Free Compost Pails and More!
Sunday, Aug 23 from 9 am – 1 pm
Lake Merritt UMC
Recycling Education staff from Waste Management will be setting up a booth this Sunday in the Stark Room with free goodies including free home compost pails for all Oakland residents. Gather information and play Spin the Wheel while learning about how to sort waste and live more sustainably at church and at home. Share this opportunity with your community!
Many thanks to long time Food Programs Volunteer Edie Louie for securing this resource opportunity for our church which included a $1000 Changemaker Grant.
Meal Train and Ride Support for Phyllis
August 02 – August 31
Would you support Phyllis with a ride to Sunday worship or a gift of food? All food is greatly appreciated, homemade, semi-homemade, store/restaurant prepared. Above all, continue to pray and share your healing energies and comfort to our dear sister Phyllis.
If you wish to support her through this meal train or ride support, please sign up HERE.
For questions, contact Sue Dickey.
Sierra Leone School Project First Annual Walkathon
Sunday, August 30 at 12 PM after Fellowship
Lake Merritt UMC | Lakeside Pattio
Lake Merritt UMC members are welcome to participate in the 3.2 miles walkathon around Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in support of the Sierra Leone School Project. The event will start at 12 pm after fellowship time and also end on the church premises. Our primary goal is to publicize the SLSP. Please ask your family and friends to support your participation in the walkathon by making donations in support of SLSP to Lake Merritt UMC.
To make a donation, CLICK HERE
In support of this event, Sierra Leone SLSP T-shirts will be available to purchase at reasonable cost during fellowship time on Sundays. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Mark the 38th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act with Buena Vista
Sunday, August 30 at 11:45 AM
Buena Vista UMC
Following worship, we’ll gather for a special lunch and program featuring community members sharing personal reflections on the Civil Liberties Act, what it has meant to them, and what we can learn from this history today. Together, we’ll connect the work of redress in the past with our ongoing commitment to reparations for African Americans.
Please RSVP HERE
Call for Interviewees for Film on Christian Nationalism
Late August to Early September
In partnership with OCT
Oakland Churches Together announces a call for people to be interviewed about their Christian faith for a film project by students from California College of Art. This is in response to Christian Nationalism, Project 2025, and other worrisome current developments in the United States. Interviewees will be asked about their faith and values in order to document a different faith perspective than that of Christian Nationalists. The hope is to share these alternative voices widely, especially on social media.
The organizers are seeking individuals willing to be interviewed and included in this process. Interviews will likely take place later in August and in early September. More details will be forthcoming.
If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact Dan Strauss at danjeffstrauss@gmail.com, or Stephanie Oana of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at stephanie@osha-oana.com.
Earth Connect Retreat
Saturday, September 12, 9 AM – 3 PM
Willow Glen United Methodist Church, San Jose
This retreat is open to all!
This Earth Connect spring retreat at Willow Glen UMC in San Jose is organized by Climate Justice Ministries, a California-Nevada Conference task force.
In this time when there are assaults on all sides, we need to make space to connect with the Divine — to be spiritually grounded — as a daily first step toward works of love and justice. Participants will gather in facilitated small groups for meditation and conversation. Be prepared for some time outdoors, weather permitting.
Participants will receive an orientation to the Sacred Ground project and a list of possible “field trips” for the journey home!
Vegetarian lunch provided. $20 suggested donation.
REGISTER HERE
Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry
Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
Fourth Saturday of every month
Our Food Ministries invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer with our monthly food pantry. 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 Saturday, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM).
If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.
Sierra Leone School Project First Annual Walkathon
Sunday, August 30 at 12 PM after Fellowship
Lake Merritt UMC | Lakeside Pattio
Lake Merritt UMC members are welcome to participate in the 3.2 miles walkathon around Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in support of the Sierra Leone School Project. The event will start at 12 pm after fellowship time and also end on the church premises. Our primary goal is to publicize the SLSP. Please ask your family and friends to support your participation in the walkathon by making donations in support of SLSP to Lake Merritt UMC.
To make a donation, CLICK HERE
In support of this event, Sierra Leone SLSP T-shirts will be available to purchase at reasonable cost during fellowship time on Sundays. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Earth Connect Retreat
Saturday, September 12, 9 AM – 3 PM
Willow Glen United Methodist Church, San Jose
This retreat is open to all!
This Earth Connect spring retreat at Willow Glen UMC in San Jose is organized by Climate Justice Ministries, a California-Nevada Conference task force.
In this time when there are assaults on all sides, we need to make space to connect with the Divine — to be spiritually grounded — as a daily first step toward works of love and justice. Participants will gather in facilitated small groups for meditation and conversation. Be prepared for some time outdoors, weather permitting.
Participants will receive an orientation to the Sacred Ground project and a list of possible “field trips” for the journey home!
Vegetarian lunch provided. $20 suggested donation.
REGISTER HERE
Sierra Leone School Project First Annual Walkathon
Sunday, August 30 at 12 PM after Fellowship
Lake Merritt UMC | Lakeside Pattio
Lake Merritt UMC members are welcome to participate in the 3.2 miles walkathon around Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in support of the Sierra Leone School Project. The event will start at 12 pm after fellowship time and also end on the church premises. Our primary goal is to publicize the SLSP. Please ask your family and friends to support your participation in the walkathon by making donations in support of SLSP to Lake Merritt UMC.
To make a donation, CLICK HERE
In support of this event, Sierra Leone SLSP T-shirts will be available to purchase at reasonable cost during fellowship time on Sundays. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Celebrating August Birthdays
Sunday, August 2nd
This Sunday, August 2nd, we will be honoring everyone who will be celebrating their birthdays in August.
There will be birthday cake for all to share during fellowship time immediately following Worship.
Temporary Change in Church Office Hours
Monday, August 3 – Thursday, August 6
During this period, the Church Operations Manager will be out of the office. Office hours will be as follows:
Monday: 10 AM – 12 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM – 12 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM – 11 AM
Thursday: 10 AM – 2 PM
Countering Christian Nationalism – Film Screening
Sunday, July 26, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland
Screening of the newly updated documentary – “Bad Faith 2026” + lunch + learning, conversations, and action around this very important topic.
St. Paul Lutheran is one of our OCT (Oakland Churches Together) partners.
Free lunch and child care provided. To RSVP, click HERE.
You are welcome to attend any portion of the program.
For questions, contact Marlene Yamashita or Dan Strauss. Additional info flyer is HERE.
Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry
Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25
Fourth Saturday of every month
Our Food Ministries invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer with our monthly food pantry. 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 Saturday, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM).
If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.
Countering Christian Nationalism – Film Screening
Sunday, July 26, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland
Screening of the newly updated documentary – “Bad Faith 2026” + lunch + learning, conversations, and action around this very important topic.
St. Paul Lutheran is one of our OCT (Oakland Churches Together) partners.
Free lunch and child care provided. To RSVP, click HERE.
You are welcome to attend any portion of the program.
For questions, contact Marlene Yamashita or Dan Strauss. Additional info flyer is HERE.
Earth Connect Retreat
Saturday, September 12, 9 AM – 3 PM
Willow Glen United Methodist Church, San Jose
This retreat is open to all!
This Earth Connect spring retreat at Willow Glen UMC in San Jose is organized by Climate Justice Ministries, a California-Nevada Conference task force.
In this time when there are assaults on all sides, we need to make space to connect with the Divine — to be spiritually grounded — as a daily first step toward works of love and justice. Participants will gather in facilitated small groups for meditation and conversation. Be prepared for some time outdoors, weather permitting.
Participants will receive an orientation to the Sacred Ground project and a list of possible “field trips” for the journey home!
Vegetarian lunch provided. $20 suggested donation.
REGISTER HERE
Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry
Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25
Fourth Saturday of every month
Our Food Ministries invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer with our monthly food pantry. 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 Saturday, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM).
If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.
Golden Gate Festival
July 13 – 18
You’re warmly invited by the Abesamis-Bell family!
Join the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir for the Golden Gate Festival (July 13–18), the only international children’s choral festival in the U.S., happening right here in the Bay Area. Enjoy inspiring, free concerts across Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, plus special opening and closing performances.
Don’t miss Young Voices of the Philippines on July 14 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, and Nora’s choir performing Echoes of Eureka with Finland’s Vox Aurea on July 17.
Check out the full schedule HERE.
Countering Christian Nationalism – Film Screening
Sunday, July 26, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland
Screening of the newly updated documentary – “Bad Faith 2026” + lunch + learning, conversations, and action around this very important topic.
St. Paul Lutheran is one of our OCT (Oakland Churches Together) partners.
Free lunch and child care provided. To RSVP, click HERE.
You are welcome to attend any portion of the program.
For questions, contact Marlene Yamashita or Dan Strauss. Additional info flyer is HERE.
