Week of November 1, 2026 | Issue: 756

On this All Saints’ Sunday we will remember the saints who came before us, recognize the saints of today, and consider what kind of legacy we want to leave behind. We’ll listen to Jesus’ proclamation of blessing from Matthew 5 and consider what kind of faith and hope it calls us to as we come to the communion table to be blessed, filled, and sent. Finally, we will bring our pledges, asking God to bless our commitments of time, talent, and treasure in the coming year.

All are invited to bring a photo of a saint you want to remember (place it on the table as you enter the sanctuary), and/or light a candle in their honor.

We’ll enjoy special music this Sunday from our choir and bell choir, directed by Jeffrey Fredrick Paul. Tim K. Murphy will provide the prelude and postlude. Rev. Jen Chapman will preach and lead the service, and Tom Dean will serve as liturgist. Childcare will be available during the service for children ages 2 and up.

Annual Giving Commitments

Bring your Pledge Cards this Sunday!

We will celebrate and bless our commitments this Sunday, Nov. 1st!

Thank you for prayerfully and thoughtfully considering your giving!

At ACC the amount you pledge is only intentionally seen by the Financial Secretary. A sealed envelope marked "pledge" or "commitment card" is a great way to keep it private. On Sunday we will have envelopes available.

Don't forget to keep the portion of the card marked "For Your Records"!

Pastor-Parish Relations

The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee will meet Sunday November 1st after worship. We celebrate all the things that are going well for Jen and for the congregation, and if there are areas that need adjustment, we talk about possible solutions. Of course you are always encouraged to go directly to Jen with your compliments or your concerns. But if you have a comment or question that you would prefer the committee to share, feel free to speak to Tom Dean, Rachel Sing, or Sara Laferte.



Ruby Bridges Walk

Friday, November 13th, 7:55 AM

As a way to show our support of Black families in Kensington following an act of racist vandalism at Kensington Elementary, ACC has been invited to participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk on Friday morning, November 13th. At 7:55 am participants will gather at the Kensington Community Center (59 Arlington Avenue) before the school day begins and walk up the hill to school together.

A parent at Kensington Elementary and co-president of the school's African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), Hisham Ali Bob, reached out to Pastor Jen after the incident, "Black families are a small share of our school community, and this has shaken them. Parents of kindergartners have had to explain [the n-word] to their children for the first time, and some families are asking whether Kensington is the right place for their children. Arlington Community Church has a real record of standing up for racial justice in Kensington, and we'd be grateful for your partnership.”

The Ruby Bridges Walk is an annual event honoring Ruby Bridges, one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. The walk promotes kindness, courage, and standing up against racism, encouraging students and communities to help create a more inclusive world.

There are two other ways we have been invited to offer our support:

• Report any information about the crime to the Kensington Police, (510) 525-7573, Case No. 2026-0230 (Check home or car camera footage from Friday afternoon, October 16, to early Monday, October 19)
• Attend the Kensington Community Services District board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, 7-9pm. Public comments are requested, asking to keep Case No. 2026-0230 a priority, keep patrols near Kensington Elementary, and keep families informed. You can also email a written comment to llewis@kppcsd.org. Questions? Contact Hisham Ali Bob, AAPAC Co-President, (510) 432-2173, hishamalibob@gmail.com

Racist hate has no place in our community!

Let’s take every opportunity to stand with the Black families of Kensington!

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 1

A friendly reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour of sleep!

ACC has five Boards: Endowment, Buildings and Grounds Trustees, Missions and Social Justice, Invitation and Belonging, Faith and Spiritual Life, and Worship and Care.

Would you like to know more about the good work they do to support the life of our Church? Check out their Third Quarter 2026 Board Reports.

ACC Friday Film Bonus Surprise!

A reflection from Ron Yourd on the Season Finale of Friday Films…

The ACC Friday film shown last week was the 1988 Award winning ‘Babette’s Feast”. And after the showing we were treated to our own fabulous surprise feast prepared by ACC’s own ‘Babette’, AKA Elaine Holliman with assistance from Tom, Eleanor, and Nick. Our feast was truly fabulous! Many items were selected from the original feast, e. g. amontillado and champagne, homemade blinis with caviar, and wonderful pates, cheeses and pastries! And we were served on elegant place settings with beautiful candles and flowers too! A wonderful special surprise treat and a bonus for ACC Friday Film viewers! 

Additional comments from Elaine Holliman and Tom Kearney…

We just got really curious about what exactly made that elaborate meal in the movie so transformative? So, for a playful touch, we prepared a few things straight from Babette’s menu, and surprised our unassuming film guests to Babette’s “radical hospitality” – unexpected, freely given, nothing asked in return. It was a wild experiment, and a fun conversation starter about grace and abundance. The generosity of spirit peaked with Eleanor and Nick leading us to join hands in a circle and sing. Everyone pitched in to clean up, and in the end, it was just as rewarding to offer the feast as it was to receive it.

Friday Films is taking a break in November and December, and will return in the new year!

Sun, Nov 1 • Morning Worship W/Rev. Jen Chapman • 10:00 AM

Sun, Nov 1 • Pastor-Parish Relations Committee • 11:30 AM

Mon, Nov 2 • Choir Rehearsal • 6:00 PM

Mon, Nov 2 • Bell Choir Rehearsal • 7:15 PM

Tues, Nov 3 • Checking In & Reaching Out • 11:00 AM

Weds, Nov 4 • Wrestling with Belief Workshop (zoom) • 7:00 PM

Sat, Nov 7 • First Aid, CPR, AED Refresher Training • 10:30 AM

Sun, Nov 8 • Morning Worship W/Rev. Jen Chapman • 10:00 AM

Sun, Nov 8 • BWB Fund Benefit Concert, Hope & Repair • 4:00 PM

“Wrestling with Belief”

Statement of Faith Workshop

Oct 28 - Nov 18, Wednesdays, 7pm (Zoom)

During this four week workshop, participants discuss faith and doubt, wrestle with their beliefs, and work on discerning their own personal statement of faith.

If you missed the first session and would like to join us, it's not too late!

This week, participants are choosing a statement of faith (or a few) to modify and working on a first draft of their own statement of faith. If you want to look over the creeds and statements we read in church, you can find them here. Many of them came from this resource, which includes even more! If you would like to read Pastor Jen's statement of faith, drafted in 2022 from the UCC statement, you can find it here.

At our next meeting, on Nov. 4th, we'll bring our questions and hang ups, discussing what we are wrestling with as we consider our beliefs.

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88476371297?pwd=eN9LLahkJbRoFY70s01GLY9FW6jCaV.1

First Aid, CPR, AED Refresher Training

Saturday, November 7, 10:30-noon in the Social Hall

Do you remember how many breaths, how many compressions for CPR? How to usethe AED? What to do if you are with someone who has a heart attack or stroke?

On Saturday, November 7 we will welcome back David Yberra who will provide a refresher training in First Aid, CPR and AED. This will not be a certification class but rather a refresher to remind us of the principles we learned from him in the certification class last year.

All Emergency Response Team Members (Council, Trustees, Greeters, Worship Hosts, H&S) are strongly urged to participate and others in the congregation are welcome. ACC will cover the registration fee ($45 per participant) but pre-registration is required. Eleanor will have a sign-up sheet—also fine to let her know in person or by email.

Black Wealth Builders Benefit Concert

Hope & Repair

Sunday November 8 at 4PM

"Voices in harmony, building futures together."

Mark your calendar for an evening of spirituals benefiting the Black Wealth Builder's Fund. Hosted by Epworth UMC in partnership with Arlington Community Church, Kensington. Reception to follow. 

Grateful Gatherings

Monday, November 16 at 4PM

Due to special programming at ACC on the 2nd Saturday in November, our Grateful Gathering will not be at its usual time and instead will be on Monday, November 16th 4:00-5:00pm PT. This is our second Grateful Gathering and anyone interested in checking out the Gathering is welcome to join us to see whether it might be a meaningful experience for them as we meet over the course of the coming months.

There is a unique Zoom link for this November Gathering:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85327112034?pwd=OShvPupErjaP0QKbCi5Nt87l7x3Blx.1

Food Drive with Preschools

October 13 - November 19

We’ve been invited to join our campus partners, Hearts Leap School & Kensington Nursery School, for a community food drive. Together we will be collecting canned and non-perishable foods for the West Contra Costa County Food Bank. The food drive will begin October 13th and end November 19th.

*Please note the requeted items on the flyer.

You can leave your donations in the green bin located in the Narthex.

Christmas Is a Special Time 

at Arlington Community Church

November 8, 15, & 22

Dear Friends,

This Christmas, Arlington Community Church is excited to share the spirit of the season with our neighbors in North Richmond!

We believe in honoring the dignity of every individual by helping families purchase food and gifts for their loved ones. To support this effort, we’re partnering with the North Richmond Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center to help make the holidays a little brighter for local families.

Donation Details

Collection Dates:

November 8, 15, and 22. Beginning November 8, we invite you to contribute cash or checks to support our North Richmond Christmas project.

Checks:

Make checks payable to Arlington Community Church and write Richmond Christmas on the memo line. Place your check in the collection plate during worship.

Cash:

Place your cash in an envelope provided by the church and put it in the collection plate during worship.

Giving by Mail:

Unable to attend in person? You can mail your check to:

Arlington Community Church

52 Arlington Ave.

Kensington, CA 94707

Please write Richmond Christmas on the memo line of your check.

The funds we raise will allow the Center’s coordinators to purchase gift cards for families. Volunteers will distribute the gift cards alongside food baskets, helping our neighbors in North Richmond enjoy a brighter holiday season.

Thank you for sharing the spirit of Christmas through your generosity!

With gratitude,

Board of Missions and Social Justice

"Checking In, Reaching Out"

Tuesdays at 11 am

One way of keeping our congregation strong is by staying connected. You are invited to join us every Tuesday morning from 11:00 to noon for an hour of checking in, sharing, listening and prayer. No experience necessary. Come as you are.



Discussion Topic: All Soul’s Day?

Some Christian traditions differentiate between All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1, and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. Let’s explore and discuss the significance of the two observances. 

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83386604560?pwd=NKBWEoAxxYpzWbDEMa5eQv89bguP3I.1

Meeting ID: 833 8660 4560

Passcode: 135381

We bid your prayers this week for:

Comfort and healing for Black families at Kensington School, may they feel our support and encouragement,

Healing and comfort for all those who are suffering, those who need healing and special care, including Helen, Dorothy, Dea, Ed, and Lisa,

Rev. Kelly Colwell, pastor of First Congregational Church of Berkeley, who is battling cancer, prayers also for her wife and 2 year old daughter

Randy, husband of Rev. Elizabeth Robinson (pastor of Orinda Community Church), who is ill with cancer.

A just and peaceful midterm election

For this congregation: may we have vision, energy, patience, and a joyful spirit.

Amen.

Stay connected with the wider church through Upwellings, the weekly e-newsletter of the Northern California Nevada Conference UCC. Discover upcoming events, ministry opportunities, conference news, and stories of faith and service from congregations throughout Northern California and Nevada.

Click HERE to read the latest.

Arlington Community Church | arlingtoncommunitychurchucc.org