Topaz short film by Dave Tatsuno--------------------------- Screenshot from the film On 9/15 at BMU during our Sunday service at 10:30AM, we will show a short film, Topaz, by Dave Tatsuno, courtesy of David Fujita. "Businessman, community leader, and amateur movie maker. Dave Masaharu Tatsuno's (1913–2006) home movies of concentration camp life at the Topaz , Utah, camp constitute one of the most important visual records of the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans." -- from Densho Encyclopedia "Topaz is a 1945 documentary film, shot illegally by internee Dave Tatsuno (1913–2006), (though with the assistance of members of the camp staff), which documented life at the Topaz War Relocation … [Read more...]
BMUC at Oakland Pride Parade
September 6, 2024 by
This Sunday! 9/8/2024 Oakland Pride paradeupdated info------------ NO service at church on 9/8;please join us at the Oakland Pride Paradeor online on Youtube << click to watch online We are carpooling from the church at about 10:15 - 10:30 or folx can BART. Meet in Oakland at 15th and Clay Sts and text Rev. Pam if you get disoriented: (510)205-5294 .================================ INFO FROM THE PARADE ORGANIZERS: Contingent Name: Berkeley Methodist United Church Lineup Number: 064 Zone: D1 Assembly Time: 10:45 AM Share this link with every member of your contingent, and be prepared to show this on your phone on the day of the … [Read more...]
Bazaar 2024
April 26, 2024 by
Many thanks to all who came out, helped, donated and supported out Bazaar! DEAR GUESTS: Thanks for your interest in our bazaar! BMUC Annual Bazaar 2024 is set for June 2nd. Revived and revamped last year, the tradition continues, once again offering food, fun, and fellowship to the community. Save the date for sure! See you soon! Ordering your box dinner:1. Please visit this link to order your box dinner (UPDATE! preorder IS OPEN TIL May 31): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA5AD2BABFDC43-48938602-bbqpork#/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ MEMBERS AND FRIENDS: Please bring your family, friends & neighbors! We're counting on you! Poster: Please download (or pick some up at church) and share and post our awesome … [Read more...]
Pastor’s Letter 2024 April
April 3, 2024 by
Dear Siblings in Christ,Are there scripture passages, even chapters in the Bible that you find troubling, or confusing – out-of-date or, you may think simply ‘no longer apply’ to contemporary culture? Do you wonder how to respond when others bring up those scriptures and want, or ‘expect’ you to explain? Maybe you want to better understand those scriptures for your own growing relationship with God in Christ. You would not be alone. Many people, including clergy, find some scripture challenging to understand or interpret into contemporary life, even life we hope for when we pray ‘your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Are there contemporary social behaviors, social mores, economic or political activities, or familial relationships or actions that you wonder … [Read more...]
Holy Week
March 26, 2024 by
Please do join us for worship throughout Holy Week! Palm-Passion Sunday, March 24, 10:30 am worship 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. Good Friday, March 29, at 7 pm, we remember the unlawful conviction and death of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Grieved we leave in silence to await God’s work. Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:30 am worship, we come to the tomb, surprised, and filled with joy that not only is the cross empty, so is the tomb and our Lord is risen!! And, of course, we welcome kids from all walks of life to an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, learning the journey of Jesus from his … [Read more...]
Easter 2024
March 16, 2024 by
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (CEB) Greetings Siblings in Christ,A blessed and joyful Easter Season to you! Each year before I begin my Easter letter, I pray and think ‘what can I share about the amazing gift of Resurrection Sunday?’ As my faith grows, deepens, transforms continually, I always see something differently about God’s gift of the resurrection. This year is hope. We hear that we are living in an unprecedented time of upheaval in politics, in social relationships, in economy. I don’t know if this is fact as I, nor I am guessing most of us, have not experienced humanity’s acts since its inception. It is, we can say, a time of … [Read more...]
Lenten Drama series
February 21, 2024 by
Malchus & Mark at Gethsemane OVERHEARD Conversations by the Crossby Arden W. MeadDo you suppose it is possible that various people who were involved in our Lord's Passion ever had the opportunity to talk with one another about it?... perhaps even right then, while the events were happening? Can you imagine what they might have said?... people like: -Malchus, whose ear was cut off and healed at Gethsemane, and Mark, who ran from the Garden naked;-Barabbas, the criminal released when Jesus was condemned, and Caiaphas, the high priest who led the cries for his release;PontiusPilate and Procula, his wife;Simon of Cyrene, who carried our Lord's cross, and the Centurion who compelled him to;The Two Thieves who were crucified with Christ;Mary, our … [Read more...]
Day of Remembrance 2024
February 12, 2024 by
We will show a short video from many incarcerated in the camps. We will also show the award-winning short film, "Nisei" Info from Janet: The director and writer of the film, Darren Rae, has a BMU connection in that he played BMU basketball for about 10 years and that he and his mother participated in the bazaar for years. Darren wrote and directed this 21-minute film to honor his family and the Japanese-American community. The film has won several awards at film festivals across the country and in Europe. This is not a documentary, but rather a drama based on the experiences of his grandfather and great-uncle, who are portrayed by talented Japanese-American actors Jonathan Tanigaki and Brent Yoshida.Darren and cast members have done Q&A sessions at film … [Read more...]
New Directory of Members and Friends
February 3, 2024 by
It's time to update our directory; let's keep in touch with each other! Please fill out this form by 3/17. The goal is to distribute a new directory on Easter, 3/31If you have a current photo of yourself and/or family you would like to include, please email it to Jill. Or see Jill Israels on Sunday to snap a photo. … [Read more...]
