Northbrae Community Church

Awakened Heart Meditation for the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is upon usa time of quietude and dreaming, wrapped in the cloak of darkness and candlelight. Monday is the first day of Winter, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. As the days shorten and the business of the holiday season heightens, remember to care for yourself and make time and space to sit in the comfort of darkness. It is in the darkness and silence, the chamber of gestation, that ...Continue reading

#compassion #generosity #jackkornfield

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and we wanted to share some helpful tips!

Squirrels and Church As a band of squirrels had become quite a problem, the Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will. At the Baptist church the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a water-slide on the baptistery and let the sq...uirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. The Lutheran church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. Two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water-slide. The Episcopalians tried a much more unique path by setting out pans of whiskey around their church in an effort to kill the squirrels with alcohol. They sadly learned how much damage a band of drunk squirrels can do. But the Catholic church came up with a very creative strategy! They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter. Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. They caught the first squirrel and circumcised him. They haven't seen a squirrel since.

May the Lord of Love protect us. May the Lord of Love nourish us. May the Lord of Love strengthen us. May we realize the Lord of Love. May we love with love for all;... May we live in peace with all. May the Lord of day grant us peace. May the Lord of night grant us peace. May the Lord of sight grant us peace. May the Lord of might grant us peace. May the Lord of speech grant us peace. May the Lord of space grant us peace. May I bow down to Brahman, source of all power. I will speak the truth and follow the law. Guard me and my teacher against all harm. The Upanishads _________ Of love we are made; of love we share Our hearts remain together Northbrae Community Church 941 The Alameda Berkeley, CA 94707

You're stronger than you realize.

If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something,... you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results. Tao de Ching: 36 (trans. Steven Mitchell) ______________ Among the myriad things you are, you are water Our hearts remain together Northbrae Community Church 941 The Alameda Berkeley, CA 94707 510-526-3805 [email protected]

(Some of these ideas borrowed from another church, some written by Ray and Ralph) EDIT: A few have asked -- we have in-person worship, under the safest measures... we can find. 2 out of every 3 pews are closed off with these funny signs, and ushers seat folks in only 10% of our seats. Most watch on live stream instead. Not perfect, and alot of extra work, but we're trying our best to be safe and to worship the Lord. See more

Pen Pals Wanted!! Residents at Phoenix Assisted Care are wanting to hear from you! Find a new friend and send them a letter to the address listed below with the...ir name as the recipiant. We can’t wait to hear from you! #VSCPenPals Phoenix Assisted Care (Pen Pal Name Here) 201 West High Street Cary, North Carolina 27513

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." - Maya Angelou