The Hustle and Bustle of Church
Nov 1, 2024 | President's Message
Have you noticed the uptick in attendance? Wasn’t it nice catching up with everyone and celebrating our 65th birthday? Did you see all the prospective new Members taking their orientation classes? Are you looking forward to representing UUCOD at the 39th annual Greater Palm Springs LGTBQ Pride Parade and cutting loose at the annual service auction in the next couple weeks?
This time of year always seems to bring the hustle and bustle of church.
Let the New Church Year Begin
Oct 4, 2024 | President's Message
It’s the end of September, snow birds are returning, church seats are filling up, groups are re-assembling, and the new church year begins. The new Board—constituted by two new Members and one re-elected Member—has now met twice and taken some actions of which to be aware.
Look at how full the church calendar already is! One occasion of which to take note is our 65th birthday on October 13. The first Church Council follows on October 19, and then November brings the Pride Parade on the 3rd and our annual service auction on November 8 and 9. New Members are celebrated on November 17
General Assembly 2024 Is in the Books
Jul 31, 2024 | President's Message
From June 20–23, more than 3,400 Unitarian Universalists from around the country and world gathered and attended this year’s all-virtual UUA General Assembly, GA is the annual gathering of UUs, where, in addition to conducting official business of the UUA, they join in community, explore the faith’s theological underpinnings, and emphasize the UUA’s mission, values, and principles. GA 2024 had 2,757 credentialed delegates from 734 congregations in fifty states; Washington, D.C.; Canada; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Mexico, France, and the Philippines. Five UUCOD leaders represented the church: Rev. Riddell; Walter Gendell; Linda Savard; Jane Zaun; and me. This year’s theme was “Love Unites, Stories Ignite,” meant to celebrate the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and divisions.
Open to Change
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:

President’s Message: Along This Yellow Brick Road of Life
Jan 4, 2024 | President's Message
One nice part of the holiday season is the re-airing of classic films associated with the holidays. From Miracle on 34th Street, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, to Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf, these feel-good motion pictures can stir warm memories and remind us of our family, friends, and the hope and love in life.
Another one that popped up the other day is the all-time great The Wizard of Oz, the “most seen film in movie history.” It’s rich in many themes, but perhaps the transformation of the scarecrow, tin man, and lion is most prescient as we trudge along this yellow brick road of life.
Recent Posts
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- Bread not Stone: Bright Joy and Nurturing Darkness December 14, 2024
- The Hustle and Bustle of Church November 1, 2024
- Bread not Stone: Together in Love November 1, 2024
- Let the New Church Year Begin October 4, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Thank You Good Stewards! October 4, 2024
- Bread not Stone: The Past and the Future October 4, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Participating in CommUnity September 1, 2024
- Bread not Stone: Crafting Relationships/Coming Together September 1, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Rest and Reflection August 1, 2024
- General Assembly 2024 Is in the Books July 31, 2024
- Bread not Stone: A Year of Covenant and Celebration July 31, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Community of Communities July 1, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Needing One Another June 1, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Being in CommUnity May 1, 2024
- Open to Change April 3, 2024
- Bread not Stone: Transformation April 3, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Support Our Social Justice Committee Activities April 1, 2024
- Growing Connections To Our CommUnity: Practice Welcoming March 1, 2024
- What’s On Your Ballott? California Ballott Proposition 1 February 15, 2024
- So Where Do We Go From Here?
- Assimilation, Limited Inclusion and Belonging
- Are we proposing this principle because we are doing something wrong?
- Why do we need another principle about racism? Don’t our other 7 principles address this?
- What does “white supremacy culture” mean?
- What is meant by “white privilege?
- What does the phrase from the proposed 8th Principle “accountably dismantle racism” mean?
- The 8th Principle – Let’s Examine What It Really Means
- The 8th Principle – Can we change the wording?
- The 8th Principle – Learn More About It!
- The 8th Principle – Why is UUCOD wanting to adopt this?
- The 8th Principle – What is it and Should UUCOD Adopt it?