Welcome
Whoever
You Are
It doesn’t matter
where you or your ancestors are from, who you love, your gender identity, your theology, politics, or your immigration status, we welcome all those who are committed to our core values.
All of who you are is welcome.
Together
we come to this place to share our hopes, dreams and visions. We seek to build a diverse and inclusive community that honors the inherent worth and dignity of every being.
What is Unitarian Universalism?
This short video may answer some of your questions about our faith and beliefs. If you want to know more, join us at a worship service to chat with our Minister or any member of our beloved community.
“We Are Unitarian Universalists”
Copyright Unitarian Universalist Association
Our Values
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition that has changed in many ways from the original Christian roots of its Universalist and Unitarian heritages, and it continues to evolve today. Thesse are our shared values, all centered around love:
Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it.
Pluralism: We are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive.
Transformation: We adapt to the changing world.
Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
The Flaming Chalice
is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. Most Unitarian Universalist congregations begin their worship on Sunday mornings by lighting one in the form of a lamp or candle.
At its most literal level of meaning, the flaming chalice signals Unitarian Universalist identity. It suggests the transformations that take place when we are held within religious community. When we light the chalice in worship, we illuminate a world that we feel called upon to serve with love and a sense of justice. The flame is what one of our beloved congregational hymns terms “The Fire of Commitment.”
UUCOD History
Our church took root in the Coachella Valley in 1959 when two dozen people met in response to an advertisement placed by the American Unitarian Association to encourage the formation of new Fellowships across the country. The ad appeared in the Desert Sun on October 7th asking the provocative question: “Are you a Unitarian without knowing it?” Sixty-two years later, we still invite visitors to join us at Sunday Service to pose the same question to themselves.
The congregation wandered the desert for 45 years, meeting in homes, schools, motels, senior citizen centers and other churches. At the dawn of the new millennium in anticipation of having our permanent home, we changed our designation from a Fellowship to a full-fledged Church. Our long-held dream was finally realized on Easter Sunday in 2005 when the congregation moved in to its new sanctuary in Rancho Mirage.
UUCOD celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2019. Throughout our history, we have been led, at various times, by lay leaders and numerous contract ministers. In 2012, we entered into a
covenant with the Rev. Suzanne Marsh, who became our first settled minister. Following Rev. Marsh’s sudden death in 2016, the Rev. Julie Forrest served as our Interim Minister and then the Rev. Barbara Fast served for three years as our Development Minster. Both Rev. Forrest and Rev. Fast served on a part-time basis. The Rev. Ian W. Riddell began serving as our part-time Assistant Minister in 2020; he then became our Contract Minister and Lead Minister; and in 2023 our congregation voted to enter into covenant with Rev. Riddell as our Settled Minister.
UUCOD Congregational Covenant
This covenant represents the promises we make to ourselves about how we will nurture and support each other within this beloved community.
“We need not think alike to love alike.” One of our Unitarian Universalist ancestors, Francis David, spoke those words more than 400 years ago to describe the foundation of our unity as a religious community.
These promises cultivate an environment of compassion, courage, and empathy. To this end, we, the people of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, adopt the following (abbreviated) Congregational Covenant. *
We will be mindful of how we communicate with and about others.
We will seek a respectful and constructive resolution when conflicts arise.
We will enrich our own lives by celebrating the diversity within our community.
We will build our beloved community.
Our commitment to one another ensures that our community will be a safe and inspirational place in which we, as individuals and groups, can live out our spiritual journeys.
*Each line contains a list of promises. Read the full text of the covenant here.