Berkeley Parents Network: Epworth United Methodist Church

Berkeley Parents Network

Epworth United Methodist Church

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Religious & Spiritual > Epworth United Methodist Church

April 2005

Re: Seeking a Christian church with a diverse membership

Epworth United Methodist Church on Hopkins in North Berkeley is a great, diverse (racially and in all other ways), liberal, welcoming church. Unlike the national Methodist church, it is a ''reconciling congregation,'' which means it is actively open to and affirming of LGBT folks and issues. It's a great community for kids, with lots of young children and an active youth program. The pastor, Odette Lockwood- Stewart, is very warm, smart, and committed to a social justice approach to Christianity. Though it is unquestionably a Christian church, and follows the traditional worship format of most Protestant services, I have found it to be very open to people's individual explorations/definitions of what faith means to them, and there is no prescribed set of beliefs you must hold to go there. As mostly- agnostic intellectuals, we have been surprised to find how much we get out of attending and being part of the Epworth community.

If you are looking for a diverse and welcoming church, I can wholeheartedly recommend Epworth United Methodist Church at 1953 Hopkins in Berkeley. We are a medium-sized congregation with a THRIVING children's program. The sign out front says ''where your children are special'' and it's really true. There are many mixed families (black/white, Jewish/Christian, two moms, etc). Worship is at 10AM. Childcare is provided in the Epworth playroom and there's Sunday School at around 10:20 for kids from kindergarten through middle school (using hands-on, play-based materials for the K-2 kids, separate classrooms for 3-5th grade, and middle school)---the kids stay in church for the first twenty minutes or so. It's a wonderful, multi-generational community.

Our minister, Odette Lockwood-Stewart is a great preacher and warm pastor. She's smart, funny, engaging, and helps create a vibrant and committed spiritual community. My father was a minister until I was in 7th grade so I've been in churches my entire life. What is happening at Epworth these days is extraordinary. That being said...choosing a church is a very personal thing. I recommend that you come visit and see how it feels for you. We welcome all. Sally

March 2003

Re: Inclusive & Friendly Church

My family has been attending Epworth United Methodist (on Hopkins above the Alameda) for three years. My 3 year old and nearly 6 year old love the children's program. It is a very warm and welcoming congregation with lots of young families, a wide variety of music and inspiring sermons. Visitors are always welcome! Elizabeth

I'd encourage you to come visit Epworth United Methodist Church at 1953 Hopkins in Berkeley (east of the North Branch of the library). Epworth is a good mix of both the spiritual and the practical and has an amazing sense of community. And, there are two 10 month old girls who are going to be really interested a boy in about 13 years ...:-) Our pastor is a great preacher-storyteller who consistently provides meaningful sermons and is able to relate ancient biblical and spiritual wisdom to the trying times we live in.
Sally

You are invited to check out Epworth United Methodist Church. Services begin at 10am, Hopkins and Napa. http://www.gbgm-umc.org/epworthberkeley/ There are many recent sermons on line. The choir is quite good and guest soloists visit often for a nice variety. We've been attending Epworth for a year and it has been wonderful. There is ''Sunday School'' for the children (a very nice light-filled playroom for the youngest children and separate 2 classrooms for kindergarten and up with a bit more structure.) Children are really appreciated. There is also lots of variety in the types of families. Whatever your family structure, it's doubtful you'd be the only ones. (We are inter-racial.) River

My extended family (parents, sisters/spouses, children) began going to Epworth Methodist church (Hopkins/Napa, North Berkeley) around 1943. We still are active members although all of us are very different in our political and social orientations.

Epworth has fine programs for children and adults. It has good sermons and music for those who want that; good ecologically- centered programs for those of us who are ''Berkeley types.'' MOst of all, its friendly, well situated and absolutely ideal for life's ''Big Events'' like weddings, funerals, baptisms and divorce counseling. Many of its original families are still active...even those who are in non-traditional relationships.

The Easter season would be a good time to try it out. Lots of activities are taking place. Stop by, call or check out the website.

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/epworthberkeley/

Another family for peace

Re: Upbeat Church
I recommend you try Epworth United Methodist Church at Hopkins and Napa in Berkeley (Sundays at 10am). We have an increasing number of young families attending, a superb organist and musical director (though the music isn't what you'd call Gospel), a pastor with a knack for making scripture relevant yet with intellectual depth, and a dynamic youth program from middle school through high school. We use the ''Godly Play'' Montesorri-like curriculum for the younger kids. Epworth is also a reconciling congregation, meaning that we welcome all persons, including GLBT persons and families. Having grown up as the daughter of a minister and with three ordained uncles I know what you mean about the 'same ole' but I should also note that we have a wonderful group of 'elderly' folks who take a real interest in the young families which, for me, makes for a wonderful sense of true community. Some examples of that...one older woman has taken my daughter Christmas shopping for the last 7 years (she's now 16), we recently had a baby shower for a new baby that brought out the 'grandmother' in all of us, and another older couple took my kids to Cal football games until they were too cool to be seen with them (and then graciously understood that!) Most of the teenage girls babysit for kids in the church, an added advantage for both the girls and the families. One last thing, for me, Epworth is a good size. Big enough for critical mass but small enough to be known. Feel free to contact me if you'd like. (I can also email you some of the more 'practical' sermons that I've kept.) Sally

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