Week of November 15, 2026 | Issue: 758

This Sunday we’ll consider the connection between faith and belonging. In John 10, Jesus, the “Good Shepherd,” speaks of gathering people together as “one flock.” In this beloved community, people find belonging as they come to know and be known by Jesus and by one another, and through this, come to know and be known by God. He speaks of believing not as a test for belonging, but as a result of belonging. And he wants people to understand that there are “more who belong.” In the circle of belonging Jesus draws, there are always more who belong.

We’ll enjoy special music this Sunday from the ACC Ensemble, directed by Tim K. Murphy. Rev. Jen Chapman will preach and lead the service, and Riss Kostelnick, our new Director of Family & Young Adult Outreach, will serve as liturgist. Childcare will be available during the service for children ages 2 and up.

ACC to Host Ruby Bridges Walk

TODAY! ACC Social Hall, Friday November 13, 7:40 AM

With rain in the forecast for Friday, ACC’s Social Hall is now the official gathering location for Kensington Elementary’s Ruby Bridges Walk this Friday, November 13, now beginning at 7:40am.

The event will happen rain or shine, and your presence will be meaningful whether or not you're able to walk up the hill. Join us for what you can, and if you have an ACC t-shirt, please wear it! There is also a request to wear purple. The walk will begin at 8:10am.

We were invited to participate in the school’s annual Ruby Bridges walk in response to an act of racist vandalism at Kensington Elementary that has deeply shaken Black families in the school community. After reaching out to Pastor Jen for support, the school's African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) invited ACC to stand alongside local families and help affirm that racism has no place in our community and that every child deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and supported.

Focus Retreat

TOMORROW! Saturday, November 14th, 9am - 3pm

If you haven't RSVP'd but would like to join us for the Focus Retreat, please contact Pastor Jen as soon as you can!

We invite those who can't be with us to hold us in prayer as we come together for this important day.

Our annual Focus Retreat is an opportunity to come together as a congregation, connecting and listening to God and one another as we consider again our values and vision as a church. This year, while we will spend some time on our goals, the focus will be on belonging.

How can we nurture a deeper sense of belonging for our current congregation and also make room for others to belong?

We will discuss the results of the survey, talk about our worship services and other programming, and consider the questions around connection. Then, we'll return to our goals and the projects that came out of last year's Focus Retreat, consider our progress, and determine our next steps, seeking the Spirit's guidance and help.

Congregational Survey Results

Thank you so much to everyone who filled out our congregational survey!

If you would like to see the results, you are welcome to review them.

We will be discussing the survey at the Focus Retreat.

Join the ACC Choir for Advent & Christmas

Advent & Christmas are a special time for singing!

Even if you can't always participate in choir, we invite you to consider participating during this special season. Advent begins on November 29th. Our music director, Jeffrey Paul, warmly invites anyone with a tuneful voice to join rehearsals on Monday evenings at 6pm, as soon as you can!

The more the merrier!

Introduction to the Church Year Spectrum

Sunday, November 22 After Morning Worship

Did you know that Christians have our own calendar, and this year our new year begins in November?

The liturgical calendar begins with Advent, taking us on an annual journey through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and on to the life of the church.

Join Pastor Jen following worship on Sunday, November 22nd, to learn about the seasons, colors, and special days of Christian tradition, the meaning they hold, and how they can ground and guide us.

Food Drive with Preschools

LAST WEEK TO DONATE! Drive ends Thursday, Nov.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 requested items on the flyer.

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

Welcome Mary Beth Ray and Gentle Yoga at ACC!

Wednesdays from at 10am, Beginning January 13, 2027

Arlington Community Church is pleased to welcome Mary Beth Ray, our new yoga instructor, for weekly Gentle Yoga classes beginning Wednesday, January 13, 2027, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. in the Social Hall.

Breathe slowly, move wisely, and rest well! This gentle, bone-informed yoga practice offers accessible poses, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation in a supportive community. With modifications available and all levels welcome, classes are designed to help participants build strength, improve well-being, and support healthy aging. 

Mary Beth brings more than 35 years of yoga experience, weaving together movement, breathwork, and yoga philosophy, with a special interest in healthy aging and bone health. Her students describe her as “a delightful well of wisdom, patience, and humor.”

Classes are offered on a sliding scale of $10-$25 per class, with a reduced rate for first-time attendees and bundled class options available. 

Equipment: Bring a yoga mat or large towel. Chairs available if needed.

Optional but useful: a sturdy blanket, strap or belt, and 2 yoga blocks

Come discover the benefits of gentle movement, mindful breathing, and community!

For more information, contact Mary Beth at:

mb@3greencircles.com | Official Website

Fri, Nov 13 • Ruby Bridges Gathering & Walk • 7:40 AM

Sat, Nov 14 • Focus Retreat • 9:00 AM

Sun, Nov 15 • Morning Worship W/Rev. Jen Chapman • 10:00 AM

Mon, Nov 16 • Choir Rehearsal • 6:00 PM

Mon, Nov 16 • Grateful Gathernigs (zoom) • 7:00 PM

Mon, Nov 16 • Bell Choir Rehearsal • 7:15 PM

Tues, Nov 17 • Souper Center Sandwiches • 9:00 AM

Tues, Nov 17 • Checking In & Reaching Out (zoom) • 11:00 AM

Tues, Nov 17 • Souper Center Service • 11:00 AM

Weds, Nov 18 • Wrestling with Belief Workshop (zoom) • 7:00 PM

Sun, Nov 22 • Morning Worship W/Rev. Jen Chapman • 10:00 AM

Sun, Nov 22 • Congregational Meeting • 11:15 AM

Sun, Nov 22 • Spectrum: Intro to the Church Year • 10:00 AM

Grateful Gatherings

Monday, November 16 at 7PM (TIME CORRECTION!)

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 7:00-8:00pm 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

Souper Center Sandwiches & Service

Tuesday, November 17 at 9am & 11am

On the third Tuesday of each month, ACC volunteers prepare dozens of sandwiches in the church kitchen and box them up. Another group takes the sandwiches to the Souper Center on 23rd Street, where we stay to serve a free, nourishing cafeteria-style lunch of soup, sandwiches, fruit, and dessert.

Rides are available, leaving ACC around 10:45 a.m. and returning around 1:00 p.m.



Would you like to join us? Talk to Ron Yourd, Pastor Jen, or Sara Laferte to learn more or sign up.

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

Announcing Congregational Meeting

Sunday, November 22 After Morning Worship

Dear ACC Members,

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2026, immediately following worship, to elect at least two additional members to the Nominating Committee, chaired by Vice-Moderator Tom Dean. The committee will be responsible for identifying and inviting members to serve on the 2027 Church Council.

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 31, 2027, following morning worship.

Nina Harmon, Moderator

Arlington Community Church

United Church of Christ

Centering & Meditation

Saturday, November 28 at 10am

"Be still and know that I am God"

- Psalm 46:10

Please plan to join us as we gather in meditative contemplation from 10:00 until 11:00 on Saturday in the Sanctuary.

“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.

Zoom Link:

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

"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: The Efficacy of Prayer

What is the purpose of prayer? Does it work? And if so, in what way?

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:

Prayers of gratitude for this beautiful day, and for being together, even when we’re far away.

We offer prayers

For Chris and David, 

For Holly’s mom,]

For Barry, who is preaching today at St. Columba Catholic Church, telling the story of the Black Wealth Builders, and for Barry’s continuing work,

For Dudley’s friend Randy, who has been in the hospital for a week with an infection,

For Faith and Roger,

For a dear cousin and for a friend, both having health problems,

For a new political direction, and for justice and dignity of our politicians

For Ed & Lisa, Dorothy & Ray, David & Chris, Donna, and Helen,

For comfort and healing for Dorothy,

For addicts and those who are depressed, may they have strength through faith that good things will come,

For wisdom – guide our decisions and grant us wisdom,

For our congregation: may we continue to have vision, energy, patience, and a joyful spirit.

For Frances F., who is in pain at 101 years old.

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