Blues, Swing & Romantic Ballads
Larry Vuckovich / Alvon Johnson Duet
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 4-6 pm
Blues and Ballads are the themes for guitarist and vocalist Alvon Johnson and pianist Larry Vuckovich join for their first-ever Marin performance at the Community Church of Mill Valley, April 28, 2024 at 4 pm.
Especially known for his blues guitar and vocals, Bay Area native Alvon Johnson brings a love of ballads to the stage as well. He brings blues as well as big band jazz to audiences in Europe, Russia, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. His love and respect for the American art forms is shared by large and enthusiastic audiences all over the world.
Sonoma County resident Larry Vuckovich has been exploring and performing many forms of jazz for decades. He performed at the church with guitarist Kai Lyons in August 2023, and with vocalist Jackie Ryan in October 2023.
In July 2022, Johnson and Vukovich shared the stage at Yoshi’s in Oakland to an enthusiastic audience.
Past Events
Timmon Wallis: HOW WE CAN STILL PREVENT CLIMATE CATASTROPHE AND NUCLEAR WAR
Book Signing & Discussion
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 4 pm
As international tensions heat up along with the global temperature, author Timmon Wallis, PhD has been taking a fresh look at the hard facts and exploring the best evidence-based solutions. His latest book, Warheads To Windmills: Preventing Climate Catastrophe and Nuclear War, examines which essential strategies can work at the scale required for human survival.
On March 10 at 4 pm, Wallis will be at the Community Church of Mill Valley, 8 Olive St., Mill Valley, to discuss current developments, myths, obstacles, and strategies. He’ll be signing the book, which he describes as both comprehensive and accessible.
Wallis has recently presented the book at the United Nations and at events in Boston, Washington DC, and New York. This event is one of eight stops in California.
“It’s very meaningful to be here,” said Wallis. “Californians are experiencing the climate crisis personally. Californians also host two major nuclear weapons facilities, but at the same time they’re leaders in the anti-nuke movement as well as the climate movement.”
“Right now, we have to be smart about where we put our energies,” said Wallis. “The situation is acutely urgent, but it’s also hopeful. We have to stop burning fossil fuels, and we have to dismantle every last nuclear weapon. Everyone can be part of the brilliant global networks working on these problems.”
Wallis is the National Coordinator of the Warheads to Windmills Coalition. He has spent his life teaching, writing, directing organizations, and campaigning on peace and environmental issues in colleges, war zones, and with governments around the world. With his colleagues at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, he shares the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
One of My Dreams
A film with Vahid Rajablou
Friday, March 1, 2024, 7 pm
Vahid Rajablou, Iranian entrepreneur living with disability, arrived in the US just six months ago, but he is all set to make his disability rights work known in the Bay Area. His documentary One of My Dreams premiered in 2022 at the 40th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, where it introduced a wide audience to his businesses in health services. Directed by Mohsen Hadi, the film tells Vahid’s story, and shows his technical skills and use of the internet to educate and organize support for people with limited mobility.
For more than ten years, Vahid developed his businesses and employed a technology team to create systems to enable greater independence and visibility for people with disabilities. He uses social media to get the word out, and through education hopes to make workplaces more accessible and welcoming for people with mobility challenges. Vahid promotes co-existence – rather than separating people he works with various groups to show how they can live and work together.
As a refugee, Vahid is building his connections in a new country, together with his brother Magid. English language comes first, but already they are strategizing how to transfer their business model to an international community. Vahid’s passion and persistence light up the film. Join us to welcome Vahid and Magid to Marin County and explore ideas together.
Clay Art Workshop
Sunday, December 17, 2023, 2-5 pm
In this workshop people will explore air dry clay and learn different modeling techniques.
About the teacher:
My Name is Sara Rahanjam and I am an Iranian sculpture artist. My artwork has been in exhibitions in Iran, Paris, Italy, China and most recently in the USA, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.
October 2023 I have been invited with 5 other Iranian women artists to come to the USA for three months to give lectures in four different universities and show my artwork around the country. Due to unforeseen circumstances this program got canceled after my arrival in the USA. However, I managed to find a sponsor and stay in the USA until December 30, 2023, teaching several workshops, making connections with other artists and showing my work in galleries and art fairs.
To learn more, visit my website: www.sararahanjam.com.
Any questions call or text 415-912-7319.
Jazz in the Sanctuary - Dan Damon Quartet with Sheilani Alix
Jazz for the Holidays
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 4-6 pm
Come hear No Obvious Angels, as the Dan Damon Quartet is joined by vocalist Sheilani Alix to bring holiday music both familiar and new for their family-friendly concert at the Community Church of Mill Valley. The quartet has been playing together for more than 20 years, and are well known in the East Bay, so it’s about time they came to test the fine acoustics of our redwood sanctuary.
Jazz pianist Dan Damon is nationally and internationally known as a contemporary hymn writer and composer, but you might just as easily find him improvising on popular songs of the thirties and forties. He retired in 2020 from First United Methodist Church in Point Richmond, where he regularly brought jazz to both worship and the wider community.
For many years, Point Richmond was the place to be on Christmas Eve, as the quartet led a mostly-music jazz celebration. Other members of the quartet include Kurt Ribak on bass, Carrie Jahde on drums, and Lincoln Adler on saxophone. And the sound wouldn’t be the same without Sheilani Alix on vocals.
Jazz in the Sanctuary - Jackie Ryan & Larry Vuckovich
Sunday, October 29, 2023, 4-6 pm
Vocalist Jackie Ryan and pianist Larry Vuckovich return to the Community Church of Mill Valley for the first time in years. The fine acoustics of our intimate redwood sanctuary create a great setting for their 30-year musical collaboration. A Marin county native and long-time Mill Valley resident, Jackie brings a style and sound influenced by her Mexican, Irish, French, and Spanish roots. Sonoma County resident Larry Vuckovich has been exploring and performing many forms of jazz for decades.
Jazz in the Sanctuary - Dynamic Duo: Larry Vuckovich & Kai Lyons
Sunday, August 6, 2023, 4-6pm
We’re excited to present renowned jazz musicians, pianist LARRY VUCKOVICH and guitarist KAI LYONS.
This Dynamic Duo has been successfully performing for several years. They have created excellent musical chemistry, which keeps getting stronger. Likewise, their repertoire has expanded into a one of the most wide-ranging musical programs one can experience on today’s jazz scene.
They perform the Great American Songbook, authentic bebop swinging jazz, music from Cuba and Central America including romantic boleros, Brazilian, music of Vince Guaraldi, funky boogaloo selections, Balkan/Middle Eastern, tango jazz/flamenco & more.
Christmas Day Service
Sunday, December 25, 10 am
A celebratory worship service. Pajamas are OK, even in the sanctuary. Bring the whole family. Childcare available. Come in person or on Zoom.
Christmas Eve Service
Saturday, December 24, 5:30 pm
Christmas Eve service at Community Church of Mill Valley, in the sanctuary and on Zoom. Carols, stories, traditions. And the creche scene. Bring children to help put it together!
Christmas Eve Service at Redwoods
Saturday, December 24, 3 pm
Christmas Eve service at The Redwoods, led by CCMV minister Carol Manahan and musician Odin Mitaine with Shofen Lee. Carols, stories, traditions.
Fourth Advent Sunday Worship
Sunday, December 18
We hope that you can join us for all or part of the day.
10:00-11:10 am — Worship, Fourth Sunday of Advent
11:15-12:00 pm — Simple lunch in Tamalpais Hall
12:00-12:30 pm — Mike Webber reading "A Child's Christmas in Wales," in the Fireside Room.
12:30-1:30 or 2:00 pm — Transition to Tamalpais Hall for treats and weaving Danish Christmas paper hearts with Anni Jensen and Carol Manahan. And if you have paper crafts to share, you can bring those.
Greenville Gay Men's Chorus
Thursday July 14, 7:30 pm
Join us at the Community Church of Mill Valley for a concert with the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus, Thursday July 14, 7:30 pm. Tickets by donation.
Proceeds benefit The Spahr Center.
Pray Their Names Art Installation
Sunday January 17 thru February 18 at Community Church
Pray Their Names is an outdoor sculpture of more than 100 large wooden hearts created in memory of Black lives lost to policy violence and lynching. Created at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma, Pray Their Names has been travelling to different UCC churches since last summer. This project exists in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Dedication Service will be on February 7th at 3:30 pm.
Under the Redwoods Community Forum
Sunday January 17, 4pm
Under the Redwoods presents Pray Their Names: Solidarity with Black Lives Matter, a memorial commemorating Black lives lost to violence, from Emmett Till to Breonna Taylor. Created at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma, Pray Their Names has been travelling to different UCC churches since last summer.
Christmas Eve
Thursday December 24, 5:30-6:30pm
Join us on Zoom for family-friendly Christmas carols, scripture readings, creche scene, and greetings from our readers, minister and music director. Our hope or 2021: a return to our family Christmas Eve service!
Christmas Stories
Sunday December 20, 4:00-5:00 pm
Tune in for Christmas stories, music, and inspiration.
Under the Redwoods Community Forum
November 15, 4 pm
CCMV and Under the Redwoods welcomes Dr. Kristen Bibbins-Domingo for a Zoom presentation and discussion on Covid-19 and Community Health Disparities on Sunday November 15 at 4pm.
Advent Reader
A selection of readings contributed by members of the congregation.