How Can I Get Connected?
Perhaps as someone new to our church (or to this website), you know the overwhelming feeling of standing in front of a bulletin board that is a veritable mosaic of colors, shapes, and information overload. Too many choices can be paralyzing. The same can be true with our spirituality. With so many questions about God, you may not even be sure if a lifetime will grant you time enough to explore all of the answers. Where do I start? How should I plug in? What am I supposed to do?
Getting connected at Christ Church of Berkeley will involve your willingness to participate in Curious?, Community Groups, and/or Project Peace. We live in a world of God-shoppers and church-hoppers. Even in church, we are adroit consumers. And so, if you simply stay on the fringe and merely show up Sunday morning after Sunday morning to “get something out of it,” your experience at Christ Church of Berkeley may be one of loneliness and solitude. Getting connected with God and other people is possible and desirable, but it will require a sacrifice of time, energy, and resources as you involve yourself in Curious?, Community Groups, and Project Peace.
Curious?
Trying on Christianity to see if it fits can be a dressing-room experience, and sometimes this requires privacy. Curious? offers a safe and friendly environment to a small group of usually 10 to 12 people that meets for 4 to 6 weeks and that converses over a clearly defined topic (such as the barriers to Christianity, the historicity of the resurrection, faith and science, etc.). Curious? is a conversation for normal people just like you, who have an interest in exploring spirituality, and more specifically, Christianity. find out more...
Community Groups
We live in a fragmented and hurried city amidst a rootless and transient culture. Thus, Community Groups are of utmost value at Christ Church of Berkeley. In fact, we do not have Community Groups, our church is Community Groups. These are groups of 6 to 12 people meeting in apartments and homes throughout Berkeley and Oakland during the week, and are 1) the primary place for pastoral care in our church, and 2) the chief opportunity to develop meaningful, supportive, and loving relationships in our church. These groups consist of worship, Bible exploration, sharing, prayer, and social service projects and are facilitated by trained leaders that are given continued oversight and support.find out more...
Connection at Christ Church
Connection at Christ Church is the first step towards involvement in Christ Church. Here you will learn how to best participate in the life and ministry of our church. Connection at Christ Church is a Saturday evening dinner occurring quarterly at the home of Bart and Katie Garrett.
Who should attend? Anyone and everyone who is a regular attender at Christ Church. Perhaps you have just started attending Christ Church and would like an overview of the church or you have spent a little time in a community group and wonder, “What might come next in the membership process?”
Commitment to Christ Church
Commitment to Christ Church is for those who are considering membership and who have attended Connection at Christ Church. Here, our philosophy, theology, organization, and practice will be discussed. By the end of this seminar you will able to proceed with official membership at Christ Church or will be able to make a more informed decision as to why you may decide not to join.
Commitment to Christ Church meets two to three times per year on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 12:30 (continental breakfast and childcare is provided).
Project Peace
Project Peace is an integral aspect of Christ Church of Berkeley’s mission to our city as we seek to defend the weak, help the poor, and lift up the downtrodden. Project Peace bridges the gap to unite Social Service Providers and faith-based organizations, fostering partnerships and opportunities for social service projects that restore the weak, re-neighbor our divided communities, and reintegrate our fractured world. Christ Church of Berkeley is enabled by Project Peace to participate in service opportunities on a quarterly churchwide basis and in Community Groups every month, while also giving individuals a regular opportunity to make a difference through service. find out more...