A Progressive Christian Community



An Open & Affirming Congregation

March 2024

Our Sunday service is live and on our Zoom channel. The recording of the service will be available online later that day on Facebook, YouTube and on our Website.

Look for the following as you scroll down

• Worship for March
• Message from Sherian, Moderator
• Our journey of becoming a Just Peace congregation as well as an Accessibility to All (A2A) congregation
• English/Spanish Classes
• Music News
• Emily's Space
• News from Nicaragua
• Joys and Concerns
• New from our conference

Liturgical Seasons

Lent continues throughout March until the very last day, March 31 st which is Easter. The liturgical color remains purple until Easter which begins the season of Eastertide with the liturgical color of white. Throughout Lent, our services have focused on the many aspects of Just Peace as our congregation continues on the path to discerning whether

we want to officially covenant to become a Just Peace congregation. Thus, the messages this month will continue to explore that theme.

This Sunday, Mar. 3, we will have a special visitor, Rev. Mitchell Young. He is pastor at Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church and also one of the leaders in PAAM, Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries, a ministry of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Young is organizing a pulpit exchange on Sunday, April 28 (details next month) and UCV will be participating in this program. We will be sending Helen Ortega to speak at a participating congregation and UCV will be welcoming a visiting speaker

that day. After we volunteered to participate (thank you, Helen!), Dr. Young found our website to learn more about us. He was so interested what we are up to at UCV that he decided to spend his Sunday off by worshipping with us. Be sure to welcome him!

Watch for details about Holy Week and Easter coming soon! Save Maundy Thursday, March 28. Participate in a simple meal followed by a Tenebrae service where we remember and grieve not only the events leading to the crucifixion but also some of the current world situations.

What UCV will Become in 2024

A Just Peace Church

A couple of years ago, UCV agreed that we wanted to go through the process of being able to be designated as a “Just Peace” church. The process is somewhat similar to that of becoming “Open and Affirming.” There is a time of study and then the congregation votes to proclaim a public identity as a justice-doing, peace-seeking church. This may be the time to rekindle our determination to seek this designation. If you are interested in learning more about or want to participate in this process, talk to Deb Hudson.

An Accessibility to All Church

Accessibility to All (A2A) is about becoming attitudinally welcoming to people with disabilities and mental health issues as well as working to make our buildings physically and programmatically accessible to persons with disability. There is a process involved outlined by UCC that we will work through to acquire this designation.

Planning for Summer

We would like to revisit this topic from April 2023. There is a real need for a program such as this. An additional cost we realized is additional insurance to cover this. So as the overall cost of running such a program continues to move upward, our need for ideas on how to fund this, we would love to hear from you if you suggestions. Below is the complete article from April 2023. Can we do this..... yes with adequate funding.

One of the things the council and Outreach teams have been working on is trying to develop a Cooling Center for the hot summer months. There are only two centers in the area and one of them only accepts Seniors so the need is real, especially for those who may be living in their cars or on the streets. Many times people who are disenfranchised are asked to leave the area if they are in a restaurant and not an actual patron or sitting on the sidewalk. 

There are a number of things to consider, not the least of which is will our insurance carrier cover something like this? Also, how do we fund the extra usage of the air conditioning and do we provide snacks and water for those who come?

Rick and I have been working to see what kind of grants we may be eligible for and that has definitely been a learning curve, or at least for me. Many large companies have a specific outline for applications and that starts with registering the church with their Foundation that oversees their approval process.  

Another one of the considerations… is there a need for contracted security for the hours that we are open to the public? Personally, I don’t feel comfortable asking a paid staffer to control any potential conflict that may arise. I have two calls scheduled with security companies to get more insight into this. It may be overthinking things, but I prefer to be on the offense rather than the defense.  

Additionally, we would like to purchase some games and/or puzzles for people to occupy their time. Fortunately, these would be a one-time purchase while all other expenses would be ongoing.

Obviously as more and more things are thrown into the pot, the grant money needed continues to increase. Initially, we expected about $5000 would be needed, but that was before the topic of security came up. The initial plan is to be open Monday – Friday from 4:30 – 8:30 PM which is typically the hottest times of the day and run from August – October.

If anyone has ideas on how to support this pilot program, I am absolutely happy to listen. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect but feel it’s a great way to engage those who may need a little help during the hottest part of the year.

-Sherian Spencer - Moderator

Pastoral Care Ministry

Even though we don’t have a paid pastor at UCV, we have a number of lay pastors who want to be there for you as you travel down life’s sometimes difficult road. Please contact Sandy Selby at (502) 930-2199 to receive a confidential referral. 

English (and Spanish) Classes

We’re so glad to have Luis, Casandra and Donna, the refugee family from Ecuador) back with us as well as Arlene who is also staying with the Martinez family. For the past few weeks we’ve been having fun teaching them English and having them teach some of us Spanish. If you’d like to participate either as a tutor or as a Spanish-learner, talk to me or send me an email (lbradley93168@gmail.com).

Music News

Our singers, instrumentalists and ringers will be rehearsing before and after Sunday services to prepare for weekly worship as well as Easter. If you’d like to join us, talk to Lynne.

Emily's Space is up and running and providing a safe space for our youth!

There has been a lot of support from the community who is purchasing things off the wish list. If you would like to help you can find the list at Emily"s Space Wish List . Its been amazing to see the students connect, laugh, have fun and find support in a safe space. A very special "thanks!" goes out to UCV for allowing us space.

From Rick: I'm one of the adult chaperones. As I was getting out of my car this past week to go in, I asked myself, "what is my favorite part when volunteering for Emily's Space"? The answer was quite simple, seeing these young adults being themselves without fear of being judged and feeling safe when here. Please consider supporting this beautiful program.

Rachel Dennis

News from Nicaragua

A couple of Just Hope leaders, Kathy and David recently spent a week in Chacraseca. They report that while things are still precarious, there are a few reasons to hope. When the Cultural Center was repossessed by the local government group, so was the Stitching Hope center. The ladies that were working with Stitching Hope were each given a sewing machine but all the rest of the materials and machinery were confiscated. However, the ladies are resilient and determined. They now meet in the house of one of the women and continue sewing. They have made graduation outfits,

band uniforms, school uniforms and a variety of other items that they have been able to sell to help support themselves. The report from Kathy and David indicated a couple of critical areas where help is needed. First, the shelves in the local clinic are bare—they have no medicine to dispense. There is still a doctor that is seeing patients, but if he prescribes medicine, there is none. The dentist, who served Chacraseca for years, was forced to leave the country. When I was in Chacraseca I remember seeing the very long lines of parents and children waiting in the dirt for their turn to see the doctor. Some came on horseback and others walked long distances. This sight was repeated daily. The clinic serves the entire 8000 people in this 49 square mile community. The other dire need is for backpacks for students. School is free in Nicaragua, but if students don’t have funds for supplies, school uniform and shoes, they can’t come to

school. Since we are currently not raising money to build a house or latrine or funds to support the music program, I wonder if we might be willing to make a short-term commitment to support one of these two desperately needed programs. It sounds like $200/month would put medicine back on the shelves. Please talk to me if you are interested in contributing (or raising funds to support) either of these programs.

UCV is now offering a change in our name badges. We are offering to put your requested pronouns (below your name). If this is a replacement name badge, there will be a charge of $12.00 otherwise there is no cost for your 1st one. If you are a member and don't have a name badge or want a replacement just let Deb Hudson know.

Farm Workers of Deluz

The farm workers and their families can use your help with just obtaining the basics. Please help if you can. You can see a full list of the most needed items and how to help with a check or Venmo donation by clicking the link below. This is an ongoing need in this area and your help would be appreciated. A UCV regular visitor, Becky Sulzmann, is one of the coordinators for this effort will be our 'point person' for this campaign. Her contact information is:

Becky Sulzmann

847-507-9305

becsulzmann@gmail.com

45002 Corte Zorita 

Temecula, Ca. 92592

This Makes a Powerful Statement

**Available Now**

These bumper stickers are available. UCV is selling them for $5.00 each. The proceeds (after cost) will go to UCV's General Fund. Thank you Sherian for finding these and getting them ordered. If anyone has a suggestion for fund raising please let us know. Be sure and talk to Sherian and see if it's a possibility. Be aware that if you suggest it, you will need to spearhead and organize the marketing. Deb Hudson is available to help with getting the word out.

2024 Church Council

Prayers and Concerns for:

• Edna
• Laurie
• Irene and Rosio for the loss of Rosio's sister.
• Ruth Sharp and Sherian
• Peace in the world

Joys:

• River Hayden Garcia has turned 8 months and keeping us all on our toes

Western Regional Youth Event:

This event happens every 4 years. It is for all the 6th -12th graders in the Western part of Country. It is being held at Cal State Long Beach during the week of June 23-27. There is a need for volunteers, work shop leaders, and churches to do fund raisers to help support this event.  

There is a need for supplies. Go to Contact Us — Western Regional Youth Event 

Contact Us — Western Regional Youth Event

for list of supplies.  https://www.wryeucc.org/contact

Any questions about camp or Western Regional Event call Donna at 951-217-0735.

Southern Association:

Southern Association seeks to covenant with CCOM.  

There will be a question and answer session on March 3rd at 3pm. If interested in knowing what this is please contact Donna for Zoom meeting number. This has been voted on and passed for the Southern Association Church and Ministry Committee. See Donna at church on March 3rd for info on this.

So. Association annual meeting will be a zoom meeting on March 17 at 3pm. Ask Donna for the zoom number. We can have 2 voting representatives and others can listen in to our exciting meeting and find out how busy we are in our Southern Association.

Upcoming events

Spring up to Camp--family camp the weekend of April 26-28. There will be a fundraiser for camperships and to the maintenance fund.  

Summer camp--Registration has begun. Summer camp is from June 30-July 26. There are 4 different sessions. Camperships are available until May 15th. There is also Early bird registration.  

There is a Senior high service project for youth groups and leaders for a week of team building and service projects. This is form June 17-21st.

RAISE THE ROOF--This is a fundraiser for maintenance of the camp. This is to repair the roofs of all the buildings. Many have small holes as seen during the wet winter.

Go to pilgrimpinescamp.org for all information about camp. All registration is on line.



There was a great mid-winter camp for 6-12th graders in Feb. There were 35 campers.

March Birthdays

• Barbara Boardway - 5th
• Ray Wellman - 31st

Even fellowship can be online, thanks to the innovative minds at Zoom! Join us for Sunday Service live and on zoom beginning at 10am. UCV has its own Zoom meeting room at https://zoom.us/j/9516981520

You can join from your Zoom app using meeting number 9516981520 

Or you can join by phone:

One tap mobile

+16699006833,9516981520# US (San Jose)

or dial 

+1-669-900-6833

and then enter 

9516981520# 

You can start your own online fellowship, too! Just email Sandy Selby at moderator@ucvchurch.org to get on the meeting schedule. 

Sunday Service - Live and on Zoom, 10AM

Book Club - We are meeting online every Sunday at 9am Zoom Meeting Room

UCV Council Meeting - 1st Sunday of the month 11:15am Zoom Meeting Room

AA Meeting - Every Monday 7pm

Women's Al-Anon Meeting - Every Wednesday 5:30pm

Men's AA Meeting - Every Wednesday 7pm

OA - 12 Step Program - Thursday 6:30pm - 7:30pm

A Big Book Study - Every Friday 7pm

C.O.D.A.Meeting - Every Sunday 5:30pm (Currently still on Zoom)

The Community House is located at

41685 Date Street, Murrieta 92562

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