We are committed to compassion. We are….
…a sanctuary for diversity, spiritual growth, and social justice
…nuestra misión es ser un santuario de diversidad, crecimiento espiritual y justicia social
Worship Services
Sunday Worship: “The Solstice and Emergence”
“Hope in the Darkness: Christmas Eve Vespers”
Sunday Worship: “Rise Up, O Flame: Preparing for the New Year”
News in Brief
Bread not Stone: Bright Joy and Nurturing Darkness
This is the time of year when the days get shorter and shorter and the night gets longer and longer. When it feels like we live more in darkness than we do in light. And so the festivals and celebrations of this time are all about light: the light of candles, the light of stars, the light of lamps...
The Dog Days of December
"The decisions—to volunteer at the shelter and to keep rather than turn in a stray dog— have been some of the better decisions of the year. Working with, caring for, and simply loving and petting these dogs got me out of the troubles of the day" Perhaps the morning following Election Day this year...
Your Own Native Garden
A goal of the Sacred Grounds Team is to encourage and enable people to plant native species in your yard. Many have done so – most recently Diane C posted pictures of the flourishing globe mallow she bought at the Desert Canyon Habitat celebration last year.
You may recall that the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) was instrumental in helping us establish our native habitats. They can help you get started too. The CNPS annual Garden Day and plant sale is November 16 at the Desert Wildlife Center (8:30 AM to noon, 46500 Van Buren, Indio). Come by to learn and to get started.
And here’s the real kicker – UUCOD has a booth at the Garden Day! We will be there to share the story of our Sacred Grounds, feature our principle of the Interdependent web of life, and introduce people to UUCOD.
Come on down!
Benches!
We have three new benches on the grounds! They are gorgeous. You will find one each at the Celebration Garden, the Desert Canyon Habitat, and the Creosote Scrub Habitat.
As the weather cools, take a moment to sit and enjoy the grounds.
Huge thanks to the Sacred Grounds donors over the years, plus the volunteers for acquiring and installing the benches: Denise Stevens, John Ressler, Jack Fitzsimmons, Walter Gendell, Mel Wilkinson, Dave Emmerson, Tom Spencer, Randy Steele, Chris Eager, and Rod Belshee.
What’s Happening This Week
Week of Events
Share the Plate
On the third Sunday of every month from October to June we share half of our plate collections with a non-profit 501c3 organization. The Share the Plate recipients have been nominated and elected by members and friends from a pool of non-profits organizations serving the Coachella Valley and surrounding desert cities.
Sunday Worship: “Hope Beyond Perfection”
Sunday Worship: “Hope Beyond Perfection”
Worship Leader: Rev. Ian W. RiddellWorship Associate: Ginger Hemingway Our lives are messy, the world around us sometimes chaotic. And yet, we so often seek the certainty of perfectionism: the […]
Board of Directors Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors carries on the buiness of the church every third Tuesday of the month. Members, feel free to show up in person or online during the Voices […]
Drop-In Scrabble
Drop-In Scrabble
Interested in joining other UUCOD members in a friendly game or two of scrabble? ALL ARE WELCOME-FROM NOVICE TO EXPERT! We will meet the first and third Thursday of the month at […]
Featured Events for December
Join us in December and January for conversations about our congregation and its deepest values and its vision and mission for the future. We’ll talk in large groups and small over the coming months–gathering all of our imaginings for our beloved community. We’re hoping everyone will participate in one of these sessions. More sessions will be held in January, including on Zoom, if you cannot be part of one of the December conversations.
Upcoming Events for January
Generously bake and sell for the good of the beloved community your best–savory or sweet–bagels, bars, biscuits, bites, blondies, breads, brownies, buns, cakes, churros, cookies, crackers, cupcakes, custards, donuts, empanadas, muffins, pan dulce, pastries, pies, pot pies, puddings, quiches, tarts, tortes, etc.