Social services can trace your roots back to the late 1800s. Many immigrants that came at that time with their own faith traditions First Services were taken care of widows and or fans and later seniors that is what churches and faith communities still do today. Our official starting date in San Francisco in the later days we did Refugee Resettlement after the viet nam war. Since that time weve been serving people who have been homeless, formerly homeless. Serving people with hiv and aids. And that is here in San Francisco. In San Francisco. But i know the territory covers all of Northern California which is a large territory. To oregon to reno all the way to hawaii. Thats a large territory. Stephanie, tell us about programs out in the east and northern bay, and beyond the city. Sure. So, in Contra Costa County we have a youth program, former foster youth living as adults. Similar programs in the stockton and sacramento area as well as programs for families, adults and up into their se
Always working for justice in our community here in oakland. Grew up here and has been in oakland all his life. Welcome, paul cobb. It is a pleasure to be here today. Tell us about your background. I was born in oakland. My parents come from oklahoma and mississippi, but i was born in oakland. I have attended schools in oakland, and i have had the opportunity to travel all over the country as a journalist and an activist and as a participant in the civil rights struggle and as an advocate for change. You told me earlier you had not taken a course in journalism but you are gifted in writing . I did not take any courses in journalism. I always got great grades in english and in writing and in composition. And i remember, as a youngster, i was a spelling bee champion. So ive always. Nobody could beat new scrabble, you in scrabble, right . Nobody could beat me in scrabble. When you realized you had that gift, what led you to working in the community . Well i always, my mother used to tell
Lutheran church. This particular one encompasses central and Northern California and northern nevada. Almost 200 congregations including a seminary and a bible camp. We connect with all of these agencies as well as congregations. It is big. A lot of territory. I drive about 3000 miles a month to connect with congregations and leaders and the two offices we have. That is a lot of out and about. Yes. I imagine there is joy and frustration with being a bishop. Tell us what it is that makes you particular particularly gratified to be a bishop. What would those tasks to be . One of the things i get to do is travel around and be with congregations. Sometimes sunday morning. It is a great opportunity for me to connect with the congregation, the leaders and the pastor and find out what they are doing in the place where they were planted maybe 60, 75 or 100 years ago, to bring christ into a way of understanding hoping to make a difference in the life of that community. And how they connect with
Fair in the bay area that comes here every other year. Black History Month is first. It was proposed by jean wilson. Back then it was [null] history week. They chose the second week in february because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and fatfree and Frederick Douglass. It became a month in 1976. We just celebrated doctor kings birthday. We have been celebrating his birthday since 1983 as a holiday. Two important times in january and february. My guest is a longtime friend and colleague. We went to seminary together and he has always been part of the struggle for justice and truth and i am glad that he is still around. Its great to have you. It is great to be here and congratulations to you with 16 years. I have always enjoyed being with you in on this program. Host you have been at the church for the people for 15 years. 50 years. You establish that back in 19 established that back in 1944. Yes. One of the most important things about doctor Martin Luther king jr. , and one of the r
Of celebration black history was first proposed in the 1900s and became a week in 1926. Back then it was negro history week. They chose the second week in february because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and frederick douglas. Dr. Kings birthday we just celebrated. He would have been 88 years old and we have celebrated his birthday since 1983. My guest is a longtime friend and colleague. Hes always been in the struggle for justice and truth and thats dr. Reverend blake. Its great to have you its great to be on this program and congratulations to you, 16 years hosting mosaic and youve been with us a few times yes and i always appreciate it youve been with the fellowship for over 20 years and thats excellent. What is it about king that is still relevant he was a person of vision and we have not had a leader of vision as Martin Luther king had since his assassination. We, to a great extent have been reabouting to different policies of the government and reacting to different policies