God is still speaking! This week, President Obama gave his unwavering support of marriage equality. Like many of us, his views have ‘evolved’ over time, and he has come to his own understanding of what full equality means. Long a proponent of civil unions, Mr. Obama said his views had changed in part because of prodding by friends who are gay and by conversations with his wife and daughters.

He is quoted in the New York Times as saying, “I had hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought that civil unions would be sufficient. I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people, the word marriage was something that invokes very powerful traditions and religious beliefs.” The article goes on to state that Mr. Obama also invoked his Christian faith in explaining his decision, and quoted him further as saying, “The thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the golden rule – you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated. And I think that’s what we try to impart to our kids, and that’s what motivates me as president.”

I am lifting this up to you as a community because not only does the President provide an example of the kind of progressive Christianity that we embrace at Skyline Community Church but also because of what his statement means to so many. He is the first sitting president to make such a bold statement and while states like North Carolina this week march in the opposite direction of equality, it is incredibly important to have this kind of support from the White House. I know what a difference this statement makes to young people all across our nation who wonder if they will be able to live their dreams.

For our young people today, President Obama, from one of the most powerful offices in the world, affirmed that whoever you are, wherever life’s journey leads you, you should have a place in this country, and that your love and your life matters.

While the political fury has already begun and the pundits are analyzing the risks and benefits, I am taking this time for gratitude, for how far we have come, and for the difference I know it makes in so many lives.

As your pastor, I am proud to be a progressive Christian today, and proud to be part of a community where one of our guiding principles is “evolving” for we are all on this journey together.

Peace,
Laurie

Here is a great article challenging religious institutions to learn from past cycles of religiously inspired oppression of other groups of people. Proud to be an open and affirming congregation, and members of the first denomination to ordain an openly gay man.

Join us for our Good Friday Tenebrae service, a meditative service of breathtaking music and quiet reflection, that invites us to connect our own personal pain and our collective ongoing struggle for social justice and relate it to the story of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Rev Laurie Manning, pastor and Dr Ramin Haghjoo, music director, and Emily and Jake Marshall will co-lead this service.

The service will be candle it, with opportunities for meditation, prayer, a brief reflection, readings, and walking the labyrinth.

For more information, email the office or call 510 531 8212.

Jesus drives the money-changers from the temple:
In all four gospels, the Prince of Peace suddenly becomes the Disturber of the Peace.  “Then Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove out all those who had bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers”, and he said to them, ‘It is written, my house shall be called “A House of Prayer,” but you have made it a den of thieves!

This is the Jesus who drove the money-changers out of the temple of Jerusalem, and it is this Jesus called back to duty who will drive the money-changers out of the temples of democracy.

Where does Jesus stand? Where does God stand? Just go to the record. God is on the side of the poor.

Join us at Skyline, as we explore the implications of this challenging passage.

Curious about Skyline? About our denomination? Want to learn more about who we are and how to get involved?

You’re invited  to take part in our inquirers’ session to learn more about who we are, as a faith community and as a denomination.

Childcare will be provided.

Come celebrate the Spirit of Easter where we welcome ALL of God’s people. Experience fabulous music and an inspiring message with a spectacular view of the Oakland Hills.

Sunrise Service ~ 6:30 am

Featuring Intimate Contemporary Music and
the Oakland/East Bay Gay Men’s Choir

Easter Worship Service ~ 10:00 am

Celebratory Traditional Music followed by
an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids!

Skyline’s traditional Easter Egg Hunt is happening RAIN or SHINE, following the 10:00 service on Easter Sunday morning. We welcome our neighborhood families and any who care to come to join us!  Stay for refreshments and conversation following the hunt.

For more information please contact our office at:

Skyline Community Church,
United Church of Christ
12540 Skyline Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619
510.531.8212

Email Skyline Office

Yes, it’s the Superbowl, and even though the SF 49ers won’t be in it, we’ll be playing in our own Souper Bowl, tackling hunger, raising awareness and funds for people in need, right here in Alameda County, especially now in this tough economy – where one in six people don’t have enough money to buy healthy food. We will continue to support Alameda County Community Food Bank because of their remarkably effective programming:

You can read more about ACCFB’s remarkably effective programming here!

During worship we will have an exciting “Souper Bowl” skit, during children’s time (if you have football helmets, balls, & jerseys, please bring and or wear them!

During the offertory, the children will return to the service, to collect our special offering for the Food Bank.

For our annual “Preschool Sunday,” we will celebrate Valentine’s Day by honoring the theme of “One Love” – love for ourselves, love of our families and friends, and love for the world. Preschools families and children will be joining us, and we will share gifts of love with area agencies. A fun-filled worship service, with dancing in the sanctuary, which will almost feel like Mardi Gras!

Afterwards, we will enjoy the parents’ potluck preparations and a farewell cake for our outgoing office manager Chrysalis Hyon in the Preschool. Come, join us!

This Sunday, January 15^th at Skyline, we will honor the memory of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., his sense of God’s calling in his life, and the larger civil rights movement to which he gave his life.  We will also take seriously our call in this time, to participate in the civil rights movement of our times for greater economic justice, particularly within our country.  Together, one day, we shall overcome!

Please bring with you – friends who would be drawn to this celebration; books, photos, quotes, memories of Reverend King (to be placed on the Sanctuary communion table). Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss ways that you’d like to take part at revlauriemanning@aol.com.

And for those of you interested in exploring parallels between the black civil rights movement of the 1960′s and the current Occupy movement, please check out:

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/441-occupy/9281-black-churches-to-energize-occupy

Finally, here’s a link to learn more about the various events taking part here in Oakland to honor this great man, and the urgent need for our collective leadership at this time:

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CEDA/o/Redevelopment/o/CulturalArtsMarketing/HolidayEvents/index.htm

   Blessings, Reverend Laurie Manning

This Christmas Eve, come experience the wonder of our candlelight service celebrating the birth of Jesus with carols, anthems, scripture lessons, and instrumental music. The service will be followed by delicious Christmas treats, hot apple cider, and fellowship.

This is a beautiful way to celebrate the season with your entire family. ALL are welcome!

December 24th at 8:00 pm

For more information please contact the office at 510.531.8212