Oak Life Updates: How is it with your Soul?
 
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How Is It With Your Soul?

On Sunday we started a new conversation called "The Way of the Heart" and reflected together on this thing called soul.  Inherent to all of us is a spiritual realty that goes deeper than the surface layer labels and categories our world often focuses on.  Even though we often neglect the importance of heart issues, our faith teaches us that our internal dynamics are urgently significant in our overall health and the world in which we create externally.  So if we long for a more just, equal, compassionate, and loving world, we must look inward and confront our own shortcomings as well as cultivate an environment where our souls can thrive and connect to God's love.   Over the next few weeks we'll continue to engage similar ideas like the how our hearts change, dealing with shame, our implicit biases, and dwelling in the presence of God.   Our hope is that we'll continue to transformed more into the likeness of Jesus, something that begins in our hearts. 

As always there are lots of things going on in our community beyond Sundays, be sure to read below and also sign up for our next Project Peace Day of Service on this Saturday, August 19th!

Things Going on In and Through Oak Life:

ROOTS-

Volunteering at Oak Life:  Pretty much everything that happens in Oak Life is a result of folks from the community participating in making us what we are.  We're currently in need of some more volunteers in areas like music, coffee, set up, and media.  If you're rooted at Oak Life we hope you'll commit to volunteer on one of these teams at least once every other month or so.  If you'd like to volunteer or get more info email Greg: greg.oaklife@gmail.com

Game Night at the Normans:  Kevin has invited folks over for a game night on August 18th at 7pm.  "We'll play games like Risk: Game of Thrones Edition, Catan, Dominion, Ticket to Ride, etc. We'll have a few refreshments and whatnot but feel free to bring a snack to share, drink of your choice and so forth. Invite non-Oak Lifers too."  Email Kevin for more info: kevindnorman@gmail.com

Confronting Racism Action Team: We're forming a group of folks who will help discern together ways Oak Life can stand against racism as a church more in depth.  If you'd like to be on the team, or help facilitate this team (we really need this person), let us know!

Oak Life Camping Trip: Is September 22-24 at Lake Del Valle.  Come for part of it or all of it or just for the day. For more info check out the google form below or email Kyle -kyleahara@gmail.com:
https://goo.gl/forms/0gE8qPdMQvVbhM2V2 and join our telegram chat:
https://t.me/joinchat/AAAAAA1BqPQp2jiK4WgWnA@

Book Studies:  This Summer there two book groups for your literary and theological enjoyment.  On Saturday's at 9am Kevin Norman is hosting a group that's reading The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society by Lesslie Newbigin.  For more info email Kevin: kevindnorman@gmail.com    On Sundays at 1pm Jesse and Mac are doing a discussion on C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves.  For more info email Jesse: jesse.s.gentilin@gmail.com

Discernment Meeting:  Every few months we invite everyone from Oak Life to join our Leadership Team for a discussion about where we've been and where we're heading.  Anyone who feels any ownership of Oak Life is welcome and your voice matters!  Our next meeting will be Sunday, August 20th at the Oak Life Office at 1pm. 

Financial Literacy Workshop: Has been postponed to a later date.  We'll keep you posted with more info soon!

Life Group Update:  We're looking for folks to host lead Life Groups in the Fall!  Let us know if you're interested!

Baptisms: Baptism is a beautiful way to outwardly show an inward faith in Jesus.  We're working on scheduling a baptism up at Lake Temescal soon, so if you'd like like to learn more about Baptism, just email us back!


Facebook Group:  Got a prayer request or community event you'd like to share?  Join our Facebook Group to keep the conversation going.


BRANCHES-   

Project Peace Day of Service:  Periodically Oak Life joins others in our area for a day of service at local schools, shelters, and organizations.  Our next day serving the community this Saturday, August 19th and we'll be at Harbor House.  You can RSVP here.

Homeless Art Display at September First Fridays:  Oak Life has been supporting Mac as he's been working in a local homeless camp and also creating/collecting art to share at First Friday on September 1st.  We could use a few folks to help at the booth, but even if you can't hang, be sure to stop by!

Seeking Forgiveness at Oakland Pride
:  After Church on Sunday September 10th, some Oak Life folks will be heading to Oakland pride to show our love and support and say sorry for the way Christians have often treated them. This is how spiritual healing begins We'll have some posters and signs and if you'd like to attend you can join us after service.  .  Questions? Call or text Ed Ness at 510-575-8724.

Homeless Community Support: Oak Life is connected to a local camp community and we're always looking for donations to bring our friends.  Current needs include: bottle waters, clipper/bart cards, packs of socks, cold meds, and gift cards.  If you'd like to donate, just bring something in on a Sunday and we'll deliver it that week. 


Third Sunday Giving Update:  Once a month we give away our entire offering to a local group or cause.  This month we donated our entire offering ($249) to the work Mac is doing the local homeless camp and towards an art show at September's First Friday where we'll be showing art from folks in the camps.  If you'd like to nominate an organization or cause, you can email: leadershipteam.oaklife@gmail.com




Other Stuff?  Got ideas for other ways we can serve our community?  Want to start a new group?  Interested in organizing a hike our outing? Oak Life is a community led church- so let's make it happen.  Just shoot us back an email.




That's all for now!



Grace and Peace, 


Chris Scott


Oak Life Church
www.oaklifechurch.com
Sundays 10AM at The New Parkway Theater
474 24th St, Oakland, 94612
Twitter / Instagram: @oaklifechurch

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Sundays 10AM at The New Parkway Theater
472 24th St. Oakland, 94612