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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We are having a "Name our Newsletter" contest |
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Our newsletter needs a catchy, hip new name, so we decided to turn this creative process into a fun event and include everyone (as it should be). So let's get the creative juices flowing and you just need to click on the button below to submit your entry. The winner will get some UCV swag. |
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2021 has already brought about change |
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Cheers to a Kinder, Gentler Political Climate
Last week’s inauguration heralded a new era of peace and civility. President Biden implored us to put an end to our “uncivil war” - to see each other not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. He called on us to fight -not each other but the virus, by committing to wearing a mask for the next 100 days whenever we are outside our homes. Amanda Gorman inspired us with her image of America as bruised but not broken, and promised us that, “There will always be light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.”
At United Church of the Valley, we don’t commit ourselves to any political party, as human institutions are always flawed. Instead we commit to spreading the love and grace of Jesus by promoting peace with justice, and compassionate care of one another and the earth. With that in mind, let us answer the call to wear our masks, engage in civil debate, and be the light in whatever darkness we encounter.
Share God's Love
Sandy Selby, Moderator
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Becoming a Just Peace Congregation |
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Along with our study of St. Francis’ prayer, we will be exploring the possibility of becoming designated as a Just Peace congregation. UCV has a long history of participating in ecumenical efforts to promote peace. In the early 2000’s, individuals from UCV and UU faithfully met at the Community House every Friday afternoon to silently protest the war. Frequently a group of counter-protesters met across the street by the post office. Many of us joined with others from Interfaith to stand with the Muslims when demonstrations against the proposed construction of a new mosque were expected. Thus, it seems appropriate that UCV explore becoming a “Just Hope” congregation. This designation, similar to that of “Open and Affirming”, is achieved after a congregation has participated in a study program and then voted to affirm their intention of becoming a Just Peace church. Lee Eddy has agreed to guide us through this process. Watch for further information as we determine our specific plan. |
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UCV 2021 Annual Meeting Summary |
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The results from our 2021 annual meeting; approval of the 2021 budget and our new church council.
- Sandy Selby, Moderator
- Jamie Barnett, Vice Moderator
- Kerry Keester-Wellman, Treasurer
- Deb Hudson, Clerk
- Lynne Bradley, Worship
- Ruth Dunlop, Christian Education
- Sherian Spencer, Outreach
- Ruth Sharp, Parish Life
- Rick Hayden, Member-at-Large
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Look for our new Kid's Korner in March |
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The March newsletter will feature a new section, Kid's Korner, a section filled with resources and topics for our youth. We will utilize the educators of our church to lend direction and our youth director, Ruth Dunlop will lead the way and we surge forward to provide a great christian youth experience. We will also offer a section on our website with the same name. |
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February services will be live on Zoom at 10 am on Sundays. The live service will be recorded and available on the UCV website, Facebook and YouTube later in the day. |
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Book Group is Back for 2021! |
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Book group starts back this Sunday at 9am on the same Zoom as the church service. We will be discussing current events for a few weeks until we get our next book. The next book will be "So You Want to Talk about Race" by Ijeoma Oluo
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Annual Southern Association Meeting
is Right Around the Corner
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Please mark your calendars for our Annual Southern Association meeting: Sunday Feb. 28th! We will be voting in our new slate of officers and Church and Ministry members. We are also planning a program designed to give you guidance and best practices for opening your doors in the future. Registration will start at 2:30 with the meeting starting at 3:00. The meeting will be on Zoom. |
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New Discussion Group
"The Difficult Questions"
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We're going to have a place where difficult and uncomfortable questions can be asked. Where the questions, opinions, ideas, suggestions, "answers" will not be judged right or wrong. Right now the only “Rule” would be that any discussion be done in love, with compassion and without judgement. This will be a safe place for those seeking input, insight and discussion on perhaps awkward and/or difficult questions. Please contact Deb Hudson if you have any questions about the group.
Tuesday 6pm - 7pm
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We are excited that Jennifer Zechlin will be speaking to us on Feb. 7. Jen has written a little introduction of herself:
Hi, I’m Jen! Formally from the Inland Empire, I’m currently living in Southwest Mississippi. As a former Religious Studies major my passions revolve around Christian education, interfaith dialogue, and servant ministry. As a member of the Human race social justice and environmental restoration is as important to me as breathing and eating. I enjoy writing an occasional poem, pushing around paint on canvases, and learning how to play the flute and trombone. I am thrilled to have found United Church of the Valley and look forward to getting to know
building relationships with you all.
It’s hard to believe, but Lent begins in mid February. Plans are already underway for a meditative service on Ash Wednesday. Watch Thursday Thoughts for more detailed information. Our Lenten journey this year is going to center around St. Francis’ prayer, “make me an instrument of Your peace.” Each week we will explore different parts of the prayer and consider ways that, both as individuals and as a church community, we can be instruments of God’s peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek…
…to be consoled as to console,
…to be understood as to understand,
…to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
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Our Prayers and Squares ministry continues apace, sending out five quilts already this year. Big thanks to Sandy for her Sunday blessings, which reflect the spirit of P & S so beautifully. “It’s not about the quilts, it’s about the prayers” is a motto that our recipients are understanding really well, and they send their heartfelt thanks to our community!
Having raised funds through our fall Boutique sale, we’re on the lookout for supplies that we can buy in bulk at big discounts. Meanwhile, know that we always welcome material donations! We’re looking for 100% cotton, high-quality quilting material, and we’re happy to do the washing and ironing honors.
Monetary donations are always most welcome, too, of course! We’re making every dollar count by careful shopping and a commitment to using everything, so know that your generosity will be put to good use.
Feel free to contact Anne DiPardo if you’d like to request a quilt, participate in our group (non-quilters welcome!), or send supplies our way: dipardo.anne8@gmail.com / 319-331-1515. Monetary donations can be submitted directly via UCV Venmo (please write “P & S” in the memo line). |
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Annual Super Bowl
Food Drive
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Celebrate the Super Bowl with our Souper Bowl Food Drive! Collect your cans of soup - or any non-perishable items - for the food pantry run by our partners at Murrieta United Methodist Church. We will have a drive-thru drop off Saturday, January 30th & February 6th, from 10 am to 12 pm at United Church of the Valley, 41685 Date Street, Suite 100. Indicate your favorite team to win the Super Bowl, and the team with the most donated items will be crowned our Souper Bowl winner! (Contact Sandy Selby for drop off alternatives.)
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We Need Your Help to Update Our UCV Church Directory |
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Our very own Deb Hudson is working on an update for the UCV Church Directory. If you would be so kind as to help her out by clicking on the button below and filling out the short form and then hitting send. Thank you for helping, this will be ever so helpful to us all. |
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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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UCV Birthday Bank - a Timeless Tradition |
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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?
February Birthdays/Anniversaries
- Donna Richard - 13th
- Abe Castro - 15th
- Caroline Hamilton-Arnold - 15th
- Connie French - 22nd
- Elliott Lindsley - 28th
- Archie Aitcheson - 29th
Anniversaries
- Keira and Lee Eddy - 19th (21 years)
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We have added 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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Behind the Virtual Pulpit in February |
During the month of February 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. |
Feb. 7th - Jennifer Zechlin (Happy Birthday, Rev. Sharon!!)
Feb. 14th - Dr. Rev. Sharon Graff
Feb. 17th - Ash Wednesday, details forthcoming
Feb. 21st - Lee Eddy
Feb. 28th - Rev. Stephanie Toon
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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). |
A Musical Note from Lynne |
We continue to be thankful for the talents of our musicians who share their songs with us. During this time when doing full choir music is challenging, we are especially grateful to all of those who continue to provide us with beautiful music to enhance our worship. If you have something you’d like to share, please let me know! |
Our partners in Nicaragua continue to struggle with the effects of political unrest, covid 19, and two category 4/5 hurricanes in the span of two weeks in November. The hurricanes wiped out most of the crops and unemployment is leading many to the difficult decision to leave the country to try to find work. JustHope , the non-profit that supports the operations in the communities of Chacraseca and La Flor, is struggling to maintain payroll for the Nicaraguan staff who are working extremely hard to keep programs afloat. In order to keep our Nicaraguan and American partners in contact with each other, Just Hope has recently launched a program called Companions/Companeros to give the partners opportunities to stay connected. Last week, the Companion event was a zoom gathering to learn about the Nicaraguan custom of “El Viejo’, an annual New Year’s Eve tradition that originated in a neighborhood in León, and is now celebrated in many towns and neighborhoods in Nicaragua. It's a wonderful practice of letting go of the negative things from the past year and wishing the best things for the new year.
The video of this event might be of interest to some of you.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers.
- Our sympathy is extended to the Stegall family on the loss of David's mother. Please keep the entire family in your prayers as they mourn the sudden loss of this vibrant woman.
- Our sympathy is extended to the Turner family on the loss of Sherry's mother. Please keep Sherry and her family in your prayers as they settle her mother's affairs in Wisconsin.'
- Please pray for Rick Hayden's friend, Mary Box, as she battles an illness.
- Please continue to keep Laurie Landrum in our prayers as she recovers her strength after battling COVID-19.
- Arch Aitchison is doing well in his new home. Contact Deb Hudson if you need his new address.
- Sue Berry continues her rehabilitation in Hemet. Cards can be sent to her home, and her son will deliver them.
- The Hawkins family is, "Hanging in there!" Becky is especially struggling with the loss of her weekly activities. She could also use our prayers for healing from a terrible rash.
Southern Association News--There will be a winter Association meeting via Zoom on Feb. 28th. Registration starts at 2:30pm. Meeting starts at 3pm. We can have 2 voting delegates. A new slate of officers will be presented and voted upon with installation following. Meetings are interesting. Find out what is going on outside our local church. This Association is very active in the community. Please let Donna know if you are willing to participate so she can register you and give you the zoom number. 951-217-0735.
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Pilgrim Pines News--The Midwinter intergenerational Camp was held over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend was a success. It was done over zoom and all participants had a great time.
Conference news--The So. Calif./Nevada Conference had a meeting with the committees from Pilgrim Pines. It was to get to know the leaders of both groups and how to work together. We need to know what each of the groups roles are for the camp. Flow charts will be made regarding this so there will be definite areas that each group will be doing for the camp and who reports to whom so the process will flow smoothly.
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Services will be live on Zoom at 10 am on Sundays. The live service will be recorded and available on the UCV website, Facebook and You Tube later in the day. |
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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Sunday Service - Virtual on Zoom,
Fellowship - Virtual on Zoom, Every Sunday at 11am
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 - We 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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