Superhero Academy
We’re gearing up for a fabulous year in Religious Education. We’ll be doing a new program called Superhero Academy with our Kindergarten — 6th grade group. The program’s introduction states, “From their humble beginnings in comic books of the 1930s and 40s, to modern day blockbuster movies, irreverent cartoons, and thrilling amusement park attractions, superheroes have certainly invaded our cultural zeitgeist. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a child today who hasn’t fantasized about being a superhero or…
On the Road Again
Tom and I have had lots of opportunity for travel this summer. This is the second summer that we have driven across the United States. This year we spent some time at the beach in Florida with our children and grandchildren and attended Tom’s Penn Hills High School reunion in Pittsburgh. In between, we were able to see some family and friends, including Scott and Margaret Armstrong, long time members who moved to North Carolina. It is so good to…
Ten Years at OCUUC
I can’t believe it: I’m entering my 10th year with OCUUC! How cool is that!? For those of you who have been a part of the church for much longer, you might think that’s not that long. But for me, it’s quite the milestone. I grew up moving almost every year or so. The longest I had ever lived in one place until age 16 was 1.5 years. Since then, as an adult, the most I’ve been at any job…
Updates for August
It is a new church year and a great time for beginnings. I am really looking forward to working with our excellent Board and all of you to make OCUUC all it can be. We have so many opportunities. The Environmental Film Festival promises to be a fantastic event and our beloved Camp deBenneville Pines weekend is in the works for October. It was a pleasure to work with Carolina Tercero Brandon, Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega, Nina Smith and Phyllis…
Journey to Ann Arbor
I just got back from my first Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM) Conference in 3 years. This year it was in Ann Arbor, and we really lucked out with good weather plus a GIANT art festival happening in town last week. My cup has been filled up by SO. MUCH. SINGING and camaraderie with my wonderful colleagues. There were only about 100 attendees in per-son this year, much fewer than normal, and we didn’t have a conference choir…
Magic Summer
We’ve been having a joyful and service-filled summer in Religious Education. We began our Magic Summer curriculum from Soul Matters in July, encompassing the three S’s of Silence, Service, and Sunshine. We have experienced silence through a guided meditation that had us imagining ourselves as a sprouting seed, an activity in which we mind-fully passed a cup of water without spilling a drop, a meditation on the meaningfulness of books, and a loving kindness meditation. Our first act of service…
July 10th Worship Service
I am looking forward to a new church year! As grateful as I am to the work of last year’s Board, I anticipate another great year with our new Board. Thank you to all who serve. On July 10, a group of us are leading the Sunday Service to share our recent experiences with racism and anti-racism. It has been a transformative journey for many of us, and we understand we are on a very long path. In addition to…
Special Music
Later this month, I will be attending the Association of UU Music Ministries (AUUMM) annual conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Like everyone else, our organization canceled the last 2 conferences because of COVID, so I’m looking forward to this one even more than usual. One of the best parts about the conference is the in-between conversations with colleagues. I’ve made so many friends throughout the years, and I enjoy reconnecting with them once a year (plus throughout the year on…
Summer RE Program
The school year and church year are winding down, and we are preparing for summer. The Youth Group will be taking a break over the summer (perhaps with 1 or 2 special events), and PreK-7th grade will be combined for our summer program. We’ll be using the Magic Summer curriculum from Soul Matters. This program is based on three magic “S’s” that are what we, as a faith community, need to provide our children and our families to find the…
Hungry for Live Music
I hope that you are as hungry for live music as I am! Our August will be filled with three live musical experiences for our OCUUC family. Please mark your calendars and plan to come out for three fun evenings! Have you heard Spencer LaJoye’s “Plowshare Prayer” yet? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhOZv5i7CHY) It was going around the UU circles on social media for a while, plus we sang it at church a few weeks ago. Well, Spencer LaJoye is going to be on…
We are Awesome
May completed our onsite Ukrainian Refugee program. Everyone who is not with their sponsor has moved to a dormitory in Los Angeles, and our two-story building is almost empty again. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who donated items, made meals and grocery runs, did onsite stays, drove, and made it all happen. I have been so impressed by all the volunteer response and compassion. We are awesome! The Annual Meeting is upon us. I hope…
A Blessing for Everything
Years ago, I read a book called “The Carmina Gaedelica.” It’s a collection of Celtic Christian prayers, enchantments and blessings from the 19th Century from the Outer Hebrides of the Scottish Isles, a place that had preserved much of its original pagan roots. When you read the prayers and poems (and, yes, spells/enchantments!) you can tell they are unique immediately; they were all once from the druidic/pagan tradition. When Christianity came along, they just added in Jesus and Mary. What…