Local Churches

By Cheryl Jones I first observed this prayer cross in 2022 in Memphis. My 92-year-old mother had been hospitalized for surgery. When I entered the hospital, I saw the cross near the entrance. Paper and pens were available for anyone who wanted to write a prayer and leave it on the cross.  I thought it would be a great idea for churches too, and thought about how to make that happen at my church, Skyline UCC in Oakland. It would be a place for all who come through our doors to bring their prayers. After a while I began to…

By Rev. Laurie Manning The Committee on Ministry for Churches in Discernment is entering an exciting new phase as we expand our capacity to serve NCNCUCC congregations. New Leadership, Fresh Vision We're celebrating the transition of committee leadership to Rev. Penny Nixon whose experience and passion for supporting churches in discernment will guide COM-D into its next chapter. We're grateful for Rev. Kelly Colwell’s dedicated service as chair during this foundational year and excited about the fresh perspective Penny brings to our ministry. (Committee members are: chair Rev. Penny Nixon, Rev. Kelly Colwell, Rev. Jim Mitulski, Rev. Laurie Manning and…

When Congregationalist missionaries first reached the San Francisco Bay Area during the Gold Rush (from Hawaii because it was closer), they established First Congregational Church in San Francisco in 1850. They also founded the College of California, which became U.C. Berkeley; the Young Ladies Seminary which became Mills College and Pacific School of Religion. Mira Vista Congregational Church was founded on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 by seventy charter members, meeting initially in member’s homes and then at 7075 Cutting Boulevard in El Cerrito, CA. In 1957, The Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed denominations merged to become the United Church of Christ, a protestant denomination deeply committed to ecumenism…