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| Hungering for Justice: Oak Life Updates |
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![Hungering for Justice: Oak Life Updates]() |
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Hungering for Justice
This week we continued our "Blessings" conversation as Pastor Jonathan Williams from Forefront NYC led us through the fourth beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled". As we reflected on what it means to hunger, we were challenged to consider the cost associated with being people who seek justice in our world. Whether we're aware of them or not, we all have blind-spots, and our hope is that God will continue to transform us in ways that reflect God's love more and more. This Sunday was also a Third Sunday, which meant we gave our offering away to an outside organization. For May we donated $413 to Boost West Oakland in support
their work providing tutoring for Oakland youth! Like most Sundays our conversation was live streamed on facebook in case you missed it.
Over the coming weeks we'll be doing a beatitude each Sunday and will be hearing from a few different speakers. We'll also be reading a few different reinterpretations of the beatitudes as a way to immerse ourselves in their meaning. This we'll be wrestling with the fifth beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" . As always there are lots of things going on beyond Sundays in the life of our community, be sure to check it all out!
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Things Going on In and Through Oak Life:ROOTS:
Beatitude Poem/Reinterpretations: As we continue our "Blessings" series we're hoping to start each conversation off with a different version of the Beatitudes. If you'd like to write one, or know of one that you found meaningful, send them our way!
Newcomers Dessert: Thursday June 20th 7pm at Adam's place (near the New Parkway). If you're newish to Oak Life and would like to learn more about our story and how to connect, we'd like to invite you to a special dessert. RSVP required, so please email back to let us know you're coming!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, June 16th at the Oak Life Office at 1pm. One of the items on the agenda will be sharing our budget and our plans for adding childcare every week.
Oak Life Leadership Team Openings: Our community is led by an awesome and diverse group of rotating community members who commit to serving on our Leadership Team for 12-24 month periods. Currently a term just finished and there are now a couple openings to fill. The main requirement is that these individuals are consistent and involved members of the Oak Life community. If you'd like to nominate some one or
volunteer yourself please email the team by June 9th: leadership@oaklifechurch.com Please note that space is limited and that one of the aims of the Leadership Team is to reflect the diversity of our church. As a community led church, there will always be lots of ways to support Oak Life as we continue grow and form.
Spiritual Formation Group: Gina is leading a monthly 6 session group in some of the contemplative practices around being with God, others, and ourselves. Folks are welcome to jump in at any point. For more info email Gina:ginanormancounseling@gmail.com
Childcare at Oak Life: Oak Life is stoked that we now have the resources to have childcare! As we continue to grow, we currently have childcare every 3rd Sunday of the month for kids 9months - 4ish years of age during the sermon portion of our gathering
(hopefully every Sunday in the future as we can afford it!). Our next Sunday with childcare is June 16th. Kids are welcome in service every other week.
Life Groups: Oak Life runs two main "sessions" of life groups, one in the Fall and one in the Winter/Spring. Currently our Winter/Spring sessions are coming to a close and groups will be taking a break for the Summer. If you'd like to learn about starting a group for the Fall, let us know!
Got a Prayer request? Every week, the Oak Life Prayer team spends time praying for Oak Life. If you'd like to have us pray for you during the week, please submit your prayer request
here, http://bit.ly/oaklifeprayers . You can include your name and contact info if you'd also like one of us to reach out personally to you. For those who would like to know more info or to join the prayer team, contact monica.a.tzeng@gmail.com.
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.
If you'd like to check out the places to volunteer click here.Generosity Towards Oak Life: Oak Life's roots and branches depend on the generosity of it's community members. If you'd like to practice financial generosity towards Oak Life, which pays for our rent, staff, and ministry expenses-
you can do so online through our website here. There are options to give on a one-time, monthly or periodic basis. If you have any questions regarding financial stuff at Oak Life you can send an email to the team: finance-team@oaklifechurch.comFacebook Group: Got a prayer request or community event you'd like to share?
Join our Facebook Group to keep the conversation going. Also, most Sunday's we live stream part of the service!BRANCHES:
Community Justice Team Survey & Presentation:
We want to hear from you, please fill out this
survey! The Community Justice Team is launching their efforts by listening to the Oaklife community, with the aim of discerning what concerns and causes matter most to you. Your feedback is invaluable! We have already conducted some one-to-one meetings and are continuing to do so, so let us know if you prefer to speak directly with somebody on the team. Contact Darren at dfnewell@gmail.com if you have any questions. We'll also be hosting a presentation to share with the church more about what we're up to and how to connect on Sunday June 2nd after service at Adams.Project Peace Day of Service: Our next time serving the community with Project Peace is Saturday June 1st and we'll be at Garfield Elementary again!
Click here to RSVP. This is a great way to get involved in the community and serve!
Third Sunday Giving Update: Once a month we give away our entire offering to a local group or cause and it's been super encouraging to see the ways we've been able to join in good work in our community. Over the past 12 months Oak Life has given away almost $8,000!!! This month we heard from and donated $413 to Boost West Oakland in support of their work offering free tutoring to Oakland Youth! If you'd like to watch a thank you from some of our
third Sunday partners click here.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.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
337 17th st #102, Oakland, 94612
Twitter / Instagram: @oaklifechurch
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Sundays 10AM at The New Parkway Theater
337 17th st #102. Oakland, 94612
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