NO KINGS
Save the date for NO KINGS! March 28, 2026 from 10am – 1pm in Huntington Beach Let’s carpool! Can you drive? Do you need a ride? Look for sign ups beginning March 8th in the courtyard. No Kings also sponsors trainings (virtual) around safety and knowing our rights. Dates and times are below, as well as a link to sign up for each event. Make A Safety Plan on 3/5 and 3/18 at 5pm Pacific Safety and Deescalation Foundations on…
RE in February
The OCUUC Religious Education Program invites you to join us for our upcoming events for the month of February! The RE middle school ages 5th-9th gradeWill now be meeting twice a month on the following dates:- February 22nd the class will learn about Choices and Accountability.- March 01 the class will be learning on Activation. The Elementary & middle school classes will be combining together on the following Sunday’s:-February 8th to have a very fun and interactive SuperBowl Party!-March 22nd…
Embodying Resilience
How do you embody resilience when the world is falling apart? Right now, ICE is trying to destroy communities and families, our democracy is on the brink of tyranny, the government has armed thugs pulling people off the street without cause demanding papers to prove citizenship as if we lived in some dystopian novel – or 1940’s Germany. For those of us with compassionate hearts, it’s easy to let the despair overwhelm us, to feel helpless. And yet… and yet.…
The “Chosen Family Choir”
We are very pleased to announce a new musical opportunity for people who love to sing or perform an instrument in an informal setting. The group meets after Sunday services in the Choir area of the Sanctuary. Susan is calling the group the “Chosen Family Choir” because, “although we are not all related to each other, we are choosing to celebrate music together in community.” This group is open to anybody of any age who loves to sing or perform…
Buildings & Grounds
We’ve had a change in one of our leadership positions in the past month which I wanted you to be aware of; Jennifer T. needed to step down as Building & Grounds Chair and Carol R. stepped up to fill the role. So please thank Jennifer for all she did during her term; OCUUC kept her VERY busy. And, welcome Carol; she’s already jumped in with both feet and working to accomplish many tasks on our campus. Speaking of which……
A Blessing Called Sanctuary
I want to share with you a poem that repeats itself in my heart, always. A Blessing Called Sanctuary You hardly knewhow hungry you wereto be gathered in,to receive the welcomethat invited you to enterentirely—nothing of youfound foreign or strange,nothing of your lifethat you were askedto leave behindor to carry in silenceor in shame. Tentative stepsbecame settling in,leaning into the blessingthat enfolded you,taking your placein the circlethat stunned youwith its unimagined grace. You began to breathe again,to move without fear,to…
Practicing Resistance
When we hear the word resistance, we often imagine something dramatic – marches, megaphones, moments of public courage. And those forms of resistance matter deeply. But resistance is not only something we rise up into; it is something we practice, day by day, often quietly. Truth is a daily practice: It happens when we correct misinformation, gently and clearly without shaming; use people’s chosen names and pronouns, even when it’s often hard to remember; or name harm rather than trying…
Reflecting on 2025
Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?Should old acquaintance be forgot,and auld lang syne? – from “Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns Now is the time for New Year resolutions and reflecting back on accomplishments during the past year. We’ve been having a wonderful time creating a variety of music since we started in our position in June 2025. Let’s “…take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne” and pause and reflect on how grateful we…
Giving and Gratitude
They say December is a season for giving and gratitude. Here at OCUUC, supporting others is a year-round commitment. In November, we raised $1,700 through our plate share for Second Harvest—an amount notably larger than usual, benefiting a deserving organization at a time when the demand for their services is rising. Earlier in the fall, we took part in Stand with Costa Mesa Families to gather food for families affected by ICE. We followed up in December by once again…
May this New Year…
May this New Year offer a fresh start every day. May this new cycle of time bring you Peace.May your needs be met.May you find comfort wherever you are.May you never hunger. May this new year allow fresh starts.May your vision refresh as you evaluate yourself.May you hear anew the lessons placed in front of you.May your thoughts be fresh with new perspective as you move through the world. May each sunrise bring wonder and possibility.May each nightfall bring the…
January RE Programs
The OCUUC Religious Education Program invites you to join us for our upcoming events for the month of January! The RE classes will be welcoming in the new year on January 4th as the elementary and middle school class will combine together to get their creativity on! There will be loads of supplies for the children to create their own Picasso self portrait! This will be a fun time to let our creativity run wild! Snacks and group games will…
Choosing Hope
Hope has always been a difficult to explain. But I think Victoria Safford has it right: The Gates of Hope by Victoria Safford Our mission is to plant ourselves at the gates of Hope—Not the prudent gates of Optimism,Which are somewhat narrower.Not the stalwart, boring gates of Common Sense;Nor the strident gates of Self-Righteousness,Which creak on shrill and angry hinges(People cannot hear us there; they cannot pass through)Nor the cheerful, flimsy garden gate of“Everything is gonna’ be all right.”But a…