Sunday Series Event #3: July 12, 2026

On Sunday, Sunday Series hosted its third potluck at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. There were many new faces at the event. Of the 30 attendees, it was the first gathering for 18 of them! We hope that they will be coming back soon.

The food scene at this potluck was taken to a whole nother level with a spring roll demonstration! At a table in the back sat rice paper wrappers, as well as loads of different fresh vegetables, tofu, noodles, and sauces for people to build their own Vietnamese-style spring rolls. This was a learning moment for many, as a couple experienced spring roll makers taught anyone who came up how to properly fill and wrap a spring roll. 

The new attendees bonded over all sorts of conversation; from economics to the best Indian ice cream in the bay area, no topic was off limits! One of the biggest unintended outcomes from the spring roll table was an increase in mingling. Being forced to make their own food, guests spent much more time standing around, either near or at the table, and ended up talking to many new people. Typically, folks would fill a plate and find a seat, leading to a long conversation with their table mates. This Sunday, that did still happen. People had long conversations, especially as the evening grew later. But the spring roll table meant that people could meet a wider range of people, and finding other new guests was much easier than in the past! 

The number of new attendees is promising. Many of these guests have started coming because their friends came in the past and enjoyed themselves! As more people come and share their positive experience, the events will only continue to grow. Even since the last event ended, multiple people have reached out sharing their interest for the next event in August. 

We hope that people continue to come to these events. The value you get out of it may be hard to see, but it is certainly there. Engaging in positive interactions, like the conversations at these events, will help each person with their cognitive sharpness and with lowering stress.

Every event, we are building a stronger Berkeley hills community. A community that is more willing to stand together and work together. One where neighbors know neighbors, and everyone looks out for one another. Where asking for help is no longer scary, but instead becomes automatic.