Inward and Outward Together: Join Us On the Journey
At First Pres, adults in all stages of life and faith find avenues for deepening relationship with God, self, and others through exploring Scripture and spiritual practices in authentic community. Small and larger groups meet throughout the week.
We invite you to join us in journeying inward and outward together this fall through our Adult programming. You can find brief descriptions of our fall 2021 offerings below. More information about each opportunity is available on our calendar.
Navigating the Journey
Common Ground | Exploring Questions about Faith
Let’s be honest. We have questions. Lots of them. Join us in creating Common Ground where those of us new or returning to church can ask, explore, wrestle with, and ponder those questions that brought us here to begin with. This class will be offered spring 2022!
Starting Point | Exploring Connections, Engagement, & Membership at First Pres
Whether you are just getting to know First Pres, are interested in taking a next step to become more engaged here, or are ready to explore making this your home church through membership, Starting Point is for you.
Exploring Scripture in Community
Sundays
Emmaus Communities | Adventures with Scripture
Emmaus Communities are groups of 20 to 60 adults at varying stages of life and faith. We meet every Sunday for conversation and study, engaging the deep questions of faith and looking beyond pat answers to a fuller understanding of how God’s wisdom shapes our lives.
The Open Door Community Group gathers for a time of connection, prayer, and conversation using the weekly Questions for Reflection based on the Sunday message. We welcome all to come and join our community at any time.
We explore one book of the Bible at a time, alternating Old and New Testaments, using questions that help us to more fully understand what God is saying to us and where God beckons us outward.
Weekdays
Coffee & Conversation with Pastor Tom | 1 Thessalonians
Enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with Pastor Tom and others as he guides us on a journey through 1 Thessalonians.
Men’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) | The Unexpected King: Matthew’s Account of Jesus
Men of all ages are invited to be a part of this community that pursues God—wrestling with our questions and seeking God’s wisdom for today’s challenges through the story of God’s people. BSF is a global, interdenominational Bible study dedicated to nurturing commitment to Christ, God’s Word, the Church, and service in the community.
Women’s Bible Study | New Hope, New Joy: The Gospel of Luke
All are welcome to join our diverse community dedicated to sharing our lives and studying God’s Word. This season, we explore the “good news” in the Gospel of Luke.
Journeying Together
Fall Community Groups
During the fall, Community Groups (CGs) meet to encourage one another and explore how God’s word inspires, shapes, and directs our lives. Learn more about CGs here.
This Is Crucial: Healing Justice and Racial Equity Conversation Groups with First Pres Dallas | Conversations that matter enough to make us uncomfortable
This is Crucial, a monthly podcast focused on healing justice and racial equity, is hosted by Charlene Han Powell and Amos Disasa, Senior Pastor First Pres Dallas. These facilitated groups of 6–8 people meet twice after each month’s podcast.
Moms Together is a caring and supportive community of mothers with children of all ages. Hosted by First Pres moms, we gather to share life’s joys and challenges in the context of faith in Jesus Christ.
Connect(her) is a gathering space for women of all ages and circumstances to deepen our relationship with Christ and one another through small-group conversation and prayer.
Engaging Spiritual Practices
First Pres Group Spiritual Direction, in partnership with New College Berkeley
Group spiritual direction, a communal practice of spoken and silent prayer, helps us tend to our relationship with God through spiritual friendships, contemplative listening, and prayer. Groups of four directees meet monthly for nine months under the guidance of an experienced spiritual director.
A Contemplative Advent Retreat, Co-sponsored by New College Berkeley
Carve out time in the press toward Christmas to prepare your hearts for walking the Way in the year ahead. Join us for a morning of prayer, reflection, and readying ourselves to continue our great pilgrimage with Christ.
Responding to God’s Call
God is always calling, inviting us to the inward journey of deepening relationship with Jesus and discovering our authentic selves, and beckoning us to the outward journey— to work with God and others as partners in God’s mission of creation, redemption, and restoration.
Beloved, Gifted, Called
We are uniquely created by God, in this particular time and place, with particular talents and temperaments, skills, experiences, and passions to partner with God in building a more just and loving world. This 7-week journey focuses on affirming our skills, naming our passions, discovering spiritual gifts, and identifying personality types. This class is postponed until winter/spring 2022.
Upcoming Opportunities
Starting Point
Registration deadline October 27!
Women’s Bible Study
Registration open now!
Contact
Michelle Vecchio-Lyzenga
Minister for Christian Formation
michellev@fpcberkeley.org