Water Ceremony
In our annual Water Ceremony, we welcome back Rev. Sian, welcome in Wendy, our new intern and we let go with our blessing, Beth, our Director of Music Ministries. What do you want to welcome in this year and lovingly let go of? Remember to bring water from someplace special for you to add to our community water. Symbolic water will also be provided.
London Calling
A Unitarian Universalist and five Episcopalians walk into a pub… Sabbatical Preacher KC Marie Pandell shares her experience on Bexley-Seabury seminary’s “Learning from London” course, and the unexpected faith journey it brought. KC Pandell is filling in a number of times this summer while Rev. Sian is on sabbatical. KC is serving as Intern Minister at Tapestry UU and will begin full time ministry with Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Santee, CA in the fall.
The Ben Parker Appeal
Our social locations inform much about us: from opportunities available to us, to the ways we move and interact with the world. Today, we investigate our “Constellation of Privilege” and how we can use the information from it to live into our Unitarian Universalist Principles.
How We Fight for Justice
Throughout our history, Unitarian Universalists and our spiritual ancestors have fought for justice, sometimes by building bridges across divisions and sometimes through direct conflict. In this service we’ll explore the tension between these two approaches to how a “gentle, angry people” can build beloved community in the face of oppression. *Please note: this service was only on Zoom due to the weather conditions on 8/20 in Southern California.
A Very Spiritual Education
A seminary education is a vital requirement of our Unitarian Universalist ministry. But what actually goes on there and why is this education so necessary? Today we explore some practicalities as well as the experiences of recent seminarians.
Camp Songs
While some of our friends are away camping this summer, we will reminisce about the best and worst of camp life. Did you go to camp? As an adult or as a child? What are some of your indelible memories? Why is camping such a significant aspect of American life? And most important of all, which are your favorite camp songs? Come worship and sing with us.
Everyday Spiritual Practices in Our Chaotic World
OCUUC members, led by Linda, share personal reflections about spiritual practices and how they bring meaning to their everyday lives. Regardless of your religious leanings, we hope you’ll be inspired to consider a practice of your own as together we face life challenges in our chaotic world. Linda is a long-time member of OCUUC and a pillar of our community wearing many leadership hats over the years.
Unraveling Adoption
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about adoption? Beth Syverson is an adoptive mom and an advocate for adoptees. She will explain the many shades of gray inherent in adoption and will explain why some of the popular cultural tropes around adoption can be harmful to adoptees. Besides Beth, you will also hear from adoptees themselves, both in word and in song. You will walk away more aware of the complexities of adoption, and…
The Art of Finishing Life Well!
Unitarian Universalism is increasingly a world of seniors. There exists a deep hunger to engage the difficult yet enlivening homestretch challenges of solitude and quest, joy and service, surrender and legacy. Tom is a bona fide elder who will share his notes. He has been a parish minister since 1967 and guest minister at many churches over the years. He also volunteers at nursing and youth homes and at his local San Diego homeless center.
Life, the Universe, and Everything
A feature of Unitarian Universalism is our willingness to admit that we don’t have the answers. Today, we explore our third and fourth principles, and how they help us shape not only our faith, but how we move through the world. KC Pandell will fill in at OCUUC a number of times this summer while Rev. Sian is on sabbatical. KC is also serving as Intern Minister at Tapestry UU, a contract minister at UUC Anaheim and will begin full…
The Death and Resurrection of Unitarian Universalism
Let’s look into the future based on analyzing an extensive survey. How can our congregations thrive? What happens if we don’t? We need spiritual community to show us how to be authentic human beings. Are we doing that? Rev. Arvid Straube was the Lead Minister of the First UU Church of San Diego. He retired in 2014 and is currently Minister Emeritus at Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, North Carolina.
Rebel Yell: Igniting a Turning Point in the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights
Nearly 55 years after the Stonewall Uprising, misconceptions and misunderstandings still abound. Today, we examine the stories and the place the uprising holds in history and ask ourselves how we can use the same spark in today’s fight for LGBTQ+ justice.