TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

Deadline for Messenger articles is 12 noon Monday.

Items received after Monday will be considered for the next edition.

Celebrating Our Homecoming

Piedmont Church celebrates the beginning of the new program year with a Homecoming event, including the return of the Chancel Choir and a BBQ after worship. Film by Michael Barber

Life Groups Begin September 19

Life Groups are small groups that gather weekly on Thursday evenings from September 19 through October 24. 

The topic for discussion during this session will be the The Sermon on the Mount.

We start with a simple dinner at 6:15pm in Guild Hall. Then, we get together in groups meeting in various rooms at the church at 7pm for sharing, support and study. Any adult is invited to be part of a group, whether you’ve attended in the past or not. The suggested donation for dinner is $5, which can be paid by cash, card or phone. 

You can sign up using the link below, or after Sunday worship. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

Ministry Fair Next Sunday

On Sunday, September 15, the Ministry Fair returns to the Courtyard after worship. It’s a great opportunity for the various ministry groups and teams to share information about what they do at and through Piedmont Church, and for folks to sign up and get involved. If your ministry group would like to have a table, contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

New Member Classes

You're invited to attend our next Come and See gatherings hosted by Steve Schibsted and Don Ashburn. 

We will meet on two consecutive Sundays after worship in Guild Parlor: September 22 and September 29, from 11:30am - 1:30pm. We will share a bit about who we are and what brings us to Piedmont Church and how we can grow together in faith and service. Lunch will be provided. 

Childcare is available for younger children by contacting Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org before September 18. Sign up to attend in three ways: 

1) In the Courtyard Sunday after worship

2) Call the church at (510) 547-5700, or

3) Use the button below 

Movie Night is September 28

On Saturday, September 28, we’ll gather at 6pm for dinner in the Courtyard and watch Cheaper By The Dozen 2 afterwards. 

Bring the kids or grandkids. It’s going to be a fun night watching a movie we can all enjoy. 

Sign up below or in the Courtyard after worship through September 22. Cost is $15 for adults ($20 at the door) and $5 for kids under 18 ($10 at the door). 

Bring outdoor folding chairs or a blanket to sit on the Courtyard grass areas for a picnic-style dinner and movie watching or sit in chairs at tables alongside the courtyard. 

Women Together Hosts Crafts Event

Feeling crafty, ladies? Explore your creativity on Saturday, October 12 and November 16, 3-5pm in the Kettlewell room. Enjoy a fun arts and crafts social event with Suzie Skugstad facilitating.

All supplies and light snacks will be provided. Bring only your positive creative spirit.

Sign up on the Church Center app or contact Suzie Skugstad at suzie@hsdesigneb.com

Don't Miss A Beat!

Our church calendar is updated almost daily to include all meetings, worship times and special events.

SUNDAY'S MEDIA

From Sunday, September 8 - It was Homecoming Sunday. We celebrated the beginning of a new church program year with the return of the Chancel Choir, preaching from Steve Schibsted and a BBQ following worship.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Piedmont Community Church President Paul Schroeder shares his thoughts on the upcoming program year.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Film Screening October 25

On Friday, October 25, Piedmont Church will host a showing of the documentary, JOIN OR DIE: A film about why you should join a club. At a time when American society is more and more fractured – and our politics are increasingly fractious – the need for people to get together with others in face-to-face groups has never been stronger. The film follows the half-century journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking Bowling Alone research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our society’s – and our democracy's – present crisis. 

The film will be shown in the Sanctuary, 7pm. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org 

A Day Away for Men
Free to Love, Curse, Lose and Find God

Put on your big boy pants and walking shoes, bring a Bible and a notebook. And together, as men, we will explore scripture stories and our own experiences in order to help us be more honest and free in our relationship with God, with one another, with others in our lives and with ourselves. 

The place is Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, at 1225 1st Avenue, Oakland. The Retreat will be led by Rev. Jeff Kunkel, a retired pastor, writer, artist and Affiliate Professor at Berkeley School of Theology.

The retreat is Saturday, October 19, 10am - 3pm. The cost is $50, with refreshments and lunch included. Registration deadline is September 30. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

Invitation From 'Women Together'

If you are a woman seeking connection with other women in our faith community, please consider joining Women Together. Our mission is to deepen our relationship with God and one another through events, summer Bible studies and other special gatherings.

Contact Shelley Clopton at Shelley@PiedmontChurch.org to join via our Church Center app where you will receive notifications about upcoming events. 

Online Bible Study

On Mondays at 10am, Don Ashburn [x]will be leading a study on the Book of James. To participate fully, no previous experience in Bible study is expected or required. Just come with an open heart and mind and see where the Spirit leads you. 

The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83211177073

FOR YOUR HEALTH

Staying Well While Gathering

Although many of us have begun to travel and widen our social lives in the past months, COVID and other respiratory infections have kept up with us, as you may have noticed in recent months.  We have learned a lot since 2020 about the consequences of these infections, which continue to impact the health of the most vulnerable and those we love.

To keep everyone we love well when gathering, we should take advantage of multiple effective strategies developed since 2020: 1) get updated COVID, influenza, and RSV vaccines that strengthen our individual and community immunity;  2) use rapid home antigen tests that are now free and available again by mail from the USPS; 3) take Paxlovid and other early antiviral treatments to reduce the risk of severe complications; 4) mask to protect yourself and prevent transmission; 5) use proper hand hygiene; and 6) ensure good ventilation wherever you gather.  For more information here are trusted sources:

Updated Vaccines: 

https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Free tests:

https://aspr.hhs.gov/COVID-19/Test/Pages/default.aspx

FELLOWSHIP

Experience the magic of live theater together. We are a very casual group. Someone makes plans for an event and others may decide to join - sometimes with dinner out ahead of the event. Do you know of something upcoming we can add?

If you’d like to be notified of upcoming shows (theater, musicals, ballet, etc), please go to our Church Center app and add your name, or contact Linda McClain at lindamcclain@me.com or Judy Wright at rbwright1@me.com 

Friday, September 13, 8 pm

Cal Shakes, Orinda

“As You Like It”

(please contact Suzanne Latham

if you’d like to picnic beforehand)

suzlatham3@gmail.com

Friday or Saturday, September 27, 28

Lesher Center, Walnut Creek

Smuin Ballet “Dance Series 1"

Wednesday, October 9, 7 pm

Berkeley Rep - “Mexodus”

Our FREE adults Game Night is now quarterly with the next one on Friday, November 1, 6:30-9pm in Guild Hall. Snacks, dessert and drinks will be served. Enjoy Poker, Mexican Train, Rummikub, Scrabble and more. Bring your favorite game or puzzle if you’d like. 

Register below or sign up in the Courtyard after worship. Contact Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519

SERVICE

Refugee Task Force Gearing Up

The Refugee Task Force (RTF) is gearing up to adopt another family of immigrants. It's been said that "Many hands make short work," and refugee support is exactly this situation. The good news is that most everything newcomers face you also have experienced before and in your native language.

To get involved, please consider joining the conversation Sunday, September 29 after worship in the Clara Barton Room. We'll have 30 minutes of material, including education and discussion. 

Contact Judy Wright at (510) 325-3083 or Kirk Miller at (510) 717-4377

Food Angels Needs a Leader
Thank you Linda Rice for 19 years of service

For 22 years, our volunteer Food Angels have brought home-cooked dinners to ailing or grieving church members. The ministry has been an important blessing to so many people during hard times in their lives.

We have been extremely fortunate that Linda Rice has served as Food Angel Coordinator for more than 19 years. Thank you, Linda, for your loving service. And thank you as well to the dozens of angels who have cooked and delivered food and caring to those in need.

If a food ministry is to continue, it needs re-envisioning under a new leader or a team. If interested, contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

WEEKLY REMINDERS

Messenger and Bulletin Deadlines

The Messenger

Piedmont Church’s online newsletter, The Messenger, is the primary source of communication. The Messenger is published digitally and distributed via email weekly.

Deadline for Messenger articles is 12 noon Monday

Michael Barber edits copy and designs the layout of each Messenger with careful consideration of article placement. Placement is determined based on relevance to the congregation and the wider community. 

Sunday Bulletin

Sunday bulletin and worship announcements are decided by Michael based on Tuesday discussions with Staff and lay leadership.

Print deadline for Sunday Bulletin is Tuesday, 12pm

Church Calendar

All information regarding the church calendar, including event dates, setup times and meetings, should be sent to Jay Foreman at Jay@PiedmontChurch.org

Please consider making an online offering by clicking below, or give while watching Sunday services on our website.