Little Rock, AK
After preaching on February 16, I went right to the John Wayne airport to start a journey to Little Rock, AK where I was honored to attend the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. This conference is an annual event inviting Clergy and Lay Leadership to hear from the foremost African American theological scholars, grassroots and political leaders, emerging leaders and practitioners. Each year, the conference moves to a different city, and I was hoping to see more of Little Rock, but…
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #25
The second coat of stucco has been applied to all prepared exterior surfaces. The third coat will be applied at the end of this week assuming the previous coat has dried sufficiently. The windows and doors are scheduled for installation after the final coat of stucco has completely dried. Interior work continues with drywall and electrical and audio/visual installation nearing completion. The builder still believes that the project is on time. Photo: Rev. Sian discussing the podium location with (left)…
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #24
The first coat of stucco has been applied to all prepared exterior surfaces. The second and third coats will be applied once they have dried thoroughly. Next the windows and doors are scheduled for installation after the final coat of stucco has completely dried. Interior work continues with drywall and electrical and audio/visual installation nearing completion.
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #23
The work continues on the new sanctuary. At last week’s construction meeting, we were joined by the architect who was pleased at the progress of the project. They did make a few suggestions that were minor but will make a difference in the finished space overall. The new audio booth has been roughed in and the music sub-committee for sanctuary construction has been consulted to weigh in on the details. The rain forecast for this week has delayed the first…
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #22
The work continues at a rapid clip. The interior ceiling of the sanctuary has been painted black before the suspended ceiling is installed and the three operable skylights have been placed and tested. Drywall continues to be installed on the walls and part of the ceiling. The creation of the raised platform for the pulpit and choir areas has begun. The substructure will be eventually covered in oak. Preparations for the application of stucco on the exterior walls continues and…
Repair
One of my favorite poems is called “The Guest House” by Jalaluddin Rumi (12th C. Sufi Poet). It speaks to the wisdom that each of us have different “parts” – (“a joy, a depression, a meanness…”) and to welcome them all (“Welcome and entertain them all!”). That is, include them in who you are because each of these “parts” has something to teach you (“each has been sent as a guide from beyond”). But we often want to exclude these…
Choral Music and Society
Choral music holds a vital place in society as a unifying and transformative art form. It brings individuals together from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose through the collective act of singing. Beyond its ability to create harmony in a literal sense, choral music serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, preserving cultural traditions, and expressing the breadth of hu-man emotion. It provides opportunities for education, connection, and personal growth, teaching discipline, collaboration, and empathy. In…
Legacy Giving
Have you seen our new addition? No, I don’t mean the Sanctuary construction. I’m referring to the new plaques that are going up at Daniels Hall and the Pat Robitaille Room which acknowledge these church members who gave to the OCUUC Endowment Fund. We’ve had numerous donors to OCUUC over the years and we appreciate everyone’s generosity. In the past few weeks, the Stewards have been focusing on Legacy Giving and developed a brochure to help explain how your contribution…
Religious Education Visioning
For years, we’ve been dreaming of growing our Religious Education (RE) program for our children. Now it’s time to turn those dreams into reality! On Sunday, February 2, after church, we’ll be hosting a brainstorming session to envision how we can help our RE program thrive—and I need your help. Rev. Sian and I can’t do this alone. We need your voices, your ideas, and your passion for the future of our children. And this isn’t just a conversation for…
Construction Progress – Jan 2025
Enjoy the time-lapse video of the Sanctuary Construction thru January 2025.
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #20
The work continues on the new sanctuary. The high tech roof membranes are in place on the main roof and the canopy roof, they come with an unbelievable fifty year warranty. The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system is currently being installed on the main roof with the related ductwork entering the ceiling of the sanctuary. The interior ceiling of the sanctuary is being prepared to be painted black before the suspended ceiling is installed. Preparation for the application…
Sanctuary Construction Update – Week #19
The work continues at the construction site with many activities taking place at once. The new roofing system is mostly in place on the main roof and now the canopy roof is being treated with the same roofing treatment that should provide many years of carefree service. Other work includes insulating the interior walls and ceiling. Work on the exterior in preparation for stucco is almost done which means the stucco could be applied in the next few weeks.