Tribe Happenings, July 28

Announcements

Backpacks For Success For Kids In Need
Sunday July 30th-Sunday August 13th
Join us in partnering with CityTeam as we help Low-income kids succeed in school through the Backpacks for Success program.  We will have a bin for backpack donations at the front entrance of the church starting this Sunday.  These are the needed items: Back Packs for Success Shopping List.

Join the Tribe Total Eclipse Road Trip! August 18th-21st
David Kwon is organizing an RV/Camping  trip up to John Day Oregon for an ideal viewing of the 1st total eclpise in America in 38 years!  More details to follow, but we will leave early on the August 18th and return late on August 21st.  This will be an awesome road trip-we will have fun learning about each other and our solar system!  Space is somewhat limited, so be sure to RSVP soon! RSVP using the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Subscribe to the new Berkeley YouTube Channel!
Exciting News: Once we hit 100 subscribers, we will be able to get a custom channel link along with other benefits. All services are uploaded to the site: Tribe Church Service

Community Groups

Trybe Learning Play Group-On Summer Break
Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm @ Tribe Nursery
This group is for kids ages 0-5 and their parents.  Come join us for songs, stories,
art and much more-invite a friend!  Doors will open at 10am for free play!
Fill out the contact form below for more info.

Women's Bible Study-Monday
10:00am @ The Tribe Nursery
Looking for a Women's group to share life? Join us for a time of worship, study, prayer and encouragement. Child friendly! Fill out the contact form below for more info.

Downtown Oakland Bible Study
Tuesday 8:00pm @ CItyTeam
Join us as we study the bible together.  Everyone welcome!
Fill out the contact form below for more information.

Rockridge Community Group
Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm
Looking for a community group?  Want to connect more deeply with others at Tribe?  Why not join us for a time of worship, exploring the Word (we are studying Acts), sharing, praying and building community.  
Fill out the contact form below for more information.

Wednesday Night Cal Campus Women's Bible Study-On Summer Break

NorOak Tribe Worship Gathering
Sunday 5pm @ Steve and Audrey's House
All are welcome. Meeting in North Oakland. Fill out the contact form below for more information.

Adult Sunday School
9:40am-10:30am @ The Lounge
We study bible passages with a focus on personal reflection.  All are welcome.  
Fill out the contact form below for more information.

Have a blessed week and we will see you Sunday!
Berkeley Tribe  |  Sundays @ 11:00am  |  2509 Hillegass Ave.  |  Berkeley, CA 94704

North Oakland Update

Dear Tribe Family,

As Dennis mentioned a couple weeks ago, we'd like to give you some updates on what's going on with the different sites these days.  It's an exciting time of expansion for Tribe and we're grateful to be a part of it with you guys!  Here's the latest on what's happening with North Oakland Tribe.

This past year has been a year of preparation, both for us personally, and for us as a community.  He has brought together an awesome group of about 12 people who form the core of North Oakland Tribe, and He has been bonding us together through our weekly community group and outreach activities in the community, like our Good Friday Art Show back in April, and our continued work with Love Never Fails (organization fighting human trafficking).  The strength of this core will be key going forward.  We trust that God will bring new people to us who are seeking him, and this core will be the ones to welcome them and help usher them into God's presence and his grace.

This fall we are focusing on building the site in three main ways:

1. Outreach in the Neighborhood

2. Two preview worship gatherings.

3. Weekly Community Group

1. Outreach in the Neighborhood

- Love Never Fails: Several of us went to a training over the summer to help with their anti-abuse program in Oakland Public schools.  They will be running this program, at the invitation of OUSD, for every 7th grader in the school district.  I'm excited for us to be a part of helping these kids learn about abuse, find help, and learn how to love better!

- Project Peace East Bay- Several of us volunteered on Saturday August 23rd at Emerson Elementary School, helping them to get ready for the school year, cleaning up the yard, scrubbing down the play structure, working alongside teachers to get their classrooms ready for the first day of school.  We're looking forward to partnering more with Project Peace to meet needs in the North Oakland area.

- North Oakland Restorative Justice Council- We have gone on a couple peace & justice walks with these guys in North Oakland and are excited about their vision for building community and bringing people together.  One of our group may also have a chance to volunteer with Phat Beets Produce, a partner group with the justice council, doing food justice, community gardens, community development, etc.

These are all exciting opportunities to connect with people and show the love of Jesus.

As we begin this new community of faith in North Oakland we believe it is critical to pursue both the going out and the inviting in.  Going out into the neighborhood to show love, and inviting people into a relationship with the God of love.

That's where worship gatherings fit right in.

2. Two Preview Worship Gatherings

- We have tentatively set two dates, October 26th and December 21st, for our two preview gatherings this fall.  Those are both Sundays and we plan to hold them at 5pm in the evening, with dinner to follow.  We are currently beginning to look for a location for these, so please be in prayer about that and if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

3. Weekly Community Group

- The regular connection time we have at community group is invaluable for growing in our relationship with God and with one another, and providing the foundation for our other projects and adventures.  It's a place where we can invite people in to join us in our journey of faith, and also a place where we can prepare to go out and actually go out together.  We're planning to go out in the community to do some kind of service activity once a month this fall.

Here are some things you can be praying for:

- Continued growth and bonding for our core group

- that God would bring new people to join us in this adventure

- that God would open more opportunities to love people in our community

- A location for our worship gatherings

Thanks for reading and being on this adventure with us!

Blessings,

Steve, Audrey & Lucas

Churches and Youth Violence

From Oakland Mayor Jean Quan's newsletter

"President Obama speaking on youth violence reiterated that government alone can never fill the void that causes a child to turn to violence, but that we all have a responsibility to do our part to create safe communities and save lives......"

Those of you who work on the ground in any sort of social service, church, community organizing know this too well.   But it seems that the President is over-stating what the government can do because you can never over-state the importance of a healthy family.  The lack of healthy family IS the main problem in the hood, causing violence, particularly youth violence.  Single moms and grandmas are the real leaders of East Oakland as they have the MOST power and influence over our lost young men.  Imagine if we could resource and support them, if we could put them up and on, and if they were joined by fathers who would come back into the lives of children and families.  Almost seems impossible.  Nothing can replace a healthy family.  This is the work that the church and non-profits can somehow fill that the government can't begin to touch.  Any doubts?  Go visit the SSI, Welfare, Wic, or any other government social service office.  Although some of the people are wonderful, the system cannot do for people what people need to do for people.  I think God resists the system because the system has become proud and haughty; people look to systems and technology to meet deep humans need.  Nothing can replace a hug, a smile just for you, laughter at the dinner table, a kiss on the cheek good-bye, a note in your lunch saying "mommy loves you!", a parent calling up the UC Chancellor on his disabled daughter's behalf, etc. etc.  A big shout out to those of you filling these rolls even though you ain't blood to people who are lacking blood family like this.  May God give you more grace to walk with them, drive them to where they need to go, answer the phone in the middle of the night, support them financially, go with them to their government appointments, visit them in jail, accompany them to church or Bible study, and whatever else real love and friendship and family would require......