Seeking a Church

you're welcome to join us: www.oaklandfcc.org . We're multi-generational, multi-ethnic, have a diverse repertoire of musical styles, and some awesome volunteers staffing the children's programs (ok I'm a little biased since I'm one of the elementary school age sunday school volunteers)
Feel free to email me directly if you have any q's.

i invite you to come to the best place to worship-it's in oakland on 41st and telegraph-called the east bay church-and the services are at 8,10 and noon on sundays and wed nites at 6-very family friendly, loving, accepting,non judgemental place to go!!

Hi Meredith,
We were in the same boat earlier this year (and live near you in El Sobrante) and were frustrated with many of the churches we attended in the close vicinity -- there were either no kids or they were too conservative. Finally, we discovered our "dream" church at Epworth United Methodist Church in Berkeley (http://www.epworthberkeley.org/). It's wonderfully liberal, while still being normal (hopefully that makes sense to you). It has a great group of kids of all ages and a very open atmosphere for all types of families (with a nice mix of racial diversity and gay and straight families). We felt welcome the first Sunday we attended. Quality music and worship is also very important to me (both my husband and I have theological backgrounds) and we have felt like both the music and worship have been a breath of fresh air to us. It's also a nice size that allows you to feel a part of a community and not get swallowed up in something that is either too small or too big.

Hope that's helpful. Peace, B.

Meredith,

We attend FCCB (First Congregational Church of Berkeley) and love it. FCCB is part of the United Church of Christ. It is the oldest Church in Berkeley and has a long history of being a forward thinking, welcoming and family oriented church.

They have extensive Sunday School and Child care with certified caregivers for children under three during the service if your little one is not up to sitting quietly.

The music if fantastic as well.

You can get all the infor for FCCB at www.FCCB.org. You can also check out the UCC website for other churches that might be closer to where you live. The website for the UCC is www.ucc.org.

I hope this is helpful and good luck with your search.

We go to Beebee Memorial Church in Oakland. It has a lot of singing and a lot of kids. They have a great program for kids too and have a lot of family events. My husband has been going there since he was a child. Good luck.

Hi M.,

You might want to try the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, actually located in Kensington. I also know families who went to the FCCB, mentioned by Nancy below, and they liked it very much. There is also St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Berkeley...

Take care,

E.

Hi M....I am a grandmother of five and mother of two living in the Rodeo/Hercules area. My son and his wife was searching for a church where they could go and feel comfortable with their young child and a friend recommended Beebe Memorial Catherial -3900 Telegraph Ave.- Oak. I have sense moved my membership to their church. Please visit our web site at: www.experiencebmc.org / ____@____.com, Phone: ###-###-####. My name is G. Jones, looking forward to meeting you.

Hi M.,

New Covenent Tabernacle in Oakland is an awesome, loving, Bible based-church. Pastor Alvin Sims is my pastor and he and his wonderful wife lead by example. The church is located at 6677 Foothill Blvd in Oakland, CA 94501. Sunday services begin at 11:00 am, Bible Study and Marriage Ministry on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm. For more information, call Pastor Sims at ###-###-####. He would be thrilled to speak to both you and your husband about our church family.

P.

Hi, I belong to St. Paul's Lutheran in Vallejo and we have a female pastor, on average 5 kids under 5 at worship and I would say 50% of the service is music. This is at our "Gathering" service which is at 11a.m. and is more contemporary than our traditional service at 9:30. If you are willing to drive to Vallejo, we would be excited to have you!

Hi! I live in the same area San Pablo/Pinole. although I am not a church-goer, I do know that the Hilltop Community Church is a wonderful family-friendly church. Most of my extended family members go there. The church itself is beautiful - they just built a brand new huge church which my husband is currently carpeting. I think you'll really like it. I do know that they have choirs and my brother-in-law (who is also a church deacon) went to the Phillipines a few years ago with the church choir to perform! My neices go to Mexico on humanitarian missions with the church every summer. Check it out - you'll probably like it. It's located directly across from the Hilltop Mall on Hilltop Mall Rd.

Hi Meredith. I attend Willow Spring Church in Moraga (don't know if this is too far for you.) My husband and son and I have attended there for about 6 1/2 years. It's a non-denomenational Christian church. The pastor is young and dynamic. He has an online email ministry that goes out to about 80,000 subscribers every day all over the world. I play the flute on the music team. We play contemporary Praise music. The music is awesome, if I must say so myself. My husband is the head of the Elder Board.
There are children and youth programs for your daughter. It's a friendly, caring church. People are real and down-to-earth. It's a small to medium sized church. Please bring your family for a visit! The contemporary service starts at 10:30 sharp and goes until about 11:45. If you'd like to come, email me offline and I'll look for you/greet you when you arrive. I love this church. It has brought me closer to God.

I think you should visit Hilltop Community Church on Hilltop Drive. It is not far from your home, extremely diverse, and has three, very conveniently timed services. Additionally, they have a very well staffed nursery for children 5 years and younger (mom's wear a pager and they beep you if the little one needs your attention). My children are 13, 15 and 3, and we all really enjoy both the music and the message. Plus, we are not there all day long, 2 hours max, so we can get on with our day. Check it out!