Connect. Transform. Inspire.
AGAPE BAY AREA: A CENTER FOR AWAKENED LIVING
To Watch Sunday Service:
Meeting ID: 897 7523 6686
Passcode: 445796
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We value and celebrate diversity. We welcome, cherish, and embrace everyone and all forms of expression. We know and affirm the One Life that expresses in infinitely diverse forms. We are a safe, empowering environment for all.
AGAPE BAY AREA SUNDAY SERVICE
AGAPE WILL HOLD SUNDAY SERVICES VIA ZOOM
and LIVE STREAMING ON FACEBOOK
Sunday Celebration Service
January 17
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman
"You've Caught the Vision
- Now What?"
Musicians:
Helen Bernard Gray & Deb Santamaria
Helen is the Musical Director for Agape Bay Area and has also served as their Chior Director. Helen joined the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living (First Church of Religious Science) in 2004 where she met Larry Steelman and was a featured soloists in the choir. She worked as director of the Joy! Choir for the past ten years with Larry and also in a group called Shugga. They play local clubs in the Bay. She is featured soloists in many of the Spiritual Centers in the Bay area.
Debra Santa Maria is keyboardist from Oakland California. She has extensive experience in entertaining live audiences from touring internationally, to Bay Area clubs such as Yoshi’s Oakland, the Rrazz Room in San Francisco, to concert venues, including the Oakland Coliseum, in addition to many different spiritual centers around the bay.
Her deep compassion and enthusiasm for playing music can always be seen and definitely felt, when performing for live audiences. Her extended use of layered sounds in her keyboard playing, always creates a very full and thoughtful instrumental foundation. It’s in this awareness, that many vocalists, fellow musicians, and even those in the audiences, appreciate and continually request for Debra’s playing presence.
Join Our Service
https://zoom.us/j/487448047?pwd=R2VNM2VMNnFaSHl2YnBJbGVkNU5Tdz09
Password: 483084
In compliance with the Alameda County Health Officer's shelter-in-place order, Agape Bay Area's Sunday services will take place via Zoom. You are lovingly invited to participate either online or on your phone.
Following are directions for participation. The Zoom information for this week and for each Sunday meditation, celebration, Magnify Your Life Circle, Community Visioning and Sunday Practitioner Core meeting are the same. There is only one set of instructions.
Sunday Celebration Service
Join us Every Sunday using these links:
Morning Meditation 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM PDT
Sunday Celebration Service 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Magnify Your Life 12:40 AM - 1:10 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/487448047?pwd=R2VNM2VMNnFaSHl2YnBJbGVkNU5Tdz09
Password: 483084
Meeting ID: 487 448 047
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,487448047# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,487448047# US (Houston)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aYfoVkcnE
Pleas use this same link for all services.
Infinite love,
Rev. Joan
GOOD NEWS! Agape Bay Area is now on Amazon Smile, which means that it receives a small percentage of every sale when people select Agape Bay Area as their charity of choice. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose Agape Bay Area Center For Awakened Living. Every time you make a purchase, go to smile.amazon.com, make your purchase, and Agape will automatically receive money. It's such an easy way to support our community financially. Thank you!
Agape Bay Area Membership
If you desire to become a member of Agape Bay Area,
please contact Val Roberts with your interest:
Name
Address
Phone
Month you were born
Members responsibilities:
Have regular spiritual practices
Openness to volunteer or leadership roles
Quantifiable Prosperity Giving
Members perks:
Annual complementary practitioner check up in month you were born
10% off new class or next class
WHO WE ARE
Agape Bay Area is a Principle-centered, compassionate, inclusive community committed to being an expression of the power, presence, and substance of The Divine in every aspect of life.
We value and practice generosity and service to the local and global communities. We teach and model spiritual principles that stimulate self discovery, creativity, and awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. We are a safe, empowering environment that develops and supports awakened living for individuals, families, and communities.
We learn together. We love together.
We rise in consciousness together.
The essence of Agape is best described by its founder, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith:
“When I founded the Agape International Spiritual Center and community in 1986, we 'visioned' it as a movement that would take a stand for love, for peace, for being a beneficial presence on the planet." That’s why it was named “Agape,” which in Greek means unconditional love. Agape’s vision is fueled by the love of the One indefinable yet unmistakable Presence whose vehicle on earth is the human heart and soul.
Our Board of Trustees
Virginia Chapman, President -
Valerie Roberts, Vice President/Interim Treasurer - Robertsv991@gmail.com
Jennifer Quesada, Secretary - iamjenniferquesada@gmail.com
Rev. Cindy Edelson -
Rev. Verona Garland -
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman -
Jim Binder -
Lucy Ragnelli
R Lane
An AGAPE Community
Rev. Verona Garland
Assistant Minister
Rev Verona Garland is an Emerson Theological Credentialed Interfaith and Religious Science Minister.
She serves as the founding minister of Blossoming Truth Global Ministries-a ministry dedicated to joyously opening to Spirit's Invitation of Delight, Play, and Transformation and as Assistant Minister at Agape Bay Area.
Rev Verona's ministry encompasses classes, workshops, spiritual exploration, global cultural learning, prosperity mentoring, and spiritual counseling.
Her speaking includes: The Lighthouse Center for Spiritual Living ,The Gathering, Unity Center for Inspired Living-Brentwood , 1st Church of Religious Science Vallejo, Corinthian Baptist Church, Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, and Sacramento Center for Spiritual Living.
Rev Verona's effervescent enthusiasm is sourced in her desire to bud, blossom, and bloom in Spirit. She serves playfully, boldly, wondrously, and joyously opening to the Divine Potentiality within each and every Expression of the One.
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman has been an ordained Agape and Centers for Spiritual Living minister for 19 years. She has served as the Senior Minister of our beloved community since January 2019. Prior to that, she served as the assistant minister and assistant spiritual director of Agape Bay Area starting in 2015. Our community is blessed to be guided by her consciousness and leadership.
A few years ago, she reFIRed, releasing her position as Spiritual Leader at the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living where she served for fifteen years. Previous to that, she was an assistant minister at the Agape International Spiritual Center for two years and a licensed spiritual practitioner for thirteen years.
In 1986, she joined Dr. Michael Beckwith and was a founding member of Agape where she served in many capacities. Rev. Joan was on the Vision Core and the original Board of Trustees.
She was the founder and director of One From the Heart, the pastoral care ministry at Agape. Under her leadership, that ministry grew and became one of the largest pastoral care ministries in the New Thought movement. While at Agape, she also facilitated accredited classes and many workshops centering in the mystical aspect of New Thought/Ancient Wisdom.
Rev. Cindy Edelson
Staff Minister
Rev. Cindy Edelson is a new graduate (2020) from the Michael Bernard Beckwith School of Ministry at Agape International. She has served as interning Minister of our beloved community since January 2018.
Rev. Cindy has been a practitioner and Spiritual Counselor since 2002. Being a practitioner of almost 20 years is Rev Cindy's passion paved the way into two businesses she owns:
Letting it Go - Helping people Declutter, emotions, beliefs, and stuff that no longer serve and Letting it Flow - Providing a space to create Art from the Heart, teaching Paint Parties and Spiritual Principles that help clear the path for the flow of creativity.
Both of these businesses provide workshops, classes, and one on one counseling. Rev Cindy utilizes her Energy Codes Master Trainer education certification from Dr. Sue Morter in everything she offers.
Rev. TJ Woodward
Founding Minister
Founding Minister
Rev. TJ Woodward is an Agape ordained minister, spiritual author, inspirational speaker, awakening coach and revolutionary recovery specialist who has helped countless people through his simple, yet powerful teachings.
He is the founding minister of Agape Bay Area and served as the senior minister for over a year. Previous to serving as the senior minister of Agape Bay Area, TJ served as the founding spiritual director of Awakened Living from 2012- 2017. He also served as the ministerial associate of Unity San Francisco from 2008-2011.
He is the graduate of both the Spiritual Development and Spiritual Leadership programs, at Unity Institute. Additionally, he is the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method which is a groundbreaking and effective approach to viewing and treating addiction.
TJ is also in private practice as a spiritual counselor and awakening coach, and the host of Conscious Being Radio on Unity Online Radio. TJ is the author of the books, Conscious Being: Awakening to Your True Nature and Conscious Recovery: A Fresh Perspective on Addiction.
Assistant Minister
Upcoming Events
About Your Facilitators: Sumaiya Wood & Robyn Rice are the hosts of Girls Behaving Metaphysically, a weekly web show available on Facebook and YouTube. The Girls are excited to merge their passions for film and spirituality in the Reel to Real series. Their experience in media & entertainment spans from behind the scenes (Sumaiya) to acting, writing, and casting (Robyn). Together they bring decades of training, insight, coaching, class facilitation, and a passion for life to Reel to Real. They strongly believe that life is awesome, that laughter heals, and that it’s possible to find deep spiritual insights in everyday experiences. In this class, they invite you on a journey of discovery through film.
The Agape Happy Hour will resume in January
The Agape Hour
Every week on Friday.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89775236686?pwd=NktCVHBrWGt0ZXQ5VStOM0grQjY4UT09
Meeting ID: 897 7523 6686
Passcode: 445796
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,89775236686#,,,,,,0#,,445796# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,89775236686#,,,,,,0#,,445796# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 897 7523 6686
Passcode: 445796
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdKqQSUCKZ
Every 2nd Sunday
Community Visioning
Every 4th Sunday
at 1:30 pm
2020 Unlimited Possibilities
SUNDAY MORNINGS ON ZOOM
Morning Meditation
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Sunday Celebration Service
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
COMMUNITY VISIONING
November 22
Every 4th Sunday
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Sunday Celebration Service
January 17
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman
"You've Caught the Vision
- Now What?"
Musicians
:
Helen Bernard Gray & Deb Santamaria
Helen is the Musical Director for Agape Bay Area and has also served as their Chior Director. Helen joined the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living (First Church of Religious Science) in 2004 where she met Larry Steelman and was a featured soloists in the choir. She worked as director of the Joy! Choir for the past ten years with Larry and also in a group called Shugga. They play local clubs in the Bay. She is featured soloists in many of the Spiritual Centers in the Bay area.
Debra Santa Maria is keyboardist from Oakland California. She has extensive experience in entertaining live audiences from touring internationally, to Bay Area clubs such as Yoshi’s Oakland, the Rrazz Room in San Francisco, to concert venues, including the Oakland Coliseum, in addition to many different spiritual centers around the bay.
Her deep compassion and enthusiasm for playing music can always be seen and definitely felt, when performing for live audiences. Her extended use of layered sounds in her keyboard playing, always creates a very full and thoughtful instrumental foundation. It’s in this awareness, that many vocalists, fellow musicians, and even those in the audiences, appreciate and continually request for Debra’s playing presence.
THEME FOR JANUARY
BEGINNING ANEW
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman - Jan 3
"Vision 2021"
Rev. Verona Garland - Jan 10
"Freshly Exfoliated and Ready For?"
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman - Jan 17
"You've Caught the Vision
- Now What?"
Rev. Cindy Edelson - Jan 24
"Stepping Into Courage"
Rev. TJ Woodward - Jan 31
"The Anatomy of Conscious Creation"
Sunday Mornings
SUNDAY SERVICE CELEBRATION
PLEASE JOIN US every Sunday morning for our
Sunday Celebrationon on ZOOM.
MEDITATION -10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
SERVICE - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Kehilla Community Synagogue
1300 Grand Ave. Piedmont, CA 94610
Theme for 2021:
Soaring to New Heights
January - Beginning Anew;
February - Wings of Love;
March - Roots and Fruits;
April - Your Vibrant Life!;
May - Emote, Invite, Extend;
June - Cosmic Order.
THEME FOR FEBRUARY
WINGS OF LOVE
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman - Feb 7
"Omnipresent, Omnipotent Love"
Rev. Verona Garland - Feb 14
"Can Your Love Ailerons Take the Pressure?"
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman - Feb 21
“Love In Plain Sight”
Rev. Cindy Edelson - Feb 28
"Love Actually!"
Beverly Green namasteyou57@gmail.com
Bonnie Sita
Christine Breit
Robyn Rice Olmstead ALSP
Michael Allen
OUR PRACTITIONERS.
...
Our Agape Bay Area practitioners are available for free 30 minute sessions on Thursday afternoons during this time of COVID-19. The following practitioners are available this Thursday between 3 and 5 pm: Michael Allen, Beverly Green, Lina Quesada, Rena Keslar, Robert Pomonis, and Robyn Rice Olmstead. Please email your name and phone number, and they will call you. We are blessed to serve you!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PRACTITIONER?
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
“A practitioner is not merely a body of knowledge, but rather a state of consciousness that realizes oneness with the Infinite. Dedicated to first demonstrating New Thought / Ancient Wisdom principles within their own life, a practitioner then serves as a spiritually therapeutic agent of the Spirit for the upliftment of every man, woman and child who requests healing of body, mind and spirit."
-Rev Michael Beckwith
Jacquie Onipede baybaby369@gmail.com
Robert Pomonis robertpomonis@gmail.com
Lina Quesada linaquesadaalsp@gmail.com
Sandra Smith
Rena Keslar
MINISTRY TEAMS
Practitioners Ministry
Rev. Dr. Joan Steadman
Education Ministry
Rev.Dr. Joan Steadman
Community Outreach Ministry
Rev. Verona Garland
Heart to Heart
Cindy Edelson
Prayer Ministry
Rev. Verona Garland
Youth and Family Ministry
Bonnie Sita
The Authentic Heart Singles Ministry
Beverly Green
Beautification Ministry
Alison Williams
Our Ministry Teams are here for you.
"Being part of a service team has been one of the greatest joys in my life."
- Member of Agape Bay Area
Please join one of our ministry teams and assist us in fulfilling our mission to awaken human consciousness.
MINISTRY TEAMS
Greeter/Usher Ministry
Robert Pomonis
Prosperity Ministry
Rev. Verona Garland
Music Ministry
Helen Bernard Gray: Music Director
Hospitality Ministry
Ellen Woods
Special Events Ministry
Cindy Edelson
Media Communications
Website -
Kent Dorsey
Email & Instagram -
Jacquie Onipede
Facebook -
Amy Treeheart Raab
