Category Archives: News

Shell Ridge Community Church Walnut Creek and “Feed the Kids”

Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek has whole heartedly supported “Let’s Feed the Kids,” a Contra Costa County Multi-faith Action Coalition group formed under the Food Security Task Force. Financial donations, paper products, diapers of all sizes, and many hours of volunteer time have been given to this group as they provided families in the Shelter Inc. transitional housing in Pittsburg with food at the end of each month.

Shell Ridge also currently with LFTK provided 16 volunteers and 170 jars of peanut butter and once again financial donations so food could be provided for 277 families from 9 Richmond/San Pablo schools during Winter Break partnering with Temple Beth Hillel. The Winter Break project provided each family with a box of durable foods such as tuna fish, beans, rice, oats, canned chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, tomato sauce, beef stew and a science game; a second box was full of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Each family also received a frozen turkey. This food was provided during the holiday break when federal school breakfasts and lunches are not available for the children. No children should be hungry.

Response to California Wildfires

From a Press Notice from American Baptist Home Mission Societies

American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA,  has released additional One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Emergency Disaster-response grants in response to the California wildfires.

To aid in recovery from the Southern California fires, ABHMS has released $5,000 to American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, Southwest and Hawaii (ABCOFLASH). To aid in recovery from the Northern California fires, ABHMS has released $14,000 to CrossWalk Community Church, Napa, and New Vintage Church, Santa Rosa.

On the fires’ first night, CrossWalk—which has been a Red Cross evacuation site for many years—sheltered everyone from those without means to affluent community members and tourists. For the next several weeks, they hosted up to 300 individuals nightly. Continue reading

Grace Baptist Church Serving the Poor and Homeless

As a church, GBC is well experienced in service delivery. For 100 years we have been serving our San Jose community and its needs. We have been active in the work for peace and human rights, and against racism and oppression. We have sided with the poor and their plight, offering them compassion and material resources.

In recent years, GBC has offered bus passes to the needy, a community meal every Sunday after worship, a welcoming attitude toward the homeless, free showers and laundry room service, and a winter emergency shelter for those who sleep on the streets. Continue reading

PCBA Notes

PCBA NOTES 7.2 (Fall 2017)

Download a pdf version: PCBA NOTES 7.2 (Fall 2017)

ABSW Announces Inauguration of President James E. Brenneman

Saturday., October 28 – 2:00 PM

James E. Brenneman will become the new President of American Baptist Seminary of the West. A service of inauguration will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 2:00 PM in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, immediately across the street from the seminary at 2619 Dwight Way in Berkeley. Dr. Brenneman is a distinguished biblical theologian, author, and administrator,  having given visionary leadership for 11 years as President of Goshen College in Indiana, a respected Mennonite institution.

Meet President Brenneman
A Time to “Meet and Greet” the New President of ABSW
Sunday, September 10, 2:00-5:00
American Baptist Seminary of the West
2606 Dwight Way, Berkeley

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PCBA Concern: “Saving Redwood Glen”

Redwood GlenPCBA has received word of a critical circumstance at Redwood Glen Camp which may determine its ability to continue in the future. Knowing of PCBA’s interest in the Camp, we forward this announcement for your information and response.

We need your help! The State is giving us a deadline to raise money to build a new water system and become water independent. We need your financial support now to prevent the camp from being sold. Could you give $20 and send this plea to 20 others who may be able to assist us? To give, click here: http://redwoodglen.com/support/contribute.php

The plight

For the past two years, we have been in negotiations with the County of San Mateo and State of California Water Board over access to water as Redwood Glen seeks to become water independent. On March 1st, the County turned off water to our facilities and we were no longer granted permission to truck in water to meet the needs of our guests. Events were cancelled, summer camp registration was put on hold, and staff were preparing for lay-offs with impending closure.
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