Join guest Jessica Wilson, MSRD, author of IT’S ALWAYS BEEN OURS: REWRITING THE STORIES OF BLACK WOMEN’S BODIES, and FUCO member Natalie Ingraham as they reflect on vulnerability and joy in racial justice work. The two will share their decade-long connection and what each has learned from each other. They both ask the question: what does it look like to center the joy of Black women?

Natalie Ingraham (she/her) is a member of FUCO and the Crescendo Choir since 2018. Although she and her family are sadly moving away from FUCO this summer, she will always consider this her first church home in California. She is also a professor of Sociology (soon to be Farmingdale State College on Long Island), a dancer, and mother of a curious, busy toddler.

Jessica Wilson, MS, RDN (she/her) is the co-creator of the Amplify Melanated Voices challenge that went viral in 2020. She is a clinical dietitian, consultant and author of the book It’s Always Been Ours; Rewriting the Story of Black Women’s Bodies. Jessica has worked as a clinical dietitian since 2007, specializing in eating disorders. Jessica works from a trauma-informed perspective and believes that her client’s lived experiences can be more important to their care than what is considered to be “best practice.”

There are two ways to attend this worship service:

• In person: Worship service starts at 10:20 AM. We strongly recommend that you wear a mask while in the building. All are invited to stay after worship for Coffee Hour in Wendte Hall.

• Via Zoom: Join the worship service and Virtual Coffee Hour from any internet browser or with the installed Zoom app. Closed captions will be provided. A Zoom account is not required. The first part consists of watching the live stream, and the second part continues our practice of online Coffee Hour. The virtual “doors” open at 10 AM and music commences at 10:20 AM. Refer to your Chalice Chatter or contact office@uuoakland.org for Zoom details.

Checking out First Unitarian Oakland?
If you’re joining us for the first time, we would like to extend a full welcome!  Please answer a few questions on our online Guest Connection Card.  When at church on Sunday, you can also ask questions & get help at the Greeting Table on the patio before the service.

On most Sundays right after the service, we have a quick Newcomer Welcome in the sanctuary — meet up with a church member in front by the pulpit, for a quick introduction to the church and answers to your questions — then join us in Wendte Hall for Coffee Hour.  If you attend via Zoom, you can stay in the Zoom session after the service for informal discussion in our Virtual Coffee Hour.

We look forward to you joining us for worship service each week! For more information, check out About Worship.