President's Message for November
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.
Looking ahead, how fortunate are we to showcase the great contributions of talent, time, and treasure of so many Members, Friends, and visitors who make so many high-quality events possible!? Thanks to the diverse group of individuals comprising our beloved community, it seems like something’s always going on at church. It’s a high-quality problem to have.
For example, this year, through no one’s fault, the Auction takes place the same weekend as Social Justice Committee’s Annual Palm Springs LGTBQI Pride Parade participation. Did you know that this year the Social Justice Committee put together a new UUCOD float and vehicle contingent complete with new t-shirts, music, and crowd pleasers? Riders and walkers will come together to form a more visible UUCOD presence than in recent past parades. Wow!
Aren’t you thrilled to see the re-emergence of the live auction? Our many special offerings and talents and/or prized possessions are sure to attract high bids. Of course, just spending the fun time together post-pandemic is to be particularly treasured.
Don’t miss a thing! Be sure to check the online church calendar here: Calendar Events. Here’s a summary of upcoming events to be saved and not missed:
Silent and Live Auction: 11/3 – 11/4
UUCOD Float at Ann. Palm Springs LGTBQI Pride: 11/5
Rev. Riddell’s Installation: 11/12
S2S2S’s “A Very Holly Moosemas:” 11/17 – 11/18
New Member Induction: 11/19
Celebration Garden Blessing: 12/3
Special Double Holiday Services: 12/24
Desert Canyon Habitat Demonstration Garden Dedication: 1/7
S2S2S’s “Let It Rain:” 1/26 – 1/27
Pledge Drive Kick-Off: 1/28
Who are your unsung heroes? As these events show, here at UUCOD we are fortunate to have so many individuals who make sure “the trains run on time,” usually without reward and anyone even realizing it. Let’s remember to acknowledge these folks and thank them for what they do.
This month, I’m thinking of, shouting out, and thanking Tracy Flynn, Margaret Manson, Bill Masco, Linda Savard, Sandy Sladen, and Randy Steele. If I missed you, please don’t hesitate to call me out! We are a culture not only of generosity but also gratitude.
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! By the way, this month, our next regular meeting is advanced to November 14.
—Bob Rancourt
President’s Message Recent Posts
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...
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.
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.