Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
6:45pm Friday, May 10th
Sound Bath returns this Friday, May 10th. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.
Admittance for the church community is donation-based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Doors open at 6:30 pm; please arrive by 6:45. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm. Download our flyer and share to invite family and friends!
9th Annual LIFT Concert
3-5pm May 11th
Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!
Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration
Pentecost Sunday May 19th
Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!
The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering. The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes. Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.
Coming Fully Alive as You Age
With Rev. Dr. Judith Pruess-Mellow
Mondays, June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15. 10-11:15 AM, 510-747-7500, Mastick Senior Center or on Zoom, 6-7:15 PM. $45. Email judithpm07@gmail.com for details.
Discoveries and new friends are everywhere. Learn about the Blue Zones where people regularly live healthfully to 100+. You’ll learn how to:
–Be fully alive in body, mind, spirit
–Explore aging as a spiritual journey
–Craft your spiritual legacy
–Discover the power of humor
–Create hope for the future
–Share your talents
Judith with T.C, Oatman Burro Sanctuary, Mohave Valley, AZ.
Download and share the flyer here to invite your friends
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Create Your Own Celebration of Life
This Sunday, May 5th at noon
After hearing Deacon Stephanie’s call and her ministry as a chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser, we are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after your passing. We are invited to write our own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall. The Funeral Planning form is found here. Please spend some time reflecting on the questions. You do not need to complete all the sections. If you would like to bring your Bible, that would be great. We will provide Bibles and hymnals for this session.
No Food 4 Thought in May
Due to a scheduling conflict, there will be no Food 4 Thought gathering in May. We will reconvene the first Sunday of June.
9th Annual LIFT Concert
3-5pm May 11th
Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!
Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration
Pentecost Sunday May 19th
Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!
The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering. The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes. Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.
Buena Vista UMC Bazaar
noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th
Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.
Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024
Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.
The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.
Voci Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
9th Annual LIFT Concert
3-5pm May 11th
Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!
Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration
Pentecost Sunday May 19th
Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!
The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering. The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes. Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.
April 23-May 3
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is convening April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UM News reporter Heather Hahn has created a video summarizing recent events in the denomination leading up to this conference, including the matters of LGBTQ inclusion, the COVID pandemic, and church departures. If you would like to find information, news, and resources, click on the following link with Resource UMC.
Create Your Own Celebration of Life
noon Sunday, May 5th
Deacon Rev. Stephanie is a singing chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser. She will be preaching on May 5th Sunday and share her call as a Deacon serving in the world at a hospital. The title of her sermon is “Threshold Moments: Healing at the End of Life?” After the worship service, you are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after death on earth. Yes, you heard me right. You are invited to write your own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall. Please join us.
String Quartet Concert
3pm Saturday, April 27th
You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon. We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.
Saturday, April 27, 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert. Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Buena Vista UMC Bazaar
noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th
Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.
Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024
Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.
The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.
Voci Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Special Charge Conference
12:45pm Sunday, April 21
The Church Council is scheduled to meet for a Special Charge Conference to adjust Pastor Sunae’s adjusted compensation regarding housing on April 21 at 12:45 pm. Rev. Meina Ko from Oakland Chinese Community UMC will be presiding.
9th Annual LIFT Concert
3-5pm May 11th
Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!
Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration
Pentecost Sunday May 19th
Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!
The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering. The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes. Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.
April 23-May 3
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is convening April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UM News reporter Heather Hahn has created a video summarizing recent events in the denomination leading up to this conference, including the matters of LGBTQ inclusion, the COVID pandemic, and church departures. If you would like to find information, news, and resources, click on the following link with Resource UMC.
Clergy Retreat
Pastor Sunae and Deacon Stephanie are attending the Called to Wholeness retreat by the Board of Ordained Ministry. It is an invitation for a time of renewal and growth for clergies. They will be at the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos from April 23 – 25. Would you keep them in your prayers?
Create Your Own Celebration of Life
noon Sunday, May 5th
Deacon Rev. Stephanie is a singing chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser. She will be preaching on May 5th Sunday and share her call as a Deacon serving in the world at a hospital. The title of her sermon is “Threshold Moments: Healing at the End of Life?” After the worship service, you are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after death on earth. Yes, you heard me right. You are invited to write your own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall. Please join us.
String Quartet Concert
3pm Saturday, April 27th
You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon. We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.
Saturday, April 27, 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert. Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Buena Vista UMC Bazaar
noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th
Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.
Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024
Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.
The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.
Voci Concert
4pm Sunday, May 5th
Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Sound Bath Returns!
6:45pm Friday, April 12th
After a month off in March, Sound Bath returns on Friday, April 12th. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.
Admittance for the church community is donation based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Doors open at 6:30 pm; please arrive by 6:45. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm. Download our flyer and share to invite family and friends!
Special Charge Conference
12:45pm Sunday, April 21
The Church Council is scheduled to meet for a Special Charge Conference to adjust Pastor Sunae’s adjusted compensation regarding housing on April 21 at 12:45 pm. Rev. Meina Ko from Oakland Chinese Community UMC will be presiding.
LIFT Concert
Join the team!
Save the date for our annual LIFT concert on May 11, 2024 from 3-5 pm. This is both our big fundraiser and community gathering hosted by us and to benefit the food programs: Lake Lunches and Food Pantry and more!
We need a team of folks to make this happen. It is only a monthly away! Please consider this seriously! Email liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or talk to your Connectional Ministries team for how to plug in: Tom, Galia, Kathleen and Rose Lynn
Gentle Yoga
Thursdays at noon
Gentle Yoga for body and soul is an excellent way to stretch and breathe tranquility into our mind, body, and soul. Resuming April 11th, Kathleen Bell will lead weekly classes, Thursdays at noon at Lake Merritt UMC. All are welcome.
Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition
Friday, April 12th
The Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition is meeting on Friday, April 12th, 7-9pm in the Laney College Auditorium. Join them as they announce a major milestone and invite other organizations to celebrate and plan next steps to protect and support Lake Merritt.
String Quartet Concert
3pm Saturday, April 27th
You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon.
We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.
When: Saturday, April 27 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert
Where: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Easter Egg Return for Recycle & Reuse
If you have empty easter eggs from Easter Sunday, you may return them for reuse next year. We will have a basket to collect them in worship this Sunday. Thank you! –Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team co-leader.
Sound Bath Returns!
6:45pm Friday, April 12th
After a month off in March, Sound Bath returns on Friday, April 12th. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.
Admittance for the church community is donation based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Doors open at 6:30 pm; please arrive by 6:45. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm. Download our flyer and share to invite family and friends!
Gentle Yoga
Thursdays at noon
Gentle Yoga for body and soul is an excellent way to stretch and breathe tranquility into our mind, body, and soul. Resuming April 11th, Kathleen Bell will lead weekly classes, Thursdays at noon at Lake Merritt UMC. All are welcome.
Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition
Friday, April 12th
The Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition is meeting on Friday, April 12th, 7-9pm in the Laney College Auditorium. Join them as they announce a major milestone and invite other organizations to celebrate and plan next steps to protect and support Lake Merritt.
String Quartet Concert
3pm Saturday, April 27th
You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon.
We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.
When: Saturday, April 27 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert
Where: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!
