Standing on the Threshold
We are on the threshold of a new era; of new ways of doing church, of being with people. Will we go back to the “old way?” Perhaps, but not in the near future. This new era is teaching us all sorts of things: that when push comes to shove, the vast majority of people are kind and doing what they can to help their fellow humans; that we humans need to be with one another; that we are truly…
Exploring Thresholds
This month we will explore Thresholds in all our Religious Education classes. PreK-7th will focus on Thresholds as the boundaries between our place of shelter and the outside in session one. What do we welcome in? What are thresholds good at keeping out? Take a look at the first hymn in our gray hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition— “May Nothing Evil Cross this Door”—this hymn talks about shelter from the storm, making our space sacred, peaceful and joyful. In session…
Creating Meaningful Worship
Despite the pain and isolation of the quarantine, and the ominous reality of a worldwide pandemic over our heads, your church musicians are flourishing under the challenge of quarantine. Twelve of them, including two youth, performed for our biannual (but first-ever online) Music Under the Stars concert. 15 singers participated in our first virtual choir piece, “Sanctuary,” and even more are participating with our next one, which will be out in a few weeks. And every Sunday, your musicians are…
Liberation
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While King meant this to describe the justice issues of our times, it has a broader truth to it. He’s speaking about our interdependence. During this time of self-quarantining, we are finding that liberation or freedom isn’t just about “whatever I want to do.” Rather, it’s liberating ourselves from the illusion…
We are Liberated Together
Our monthly theme for April is Liberation. Wow, has that taken on a whole new meaning for us in these days of “shelter in place?” Our worlds have shrunk to the size of essential services and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. I don’t know about you, but I suspect we may have some feelings in common. I’m cycling through feeling fine, to anger at the way our Federal government is handling this crisis, to fear about…
Bringing a Glimmer of Hope
We are living in unprecedented times. I’m sure you’ve seen and read news stories about people singing together from their balconies, or neighbors enjoying front yard concerts, or famous artists (and not-so-famous ones too) broadcasting live from their living rooms. Take a moment to reflect on how music is helping everyone manage their emotions and bringing a glimmer of hope and joy to humanity. I’m one of the lucky musicians since my church job and teaching jobs did not go…
Navigating Our Way
What a difference a month makes. I just reread what I wrote for last month’s Reach article and there was, of course, no mention of a Covid-19 worldwide pandemic. Until three weeks ago, I, and I imagine many of you, were blissfully unaware this virus would erupt to the extent it has here at home. Reverend Sian and the Staff, the Board of Trustees, and so many other members of our wonderful OCUUC community have all jumped in to work…
Wisdom
As Unitarian Universalists, we draw upon six sources of wisdom. If you look at that list, you might think (like I sometimes joke) that we have everything in there, but the kitchen sink! But you might point out, that there might be some contradictions among these sources. For example, if we draw from wisdom of world religions, what if our own experience differs from what has been written down in those venerable faith traditions? If you want to know if something…
Awakening and Wisdom
I served as Minister-in-Residence at Elementary/Family Winter Camp at de Benneville Pines over Presidents’ Day weekend. Did you know that there were more opportunities to get up to camp as a family in addition to our October weekend? Children in grades 2 through 6 can come up as independent campers—and we had one from our congregation, Elise Kaufel. I took my great nephew and niece, Rowan and Leyla. One extended family came up with grandparents, parents and children for a…
Music Under the Stars
Do you have your act together? March 7th is our annual Open Mic Night at 7pm in Daniels Hall. Bring your family-friendly act and share it with our community.It’s free to perform and free to attend. Performers, just arrive by 6:45pm that night to get on the roster. And mark your calendars for our semi-annual Music Under the Stars event on April 18. You’ll be treated to all kinds of musical performances by OCUUC folks and usually a few guests…
The Quakers are Moving In
We have the very good news to share that OCUUC has signed a ten-year lease with the Orange County Friends Meeting (Quakers) for Suites 8 and 9 commencing June 1, 2020. This wonderful news was first announced to the congregation at the February 16, 2020 Townhall meeting held after the Sunday service. Let me give you some background on how this excellent arrangement for us and the Quakers has come to fruition. In June of 2019 an OCUUC Property Use…
Resilience
People often ask me “how long shall I grieve?” as if there is a certain timetable that I could give them. And I always tell them, “There is no timetable. You’ll grieve as long as you grieve.” What, I think, people are really asking me is: “How long do I have to go through this pain?” No one wants to feel the pain of grief, or any other difficult emotion. Resilience is about allowing ourselves to feel those difficult emotions…