Pastor’s Letter 2026 February
Pastor's Letter Greetings Siblings in Christ, It is a dark time now, darker more for our brown and black skinned siblings, who always run a much higher risk of being stopped by ICE agents, detained and their families not knowing where they are or what has happened to them. Sadly, this isn’t new to them, as much of the nation we know today has been built on the abuse, violence, oppression of non-white people. AS Christians we are called to name this and be better. As my brother in faith, Rev. Dr. Israel (Izzy) Alvaran wrote, “Now is not the time for statements alone. This moment implores us to love beyond words – to courageously rise up against empire and tear it down with all the strength given by the spirit.Call your senators and representatives and demand … [Read more...]
Pastor’s Letter 2026 January
“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!Luke 2:16-20 (The MSG) Greetings Siblings in Christ, Happy Christmas season and a Blessed New Year to you! I pray that your spirit was moved and grew during the Advent season and the celebration of the birth of Jesus, God incarnate, on … [Read more...]
Pastor’s Letter 2025 December
The angels returned to heaven and the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem. They found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. The shepherds returned, awe and in praising God for all they had heard and seen. Luke 2:15-18 Dear Siblings in Christ, As a child and young teen, I don’t recall ever learning about Advent as the time ahead of Christmas – but I definitely remember it being the waiting period before Christmas. I feel blessed to have siblings who can help me remember particular things about the Advent and Christmas season in our school, neighborhood, church, and home. Sometimes their recollections ‘correct’ mine, especially my older siblings’ recollections. I have no recollections of difficult or painful times around Advent and Christmas which, having shared … [Read more...]
Pastor’s Letter 2025 November
Reflections on the Annual Dinner for the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals (CCMP)I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections from the wonderful Annual Dinner that Berkeley Methodist United Church (BMUC) recently hosted for the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals (CCMP). BMUC has been a proud sponsor of this all-volunteer organization for the past two and a half years, and this year’s dinner marked CCMP’s forty-ninth year of faithful service.CCMP’s mission is a living expression of the gospel call that Jesus gave to all his followers: to care for the sick, to lift up the poor, and to love our neighbors with both compassion and courage. Since I began volunteering with CCMP in March of 2023, I have had the privilege of advocating for individuals and families who … [Read more...]
Pastor’s Letter 2025 June
Pastor’s Letter Greetings Siblings in Christ, I truly give thanksgiving for our faith community that gathers at BMUC. I give thanks for the ministries and missions that we offer and the people we serve. I am grateful to be among you all and, with those of us who have been here for a season or more, to welcome new folx in to our community. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow! We have been doing much these past several months from Winter Necessities Kits, to Lenten practices, to Easter celebrations, to our Bazaar, which is just completed and our upcoming Pentecost celebration on June 8, when we also welcome 3 new persons as members into our faith community (See article later in this newsletter.) After this period both I and our Lay Members to Annual … [Read more...]
Holy Week at BMUC
Please join us for worship throughout Holy Week! There will be choir singing at each service! Palm-Passion Sunday Sunday, March 29, 2026 10:30AM Good Friday Friday April 3, 7:00PM in the fellowship hall Easter Sunday Sunday, April 5, 10:30AM WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND CELEBRATING WITH YOU! PALM-PASSION SUNDAY, March 29 , 10:30AM Celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem! We remember the procession of Jesus into Jerusalem to palm branches waving branches and cloaks thrown before the donkey upon which he rode, even as political and religious zealots were plotting his arrest, conviction, and death. Also, please join us in bringing small treats to fill Easter Eggs. It is our tradition to collect small treats to … [Read more...]
Easter, 2025
A Blessed and Happy Easter Dear Siblings in Christ, I write this to you as we near the 5th Sunday of Lent looking toward the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. I pray that you are well during this Lenten season, fully immersed in your own reflections of faith, walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem and his last Passover meal. I look forward, knowing what the disciples did not know at this point in time on the journey – that Jesus was indeed resurrected; that we celebrate that resurrection over 2000 years later! Praise be to God for the resurrection of the Lord! This knowledge resounds in the church throughout the world, together with singing ‘Christ, the Lord is Risen Today. Alleluia!’ This Good News has been lit like a new flame in … [Read more...]
Announcements for March 2025
LentBegins 3/5 with Ash Wednesday at 7PM in our Issei Chapel. This service will involve a creative exercise. Therefore, we encourage silence for most of the service (excepting where there is communal singing or praying) to allow you to reflect and express yourself through drawing.Each Sunday, we will have a creative exercise. If you attend in person, we will provide materials: paper, crayons, etc. If you usually attend on zoom, you may make an appointment with Rev. Pam to stop by and pick up materials for the entirety of Lent, or request to be mailed a packet of materials. (Of course, you may use your own art materials if you wish) Bazaar 2025It's not too early to begin thinking about how you can help. We need you; many hands make light work! Please contact Greg Suzuki to sign up … [Read more...]
Christmas Letter 2024
The angels returned to heaven and the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem. They found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. The shepherds returned, awe and inpraising God for all they had heard and seen. --Luke 2:15-18 Dear Siblings in Christ, During the winter months when I was little, one of our outdoor activities was sledding, as there was lots of snow. We didn’t actually have hills so much as slopes to go sledding. I recall we had two Flyer sleds, and boy could they fly. We could get two, sometimes three of us, if we were smushed together, on a sled. A Flyer sled has a wooden ‘guide’ extending out at either side at the front of the sled (probably all sleds of that style did) that you either put your feet on to steer the runners, or tie a rope on each … [Read more...]
