A Progressive Christian Community



An Open & Affirming Congregation

April 2024

Our Sunday service is live and on our Zoom channel. The recording of the service will be available online later that day on Facebook, YouTube and on our Website.

Look for the following as you scroll down

• Worship for April
• A Just Peace Church
• Message from Rick, Vice Moderator
• English/Spanish Classes
• Music News
• Emily's Space
• News from Nicaragua
• Congregational Care
• News from our conference

Liturgical Seasons

It’s the beginning of Eastertide which continues for 50 days after Easter until Pentecost. This is a season of joy and the liturgical color is white. There are several special events planned in April. On April 7, we look forward to hearing from Rachel Dennis. On April 21 we will celebrate Earth Day. As we continue to explore the many facets of Just Peace, Earth Day reminds us that being good stewards to the earth is indeed an act of justice. Last month, Rev. Mitchell Young, pastor of Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church, visited our congregation and spoke to us about the special plans for April 28, Pacific Islander and Asian American Sunday. A pulpit exchange among many of the UCC churches in our region will celebrate PAAM (Pacific Island and Asian American Ministries). Our own Helen Ortega will be representing UCV in the

pulpit exchange. Last Friday, there was an online “lottery” to match the participating speakers with the churches where they will speak. Helen and I both attended and each of us got to pick a colorful Easter egg to match up receiving churches with guest ministers/speakers. Helen will be speaking at the Los Angeles Filipi no-American UCC Church. And, Rev. John Vargas, transitional pastor of the Congregational Church of

Northridge will be speaking here at UCV. The theme on April 28 will be “Sharing Much Fruit” so guess what the theme for our 4th Sunday potluck will be? Think lots of fruit!! When Rev. Young visited us, he gave us the opportunity to select a stole for us to present to our visiting minister (Rev. Vargas). On April 14, Helen Ortega will share her message with UCV. Thanks, Helen, for representing UCV!!

What UCV will Become in 2024

A Just Peace Church

A couple of years ago, UCV agreed that we wanted to go through the process of being able to be designated as a “Just Peace” church. The process is somewhat similar to that of becoming “Open and Affirming.” There is a time of study and then the congregation votes to proclaim a public identity as a justice-doing, peace-seeking church. This is the time to rekindle our determination to seek this designation. If you are interested in learning more about or want to participate in this process, talk to Deb Hudson.

An Accessibility to All Church

Accessibility to All (A2A) is about becoming attitudinally welcoming to people with disabilities and mental health issues as well as working to make our buildings physically and programmatically accessible to persons with disability. We are working through the process involved outlined by UCC to acquire this designation.

What Matters to Us

“Jesus didn’t turn people away, neither do we.” When you’re gutsy enough to make such a claim, it’s not always easy to make good on it. Following Jesus’ lead, the United Church of the Valley strives to keep doors open to all. By God’s grace—in the past and today—we do what needs to be done to be bold people of God’s welcome.

Jesus lived and breathed gracious hospitality. Even though there were powerful people who opposed Jesus’ extravagant welcome, he still embraced those who were often shunned. In the reign of God that Jesus spoke of, he declared there is room for all—children (Luke 18:15-17) and those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, ill, poor, grieving, persecuted, and in prison (Matthew 25: 31-46 and Luke 6:20-26). Jesus put faith and hospitality together: “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me” and those who received Jesus, embraced God (John 13:20).

This kind of hospitality is characteristic of both God’s faithfulness and, at our best, our faithfulness. God welcomes, and also feeds the hungry, forgives sins, stands with those who are poor and oppressed, comforts the suffering, and becomes home for those who wander. In gratitude, faithful people welcome strangers. A surprise in the Bible is the way you welcome a stranger expresses how you embrace the very presence of God (Genesis 18:1-8 and Luke 23:28-35).

The church, since its beginning, continues to “extend hospitality to strangers (Roman 12:13).” The church, after all, is a blessed company of strangers held together by the grace of God.

UCV expresses God’s extravagant welcome in a variety of ways. Our welcome embraces both those we invite to participate in our congregation, as well as those outside the church, with whom we work for God’s justice and compassion. That is our prayer, our hope.

Who is welcome? Our church is among those whose doors are open to God’s children of different cultures, races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, abilities, economic situations, and theological traditions. It isn’t always easy to be so open. UCV prayerfully discerns and expresses how wide our doors and arms are open. Simply stated, “We are a multicultural and multiracial, open and affirming, and soon to be an accessible to all, and just peace church.”

Once one enters the door, it’s not a matter of “sit back, be quiet, speak only as we do.” You, your heart’s questions and your gifts, are vital to our congregation. Both we and you grow together in faith and witness. In God’s grace, you change: we change. We make a holy difference in each other’s lives, and, together, in the world.

In gratitude, because God welcomes us, we are called to make bold stands. In behalf of and along with those who remain oppressed, suffering, alienated, and poor in God’s world, we speak and act . “It’s not an extravagant welcome to an ‘anything-goes’ religion, a comfortable form of Christianity, but to a costly form of discipleship,” says John Thomas, current president and general minister of the UCC. Thomas calls this kind of discipleship “evangelical courage.” It’s the other side of the “extravagant welcome” coin. You see this risky faith expressed throughout the history of the UCC that at times has been hidden. Inspired by God’s gift of hospitality, we work for God’s welcoming world of love and justice.

This was taken from the United Church of Christ website because it truly is who we are at the United Church of the Valley.

Pastoral Care Ministry

Even though we don’t have a paid pastor at UCV, we have a number of lay pastors who want to be there for you as you travel down life’s sometimes difficult road. Please contact Sandy Selby at (502) 930-2199 to receive a confidential referral. 

English (and Spanish) Classes

We’re so glad to have Luis, Casandra and Donna, the refugee family from Ecuador) back with us as well as Arlene who is also staying with the Martinez family. For the past few weeks we’ve been having fun teaching them English and having them teach some of us Spanish. If you’d like to participate either as a tutor or as a Spanish-learner, talk to me or send me an email (lbradley93168@gmail.com).

Music News

A big thanks to our singers and ringers for providing special music during Lent and on Easter Sunday. If you’d like to join us and try your hand at ringing—and/or singing, please talk to Lynne!

Emily’s Space is forming a team of leaders, which includes five (5) positions. These positions will be a 4-month term with the option of serving 2-terms in one position consecutively. This format was developed to promote a long-term program as well as address weekly needs without overtaxing any one individual. Volunteers are still encouraged and can contact our Secretaries Margaret Ozolins at mozolins@earthlink.net or Tricia Ortega at geoeng214@gmail.com

Student-wise we currently have five (5) student leaders, who participate with weekly planning and logistics. They also rotate leadership and “buddy-position” in the weekly activities.

Emily's Space Leaders would like to invite anyone interested to attend our meetings. If you have anything you would like to get on our agenda for open discussion, please email Margaret Ozolins at mozolins@earthlink.net or Tricia Ortega at geoeng214@gmail.com by April 15^th for our next meeting held on April 17th at 6:30-7:30.

We are excited about this new phase for Emily’s Space and look forward to life-long inclusion of all individuals in our society!

Meet the Team

Position

Communication Specialist

Development/Fundraiser

Event Planners

Logistic Coordinator

Secretary(s)

Treasurer



Volunteer (Co-Volunteers)

Helen Ortega (she/her)

Rachel Dennis (she/her) & Kristi Clinton (she/her)

Adriana Toon (she/her) & Margaret Ozolin (she/her)

Tricia Ortega (either)

Margaret Ozolin (she/her) mozolins@earthlink.net

& Tricia Ortega (either) geoeng214@gmail.com

Wyatt Bertel (he/him)

Position Descriptions

 Communication Specialist: Social Media/Website/Branding- manage Instagram, build maintain website, answer messages/emails/google phone number, manage forms of communication for volunteers and attendees.

 Development/Fundraising: find grants, explore becoming a non-profit, organize fundraisers (bake sales/ restaurant nights, etc).

 Event Planner: plan first hour, with second hour for hanging out. Meet with youth to plan out calendar for weekly meeting/events/programming, and communicate with Logistics Coordinator and Communications Specialist to communicate what each week will be.

 Logistics Coordinator: coordinate chaperones & meal donations; maintain list of fully cleared volunteers; meets with Event Planners for weekly coordination.

 Secretary: meeting records, correspondence, paperwork, keep up to date contact list of volunteers and attendees, representative to with UCV (attends council meetings).

 Treasurer: keep track of donations, expenses, provide receipts to donations.

News from Nicaragua

A couple of Just Hope leaders, Kathy and David recently spent a week in Chacraseca. They report that while things are still precarious, there are a few reasons to hope. When the Cultural Center was repossessed by the local government group, so was the Stitching Hope center. The ladies that were working with Stitching Hope were each given a sewing machine but all the rest of the materials and machinery were confiscated. However, the ladies are resilient and determined. They now meet in the house of one of the women and continue sewing. They have made graduation outfits,

band uniforms, school uniforms and a variety of other items that they have been able to sell to help support themselves. The report from Kathy and David indicated a couple of critical areas where help is needed. First, the shelves in the local clinic are bare—they have no medicine to dispense. There is still a doctor that is seeing patients, but if he prescribes medicine, there is none. The dentist, who served Chacraseca for years, was forced to leave the country. When I was in Chacraseca I remember seeing the very long lines of parents and children waiting in the dirt for their turn to see the doctor. Some came on horseback and others walked long distances. This sight was repeated daily. The clinic serves the entire 8000 people in this 49 square mile community. The other dire need is for backpacks for students. School is free in Nicaragua, but if students don’t have funds for supplies, school uniform and shoes, they can’t come to

school. Since we are currently not raising money to build a house or latrine or funds to support the music program, I wonder if we might be willing to make a short-term commitment to support one of these two desperately needed programs. It sounds like $200/month would put medicine back on the shelves. Please talk to me if you are interested in contributing (or raising funds to support) either of these programs.

UCV is now offering a change in our name badges. We are offering to put your requested pronouns (below your name). If this is a replacement name badge, there will be a charge of $12.00 otherwise there is no cost for your 1st one. If you are a member and don't have a name badge or want a replacement just let Deb Hudson know.

Farm Workers of Deluz

The farm workers and their families can use your help with just obtaining the basics. Please help if you can. You can see a full list of the most needed items and how to help with a check or Venmo donation by clicking the link below. This is an ongoing need in this area and your help would be appreciated. A UCV regular visitor, Becky Sulzmann, is one of the coordinators for this effort will be our 'point person' for this campaign. Her contact information is:

Becky Sulzmann

847-507-9305

becsulzmann@gmail.com

45002 Corte Zorita 

Temecula, Ca. 92592

This Makes a Powerful Statement

**Available Now**

These bumper stickers are available. UCV is selling them for $5.00 each. The proceeds (after cost) will go to UCV's General Fund. Thank you Sherian for finding these and getting them ordered. If anyone has a suggestion for fund raising please let us know. Be sure and talk to Sherian and see if it's a possibility. Be aware that if you suggest it, you will need to spearhead and organize the marketing. Deb Hudson is available to help with getting the word out.

2024 Church Council

Prayers and Concerns for:

• William Martinez and family
• Edna
• Laurie
• Ruth and Sherian
• Lorian Dunlap - injured after a fall
• Ruth Dunlap 
• Kristi Clinton
• Prayers for Rev. Fred and his wife Ceci. Her mother passed away this week.
• Van and Rosa. She will be having hip surgery in April.

Joys:

• The spaghetti dinner that was put on by UCV and the Lions Club was a huge success. This fundraiser was a fun social gathering.
• Graduation Sunday will be held in May. Please let Donna know if you are graduating from high school, college, or any certificate programs so you can be included in this service.
• Thank you to everyone who helps with our weekly services for setup/clean up and everything in between. We are truly family!!!
• Thank you to all who are supporting the Martinez family while William is in the hospital. Look on FaceBook for updates on his condition.
• Thank you to Stephanie in leading us in the Maundy Thursday service. It was a moving service with a dinner, candle lighting, and prayers for peace and healing.

Conference News

We elected and called Rev Rachael Pryor to be our new conference minister. She will be starting hopefully before the fall.

Annual Gathering will be on June 6th and 7th. it will be on Zoom and maybe in person. Donna and Kristi have been participating in the conference meetings. Watch for information on web site at scncucc.org.  

Upcoming events

Spring up to Camp--family camp the weekend of April 26-28. There will be a fundraiser for camperships and to the maintenance. There will also be a workcamp that weekend. This camp helps with the maintenance and cleaning of the camp.

Summer camp--Registration has begun. Summer camp is from June 30-July 26. There are 4 different sessions. Camperships are available until May 15th. There is also Early Bird registration. There is a need for volunteers to help with the camp program and activities.  

There is a Senior High service project for youth groups and leaders for a week of team building and service projects. This is from June 17-21st.

RAISE THE ROOF--This is a fundraiser for maintenance of the camp. This is to repair the roofs of all the buildings. Many have small holes as seen during the wet winter.

Go to pilgrimpinescamp.org for all information about camp. All registration is on line.

We also have a camp at Loch Leven which is on the other side of the mountain from Pilgrim Pines. Go to Loch Leven Camp and Retreat Center@LochLeven.org or uccr.org/sites/loch-leven

Western Regional Youth Event

This event is for middle and high school youth and will be held at Cal State Long Beach. Volunteer, work shop leaders, churches to do fund raisers are needed. June 23-27. Supplies are needed. Go to htts://www.wryeucc.org/contact for information. Ask Donna about what a good time can be had at this event.

April Birthdays

• Kerry Keester-Wellman - 3rd
• Jamie Barnett - 4th
• Xsolai Martinez - Jones - 4th
• Becky Hawkins - 9th
• Joe Zarro - 14th
• Austin Linsley - 17th
• Jacob Preble - 21st
• Randy Leisey - 24th
• Lauren Preble - 25th
• Rick Hayden - 28th

Even fellowship can be online, thanks to the innovative minds at Zoom! Join us for Sunday Service live and on zoom beginning at 10am. UCV has its own Zoom meeting room at https://zoom.us/j/9516981520

You can join from your Zoom app using meeting number 9516981520 

Or you can join by phone:

One tap mobile

+16699006833,9516981520# US (San Jose)

or dial 

+1-669-900-6833

and then enter 

9516981520# 

You can start your own online fellowship, too! Just email Sandy Selby at moderator@ucvchurch.org to get on the meeting schedule. 

Sunday Service - Live and on Zoom, 10AM

Book Club - We are meeting online every Sunday at 9am Zoom Meeting Room

UCV Council Meeting - 1st Sunday of the month 11:15am Zoom Meeting Room

AA Meeting - Every Monday 7pm

Women's Al-Anon Meeting - Every Wednesday 5:30pm

Men's AA Meeting - Every Wednesday 7pm

OA - 12 Step Program - Thursday 6:30pm - 7:30pm

A Big Book Study - Every Friday 7pm

C.O.D.A.Meeting - Every Sunday 5:30pm (Currently still on Zoom)

The Community House is located at

41685 Date Street, Murrieta 92562

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