Past events

JANUARY 2012

Guantanamo, Torture, Accountability & Indefinite Detention: We Are All At Risk
Friday, January 6 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

We will screen the film "Ending U.S. Sponsored Torture Forever," followed by a discussion led by members of Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture about what actions we can take. Candidate Obama promised to close Guantanamo after worldwide outrage at revelations of tortures and deaths of prisoners never charged with a crime. President Obama has not closed the infamous prison and congress just passed a law to codify “indefinite detention” without due process. What shall we do to overcome war profiteering and the loss of rights in a sea of vast and deep corruption?

Co-sponsored by Code Pink, Golden Gate Chapter. Suggested Donation is $5 - 10. No one turned away for lack of funds

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Sarah Seeds
Friday, January 13 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Sarah Seeds will present a variety of spoken word, including political satire, some comical, some not. Sarah is a Trainer/Practitioner of Non-Violent Direct Action Citizenship Skills. She calls it “Helping Mensches in the Trenches Since 1986”!

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30. This month's host is Cynthia Johnson.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic.
Suggested Donation is $5 - 10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Dalit Baum on Boycotts, Divestments & Sanctions on Israel alt
Saturday, January 14 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Israeli peace and justice activist, Dalit Baum will talk about BDS (boycott, divestment & sanctions on Israel and the corporations who profit from the decades long occupation of Palestine). She will be fresh back from a December trip to Israel and occupied Palestine.
Dalit Baum, Ph.D. is a co-founder of Who Profits from the Occupation, an activist research initiative of the Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel. During the last four years, "Who Profits" has become a vital resource for dozens of campaigns around the world, providing information about corporate complicity in the occupation of Palestine.

Suggested Donation is $5 - 10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Occupy Sing Along
Saturday, January 21 - 6 to 9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

We're gonna sing out, share a potluck dinner, and raise some funds to send our friend, Charlie McGarry to OccupyWashingtonDC with a batch of “Occupy Solidarity Songs from Berkeley!” Charlie was a stalwart & gentle soul at OccupyBerkeley. Bring a CD or your lyrics to the event to sing and to send to DC with Charlie!

Sponsored by the SJC. Suggested Donation is $5 - 10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Conscientious Projector Film: Hypothesis
Thursday, January 26 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6 pm Potluck)

A documentary by Brett Smith about professor Steven E. Jones and his controlled demolition hypothesis regarding the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. The film examines the public controversy of his application of the scientific method to investigate the disintegration of three buildings of the WTC in about 10 seconds. For probing into the physics and forensic facts of 9/11 came a new story which included threats, bribery and academic suppression. What started as a mere “Hypothesis” became so much more...

Ken Jenkins of Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, who is also widely respected as a documentary film maker, will speak and lead the discussion after the film.Co-Sponsored by the Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance.

Suggested Donation is $5 - 10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The Theology of Spaceballs: Young Adult Movie Night and Potluck
Friday, January 27, 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

BFUU’s Young Adult group is hosting a movie night, discussion, and potluck. If you identify as a young adult come join us for night of Film, Fun and Fellowship. We'll be watching and discussing the Mel Brooks film, Spaceballs.

Questions, email Caitlin Cotter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Truth & Unity Forum for KPFA Pacifica Radio
Monday, January 30, 7 to 10 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

BFUU's Social Justice Committee is sponsoring an open discussion about the situation at KPFA 9.41 FM. Everyone is welcome to participate in a civil public forum on what is happening at KPFA, and will have the opportunity to speak for 5 minutes on a videotaped public record. People in the USA have finally begun to address the problem of "systemic economic injustice," and they need our "undivided" support. We are inviting people to make a statement for the public record so that we can know what is going on at KPFA.

DECEMBER 2011

Craftwoman's Fair: Mexico by Hand
Saturday, December 3, 10 am - 4 pm in the Fellowship Hall —1924 Cedar St.

"En las manos de las mujeres" -- Mexican Folk Art and Fine Crafts Exhibit and video presentation of award-winning Purepecha craftswomen of Michoacán, whose talent and creativity is changing the role of women in their families and communities. The artisans’ stories are compelling, as they reveal their personal struggles living in traditional villages where historically women are valued less than men.

Come meet the artists and see their amazing work! The art, plus traditional Mexican food and beverages will be available for purchase. Do your holiday shopping and support women artisans at the same time!

Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, December 4 ~ 12 - 3 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Join in the fun of decorating our beloved Fellowship Hall for the winter season. We will have a tree, greenery and lots of lights to hang. We will also have various holiday decorations for Chanukah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas to make and take home.

People of all ages, and especially families with children are welcomed. Delicious hot soup will be served. Please bring goodies to share and a decoration for the tree/hall.
A sing-along of holiday tunes will feature musicians from the BFUU community and friends. Don’t miss this seasonal social event for members, friends and the larger community.

Conscientious Projector's Film Series for the 99%: "We Called It a Work Holiday" and other short films from Golden Lands, Working Hands
Thursday, Dec 8 ~7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6 pm Potluck)

In 1946, Oakland had a citywide General Strike, initiated by the mostly-women retail clerks. This film covers that strike, and includes other short films on related subjects such as the labor/civil rights coalition, the birth of the United Farm Workers, and the response of working people to the destruction of jobs and erosion of rights as a result of global corporate policies.
Director Fred Glass will speak and lead a discussion after the film.

Conscientious Projector's Films for the 99%: The Singing Revolution
Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (Potluck at 6 pm)

Most people don’t think about singing when they think about revolution. But The Singing Revolutionis an astounding account of Estonia's successful revolt against an extremely oppressive Soviet regime, brought about by thousands of ordinary people united by their love of music and freedom.
There will be a short discussion following the film, and then the Occupella singers (Hali Hammer, Bonnie Lockhart, Betsy Rose, and Nancy Schimmel) will lead the audience in song. “Occupella/Singing for Peace” is the invention of several Bay area singers and cultural workers who came together in the first weeks of the Occupy Movement. They then joined forces with the "Singing for Peace" project. The group organizes informal public singing sessions to promote Peace, Justice, and an End to Corporate Domination.

Tibetan Festival of Life
Tuesday, December 20 at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

This Tibetan festival of life, is a celebration of the life of the great Tibetan Buddhist reformer and teacher, Tsong Khapa.

Hosted by Ventul Rinpoche, the BFUU community is invited!

NOVEMBER 2011

Sacred Sites Peacewalk for a Nuclear Free World
Friday, November 4 - 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

The northern California segment of the Peacewalk is taking place from October 22 to November 6. BFUU's Social Justice Committee is providing over-night shelter space for participants for November 4 to 5. There will be a welcoming “Potluck Dinner, Speak Out, & Discussion” with the Peacewalkers at 6 pm.

“Hope for Coralito” - 3rd Annual Benefit for the Village of Coralito, Morazán, El Salvador
Saturday, November 5 from 7 – 9:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Guest Speaker Maria Guardado will show her documentary, “Government of Change," a poignant testimony of survival. Watch a short video on Maria Guardado's story. The benefit will also include dinner and music.

$25 recommended donation/entrance fee. Proceeds used entirely to create sustainable farming for the village community of Coralito. Co-sponsored by Tania Guevara and the BFUU Social Justice Committee. Contact Tania at 510-943-8718 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to help out.

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Kat White
Friday, November 11 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Kat White, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, is a Berkeley-dwelling singer-songwriter. Her style varies from old-timey jazz to contemporary folk-rock with a bluesy twist. Kat took singing lessons as a child, and she took up the guitar in college. She also plays accordion, mandolin, and drums. Kat teaches guitar lessons for kids. She is currently working on an album of children's songs. www.myspace.com/hypertonal

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30. Hosted by Vic Sadot.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic.

Soulful Sundown
Friday, November 11, 2011 - 8 pm in the Fireside Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists' Young Adult group is hosting a Soulful Sundown - a celebration style worship service. It will be a time for inspiration, connection, celebration, and spirituality.
Questions email Caitlin Cotter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Congregational Covenant Workshop
Sunday, November 13 after service in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Communities that explore their promises, and who covenant to live their values, honor their history and build a legacy of love and justice for the future. Join us and be part of finding out how your promises can be a catalyst for building character, enriching spirits, promoting community, and serving humankind. Please plan to attend this important workshop for the members and friends of BFUU.

Facilitator, Rev. Jeanelyse Doran Adams, is Director of Congregational Servicesfor the Pacific Central District.

Conscientious Projector's "Film Series for the 99%": The One Percent
Monday, November 14, 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (Potluck at 6 pm)

A documentary by Jamie Johnson, a billionaire heir exposing the devastation wrought by his own family and their friends. It substantiates the call of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement to stand up for the economic rights of the 99%.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Community Acupressure Clinic

Wednesday, November 16, 6-9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Come experience the ancient and profound healing art of acupressure in a quiet community setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Sessions offered on a dana (enerosity/donation) basis; receivers are asked to cultivate generosity in making offerings to practitioners. Suggested donation: $20-$40 for a half-hour session, $40-$80 for an hour session.

Please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a space. Drop-ins will be taken if practitioners are available. For more information, see communityacupressure.org.

Conscientious Projector Film: Dark Circle
Friday, November 18 - 7 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave. (6 pm Potluck)

“Dark Circle” is the winner of the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival & recipient of an Emmy. The film follows the trail of plutonium—the most toxic substance in the world—from the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility in Colorado to Diablo Canyon in California to the bombings in Japan.

Followed by presentation and discussion with Scott Yundt, Attorney for Tri-valley CARES. He will bring us up to date on pressing nuclear issues and key opportunities to change U.S. policy in the wake of Fukushima.

Undoing the Silence: Writing in the Great Turning
Sat, Nov. 19 & Sun, Nov. 20 from 1-5 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

A two-day workshop exploring how to use our writing in what Joanna Macy calls “The Great Turning.” Now is the time to pool our energies to address the unraveling of so many systems in our world. During this weekend. we will build a community of trust, working with the tools for social change writing and Joanna’s Truth Mandala. We will write together and support each other with non-judgmental feedback. The workshop leaders are Louise Dunlap, author of Undoing the Silence and Anne Symens-Bucher, musician and practitioner of “The Work That Reconnects.”

Cost includes both days: sliding scale $40 - $80. To contact Louise Dunlap, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information, visit www.undoingsilence.org

Vic Sadot Album Release Party & Concert
Saturday, November 19 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Join Vic in celebrating the release of 9/11 Truth & Justice Songs, a 16 song CD that has been several years in the making. The CD was released on the 10^th Anniversary of that tragic and mythologized event that has been used to justify so much war and repression. Featuring Eric Golub on violin and ukulele! Check out the album at: www.vicsadot.com

BFUU Thanksgiving Potluck
Sunday, November 20 - 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Please bring a dish to share after the service on November 20th and we will enjoy a potluck of Thanksgiving together. Turkey, Tofurky and mashed potatoes and gravy will be provided, so please stop by the Membership Table and sign up for a dish – vegetable or potato side dishes, bread, biscuits or rolls or pie/dessert. We are also looking for folks to help clean up.

Conscientious Projector's Film Series for the 99%: The Shock Doctrine
Tuesday, November 29 - 7 pm in the Benjy Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

A film by Michael Winterbottom, based on the book by Naomi Klein. The film shows the disastrous effects on other countries of the corporate agenda of privatization, deregulation, and tax cuts, which is enforced by brutal repression.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

OCTOBER 2011

“Songs of Youth: Real & Remembered”
Saturday, Oct 1 - 8 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (Potluck and Reception at 6:30 PM)

Get two experts on aging gracefully together with a 40-something folksinger who has traveled with and learned from his elders, and you’ve got an evening of songs, stories and fun! NYC-based folksinger George Mann teams up with Bay Area legends Eleanor Walden and Faith Petric for two sets focusing on songs and stories of youth, times gone by, and events of the past. Click here for more info.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Conscientious Projector Film: Silkwood
Friday, October 7 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6pm Potluck)

Based on the true story of whistle blower Karen Silkwood, the film is a character study of a woman galvanized by injustice and a story of the dangers of nuclear power and the extremes of corporate greed. Starring Meryl Streep and Cher and nominated for five Acadamy Awards.
Plus “Hidden Voices,” an 8-minute documentary on Silkwood. After the film, professor Paul Rea, who teaches "Politics in the Nuclear Age" will lead a discussion.

This is the 3rd film in a four part series on Nuclear Power: "The Planet at a Crossroads: Nuclear Disaster or Solartopia?"

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring robert temple
Friday, October 14 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Soulful vocals and acoustic electric guitar are the backdrop for this Bay area veteran’s politically charged soulfolk anthems. With a striking combination of the deadly serious and tongue in cheek humor, robert writes music to challenge the status quo and inspire the disillusioned and apathetic. www.roberttemplemusic.com

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30. Hosted by Ben Meyers.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic.

Open House for Mind, Body and Spirit
Saturday, October 15 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm at 1924 Cedar and 1606 Bonita Ave.

Have you ever wondered about all the classes and events at BFUU? Then come to the open house!
• Are you a performer, writer, singer (or want to be)? TryTheatreWorks!
• Do you yearn for balance in your life? Try Tai Chi - Qi Gong or Rosen Dance
• Have you ever wondered what your dreams reveal? Try the Dream Workshop
• Do you want to learn to tap dance and feel good doing it? Try Tappercise
• Want to relieve tension and stress, and keep your body and spirit in harmony? Try Acupressure

These classes and more are held at BFUU on a regular basis, but on Saturday, October 15 you have the opportunity to try one or more of them for free in a supportive, friendly, and fun atmosphere.

Community Acupressure Clinic
Wednesday, October 19, 6-9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Come experience the ancient and profound healing art of acupressure in a quiet community setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Sessions are offered on a dana (donation/generosity) basis; receivers are asked to cultivate a practice of generosity in making offerings to practitioners.

image from stopfbi.net

Witch Hunt 2011! Stop Government Targeting of Peace Activists
and Muslim Americans!
Thursday, October 20 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Speakers will discuss FBI repression against the anti-war movement and attacks on the Muslim Community. Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, SF Bay Area Chapter; Stephen Downs, civil liberties attorney, and spokesman against government-promoted Islamophobia and repression of Islamic-American communities; Jess Sundin, solidarity/antiwar activist facing felony charges of conspiracy to aid and abet terrorism, and leader, Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Protecting Our Upcoming Elections
Saturday, October 22 - 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Bev Harris, author of Black Box Voting, founder of blackboxvoting.org, and internationally recognized expert on election integrity will speak in person about her forthcoming DVD, Human Rights in American Elections.
She has updated her Tool Kit 2008: Pocket Guide to Election Protection and will discuss her recent research about how the voter registration lists and the voter participating lists are regularly changed without citizens’ knowledge. This layer of our voting processes shows how vulnerable our elections are to insider manipulation.
This important knowledge adds to what we know about the serious problems with the chain of custody of our ballots and the lack of transparency in the electronic --in secret-- counting of our ballots and the votes on those ballots.

$15 donation at the door to benefit Black Box Voting. Sponsored by Protect California Ballots..

“Writing What You Want to Say" - Writing Workshop with WordSwell
Sunday, October 23 - 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Fireside Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Have you written before? Or always wanted to write more? This group will support and encourage you to write. Instructor, Clive Matson is a local poet and teacher whose work has inspired a lot of creative words to flow in Berkeley and beyond. www.matsonpoet.com

Suggested donation per class: BFUU pledging members $5, Non-members $10. Half of the money goes to BFUU and half to WordSwell, a nonprofit for writing. Workshops are held the 4th Sunday of each month.

March in Solidarity with OccupySF!
Monday, October 24 at 10:30am - Offsite
Justin Herman Plaza (near the Embarcadero BART station)

For anyone and everyone wishing to participate in the Interfaith Clergy Action in Solidarity with Occupy Wall St. SF on Monday, October 24.

BFUU folk will gather at the north end of the Ashby BART platform (heading to SF) in time to catch the inbound train which leaves the Ashby Station at 10:12 am. So, get on BART anywhere. Get on the LAST CAR. If you arrive at Ashby Station before 10:12, get off, meet up with everyone else. We will all get on the LAST TRAIN CAR at 10:12. That gets us there at 10:32. We will have the BFUU SJC banner. See you there!

The Real Meaning of “Secure Communities”
Monday, October 24 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Is the “Secure Communities” program of ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) a means of repression and deportation? “Secure Communities” allows state and local police to check the fingerprints of any individual they book into jail against DHS immigration databases. If there is a “hit,” ICE is automatically notified, even if the person hasn’t been convicted of a crime. While its stated purpose is to target “dangerous criminal aliens,” the program has undermined community trust of local law enforcement and indiscriminately targeted and destroyed immigrant families and communities.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Jon Fromer: The Man and His Music

Thursday, October 27 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Honoring Jon Fromer for his lifelong music, media, and labor activism. Jon Fromer is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose music is a special blend of folk, blues and country that has been at the center of movements for peace and social change in the Bay Area for decades. Jon is known for his rich soulful voice, rhythmic guitar style, and poetic lyrics that capture the human condition.

Jon will also be honored with the "Father Bill O'Donnell Peace and Justice Award" by St. Joseph the Worker. Potluck at 7 pm.

SEPTEMBER 2011
Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East
Wednesday, September 7 - 7 pm in the Benjy Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

It is believed that Israel possesses some 200 - 400 nuclear weapons, making it the fifth and possibly fourth largest nuclear power, ahead of Britain, and possibly ahead of France. No concrete evidence on nuclear testing is available. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that is not a member to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Guest Speaker John Steinbach has written extensively on the issue.

A Conversation with Dorothy Naor: Israeli Activist for Peace and Justice in Palestine/Israel
Thursday, September 8 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Dorothy Naor is a Jewish Israeli activist opposing the occupation of Palestine. She participates in countless activities regarding occupation policy and civil rights in Israel. Dorothy was born in San Francisco but immigrated to Israel in her early 20s, in 1958. As a result, she has a unique perspective and overview of many of the changes that have occurred in Israel.
An interview with Dorothy Naor:http://www.justvision.org/portrait/97914/interview

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Bernie Gilbert
Friday, September 9 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Bernie Gilbert has been writing songs for 40 years. He has a back catalog of three-minute harangues about industrial disasters, corporate malfeasance, and the deficits of the two-party system. In January 2011, the “Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival” conferred on him the “Labor Arts Award.” Asked why, Bernie said, “I don’t know. I’m guessing that large bundles of bills changed hands.” Bernie is an active member of the Bay Area Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Chorus, and he’s been a member of the Freedom Song Network since 1984.

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Hali Hammer.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic.

Conscientious Projector Film: "Speaking Freely: John Perkins" - Confessions of an Economic Hitman
Thursday, September 15 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6 pm Potluck)

In this documentary, former economic consultant John Perkins takes aim at himself, confessing his shameful role in helping organizations such as World Bank and the Interational Monetary Fund drive poor nations into crippling debt while enriching U.S. corporations. This film contains astounding footage about how our government and economic institutions threaten and carry out deadly attacks against governments that refuse to "cooperate" with the corporate agenda.
The documentary will be accompanied by a short film by Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, an organization of over 1,500 Architects and Engineers who believe the government's story about what happened on 9/11 is not consistent with the scientific evidence.

Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Farewell Party for Carrie Knowles

Sunday, September 18 - 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Let’s celebrate together! Dr. Carrie Knowles’ internship with us is ending, so we’re having a party to thank her for all she has done for BFUU during her internship and to wish her well as she continues on her ministerial path! Please join us for refreshments after worship on September 18th, which will also be Carrie’s last time preaching at BFUU.

When Things Happen to People: Memoir Readings
Sunday, September 18 - 3-5 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Adam David Miller and S. Elise Peeples, married writers, read from their very different works, both of which document the “things” that happened to them and how those “things” came to shape their lives.
Adam is a poet and memoirist who has written about his experiences as a black man in the pre-civil rights South and in California from the 1950s to the 1990s. Elise, a non-fiction writer and novelist, will read from her memoir about her encounter with breast cancer and mastectomy, a journey on which she lived life as a found poem, holding in whatever ways possible, an attitude of receptivity and openness to guidance from seen and unseen, held always by community.

Suggested Donation: $5.00 (please bring a snack or drink to share). No one turned away for lack of funds.

Revolution in Egypt and the Arab World
Tuesday, September 20 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

How did this revolution start? Where is it headed? Guest Speaker Sharat G. Lin spent a week in Tahrir Square, ground zero for the Egyptian Revolution. He discusses why it is a transformational event for the entire Middle East.

Dr. Lin is president of the San Jose Peace & Justice Center. He writes on global political economy, the Middle East and South Asia, labor migration, and public health.
Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Community Acupressure Clinic
Wednesday, September 21, 6-9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Come experience the ancient and profound healing art of acupressure in a quiet community setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Sessions are offered on a dana (donation/generosity) basis; receivers are asked to cultivate a practice of generosity in making offerings to practitioners.

Journalism, Media Spin and the Gaza Flotilla Actions - A Fundraiser for KPFA
Thursday, September 22 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

There will be a preview of a 1-hour documentary "The Raid" by Belgian journalist and filmmaker Marcello Faraggi on the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla (FF1) made from never seen before footage from smuggled cassettes and the last footage of Vittorio Arrigoni in Gaza before his murder.The viewing will be followed by a conversation with Faraggi.
The program will begin with a commentary by KPFA's Kevin Pina and will also feature presentations by Henry Norr, the Bay Area media lead during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, and Kathy Sheetz who participated in all three Free Gaza Boat/Flotilla trips. Janet Kobren will be there to talk about journalist Angela Lano's book, "Towards Gaza," about her experience on the 2010 Freedom Flotilla.

This is a benefit for KPFA (94.1 FM) and "The Raid" documentary project; and book party for "Towards Gaza: Live from the Freedom Flotilla" by Angela Lano. Tickets: $15 at the door ($12 in advance at Brown Paper Tickets or at local independent bookstores: Modern Times, Diesel, A Bookstore, Mrs. Dalloway's, Moe's Books, or Walden Pond Books)

Conscientious Projector Film: The Battle of Chernobyl
Friday, September 23 in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6 pm-Potluck, 7 pm-Film)

In 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine exploded and began spewing radioactive smoke and gas. More than 40,000 residents in the immediate area were exposed to fallout 100 times greater than the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. But this nuclear disaster had just begun. Based on top-secret government documents, this films reveals a systematic cover-up of the true scope of the disaster.

Afterward, Mickey Huff, Director of Project Censored and Professor of History and Social Science, will lead a discussion on the global impacts of Fukushima, and the politics of the nuclear industry and corporate media.

This is the 2nd film in a four part series on Nuclear Power: "The Planet at a Crossroads: Nuclear Disaster or Solartopia?"

Family Storytelling Night
Friday, September 30 - 6:30 pm in the Fireside Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Have you heard about the princess who thought the moon was the size of her thumb? Do you know the story of how the water made the sun and moon move to the sky, or how the old man finally got to sleep? What about the story of how bear ended up with a short tail? You haven't?! Then come to our storytelling night, to hear these stories and more told by professional storytellers, actors, musicians and dancers! We’ll have scary and funny stories. Stories from African, First Nations Ojibwe, Hispanic, Jewish, Scandinavian, and Middle Eastern traditions.

Plus Pizza and Juice!! Suggested Donation: $5-10, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Produced by TheatreWorks! and Lifespan Learning. Call 510-841-4824 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

Haiti’s Grassroots Movement & Film - Haiti: Harvest of Hope
Friday, September 30 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Join the Haiti Information Project and Haiti Action Committee to commemorate the September 30, 1991 coup that overthrew President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (elected with 67% of the vote in 1990), and led to the deaths of more than 5,000 people. Featuring Kevin Pina and his documentary, Haiti: Harvest of Hope, focused on the formation of Haiti’s Lavalas political movement, the election of President Aristide, the military coup 7 months later in 1991, and Aristide's eventual return from exile in October 1994.

Suggested donation: $5-20 to benefit Haiti Emergency Relief Fund (HERF). No one turned away for lack of funds.

AUGUST 2011

“California's Rebellious Roots: Lessons for Today”
Book release and presentation by Laurence H. Shoup, author of the new book, “Rulers and Rebels: a People's History of Early California, 1769-1901”
Thursday, August 11 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (Reception at 6 pm)

Take a trip back in time to the state's earliest years and discover the untold history of the working class, minorities, immigrants, Native Americans and other groups struggling to assert their human rights against the power of an entrenched ruling class. Their numerous organized and unorganized rebellions from the Mission era to the 1901 general strike on the San Francisco waterfront altered history and taught valuable lessons that are still relevant today.

Find out more about the book at rulersandrebels.com

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Nancy Schimmel NancySchimmel
Friday, August 12 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

Nancy brings new songs with a wry look at current events and the first amendment, and an old song by her mother, famous folk singer, Malvina Reynolds - who was a member of the Fellowship. Nancy also has many original songs about the environment and children, and might share a story or a few songs with the "Organic Chorus." Come and find out! www.sisterschoice.com

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Boundless Gratitude (aka Hassaun Ali Jones-Bey).
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic

Community Acupressure Clinic
Wednesday, August 17, 6-9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Come experience the ancient and profound healing art of acupressure in a quiet community setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Sessions are offered on a dana (donation/generosity) basis; receivers are asked to cultivate a practice of generosity in making offerings to practitioners.

Conscientious Projector Film: The China Syndrome
Friday, Aug 19 in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St. (6 pm-Potluck, 7 pm-Film)

"The China Syndrome" first appeared in theaters on March 16, 1979, 12 days before the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history occurred at Three Mile Island. The real-life accident was, in many ways, identical to the plot of the movie. An incorrect reading of equipment made the plant's operators think that there was more water covering the core than there actually was. Starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas, the movie was nominated for 4 Academy Awards, and won a top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Followed by a presentation and discussion with Barbara George, renewable and energy efficiency advocate, and anti-nuclear energy activist.

This is the first film in a four part series on Nuclear Power: "The Planet at a Crossroads: Nuclear Disaster or Solartopia?"

Conscientious Projector Film: The Power of Nightmares
Thursday, August 25 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall — 1924 Cedar St.

This BBC documentary by Adam Curtis about the rise of the politics of fear, compares the rise of the Neo-Conservative movement in the United States and the radical Islamist movement, regarding their origins and similarities between the two. The Power of Nightmares explores the idea that we are threatened by a hidden and organized terrorist network is an illusion, which politicians exploited to bolster their power and authority in a disillusioned age.

Refreshments provided. Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Doors open at 7 pm, program starts at 7:30 pm.

“Writing What You Want to Say" - Writing Workshop with WordSwell
Sunday, August 28 - 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Fireside Room — 1606 Bonita Ave.

Suggested donation per class: BFUU pledging members $5, Non-members $10. Half of the money goes to BFUU and half to WordSwell, a nonprofit for writing.

JULY 2011

Pastors for Peace - 22nd Annual Cuba Caravan Dinner & Send-Off!
Tuesday, July 5 - 7 pm to 9 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Pastors for Peace continues to challenge the crippling and brutal embargo against Cuba. Potluck Dinner, speakers, and music! We will remember the great legacy of Rev. Lucius Walker who was the leader of the Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organizing (IFCO), who died last year. Lucius founded Pastors for Peace, one of the IFCO projects. www.ifconews.org

Prospects for Democracy in the Middle East
Thursday, July 7 - 7 pm to 9 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Following the "Arab Spring," the political landscape in the Middle East is dramatically shifting. Join us for a presentation and discussion with Dr. Hassan Fouda about the future of democracy in the Middle East. Dr. Fouda has made numerous visits to Arab countries and has interviewed many Arab government officials, opposition leaders, and opinion makers. He was born in Egypt and became an American citizen in 1974. Dr. Fouda is active with the Council for National interest. www.cnionline.org

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Boundless Gratitude
Friday, July 8 - 7pm in the Fellowship Hall

Boundless Gratitude (Hassaun Ali Jones-Bey) is a singer-songrwriter (aka musical storyteller, aka griot, aka troubadour) who performes folk and love songs, pop and jazz ballads, and children's music. He introduces himself as Boundless Gratitude to describe his style and motivation for musical storytelling.

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30. Hosted by Clyde Leland.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, go to bfuu.org/events/open-mic

Conscientious Projector Film: Ancestors in the Americas, Part 2: "Chinese in the Frontier West: An American Story."
Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

The second film in UC Sociology Professor and filmmaker, Long Ding's series about the untold history and contemporary legacy of early Asian immigrants to the Americas. "Chinese in the Frontier West" explores the large-scale immigration of Chinese during the Gold Rush, their central role in developing the American west, and their landmark legal battles to overcome discrimination and expand the definition of "American."
If you missed Part 1 in the series: "Coolies, Sailors, & Settlers: Voyage to the New World" we will be showing that film beforehand at 6 pm.

Refreshments provided. Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.
For more information about the series, check out www.cetel.org/programs.html

From Hiroshima to Fukushima: Confronting the Two-Headed Monster of
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power
Saturday, July 16 - 7 to 11 pm in the Fellowship Hall (reception at 6 pm)

On the anniversary of the day that ushered in the “nuclear age” with the Trinity Nuclear Test, we gather with one of our local and international treasures, Jackie Cabasso, Executive Director of the Western States Legal Foundation, and research analyst Andrew Lichterman. www.wslf.org

Reception with S. Brian Willson
Monday, July 18 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall (reception at 6 pm)

Brian, a great friend of our Fellowship for years, lost his legs at the Concord Naval Weapons Station in 1987 engaging in a nonviolent blockade in protest of weapons shipments to El Salvador. Brian has finished his book, Blood on the Tracks: The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson, which will be on sale.

http://www.brianwillson.com/u-s-government-impunity-at-home-the-politicization-of-terrorism

Community Acupressure Clinic
Wednesday, July 20, 6-9 pm in the Connie Barbour Room
Come experience the ancient and profound healing art of acupressure in a quiet community setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; Craniosacral, and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Sessions are offered on a dana (donation/generosity) basis; receivers are asked to cultivate a practice of generosity in making offerings to practitioners. Please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a space. Drop-ins will be taken if practitioners are available. For more information, see http://communityacupressure.org.

BFUU Hal Carlstad Social Justice Award Dinner
Friday, July 22 - 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Join us for this very special event, where we'll honor Plowshares Activist Susan Crane, now in Dublin Federal Prison for her courageous witness at the Trident Nuclear Submarine Base in Washington; Karen Pickett, tireless activist with Judi Bari for Earth First; Cindy Sheehan, anti-war activist-extraordinaire who first spoke at BFUU on July 4, 2004 just 3 months after her son Casey was killed in Iraq; and Carolyn Scarr, who tirelessly works for Peace and Justice as head of Ecumenical Peace Institute & leader of the 13 year vigil every week in front of Oakland Federal Building.

The Women of Action Awards will be presented following a delicious dinner by our professional caterer Chris Planellas. Music by Stephen Esteban Meyers, Maxina Ventura, Vic Sadot, Artemisia, comedy by Mrs. T-Bill Banks, & a performance by TheatreWorks!

JUNE 2011

Conscientious Projector Film: What in the World Are They Spraying?
Thursday, June 2 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

A film about what is going on in our skies and the science experiments behind it. Whatever you call it, "chemtrails” or “weather modification”, you are cordially invited to bring your independent mind and see what others are researching about what is happening over our heads. Discussion to follow.

Refreshments provided. Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Doors open at 7 pm, program starts at 7:30 pm

Refusing to Be Enemies: Palestinian & Israeli Non-Violent Resistance to the Israeli Occupation
Monday, June 6 - 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Maxine Kaufman Lacusta, author of Refusing to Be Enemies, will give a presentiaton followed by a discussion on her interview-based study of more than 100 Israel and Palestinian nonviolent activists, their strategies and challenges in pursuing a just peace. We are honored to support this event with the American Friends Service Committee, who are doing a National Tour on this vital issue. The Social Justice Committee will also provide an update on the U.S. Free Gaza Boat Project, another non-violent resistance action to break the seige of Gaza. We hope to do an update on the Egyptian democracy movement with our friend, Hassan Fouda, an Egyptian-American, who leads the tours to Egypt.

Donations Appreciated. Coordinated by Stephen McNeil www.afsc.org.

Conscientious Projector Film: Ancestors in the Americas: Coolies, Sailors & Settlers: Voyage to the New World
Thursday, June 9 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

This is the untold story of how Filipinos, Chinese, Indians & other Asians first arrived in the Americas, crossing centuries and oceans, from the 16th century Maila-Acapulco Trade to the Opium Wars to the 19th century plantation coolie labor in South America and the Caribbean. Your world historical perspective will change after watching this beautiful narrative film by the late UC Sociology Professor, filmmaker, Lori Ding, who inspired a new generation of creative activists. This is the first of a critically acclaimed PBS series seen by millions of people. We will be showing the second film "Ancestors in the Americas: Chinese in the Frontier West: An American Story" on Thursday, July 14.

Refreshments provided. Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Doors open at 7 pm, program starts at 7:30 pm.

Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic featuring Susan Mashiyama
Friday, June 10 - 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Multi-instrumentalist Susan Mashiyama has been singing and playing music since childhood. She started with piano and violin in grade school and now also plays Celtic harp, guitar, and a little ukelele. A friend introduced her to the sounds of Irish traditional music, and she sings and writes music inspired by this magical sound on the harp. She is also an accomplished Irish fiddler and dancer.

Musician/Performer sign-up begins at 6:30. Hosted by Vic Sadot.
Berkeley Open Mic happens the 2nd Friday of every month. For more info, click here.

Women of First Nations Poetry Reading
Thursday, June 16 - 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

An evening of poetry by Native Women in support of the book Turtle Island to Abya Yala. Love is explored through the intersections, in this new anthology by indigenous women of Turtle Island and Abya Yala, also known as the Americas. The book includes the work of over 60 Native American and Latina women artists and poets.

Cost: $5 Donations for BFUU members; $10 donation for non-members; no one turned away for lack of funds.
Raffle, music and refreshments. For more info click here or call Carol Ann Amour 262-408-7869.

Community Acupressure Clinic
Tuesday, June 21 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm in the Connie Barbour Room

Refresh, rejuvenate, nourish your body/mind/spirit! Tui Na and quiet style acupressure in a community setting. For more details see the community acupressure page.

Conscientious Projector Film: Deceptions
Thursday, June 23 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

A film by Chris Pratt about the deceits and sorrows of our empire starting with 9/11 to wall street greed through Bush and Obama. This film sheds light on our power elite and hopefully what we can do about it.

Refreshments provided. Suggested Donation: $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Doors open at 7 pm, program starts at 7:30 pm

“Writing What You Want to Say" - Writing Workshop with WordSwell
Sunday, June 26 - 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Fireside Room

Suggested donation per class: BFUU pledging members $5, Non-members $10. Half of the money goes to BFUU and half to wordswell, a nonprofit for writing. Register: 510-841-4824 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Using the Clean Air Act to Curb Global Warming
Tuesday, June 28 - 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Join us for a presentation and discussion with the Center for Biological Diversity on the Clean Air Act, our best hope against climate change. Signed into law by Nixon in 1970, the Clean Air Act has protected the air we breathe for 4 decades. It is i the US's most important and successful law for controlling air pollution and, if used effectively, could reduce greenhouse gases to 350 parts per million, the level determined safe by climate scientists. The Obama administration began to use the act to limit carbon dioxide emissions this year, but immediately faced a multitude of attacks in Congress. Come learn how the Clean Air Act works, the threats it faces, and how we can use it to protect our planet and our future.

May 2011

Tuesday, May 3, 10am-11:30am. Elders Circle. ****In BFUU office for this month during renovation.**** All Elders are welcome, aaelderscircleben

members and non-members. We have coffee and tea together, open with a song and a chalice lighting then share what is on our hearts and minds. Wheelchair accessible.

Wednesday, May 4 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman***PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE TO FELLOWSHIP HALL THIS WEEK.*** This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, May 4 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

The practice of this group is to find and follow the dancing energies in our bodies - to come home to our selves. After a guided warm-up-practice to help each person connect with the body and the dance, attendees explore their own dance in community. See more details at http://www.coreconnexion.net. From the website:

In Core Connexion we combine techniques from movement, dance, psychology, brain science, and meditation. This interdisciplinary approach develops inner resources and tools for changing your brain to benefit your whole being – on and off the dance floor.

Wednesday, May 4 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS This week in the Benjy Room
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

There is not a charge for participating in this activity.
Carol studied theatre at Northwestern University and was the director of Native Roots, an intergenerational theatre troupe, on the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin for 12 years. The troupe performed in Virginia, New Mexico, Utah at the Winter Olympics in 2002, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Friday, May 6 at 7:30pm: Evening of Live Music, Poetry & DJ Dance Party, Benefit for Asher Lyons

Features spoken word slam poet Jason Bayani, Whiskerman Band, CJ Sustenance - Acoustic folk music, Ernesto Olmos- traditional music and dance from Oaxaca, Mexico, Cop The Idiom - folk hop: music for the heart, DJ by Oshan Anand. There will be a table of organic desserts with vegan, and raw options available for purchase. As well as a raffle with a chance to win a variety of holistic therapies, original art, and more!

A benefit fundraiser for Asher Lyons's work. For the past decade Asher Lyons has dedicated his time to international multi cultural gatherings; helping to bring indigenous wisdom keepers and elders together from many tribes and nations. His dedication to this has taken him all over the Americas. For Asher it's the youth and story creation that have brought him back home to his community. Bridging these elements with ceremony, he's igniting change within the hearts and lives of incarcerated and at risk youth throughout the Bay Area. The impact has moved Asher to share the intimate experience of the human spirit through performance and offering original plays. Proceeds from the night will help support this vision and his commitment to this work.

Friday, May 6 at 7:30pm: Evening of Live Music, Poetry & DJ Dance Party, Benefit for Asher Lyons

Saturday, May 7 5-8 pm: Congregational Dinner

Congregational Celebration and Dinner “Our Spirits Fed by Art, and Justice Our Daily Bread” is the theme for this year's Congregational Dinner, celebrating this community and our commitment to bringing spiritual growth and social action to the heart of Berkeley. There will be "home-grown" entertainment of, by, and for people of all ages provided by Carol Ann Amour and the “TheatreWorks!” group, with Brett Torres on piano and much singing! Chris Planelllas and friends will provide a vegetarian meal in keeping with our “Ethical Eating” practices, and we will hear the results of our Annual Stewardship Drive.

Tuesday, May 10 TIME: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

New Workshop: Healthy Living--Moving to Music
Fellowship Hall
Teacher: Dolores Helman, Credentialed teacher Oakland and Berkeley Unified. over 40 years experience
This is a gentle exercise class for people without physical limitations or those with limited ability to move.
We do gentle chair exercise to warm-up and stretch, increase flexibility, range of motion, strength and endurance. For those members who are able we do some cardio exercise which is dancing to music. As described by a class member, “it’s a little bit of exercise, physical therapy, balance training, dance, nutrition musical appreciation and getting to be aware of your body.”
Cost: Sliding Scale: $5:00 or more if you can less if you can’t. No one turned away. 20% contributed to Fellowship. For more information call:
Dolores at 510.548.9840 or 510.540.0771

Tuesday, May 10 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

Using upbeat rhythms of American jazz, blues, Central America, the Caribbean and other cultures, this class will focus on basic jazz dance techniques. We will get cardiovascular exercise while learning standard dances, swing combinations, Latin rhythms and other moves and grooves. We will create, put together combinations and jam in a supportive environment. Sliding scale from $5.00-$10.00. 10% goes to our Community Rhythms fund which sends kids to summer music and dance camps.

WHEN: Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

May 13, 2011, 7 PM -- Berkeley Fellowship Open Mic

Note to Musicians/Performers: Sign-up begins at 6:30 pm!

alan

Featured Artist: Alan Smithline

Alan Smithline is a dynamic performer whose large musical repertore consists of country, blues, ragtime, swing, gospel, rock, & broadway show tunes. He lived and studied with the legendary Rev. Gary Davis. He has performed many times at Fellowship Hall. But this is his first time as “Featured Artist” for our monthly open mic.

Stefan Grossman had this to say about Alan Smithline, “Been enjoying Alan's recent postings of, mainly, Reverend Gary Davis pieces on You Tube. Great, alive and authentic renditions IMO. Here's one for starters, but I love all 10 or so of 'em, I must say. Here's one for starters: “Hesitation Blues”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8xkRLAjgiI

Host for the Evening: Hali Hammer Well-versed in an assortment of moods and styles, Hali Hammer is an award winning singer-songwriter who enjoys writing and playing a wide variety of music. She has sung and played for peace and political causes for over three decades and is an active member of Freedom Song Network. Her diverse work (and play) have made her comfortable performing with all age groups, from preschoolers to senior citizens. http://www.halihammer.com

Suggested donations of $5 – $10 will benefit the BFUU cover expenses. No one is turned away for lack of funds! Volunteers appreciated.

Saturday, May 14 TIME:10am - 5:30pm.. Monthly Qi Gong Workshop with Dr. Bingkun Hu. Reverse Abdominal Breathing (RAB). Fellowship Hall.

The topic of this workshop is "Reverse Abdominal Breathing (RAB)". RAB Breathing is widely used in Wild Goose Qigong. But unfortunately, many beginners sometimes misunderstand RAB as always being a type of forceful breathing. Since breathing-movement coordination is indispensable in learning Wild Goose Qigong, we hope this workshop can help learners improve their RAB breathing in a simple and delightful way. We'll start this workshop by demonstrating the many functions of RAB breathing, such as:
1) Making our breath longer;
2) Stretching our body with ease;
3) Gently elongating the spine;
4) Consciously shifting our breathing space;
5) Improving our Micro-Cosmic Orbit.

While explaining RAB, we will invite every participant to practice together several well known Qigong passages selected from Wild Goose Qigong. They will be done slowly and deliberately. The more we delve into the lovely movements, the more we experience the gentle, soothing, and meditative effect which RAB breathing brings to us. In this way, both the effect of the RAB breathing, together with our own experience and feeling,will act as our guide to make our RAB breathing even softer and gentler.

RAB breathing is commonly used in self-healing. In this workshop, in order to let every participant feel comfortable and be at ease with the gentle RAB breathing training, we'll also teach you one self-healing modality: -------- "How to use your effortless breathing to self-heal yourself." For example, how to self-heal your injured knee, etc. This practice is based on Wild Goose meditation-1 (Five Elements Meditation). Everyone who is interested in self-healing or who likes the Wild Goose movements is welcome to attend this workshop. No specific Wild Goose Qigong background is required.

Wednesday, May 18 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age.

Wednesday, May 18 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, May 18 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

Have theater experience? No experience? Doesn't matter!
Come join us at TheatreWorks on Wednesdays beginning on April 6th in the Connie Barbour room from 7 - 9 PM. For more information contact Carol Ann Amour, Director at 262-408-7869 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Carol studied theatre at Northwestern University and was the director of Native Roots, an intergenerational theatre troupe, on the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin for 12 years.

Sunday, May 22 TIME: 12:30 - 2:30 pm: “Writing what you want to say: a workshop”. Instructor: Clive Matson & Wordswell

Have you written before? Or always wanted to write more? This group will support and encourage you to write.
Fourth Sunday of each month. Fireside Room, Education Building, Second Floor. (Not a wheel chair accessible room). Suggested donation per class: BFUU pledging members $5, Non-members $10. Register: 510-841-4824 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Instructor: Clive Matson is a local poet and teacher whose work has inspired a lot of creative words to flow in Berkeley and beyond. Read more about him, his books, and his workshops at www.matsonpoet.com.

Tuesday, May 24, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Healthy Living--Moving to Music
Teacher: Dolores Helman, Credentialed teacher Oakland and Berkeley Unified with over 40 years experience. This is a gentle exercise class for people without physical limitations or those with limited ability to move. We do gentle chair exercise to warm-up and stretch, increase flexibility, range of motion, strength and endurance. For those members who are able we do some cardio exercise which is dancing to music. As described by a class member, “it’s a little bit of exercise, physical therapy, balance training, dance, nutrition musical appreciation and getting to be aware of your body.” Cost: Sliding Scale: $5:00 or more if you can less if you can’t. No one turned away. 20% contributed to Fellowship. For more information call Dolores at 510.548.9840 or 510.540.0771

April 2011

Friday, April 29 TIME: 6:30 pm First Hal Carlstad Award Ceremony & Benefit Dinner honoring Cindy Sheehan, Karen Pickett, & Susan Crane (who was recently sentenced for nvcd nuclear protest action) Music and dinner. To benifit BFUU and the Haiti Action Committee. Info: Cynthia 495-5132. disarmnow.org

***********POSTPONED************ Please check with Cynthia for more information.

Saturday, April 30 TIME: 9:30am. Integral Transformative Practice (ITP). Meets in the Connie Barbour Room, Education Building, itp_banner_logo

Monday, May 2 TIME: 7:30pm FALSTAFF AND HAL a special reading by Subterranean Shakespeare in the Fellowship Hall. Join the group for a special staged reading of Sub Shakes last production of the season FALSTAFF AND HAL .Directed by Bruce Coughran. Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

THE BALLOT RESULTS FROM Subterranean Shakespeare Presents SHAKESPEARE Favorites Plus a special staged reading of Sub Shakes next full production FALSTAFF AND HAL May 2. Adapted & Directed by Bruce Coughran.
All Shows 7:30pm Except Hamlet 7:00pm. Admission $8 ********this week in the Fellowship Hall ********

SHAKESPEARE'S TOP 10 PLAYS
Subterranean Shakespeare has been presenting staged readings of the whole canon of Shakespeare's plays over the last couple of years. Recently we have handed out ballots of the 38 plays to our audience, actors and through Theatre Bay Area Magazine. Over 1,000 votes were counted. Here is the top 10 and dates of the planned STAGED readings.
#10 - Measure For Measure - Feb 7 - Dir by Bruce Coughran
#9 - Othello - Feb 14 - Dir by Kate Jopson
#8 - The Tempest - Feb 21 - Dir by Robert Estes
#7 - As You Like It - Feb 28 - Dir by Keshuu Prasad
#6 - The Winter's Tale - Mar 7 - Dir by Liz Anderson
#5 - Twelfth Night - Mar 28 - Dir by Julianne Reeve
#4 - King Lear - April 4 - Dir by Robert Estes
#3 - A Midsummer Nights Dream - April 11 - Dir by Bruce Coughran
#2 - Macbeth - April 18 - Dir by Kate Jobson
#1 - Hamlet - April 25 - Dir by Stan Spenger
Plus a special staged reading of Sub Shakes next full production FALSTAFF AND HAL May 2. Adapted & Directed by Bruce Coughran. All Shows 7:30pm Except Hamlet 7:00pm. Admission $8

Thursday - April 28 at 7 pm Conscientious Projector Film "Economics of Happiness"

Attn: For both of these dates there will be Pot Luck Dinners @ 5:30 pm and the Academy Award nominated documentary, “GASLAND” will be shown. The film explains the environmental damage caused by the process of extracting natural gas called “fracking”. Thousands of families have had their water contaminated. The main company involved in this business in the USA is Halliburton. Contact Cynthia 510-495-5132 for further info!

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking

Wednesday, April 27 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, April 27 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, April 27 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS Connie Barbour Room
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

Tuesday, April 26 TIME: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

Monday, April 25 TIME: 7:30pm HAMLET a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Stanley Spenger. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Saturday, April 23 7pm La Revolution - Benefit Harpsichord Concert with Becky Lyman of Code Pink.

La Revolution is a harpsichord concert and lecture discussing how we can use

music to inspire ourselves to move towards revolution. Vibeka Lyman will perform on

Be sure to click on this beautiful flyer:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j12/ooola/revolution_01redux.jpg

Friday talk and weekend retreat- April 22,23, & 24 Thomas Huebl

From Friday April 22 through April 24, the Open Circle is excited to co-host with Bay Area Integral another extraordinary speaker, Thomas Huebl from Germany. Thomas has attracted thousands of people to his festivals and events in Germany, but he's still almost unknown here in the US. He has been described as a unique, emerging voice in contemporary spirituality with a remarkable ability to stand in the delicate field of what is most alive and emergent, allowing it to flow into the experience of everyone present. He also works deeply with both individual and cultural shadow, and most significantly, he has courageously addressed the collective cultural shadow among Germans from the Holocaust. He has brought together hundreds of individuals (including perpetrators and survivors in Germany and Israel) for profound healing experiences. At all of his events, he convenes a "Culture of WE" which is at the heart of the spiritual awakening we are witnessing throughout the world. For more on Thomas visit www.thomashuebl.com
We'll meet with Thomas on Friday evening, April 22 from 7-10pm at 1924 Cedar Street in Berkeley and again for a weekend workshop on both Saturday and Sunday at the same address from 10am-5pm. Please note that the weekend portion of the meetings will be limited to approximately 60 people and that attendees are asked to attend both Saturday and Sunday and, unlike many of our meetings, pre-registration, for which discounts are offered, is encouraged. Visit http://thomashueblbai042011we.eventbrite.com/ to pre-register.

Wednesday, April 20 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, April 20 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, April 20 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS Connie Barbour Room
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

Have theater experience? No experience? Doesn't matter!
Come join us at TheatreWorks on Wednesdays beginning on April 6th in the Connie Barbour rrom from 7 - 9 PM
For more information contact Carol An Amour, Director at 262-408-7869 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There is not a charge for participating in this activity.
Carol studied theatre at Northwestern University and was the director of Native Roots, an intergenerational theatre troupe, on the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin for 12 years. The troupe performed in Virginia, New Mexico, Utah at the Winter Olympics in 2002, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Tuesday, April 19 TIME: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

Monday, April 18 TIME: 7:30pm MACBETH a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Kate Jopson. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

THE BALLOT RESULTS FROM Subterranean Shakespeare Presents SHAKESPEARE Favorites in the Education building, Second Floor, Connie Barbour room.
SHAKESPEARE'S TOP 10 PLAYS
Subterranean Shakespeare has been presenting staged readings of the whole canon of Shakespeare's plays over the last couple of years. Recently we have handed out ballots of the 38 plays to our audience, actors and through Theatre Bay Area Magazine. Over 1,000 votes were counted. Here is the top 10 and dates of the planned STAGED readings.
#10 - Measure For Measure - Feb 7 - Dir by Bruce Coughran
#9 - Othello - Feb 14 - Dir by Kate Jopson
#8 - The Tempest - Feb 21 - Dir by Robert Estes
#7 - As You Like It - Feb 28 - Dir by Keshuu Prasad
#6 - The Winter's Tale - Mar 7 - Dir by Liz Anderson
#5 - Twelfth Night - Mar 28 - Dir by Julianne Reeve
#4 - King Lear - April 4 - Dir by Robert Estes
#3 - A Midsummer Nights Dream - April 11 - Dir by Bruce Coughran
#2 - Macbeth - April 18 - Dir by Kate Jobson
#1 - Hamlet - April 25 - Dir by Stan Spenger
Plus a special staged reading of Sub Shakes next full production FALSTAFF AND HAL May 2. Adapted & Directed by Bruce Coughran.
All Shows 7:30pm Except Hamlet 7:00pm. Admission $8

Sunday, April 17, 7 pm Norman Fischer Fellowship Hall

Zoketsu Norman Fischer joins us on Sunday evening and we couldn't have a more appropriate speaker for the Sunday Evening Meditation and Awareness Series.Norman is both a celebrated poet and a Zen Buddhist priest in the Soto Zen tradition, which is the nondual tradition within Zen Buddhism. Norman's list of qualifications is long- he was the abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center for six years, has written numerous books and collections of poetry, his essays have been published many times in Shambhala, Tricycle, and Buddhadharma, and have been included in every edition of Best Buddhist Writing. He's also the founder of the Everyday Zen foundation, is active in interreligious dialog, particularly between Jewish, Catholic, and Buddhist meditation traditions, and has led workshops with the Dalai Lama and at Google (he's been called "the Abbot of Google"). However, what's more impressive about Norman are his personal qualities- his grounded, droll, and down-to-earth sense of humor and brilliant insights, coupled with an utterly relaxing and disarming modesty that is rare to find these days.

When I wrote to Norman a few months ago about speaking with us at the Open Circle for the Series, he quickly wrote back that he'd be happy to speak on Sunday, despite the fact that he'll be leading a retreat in San Francisco earlier that day that ends at 5 pm, because he felt that "long story short..the world needs religion, and religion that is open and inclusive" and meetings like these "fulfill a planetary and human need..."

Please join us and spend some time with Norman for yourself. The evening will include meditation and discussion. For more on Norman, visit his website: www.everydayzen.org

By donation, no reservations required.

Thursday, April 14 TIME: 7 pm Conscientious Projector Film Series: Why We Come (Por Que Venimos) - A dozen migrants from Latin America living in San Rafael’s Canal District tell their own stories of

why and how they came to the “El Norte”, the USA, and what it has been like for them. A Marin Immigrant Rights Coalition documentary followed by discussion. In the Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, April 13 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, April 13 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, April 13 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS Connie Barbour Room
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

Tuesday, April 12 TIME: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 TIME: 12:30 pm Story Circle Drama Workshop
In the Fireside Room, led by Wattie Taylor
Mime a role you know well, or one you've always been interested in. Be a character in a play. Do Improv!
A chance to express yourself, get to be someone else for a while, boost your bravado!
See Wattie for more information at Sunday services.

Saturday, April 9 TIME: 9:30am. Integral Transformative Practice (ITP). Meets in the Connie Barbour Room, Education Building, itp_banner_logo

second floor. You are invited to experience a lovely interactive Saturday morning program that involves non-strenuous movement, meditation and energy exercises, and supports you in cultivating your own sustainable daily practice. All you need is a mat, a beginner's mind and an open heart. A $10 room donation is requested. Good description of this practice at their ITP website. Sunday, April 10th at 4 pm: A Quarter Century of Chernobyl: New Perspectives, First Hand Accounts. Three brave women activists from Russia speak out on Chernobyl and its relevance today, particularly in light of recent events in Japan. Natalia Manzurova was a lead engineer for the cleanup at Chernobyl for 5 years and advocates internationally for radiation victims, Dr. Natalia Mironova is a world renowned anti-nuclear organizer, and Tatiana Mukhamedyarova is an outspoken activist with the Movement for Nuclear Safety. Organized by Earth Island Institute’s Center for Safe Energy and moderated by Joanna Macy, the event also features the US premiere of Chernobyl4Ever, a film featuring young people living near Chernobyl. Co-sponsored by Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), Plutonium-Free Future, and the Social Justice Committee of BFUU. Read more...

Saturday, April 9 TIME:10am - 5:30pm.. Monthly Qi Gong Workshop with Dr. Bingkun Hu. Reverse Abdominal Breathing (RAB). Fellowship Hall.

The topic of this workshop is "Reverse Abdominal Breathing (RAB)".

RAB Breathing is widely used in Wild Goose Qigong. But unfortunately, many beginners sometimes misunderstand RAB as always being a type of forceful breathing. Since breathing-movement coordination is indispensable in learning Wild Goose Qigong, we hope this workshop can help learners improve their RAB breathing in a simple and delightful way.
We'll start this workshop by demonstrating the many functions of RAB breathing, such as:

1) Making our breath longer;

2) Stretching our body with ease;

3) Gently elongating the spine;

4) Consciously shifting our breathing space;

5) Improving our Micro-Cosmic Orbit.

Everyone who is interested in self-healing or who likes the Wild Goose movements is welcome to attend this workshop. No specific Wild Goose Qigong background is required.

Friday, April 8, 7 pm - Fellowship Hall - Fellowship Café & Monthly Open Mic - Every 2nd Friday of the Month! Rev. Ben Meyers will Host & Sing Out! World musicians bring music from Egypt, Greece, Peru, Iraq, Mexico, Syria and more. Cameron Powers & Kristina Sophia of Musical Missions of Peace will be our Featured Artists for April. Hali Hammer returns to Host May 13!

Wednesday, April 6 TIME: 7pm THEATREWORKS Connie Barbour Room
Do you like to act? do you like the idea of helping to put a performance together? Do you like the idea of helping to create a set or provide the music and lighting? theater

Wednesday, April 6 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, April 6 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Tuesday, April 5, 10am-11:30am. Elders Circle. In the Fellowship Hall. All Elders are welcome, aaelderscircleben

members and non-members. We have coffee and tea together, open with a song and a chalice lighting then share what is on our hearts and minds. Wheelchair accessible.

Monday, April 4 TIME: 7:30pm King Lear a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Robert Estes. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Saturday, April 2, 3:30pm

Starr King School for the Ministry cordially invites you and your friends to our Spring Transylvanian Tea
a fund-raiser for the Balázs Scholars Program

$25 donation levente 2
featuring Rev. Levente Lázár
2010-2011 Balázs Scholar
Minister in Szovata and Csokfalva, Transylvania
and
Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake dorsey blake 05-2010-crop
Dean of the Faculty and Visiting Professor of
Spirituality and Prophetic Justice at Starr King School, and
Pastor of the San Francisco Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples
Prophetic Voices
Starr King School for the Ministry
2441 Le Conte Avenue, Berkeley
RSVP to Arliss Ungar
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 925-283-3288
The Balázs Scholars Program each year brings a Transylvanian Unitarian minister to study at
Starr King School for the Ministry and the Graduate Theological Union

Saturday, April 2, 10 AM-5 PM

Climate Change Workshop: Awakening to the Present;Preparing for the Future

Full-day attendance is $15-25 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Wheelchair accessible. Open to the public.

Hear from cutting-edge organizations working on climate change, engage in lively discussion, get hands-on tools to take action, and enjoy a nourishing low-impact lunch! Presenters include CA Interfaith Pwr & Lt, Ecology Ctr, 350.org, Oakland Cli

m Act Coalition, Transition Towns Albany and Berkeley, Union of Cncrnd Scientists, and UU Lgsltv Mnstry California. Be part of the growing movement to awaken to the present and to prepare for the future, from personal to local, state, national, and international levels.

Facilitated by the

Rev. Earl W. Koteen, BFUU’s Community Minister, the program is designed for participants to plug into specific areas of interest and come away with concrete actions in areas such as energy, transportation, health, and land use.

Registration: Full-day attendance is $15-25 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Lunch and coffee/tea provided.

Full day attendance is encouraged; other options are half-day 10 – 12:30 (personal/local programs focus) or 1:30 – 5 pm (state/national/international focus) Either ½ day is $10 without lunch, and $15 with lunch. Please register by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailing a check to the BFUU office, 1606 Bonita Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709-2022. Or by purchasing tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/165054

BFUU contact info: Phone: 510-841-4824 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Friday, April 1 TIME: 7:30 PM

SO SIMPLE

AWAKENED MYSTIC ELLE COLLIER RE

A Satsang $15

"This is the end of seeking, where the path opens to Unity. I highly recommend Elle as a great teacher." Pauli Halstead

Elle Collier Re is the teacher/founder at HeartGate Sanctuary, a studey and retreat center in Hood River Oregon where kindred souls gather to engage in the extraordinary practice of spiritual communin and mastery.

www.HeartGateSanctuary.org 866.630.Love

Karl Renz, Thursday, March 31 TIME: 7pm

Karl Renz is not your ordinary spiritual teacher, so be forewarned: if you have little sense of humor and little tolerance for having tightly held spiritual views upset, then you might think twice about attending the meeting with Karl on Thursday evening.

Karl is a master of spiritual deconstruction and with great humor and irreverence applies the Vedantic principle of "neti neti" to whatever spiritual seekers cling to. If you enjoy being encouraged to let go of attachments regarding spiritual progress and attainments, you'll find this dialogue with Karl illuminating and hopefully humorous as well. No reservations are required- by donation. For more on Karl visit his website at www.karlrenz.com

Wednesday, March 30 TIME: 7 pm BFUU FAMILY POTLUCK GAME NIGHT! chalice7

Connie Barbour Room (In the Education Building) Bring a dish to share and a favorite game- you are all part of our church family!

??’s- Caitlin S. Cotter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wednesday, March 30 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, March 30 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Tuesday, March 29 TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

shakespeare

Monday, March 28 TIME: 7:30pm Twelfth Night, a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Julianne Reeve. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the

Connie

Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Monday, March 21, TIME 7:30PM East Bay Int. Assn. for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) presents:

Near-Death Experiencer ANDY PETRO My Death in the Summer of 1955

Days before his high school graduation in 1955, Andy Petro drowned in front of his classmates. The teenager found himself in a tunnel, in a brilliant loving light, communicating with an entity that knew him personally. A classmate rescued him… but what had happened? It was 1955 – there literally were no words to describe his profound encounter. And for two decades, there wouldn’t be. A half century later, Andy’s near-death experience remains the defining moment of his life – one he recalls with perfect memory. Andy will share his experience – and poetry – at this month’s meeting. Come greet and meet Andy! East Bay IANDS provides a respectful place to discuss NDE’s and related spiritual events, Open to all; no dogma! A $7-$10 donation is requested to help pay for rent and expenses; no one turned away. Wheelchair-accessible.

Sunday, March 20, TIME: 1pm -3pm. Writers Workshop organized by Clive Matson and Wordswell. Meets in Fireside room on the Third Sunday.. Not Wheelchair accessible. matsonpoet

Donation of $10 requested. $5 for pledging members of BFUU. Have you written before, or always wanted to write more? Bring the work written in previous classes, typed and edited and share your updated version. Poems, journals, stories, articles. This group will support and encourage you to write. Instructor: Clive Matson, executive director and founder of WordSwell, is a poet and teacher whose work has inspired a lot of creative words to flow in Berkeley and beyond. Author of Let The Crazy Child Write!, Your contributions keep this class going. We began in August, 2010 and continue to attract new and seasoned writers each month. Read more about his workshops at www.matsonpoet.com

Wednesday, March 16 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, March 16 TIME: 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Tuesday, March 15, 6:10- 8 pm. Community Acupressure Clinic. In the Connie Barbour Room. Come experience the ancient healing art of acupressure in a quiet group setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressureflows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Session rates are 20 minutes - $15-20; 30 minutes - $20-$30; 60 minutes $40-60 sliding scale. For more information and to schedule a session, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Tuesday, March 15 TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Thursday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

Saturday,March 12 TIME: 10am - 5:30pm.. Monthly Qi Gong Workshop with Dr. Bingkun Hu. Relaxing by Circulating Qi. Fellowship Hall. In this month's introductory workshop, several of Dr. Hu’s simple healing exercises, taught to his patients for decades in his clinic, will be introduced to the general public for the first time. Learn to become deeply relaxed and alleviate pain by practicing small circular movements coordinated with one's breath. For details on cost and registration, see Dr. Hu's website.

Friday, March 11 TIME: 7pm. Country Joe Open Mic with Hassaun Ali Jones-Bey

(Boundless Gratitude) hosting and invited featured artist Carol Denney. Another night of local organic music. Check out the websites of these artists to get a taste of what you can expect in March.

Donations at the door keep us going. And bring a little extra cash to buy a CD and some food and drink for yourself or a friend.

Thursday, March 10 TIME: 7:30 PM an Evening of Spiritual healing: Awakening to a Higher Vibration. An Experiential Evening with Dr. Jane Katra. Doors close at 7:50 pm in order to achieve coherence and raise the vibrations. Fireside Room, 2nd Floor, not wheelchair accessible.

Wednesday, March 9 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Tuesday, March 8 TIME: 3:45 pm - Fireside Room – One Meeting Every 3 Months!

Quarterly Country Joe Open Mic Team Meeting! Come join the Team!

Tuesday, March 8 TIME: 7 PM The Study/Action Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, March 8 and 22 at 7 p.m. in the Benjy Room. Attention has been focused on critical current issues and the role of the US foreign policy and the powers that direct it.

Tuesday, March 8 TIME: 5:00 pm. Tappercize!

It’s an Exercise Class, It’s a Dance Class dolores2

It’s Fun, Fit and Free for the first class. Make it an intergenerational event with a teen or pre-teen.

Dolores Helman, Credentialed Fitness and Dance teacher, over 25 years as teacher, performer, choreographer

WHEN: Thursday 5:00 to 6:00pm

WHERE: Connie Barbour Room

Gentle Exercise and Tap Technique from 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Dance Combinations with tap from 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Cool down 6:00pm.

Monday, March 7 TIME: 7:30pm The Winter's Tale, a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Liz Anderson. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Monday, March 7 TIME: 7 PM FILM: South of the Border by Oliver Stone Please note in the newsletter this was listed as March 17th which was incorrect.

South of the Border is a documentary in which Oliver Stone visits many South & Central American countries where social justice movements are showing that a country's direction can be made to serve the people's interests. You learn about the attempt by multi-national corporations to try to privatize everything, including the water. In their over-reaching to control the resources and subjugate the people with debt and dependency you see the roots of the Bolivarian revolution. You learn about US orchestrated coups and support for military dictators. But you also learn about mass movements that win elections by serving the interest of the majority, and corporate media disinformation.

Tuesday, March 1, 10am-11:30am. Elders Circle. In the Fellowship Hall. All Elders are welcome, aaelderscircleben

members and non-members. We have coffee and tea together, open with a song and a chalice lighting then share what is on our hearts and minds. Wheelchair accessible.

Tuesday, March 1, 7- 9 pm. Community Acupressure Clinic. In the Connie Barbour Room. Come experience the ancient healing art of acupressure in a quiet group setting. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressureflows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Session rates are 20 minutes - $15-20; 30 minutes - $20-$30; 60 minutes $40-60 sliding scale. For more information and to schedule a session, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

shakespeare

Monday, February 28 TIME: 7:30pm As You Like It, a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Kate Jopson. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Sunday, February 27, 2011 TIME: 7:30 PM The Fellowship of the Spiral Path welcomes you to attend….Liturgy of the Lady in honor of Brigid. Priestess: Debbie C., Choir: Turning Earth Singers, Donations gratefully accepted

The Liturgy of the Lady is an open celebration of the Goddess in Her many forms. She is the Maiden of youth, the Mother of culture, the Crone of wisdom, and She is mirrored in all life, death and rebirth. We honor Her with reverent and joyful singing, ritual activities, and opportunities to learn. Now in our fourth decade of offering this sacred service, we invite you to join us.

This Liturgy to Brigid, Irish Goddess of Poetry, Smithcraft, and Healing will be the first in the ritual season of the Maiden. Experience the power of Brigid as we invoke Her and pledge to ourselves and those around us the good changes we will bring into our lives by our actions. The fertility of spring reminds us that we make what comes forth come to us, and we are made to come to the Earth to allow this cycle to be complete. In this ritual, we are blessed by water drawn from Chalice Well, and Turning Earth Singers will lead "Sacred Well," a new chant by Maxina Ventura premiered at PantheaCon.

You may bring a candle to light from the flame of Brigid's eternal flame at Kildare. Objects may be charged on the altar during the rite. Wheel-chair accessible (let us know if you need someone to hold the door for you.) Family and child-friendly. Incense will be used in this ritual, unless requested in advance. Mark your calendar for the next Liturgy of the Lady, May 29, 2011, 5:00 PM. Please share this invitation with your friends.

More information or special requests: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website listing: http://www.thespiralpath.org/calendar/view_entry.php?id=234&date=20110227

Saturday, February 26, TIME: 11 AM - 5 PM A daylong workshop with Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist, meditation teacher, and author of Buddha's Brain, The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom. Rick's workshop will be in Berkeley on February 26 from 11am-5pm at 1924 Cedar Street. There is no need to pre-register and there is a suggested donation of $50-75.

Rick, who writes a blog for Pscyhology Today, leads a meditation group in San Rafael, and has taught at Spirit Rock and the Barre Institute for Buddhist Studies, will explore the apparent “self” – and its release – in light of Buddhism, evolution, and modern brain science; how these perspectives inform each other, and how together they offer powerfully practical tools for deconstructing the apparent self.

We’ll explore:

Presumptions about the apparent “self” in Western philosophy, psychology, and every day life
The actual, direct experience the compounded, transient, and dependently arising nature of “selfing”
The distributed, variable, conditioned – thus “empty” – nature of self-ing in the brain
The costs and benefits of the apparent “me, myself, and I”
The paradoxical importance of taking in healthy “narcissistic supplies” to relax selfing
How to activate the lateral networks in the brain that support open, spacious awareness and minimal selfing

Rick's visit precedes by a week and is an introduction of sorts for a series of talks, classes, and meetings starting on March 6 by speakers from a variety of traditions on the topic of meditation that will be hosted by the Open Circle, called The Sunday evening Meditation and Awareness Series- check our website for more information on the series. And finally, while we're on the topic of meditation, Professer Americ Azevedo, who teaches a class on meditation at UC Berkeley on Wednesday from 1-2 in 155 Dwinell Hall wrote us recently that " because of last minute room changes, we suddenly have a room with 490 seats and only have 280 registered students. So, I'm opening the class up to friends, auditors and community for the entire spring semester- drop in sometime!"

For more information on these or any other upcoming events please visit www.eastbayopencircle.org and for more information on Rick Hanson please visit www.rickhanson.net And we hope to see you on Saturday with Rick!

cod_logo_02 Saturday, February 26, TIME: 2pm. "I Can't Dance" Dance Class. Connie Barbour Room. Education building, Second Floor. Sliding scale fee for the series is $35 to $60 per person for three 75 minute classes. For those who have always wanted to dance to their favorite music but were afraid to make the first move. You will learn to lead and/or follow to several simple dances. Preregistration required. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 404-245-7977. Note: no class on Feb. 12.

Thursd brad-manning-in-uniform ay, February 24 TIME: 7 pm - 10pm. Benefit to Support Bradley Manning. In the Fellowship Hall. Featuring Daniel Elsberg, Senator Mike Gravel, Cynthia Papermaster of Code Pink Golden Gate. Jeff Patterson, Courage to Resist, and others.

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, 7:30-9:30 PM East Bay Int. Assn. for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) presents:

Near-Death Experiencer / Author / Ph.D/ Healer JANE KATRA. In 1974, Jane Katra was in the Philippines and was ready to commit suicide because of incredible pain and the unlikelihood of receiving any help soon. Instead, she would have a NDE that changed her life. We’re delighted that Jane – a featured presenter at last year’s IANDS international conference – will join us this month. One remarkable aspect of her experience was an insistence from the other side that she become a health practitioner, something she had no interest in whatsoever. She now holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Oregon, where she taught mind-body health classes in the 1980’s.

Jane has also practiced as a natural spiritual healer for three decades. She is the coauthor with physicist Russell Targ of the books Miracles of Mind: Exploring Nonlocal Consciousness and Spiritual Healing (1998), and The Heart of the Mind (1999). Her work has been featured in the book Reinventing Medicine by Larry Dossey, and in Science of Mind, Natural Health, Alternative Therapies, New Dimensions, Spirituality and Health, and Noetic Sciences Review.

Come welcome Jane as she shares the story of her NDE, and what she learned about the purpose of her life! East Bay IANDS monthly meeting are open to near-death experiencers and non-experiencers alike. A $7-$10 donation is requested to help pay for rent and expenses; no one turned away. Wheelchair-accessible. You are encouraged to bring refreshments for sharing!

shakespeare

Monday, February 21 The Tempest. TIME: 7:30 PM - 10:30pm. Subterranean Shakespeare Presents SHAKESPEARE Favorites in the Education building, Second Floor, Connie Barbour room. Subterranean Shakespeare has been presenting staged readings of the whole canon of Shakespeare's plays over the last couple of years. Tonight the 8th choice is presented The Tempest - Dir by Robert Estes. All Shows 7:30pm Except Hamlet 7:00pm. Admission $8.

Sunday, February 20 TIME: 12:30 PM - 2 PM - Syl Scherzer, certified dreamworker, will lead a free workshop on 'dreams' as p sylvia scherzer photo art of our monthly BFUU-Story Circles. Bring a dream to share or just come and participate in the R.E. Bldg./Benjy Room. Syl was trained by Jeremy Taylor whom BFUU ordained many years ago; the technique involves the tool: "If it were my dream:" The sharing of dream(s) is not designed to interpret our dreams with any particular psychological focus. It's not therapy but rather a way of connecting our UU-ness as universal beings here on earth. You may find some 'ahas' with others' dreams! Come join us -- it's fun!

Sunday, February 20, TIME: 1pm -3pm. Writers Workshop organized by Clive Matson and Wordswell. Meets in Fireside room. matsonpoet

UU Legislative Ministry of California “kicks off” Young Leaders Project

UULMCA has always had its eye on young leaders, inviting them into leadership positions and offering training and justice experiences across the state. This year we are creating a curriculum to develop the gifts and passions of UU young adults throughout California. A nine–month intensive non-residential program called SALT (Spiritual Activist Leadership Training) will begin in September 2011. To give people of all ages a flavor of the curriculum, justice “plunges” are happening in the first half of 2011. They include: January 29^,th, a Water Justice plunge along the central coast, and February 19^th , a justice plunge centering on social movements and LGBT history in Los Angeles.

To register for a plunge or find out more about the program go to www.uulmca.org, or find us on Facebook.

For more information go to www.uulmca.org, or find us on Facebook.

Saturday, February 19 and 26, TIME: 3pm. "I Can't Dance" Dance Class. Connie Barbour Room. Education building, Second cod_logo_02

Floor. Sliding scale fee for the series is $35 to $60 per person for three 75 minute classes. For those who have always wanted to dance to their favorite music but were afraid to make the first move. You will learn to lead and/or follow to several simple dances. Preregistration required. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 404-245-7977. Note: no class on Feb. 12.

shakespeare

Thursday, February 17 TIME: 7:00 PM Screening of: The Economics of Happiness

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, all around the world people are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance; and, far from the old institutions of power, they're starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm: an economics of localization. The good news is that as we move in this direction we will begin not only to heal the earth but also to restore our own sense of well-being. The Economics of Happiness restores our faith in humanity and challenges us to believe that it is possible to build a better world.

There will also be a panel led discussion following the film.

For more info go to: www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org

Sponsored by the BFUU Social Justice Ctee as part of the Conscientious Projector Film Series
Suggested donation $10. No one turned away.
Wheelchair accessible.

Tuesday, February 15, 7- 9 pm. Community Acupressure Clinic. In the Connie Barbour Room. We practice Tui Na, an active style of Chinese Qi Gong meridian massage; Ren Shen, a quiet style of acupressure flows; and Reiki. There may also be Thai massage, Shiatsu, Ashiatsu (barefoot form), Reflexology and Craniosacral practitioners depending on the day. Session rates are 20 minutes - $15-20; 30 minutes - $20-$30; 60 minutes $40-60 sliding scale. For more information and to schedule a session, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Friday, February 11 TIME: 7 pm. Country Joe Monthly Open Mic - Hali Hammer (pictured on the right) halihammer

will host and sing out! Dave Welsh is the Featured Artist this month. He is a talented performer who will entertain you with his songs and skill on the piano. This evening is appropriate for the whole family. Audiences love the original music. Artists love the appreciative audiences for their new material. Dave is shown here with his daughter, May Ling.

Thurs, February 10 TIME: 7 pm, Chisholm ’72 - Unbought and Unbossed. A film by Shola Lynch US, 2004, 77 minutes, Color, DVD, Fellowship Hall: Donations welcomed. Wheelchair Accessible. Open to the Public. Recalling a watershed event in US politics, this compelling documentary takes an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land. Quote about the film: “An essential historical record of Chisholm’s campaign and its multidimensional significance to American culture and politics told in Chisholm’s voice…Crucial example of how necessary independent filmmaking is to civic engagement.” Terri Simone Francis Asst. Professor, Film Studies & African American Studies, Yale University

Wednesday, February 9 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, February 9 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Tuesday, February 8 TIME: 7 pm. THE NEW FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAW: presented by UULM and BFUU. What does it mean for you? For your children? For Older Adults? For Young Adults?

The new healthcare law will have a major impact on Californians as it takes effect over the coming years. It is important to educate yourself on the benefits of the law so that you can take advantage of them as they become available.

In Connie Barbour room. Unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

Monday, February 7 TIME: 7:30pm Measure For Measure, a reading by Subterranean Shakespeare. Directed by Bruce Coughran. Join the group for a rousing reading of the top ten favorites of Shakespeare this year in the Connie Barbour room. (Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.). Tickets are $8. See below for the full schedule.

Sunday, February 6 TIME: 10am - 5pm East Bay Open Circle hosts Dorothy Hunt "Opening the Heart to Love" . Workshop to be held in the Connie Barbour room. www.dorothyhunt.org Donations requested.

Wednesday, February 2 TIME: 7pm. Core Connexion Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Saturday, February 5, TIME: 6 - 9 pm Project Censored Awards & Celebration of the new 2011 Project Censored Book. In the Fellowship Hall.

Saturday, February 5, 19 and 26, TIME: 3pm. "I Can't Dance" Dance Class. Connie Barbour Room. Education building, Second cod_logo_02

Thursday, February 3, TIME: 7 pm - Film in the Fellowship Hall: "Breaking the Silence". The Social Justice Committee of BFUU presents Toshikuni Doi's award winning documentary movie entitled "Breaking the Silence". Produced in 2009, it won the Kinema Junpo's First Prize in Documentary Category (equivalent of American Academy Awards). Doi has been visiting Palestine for nearly two decades and the movie discusses the reality of Israeli occupation and power over the Palestinians. The title "Breaking the Silence" refers to an NGO that was established by former Israeli soldiers who have experienced duty in the occupied territories. The movie features former IDF soldiers Yehuda Shaul, Avichay Sharon, Noam Chayut, and Dotan Greenvald.

Wednesday, February 2 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

January 2011

Your UU Legislative Ministry is 10 Years Young!

Ten years ago a few visionary California UUs saw that our state would benefit from a dose of UU values. We began with borrowed offices, one part time staff person and a deeply committed team of volunteers. Over these years we have focused in on issues that matter to our congregations, expanded the staff and developed the ability to offer new ways for congregations to participate in social justice movements across the state. We have sent valentines to support Marriage Equality; mailed faucet postcards to support the Human Right to Water and made phone calls in support of Health Care reform. Our mission is to involve California UUs in sharing our values in the public square. Thank you for these ten years. We’ll be celebrating this milestone in many ways during 2011. The first is a gala in Orange County on January 22^nd.

For more information go to www.uulmca.org, or find us on Facebook.

Sunday, Jan. 30th TIME: 6:00 – 8:30 PM An evening Gift Community seminar in Berkeley bill kauth flyer

Cost: We will invite a contribution
Building Gift Community: We Need Each Other
---experiential seminar, enjoy a taste of gift culture---
Imagine “your” community: Living in your own home, easy travel distance apart, a tribe of men and women, safely intimate and committed to each other. In these times of rapid change you’ve claimed your place and this family of choice. Together you’ve created safety nets of bonded connection, as you support each other’s action in the world to literally reinvent the new Gift Culture.
Seminar Intention:
Vision a possibility of the community you want.
Explore the values, commitments and structures needed.
Consider membership, who decides, how and when.
Learn how men and women can be together in a safe way.
Experience the emerging Gift Culture.
We will reference our own community experience and new book: We Need Each Other: Building Gift Community with 52 chapters of powerful context and “How-To” specifics.
Visit our website: http://www.weneedeachother.net/
Bill Kauth: Since 1984 Bill has co-founded the New Warrior Training Adventure of the ManKind Project, Inner King and Warrior-Monk Trainings. Author: Circle of Men published in 1992. His new book We Need Each Other is co-authored with his wife Zoe Alowan. Zoe has been deeply engaged in sacred art for decades. As painter, sculptor, dancer, songstress, storyteller her work in women’s circles reclaims beauty and wisdom. She facilitates with humor, co-honoring the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine.

The Fellowship of the Spiral Path welcomes you to attend....

Liturgy of the Lady

In honor of Sophia

January 30, 2011 7:30 PM

Priestesses: Debbie C., Bonnie, and Dian

Donations gratefully accepted

This Liturgy to Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom, will be the last in the ritual season of the Wisewoman. This feminine-maternal wisdom is no abstract, disinterested knowledge, but a wisdom of loving participation. Sophia is living and present and near, a godhead that can always be summoned and is always ready to intervene, and not a deity living inaccessible to man in numinous remoteness and alienated seclusion.

Objects may be charged on the altar during the rite. Wheel-chair accessible (let us know if you need someone to hold the door for you.) Family and child-friendly. Incense will be used in this ritual, unless requested in advance. Mark your calendar for the next Liturgy of the Lady to Bridget, Feb. 27, 2011, 7:30. Please share this invitation with your friends.

More information or special requests: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thursday, January 27 TIME: 7pm East Bay Open Circle hosts Jeannie Zandi www.jeanniezandi.com. in the Fellowship Hall. Donations requested. Details on their web site at http://www.eastbayopencircle.org/index.htm.

Wednesday, January 26 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, January 26 7pm. Core Connexions Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

illustration-of-a-man-painting-walls

Sunday January 23, we will be moving out the furniture in the office to repaint the walls and spruce it up! We need all hands on deck for this one! If we can get all the furniture and equipment moved out of the office on Saturday, we can then begin painting it after the service on Sunday, which will allow the paint to dry on Monday, our normal day of the week to be closed! Please rsvp on whether you c an join us on Saturday or Sunday or both! No job too small, some way for everyone to help! What a marvelous opportunity to give ourselves a makeover!

Friday, January 21

Protest the Corporate take-over of Democracy. Noon - in front of the Oakland Federal Bldg, 1301 Clay St. and 5:00 PM - at the Rockridge BART station. Help build the Democracy v Corpocracy movement on the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling "Citizens United v FEC" that gave corporations more power to buy elections. Host: Women's International League for Peace & Freedom East Bay Branch. Co-sponsors: Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee, Wellstone Renewal Democratic Club Voting Rights Task Force, Ecumenical Peace Institute, Codepink Golden Gate Chapter, more. http://www.wilpf.org/cvd Nationwide Actions http://movetoamend.org Contact: 510-595-5575

January 22 8 to 11 AM

Have you ever felt better than when you've given service? We haven't! So an opportunity is arising to give service to the fellowship. Today from 8 am to 11 am we will be cleaning and beautifying the Fellowship Hall! Please come with energy to give to make order out of chaos of our storage areas! MessyDesk

On this day and also on Sunday January 23rd, we will be moving out the furniture in the office to repaint the walls and spruce it up! We need all hands on deck for this one! If we can get all the furniture and equipment moved out of the office on Saturday, we can then begin painting it after the service on Sunday, which will allow the paint to dry on Monday, our normal day of the week to be closed! Please rsvp on whether you can join us on Saturday or Sunday or both! No job too small, some way for everyone to help! What a marvelous opportunity to give ourselves a makeover!

January 22 at 7 PM

HELP SUPPORT MIDDLE EAST PEACE BUILDERS. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A FUND RAISER FOR HOPE FLOWERS SCHOOL AND NEVE SHALOM/WAHAT AL SALAM.Presented by the East Bay Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group

Wednesday, January 19

4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, January 19 7pm. Core Connexions Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Friday, Jan 14, 2010, 7pm Country Joe McDonald’s Monthly Open Mic.

“Featured Artist” this month is Eliot Kenin, with BFUU favorite Vic Sadot hosting. Donations Requested. No one turned away for lack of funds. Light Refreshments for sale. ARTIST SIGN UPS FIRST COME, FIRST CHOICE ALL EVENING. (Starting on Jan. 14, we plan to try a new artist sign-up system: 1st come 1st choice of spots still available all evening). Open Mics are on 2nd Fridays of the month, so next month plan to come out on Feb. 11 when we feature Dave Welsh with Hali Hammer hosting the evening.

Sunday, Jan. 16, 1pm. Writers Workshop organized by Clive Matson and Wordswell. Meets in Fireside room. matsonpoet

Donation of $10 requested. $5 for pledging members of BFUU. Poems, journals, stories, articles. Have you written before, or always wanted to write more? This group will support and encourage you to write. Instructor: Clive Matson, executive director and founder of WordSwell, is a poet and teacher whose work has inspired a lot of creative words to flow in Berkeley and beyond. Author of Let The Crazy Child Write!, The first class we had in August was well received. Read more about his workshops at www.matsonpoet.com

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 7pm. Core Connexions Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Wednesday, January 12, 19, and 26, 2011, "I Can't Dance" Dance Class. 7pm. Connie Barbour Room. cod_logo_02

Sliding scale fee of $35 to $60 for the whole series of three one hour classes. Have you longed to take someone in your arms and move and around the dance floor, but always felt awkward or self-conscious about dancing? This class will introduce the basics of 3 simple couples dances in a small group setting. Maximum of seven dancers per class. You will learn to lead or follow (or do both!) and you can be dancing by Valentines, 2011. Gift certificates available. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details or info. (Another series will be offered in February on Saturdays.) Pre-registration required. Max of 7 students for this class.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 7pm. Core Connexions Dance. coreconnextionsfeet

Tuesday, January 4, 10 am Elder Circle. In Fellowship Hall.

Arrive at 9:30am for coffee and a taste of so mething sweet, then join us for a song and a check in and a conversation.

On the First Tuesday.All seniors welcome.

Tuesday January 4th, 7:30 PM. Spiral Path Presents "Crone and Sage Wisdom and Magick Ritual". This is a time of group sharing about our achievements, dreams and wisdom. We will especially explore the question of, "What wisdom have we acquired in life that we feel is worth sharing?" We will do magic for health, security, courage, purpose and more. This is a participatory ritual . You are encouraged to wear robes or dress ritually as you are willing and able. If desired, bring drums or rattles and finger food to share, (healthy food is especially admired.) There will be a cake in honor of Ren's [Lycorenna's] 50th birthday.

December 2010

Thursday, December 2, 7 pm - 10 pm Empire, Power & Propaganda lecture Series in the Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by SJC & Project Censored. Mickey Huff, the director of Project Censored, will be hosting the evening program focusing on Project Censored's no. 1 story for 2010, the Collapse of the Dollar. Book Release Party.
The new Project Censored 2011 Anthology will be on sale as well (think xmas/hannukah/festivus gifts)!

Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10am - 5:30pm.. Monthly Qi Gong Workshop with Dr. Bingkun Hu. Relaxing by Circulating Qi. Fellowship Hall. In this month's introductory workshop, several of Dr. Hu’s simple healing exercises, taught to his patients for decades in his clinic, will be introduced to the general public for the first time. Learn to become deeply relaxed and alleviate pain by practicing small circular movements coordinated with one's breath. For details on cost and registration, see Dr. Hu's website.

Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Mass at St. Joseph the Worker: Cynthia Johnson will be honored with Father Bill O'Donnell for her Social Justice work here in Berkeleywith a Social Justice Award for 2010. We will honor Cynthia after the service on this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, Dec. 5, 12:30pm. Decking the Hall. Annual Holiday party to 'green' the Fellowship Hall for the Holidays.Don't want to wreaths

pull all those decorations out of your own attic? Come help us hang BFUU's collection of lights and greenery and have a bit of food and drink. Can you smell the gingerbread now? Of course there will be music and treats.

Friday, Dec. 10, 7pm. Monthly Country Joe Open Mic

Rev. Ben Meyers hosts revbenguitarhoriz

Cricket Johnson is the feature.

Saturday, Dec. 11th A Community Yule Celebration: The Birth of the Sun. 7 PM Connie Barbour Room. Everyone is welcome! Bring a dish for the potluck and a cauldron gift (labeled child or adult) and a small donation to cover the cost of the Hall. Sponsored by East Bay Pagans.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 1pm - 5pm Give Outside the Box: Alternative Gift Fair in the BFUU Fellowship Hall. A new holiday tradition of sustainable gifting. Twelve local non-profits gather in give_outside_box

the Fellowship Hall offering opportunities to give twice to those on your holiday list. First, give to one or more of these impressive local groups who do the work you want to support. Make the gift in the name of a friend or family member whom you want to honor this holiday by giving "outside the box". You will receive beautiful personalized gift cards for those on your guest list. The food and drink, the music and spirit of the day will be a gift for you and all those present. Organizations include: Berkeley Food and Housing Project, Niroga, Youth Spirit Artworks, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Berkeley Food Pantry. Save the Bay, The New School of Berkeley, BFUU Oral History Project, Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network, and others. See more information on our Alternative Gift Fair page.

Saturday, Dec 11, 7:00-9:30 pm Benefit for the Village of Coralito, Morazan Province, El Salvador.

Dinner, Music, Film, FMLN speakers and a presentation re El Salvador's past and present. $15-$20 requested donation Proceeds used entirely to purchase food for the village community. Co-sponsored by Tania Guevara and BFUU's Social Justice Committee

Sunday, Dec 12, 10 - 11 am and 12- 2 pm Holiday Market at the UU Church of Berkeley in Kensington - with jewelry, toys, CDs, refreshments, and more - see UUCB website for more details.

New, like-new and handcrafted jewelry

fashion and home accessories

hostess gifts

ornaments

plants

books

CDs

toys

games

and more.

Sunday, Dec. 12 1:30 pm SJC Poetry Reading Honoring Peace Poets including Gene Sharee. Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, Dec. 12 6:00 pm Human Rights Day Town Hall Program. Program will feature dinner, music, film*, and panel discussion with human rights, legal and torture survivor experts to generate support for Berkeley's Cleared Guantanamo Detainee Resolution. January 2011 marks the 10th year Guantanamo Prison has held innocent detainees, some of whom have been tortured, who have been completely cleared by the Bush Administration, but who can't return to their home countries because it's unsafe and no other countries have agreed to take them. Berkeley's City Council has been asked to pass a resolution asking Congress to remove the barriers to resettling cleared Guantanamo detainees in the United States, and to invite one or two cleared detainees to settle in Berkeley. Similar resolutions were passed by Amherst and Leverett Massachusetts in 2009; Berkeley will be the first city in California and the third in the nation to pass such a resolution. Come hear about the Resolution and "meet" some possible detainees for Berkeley.
$15 suggested donation includes dinner and program. No one turned away. Wheelchair access. Fellowship Hall.
Co-Sponsored by Codepink Golden Gate Chapter and BFUU's Social Justice Committee
*Films include "Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever" by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and excerpts from "Reckoning With Torture" made for Berkeley Says No To Torture Week and ACLU and "Outside the Law: Stories from Guantanamo" by Andy Worthington.

Sunday, December 12, 7pm-9pm. Sierra Singles Monthly Potluck and Discussion Group. Bring some food for about 6 to share. The group usually eats from 6-7 and discusses items of participant's interest from 7-9 or longer.
Donation $3 requested. Info: Victor 510-644-0427 Reservations not needed.

Monday, December 13, 2010, 9:30am. Rosen Method Movement. Led by Lis Lotte Mariscol in the Connie Barbour Room.

Class fee required for Rosen Method Class.

Monday, Dec. 13, 5pm. Benjy room. Book Study Group. We are wrapping up the discussions of World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle, PhD. Rather than start another book now, we are going to begin reading the Congregational Study Action Initiative available from the UUA on the topic of Ethical Eating and Environmental Justice. Take a look at the table of contents and join us if you are interested in how our food is a symbol of and a statement about our thoughts on worker rights, the environment, animal rights, colonialism, climate change, and justice among the peoples of the world. Donations accepted.

Monday, December 13th, 7:00 - 9:30 pm "Fair Speech for Free Speech Radio". Fellowship Hall.Other Perspectives on the KPFA/Pacifica Crisis. How did we get here? There are alternative views on these issues that have not been heard on the air. You are invited to come, share your perspective and engage in discussion following the presentations at this community forum. SPONSORED BY PROJECT CENSORED AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE OF BFUU. PRESENTERS: Peter Franck Pacifica: "What is it and Why Do We Need it." Tracy Rosenberg, Carol Spooner. Moderator: Mickey Huff

Thursday, December 16 7pm 'Justice on Trial' an exciting new film on Mumia Abu Jamal, the renowned journalist and political prisoner on death row in Pennsylvania. The film includes interviews with family members, reveals telling new evidence of Mumia's innocence as well as the attempts by police, media, courts, public offiicials to get him executed through the race/class biased death penalty. Discussion follows.

Suggested donation $5-$15 No one turned away for lack of funds. Benefits Mumia
Sponsored by the BFUU Social Justice Committee. Wheelchair access.

Friday, Dec. 17, 6 pm. David Swanson & Daniel Ellsberg (invited). In the Fellowship Hall.

Another glittering social event of the season!

"War is a Crime", the latest from best-selling author David Swanson; other invited luminaries

Book talk, reception, music, followed by book signing and dancing!

$20 suggested donation (includes copy of book); $10 without book

Benefits Codepink Golden Gate and BFUU

Information and ticket reservations: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 510-333-6097

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

2 VIDEOS of peace-maker DAVID SWANSON speaking at BFUU Dec. 2010:

http://davidswanson.org/content/video-david-swanson-war-lies-berkeley

and 1 video of a musical interlude: "Tell John Yoo that Torture is a Crime," to the tune of "We shall not be moved."

Sing along led by BFUU members Vic Sadot with Dolores Helman and other Code Pink Womyn for Peace.

For a viewing of the video of the event, please click here:

http://davidswanson.org/content/video-david-swanson-war-lies-berkeley

Saturday, Dec. 18, 9:30am. Integral Transformative Practice (ITP). Meets in the Connie Barbour Room, Education Building, itp_banner_logo second floor. You are invited to experience a lovely interactive Saturday morning program that involves non-strenuous movement, meditation and energy exercises, and supports you in cultivating your own sustainable daily practice. All you need is a mat, a beginner's mind and an open heart. A $10 room donation is requested. Good description of this practice at their ITP website.

Sunday, Dec. 19, 1pm. Writers Workshop organized by Clive Matson and Wordswell. Meets in Fireside room. matsonpoet

Sunday December 19, 7 PM. Mist Tree Moon Circle UU Winter Solstice Ritual in the Fellowship Hall.

This is mostly a sing along, lyrics provided to well-known traditional holiday tunes, including some irreverent political "carols.". Potluck snacks afterwards. www.CUUPS.org

Sunday, December 26, 2010, 3pm. Fellowship of the Spiral Path Presents: Yule Celebration in the Fellowship Hall. Circle leaders should bring juice and a candle. Bring canned foods to donate to the local Food Bank. Questions? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

November 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010, 9:30am. Rosen Method Movement. Led by Lis Lotte Mariscol.

in the Connie Barbour Room.

Class fee required.

Monday, Nov. 1, 5pm, Benjy Room. BFUU Book Club. Our first book is Dr. Will Tuttle's "The World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony". Many of us were inspired by his lecture last month and want to know more. Especially since one of the UUA current Study Initiatives is Ethical Eating. We will meet on the first and third Monday thru the end of the year. It will take us several sessions to explore this book. The book is available used from Amazon or Powell's online. Read the first six chapters and join us. Room is not wheelchair accessible. Send questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Donations accepted. No one turned away.

Monday, Nov,1, 7pm. Ecstasy of Sound Circles for Women, with Jennifer Berezan.

Oct 18th -Nov. 22. In the Fellowship Hall. Autumn Ecstasy of Sound Circles for Women runs 6 Mondays 7:00-9:00pm October 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22. Jennifer teaches at the California Institute of Integral Studies in the department of Philosophy and Religion. She has just returned from a concert tour in Korea. Her on-going class (since 1997) is entitled “the Healing Ecstasy of Sound” and explores music as a spiritual practice from a wide range of cross cultural, traditional and contemporary perspectives. To register please send $165 to Edge of Wonder PO Box 6181 Albany, CA 94706 for info contact jennifer (the @ sign)edgeofwonder.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 10am - 11:30am. Elders Circle meets in the Fellowship Hall. Open to all Seniors, including those who are members and non-members. We open with a song or two and a reading. We talk about whatever is on the hearts and minds of those present.

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 4pm Dance with Dolores. Tappercize.

Fitness and Rhythm Tap Dance Classes.

For all ages. All levels. Tap shoes not necessary.First Class is free. Sliding Scale fee requested after that.

Tuesdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2010. 7pm - 9:30pm. Four week Relationship Workshop with Sarah & Peter Sandhill. Deepening into Love's Energy. Meets in the Connie Barbour Room. Second floor of education building. this room is not wheelchair accessible.To register, email Relationships @ me.com

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 7pm. Core Connexions Dance The practice of this group is to find and follow the dancing energies in coreconnextionsfeet our bodies - to come home to our selves. After a guided warm-up-practice to help each person connect with the body and the dance, attendees explore their own dance in community. See more details at http://www.coreconnexion.net. From the website:

Thursday, Nov 4, 7pm.The Iron Wall (2006, directed by Mohammed Alater). The Social Justice Committee's Conscientious Projector Series continues with this film about the efforts for non-violent resolutions in the Middle East. Donations help us continue the series. Fellowship Hall. Wheelchair Accessible. Open to the Public. In 1923, Vladmir Jabotinsky – father of the Zionist right – wrote:  "Zionist colonization… can proceed and develop only under the protection of a power that is independent of the native population – behind an IRON WALL, which the native population cannot breach." From that day on, these words became the touchstone of the Zionist movement and, later, the cornerstone of Israeli policy. Following the 1967 occupation, more than 200 settlements and outposts have been built in the West Bank in violation of international law. The Iron Wall demonstrates how the Wall secures the settlements as permanent and irreversible facts on the ground. It warns that a viable Palestinian state is no longer possible, and that the chances for a peaceful resolution of the conflict are slipping away.

Saturday, November 6, 9:30am. Integral Transformative Practice (ITP). Meets in the Connie Barbour Room, Education Building, itp_banner_logo second floor. You are invited to experience a lovely interactive Saturday morning program that involves non-strenuous movement, meditation and energy exercises, and supports you in cultivating your own sustainable daily practice. All you need is a mat, a beginner's mind and an open heart. A $10 room donation is requested. Good description of this practice at their ITP website.

Saturday, Nov. 6, BFUU Family Potluck Noon - 2pm. Bring food to share. Everyone welcome.

Fellowship Hall. Music and Food and Friends and some activities for the younger ones.

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6 and 7, 1pm - 4:30pm. "Undoing the Silence: Writing in “The Great Turning.” With Louise Dunlap. louisedunlap2

A two-day workshop: Sat. Nov. 6, 1 to 4:30 pm AND Sun. Nov. 7, 1 to 4:30 pm. Sliding scale fee of $35, $50 or $70, depending on your ability to pay. Please register ahead of time using brown paper ticketing or take a check to the BFUU office. On.site registration will be $5 more with a minimum of $40. Do you dream of WRITING to sustain our world—to make our planet, our society, families and workplaces more just and safe? Our voices are needed on internet sites, in articles, newsletters, pamphlets, and books, yet many of us hold back. This weekend workshop is a chance to join like-minded writers to strengthen our voices during this challenging time in our history. Bring notes, ideas, or a draft of something you’d like to work on plus pen and paper (or a laptop), questions, and a collaborative spirit. No special expertise required. Louise Dunlap brings 45 years experience working with social justice-oriented writers—here, on the East Coast, and in South Africa and the Horn of Africa. Her methods include freewriting, audience awareness, a group method for reviewing writing without activating self-judgment, and mind/body techniques from many years as a yoga and meditation teacher. For these especially difficult times, Louise will draw on our connection with ancestors and the work of Joanna Macy to connect with each other and our positive energy for what Joanna calls “The Great Turning.” www.joannamacy.net. Louise’s book, Undoing the Silence: Six Tools for Social Change Writing, www.undoingsilence.org, will be available at the workshop.

Monday, Nov 8, 2010, 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Subterranean Shakespeare Presents SHAKESPEARE'S CONTEMPORARIES in the Education building, Second Floor, Connie Barbour room. They resume a staged reading series with five plays by lesser known contemporaries. A great chance to hear works seldom performed on stage, offered by some great dramatic and comedic talents: Arden of Fevershal - Nov. 8 (this play is attributed to William Shakespeare) Directed by Debra Blondheim. Tickets $8. The Revenger's Tragedy by Cyril Tourneur, Nov. 15, directed by Ken Bullock; The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont, Nov. 22, directed by Matthew Surrence; The Roaring Girl by Thomas Dekker, Nov. 29, directed by Robert Estes; The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster, Dec. 6, directed by Juliana Reese.

Thursday, Nov 11, 7pm.Knowledge is the Beginning: the Ramallah Concert (2005, directed by Paul Smaczny).

The Social Justice Committee's Consientious Projector Series continues with this film about the efforts for non-violent resolutions in the Middle East. Donations help us continue the series. Fellowship Hall. Wheelchair Accessible. Open to the Public. This f ilm tells the story of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, where young Arabs and Jews perform and live side by side. The Orchestra was conceived in 1999 by Israeli musician Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, who together created a workshop for young musicians from Israel and various Arab countries. The film is about what music can do: the way it can transcend cultural barriers, bring people together, defeat prejudice and overcome religious and political differences. For Daniel Barenboim, the orchestra is a symbol for what could be achieved in the Middle East. "West-Eastern Divan" refers to a collection of poems by Goethe.

Friday, Nov. 12, 7pm. Country Joe Open Mic. Fellowship Hall.

Wheelchair accessible. Donations requested. Light refreshments available.

Pat Nevins is the featured artist.

Vic Sadot hosts this month.

Family friendly evening of great local music.

You can view and download our flyer with all the details here.

Saturday, November 13, 2010 Rhythm in Wild Goose Movement with Dr. Bingkun Hu.
The November workshop will focus on the human bio-rhythm as understood in Qigong practice by studying the balance of oppositional pairs (Yin & Yang), as in Wild Goose-1, and by studying the relationship between the dynamic and static, as in Wild Goose-V. In the Fellowship Hall.

Saturday, November 13th, 7pm. The Social Justice Committee will be sponsoring a Veterans' Day Weekend concert to benefit the War and Law League and BFUU. Performers will include Vic Sadot, "Annie and the Vets", Julie Smolin and surprise guests. Light Refreshments available. In the Connie Barbour Room, second floor of the Education building. Not wheelchair accessible..If you are a local musician who performs anti-war songs, please attend and perform! Organized by Jeannette Hassberg www.warandlaw.org and the BFUU Social Justice Committee.

Tuesday, November 16, 7 pm - 10 pm Empire, Power & Propaganda in the Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by SJC & Project Censored. Mickey Huff, the director of Project Censored, will be hosting the evening program.. Details TBA.

The new Project Censored 2011 Anthology will be on sale as well (think xmas/hannukah/festivus gifts)!

Tuesday, November 16, 7 pm. BFUU Board Meeting. In the Minister's office.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 4pm. Tai Chi Qi Gong with Gene Herman in the Connie Barbour Room. This practice is appropriate for people of all ages. It improves health and well being at any age based on a report reprinted in WebMD.

Friday November 19, 7-10pm special evening of activist networking on BURMA Burmese Documentary Film Preview. Screening presented by director Yayzan Lan. A Film by Jeanne Hallacy and the Democratic Voice of Burma The courage, determination and the struggle of the political prisoners (leaders) in Burma

7:00 - 8:00p Happy Hour; light supper (Burmese food) included

8:00 - 9:20p Film Screening

9:20 -10:00p Q&A/Discussion with the Film’s Director

Over 2000 political activists jailed in the military-ruled country for the “crime” of campaigning for a free, fair and open democratic society. Their plight is captured in Shadow Plays, a documentary that tells the story of one man’s fight on behalf of the political prisoners. The winner of many human rights awards, Bo Kyi was once a political prisoner himself before he fled to Thailand.

This documentary, by filmmaker Jeanne Hallacy and co-produced by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), the Oslo-based broadcaster, reveals the dangerous work that Bo Kyi has undertaken to keep the story of Burma’s political prisoners alive on the international agenda.

"Shadow Plays" was broadcast inside Burma via DVB’s underground satellite prior to the Nov 7 election to an estimated five million viewers.

A rare opportunity to see the recently completed film in the Bay Area. Jeanne Hallacy, the film’s director, is here from Thailand and will join in discussion.

Organized by: Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) – badasf.org and the Yayzan Lan Film Project

Co-sponsored by:Burmese American Women’s Alliance (BAWA) – bawalliance.org Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF), bpf.org

Clear View Project - http://www.clearviewproject.org/

Students Taking A STAND Against Genocide And Mass Atrocity (STAND)

http://www.badasf.org; www.burmaeducationfund.com

$15-20 Sliding Scale Donation

Proceeds benefit the Film Project and the Burma Education Fund.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, 1pm - 3pm. Writing Workshop with Wordswell. Connie Barbour Room. Room is not accessible Members $5 public $10. Sponsored by BFUU Adult education.

Sunday, November 21, 7pm-9pm. Sierra Singles Monthly Potluck and Discussion Group.

Bring some food for about 6 to share. We usually eat from 6-7 and discuss items of participant's interest from 7-9 or longer. Donation $3 requested. Info: Victor 510-644-0427. Reservations not needed.

View archived past events from February 2007 - December 2010.