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2025 Giving Campaign

It's Commitment Sunday

Commitment Sunday is earlier than in recent years. After adjusting our operating campaign due to the 2020 pandemic, we have returned to a fall campaign for 2025. 

This Sunday, October 27, we will have the opportunity to come together as a community of faith to support our church during worship by submitting our Commitment Cards. Those worshipping online will be asked to visit a page on our website to make their commitments electronically.

Your financial commitment in advance of the 2025 fiscal year is essential to the organizational planning necessary to continue our trajectory of vibrancy and renewal. 

We ask you to consider Piedmont Community Church first when planning your giving to all the organizations you support. 

Video Series Continues

Piedmont Church's 2025 Giving Campaign themed 'Together' continues with Part 2 of 4 videos in a series. 'Together in Comfort' features Alison Fletcher, Judy Wright and Julie McDonald. Film by Michael Barber

Watch Part 1: Together in Faith

Don't Miss A Beat!

Our church calendar is updated almost daily to include all meetings, worship times and special events.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

'Experience God' Class Continues

On Sunday, October 20, Don Ashburn began a 5-week class on “How to Experience God.” The class meets after worship in the Kettlewell Room , and explores how to know God, both in Scripture and in experience.

The class is open to anyone regardless of previous experience studying the Bible. As a resource, the class will use a booklet entitled Knowing God: Great Themes of the Bible.

Please let Don Ashburn know ahead of time if you’d like him to order a copy for you. The cost is $15. If the cost is too much, it can be waived. Just let Don know if you want a copy. Contact Don at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

Free Film Screening Friday

On Friday, October 25, Piedmont Church will host a showing of the documentary, JOIN or DIE: A film about why you should join a club. Admission is free.

At a time when American society is more and more fractured – and our politics are increasingly fractious – the need for people to get together with others in face-to-face groups has never been stronger. The film follows the half-century journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking Bowling Alone research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our society’s – and our democracy's – present crisis. 

The film will be shown in the Sanctuary, 7pm. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org 

Online Bible Study

On Mondays at 10am, Don Ashburn is leading a study on the Book of James. To participate fully, no previous experience in Bible study is expected or required. Just come with an open heart and mind and see where the Spirit leads you. 

The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83211177073

NEXTGEN

Our NextGen ministry is very active, with lots of events throughout the month. Visit the NextGen web page by clicking below.

Confirmation 2025

We invite 7th graders and above to join our 9-week Confirmation Class, which starts on January 12 and concludes with a special overnight retreat on March 28, 29.

Class Details:

• When: Sundays, from 12-1PM (starting January 12)
• Where: Youth Room, C.E. Building
• Duration: 9 weeks, plus an overnight retreat

What to Expect:

In this class, students will:

• Explore the core beliefs of the Christian faith
• Wrestle with deep questions about life and spirituality
• Craft their personal Statement of Faith as they grow in understanding

At the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to be introduced to the congregation during the Palm Sunday service if they choose to pursue membership with Piedmont Church.

Nursery Help Wanted

We are currently looking for a Nursery/Childcare helper on Sundays from 9:45 - 11:45am. There will be a few evening and weekend events (TBD). Applicants must be over 18 years of age. This is a paid position.

Send resume to Leslie@PiedmontChurch.org. For complete job requirements and description, contact Leslie Quantz.

A NextGen Event Open to All - Come on out for an evening of music, fall treats, games, food and more. While you're there, don't forget to snap a photo at our Fall Wall photo moment. Friends are always welcome. Sign up today to save your spot.

Friendsgiving + Flag Football

Get ready to celebrate community, fun and friendship at our Friendsgiving and Flag Football event on Sunday, November 3, 11am - 1pm at Piedmont Park.

What to Expect:

• Delicious Dishes: Bring a dish to share and enjoy a potluck-style feast.
• Friendly Competition: Lace up your sneakers for a spirited flag football game. All skill levels are welcome!
• Great Company: Connect with old friends and make some new ones.

Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends, family and festive spirits. Whether you're in it for the food, the game, or a good time, we can't wait to see you there.

November High School Retreat

High school students, welcome to your next adventure - the SEEK GRACE + TRUTH Fall Retreat at a lovely home in breathtaking Yosemite National Park. This isn't just any retreat; it's a journey to God's heart where we will discover how Jesus' character was the perfect balance between grace and truth. Through conversation, journaling, and Scripture study, we'll learn how to follow Jesus' example more closely in our daily lives.

Look forward to a peaceful weekend in nature, reflecting, refreshing your soul and forging lasting friendships. Don't miss out. Register now and secure your spot for this unforgettable journey.

DATES: November 8-10

WHERE: Yosemite National Park

COST: $350/student

We will meet in the church parking lot at 4pm, November 8 and will return at approximately 4pm, November 10.

NextGen Dad's Group Kickoff

All NextGen dads are invited to our NextGen Dad's Fellowship Group Kickoff at the Paulista Cafe, 4239 Park Blvd, 6:30pm Monday, November 4. This group is great for NextGen fathers to find new friends, experience care and prayer in a safe, authentic community and to have fun. Contact Matt Webster at cwebster44@gmail.com

OUR CHURCH IN THE NEWS

Stephen Main Featured on Podcast

The podcast Music from Humans with Michael Cooke featured Stephen Main in its latest edition. They explore Stephen's unique blend of choral, orchestral, and film music, and dive deep into his passion for improvisation.

PARISH REGISTER

Piedmont Church welcomes Liam Colton Gall, born October 10, grandson of Geoff and Dana Colton, son of Roxanne Gall (the former Roxanne Colton) and Nathan Gall.

FELLOWSHIP

Women Together Hike Wednesday

You're invited to participate in a Women Together hike on Wednesday, October 23, at 9:30am at the Redwood Bowl parking lot.

We look forward to hiking and fellowship in the Redwoods. Our group will depart from the lot by 9:40am. This hike is for all levels and will be an out-and-back hike, making it a 2-mile hike.

We recommend wearing sunscreen, good walking shoes, an extra layer and bringing a bottle of water.

We'll meet at the Redwood Bowl Staging Area parking lot, located 1.3 miles from the intersection of Joaquin Miller and Skyline Blvd. It's on the right just before Chabot Space and Science Center.

Cell reception at the lot may be spotty.

Contact Virginia at (415) 385- 6538 or Cathy at (925) 667-8244

Crafting Together

Sixteen women participated in our Printmaking for Beginners gathering on Saturday, transforming the Kettlewell Room into an artist's workshop.

Suzie Skugstad demonstrated the basic techniques and showed samples, then all launched into 2 hours of creative fun.

Our next crafting session with a holidays theme is November 16. Sign up on the Church Center app.

Our FREE adults Game Night is now quarterly with the next one on Friday, November 1, 6:30-9pm in Guild Hall. Snacks, dessert and drinks will be served. Enjoy Poker, Mexican Train, Rummikub, Scrabble and more. Bring your favorite game or puzzle if you’d like. 

Register below or sign up in the Courtyard after worship. Contact Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519

Christmas Cocktail Reception

You are invited to a Christmas Gathering cocktail reception fireside in Guild Hall on Friday, December 13 from 5-8pm.  

Wine, hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, catered heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served. Wear a Christmas sweater or casual cocktail attire.  

Sign up below or in the Courtyard after worship by Sunday, December 8. Last minute registrations will be taken only if space is available.

Cost is $15 per person. Adults only, please. Contact Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519

Experience the magic of live theater together. We are a very casual group. Someone makes plans for an event and others may decide to join - sometimes with dinner out ahead of the event. Do you know of something upcoming we can add?

If you’d like to be notified of upcoming shows (theater, musicals, ballet, etc), please go to our Church Center app and add your name, or contact Linda McClain at lindamcclain@me.com or Judy Wright at rbwright1@me.com 

Saturday, October 26, 8pm

Altarena Playhouse, Alameda

The Thanksgiving Play

Monday, November 11, 11am

Kettlewell Room, Piedmont Church

Subject to Flooding, a very staged reading, 

with our own Suzanne Latham and 22 other actors

RSVP:  suzlatham3@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 20, 7pm

Berkeley Rep

The Matchbox Magic Flute

SERVICE

Garfield Clean Up Saturday

On Saturday morning, October 26, from 9am - 12pm, we will be working at Garfield Elementary School to help clean and fix up the school as part of a Project Peace workday. Garfield Elementary School is one of the schools where many church members have tutored as part of the Children Rising tutoring program.

Children Rising mobilizes community support for struggling elementary school children living in Oakland’s lowest-income neighborhoods. They concentrate efforts on three programs that provide individualized reading and math support from trained, caring volunteer tutors and support from the community.

Children Rising is one of three Piedmont Church Mission Partners.

Mini Retreat at Harbor House

Join friends from Piedmont Church for a Mini Contemplative Retreat on Saturday, November 9, 9am - 1pm. Sponsored by the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation and led by Pastor Ashly Nation, the retreat will offer space for contemplation, reflection, and prayer as we spend guided time drawing closer to God individually and in community.

The retreat will be held at Harbor House Ministries in Oakland, a mission partner of our church. 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Gifts for Harbor House Christmas Store

Harbor House, one of our three Mission Partners, puts on a Christmas Store to allow Harbor House families to purchase gifts at very low cost for their children, with all proceeds from the store used to support families with urgent needs. 

Information about the Christmas Store is on their website, including the Amazon Wish List link that you can use to order gifts. And, if you're interested in volunteering at the store, you can fill out the Christmas Store Volunteer Form to work on either Friday, December 13 or Saturday, December 14. Contact Mike Bandrowski at mike.bandrowski@gmail.com

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

The Buildings and Grounds Committee is happy to report that the exterior lighting project for the entire campus has begun. The first step will be to add bollard lights to the handicap walkway to fully illuminate the pathway for safe access. 

The lighting will be a mix of bollard lights, spot lights, core-drilled path lights and down tree lighting. The controls for the lighting time and intensity will be customizable. 

The lead time for materials is a few weeks so the project will not be completed until November. However, the handicap pathway lights will be operational in the next week or two. -Jay Foreman B&G 

PHOTO: Hand trenching to lay power lines for bollards and protect the landscaping along the walkway between the parking lot and Highland Avenue.

WEEKLY REMINDERS

Staying Well While Gathering

Although many of us have begun to travel and widen our social lives in the past months, COVID and other respiratory infections have kept up with us, as you may have noticed in recent months.  We have learned a lot since 2020 about the consequences of these infections, which continue to impact the health of the most vulnerable and those we love.

To keep everyone we love well when gathering, we should take advantage of multiple effective strategies developed since 2020: 1) get updated COVID, influenza, and RSV vaccines that strengthen our individual and community immunity;  2) use rapid home antigen tests that are now free and available again by mail from the USPS; 3) take Paxlovid and other early antiviral treatments to reduce the risk of severe complications; 4) mask to protect yourself and prevent transmission; 5) use proper hand hygiene; and 6) ensure good ventilation wherever you gather.  For more information here are trusted sources:

Updated Vaccines: 

https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Free tests:

https://aspr.hhs.gov/COVID-19/Test/Pages/default.aspx

Messenger and Bulletin Deadlines

The Messenger

Piedmont Church’s online newsletter, The Messenger, is the primary source of communication. The Messenger is published digitally and distributed via email weekly.

Deadline for Messenger articles is 12 noon Monday

Michael Barber edits copy and designs the layout of each Messenger with careful consideration of article placement. Placement is determined based on relevance to the congregation and the wider community. 

Sunday Bulletin

Sunday bulletin and worship announcements are decided by Michael based on Tuesday discussions with Staff and lay leadership.

Print deadline for Sunday Bulletin is 12 noon Tuesday

Church Calendar

All information regarding the church calendar, including event dates, setup times and meetings, should be sent to Jay Foreman at Jay@PiedmontChurch.org

Please consider making an online offering by clicking below, or give while watching Sunday services on our website.