Describe Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church here
apparently interracial and lgbt friendly.
hosts an easter parade every year (with bonnets) and has a meeting room available (for free?)
run by Rev Dr Jim Hopkins who was also honored.
Full Text of Resolution (also available here) Honoring Rev. Dr. Jim Hopkins And Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church adopted 4/16/13
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
Resolution No. C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PATRICIA KERNIGHAN
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LAKESHORE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH AND REV. DR. JIM HOPKINS
WHEREAS, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church has faithfully served its congregants, beginning in 1860 as the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn and later as the Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, and, since 1946, done so in its current location as Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church has long been an exemplar of a multicultural, interracial congregation that reflects the community in w/hich it thrives; and
WHEREAS, the congregation has v^elcomed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender ("LGBT") community with open arms and in 1988, in a time of great need, established a "Welcoming Faith Community" to provide spiritual resources to people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ("AIDS") and AIDS-related Complex ("ARC"), and their caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church has a long history of assisting displaced communities including Japanese-Americans returning from relocation camps, and Hmong refugees fleeing Vietnam and currently, by providing worship space for the Kachin Baptist community; and
WHEREAS, the Church is an outspoken advocate for nonviolence and reconciliation through their partnership with Oakland Community Organizations and through their designation of their children's program as a "Peace Academy"; and
WHEREAS, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church has, since 1972, provided a low-cost, interdenominational pre-school and after-school program in a loving environment; and hosted the Lakeshore Avenue Halloween Parade, the "Easter Parade and Derby Decorating Contest"; and
WHEREAS, the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church ("LABC") Hunger Task Force maintains a food pantry and provides Thanksgiving baskets - funded by their can/bottle recycling program and by a "Hunger Walk" around Lake Merritt, an annual tradition since 1983; and
WHEREAS, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church provides free use of their Library, Family Room, Barnett Hall and, occasionally the Sanctuary - all of which are filled nightly with a rainbow of community groups ~ from the Alameda County Adoption Agency to Yoga classes and everything in between; and
WHEREAS, The Rev. Dr. Jim Hopkins has been an inspihng spiritual leader and the congregation's moral compass while serving as Senior Pastor since 1989, playing an active role in the community as a member of OCO, the Greater Mandana Action Coalition, the Lakeshore-Lake Park Business Improvement District, and also serving as a soccer coach and soccer referee; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Hopkins' support for the City of Oakland, as a whole, is only exceeded by his devotion particularly to the Oakland Athletics; and
WHEREAS, in January of this year, the American Baptist Seminary of the West named Rev. Dr. Hopkins as Chairman of their Board of Trustees, and on April 7 presented him with the American Baptist Freedom Award; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council commends the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church and its congregation for its singular contribution to the spiritual and community life of Oakland; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Oakland City Council congratulates its Senior Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jim Hopkins, on the recent recognition of his leadership and steadfast attention to Christian tenets by being honored with the American Baptist Religious Freedom Award for leadership in defending God-given religious liberty for all and embracing leaders of all faith groups.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROOKS, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, MCELHANEY, REID, SCHAAF AND PRESIDENT KERNIGHAN
NOES- ABSENT- ABSTENTION -
ATTEST:
LATONDA SIMMONS City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the City of Oakland, California
