Fresh Progressive God Talk
Get a fresh take on God, spirit, faith, life, love, justice, and community. First Church Berkeley is an open and affirming, progressive Christian church in Berkeley, California, part of the United Church of Christ. We are committed to Jesus’ countercultural and life-giving path. We understand the life of spirit to be a journey, not a destination. Our podcast features the powerful preaching of several of the ministers on staff and special guests. More about the church at firstchurchberkeley.org.
Time’s Up • Kit Novotny
01-20-2019
Young Adult Minister Kit Novotny uses the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana to explore the importance of timing. As we listen for God’s call, it may be more important to look for the “ripe” moment rather than the right one.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 21.32MB - Duration: 22:36 m (128 kbps 48000 Hz)
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Warned in a Dream • Molly Baskette
01-13-2019
Based on two dreams described in the morning scripture, Senior Minister Molly Baskette explores the power of dreams. They can give us glimpses of the future and change our lives if we follow them. They are portals to the divine, an entry into mystery.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 37MB - Duration: 15:53 m (320 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Arrival of the Impossible • Rachel Bauman
12-23-2018
Rachel reflects on the story of the meeting between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both pregnant. Each of is like Mary—with a miracle within us ready to be birthed—and each of us is like Elizabeth—able to recognize and bless the miracles we see in others.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 19.49MB - Duration: 20:36 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Inconceivable • Baskette, Driver-Buchholtz, Novotny
12-16-2018
First Church member Elizabeth Driver-Bucholtz, and ministers Molly Baskette and Kit Novotny share vignettes about the challenges and joys of conception, pregnancy, and birth.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 37.36MB - Duration: 40:07 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Arrivals & Departures • Kit Novotny
12-02-2018
Kit Novotny ponders the nature of arrivals and departures and the signs of what is to come. Along with the waiting and impatience is the good news that God is already on the way.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 15.54MB - Duration: 16:17 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Who Do You Say I Am? • Bree Elle Gardner
11-25-2018
On Transgender Day of Resilience, Emerging Leader Bree Elle Gardner explores what it means to be really seen.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 14MB - Duration: 14:36 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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United Against Hate • Phil Porter
11-18-2018
Phil Porter suggests that Christianity’s “superpower” to counter the rise in organized hate is the radical idea of not returning evil for evil but to respond instead with love. “Don’t be mean!”
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 20.65MB - Duration: 21:52 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Coming to Life • Rachel Bauman
11-11-2018
Rachel Bauman suggests that the story of the raising of Lazarus and the words in Revelations spoke not only to the life-giving power of Jesus acts and God’s presence, but were also wider messages of hope to people in challenging situations.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 19.05MB - Duration: 20:07 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Traveling Light • Molly Baskette
11-04-2018
“You are the light of the world." Senior Minister Molly Baskette suggests that this is both metaphorically and biologically true. We are each full of God’s light, and we can shine our light as we travel in the world, especially in places of darkness.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 12.24MB - Duration: 12:41 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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The Gratitude Cycle • Molly Baskette
10-07-2018
On the first Sunday of this year’s stewardship campaign, Senior Minister Molly Baskette explores the story of Moses, Aaron and the golden calf, and asks the congregation to think about money, gratitude, generosity, and humility.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 23.64MB - Duration: 25:08 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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