Annual Event Descriptions

NOTE: Events are listed in alphabetical order. Dates are subject to change.

Advent Celebration/Tree-Trimming (November/December)
This joyous event begins with the decoration of the BPC Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary, followed by worship, Christmas carols, drama and songs by the Children's and Youth Choirs, and concludes with refreshments in Fellowship Hall. New members are asked to bring a Christmas ornament to add to the tree during the celebration.

All-Church Advent Workshop (December)
In early December, everyone is invited to make a beautiful Advent wreath, dress up in Nativity costumes, have photos taken, decorate frames for the photos and participate in a mission project. Sponsored by Children's Ministry.

All-Church Picnic (September)
The entire BPC family comes together for a day of fun, games, singing and good food. A great opportunity to relax and play together.

Christmas Choir Sunday (December)
BPC's Chancel Choir and the Praise Singers usher in the holiday spirit on the Sunday before Christmas, featuring great soloists, favorite Christmas anthems and Christmas musicals.

Christmas Joy Offering (December)
Every Christmas Season, BPC joins with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to fund the Christmas Joy Offering. This offering is equally divided between a BPC mission-supported ministry and specified ministries of PC(USA). The PC(USA) portion of the offering supports its retired mission personnel as well as PC(USA) secondary schools and colleges. The Christmas Joy Offering is received in Worship services the Sunday before Christmas, as well as at Christmas Eve services.

Congregational Meeting (February)
This annual congregational meeting is held on the first or second Sunday in February, along with an all-church lunch or dinner. The business portion of the meeting includes the presentation of the budget for the upcoming year.

Creative Arts Sunday (July)
On this special Sunday, the creativity of BPC's members is on display. From visual arts to the annual Talent Show to family art activities - it's a day to rejoice in and acknowledge the gift of creativity we have received from God.

Forest Home Winter Retreats - Middle and High School Youth Groups (February)
Each year, the Middle School and High School Youth Groups hold their annual retreats at Forest Home Christian Conference Center in Forest Hills, California.

Golf Tournament (Fall)
BPC golfers of all abilities participate in a "scramble" format tournament, enjoying a day of fellowship and fun at the Malibu Country Club.

Men's Retreat (April/May)
Sponsored by Men's Ministry, this weekend retreat for men promotes fellowship and the deepening of one's relationship with God.

Mexico Work Trips (April, May and October)
Three times each year, BPC groups travel to Mexico to build homes for families living in the poblaciones of Tijuana. The three work trips, organized in association with AMOR Ministries, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization, are as follows:

• Senior High Mexico Work Trip (high school youth; Easter week in April)
• Family Mexico Work Trip (middle and high school youth and their parents; 3 days in May)
• Adult Mexico Work Trip (adults; Columbus Day weekend - 3 days in October)

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering (April)
Each year on Easter Sunday, BPC - along with ecumenical churches around the country, including Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - joins in the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. At BPC we split our offering, with half going to a mission organization with which we have a relationship, and half being given to the national offering, which supports people in more than 100 countries. Priority is given to ministries that will help improve the quality of life over the long-term for communities in the greatest need. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering was established by Christian churches in response to the devastation of World War II.

Peace Sunday : World Communion/Peacemaking Offering (October)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) funds its Peacemaking Program through the annual Peacemaking Offering, received as part of World Communion services on the first Sunday in October. On this day, the Peacemaking Offering is received at BPC, and one half of the offering goes to support the PCUSA Peacemaking Program in its efforts towards humanitarian, economic and environmental justice. The other half goes to a local mission effort as approved by BPC's Session.

Pentecost Sunday (May)
On Pentecost Sunday, BPC holds a varietal service planned by the laity which celebrates the birth of the church and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

Pentecost Offering (May)
The Pentecost Offering was initiated by Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1998 in support of children at risk; faith-focused leadership development programs for youth; and young adults programs that benefit children at risk in this country and around the world. As with all Special Offerings at BPC (the Christmas Joy Offering in December, the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering in April and the Peacemaking Offering in October), half will go to PC (USA) designations and half to a local ministry designated by BPC. The Pentecost Offering is taken on Pentecost Sunday in May.

Recommitment Sunday (November)
This is the culminating event of the fall Stewardship campaign, the annual fundraising drive for BPC's operating budget, which enables BPC to carry out its diverse ministries within and beyond the walls of BPC. All members receive Faith Promise cards and are asked to prayerfully consider their ability to support BPC - in terms of time and talent as well as money - in the coming year. On Recommitment Sunday members are asked to return a portion of what God has given them to BPC.

Spiritual Life Retreat (April/May)
The Spiritual Life Retreat is offered every spring by the Christian Spirituality Ministry, part of Adult Ministries. During this weekend retreat, participants join together to reflect on the life of Jesus - our model of compassion and strength, our guide in times of sorrow and pain, our example of dignity and grace. The retreat has been held for the past several years at St. Andrew's Abbey in Vallyermo, California.

Thanksgiving Breakfast/Interfaith Worship (November)
Every Thanksgiving, BPC and Kehillat Ma'arav synagogue hold an interfaith breakfast and worship service. The Kehillat Ma'arav congregation shared our sanctuary for many years, until it was able to move into its own synagogue home in Santa Monica, and now the annual Thanksgiving Breakfast continues our long-standing interfaith relationship.

Thanksgiving Baskets (November)
Every year, BPC members decorate, assemble and deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to families associated with Westminster Transitional Living Center, Common Ground, OPCC and Westside Food Bank, all nonprofit organizations supported by BPC. BPC members donate the food for the baskets, which also go to people within the BPC congregation and staff.

Women's Retreat (January)
All BPC women are invited to this weekend retreat, sponsored by BPC's Women's Ministry and designed to promote fellowship, friendships and the deepening of relationships with God.

Youth Sunday (May)
On a designated Sunday in May, middle school and high school youth lead all aspects of worship at the three morning worship services.