This past Sunday, our congregation held its Annual Congregational Meeting – a time to vote in new Board Members, approve the 2025-26 budget and to acknowledge many of our own members and staff who have worked hard to accomplish OCUUC’s goals over the past year. Dolly Duran was recognized as a congregant who has now been a member for 25 years; although she wasn’t able to attend the meeting, we’ll make sure she receives her pin to commemorate her many years as a member.
Craig Spery, Chair of the Construction Committee, gave an overview of our progress on the sanctuary building, and Linda Spery, Chair of the Capital Campaign, shared plans to acknowledge all contributors to the project on a donor wall in the sanctuary. If you haven’t already contributed but would like your name to appear, you can still make this happen by donating to the Sanctuary Fund either online by clicking here or sending a check designating the Sanctuary Fund. And, of course, Steve Morihiro put together an absolutely stunning video showing the year’s progress on the sanctuary. If you missed it, be sure to watch it here.
In total, we had 72 members attending - 57 were present in Daniels Hall ad 15 participated via zoom. And those attending in-person were able to visit the new sanctuary – an awesome space!
So with the Annual Meeting now in the rearview mirror, our new Board will be meeting for the first time in July and turning our sights to promoting our vibrant congregation to the larger community. If we’re able to maintain our current schedule, we should be holding a Building Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 6th at 2:00 p.m. All current members are welcomed along with our community partners, local legislators and UUA dignitaries. Then, on Sunday, September 7th, we will hold an Open House which will include a welcoming Sunday service to our friends and neighbors followed by an informal reception in the courtyard.
So please mark your calendars and plan to join us for one or both events – and bring your friends and family to show off what we’ve accomplished together.
We’re just about there!!
Kathleen McFarlin is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Board President.