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Dear Friends,
 What kind of church are we? As we have opportunity to invite others into the life of First Pres, we each have answers to that question. Let me tell you some of the ways I describe us:
We are a church where Jesus Christ is the living center. This is the most profound and defining, clear and practical thing to say about our church. Before we are anything else, we are committed to living as a community that by the power of the Holy Spirit seeks to follow Christ in all we say and do.
We are a church that trusts and teaches the Bible as God's Word. Scripture stands as the uniquely authoritative guide in our life and ministry. We don't point to some other text or some other voice in the way we point to, study, and seek to live out the teaching of the Bible. We are widely varied in how well we know the Bible, but we urge one another on in reading, interpreting, and following its teaching.
We are a church that gathers in a distinct context. Our church was deliberately established in Berkeley adjacent to the University of California. The history and character of Cal, and of Berkeley, establish a unique environment that fosters and stimulates us constantly as a congregation.
We are a church that lives to worship God, and that means sharing in God's mission. We exist for the sake of living our worship: seeking to know the character, demonstrate the love, proclaim the grace, and show the justice and mercy of God locally and beyond. We begin this with our nearest neighbors, the University community, and extend ourselves into Berkeley, the Bay Area, and around the world.
We are a congregation of generations, cultures, and races. It would be very hard to pigeon-hole people in our church as a certain type, age, race, culture, or personality. We value education and we have a fairly wide economic range. We are widely varied in our politics. We have a rich variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and that is one of our privileges.
We are a church that takes each stage of a person's life seriously. God gives to each season of a person's life an amazing opportunity for discovering and growing in grace. Each stage of life, with its own distinctive dimensions, really matters to God and to our community. .
We are a church that seeks to embody God's hospitality and community. Though we are concentrated in the East Bay, we are also spread out in six counties. This means we have to be very intentional about connecting with one another and going to greater lengths to extend ourselves as we gather at church, but also as we meet in small groups, in friendship and care for one another. We often do well in caring for one another in the midst of crises and struggle.
So many other things could be said about what kind of church we are. I could come up with many other items. It would be possible to come up with a list of ways we need to grow or change as well. What kind of church do you think we are?
Gratefully in Christ,
Mark Labberton
 First Pres Live — September 13
Join us for a time of worship led by the First Pres Worship Band that seeks a deeper awareness of things that are close to the heart of God.
For concert details, click here.
 Green Sunday — September 21
Learn about and celebrate the ways that First Pres is going green! Join in efforts to pursue sustainability at church, at home, and in our communities. Click here to find out more.
 Register for the Global Church Conference
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn, pray, and act in a global context surrounding the issue of slavery. Click here for more information or to register online.
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