Live Oak News & Newsletters

Congregational Meeting
Join us on Sunday, January 29, 2012, in the cottage at The Home of Truth (1300 Grand Ave., Alameda) for our annual elections meeting. In addition, the board will introduce the board's goal of Live Oak moving to every Sunday programming, plans for a leadership retreat, follow-up on listening campaign, a discussion of “growing” into our new larger space, and an info about the social justice General Assembly UUs in Arizona in June. Lots to discuss.

Note: The documents below are PDFs.
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2011 Newsletters

February 26, 2011
April 28, 2011
July 7, 2011
September 6, 2011
October 14, 2011

2010 Newsletters

March 23, 2010
April 7, 2010
April 19, 2010
May 20, 2010
June 27, 2010
July 30, 2010

2009 Newsletters

November 1, 2009
October 6, 2009
July 6, 2009

Christmas Eve Gathering
About 50 people joined together on Christmas Eve for singing, an original play providing a UU perspective on the Christmas origin story, lighting of candles, and a prayer of peace for the world. This multigenerational event was held at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts.

July 4th Parade in Alameda
Once again, Live Oak UU had a float in the Alameda parade (which has been named the best hometown parade several years running by the East Bay Express). More than 30,000 people turn out to watch this parade.

Live Oak singers introduced our fellowship while entertaining the crowd along the entire parade route, while others from the congregation cheered them on.

Winter Holiday Concerts
We have had a full house for our holiday concerts, which featured music celebrating Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa sung by our choir, a women's ensemble, duets, solos, and one year a stunning pan-African dance. People are already looking forward to next year! See more photos.

Thanksgiving Gathering
Live Oak members, friends, and guests enjoyed the second annual Live Oak Family Day of Gratitude -- with Thanksgiving dinner followed by a candlelight vespers service -- on November 24.

Harley Farms Goat Tour
Live Oak members and friends enjoyed a day on the farm in Pescadero on November 13. Adults and children enjoyed meeting the goats and seeing first-hand the way goat cheese is made. And, of course, no tour would be complete without tasting the end product. Folks are already talking about going again in the spring to see the baby goats.

Volunteers Worked at Oakland's Get Down & Dirty Event on 10-10-10
Live Oak volunteers joined with those from many organizations, working together in Oakland on 10-10-10. Everyone worked together to revitalize Laney College's community garden, offering skills-building workshops, listening to dynamic speakers, and bringing together local leaders for climate justice.

Games Night: Saturday, September 11
Twenty-some adults and children enjoyed an evening of fun, game-playing, catching-up, and a bite or two to eat. Pizza was followed by Apples to Apples, Banangrams, Jenga, and more.

Raise Your Voice Workshop
Members of Live Oak attended a workshop called "Raise Your Voice: A Day of African American History in the Oral Tradition of Story and Song," featuring Dr. Ysaye Barnwell, teacher, composer, musician, and singer with the a capella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock. Learning spirituals, ring-shouts, gospel, and civil rights songs in 4- (and sometimes 5- or 6-) part harmonies with Dr. Barnwell was a joyful experience. But Dr. Barnwell also taught the history behind the songs, enriching us all.