LABC Update – Thursday, October 20, 2022
Family,
I was honored to “Bless the Space” last night as Mayor Schaaf delivered her final State of the City address at the Casa Arabella Apartments in the Fruitvale district.
This was my prayer.
God of All, God of Many Names, God of Many Stories, God of Love, Source of Mercy, Hope of Justice,
We do not bid you to be present with us this evening for there is no place that you are not. You are already here. Instead, we welcome you into this place, we acknowledge your enduring your presence, we commit to walking anew in the ways you have taught your people.
For this gathering place, for these Casa Arabella apartments, for this current and future home to many, for EBALDC, the Unity Council and all who brought this splendid space into being, we are grateful. May all that Casa Arabella represents be all that Oakland comes to represent.
We gather to seek the well-being of Oakland, our beloved city, a city in which pain abounds, a city in which beauty abounds, a city in which grief often holds sway, a city in which there is ample reason for gratitude.
You have blessed us with a heritage of striving for justice. You have blessed us with a diverse, global heritage. You have blessed us with a heritage of music, art, dance, food, drink and sport. You have blessed us with a history of learning, discovering, discerning, growing. You have blessed us with a heritage of prophets, preachers and political leaders.
Tonight, as we listen to our mayor share once again her understanding of the state of our city, let us stand with pride in the heritage of our city, let us stand with humility for the ways we have failed to honor the many gifts of our ancestors, let us stand with openness to the pain that marks the lives of many in our community, let us stand with gratitude for the leadership that Mayor Schaaf has provided, (Is there any task more daunting than being a big city mayor?), let us stand in unity, believing that it is hand in hand and heart with heart that we will move toward the future you intend for the family named Oakland.
Smile upon us Holy One. Shine upon us Eternal One.
Amen
LABC Zoom Meetings – Together In Spirit meets tonight at 6:00
Online: https://zoom.us/j/8599095914 Dial-in: 1 669 900 9128 Meeting ID: 859 909 5914 Password: 192833 One tap mobile: +16699009128
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Your ongoing support of the ministry of our church is greatly appreciated. We are checking the mail so feel free to mail your check or to contribute online.
Recent prayer requests – LeAnn S. for her dad; BST as it begins its 150th Anniversary celebration; Shadi Khoury, a sixteen year old Palestinian boy kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces; Thanksgiving that Camille P. has been released from the hospital; Thanksgiving for last night’s excellent Justice Jam