Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Church Office Closed for MLK Day
January 20th
In observance of MLK Day, the church office will be closed on Monday. The office will reopen for normal office hours on Tuesday.
Food 4 Thought Begins New Study Series
February 2nd
The Food 4 Thought small group will gather on Sunday, February 2nd for a potluck supper and to begin a new 10-month study series titled “Living the Questions”. These sessions feature over 30 scholars, theologians, and other experts exploring and reflecting on various aspects of Christianity. It also includes spiritual practices, opportunities for social justice engagement, and original jazz interpretations of classic hymns. Everyone is welcome to attend, please see here for details.
Youth Gatherings
January 26th
Save the date for our upcoming youth gatherings! On January 26th, we’ll be having a pizza and mini-golf outing with the joint youth group from 12 PM to 2:30 PM. We’ll also kick off our Youth Sunday School program with a Bible & Boba series. To RSVP, please reach out to Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org.
Children’s Choir
Starting February 2nd
Lake Merritt UMC’s Children’s Choir launches next month in February 2025! Let’s try to bring our kids every first Sunday of the month (Communion Sundays) to this exciting new monthly program, led by parent volunteers. The 20-minute choir class will take place following the Children’s Moment in worship, just prior to Godly Play/childcare. We are excited to teach and sing together the songs of our faith, and we welcome children and youth of all ages! For questions, please contact Dr. Anne Hege at annehegemusic@gmail.com or Rev. Stephanie Gameros at singingchaplain@gmail.com.
LMUMC Visioning Workshops
On January 18th a team will embark on the first of two visioning workshops to help us discern God’s purpose for our church and shape our path forward (learn more here). A shared vision is the foundation for a thriving and impactful church. One way you may contribute is to write down your ideas and place them in a suggestion box located in the sanctuary. Please also hold our team and our church in your ongoing prayers.
Thank You Oakland Methodist Foundation
In the past year, we made enormous strides in improving the condition of our facility, including completing work on a new roof, exterior painting, new carpeting and wood floor refinishing, and many more projects. This work would not have been possible without more than $200,000 granted to us by the Oakland Methodist Foundation. We extend our deepest gratitude to the leadership of OMF and ask you to consider direct contributions to this important organization that supports our church and our community. Learn more at https://oaklandmethodistfoundation.org/.
Ways to Support Those Impacted by the Los Angeles Fires
Let us pray for our siblings impacted by the devasting fires in Los Angeles. We also pray for the firefighters, first responders, and community leaders. Here are a few ways to support financially:
1. Donate directly to the church. The funds will be used to help people who lost their homes cover immediate expenses and for the church’s eventual reconstruction. Donate here.
2. Donate to the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund through the UMC California Pac Conference. These funds will benefit all the Los Angeles communities suffering in the fires. Donate here.
3. Donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for its disaster relief for all the California fires. Donate here.
4. Send donations of e-gift cards (amazon, target, grubhub. etc.) to palisadesmethodist@gmail.com. These will be given to community members who lost their homes and belongings.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Pastor Sunae Attending the Annual Gathering of Spiritual Leaders
January 14th to 16th
Bishop Sandra Olewine calls the Orders (active and retired) and assigned Spiritual Leaders to gather this January for a time of retreat, connection, healing, and embracing God’s preferred future with one another, as we continue on the journey of ministry with our congregations, our communities, and our conference. They are gathering at Asilomar Conference Center from January 14-16, 2025. The theme for this gathering “Trusting in God’s New Direction” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Please keep them in your prayers.
Youth Gatherings
January 12th & 26th
Save the date for our upcoming youth gatherings! Join us on January 12th from 12 PM to 2 PM for youth group at Montclair Presbyterian Church. Then, on January 26th, we’ll be having a pizza and mini golf outing with the joint youth group, also from 12 PM to 2:30 PM. Starting January 26th, we’ll kick off our Youth Sunday School program with a Bible & Boba series. To RSVP, please reach out to Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org.
Children’s Choir
Starting February 2nd
Lake Merritt UMC’s Children’s Choir launches next month in February 2025! Let’s try to bring our kids every first Sunday of the month (Communion Sundays) to this exciting new monthly program, led by parent volunteers. The 20-minute choir class will take place following the Children’s Moment in worship, just prior to Godly Play/childcare. We are excited to teach and sing together the songs of our faith, and we welcome children and youth of all ages! For questions, please contact Dr. Anne Hege at annehegemusic@gmail.com or Rev. Stephanie Gameros at singingchaplain@gmail.com.
LMUMC Visioning Workshops
On January 18th a team will embark on the first of two visioning workshops to help us discern God’s purpose for our church and shape our path forward (learn more here). A shared vision is the foundation for a thriving and impactful church. One way you may contribute is to write down your ideas and place them in a suggestion box located in the sanctuary. Please also hold our team and our church in your ongoing prayers.
Thank You Oakland Methodist Foundation
In the past year, we made enormous strides in improving the condition of our facility, including completing work on a new roof, exterior painting, new carpeting and wood floor refinishing, and many more projects. This work would not have been possible without more than $200,000 granted to us by the Oakland Methodist Foundation. We extend our deepest gratitude to the leadership of OMF and ask you to consider direct contributions to this important organization that supports our church and our community. Learn more at https://oaklandmethodistfoundation.org/.
Pray for the Los Angeles Fires
Let us pray for our siblings impacted by the devasting fires in Los Angeles. We also pray for the firefighters, first responders, and community leaders. Updates can be found on the Cal-Pac website.
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home. Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage). Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
Registration will open to the community on Monday, Jan 13th. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Pastor Sunae Attending the Conference Core Team Retreat
January 10th to 11th
Pastor Sunae is attending the Conference Core Team Retreat with Bishop Olewine and leaders of Cal-Nev Annual Conference as a Convener of the Leadership Development Mission Focus Area. She is asking for your prayers for the Conference strategic leadership gathering.
Youth Gatherings
January 12th & 26th
Save the date for our upcoming youth gatherings! Join us on January 12th from 12 PM to 2 PM for youth group at Montclair Presbyterian Church. Then, on January 26th, we’ll be having a pizza and mini golf outing with the joint youth group, also from 12 PM to 2 PM. Starting January 26th, we’ll kick off our Youth Sunday School program with a Bible & Boba series. To RSVP, please reach out to Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org.
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home.
Cost: $115/workshop or $300 for the whole series.
Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage).
Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Church Office Holiday Closure
12/31 & 1/1
Please note that the church office will be closed on 31st and January 1st. The church office will be open on December 30th and reopen for regular office hours on January 2nd. Our church administrator, Lulu, will also be on holiday from December 25th to January 1st. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!
Food 4 Thought to Begin New Series in February
The Food 4 Thought small group will gather on the first Sunday in February to begin a new study series.
Keep an eye out for details coming your way in January!
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home.
Cost: $115/workshop or $300 for the whole series.
Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage).
Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved! Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Advent Updates!
This is the season of God coming to us. How shall we prepare for Christ’s coming?
This Sunday, we will listen to God’s promise of love through the lighting of the candle, songs, prayers, and scripture. Our children and friends will reenact the beloved story of Jesus’ birth directed by Susannah Wood. We give God thanks for the gift and grace of Susannah Wood, our children and friends. They truly shine with God’s light and love. Come and let us adore our newborn King Jesus!
There are two opportunities to share your generosity during this Advent season: one is through your Christmas offering on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/22. Your Christmas Offering will go toward our Children and Youth Ministry. Secondly, by continuing to bring gifts that will give warmth and comfort to our unhoused community in need. Place those gifts in worship in the basket under the Christmas tree. Our Connectional Ministries will distribute them during the Christmas season as we serve the Lake Lunches.
Christmas Eve Service meets with our Joint Circuit Churches at Twin Towers UMC at 5:30PM on December 24, 2024.
Last Sunday of 2024, December 29th, we will gather around the sanctuary in a circle and share the stories of how God’s grace carried us this year. Join us.
December Food Pantry and Lake Lunches
Please join us on Friday and/or Saturday Dec 20 and 21 to put on our monthly food distribution. We could use help on Friday for setting up from 10-11 am, an early riser on Saturday to help with set up the lines, welcoming & helping hands to work alongside our many community volunteers who come visit the church through this community service. Spread holiday cheer to our neighbors through Lake Lunches. We will continue without interruption during the holiday weeks and we’ll be sharing the goodies you’ve been donating. This is a good time to help out if you’ve been thinking about it. Help is needed with preparing food, wrapping gifts, and delivery food and goodies. Sign up here and invite your people to do the same!
Lastly, would you like to help us thank our dedicated food ministry volunteers? We have a special gift to prepare and need a couple of hands to prepare them. If that is you, please contact Kathleen or Rose Lynn (liftconcertoakland@gmail.com)
Church Office Holiday Closure
12/25, 12/26, 12/31, 1/1
Please note that the church office will be closed on December 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st. The church office will be open on December 30th and reopen for regular office hours on January 2nd. Our church administrator, Lulu, will also be on holiday from December 25th to January 1st.
Important E-blast Announcement Deadline:
The deadline to submit announcements for the December 26th and January 2nd E-blasts is Monday, December 23rd at 12pm. Please ensure your submissions are sent in by this time to be included in these editions.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!
Food 4 Thought to Begin New Series in February
The Food 4 Thought small group will gather on the first Sunday in February to begin a new study series.
Keep an eye out for details coming your way in January!
Sound Bath On Hiatus After December
Our monthly Sound Bath will be on hiatus beginning in January 2025.
We may celebrate with various sound healers at different times during the year
and will let you know when these events are planned. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this beautiful ministry.
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home.
Cost: $115/workshop or $300 for the whole series.
Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage).
Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
Blue Christmas Service at Twin Towers UMC
12/21 5pm-6pm
A Blue Christmas service is offered especially for those feeling “blue” this Christmas. Join us on the longest night of the year to acknowledge the difficulties of life and to be reminded that you are not alone. We will gather in hope for healing as we journey together. The service will be held Saturday, December 21st, from 5pm-6pm at 1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved! Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Advent Updates!
This is the season of God coming to us. How shall we prepare for Christ’s coming?
Third Sunday of Advent, December 15th, we will hear God’s promise of joy in our life. Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22nd, we will listen to God’s promise of love through the Christmas Program directed by Susannah Wood. She will help guide our children to reenact the beloved story of Jesus’ birth. We give God thanks for the gift and grace of Susannah Wood and our children for sharing their presence. They truly shine with God’s light and love. Come and let us adore our newborn King Jesus!
There are two opportunities to share your generosity during this Advent season: one is through your Christmas offering on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/22. Your Christmas Offering will go toward our Children and Youth Ministry. Secondly, by continuing to bring gifts that will give warmth and comfort to our unhoused community in need. Place those gifts in worship in the basket under the Christmas tree. Our Connectional Ministries will distribute them during the Christmas season as we serve the Lake Lunches.
Christmas Eve Service meets with our Joint Circuit Churches at Twin Towers UMC at 5:30PM on December 24, 2024.
Last Sunday of 2024, December 29th, we will gather around the sanctuary in a circle and share the stories of how God’s grace carried us this year. Join us.
Sound Bath On Hiatus After December 13th Gathering
Join us in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 13th for a special Sound Bath gathering featuring two special sound healers, Ege Sanli and Madhu Anziani.
Together they will take you on a relaxing journey with their meditative melodies and vibrations, created with various instruments.
Doors open at 6:30, with an introduction beginning at 6:50. Doors close promptly at 7:00.
Please bring your own mat/blanket. Admittance for the church community is donation based. Admittance for the church community is donation-based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Share our
Eventbrite page to invite family and friends!
Our monthly Sound Bath will be on hiatus beginning in January 2025.
We may celebrate with various sound healers at different times during the year
and will let you know when these events are planned.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this beautiful ministry.
December Food Pantry and Lake Lunches
Please join us on Friday and/or Saturday Dec 20 and 21 to put on our monthly food distribution. We could use help on Friday for setting up from 10-11 am, an early riser on Saturday to help with set up the lines, welcoming & helping hands to work alongside our many community volunteers who come visit the church through this community service. Spread holiday cheer to our neighbors through Lake Lunches. We will continue without interruption during the holiday weeks and we’ll be sharing the goodies you’ve been donating. This is a good time to help out if you’ve been thinking about it. Help is needed with preparing food, wrapping gifts, and delivery food and goodies. Sign up here and invite your people to do the same!
Lastly, would you like to help us thank our dedicated food ministry volunteers? We have a special gift to prepare and need a couple of hands to prepare them. If that is you, please contact Kathleen or Rose Lynn (liftconcertoakland@gmail.com)
Church Office Holiday Closure
12/25, 12/26, 12/31, 1/1
Please note that the church office will be closed on December 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st. The church office will be open on December 30th and reopen for regular office hours on January 2nd. Our church administrator, Lulu, will also be on holiday from December 25th to January 1st.
Important E-blast Announcement Deadline:
The deadline to submit announcements for the December 26th and January 2nd E-blasts is Monday, December 23rd at 12pm. Please ensure your submissions are sent in by this time to be included in these editions.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!
Oakland Churches Together (OTC) Presents
Holiday Caroling at the Grand Lake Farmers Market
December 15th, 10:15am
Join us as we gather at the Grand Lake Theater at 10:15 a.m. before moving across the street to the Grand Lake Farmers Market. Wear festive lights, hats, sweaters to celebrate and highlight the Advent Season. Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church will provide songbooks and lead the singing. All are welcome!! Afterward, some of us will gather at Peet’s on Lakeshore Avenue for more socializing. For more information, contact Dan Strauss danjeffstrauss@gmail.com or Marlene Yamashita maryamca@att.net. Hope to see (and hear) you there!!
(Re)Kindling a Steadfast Hope
December 15th, 3-6pm
You, your friends, communities, and circles are warmly invited to an Interfaith4Ceasefire year-end gathering to hear from recently returned faith-rooted activists, reflect with them, strengthen our solidarity, and support Palestinian crafts people. Enjoy community building around some food and crafts, all supporting local Palestinian crafts people or relief efforts in Palestine. We’ll hear from Rev. Allison Tanner (Apartheid-Free Communities), Shelley Sella (Chavurah for a Free Palestine), and Noura Khouri (Al-Awda), each of whom spent time recently in Palestine. We seek to strengthen our solidarity by seeing, hearing, and understanding what the community there is doing and what they are asking of us. The event will be held at Barnett Hall, 3534 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland. Please RSVP here.
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home.
Sundays, 3:30 – 6:30 pm, Lake Merritt UMC
Jan. 26, 2025 – Mezzes (Salads)
Feb. 23, 2025 – Maklouba (Vegetarian & Chicken)
Mar. 23, 2025 – Halwaa (Sweets)
Cost: $115/workshop or $300 for the whole series.
Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage).
Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved!
Snapshots of Thriving:
Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
Art Call:
In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to submit art that will serve as our logo for the 2025 focus, as well as the 2025 Annual Conference Logo. Please read the guidelines below before submitting.
Submission Guidelines:
Please submit the art as a PNG or JPG. Art must be Conference header size,1,875×625 pixels. If your art is not within this size, Conference Communications reserves the right to resize and make edits to the art as needed. You are welcome to include the phrase, “Thriving in Community” within the art, as well as the California-Nevada Conference Logo, which can be downloaded here. While the art must be submitted in a digital format, you are welcome to paint, sketch or use any other mediums and then scan it for submission. We are so excited to see the creativity and hear the stories of Thriving in Community from across the California-Nevada Conference. To submit, click here. If you have any questions about either , please contact Conference Communications by emailing communications@calnevumc.org.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.
