Update: Interest form deadline extended to December 29.

The Nominating Committee encourages you to prayerfully consider if and how you might be feeling called to step into this type of service at this time. Interest forms can be submitted on a rolling basis until we close the recommendation process. Our strong preference is that all interest from be submitted by Wednesday December 29. (Extensions are considered on an as-needed basis, if you contact the Nominating Committee by this deadline to let us know that you are still considering.)

Dear Friends,

We gather on this corner of Dana and Channing each week seeking to:

Love concretely even when it’s risky
Serve generously whoever has need
And pursue God’s restoring justice.

Much like members of a sports team, each of us has a unique, indispensable part to play in living out this vision. The Bible describes our connectedness as parts of a body working together, each with their own distinct function. Ephesians 4:16 tells us: “From [God] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

One of those parts is leadership. This is especially important as we peek into 2022, discerning what it looks like to follow the One who loved us and gave himself for us. There are many paths to leadership and leadership takes many forms—one of which is renewed every year as the congregation elects a new class of officers to serve First Pres Berkeley. Church members are invited to submit an interest form for consideration as potential Elders, Deacons, and Nominating Committee members to serve, to guide, and to encourage us.

  • Elders are ordained officers of the church and voting members of the governing body, Session. Serving three-year terms, they act as the spiritual overseers of the church, determining policy and exercising leadership, governance, and discipline. Click here to read more.
  • Deacons are ordained officers of the church and the hands and feet of Caring Ministries. Also serving three-year terms, they offer prayer, cards, and flowers to those who are sick, elderly, or bereaved, serve communion, host memorial service receptions, and organize and lead service projects. Click here to read more.
  • Nominating Committee members identify potential Elders, Deacons, and new Nominating Committee Members, proposing a slate of candidates at the Annual Congregational Meeting each spring. They are not officers of the church and serve one-year terms. Click here to read more.

As we discern and deliberate on the future of our church, reaching out to the next class of potential officers and committee members, we would ask this of you: Will you take some time this week to sit in thought on the future leadership of First Pres? Pray about it: for the work and discernment of the Nominating Committee and for the leaders who will come forward. Meditate on it: perhaps you feel a tug to recommend someone you know would be right for one of these roles. Perhaps that tug is for your own leadership.

Click here to complete and submit an interest form before the December 19, 2021 deadline. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call Karen Erickson at 415.225.4959.

We know there are individuals ready to step up to these roles. People who are seeking to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, who are committed to our mission, who are wise, and who feel inspired to lean forward into this next season of our life together. We look forward to meeting them. Thank you for joining us in this search with your gifts of prayer and wisdom.

Blessings from your Nominating Committee,
Angel Johnson
Arlene Hatfield
James Obert
Karen Erickson, Elder and Co-Chair
Phillippe Daniel, Elder and Co-Chair
Roland Peterson
Ruth Traylor, Deacon
Sylvia Chan Lopez