Sunday Series Event #1: May 3, 2026

On Sunday, May 3, Sunday Series opened with its first ever meeting. In total, 18 people showed up to the event. People arrived at the potluck with their personal recipes, ready to share with the group. The community members mingled, introducing themselves to one another. Some came in couples. Others came alone. The event was a great chance for some of the people who came alone to connect with others. One woman, Sybil, mentioned her current living situation. Her kids had moved out after high school and she was now living alone. Being isolated is something she really worries about, and so she was thrilled when she received the flyer for Sunday Series in her mailbox. Another woman, Kathleen, who is retired and living alone, mentioned this was the first time all weekend she had spoken. 

The conversations were instantly engaging. Surface level questions led to insightful conversation that ended up making the Sunday Series a two and a half hour event. The group, which had people in all fields, from physics to law to farming, had rich perspectives. The Berkeley Hills are filled with fascinating people. What the Sunday Series was able to do is connect these complex personalities with one another. 

The food was delicious and the community members were content. Almost all the participants mentioned to me how grateful they were that someone was organizing a space for the Berkeley Hills community to come together. On their way out, guests assured me that they would be coming back again, and next time with their friends! Seeing the smiles on the faces of people who were strangers just an hour before was heartwarming. Connection is so natural to us humans! It is only a matter of creating a space to foster it.