First Congregational United Church of Christ, San Bernardino, Ca

All San Bernardino voters are encouraged to sign up to attend the two ICUC candidate forums, held online with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates: first, Tuesday Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. for the two contested City Council wards, and then on Wednesday Oct 21 for the School Board seats. Preregistration is required at these links, for the City Council forum: https://www.facebook.com/events/648180772569415/ and here for the School Board forum: https://www.facebook.com/events/330413078233757/

Hi church!! Whew, it's been a full few days - just a few updates on this Wednesday morning: 1) Las Familias Preschool officially has enough kids signed up to do a modified distance preschool, starting next week, others can still join, share the news! Go to their page for more info! 2) Our Homework Center is picking up with zoom tutoring appointments but if you know any kids or parents in San Bernardino struggling with distanced learning, email [email protected] to set up an app...ointment for help, there's support ready! 3) Pilgrim Pines Camp had a VERY close call with the El Dorado Fire burning right up to the edge of the camp, but so far all structures are still safe. The camp site staff is still evacuated and staying at our church, thank you SO SO MUCH to each of you from our church and beyond who have been bringing food, sending $, bringing air mattresses and sheets and blankets and more - they are so grateful to be able to be here and send ENORMOUS thanks to all of our congregation for our hospitality. It feels good to BE THE CHURCH in this hard time for so many - thank you for living Christ's love, church!!! Peace and blessings, Rev. Petra

The latest from camp...

It’s been a tough day at Pilgrim Pines but your prayers and support continue to make a huge difference for all involved. The El Dorado fire’s edge turned this ...afternoon and came down the ridge into our canyon. The mountain area behind our beloved camp had not burned in decades and the incredibly hot and dry weather are the worst possible conditions. After many of the fire crews were diverted to the homes threatened in Yucaipa at the other end of the fire, our incredible fire fighters helped call in more support, and along with some of our beloved neighbors helped to turn back the worst of the fire along the west end of camp behind main lodge and creek lodge. The fire has continued up behind camp and they are now clearing fire breaks on the East side of camp. Lots more gratitude and stories will be shared later. Our sincere prayers will continue all night long with the fire fighters and neighbors who continue to protect Pilgrim Pines and all of Oak Glen. We hope to have some photos to share in the morning but there is a long night ahead still. Thank you for your support and prayers and offers of help. We will know more in the morning. See more

Many many thanks to our church members who have stepped up last night and this morning to help welcome our guests, evacuated from Pilgrim Pines. We will update more later today when we know what additional help is needed to support them!

Share the news with anyone with a preschooler at home, a great way to give them fun and learning too this fall!

Sending continuing prayers for our Pilgrim Pines camp and all affected by the Apple Fire.

Hi friends!!! You have until this Friday, July 3, to sign up for Camp at Home or Camp in a Box!!! Did you know that ANYONE can get Camp in a Box, including grownups and folks who have never gone to camp? You'll get a t-shirt, water bottle, daily crafts, and LOTS of surprises!!! Sign up at https://www.pilgrimpinescampathome.com/

Many apologies to Rev. Pamela Moore, no idea why the watch party stopped in the middle of her sermon! Please go here to watch the rest, if you move the dot on the sliding bar, you can go forward to about 33 minutes in, that's where it stopped. https://www.facebook.com/sanbernardinoucc/videos/2810623839066040/

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Your Outreach Ministry has decided to postpone our drop-and-go donation drive scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, from 5-6 p.m. We have learned that San Bernardino is now under curfew beginning at 6 pm. each evening and we want to encourage all to stay home, and stay safe. We will reschedule the drop-offs for next week, and update you through Church News emails and on our church's facebook group. Also, the ICUC virtual prayer walk for San Bernardino on Tuesday wa...s moved earlier as well to 5 p.m., you are invited to join that if you are able, link is in comments. Please be in touch with the church if you need help in this difficult time, or need to connect to someone to pick up groceries or medications for you. And, please join us in deep prayer for our community and nation and world, with so much pain and loss in this time. We pray for our African-American members and neighbors, for the sanctity of their lives to be honored. We pray for our community of San Bernardino, for our police and community leaders, for those who are vandalizing and burning, for business owners and workers, we pray for transformative change to come. We pray in and beyond words, to God who holds all our emotions and stays with us, no matter what, always.

Hi church! Just a reminder to please beware of scam emails in this time, we have heard from colleagues that churches are being hit again by folks who are creating fake email addresses that often include the pastor's name and even photo and ask for church members to send them money transfers or to buy gifts cards and give them the numbers by email. Please know: your pastor and church staff will NEVER ask you by email to buy gift cards and give us the number or to transfer money to them personally. Please call the church office or the pastor if you have gotten any requests and talk to us directly. Thank you and stay safe!

Easter Sunday Worship!! On Sunday morning April 12 you are invited to join at dawn with our UCC partners in prayer as we watch the sun rise from our own homes instead of gathering in our joint worship service together: you can find suggestions for Sunrise readings and prayer in the comments. And, at 10 a.m. all are invited to join our watch party for worship as we celebrate the good news of the resurrection together! Look for the watch party to be posted soon and request a reminder if you'd like, or watch at any time that works for you!

Hi church!! Just a reminder to anyone with kids and youth that hang-out time with Ms Kathy starts EARLY today at 1 p.m. and both groups are together because you are going to be doing TWO virtual field trips to CA state parks - one of Redwoods and one of Tidepools! Contact Kathryn Mccool if you need the link!!

FB isn't letting us do a watch party :( so please watch the video of worship this way!!! Comments are visible to all watching so you can say hi to each other!