and peace through meditation and remembrances. It is open to everyone.

Rev. Will McGarvey is Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church and Co-Pastor of East County Shared Ministry.  This is the third year Pastor Will has lead this service for the community.  “The holidays can be a busy time for folks,” says McGarvey, “and sometimes we need to slow down enough to hear the yearnings of our own hearts.”

About East County Shared Ministry

East County Shared Ministry consists of Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch. ECSM recognizes, celebrates and gives thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us.  All are invited to participate in their community and worship life including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

 

As they like to say every Sunday, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” Services are every Sunday at 10 a.m. Check newsletters for details and other events of interest.

 

Media contact:

Will McGarvey
willymac4@me.com
East County Shared Ministry
200 E. Leland Rd.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
925-439-9361 church
www.cpcpittsburg.org
www.uccantioch.org

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/happy-holidays-maybe-not-for-everyone/feed/ 0 Look for our Hannukah, Christmas service list December 22nd http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/look-for-our-hannukah-christmas-service-list-december-22nd/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/look-for-our-hannukah-christmas-service-list-december-22nd/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:32:59 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16514 If you are in the Bay area and will looking for a welcoming place to worship, look for our list coming Dec 22nd!

]]> http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/look-for-our-hannukah-christmas-service-list-december-22nd/feed/ 0 New event at Walnut Creek UMC http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/new-event-at-walnut-creek-umc/ http://cwcbay.org/2011/12/new-event-at-walnut-creek-umc/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:30:41 +0000 dawn http://cwcbay.org/?p=16512 Wednesday, December 21         7:30pm

Las Posadas Celebration

Christmas and the birth of Jesus is coming. In this spirit, we are inviting our neighbors together to celebrate Las Posadas service. Our bilingual (Spanish/English) service will open the doors to Mary and Joseph to find shelter as they await the birth of Jesus. Led by a candlelight processional to our Social Hall, we will have Latin-American songs, a piñata and a variety of foods to celebrate this joyous time. Join us for this fiesta!  All are welcome!

1543 Sunnyvale Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925-934-4208

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