Unity and Diversity
Have you ever noticed that the greatest gift a person has is also often their biggest challenge? For example, I know people who have the most generous hearts (their gift), but they often give more than they are truly able (their challenge). And so can start to feel resentful, or get burnt out, or people can take advantage of their generous spirit. The same thing goes for communities. Our greatest gift as Unitarian Universalists is our theological diversity. So much…
Looking Ahead to Our New Church Year
Calix School of Unitarian Universalist Magic has come to a close after twelve great weeks. Children, youth, family members, and teachers all celebrated with an end-of-term potluck brunch feast and magic show on Sunday, September 25th. Our children really seemed to enjoy and get a lot out of this curriculum, and much of that success is owed to the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Special thanks go out to: Jennifer Abt for developing the original curriculum Crystal Null, Susan…
From Here to There (Hint: Sanctuary)
“Follow your heart but take your brain with you.” -Alfred Adler You’ve all been on this journey for decades and you’ve been in this space on Mesa Verde East for some three years – is it time to consider working on the next step, that of completing the sanctuary, that was in your plans when you moved here? I am so happy to have this church to come back to when Sandie and I returned to Orange County. We are…
Being Generous to Ourselves
“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage —pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.'” -Steven Covey We are a very generous congregation – we give in many ways to many needy organizations. We typically give half of our collection basket every Sunday to worthy organizations in our area. We…
Exciting Calix Plans for the Rest of Summer
During the past month, OCUUC children and youth planted succulents on our church grounds, took a walking field trip to the park to learn Quidditch, had the opportunity to handle and learn about several types of reptiles and amphibians during a presentation by Jurassic Parties, and learned some self defense techniques thanks to volunteers from Karate for All. It’s been wonderful to have so many people from our church and larger community making a difference for our kids, and we…
Vocation
September 11th is our Water Ceremony, which marks for most Unitarian Universalists as the beginning of the church year. This ceremony was developed a long time ago as a way for the church to come back together after a summer hiatus. People would tell about what they did for the summer and reconnect. But gone are the days when the church takes a summer hiatus. And people realized that after a while, the ceremony became a kind of “bragging rights”…
Supporting Our Wonderful Children
I am so thrilled to be taking the reigns as your new Director of Religious Education. My first day was July 1st. Many of you have taken time to reach out to me in welcome, and I truly appreciate your support. For those of you I haven’t met yet, please find me on a Sunday morning (if I don’t find you first!) so that we can start getting to know one another. Our summer program is off to a great…
What’s in a Name?
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II This is my second column as your president – “El Segundo” in Spanish. Forgive me while I ramble a bit. The second half of my career I worked for a company whose headquarters are in El Segundo, California. I wondered why anyone would name their city “Number Two”. The story had more to do with…
Reflections on the Chorus America Conference
Last month I was lucky enough to attend the Chorus America Conference in Cincinnati, thanks to this congregation’s support of my professional development funds. Here are a few highlights of the conference – things that I can tangibly apply to my work here at OCUUC: Speaker on multicultural programming and multicultural audience development. Does our programming consistently reflect our community? Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble concert, featuring two world premieres. Top-notch performing, such nutritious food for my soul! Email marketing seminar.…
Scarpe Diem
SCARPE DIEM. That’s my attempt at a bad pun – “scarpe”, Italian for shoes – following in the footsteps, etc. No? well I said it was bad, didn’t I? Nonetheless I will attempt, as your new President starting July 1st, to carry on after Tom Loughrey – no small task as you all know and can appreciate. He is truly a pillar of this community and will still be here for each of us who will need his help and…
Farewell
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes; (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes; Oh, look out you rock n rollers Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes; (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes; Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older Time may change me; But I can’t trace time I said that time may change me; But I can’t trace time -David Bowie Many songs and poems have been written about change. As we close out our Religious Education ‘regular’ class year, there will be some important changes happening on…
Talking With Children About Traumatic Events
How do we talk about traumatic events with our children? The Orlando shootings have the nation, and parts of the world, in an emotional and media upset. Our children can be extremely vulnerable at this time, and be unable to articulate their sadness and concerns. Here is some help on how to talk to the children and youth in your life. This Washington Post article has suggestions and talking points to help you with these conversations: “They [children and youth]…