Pastor Sunae Away at Call to Wholeness Second Retreat

November 12th-14th

The Board of Ordained Ministry is inviting pastors to the “Call to Wholeness” every five years of their ordination for a time of reflection, rest, and rejuvenation. This year, Rev. Chris Adams from the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at Biola University’s Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology is joining them to guide their reflections on personal wellness and self-care as they make goals to balance their ministry. We invite you to pray for the pastors as they gather for the retreat.

If you need any pastoral care during Pastor Sunae’s time away, please contact Sue Dickey, our Congregational Nurturing Chair, at 510-410-3699, for assistance. She will contact our circuit Pastors covering for Pastor Sunae.

Send your prayers and gratitudes to be lifted up in worship to Pastor Sunae for the November 10th worship service.

Special Office Hours

Lulu Working Remotely November 12th-14th

Our Church Administrator, Lulu, has a prior commitment next week and will be working remotely November 12th-14th. Office hours will be as follows: 11/11 10am-2pm, 11/12 10am-2pm, 11/13 10am-11:30am, and 11/14 10am-2pm.

Charge Conference

November 17th, 12pm

We are gathering to celebrate our church’s ministry for the All Church Conference on Nov. 17, 2024.  Rev. Mei Na Ko from Oakland Chinese United Methodist Church is our Presiding Elder for the conference.

Resurrection of Cookie Walk

December 15th

I heard about a cookie walk that had been going on for years until Covid closed down all personal gatherings. The stories tell me this event was a lot of fun, as an additional holiday doings. It was a means of raising funds for UMCOR. This time, however, we would like to raise funds for the school in Sierra Leone that is being sponsored by Joseph Koroma. Since this means that I would need to know how many volunteer bakers we will need, see me after church, and sign up to participate. Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation in helping support the school in Sierra Leone. Contact: Fellowship Coordinator, Shannon J. Bruce (510) 368-2426

Sunday Parking Update

The City of Oakland has started using the parking meters on Lakeshore Ave on Sundays. They have started ticketing at noon. Please plan accordingly to avoid getting a parking ticket!

Thanksgiving Lunch Volunteers

Preparations have begun for our Community Thanksgiving Lunch. Sign up today to lend your support and spread the word! Please sign up here or go to https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/food-programs/ and scroll down to the sign up link.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Event

November 10th, 3pm

We find ourselves in a new day. OIGC was created nearly 40 years ago to bring people of all walks of life together. To unite through the power of music and spread joy throughout the world. We will continue to share our message to inspire joy and unity among ALL peoples through black gospel and spiritual music traditions. In times like these, it is even more important that we reaffirm our commitment to our Mission. Whatever happens around us, we are a community. We got us. We can do hard things. Again. In the tradition of gospel music, we are resilient! We sing out our pain, our angst, our anger, turning it into joy, action, healing. Today, we want to send our love to each of you. And, we want to invite you to come together as a community to share a hug and lift our voices together. That’s what we do; We sing. Please join us this Sunday afternoon, November 10^th, 2024, 3:00pm at Lake Merrit Amphitheater. Wear your favorite OIGC swag. Bring a friend.

Love Over Fear Benefit Concert

November 12th, 6:30pm

Last November, over 200 people attended our first Love Over Fear benefit concert at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. You can view the concert video and beautiful program book here.  This year’s Love Over Fear benefit concert will take place on November 12 at the Freight & Salvage performance venue in Berkeley.   This year we hope to fill the venue! “Love Over Fear” is our narrative campaign to project values of love, compassion, and connection as we build multi-racial solidarity, replacing fear, criminalization, and xenophobia with healing, inclusion, and shared humanity. In this election year full of anti-immigrant rhetoric, we need this message more than ever. You can find more information on the event, please visit our ticketing page.

MECA’s 21st Annual Palestinian Holiday Crafts Bazaar

November 16th, 10am-6pm

Support Palestinian artisans and keep ancient crafts alive! Purchase unique holiday gifts that support Palestinian children and families. Olive oil, ceramics, embroidery, jewelry, olive wood, cookbooks, keffiyehs, soap, stunning scarves & shawls, Palestinian Dead Sea products, children’s toys and books, kitchenware, t-shirts, and much more. Plus delicious Arabic food and coffee! Lunch tickets are available for 3 seatings: enjoy a taste of Palestine with Zaytoon’s mouthwatering selection of freshly made falafel, creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanouj, and fluffy pita bread. Paired with a refreshing, vibrant salad, each dish is crafted with traditional flavors and fresh ingredients, offering an authentic and satisfying culinary experience. Celebrate the rich food heritage of Palestine with every bite! Eventbrite info is here. Advance tickets at $5 for adults, children under 18 free. Ticket price helps support new venue costs, but this is first and foremost a Palestine solidarity event and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Purchase tickets here. This event is wheelchair accessible. For more info email meca@mecaforpeace.org, or call (510)548-0542

Berkeley Methodist United Church Choir Blast 2024

November 16th, 2pm