Daylight Saving Time Change
Sunday, March 8th at 2 AM
On Sunday, March 8th, clocks will “spring forward” by one hour at 2 AM. If you have any clocks, watches, or devices that do not spring forward automatically, be sure to adjust them Saturday night.
Lenten Season Small Groups
Alameda-Oakland Joint Circuit Confirmation Class
March 15, 22, and 29th at 12:30 PM
Buena Vista UMC
Who: All Youth 7th through 12th Grade Students
Pastor Vathanak (Pastor of Buena Vista UMC), Joel Yos (Children and Youth Director at BVUMC), Pastor Ivana from Chinese Community UMC are facilitators.
See our Youth Teachers for more information: Andrew Champion and Aide Flores
Contact: Ivana.ccumc@gmail.com
Humorous, Poignant Film Screening About the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict
Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 PM
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’s Peace in Palestine (PiP) small group is screening a film with an unusual perspective on Israeli/Palestinian relations, Coexistence, My Ass. It happens at church after worship/fellowship time on Sunday, March 16 at 1 P.M., with a brief time for discussion afterward. This film screening is free of charge. The film follows an Israeli woman, Noam Shuster Eliassi, who grew up in the only village in Israel where Palestinians and Israelis intentionally live together. Shuster Eliassi uses standup comedy as a vehicle for educating people about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and pushes her audiences to face difficult truths that aren’t always funny but do remind us that another reality is possible. If you are interested in attending, for planning purposes, please contact Dan Strauss danjeffstrauss@gmail.com, but you may also just show up the day of the screening.
Road Closures for Oakland Marathon
Sunday, March 22, 6 AM – 9:30 AM
The annual Oakland Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 22.
Church access during the Oakland Marathon will be available from the intersection of International Blvd and 1st Ave. Between the hours of 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM, vehicles should access International Blvd by crossing the route at 5th Ave. Vehicles will be directed to cross the route on 1st Ave when gaps in runners allow. Vehicles arriving before 7:30 AM will need to cross the course at the following intersections to access International Blvd:
– 5th Ave. & 12th St.
– 5th Ave. & Foothill Blv.
– International Blvd & 12th Ave.
Vehicles MUST wait for participants and will be directed to cross when gaps in runners allow.
In order to reduce wait times, it is highy suggested that staff and parishioners arrive within the following times during the road closures:
– Before 6:45 AM
– 7:30 AM to 8:20 AM
– After 9:30 AM
To view and download a pdf map of the road closures, CLICK HERE.
Special Easter Sunday Activities for Kids
Sunday, April 5
On Easter Sunday, April 5, we will have our annual Easter egg hunt in the courtyard after church. Bags will be provided so you don’t have to bring anything. We would love it if the youth could hide the eggs during worship.
For the children’s moment, we will decorate the cross with flowers. Folks with flowers in their gardens are invited to bring some to help decorate the cross.
Our pre-school class will have their usual lesson with May and Kelly. Our Godly Play group will stay in the service with special activity packets.
Parents – please pick up your children right after the service so we can start the egg hunt!
See you on Easter! Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team Lead.
United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War
WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone has called for prayer amid ongoing military strikes by the U.S., Israel and Iran. “As followers of Christ, let us be steadfast in prayer for those whose lives were taken that they may rest in God’s eternal peace,” she wrote on behalf of the bishops. “Let us pray for the wounded that healing and comfort may surround them. Let us pray for families and communities in mourning that they may find strength for the days ahead.”
No Kings March III
March 28
In America, we have no kings! On March 28th, Americans are showing up together again to defend ourselves and our communities (and our world) against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence. America does not belong to strongmen, greedy billionaires, or those who rule by fear. It belongs to us, the people.
Find a No Kings Rally near you at Nokings.org and check out interfaithalliance.org for information that people of faith are providing. Contact LMUMC member Juliet Hannafin at Juliethannafin@gmail.com for more information and if you want to participate together in the Oakland No Kings Rally on March 28th. Also, mark your calendar for a rally poster-making event on March 22nd. More info forthcoming.
Church and Society Lenten Webinar Series:
“Ashes to Action: Lent as Non-Violent Resistance”
As we approach the Lenten season, communities across the United States and around the world are confronting growing threats to democracy and civil and human rights. Lent is not only a season of reflection; It calls us to denounce systems of oppression and turn toward God’s promise of justice, dignity, and new life. Join the 2‑hour interactive webinar series for practical tools in nonviolent resistance and insights into the power of noncooperation.
Church and Society: Faith in Action
Action Alert: Tell the Senate to Stop the SAVE America Act to Protect U.S. Elections
The SAVE America Act proposes sweeping changes to federal voting law, including requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates to register to vote and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements for casting a ballot. As United Methodists, we believe the right to vote is a sacred trust—one of the clearest ways we help shape a nation grounded in justice, dignity, and the common good.
Stand with the United Methodist Church and contact your senators by taking action through the message form below.
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