May 17, 2024

Commencement 2024 Recap

On Thursday, May 9, members of the community joined together at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley to celebrate the newest group of Starr King graduates at the 2024 Commencement.

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir sang an energetic rendition of “Clap Your Hands” while faculty, trustees, dignitaries, and graduates processed into the sanctuary. Rev. Marcus Liefert, 2012 Starr King graduate and minister of UUCB, provided a Call to Celebration, followed by a land acknowledgment with somatic exercise from Larkin Flora (2024 graduate) and chalice lighting by Travis MacPhee and Pablo Vazquez (2024 graduates).

Leading up to the conferral of degrees and certificates by board chair Rev. Alison Miller, we heard from Rev. Dr. Gabriella Lettini (Dean of Faculty) and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt (President) and joined together in singing “Love Will Guide Us” from Singing the Living Tradition. Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb provided a blessing for the graduates.

Many of our graduates offered short words of vision and hope sandwiched between OIGC singing the anthem of the year – “We Shall Overcome” – and verses of “There’s a River Flowin’ in my Soul” from Singing the Journey.

The ceremony rounded out with Pastor Jacqueline Duhart (Director of Spiritual Services) inviting those to make a gift in honor of our graduates, students, and students yet to come. Heather Megill (2024 graduate) sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before Rev. Zebulon Green (2018 & 2020 graduate and president of the Starr King Graduate Association) invited our new graduates to join the Grad Association and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt offered the benediction.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley hosted the 2024 Commencement ceremony where a choir performed on a stage at the front of the church, adorned with large, vibrant rainbow banners hanging from the ceiling. The audience in the pews watched attentively.

If you are inspired by the ministries of these incredible graduates, make a gift of $20.24 in their honor today at www.sksm.edu/give.

A group of twelve individuals, dressed in academic gowns, stands on steps at the 2024 Starr King Commencement. A large rainbow flag is draped in the background alongside organ pipes. Some people are smiling, and all are looking at the camera.
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Event Photos

Four people are in a room getting dressed in black graduation gowns. Two of them are putting the gowns on over their clothes, while a third person helps another adjust their gown. The room, with its wooden walls and counter in the background, buzzes with the anticipation of an important event.
A group of people in black and red graduation robes are preparing for a ceremony in the wood-paneled room of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. Some are helping each other with the robes, while others are gathered around a table with various items on it, making final event preparations.
A group of people in academic regalia are gathered in a room, some chatting while others put on their robes. In the background, a clothing rack with additional garments is visible. The atmosphere is one of preparation and anticipation at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley.
A group of people wearing black robes are gathered in a room, engaged in lively conversation. One person on the left adjusted their mask while others smiled and chatted. The wooden walls and an empty clothing rack set the backdrop.
A group of people in academic regalia gather in a warmly lit room. Two people in black robes with colorful hoods stand in the foreground, smiling and chatting. Other figures are conversing in the background, while one person takes photos, capturing the joyous moments of this event.
A group of people dressed in academic regalia walk down an aisle. Multicolored fabric hangs from the ceiling above them. A sign reading "Black Lives Matter" is visible in the background, adding a powerful message to the formal and ceremonial atmosphere.
At the graduation ceremony, a group of people in academic regalia, including caps and gowns, walk in a line through a doorway. Colorful fabric drapes hang from the ceiling, and a "Black Lives Matter" sign is visible in the background, capturing this memorable event.
A procession of faculty members in colorful robes walks down the aisle of a church. One person in the foreground wears a purple robe with a multicolored stole. The church, part of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, is adorned with draped, multicolored fabric. A "Black Lives Matter" sign is visible in the background.
A group of people in academic robes walk in a procession at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. They are indoors, with colorful drapes hanging from the ceiling and a lit sign that reads "Black Lives" visible in the background.
At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, a choir dressed in black robes with teal accents sang joyfully in a church. A conductor wearing a colorful robe led the harmonious voices, singing into a microphone. Behind them, a large pipe organ stood majestically as rainbow fabric draped the wall.
A group of people in academic regalia, including caps and gowns, are sitting in pews at an indoor ceremony. They are clapping and dancing while celebrating. Some attendees are standing while others remain seated.
A group of people dressed in black graduation robes stand and applaud in a church setting during Commencement. Behind them are wooden pews and a stone wall. In the foreground, there is a microphone and an open book of sheet music.
A person stands at a wooden podium, wearing a black robe with a gold stole. Behind them, colorful, flowing fabric in rainbow hues drapes across a stone wall. On the right is a floral arrangement and a small table with a chalice, as well as a red and white candle.
A person with short hair and glasses, wearing a black robe, stands at a wooden lectern, speaking into a microphone. Behind them is a decorative background with rainbow fabric, a metal chalice, flowers, and organ pipes.
Two individuals dressed in black academic robes are positioned indoors. One speaks at a lecturn, while the other stands beside a table with a chalice, a red candle, and a white candle. A screen and flowers enhance the formal setting.
Two people stand at the front of a room. The person on the left is speaking at a lecturn, wearing black robes with green detailing. The person on the right, also in black robes, is adjusting a candle on a stand. In the foreground, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley are seated and watching this event.
An audience sits in a chapel facing a large screen displaying a video conference with a speaker identified by the text "Starr King School for the Ministry." A rainbow banner decorates the right side of the chapel, marking an inclusive gathering.
A person wearing academic regalia, including a cap and red and black robe, stands at a wooden lectern and speaks into a microphone. Behind them, rainbow-colored fabric drapes against a textured wall while a chalice, red candle, and white candles adorn the stage area.
A person in academic regalia speaks at a podium on a stage decorated with a large, colorful rainbow banner. Seated attendees at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley watch the speaker. The backdrop features a textured wall with vertical light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.
A church interior with open double doors reveals an ongoing event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. Attendees are seated in wooden pews facing a speaker at a lectern. The altar is adorned with a large, colorful rainbow fabric hanging from the ceiling, and the floor is tiled in a reddish-brown hue.
A group of people are sitting in wooden pews, wearing black robes and holding programs. They appear attentive and focused as they engage in the ceremony. The background features a stone wall.
A beaming graduate in a black gown is being hooded on stage by a faculty member during the Commencement ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. Faculty members in red and black academic regalia stand around them, with a colorful rainbow backdrop behind them creating an unforgettable event.
A choir in green and black robes stands on stage in front of a colorful rainbow cloth backdrop. A person in a vibrant, patterned shirt speaks into a microphone. People sit in pews facing the choir, with an organ visible on the right.
A group of graduates in black caps and gowns with red accents dance and clap inside a building. The background features rough-textured walls. The mood is celebratory.
A person wearing academic regalia speaks at a wooden podium with a microphone during the Commencement. The speaker has short, dark hair tied back, round glasses, and is gesturing with one hand. Behind them is a room divider and a textured wall.
A person in a black graduation gown with a red collar stands at a wooden podium, addressing the audience. The setting includes a large stone wall, a room divider, and a small table with a chalice, two large candles—one red and one white—and some yellow flowers.
A person wearing academic regalia stands at a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone. Behind them, there is a screen and a table with a chalice, two candles - one red and one white, and a small flower arrangement.
A person in academic regalia stands at a lectern, delivering a speech at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. They are surrounded by an audience, some of whom are also in academic attire. The background features a screen divider, a table with a chalice, red and white candles, and a bouquet of flowers.
A person appears on a large screen, participating in Commencement virtually. The screen is draped in white, curved fabric. Several other participant windows are visible along the top of the screen.
A woman is speaking during Commencement displayed on a large screen. She is wearing a red and black outfit and smiling. Behind her is a white shelf with various decorations and framed pictures. Smaller video thumbnails of other participants are visible at the top.
A person wearing academic robes and a green hood stands at a podium, speaking passionately with a raised fist. Behind them is a decorative screen and a ceremonial table with a chalice and red and white candles, along with a metal circular chalice.
A person wearing a black academic gown and white stole stands at a wooden podium. They have short hair and glasses. The background features wooden panels with lattice designs, providing an elegant backdrop for this memorable event.
A person in a black robe speaks at a podium in a church with an audience seated in pews. The church features a projector screen, a wooden backdrop, and a colorful fabric arc on one wall.
A person wearing academic robes and a red hood speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. The backdrop includes a textured stone wall and shoji screen panels, with a large candle and metal chalice on a table nearby.
A person with curly hair speaks at a wooden podium inside a stone-walled room. Next to the podium is a stand with a metal chalice and two candles, one red and one white.
A person wearing glasses and a black-and-white checkered blazer stands happily behind a lectern, hands clasped together. There is a microphone in front of them and a screen divider in the background. To their right is a wooden stand with a metal chalice, red and white candles.
A person with glasses and shoulder-length hair, in a robe with a red collar, is passionately singing while playing the piano. The dimly lit room with stone walls adds to the ambiance of this enchanting event.
A group of individuals in graduation gowns are standing and clapping in a pew inside the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, enjoying the moment. They are surrounded by others who are similarly dressed, and light streams in through the tall windows.
A procession of people wearing academic regalia is walking down the aisle of the sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. The participants are smiling and appear to be celebrating. The chapel, softly lit with chandeliers, is adorned with ribbon decorations hanging from the ceiling.
A diverse group of people stands on steps in academic regalia, smiling for the camera at Commencement. Behind them is a colorful fabric drape and a large organ.
A group of ten formally dressed people stand on stage in academic regalia, posing in front of an organ and a multicolored rainbow backdrop. Some individuals smile.
Eleven people wearing graduation robes stand together on a wooden stage in front of a rainbow banner and organ pipes, celebrating their accomplishment.
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