United Church of the Valley
A Partnership Church
United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ
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A Progressive Christian Community
A Just Peace Congregation
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Jamie Barnett
Acting Moderator
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For me, this year, holidays are filled with gatherings. Gatherings that haven’t happened for a couple of years. There’s the pre-thanksgiving feast, the Thanksgiving Feast, and then the post-thanksgiving feast. My routine is bumped and tumbled. I eat differently. I sleep differently. Furniture is moved around to make room for a Christmas tree. I bump into things. It is a bit disorienting. I am not too proud to admit that this time of year I am never quite sure what day it is. Thank you, Deb Hudson, for reminding me that today is Monday. Time for Moderator Monday!
I think this Moderator Monday custom was initiated simply to remind everyone that we are still connected. We see each other on Sundays but we are still connected on Mondays. We each have our families, our neighbors, our colleagues, and friends, but we, as UCV friends, are still connected, even on Mondays. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing my UCV family at the Christmas Cantata this coming Sunday, December 5. Same time. Same place. Deb, will you remind me when Sunday comes? Thank you, my friend.
Jamie
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Calling All Craft… er well… EVERYBODY!! |
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Join us for a Holiday Bazaar on December 5 before and after services.
We would love for each family to contribute something to sell or auction (you are welcome to make that decision and to set the sale prices of your items/services).
Need some ideas of things to offer up?
Do you sing and/or play an instrument? How about a singing telegram for a Birthday, Anniversary or Valentine’s Day?
Do you bake? How about a cake, pie or cookies?
Do you love to cook? How about a Mexican, Italian, Greek or any other type of meal?
Make Christmas crafts?
Create Birthday or other Greeting Cards?
Have a service you can sell? Car or window washing, house cleaning, dog walking, pet sitting, babysitting, yard work, homework tutoring, hair cutting, cake decorating, photography, etc
THINK BIG and THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!! Kids are HIGHLY encouraged to participate!
We would love to see this be a major fundraiser for the church so we need everyone’s participation. Also, on the Sundays of sale, we will need people to help run the sale.
If you have ideas or would like to help run the Bazaar, help is ALWAYS appreciated!!!
Kerry – 951.326.0945
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We still need small pieces of wrapped candy for the Christmas candy tubes for the food pantry. The rolls are partially wrapped and are waiting to be filled with candy. We will fill the tubes in the next couple of weeks and then give them to the Murrieta food pantry just before Christmas. Thanks to all who have supported this outreach project. The families look forward to receiving this special treat
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Ruth or Sherian.
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Friends Worshipping
Together
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Kid’s Church is Back Every
Sunday During the Service
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Angel Tree Family
We have “adopted” the same family as last year for Christmas. This single mom of 3 boys was so grateful last year and we are happy to be able to support them for the holidays once again. 😊
Be sure to check out the cards on the Angel Christmas Tree and see what appeals to you to donate this year.
Please bring your WRAPPED gifts to place under the tree at church by Dec 19!
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Sandy Selby.
Thanks to all who help make the holidays a little brighter for a very special family!!!
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Congratulations to Aimee Hayden for passing the State Boards. She is our newest Registered Nurse at UCV. Best Wishes in you new career. |
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All services will be live and on Zoom beginning at 10am every Sunday. The live service will be recorded and available on the UCV website, Facebook and YouTube later in the day. |
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Behind the Pulpit in December |
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During the month of December our Sunday service will be live on our Zoom channel. The recording of the service will be available online later that day on Facebook, YouTube and on our Website.
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December 5th - Rev. Dr. Sharon Graff..and UCV musicians and friends
December 12th - Darcie Dunlop
December 19th - Rev. Stephanie Toon
December 24th - TBA
December 26th - Rev. Jennifer Zechlin
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Last Sunday we began the season of Advent, hence the banner colors have changed in our sanctuary. The colors for Advent can either be purple or blue, and our lovely blue paraments work perfectly to remind us of this season of preparation, expectation and hope. This year, our Advent has a Celtic flavor. Our Advent candle wreath liturgy is infused not only with Celtic spiritual wisdom but also with the beautiful writing of Celtic author John O’Donohue. Advent is also a time of new beginnings. The church year begins anew each year in Advent. So, along with preparation and expectation, Advent can be a time of re-examining the story we all know so well and re-imagining it. John O’Donohue gives us this insight about beginnings. “When the heart is ready for a fresh beginning, unforeseen things can emerge. A beginning is an opening for surprises… there are always exciting possibilities…they invite and unveil new gifts and arrivals in one’s life. Beginnings are new horizons that want to be seen. What is the new horizon in you that wants to be seen.” As we move through this season, may we be open to the new beginnings that we may encounter.
December 5, our choir and instrumentalists will be presenting Tidings of Joy by Joseph Martin. It feels so good to be able to sing together again, even with the covid mitigations in place. The music is so lovely and perfect for this not-quite-Christmas time. The melodies are all Celtic Christmas tunes that are both familiar and fresh, and above all delightful. The cantata is this Sunday, Dec. 5. We hope that it puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. A big thank you to all the singers and instrumentalists who have worked really hard to prepare this peace. We pray for the day when we will again be able to sing and play without masks (yes, even our flutes and clarinet are wearing masks!), but for now we are grateful to be able to share this beautiful piece with you.
And we always look forward to hearing what Rev. Sharon has to say.
December 12, Darcie Dunlop will share her insights about Celtic spirituality. Darcie and Sharon Graff both collaborated to create the weekly Advent candle wreath liturgies. And, special appreciation for the beautiful Celtic music that we will be hearing throughout the Advent and Christmas season by the Dunlop family and with videography by Ruth Dunlop.
On December 19 Rev. Stephanie Toon will lead us to Christmas. There may be some special surprises on that day so stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the day.
You’ll have to watch for more information about Christmas Eve. We would welcome input about whether people would prefer a live or recorded service that could be viewed at times compatible with individual family traditions.
Then to wrap up the year, Rev. Jennifer Zechlin will lead a more informal service (think communion with milk and Christmas cookies). Jammies are optional. We’ll reflect on the season before we turn the page to 2022.
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Need Space for your Recovery Meeting?
3 Sizes of Rooms Available·
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3 Sizes of Rooms Available |
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Room A: up to 6 people (top)
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Library: 7 – 15 people (middle)
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Sanctuary: 16 – 50 people (bottom)
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Storage available for Recovery brochures and supplies (limited)
Coffee Pot and supplies available for use in Kitchen
TV screens available in Library and Sanctuary for presentations
Donations:
Room A - $15 / week based on one meeting per week
Library - $20 / week based on one meeting per week
Sanctuary - $25 / week based on one meeting per week
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**½ off first month’s cost while you establish your meeting
(During Covid we ask that all CDC guidelines are followed regarding masks, cleaning and chair spacing)
Who We Are… United Church of the Valley is a small United Church of Christ / Disciples of Christ located in the Temecula/Murrieta Valley. No matter where you are on your journey, you are welcome here.
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United church of the valley
41685 Date Street, Suite 100
Murrieta, CA 92562
Website: ucvchurch.org
Phone: 951.698.1520
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T'ai Chi with Paul Dallas |
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Prayers and Squares sewing is cancelled for the month of December.
Christmas items will be offered through December 5th, the day of the quilt drawing. Great items for Christmas, get them before they're gone.
And, of course, you can suggest recipients for our lovely quilts which will be prayed upon and tied by church members. Contact Edna 909-518-9978
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I’m really, really excited to report that our choir has now had three rehearsals for a short cantata to be presented on Dec. 5 and it feels so good to be singing together again.
We’re, of course, following covid protocols—distancing and masking, but it’s great to be back together. Tidings of Joy is full of beautiful, familiar music of the season with a Celtic flair.
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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
P.O. Box 1312
Murrieta, CA 92564
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Or donate online:
(3.5% fee)
Venmo: @ucvchurch (free)
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UCV Birthday Bank
December Birthdays
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The Birthday Bank has been a tradition at the United Church of the Valley for many a year. When your birthday comes around you get to put $1 for every year into the birthday bank (the $1 per year is only a suggestion). Of course we would love to celebrate with you during our social after the Sunday Service, we'll even provide the cake. Is your name on this list?
December Birthdays
- Damaris Eddy - 6th
- Debbie Hudson - 14th
- David French - 20th
- Katie MacLean - 24th
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Please email any joys & concerns you would like read aloud to Sherian Spencer at sherianspencer@gmail.com. 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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You can find our Sermons, past and present, on our YouTube channel (click the video) as well as our website (click the button). |
There’s not too much new news from Chacraseca. Schools are still closed due to covid. The vaccine finally made its way there, continue to send our prayers of peace for the country and its people. |
- Pat Proud is recovering from surgery due to above the knee amputation. Cards can be sent to her at Romona Rehab--485 W. Johnston--Hemet, CA 925443. Donna was able to take a Prayers and Squares quilt to her and had a short visit through the window.
- Jasmine (foster daughter of Irene and Rocio) is now at home with her family in San Bernardino. Her lungs were damaged from the Covid virus and she is on oxygen.
- Congratulations to Rick Hayden who received the Humanitarian of the Year 2021 award from the Interfaith Council
It sure is good to be in our church facility with our friends. Please continue to send cards to our homebound members. They so very much appreciate your cards:
- Archie Aitchison - 32162 Caminita Osuna--Temecula, CA.
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We had an Outdoor Ministries Meeting in Nov. The strategic planning committee is working on the plans for Junior/Senior High Winter Camp. We will probably have family pods again if we are still following Covid guidelines. The date for this camp is the Presidents Holiday in February.
Registration will online at www.pilgrimpinescamp.org ...camperships are available.....register before January 15th, fees go up after that date, any questions ask Donna.
The committee is also working on the summer camp program. We are hoping to have 2 weeks of summer camp in 2022. and 1 week of in-home camp
Renovation to the Health Center will be starting soon. Camp is doing their best to make folks with disabilities more comfortable at camp.
Apple Pie day had over 100 people on Saturday with some families spending the weekend. Weather was great. There were all kinds of activities and programs and there was the chili and apple pie lunch. Camp items were on sale to help raise money for the campership fund. Rose who helps at the camp won the tee shirt quilt that Donna Richards made. Laurie and Sandy attended the camp for the 1st time. We had a fun day.
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Services will be live and on Zoom at 10am on Sundays. The live service will be recorded and available on the UCV website, Facebook and YouTube later in the day. |
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.
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Sunday Service - Live and on Zoom, 10AM
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 - SUSPENDED further notice. We are meeting online every Sunday at 9am Zoom Meeting Room
AA Meeting - 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 - Every Monday 7pm
Women's Al-Anon Meeting - Every Wednesday 5:30pm
Men's AA Meeting - Every Wednesday 7pm
TVP Board Meeting - Currently on Zoom
AA Big Book Study - Every Friday 7pm
AA Step Meeting - Every Saturday 8am
Trans Family Support - 1st Saturday of the month 4pm
Citizens Climate Lobby Meeting - 2nd Saturday of the month 9:30am
C.O.D.A.Meeting - Every Sunday 5:30pm (Currently still on Zoom)
AA Meeting - 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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