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Epworth
- Jun 6, 2019
Pastor Kristin's Column - June 2019
Beloved Epworth Community, By now you should have heard through announcements at church, email and US mail the news that Epworth is being joined with Trinity UMC in Berkeley in a configuration called a Two Point Charge. This new relationship will assist in the redevelopment of the Trinity UMC site for fruitful ministry and in the growth of both congregations. Initially, both congregations will worship on their own sites, but after a few months of transition, Trinity will begi
Epworth
- May 31, 2019
Peace Arts Camps are Coming!
As we make our final preparations for this year's Peace Arts Camps, here are two ways you can help to enrich our campers' experience: Who wants to be a pen pal? This year's theme for Peace Arts Camp (Grades K-5) is "Caring for our Elders." We'll be thinking about what it's like to get older: How do we change? How do we help care for older people? Epworth folks will be invited to share about their lives, to read stories and do art projects with campers. We are also looking for
Epworth
- May 31, 2019
A Conversation with Betty Reid Soskin
Event: A Conversation with Betty Reid Soskin Interviewed by Brenda Payton Date & Time: Sunday, June 30, 2019 2-4 pm Location: Epworth United Methodist Church 1953 Hopkins St Berkeley, CA 9470 Betty Reid Soskin grew up in a Cajun/Creole African- American family that settled in Oakland at the end of World War I, following the pattern set by the black railroad workers who served as sleeping car porters, waiters, and chefs for Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads – settling th
Epworth
- May 30, 2019
First Friday Film Screenings resumes July 5th
The Epworth First Friday Film Series has a new curator – Berkeley neighbor Frank Sarmir. Following in the footsteps of Pastoral Intern, Bill Miller, Frank is eager to share his love of film and its ability to connect with us on many levels – spiritual, emotional, social and political. The next film, First Reformed, by the renowned director Paul Schrader, will be presented on Friday, July 5 at 11:30am in Fellowship Hall. A light lunch and beverages will be provided - feel fre
Epworth
- May 22, 2019
Thoughts after UM-Next
Beloved Epworth Community, I am on the plane returning to the Bay Area from the UM Next meetings in Kansas City. What I had hoped would be a meeting of United Methodist leaders from all over the US coming together to build the truly liberative church for which we long, UM Next was not that. To be sure, there were some who shared my hope. And there were some who just want to be able to continue doing what they are doing, and want to love everyone, but if loving everyone costs
Epworth
- May 19, 2019
Appointment Announcement from Bay District Superintendent Rev. Staci Current
Beloved Epworth Community, Easter greetings to each of you! On Sunday, May 5, a letter was read from our District Superintendent Rev. Staci Current in worship at both Epworth and Monte Toyon informing us that Bishop Carcaño intends to appoint me as pastor of both Epworth and Trinity UMC in Berkeley. Bishop Carcaño will also be appointing an associate pastor to assist in leading these two communities. (Update 5/19/19: Rev. Brian Adkins will be appointed associate pastor.) Both
Epworth
- May 10, 2019
Epworth Church Council votes to send 3 petitions to Annual Conference Session
On Sunday, April 28, Epworth church council members voted to send three petitions to the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session (regional body), to be held in Modesto, CA from June 19-22, 2019. One is a denunciation of the Traditionalist Plan and a re-affirmation of our commitment to dignity, love and welcome for all people; the second advocates for the creation of a task force to strategize and coordinate around the way forward for all of us; and the third redirects a p
Epworth
- Apr 8, 2019
Holy Week & Easter 2019
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY - APRIL 14
10 a.m. Worship with Hosannas and Palms
Scripture: Luke 22:39-46
Rev. Kristin Stoneking preaching
Followed by second Sunday potluck meal & Eco Fair
MAUNDY THURSDAY - APRIL 18
7 p.m. Service at Trinity UMC
2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
GOOD FRIDAY - April 19
Social Just Stations of the Cross Walk
A walk through our community considering Jesus' last days on earth and the brokenness still present.
12 - 1:30 p.m.; Meet in front of Epworth U
Epworth
- Apr 4, 2019
The "Do Good" Mix - Lenten Playlist from the Youth Group
What songs inspire and empower you to do good in the world? We asked ourselves this question in youth group as part of our Lenten small group practice. Check out the playlist below to see what we came up with. Do Good Mix Imagine by John Lennon 2. Hammer to Fall by Queen 3. 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins 4. God's Plan by Drake 5. Closer to the Heart by Rush 6. Born This Way by Lady Gaga 6. Long Distance Runaround by Yes 8. Praying by Kesha 9. Falling of the Edge of the World by Bl
Epworth
- Mar 29, 2019
Register Now for 2019 Epworth Retreat
Epworth All Church Retreat | May 3-5, 2019 REGISTER TODAY! Epworth’s Annual All Church Retreat, nestled among the redwoods of the Monte Toyon retreat center in the Santa Cruz mountains, is for all people from our littlest to our elders. Whether you have never been on an Epworth Retreat or you’ve been attending since before you can remember, there’s something for everyone! You can participate in as many of the organized activities as you like, or take the opportunity to read,
Epworth
- Mar 17, 2019
Press Release - Statement of Inclusion
Epworth United Methodists reaffirm commitment to LGBTQI inclusion following divisive global vote Church releases public statement in response to Special General Conference FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - Epworth United Methodist Church, in Berkeley, announces its rejection of the decision at the Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference in February. Epworth will not adhere to the vote or church doctrine which restricts LGBTQI clergy and acceptanc
Epworth
- Mar 8, 2019
St. Louis Blues
REPORT BACK FROM THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE UMC -BILL MILLER When I left for St. Louis my expectation was that the Traditional Plan would prevail. In the abstract or intellectual sense, this sensibility takes on some manner of dissociation. I saw that look on a number of people I presumed to be supporting the Traditional Plan. It was the effect of knowing and then waiting for an unwanted (in their case wanted) event to pass, without outwardly acknowl
Epworth
- Feb 27, 2019
General Conference Update #2
Beloved Epworth Community, The special general conference has concluded and the Traditionalist plan has prevailed. After the vote, the deep sense of sadness and resistance was expressed in the singing of “This is my story, this is my song,” and a liturgy that proclaimed that We Are the Church! At the same time, delegates and supporters of the plan that passed began singing a different song. It was an image of a deeply broken church. I put my head in my hands and wept, surroun
Epworth
- Feb 26, 2019
General Conference Update #1
But now, this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
the one who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze… Forget the former things;
do not dwell on
Epworth
- Feb 22, 2019
Experience a Small Group this Lenten Season
The early Methodist movement was powered by adherents gathering in small groups to encourage and support each other in daily living. This year, our Lenten study will adopt this model and several different small groups will be forming. Small groups provide support for living out our commitment to Christ in our daily lives, more than can be provided by attendance at weekly services. We will meet to learn from each other how we apply Wesleyan principles of do no harm, do good, s
Epworth
- Feb 6, 2019
What To (un)pack for St. Louis?
For trips along the coast I typically pack my bag with books. Flying means I have to separate the wheat from the chaff and winnow it down to two. My wife is more clever than I as she uses Kindle. For St. Louis I will pack two books: The Book of Discipline and Sylvie Simmons’ I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen. In preparing for this trip theologically, I have been distracted by many fears. Primarily I fear becoming the prototypical dyspeptic traveler: anticipating bad wea
Epworth
- Jan 19, 2019
Winter Bible Institute Returns January 27
"Theology and Empire" is the theme for this year’s Winter Bible Institute, an annual lecture series featuring Epworth-connected scholars, professors, poets, teachers, artists, theologians and other vocations. Our scholars hail from a wide range of disciplines and will be using their own particular lens to look at the many questions that face us as people of faith in an age of unbridled and trans-national power. Each event opens with presentation and concludes with a time for
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