United Church of the Valley
A Partnership Church
United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ
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A Progressive Christian Community
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"Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet
You have every failure God, and You'll have every victory
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{Lauren Daigle - You Say}
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While we are making steady progress on the remodeling – with a slower schedule to allow for social distancing – our new church building is not the only change in store for our future church. Over the past two months, we have rapidly changed the way we do church. And while we are all anxious for the time when we can once again gather together, we don't want to lose the progress we have made in being inclusive and accessible to more that just those who can make it into our space every Sunday. Here are some of the best practices that we will want to continue in our future church:
Online church is here to stay – Switching back to a live feed, we will not only allow remote attendees to view the service, but we will include them in the interactive parts of the service as well.
Media will play a significant role in worship – From videos, to slide shows, to guest participation, we will make the most of our new sound system and the large flat screen TVs you will see at the front of the sanctuary.
A relaxed, comfortable, intimate environment – UCV folks are pretty good at relaxing and being themselves, but we have seen even deeper, more authentic connections when people are just hanging out in their homes. Our new space will strive to be our second home, with comfortable chairs and other seating options, coffee available before service, and even crafts for busy hands that hate to be idle, such as sewing, knitting, origami, and others. Come as you are! (Sorry, boxers no longer qualify as pants.)
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! - Online meetings have been a godsend for folks with busy schedules. We will keep our Zoom account so that any group that doesn't need to do hands on work or be on-site has the option of meeting remotely.
We want to hear from you! What have you liked most about your remote church experience? How have you seen other churches use technology to their advantage? Without limits of time and space, what would your church of the future look like? Send all your ideas to Sandy Selby at
moderator@ucvchurch.org or text/call (502) 930-2199.
Love and blessings to all,
Sandy
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What is this Chair Thing?
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As we prepare to move in to our new permanent home on Date St. in Murrieta, we are in need of assistance. We need chairs so that everyone can share in a comfortable Sunday service. A donation of $50 provides a chair for our sanctuary. You can honor a friend or family member or maybe it would be in memory of a friend or family member. Our goal is 50 chairs and as of April 24th we are at 24, just about half way there. To help us reach our goal please click on the button below to donate. Thank you for your consideration.
God's Peace.
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Dear Class of 2020,
We want to celebrate YOU! We know it’s been a strange Spring, and you and your families haven’t been able to celebrate this momentous occasion the way you planned. But graduation is still a HUGE DEAL!! So your church family is planning a special celebration in June. We would like you or your family to put together a 2-3 minute slideshow to your favorite music that highlights all the special moments on your journey. Not a technical whiz kid? No problem! Just send us your favorite pics and we will do it for you.
ALSO, the wider church would like to celebrate with you! Please send your name, photo, and a short description of what’s next to
bjbarlow@docpswr.org
to be included in an upcoming presentation on the DOC website.
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Origami Peace Cranes and Cameo Video Spots wanted
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A few of us have been making cranes “in our spare time” to put in a temporary installation in our new sanctuary while we plan for more permanent decorations. Sandy has origami paper, and instructions are easily found on the internet. Please help us. Our goal is to get to 1000 (a Japanese custom says that if you make 1000 cranes, your hope will be fulfilled. After the bombing of Hiroshima, the cranes have also become a symbol for peace and reconciliation, so they are a wonderful symbol for our new sanctuary. Right now, we probably
only
need 800 more!!
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Introducing Youth Game Night
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Invite your friends!! Online Youth Group Game Night Friday, May 1st, at 7pm on Zoom!
Online Services is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 951 698 1520
Password: 9516981520
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These are weird times. We all feel it. We all know it. We all live it. Everyday. I have never been through a “stay at home” order and I’m confident many of you haven’t either. Many friends and family spend their days on the front lines, deep in the trenches. They are worried and scared to go to jobs deemed “essential”, coming into constant contact with an enemy they can’t even see, without proper safety equipment. They return home hoping they don’t bring that same invisible object to their families. I appreciate and miss you more than you could ever know. Then there are those confined to their homes and even their rooms, feeling trapped and lonely, likely worrying about losing their jobs, trying to balance what’s necessary against what’s wanted. And I appreciate and miss you more than you could ever know.
Then there are the lucky ones, like me. We have plenty of food in our household and have even been able to score a large package of toilet paper. I am fortunate to work for a company that arranged work from home for over 120 people almost before the orders were issued. While our dining room table has morphed into a makeshift office for me, the reality is my boss is extremely supportive, doing whatever is necessary to keep the business moving forward while, at the same time, making sure staff members are safe. My biggest concern these days is my 60+ year old sister in law that lives with us being required to go to a job that in reality is hardly “essential” while the company flies below the radar on the shutdown. GRRRR….
At this point, I’m confident you’re thinking “yeah, yeah…. What is your point?” Well, I want to share with you how much my church means to me. You all have become a family I never expected to have. A family that supports and encourages each other to be our genuine selves, warts and all. That is a rare commodity, especially in the days of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the Bachelor, and Real Housewives of the city of your choice.
The other point behind this is that while I need my church, my church also needs me (and ALL OF US). Each of us, regardless of where we may be at this strange and scary period has something to contribute to supporting UCV and our missions. If you don’t have treasure, there are most certainly time and talent needs. It’s all about WHY you give, not WHAT you give. Everyone has a unique
something to share.
I, for one, can’t wait to have my “family” back together again after all the crazy calms down. While a lot of people are doing remarkable things to make sure Sunday Services are as normal as possible, I am ready to see everyone for real and I know there will be many, many hugs. Hopefully this will happen sooner, rather than later.
Right now finances for the church are as precarious as many households. The first quarter numbers are in and I am happy to know they are healthier than expected. The pledge total is $11,325 vs the actual income of $10,460 for a difference of $865 SHORT. However, the numbers are from just before the shutdown started. Right now, the income we receive from the different groups that use TCH has pretty well stopped as meetings transition to a virtual platform. Also, many of us may be weighing heavily on the “needs” vs. “wants” thing these days,
just in case.
And now for the final pitch. Please consider your personal finances when it comes to your pledge commitment. If you are currently behind on your giving please consider catching up, provided you are taking care of the necessities. We all want our little church to come together again soon and we still have to cover monthly expenses. I am crossing fingers that by the time this quarantine is over our new-to-us building will be ready to truly use. Fortunately, work is still progressing as contractors schedule work in a way that only 1 – 2 people are there are a time. While we wait on a fire inspection for the ceiling, the painting has been done and it’s almost time for flooring! YAY!!
As much as I hate the “B” word (budget), in reality it is a reminder of what we are about as a church. It helps keep the main thing, the main thing.
Thank you for all each of you does to support United Church of the Valley. We are truly lucky to have this Mighty-Little-Engine-That-Could as we strive to be a church for you and by you.
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Bringing our tithes and offerings to God is an important spiritual practice that cultivates gratitude and generosity. While we cannot physically pass the offering plate, we can continue to bring our gifts to God through online or mail-in donations.
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To send a check, please use:
United Church of the Valley
41685 Date Street Suite 100
Murrieta, CA 92562
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Or donate online:
(3.5% fee)
Venmo: @ucvchurch (free)
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While we are still in “virtual worship” mode, we have the unique opportunity to invite
some very special guests to our virtual pulpit. Those of you who have been around UCV for a while will recognize some of the names on the list for this month. If you don’t recognize the names, here is a bit of information about them.
Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold came to UCV first as a ministry intern and then a
transitional minister. During her time at UCV, she and her husband Jeremy brought
many gifts to our congregation. Caroline’s enthusiasm and creativity was infectious.
She currently serves as Associate Director of Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Caroline, Jeremy and their one-year old son Warren, currently live in Texas. Rev. Randy Leisey was the founding minister of the United Church of the Valley. His bold vision for a progressive, inclusive Christian church in our valley, along with plenty of patience and perseverance helped forge the strong foundation that UCV is built upon. Randy and his wife, Bev, now live in Cody, WY where Randy still works in hospice ministry. In 2009 Rev. Brian Foxworth served as UCV’s Bridge Pastor. He provided stability and a spiritual anchor to our church and. Brian currently serves as pastor of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Hemet, CA. Brian and his wife Kate now have two children, Natalie and Connor.
You’ve probably noticed that worship is “a little different” right now. I’m so proud of the
worship team that has had the commitment and know-how (or, at least the ability to
learn quickly) to quickly switch to our virtual worship format. I hope that everyone has
been inviting friends and family to our Sunday worship videos. This challenging time
has given us a wonderful opportunity for outreach, but everyone has to help get the
word out to not waste this opportunity.
Please know that we want to hear from you if you have any suggestions or new ideas. If you’ve seen the videos (and received my weekly nagging emails), you know we’ve been closing our video with a slideshow—of YOU! Please continue to keep those photos coming. Many of you have commented how meaningful it has been to see everyone’s faces and feel that we are still together. Just to make it fun, we’ll try to have a weekly “challenge” to help you choose the perfect photo. But, we’re happy to see any pictures!!
Just as we’re learning that not all students have equal access to the internet, we are
aware that not everyone in our church community has equal access either. But, it is
also pretty apparent that technology won’t go away and has been a lifeline in this time
of crisis. So, perhaps we’ll need to offer some classes on Zoom and other “foreign
languages”. We also need to set up other ways of connecting with each other. If you’ve got ideas. Let us know.
We hope that we will be back together before too long, and we know we need to be
considering how to gather safely. If you’ve got ideas, please share them. I hope we
can also be thinking about what the “new normal” can look like. As one of the seven
original founders of UCV, I remember sitting in Vicki and Paul Lambert’s living room for our very first meeting. We were all asked why we were there. I distinctly remember Vicki’s response: “I’m looking forward to a place where no one will be able to say ‘we’ve always done it this way’”. After almost 27 years, UCV has naturally developed a culture (defined as “the way we do things around here”). In time, of course, culture changes when circumstances change. I think UCV has done a really good job of being flexible to change—after all, we believe that God is still speaking and we must continue to listen to what God is calling us to do.
Right now, in the midst of this chaos—and at the cusp of moving into our very own
sanctuary (where we won’t be able to say “we’ve always done it this way—do we think maybe God is trying to get our attention?) we have such an amazing chance to push the reset button and look ahead, not behind. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but in her Moderator Message, Sandy lays out some intriguing possibilities. So, here’s some homework during this time of sheltering.. Think about the things that you want to keep (but do we need to do them in a new way?). And what “new things” should we try that we’ve never done before? Since this is an article about worship, I especially want to hear about your thoughts about “new ways” to do worship. But, of course, we need to be thinking about this question as it pertains to every aspect of who we are as a church and beloved community. Now is the time to DREAM—and then ACT!
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This Sunday we are adding a time of
Joys & Concerns
to our online Sunday service. Please email any joys & concerns you would like read aloud to Sandy Selby at
moderator@ucvchurch.org
. You can also send confidential prayer requests. Just indicate as such and let Sandy know if you want it shared with any of the other spiritual counselors.
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The ACTS 2 Fund is a special fund designated to help members of United Church of the Valley who find themselves in financial need. It is based on the model of the early church in the second chapter of Acts:
COVID-19
is having an economic impact on our community, and our church family might be impacted as well. If you find yourself in financial need, please reach out to one of our Spiritual Counselors - Darcie Dunlop, Lee Eddy, Steve Falgout, Kerry Keester-Wellman, or Sandy Selby. If you are financially secure, perhaps you will consider contributing to our ACTS2 Fund to help a fellow member in need. Simply note ACTS2 on your donation.
To send a check, please use:
United Church of the Valley
41685 Date Street Suite 100
Murrieta, CA 92562
Or donate online:
Venmo: @ucvchurch (free)
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Behind the Virtual Pulpit in May
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We will continue providing our Sunday services online. The worship team has special services planned for Holy Week. These services will be available online on
Facebook
and
YouTube
by
Sunday morning
, and on our
Website.
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May 3rd - Rev. Sharon Graff
May 10th - Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold
May 17th - Rev. Randy Leisey
May 24th - Rev. Brian Foxworth
May 31st - Rev. Stephanie Toon
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Where Can Your Find Our Sermons Past and Present?
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Congregation Care-- If you know of anyone who is graduating from high school or college please let Donna know so we can recognize them in June. We will continue to pray for all of us during this corona virus and what it has done to our lives. The Venti family (UCV contractor) has lost any uncle. Their aunt appears to be recovering. Carie (daughter of Carol and Ron Thompson) has recovered. Karen Hayden's father and sister are on the road to recovery. Dave Evans had hip surgery on 4/22. He is home and doing well. Sue Berry is still in the hospital and would love to have phone calls. She is at the Temecula Valley Hospital in room 4106. phone# is 331-2200. Ask for Frances Berry. Donna had a fall and now has 5 stitches in her forehead and a skin tear on her left elbow. Anne Crutchfield is doing ok. Elsie Idle is receiving treatment for cancer at this time.
Conference and Association News--The conference is working hard to help keep things going in the churches, communities, camp, and in the wider church. Annual meeting has been cancelled for this year. Other programs have been rescheduled for the fall-such as the spring fling will be combined with the Fall youth event. Work camp on May 9th has be cancelled.
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Pilgrim Pines --The camp committee is working hard to find was to provide camp this summer.
So many ideas are being studied. Donna is a part of this group. It is a strong committee that wants camp to continue even if it is in a new way. Watch for updates. Small groups are using the camp on the weekends, so some money is coming in to support the camp. Many camps in the US have completely cancelled camp for this summer. We are praying that we can give people some type of camp experience the summer. We are also trying to do something for the graduating seniors.
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Even fellowship can be online, thanks to the innovative minds at Zoom! Join us Sunday’s at 9am for Book Study and 11am for Fellowship Coffee Hour. 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.
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I’m so grateful to all the musicians who have shared their talents by making videos for our virtual worship. But I miss choir rehearsals!! We haven’t quite figured out how to rehearse online, but our pianist, Pei-Ying Li has made some rehearsal tapes that I HOPE our singers are working on :). And, continuing the theme discussed in the worship article above, one of the songs that our choir hopes to be able to sing in our new sanctuary is titled “I Will Do a New Thing”. We’re going to need some rehearsal time first to pull it off. Meanwhile, if there is anyone else in the congregation—or friends from near or far—who might like to share some music, please let me know right away. All they have to do is send me a video.
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Our June trip to Nicaragua is obviously not going to happen in June. We haven’t given up the possibility of rescheduling the trip towards the end of summer; however, that will, of course, depend on the situation here—and in Nicaragua—going forward. Conditions in Nicaragua, for the moment, are reasonably good. There is little virus “reported” there right now, though our friends in Chacraseca and Leon are very suspicious that the government is not giving them accurate information so there is considerable fear. The youth in Chacraseca have organized and are going around family to family, giving the people information about strategies for maintaining sanitary conditions and also giving them packets with masks and other necessities—another example of the people of Chacraseca taking matters in their own hands when their government fails them. The good news is that there are at least a couple more people that are on board to join us when we can reschedule a trip.
Hopefully we can still meet our commitment to share the expenses for building a house for a needy family. We will need to see what the conditions in Chacraseca are to see if and when a construction project is possible. Stay tuned for future updates.
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Construction Continues...
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Although we are still under a “Shelter at Home” state ordered mandate, our contractors /sub-contractors are allowed to work as long as they hold strickly to the Social/Physical Distancing parameters and wear masks at all times. Our contractor, Arnie & Chris Venti, are being inventive as they manage our project with the safety of themselves & their sub-contractors being a major concern. Arnie & Chris are only making occasional visits to our site, when the workers are gone, and then using Skype to coordinate the work. They have made stipulations as to how the work is to be done…only one sub-contractor at a time with the absolute minimum number of actual workers. So scheduling is becoming a little more challenging. Deb Hudson and Ruth Sharp are being updated daily, via text/email, on the progress. Ruth & Deb drop by once or twice a week to check out the progress (not at the same time and always wearing masks & gloves). Deb snuck over on the 23rd just to take a few pictures for you. Because we want you to feel as informed as possible, here is a list of the work that has either been done or should be done by the end of April.
1) Framing, drywall & wall texturing of all the walls.
2) 90% of Audio/Visual wiring has been installed. 90% of equipment is ordered.
3) All the remaining work for the HVAC system has been completed.
4) The emergency sprinkler system installation has been completed. Still waiting for Fire Dept to sign off fire alarm plans. After that happens they'll complete their wiring.
5) All of the electrical has been completed and the light fixtures installed.
6) The flooring has been ordered and should be installed by the end April.
7) Interior painting has been completed.
8) Exterior building sign has been installed.
9) Double door, entrance, has been installed and the exterior landscaping has been altered to enlarge the entrance way.
10) Expanded concrete entrance should be completed by the end of April.
There is still a lot to do but considering the major constraints that have been instituted over the past several weeks, we are pleasantly surprised with the progress that has been made. It appears that, as before construction actually began, our major hangup has been getting the City to approve plans. The actual city inspections and approvals have been completed without any hitches at all.
We would like to offer our prayers and sincere thanks to not only our contractor & his family but all of the sub-contractor folks who are working so effectively and most important, safely. Just a side note, two Venti family members have contracted the COVID-19 virus with one passing away on the 4th of April. UCV asks for prayers for this family as well as any others affected.
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Sunday Service - Virtual
until further notice
Monthly Game Night -
SUSPENDED until further notice.
Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 6:30 - 8:30 at The Community House
Monthly Potluck - SUSPENDED
until further notice
Book Club -
W
e are meeting online every Sunday at 9 am Zoom Meeting Room
AA Meeting -
Virtual Only Monday - Friday 7am
Voices of the Valley Youth Choir -
SUSPENDED until further notice
UCV Council Meeting - 1st Monday of the month 6pm Zoom Meeting Room
AA Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Monday 7pm
Women's Al-Anon Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Wednesday 5:30pm
Men's AA Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Wednesday 7pm
TVP Board Meeting - 2nd and 4th Thursday 6pm at The Community House
AA Big Book Study -
Virtual Only Every Friday 7pm
AA Step Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Saturday 8am
Trans Family Support - 1st Saturday of the month 4pm
Citizens Climate Lobby Meeting -
Virtual Only 2nd Saturday of the month 9:30am
C.O.D.A.Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Sunday 5:30pm
AA Meeting -
Virtual Only Every Sunday 7:30pm at The Community House
The Community House is located at
41685 Date Street, Murrieta 92562
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United Church of the Valley is a Partnership Church
United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ
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951-698-1520 admin@ucvchurch.org
www.ucvchurch.org
41685 Date St. Murrieta
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