Jul 1, 2024 | Stewardship and Membership
We think of the Church as our Beloved Community. We work to make this incredibly special community as welcoming as possible.
What makes a community? Our June article “Needing One Another” spoke of communities forming around central concepts and primary needs. As well as our personal interests, needs and abilities.
Consider thinking of the entire Unitarian Universalist Association as a Community of Communities called, for example, congregations, Churches, or many other names.
Then consider thinking of UUCOD as a Community composed of many smaller communities. For example, Choir is a community, Sacred Grounds Team is a community, the Board and Church Council are communities, Hospitality, Chalice Circles, AV Team, Book Club, Crafting Time, Scrabble, our 80+ Group, Women’s Night Out, and Men’s Breakfast are all communities. Plus, Committees, such as Worship, Care, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging (DIB) Ministry, Social Justice, Membership, Finance, Facilities, Stewardship are all communities. We make friends when we share events, music, and engage in crafting or making coffee on Sunday morning.
What happens to our concept of UUCOD when we think of it as a Community of Communities? What happens when we think of ourselves as belonging to one or more smaller communities within the greater whole of UUCOD’s Community? We each belong to our special smaller communities and to our Beloved Community of UUCOD.
For a visitor of just a few weeks, this may not be apparent. For a visitor, “friend” or new member this concept may come as an awareness of how comfortable we feel when with our special community. How much we miss our small community when we are away for the summer or for months at a time.
When we consider our personal needs, interests and abilities perhaps think of which community you would like to join.
Jun 1, 2024 | Stewardship and Membership
Searching for and creating community with others is a basic practice as old as nature. And it is not just humans that seek community. Most animals instinctually do this: consider honeybees or a gaggle of migrating geese working together to achieve a specific goal. Or how about a flock of sheep, a pack of herding dogs, and the shepherd forming a mutually beneficial group? Ancient humans formed community with like-minded individuals for safety and segregation of duties based on individual interests, skills, and needs.
Increasingly less common, extended, multi-generational families are tightly knit communities that work collectively for the common good. However, today we find many individuals who have, for various reasons, moved away from their friends and family. Finding and creating bonds with individuals with values and interests similar to one’s own is a challenging task. And as we form community with one another, we begin to develop a logical family of choice that feeds our soul and helps us define our own space in the world.
Communities form around central concepts and primary needs. For UUCOD Members and Friends, shared beliefs and values are often a common thread that first brings us together. Our primary ministry helps us discover more about them. But our personal interests, needs, and abilities are also a factor. Some may come for the music; to hear it or make it. Others find our grounds and our belief in respect for all creatures to be what draws them to our community. Still others are attracted to the opportunity to serve members of our community and our larger Coachella Valley community. This may take the form of participating in our social justice work, assisting our Members and Friends in times of need, or ensuring our facilities are maintained or food is available after services. Others serve our community through board or committee work, assisting with services, or providing social and educational opportunities for all.
Maintaining community is work. People move, change interests, or pass away. Illnesses and diminished physical capabilities prevent us from coming together as frequently as we would like. Many travel or spend extended periods of time away from our community. But making the effort to come together brings us joy and provides us with a sense of belonging. It provides us security. It feels good to find oneself surrounded by those we care about. People strengthen us; elevate us; make us feel loved. Support our UUCOD community as you are able.
UUCOD Stewardship & Membership Committees
May 1, 2024 | Stewardship and Membership
When did you first become aware you needed community?
Our Stewardship Committee holds a belief that most everyone has a need and desire for belonging, connection and inclusion. It is a basic instinct to come together with others to protect and care for one another, share responsibilities, and work for the common good. When we, as humans, feel we belong to a community, we tend to give our time, talents, and treasures, as we are able, to support our common goals. We believe that “Being in CommUnity” is an active, rather than passive, concept.
When we support our community, we should not be surprised to find that our community returns that support to us. We become connected and we belong. Not only does our community thrive, but we as individuals thrive also.
Volunteering is one, very important way to support our community. If you were present at or watched our Service when new member induction and volunteer appreciation coincided on the same Sunday, you might have been surprised to hear of so many volunteer tasks that keep our Church facilities and community thriving.
Volunteering, even for small tasks, can increasingly lead YOU feeling you belong in and are a vital participant of our Church community. While tasks are being done, we talk with each other sharing our joys and concerns. We make friends and we feel more and more a part of something that is important to us.
Our community is only as strong and resilient as the sum of our individual Members and Friends. Know that your contributions in supporting our community are needed, noticed, and appreciated. If you want to become more involved, speak with a board member or committee chair. Continue to come forth and Be in CommUnity.
UUCOD Stewardship and Membership Committees
Apr 3, 2024 | President's Message
In some climates, where seasons change, “April showers bring May flowers.” Reportedly, April, the name of the month, originally takes its name from the verb “to open,” as in the season when flowers and trees begin to open. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that April brings Earth Day, on the 22nd.
As we usher in the opening season, are we open to change? Do we encourage enough spiritual growth? Have you transformed lately? Do you value transformation? Rev. Riddell will be asking us to consider transformation this month in his Sunday messages:
Apr 3, 2024 | Minister's Message
This month in worship and in our chalice circles, we are exploring the. Last of the values expressed in the UUA’s proposed new description of our central values: Transformation. This value is shared with these words:
Transformation. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
