“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 was a difficult one for you too. As I awaited the optometrist and weighed the news, the power went out and I was invited to return another day. I got in the car and stumbled upon an unusual circumstance as I was leaving the area: Two unleashed dogs atop one another in the middle of an intersection.
I stopped and inquired with nearby workers, who said they knew nothing of the two dogs. One was a large uncollared Pit Bull Terrier; the other, a small, collared terrier mix. Neither had tags or microchips. No one else was around or came forward. So, I picked them up, stopped at a nearby grocery store, fed them, and brought them to our county shelter. Pictured below are the dogs: “Buddie,” the Pit Bull Terrier, and “Harris,” the very badly matted terrier mix (before and after).
Having watched an expose about the shelter on the local news channel, I decided to start volunteering a few hours a month at the local county animal shelter in Thousand Palms, called the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, to do something to try to help the situation. Now wanting to drop off two stray dogs I’d found, knowing its overburdened condition, and not wanting to burden the shelter with double the impounded stray dog, Reuben and me took a chance and agreed to “foster” the smaller dog, thinking that our own rescue dog Max (with a difficult temperament) might better tolerate it.
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 and refocused my attention on these wonderful creatures in need. “Harris,” named in honor of the Vice President, adds so much love to the home at such a difficult time. Really, the work brings me closer to some of the values we preach too.
Discovering the dogs’ different personalities, observing their joy as they are socialized out of the kennels, and watching them grow help me honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge my place in it. As I give as much time and affection as I can, I am working on cultivating gratitude for life and hope for these dogs. As I work with these animals, I am accountable for doing the work of living these shared values through the spiritual discipline of love.
As we go into December, let’s spread gratitude, hope, and love as we remember the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Pictured above are a few of the dogs up for adoption. Check out all the great animals in need at the local county shelter here.
Is it time for a new pet? Can you open your home and foster an animal? Are you looking to add a particularly meaningful experience to your volunteering activities? Can you give money, blankets, towels, pet food, animal or cleaning supplies, or a purchase off one of the shelter’s wish lists ? How about following the shelter and forwarding its posts to help spread the word?
As always, if you have an idea, suggestion, comment, improvement, or criticism, please contact me or any Members of the Board and convey your thoughts. You can also bring them to the next Voices of the Congregation forum during the next Board meeting. Recall that this year’s Board meetings are hybrid online on Zoom and in-person in the Community Room. Come as you can! This month, our next regular meeting is December 17.
-Bob Rancourt
P.S. UUCOD’s Social Justice Committee is thrilled to feature Barkee LaRoux’s House of Love Animal Sanctuary this church year as one of its Share the Plate beneficiaries.
President’s Message Recent Posts
The Hustle and Bustle of Church
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
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
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
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
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.
Save the Dates! Church Is Back in Full Swing!
Mark your calendars! Perhaps it’s too generous or optimistic to say that it’s starting to cool a bit here in the desert, and many Members and Friends are beginning to return for the Coachella Valley’s anticipated cooler months. We’ve had our ingathering and it’s time to get church things done.
President’s Message for October 1, 2023
Your 2023 – 2024 Board has now met several times and we are off and running. With an orientation, two Regular Meetings, and a Retreat under our belt, we have discussed and approved many items of business, including our short-range fiscal year goals and longer term, three-year strategic goals. These goals and plans remind me of a former minister who once preached about the importance of setting our boats right. The Board has set its boat right! Read more to find a listing of the goals we approved at our retreat.