A Musical Feast
Saturday, November 7th at 7pm
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church
Saturday, November 7th at 7pm in the LMUMC Sanctuary, come hear Vox Alta, a collaborative ensemble of nine vocalists including our own Anne Hege, sing music about food – food for the soul, food for the body, and people who really, really love their food. Admission is free and attendees are invited to make a donation to the Lake Merritt UMC Food Programs. The program will last about an hour.
Joint Circuit Annual Church Charge Conference
November 15 at 2 PM
New Bridges UMC
Join the Alameda-Oakland Circuit for our Annual Joint Church Charge Conference! Together, we will celebrate the ministries of this past year, affirm the work of our churches, and seek God’s blessing for the year ahead.
Come give thanks, encourage one another, and renew our commitment to serving our communities with faith and love. All are welcome!
Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry
Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21
The LMUMC Food Program thanks all the congregation members who volunteered with our food pantry last month.
We invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer. You are welcome to volunteer in different ways: On Fridays, volunteers help receive and set up the food pantry (10 AM – 11 AM), and on Saturdays, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM).
If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.
Not free this month? Mark your calendar for later this year! See our future set-up and distribution dates below:
December 18 and 19, January 22 and 23
Special Fellowship Conversation and Food
With Friends of Wadi Foquin and Peace in Palestine Circle
November 22 after Worship
Lake Merritt UMC
The LMUMC Friends of Wadi Foquin/Peace in Palestine circle invites you to join fellowship hour on Nov 22nd following Deacon Ken’s message about his recent experiences in the village. We will be serving food prepared by a local Palestinian chef, and also have books and shirts available for sale to benefit Friends of Wadi Foquin.
New Photo Directory
Information Coming Soon!
Lake Merritt UMC
We are in the early stages of planning for the creation of a new photo directory.
Be on the lookout for updates on photo taking and photo submission.
Thanksgiving Meal Volunteer Sign-up
Our 41st annual Community Thanksgiving meal will soon arrive! Please sign up to volunteer with preparations beforehand or on Thanksgiving Day. We also need 40 pies! Sign up to bring one as well. Sign up by clicking THIS LINK or find it on the church website homepage. Let’s make our 41st Thanksgiving meal extra special! For questions, contact Liz Hendrickson or Tom Huetteman.
Interfaith Gathering and March
Wednesday, November 4, 10 AM to 12 PM
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 4th Street (10AM)
Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street (11AM)
People of faith and faith leaders must provide moral leadership when there is election interference that threatens our democracy.
We can use our moral authority to condemn election meddling and attempts to silence dissent.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland asks us to join together for reflection, prayer, and song before a march to the Oakland federal building for a rally.
To RSVP and receive the most up-to-date info, CLICK HERE.
“The Apology” Film Screening and Discussion
Saturday, November 7, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by Buena Vista UMC
2311 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda
In 1963, Alameda County and the City of Hayward cleared Russell City, a thriving Black and Latino community of 1,400 people, to make way for an industrial park. Buena Vista UMC will screen Mimi Chakarova’s documentary The Apology, featuring former residents and their descendants, followed by a conversation with Dr. Shadrick Small of the Alameda County Reparations Commission. The Commission’s final report names Russell City, along with redlining, urban renewal, freeway construction, and BART-related displacement, as government actions behind today’s gaps in housing, wealth, health, and opportunity for Black residents.
RSVPs are requested. To RSVP click below.
Healing the World Conference
Saturday, November 7, 9:30 AM – 1 PM
Hosted by Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church
1188 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Please join the California-Nevada Conference Committee on African American/Black Ministry and Black Methodists for Church Renewal for the Third Healing the World Conference in 2026.
Hosted by the California-Nevada Conference Committee on African American/Black Ministry in partnership with Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9:30 AM–1:00 PM
Registration: CLICK HERE
A Concert of Hope and Repair:
Voices in Harmony, Building Futures Together
Sunday, November 8, 4 PM – 5:30 PM
Hosted by Epworth UMC
1953 Hopkins Street, Berkeley, CA 94707
Come for an evening of spirituals benefiting the Black Wealth Builders Fund.
Hosted by Epworth UMC in partnership with Arlington Community Church, Kensington.
Date & Time: Sunday, November 8, 2026, 4–5:30 pm; reception to follow.
Suggested Contribution: $15-$100 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds
Oakland Methodist Foundation Quarterly Meeting
Wednesday, November 11 @ 7 PM
Lake Merritt UMC
For more than 70 years the Oakland Methodist Foundation (OMF) has supported a range of church, community, and charitable activities.
The Community Assistance Fund of the OMF awards grants primarily to charitable organizations in the East Bay, with a focus on small or fledgling groups.
The OMF also supports the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church and maintains close ties to Lake Merritt United Methodist Church in Oakland, CA. Church members have been the OMF’s main contributors.
Interested in learning more? Check out the OMF website or contact Wayne Fabrizio
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts
“Launch into the Light”
November 14th and 15th
Voci’s Fall 2026 program, “Launch into the Light,” will feature songs of light chosen to accompany various J.M.W. Turner paintings. The paintings, evocative of his beautiful work, will be projected during the concert.
Join Voci on November 14th in Piedmont and on November 15th in Orinda. Tickets and details are at VociSings.org
Love Over Fear 25th Anniversary Concert
Organized by Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
November 19th @ 6 PM
The Freight
2020 Addison St. Berkeley
The 2026 Love Over Fear Benefit Concert is an inspiring evening of music and storytelling celebrating Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s 25th anniversary.
The event will feature an extraordinary lineup of talented local BIPOC musicians exploring themes of journey, justice, and liberation. Proceeds from the concert will support IM4HI’s work to uphold the full humanity of every individual through immigration and decarceration advocacy, accompaniment, and the leadership development of directly impacted leaders and faith allies.
Doors open at 6:00 PM | Concert begins at 6:30 PM
Tickets are general admission and available on a sliding scale of $20–$50.
To purchase your ticket, CLICK HERE