Nurturing Gratitude
I have a confession: I sometimes struggle with gratitude as a spiritual practice. When life throws curveballs, it can feel impossible to feel thankful – and sometimes the idea of “practicing gratitude” feels like I’m being asked to ignore or deny what’s hard. Over time, I’ve learned a gentler way: what I call “Even Though Gratitude.” When I’m feeling low, I might say, “Even though I’m upset at the world, I am grateful for my church,” or “Even though my…
Cultivating Compassion
Did you know that compassion is actually a skill you can increase? While it is somewhat innate, it’s also something that we can cultivate. I learned this myself: Years ago, I wasn’t a very nice person. Not horrible, mind you, but I was so in my head, I had a hard time being empathetic or understanding. I was in graduate school, studying long hours, always trying to prove myself to my teachers and fellow students. One night, after studying late,…
Fall Programs and Activities
Happy October RE friends! We have some fun and exciting things happening this fall in the RE classes as this Friday is the start of Family camp at De Benneville Pines camp. This is extra exciting as we were not able to attend last year due to the unfortunate fires. I want to give a special Thanks to Maria Goode for all her planning with the Camp as well as a very grateful Thank you to the congregants who are…
Reflections from OCUUC’s VP, Programs
This month, we’re featuring a post from Katherine Martin, OCUUC’s VP, Programs. I invited her to share her perspective with us. Kathleen McFarlinPresident, Board of Trustees Take a look at the Church Calendar and you’ll see that OCUUC is a vibrant community, full of activities, interest groups, and events that make it an exciting place to belong. From lively book discussions to the collective artistry of Rhythm of the Soul, there truly is something for everyone. To learn more about…
Grab your Joe and a Song to Go
Would you like to improve your breathing and lung function, lower blood pressure, and reduce your stress? Well the OCUUC Sunday Morning Hymn Sing-Along, which we will try throughout the month of October, might be right for you. Singing in community can have many physical, social, and spiritual benefits. The Hymn Sing-Along will be in Daniels Hall at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings.
Season of Change
As the seasons begin to change, the Religious Education classes will be Changing up our curriculum as we enter the School year! Starting Sunday 9/7 we will be starting our “Free to Believe” curriculum in the Elementary class. This curriculum is focused around helping our children understand the seven Unitarian Universalist principals. As this program is designed to nurture the emotional, social, and spiritual life of children. For our Children in the Religious Education Program ages 4-6th grade, we will…
Excitement is Growing!
After years of planning, endless hours of committees, miles of email threads and stacks of spreadsheets, we’ve made it! Our new sanctuary will be officially dedicated this coming Saturday, September 6th and our Open House worship service will be conducted on Sunday, September 7th. We’re putting all the last touches in place – Rev. Sian is crafting her message, the musicians are tuning up, the flowers are being arranged – we’re getting ready to party. So be sure to join…
A Sense of Belonging
I sometimes joke that I have a strange gift: I can tell the future. OK, maybe not exactly – but hear me out. Over the years, I’ve noticed that I sometimes get an intuitive sense about people and places, little nudges that point toward what’s ahead. For example, years ago a friend showed me a brochure for a place called Yes Bay Lodge in Alaska. I looked at it and thought, Someday, I’m going to be there. A year later,…
Rhythm of the Soul
Have you ever wanted to create music without worrying about the notes on a page? Do you love music but you’re not so crazy about performing? Have you ever thought about playing a poem on drums or flute? Join us, and experience a night where drums ground you, flutes lift you, movement frees you, and poetry opens the heart. Rhythm of the SoulThursdays 6:00-6:45 PMVictoria Room at OCUUCDrums, Flutes, Movement, and Ambient SoundsImprov Group 🎵 No Music Reading Needed: We…
New Sanctuary Construction Update – Week 50!
Our building contractor is still working on a few remaining items before we receive our final certificate of occupancy. Work Party this Saturday, August 23 from 9:00 AM until we’re done. The new chairs for Daniels Hall have arrived and need to be unpacked plus other tasks. Save the date for the Grand Opening Weekend September 6-7, 2025.
New Sanctuary Construction Update – Week 49
Signs are done. Grand piano has been moved along with the chairs into the new sanctuary ready for the first service in the new space this Sunday, August 17th. Come join us! Save the date for the Grand Opening Weekend September 6-7, 2025. Sept 6th: New Sanctuary Dedication: https://ocuuc.org/newsanctuarydedication/Sept 7th: Open House: https://ocuuc.org/openhouse/
Come, Sing a Song with Me… Or Drum or Strum Along with Me
“Take a music bath…and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes While we all know that listening to music is good for the soul, creating music with others offers a number of additional restorative benefits. We often refer to our “music community” because rehearsing and performing music with others fosters a sense of connection, belonging, and accomplishment that nurtures our community. One of the many goals…