Week of April 14, 2024 | Issue: 623

Easter Sermon Series, “Together”

Throughout the season of Easter, we’ll consider the problem of loneliness in our society and how the message of Jesus and the witness of the early church calls us to connect, abide in love, help each other, widen our circles, overcome hate, and live abundant lives TOGETHER. 

Book Discussion:

“Together” by Vivek Murphy

As a companion to our Easter sermon series, all are invited to read “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World” by US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy. We will meet twice to discuss this book, on Sundays following worship:

April 14 - Section I: Making Sense of Loneliness



May 19 - Section II: Building A More Connected Life

If you don't already have a copy of the book, you can get it for $10 on Amazon. Or find it at your local library or favorite book seller!



Do you remember this expression: there are only two certainties in this life – death and taxes. Since our next discussion/writing prompt is on Tax Day, the infamous 4/15, tell us your thoughts about taxes? (And you may not just say they are too high!) Very bright minds have struggled with the whole taxation thing ever since the Boston Tea Party. See you on Zoom!

Mindful Yoga 9:30-10:30 AM

Relate with kindness to your body and mind through basic yoga poses (modified as needed), breathing practices, and relaxation in a supportive environment. Bring a yoga mat, 2 yoga blocks, and a blanket.

Meditation 11 AM-12 PM

Practice moment-to-moment awareness, deepening your capacity to respond to life with resilience, clarity, and heart. Includes a variety of guided meditations, gentle movement and discussion. Chairs available, bring a cushion if you prefer.

REGISTER:

Email or just show up! All levels of experience welcome.

Suggested Donation $5-10

Download the flier HERE!

Join us for our monthly Spiritual Journeys conversation, where we interview different members of ACC about their backgrounds and the role of faith in their lives. Where did God show up for them? How has their thinking changed over time? How would their lives be different, if they didn’t go to church? Come to learn more about your fellow churchgoer, and to think about your own spiritual journey. This month’s guest is Susan Francis.

Would you like to join Pastor Jen and represent ACC as a delegate to the Northern California Nevada Conference Annual Gathering? The event will be held at First Congregational Church of Fresno this year, June 6, 10:00am - June 8, 12:00 noon. Early bird prices end April 25, so we would like to go ahead and get registered if we can. We can send 2 delegates from our church, and they must be members. Let Pastor Jen know if you're interested! 

The documentary film, “Common Ground”, has been made available to ACC as a member of Interfaith Power and Light. This 87 minute documentary is literally about the ground, soil to you and me. The Board of Missions and Social Justice invites you to stay after worship on Sunday, April 21. Please bring your own brown bag lunch or snack and there will be dessert provided. You will find hope for our planet!

On Friday, April 26, Faith Formation will present its monthly film offering, Life of PI (2012) in the ACC Fireside Room.

The storyline revolves around two survivors of a shipwreck who are on a lifeboat stranded in the Pacific Ocean for 227 days. One is a sixteen-year-old Indian boy named Pi Patel and the other is a ferocious Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Yann Martel, the author of the book upon which the film was based, said that Life of Pi can be summarized in three statements: "Life is a story," "You can choose your story,” and "A story with God is the better story." 

Please plan to arrive around 1:30 to allow time to visit and settle in to watch the two-hour film starting at 1:45. Of course there will be popcorn and lemon water to enjoy during the film and an after-film discussion.

We are looking to track our Black Wealth Builders giving as a congregation. If you have ever donated to Black Wealth Builders and you haven't filled out a BWB giving card, please fill one out this Sunday (or the next time you're at ACC). The card asks you to anonymously report the amounts of your donations to BWB, whether you're giving monthly, gave an Easter offering, or donated in previous years. This information will allow us to understand and celebrate our church's investment in the Black Wealth Builder's Fund.

If you want to learn more about the Black Wealth Builders Fund, you can find more information here.

ACC enjoys a sister-church relationship with Sycamore UCC in El Cerrito. Sycamore’s annual rummage sale is an important part of their program. We’re invited to help by donating items to the sale, volunteering to help, and/or showing up to shop! They will be accepting donations at the church on Saturdays and Sundays, May 4, 5, 11, and 12 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

Donations will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16^th.

You can also drop off donations during the week in the lower parking lot near the gate to the back yard. Please be mindful not to interrupt the preschool.

Sycamore does NOT accept:  Adult Clothing - Computers, any Equip or Technical Books – Carpets – Cribs – Furniture - Fish Tanks / Aquariums - Exercise Equipment - Mattresses - Textbooks or Manuals - TV’s or TV Stands - Audio Cassettes or VHS Tapes

Please make sure all items are clean and in working order before you donate them. We always appreciate donations that are in closed boxes for storing before the sale, thanks!!

If you would like to volunteer, e-mail Karen Nishikawa (nishikawakaren9@gmail.com ) with your availability. We need many volunteers every day to make this a successful event. (One advantage of being a volunteer is that you are allowed to purchase items ahead of the sale day.)



Thursday, May 16:       

Starting at 1 p.m. for Setup & Sorting - light dinner provided.

Friday, May 17:

9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for Pricing - light lunch provided.

Saturday, May 18:

Rummage Sale from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. - lunch provided.

Come all day or just a couple of hours -- all help is welcome and needed!

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail or call Karen Nishikawa at nishikawakaren9@gmail.com or call (510-526-1431) OR Kurt Buss at kurtabuss@msn.com or call (510-232-8530)

Pastor Melinda McLain writes: 

Plan to attend our first Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer’s Market at The Good Table on Saturday, April 21^st, 12-4pm. Sam Lustig of Planting Justice is the point person for the market, and it promises to be fantastic. We’ll be closing the street down in front of our site and having a lovely collection of food vendors and live music each Sunday afternoon. We will also hold our first ever worship service and Sunday Gathering inside our building at 10:30am.

Let's be in prayer for our siblings in Christ as they worship together for the first time in their new space. And go check out the farmer's market if you can!

Our beloved Joe Pratt is undergoing cancer treatment. Let's help by providing meals for Joe and Linda on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We’re organizing this through Meal Train. Sign up below!

Thank you so much for all who have made or purchased meals and gift cards!

We're doing a great job!

There are still a number of openings in April. If you haven't had the chance to sign up yet, we could still use your help!

One way of keeping our congregation strong is by staying connected. You are invited to join us every Tuesday morning from 11.00 – Noon for an hour of checking in, sharing, listening and prayer. No experience necessary. Come as you are.

Discussion Topic:

”What would it have been like to be part of the early church in Acts?

Is anyone living like that today? PART II”



Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81662345620

Meeting ID: 816 6234 5620

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