Activism
Second Anniversary of FAME Oakland Fire Approaches with Powerful Commemorative Weekend
“The essence of a church lies in the actions taken outside the physical confines of a building. I am immensely proud of our congregation for their unwavering dedication to serving others and connecting community even in the face of adversity,” stated the Rev. Dr. Rodney D. Smith.
By Oakland Post Staff
As the second anniversary of the fire that devastated First AME Church of Oakland (FAME Oakland) approaches, the oldest African American church in the East Bay is gearing up for a major commemorative weekend.
Despite the loss of their permanent church home, FAME Oakland has remained steadfast in its mission of evangelism and growth through mental health, ministry and music.
“The essence of a church lies in the actions taken outside the physical confines of a building. I am immensely proud of our congregation for their unwavering dedication to serving others and connecting community even in the face of adversity,” stated the Rev. Dr. Rodney D. Smith.
FAME Oakland will host its second annual “Up From the Ashes” Commemorative Weekend, Feb. 22-23 (UFTA25).
The UFTA25 weekend kicks off with a “Community Day” on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Prescott Elementary School from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This day will focus on holistic wellness, providing essential resources, mental health conversations, and fun activities for attendees, who will also receive a grocery card.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Musical Experience featuring Grammy-winning artist and gospel icon Jonathan McReynolds will take place at the Bridge Yard, 210 Burma Rd., Oakland, CA 94607. This night of inspiration and upliftment will coincide with Pastor Rodney unveiling the next steps of FAME Oakland’s rebuild journey.
“Our rebuild is a journey towards reshaping the landscape of our spiritual leadership in Oakland and the greater East Bay area. We have taken the necessary time to reflect, heal, and envision the future of FAME for the next century, and I’m excited to share this vision with Oakland during our UFTA weekend.”
Sign up for the UFTA Community Day at www.tinyurl.com/ufta25communityday.
To purchase tickets for the musical experience with Jonathan McReynolds, go to www.tinyurl.com/Ufta25musical
