If you’re new to First Pres or looking for new ways to engage with others and Scripture, you are invited to participate in any of our three Sunday morning Emmaus Communities (ECs). These intergenerational communities (with 20-65+ people) meet via Zoom, and are a great place to connect with adults in all stages of life and faith.
Practices to Live By | Alternative Liturgies for God’s People
Dates: Sundays, September 13–May 23
Time & Location: 11:15 am–1 pm via Zoom
Find an EC and request a Zoom meeting link
This year, ECs will dwell with and embody several key counter-formational practices of the people of God found in Scripture: vocation, hospitality, sabbath, justice, and testimony. Christ commissioned his disciples to be his witnesses—at home, in our local communities, to the ends of the earth. But what does witness look like in our current context burdened by pandemic, polarization, and the bitter fruit of racial injustice?
The arc of Scripture suggests that perhaps the Church’s most powerful witness is its life together—a community grounded in the ways of God and growing together through the cultivation of intentional practices. May these alternative practices—liturgies of our community— shape us more in the Way of Jesus and help us more fully witness to Christ’s radically subversive Kingdom.
For more information about Emmaus Communities, please contact Janet Sanders, Director for Christian Formation, at janets@fpcberkeley.org.
Exploring an Emmaus Community
We have three communities ranging in size from 20+ participants (ECs 4+1 and EC5) to 65 participants (EC3). Each EC upholds the community values yet in their own unique way. You are invited to “stop by” any of our ECs gatherings via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am. Please see below to request a link to the Zoom meeting.
We are here to help you find an EC that works for you. For more information about our specific communities, please contact Janet Sanders at janets@fpcberkeley.org.
| Emmaus Community | Send email request for Zoom meeting link to: |
Emmaus Community Team |
| Emmaus Community 3
11:15 am–12:30pm |
linda@slhawk.com | Facilitator: Michael Barram
Hosts: Tyler & Christina Davis, Steve & Linda Hawkins, Daly & Claudia Jordan-Koch, Clark Sept |
| Emmaus Community 4and1
11:15 am–12:30pm |
avonleong@gmail.com | Facilitators: Pat Phillips, Christin Cooper, Avon Leong
Hosts: Ray & Barbara Pedersen |
| Emmaus Community 5
1–2 pm |
gammillre@comcast.net | Facilitators: Chris Corwin
Host: Elwanda Gammill |
EC Mission and Values
Emmaus Communities (ECs) are places where we weave together the study of Scripture and conversations with one another to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. ECs also seek to serve those in need locally and globally through our mission partners. In our communities we uphold these values:
- Christ’s presence—essential in the process of conversation and conversion
- Our ECs are always open and ready to welcome those who are new or returning
- Confidentiality, a safe place where we respect the diverse voices and stories
- Caring for one another through mutual support, heart-felt encouragement, and prayer
- Deepening relationships with one another
- Honoring a balanced use of time for community, study and discussion, and prayer
- Following Jesus in serving others
Welcome To Emmaus Communities (ECs)
Practices to Live By | Alternative Liturgies for God’s People
More information: Please contact Janet Sanders, Director for Christian Formation at janets@fpcberkeley.org.
