Saturday, December 12, 2009

Koob @ 4pm Sunday!

Koob on Sunday before the 505, 4pm!  Hopefully the weather holds... otherwise, it'll add a whole new element to the curious, courageous game of Koob!

How else would you describe Koob?

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Christmas Party! Friday Dec 11th @ 7pm

Join us at First Pres in the Calvin Room for a Christmas Party Extravaganza!

7pm in the Calvin Room  (off central courtyard)

We'll eat together, sing some carols and then have the most ridiculous gingerbread-building competition you've seen! (This year, at least) This is a great way to have fun and meet others in the young adult community, as well as Veritas, the graduate student community.

Main dish and drinks will be provided - bring a holiday snack or side dish to share.  Canned food donation and wearing a tacky Christmas sweater also highly encouraged!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Man Date ManDate - Photos

See photos from the awesome weekend at Marin Headlands here.  Ladies, try not to be jealous. ;)



Real men balance on driftwood.


What's a ManDate without wrestling?


Lud-John's Open!  Hooded Danny goes deep!


Chris takes a commanding pose.
Nick, What are you pointing at?!
Ludden = Sexy

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Mission Study Team Survey

As part of the transition process at First Pres, in searching for a new direction and new head pastor, the Mission Study Team has put together a survey that should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. We would love for you to participate, whatever your affiliation to First Pres is. The more input, the better, as we move forward, sharing Christ with each other and the world.

From Helen, a young adult on the MST:
First Pres is in the middle of a comprehensive Mission Study to look at our past, present, and future. The Mission Study is a necessary step required by the Presbytery. It will provide important information in the process of calling our next Senior Pastor. As a part of our process, we are conducting this Survey to gather input from as many members of our community as possible. This includes young adults and it's our time to speak up! It should only take 15 minutes. To take the online Survey now, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=dJCfmNK1AHyjmtUqvy2z_2fQ_3d_3d

Friday, November 20, 2009

Men's Man-Date! Dec 4th-6th: Register Today

The Young Adult Men have a mandate for a Man-Date! We're headed to the Marin Headlands Hostel for a weekend of mancation: relaxation, recreation and plenty of man time. Activity options include beachin' it, hiking, koob, foosball, ping pong and pool, for starters! Email Evans ASAP with any questions and to reserve your spot!

REGISTER NOW!

When:
Dec 4th-6th (Fri-Sat)
Arrive for dinner on 4th
Leave after late bfast on 6th

Where:
Marin Headlands Hostel (only 45 min away!)
941 Fort Barry,
Sausalito, CA

What to bring:
Y-chromosome
Musical Instrument
Sports Equipment
Hygiene Stuff (optional, tho requested)
Layered Clothes (also optional, tho recommended)
The Word
Whatever else you need to survive

Cost: Only $50
(covers 5 meals & 2 nights lodging - a steal!!)

Want to register now? Any questions? Email Evans!

Rest-assured deadline WAS Tuesday Nov 24th (but email me anyway as we may have a spot or two left! And if you can't stay overnight, feel free to join us Saturday during the day - just let me know!)

See you there!

Service Saturday Tomorrow, 11/21!

We've got enough volunteers for this Saturday (Thanks everyone!), but if you would like to stop by and show support with a food donation or smile, you're most welcome!

Where:
Downtown Berkeley CVS (formerly Long's)
1451 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA‎

When:
9am-4pm

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Fun Friday Film - November

Here is the film we watched this past Fun Friday:



While simple and short, there is a variety of questions and themes to consider:
- Is that the dude from E.T.?
- What's with the children and merry-go-round?
- What's the significance of color? B&W?
- Why don't the children have doors in their stomachs?
- Can we "get happy"? Yet don't we try?
- How is the flashing light in the end a beacon? Or is it a distraction? Nostalgia?
- Productivity v. Coming Alive
- Creativity v. Living Dead
- Are we to become more like children? (and inherit the Kingdom of God?)
- Yet how can we rule the world... and lose our soul in the process?
- How can we sell-out our lives, our creativity?
- Within creativity there is destruction... and destruction, creativity?

What are your thoughts/comments/questions? Feel free to post them in the comments section below.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Salsa This Sunday 11/8!

This Sunday we're gonna mix it up again - For all those interested, we're headed for Salsa dancing after the 505 this Sunday, Nov 8th, from 7:15pm 'til we drop!


From Xiaosheng: "Allegro Ballroom is the BEST place to dance salsa in the bay area (IMHBCO :). It's beginner-friendly and alcohol-free. You can dress up or dress casual. And it's only $8!!!! Come around 7:15pm for the beginner or the intermediate lesson (in two separate rooms). I will be there at 7:15. Dance party starts around 8:20. "

Allegro Ballroom - 5855 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608-1923; Phone: (510) 655-2888

www.allegroballroom.net

Warriors Game Monday Nov. 9th - 10 bucks!

For those interested, there's $10 tickets for the Warriors' Game Monday 11/9 @ 7:30pm.  I'll already be there as part of a Davidson Alumni night, but feel free to join us as we celebrate Warriors Mania and you, too, can be a fan of Stephen Curry.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

This Sunday: Koob @ 4pm!

Join us out on the field behind the prayer garden for some Koob @ 4pm, this Sunday 11/1!

Don't Koob?  You will!  Anyone can play - like bocce ball with blocks... and some strategery.  :)

See you then,
Evans

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Spooktacular Potluck!

Kristin Codiga is Hosting a Halloween Party! Bring on the fun, food and friends as we set to carvin' pumpkins and givin' candy to bumpkins!

Event Details:
Saturday, Oct 31st
7:30pm-10:30pm
1134 Bay Street
Alameda, CA

For more info and to RSVP, go to the FB Event Page.

Monday, October 19, 2009

GCC Podcasts Are Here!

In case you missed the Global Church Conference, you can now listen to the podcasts of all the plenary sessions and seminarys on the First Pres website!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Game Night This Sunday!

Game night this
Sunday, Oct 18
730p to 10p
(come on over after the 505 service)
Place: Nicole's house in Oakland
112 Hamilton Place
510.893.2350
Email Nicole with any questions. Hope to see you there!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Fun Friday Film

Here's the film from this past Fun Friday, entitled "The Butterfly Circus":


The reviews are in: an incredible film said some, kind of weird said others. What are your thoughts? And any other films you'd like to share? Email Evans!

Also, more about Nick Vujicic, the guy who played Will:


Visit his website here.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Fun Friday - 10/9

Join us this Friday for another Fun Friday!

6 PM - Games in the Gym, including 4-square, 9-square(!), bowling & dodgeball1
7 PM - Dinner from local Telegraph Restaurants
8 PM - Short Film Clip & Discussion
9 PM - Head out and Hit the Town with Friends!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Service Saturday - 10/10

Interested in volunteering with other young adults? Join us at the Alameda County Community Food Bank, 9am-12pm, this Saturday, Oct 10th.

For more information, contact Nicole Johnston.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Fall Retreat Photos!

YAL Fall Retreat - Endless Summer

For those of you who needed it, here's proof that Nature is therapeutic for the mind (& soul!). Next trip is the Winter Retreat, Jan 29-31. Mark your calendars now!

Fall Retreat Survey!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Resource Links

First Pres Berkeley Site:
Click here to visit the homepage of First Pres. Click here for Adult Ministries, and here to go to the Young Adult page on the site. For the Veritas Graduate Student Fellowship, click here.

Classes
For more information about upcoming classes at First Pres, please visit our Learning Communities page or Education page for more info. For all things audio, including classes, sermons and more, please visit our Audio page.

To view info on our past Young Adult class on Dating, please visit the Lost Art of Romance blog.


Men's Ministries:
For First Pres Men's Ministries, click here. Email Evans for more info on Young Adult Men's ministries.

A great resource for men is Ransom Heart Ministries, founded by John Eldredge. Here you can sign up for daily devotional emails specifically designed for men, as well as learn more about resources for men.

Women's Ministries:
For First Pres Women's Ministries, click here. If you are interested in a women's bible study, please contact Nicole Johnston for more info.

Mission Opportunities:
For First Pres Mission Activities, click here.

Magazines:
One magazine that's particularly relevant to Young Adults following Christ is Relevant.

A great resource for general Christian news is the Christian Century.

Bible Studies:
An easy way to search the bible online is Bible Gateway.

For the NRSV, visit this site, Oremus.

If you like to dive into the Greek and Hebrew, this site provides a free downloadable program and PDFs of transliterations: Scripture4all.

Signs aka "Love Without Talking"

Here is the short film shown at our Friday BBQ - Enjoy!



Themes of our discussion included:
- Loneliness
- Relationship
- Missed Opportunities
- Misplaced Expectations
- City Life and "all its non-glamour"
- Hopes/Dreams
- Meeting people

Monday, August 31, 2009

Endless Summer Fall Retreat

Close out the summer and welcome in the Fall with one last camping trip!  Don't miss out on a weekend of sleeping on the edge of Lake Tahoe, enjoying hours of relaxation, and drawing closer to Christ through worship, teaching, and conversation. Meet new people and deepen existing friendships while soaking in the beauty of God's creation.  Possible activities include hiking, biking, climbing, beachin' it out, fly fishing, chillaxin', taking a polar bear plunge, and more!


Surf instructors will be our new Adult Ministries Intern, Evans Presley-McGowan and Lindsey Reed, Alta Bates Chaplain and Young Adult member extraordinaire!  Excellent Food provided by Chef Brett.  What more could you ask for?  Oh, right, warm weather - well, dress warm!  It's gonna be a blast!

Dates:
Friday-Sunday, September 25-27

Location:
DL Bliss State Park, Lake Tahoe

Cost:
$80 (includes campground fee and meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch)
Registration: Click here to register online. (Registration deadline is Friday, September 18; sign up online today!)

More Information:
contact Evans Presley-McGowan or call (510) 848-6252 ext. 249.

Fun Fridays

First Fridays are now Fun Fridays since they fall on the 2nd Friday of the month.
Fall Dates:

Sept 11th: Koob Tournament, Cookout, Film "Signs" & Discussion!
Oct 9th: @ First Pres - 9-square, Asian Ghetto food, Film "The Butterfly Circus" & Discussion!
Nov 13th: @ First Pres - Fun @ 6pm, Food @ 7pm, Film "MORE" @ 8pm

Dec 11th
@ 7pm: Christmas Party - Joint adventure with Veritas! 
Meet in the Calvin Room and bring your favorite Holiday Snack/Dish - We're having a party! Feasting on Holiday Dishes, Singing Carols and the most ridiculous Gingerbread House Competition EVER!

Upcoming Dates:
Jan 8th @ First Pres
Feb 12th @ First Pres
Mar 12th
Apr 9th
May 14th

Small Groups

First Pres Berkeley is a big church, and it's easy to get lost. Small groups are a great way to make a big church feel smaller, foster meaningful and caring relationships, and have fun in the process!

We have a number of small groups, from only Young Adult ones to intergenerational ones, and ones for singles, couples or mixed. Look for more information here as groups form, either out of the Open Door or common interests. You can also visit the Small Groups Page on the First Pres website.

Currently in the works:


Men’s Group (meets fortnightly on Sundays @ 3pm)
Outdoors Group (Brett often leads these trips)
Service Group (most recently was Saturday 10/10 at the Alameda County Community Food Bank)
and more!
Contact Evans for more info.

Open Door

The Open Door is a great way for young adults to meet others and get connected with a small group. We meet every Wednesday at 7pm at our new location, the bottom floor of McKinley (come to the central plaza area, and you can’t miss us!). For Fall 2009 our discussion will revolve around What does it mean to be in Community? as we discuss the early Christian community in Acts. A light snack is provided, guided study of the Word, and usually a multimedia song/video to discuss as well. We have new people every week – stop on by!

For more info, email Evans.