First Congregational Church of Berkeley, UCC

At First Church we value belonging over belief. Together we ask big questions, explore doubts, draw inspiration from many spiritual paths, and try to follow the teachings of Jesus with boldness.

While we have a core theology that is distinctly Christian, we are also decidedly open in our approach to the Bible, a sacred text that reveals new truths every time we come to it. We will never ask you to believe something that is obviously untrue, counter to the scientific evidence, or overtly/covertly hateful and spiritually abusive.

We embrace a spectrum of belief. The members and friends in our church range from avowed Christians, to humanist atheists here for community, to interfaith families and people of multiple religious belonging. We can disagree and still love each other!

We dare to be uncertain, leaving room for a God who is still speaking into our complex and evolving moral world. Justice, nonviolence and extravagant love are key themes you will hear again and again in our teaching and preaching.