March 2023

Our Sunday service is live and on our Zoom channel. The recording of the service will be available online later that day on Facebook, YouTube and on our Website.

Masks are Optional

Sherian Spencer

Moderator

Liturgical Seasons

We continue in the liturgical season of Lent throughout the month of March so the liturgical color remains Purple until Easter Sunday. Lent is traditionally a time for introspection, prayer and reflection. It is also a time when people are encouraged to “give up something” such as a favorite food or activity. Personally I’ve never really found much value in this practice but I know many find it meaningful. Others,rather than giving something up, pledge to do something meaningful. The wonderful liturgy that our children and youth are leading every week during Lent is another way to contemplate how we can grow during this season. Instead of giving something up, the children are spotlighting something they refuse to give up—the notion that children have no voice, that war is inevitable, that we aren’t responsible for our environment…Let’s thoughtfully consider actions we can take and attitudes we can change to help our children claim a world where these notions can become reality. 

Last Friday, Feb. 24, marked a year since the war in Ukraine began. On Thursday, Feb. 23, 100+ people gathered in Balboa Park to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. After a short program, The Freedom Bell was rung 365 times, once for each day of the war. I was honored to be asked to ring the bell. The bell was forged partially from steel from the Twin Towers. I had the honor of ringing the bell, partially because of our church’s and Southern CA Damekor’s support. I pray that we won’t have to ring the bell in 2024.

Christian Education

Creation Spirituality

Sunday March 3rd, 2023 8am on Zoom

The Adult Education class continues to meet via Zoom at 8am every Sunday Morning. We are currently working our way through Matthew Fox's book Creation Spirituality. Come join us for in-class reading and thought-provoking discussion.



Young Angel's Parent-Participation Kid's Class

In the Classroom (Zoom is also an option)

following the main Worship Service

The Parent-Participation Children's class will meet in the classroom following the main service. During Lent we will explore our litany themes, hear stories of Jesus' time in the wilderness, and enjoy songs, games, crafts, and more.

Lunch Bunch is Back

Like to eat? Like to talk? Like to talk while you eat? Then Lunch Bunch is for you! Every 1st and 5th Sunday we will choose a different restaurant for lunch after church. We will meet at 12pm for those of you who might have slept in but still gotta eat! Send your restaurant ideas to Sandy Selby at [email protected]. ALL ARE WELCOME!

March 5th VIP's Cafe 

25030 Hancock Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562

PI DAY PIE SALE MARCH 12th

PI Day is 3/14, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, homemade pie! We need pie makers and pie eaters to join us after church Sunday, March 12th. All baked goods are welcomed! Please package them To Go and priced to sell! Proceeds will be used to establish a fund at the local NAACP branch to recognize outstanding women who are working toward the advancement of equity and justice.

Music News

Our choir continues to practice before and/or after church on Sunday mornings to avoid conflicts with weeknight rehearsals. It was great to have Jerry Hawkins back singing with us this past Sunday. If you’d like to join us, please let Lynne know ([email protected]). And, we’re hoping to ring bells on Easter Sunday (April 9). If you’d like to ring a bell (or 2—or 4), let Lynne know right away. We’ll meet right after church on Sunday, March 19. You don’t have to read music, though it definitely helps.

**Coming Soon**

These bumper stickers will soon be available. UCV will be selling them for $5.00 each. The proceeds (after cost) will go to UCV's General Fund. Thank you Sherian for finding these and getting them ordered. If anyone has a suggestion for fund raising please let us know. Be sure and talk to Sherian and see if it's a possibility. Be aware that if you suggest it, you will need to spearhead and organize the marketing. Deb Hudson is available to help with getting the word out.

2032 Church Council

March Potluck on the 26th!

We will celebrate March birthdays on Sunday, March 26th, immediately after church. Bring whatever you want to share - no sign-ups required. If we end up with all desserts, so be it! Come enjoy hanging out and meet some old and new friends!

News from Nicaragua

We’ve had to get creative to continue to support the Cultural Arts Center in Chacraseca as it is now dangerous for local Nicaraguans to have any contacts with non-profits. But, the very good news is that, at least for the present, music and dance are still happening in Chacraseca and our local teacher, Abimael, is doing a really good job of keeping the programs running.

Prayers and Concerns for:

• Steve F. who is recovering from hip surgery. He can ambulate slowly and hopefully join us back at church soon.
• The Farr-Toon family suffering the loss of Adriana's dad Neil.
• Linda had surgery for her hip, and she no longer has that debilitating pain. She also had a bad reaction to the chemo treatment, which means no more chemo. She is still in the hospital in San Diego but will hopefully be released to home or rehab soon.  Ruth, Sherian and Sandy have taken Becky and Jerry to visit her. If you can provide Jerry and Becky with a meal, please feel free to drop one off. Becky would love visitors! Cards can be sent to the Hawkins family at 30217 Corte Plata, Temecula, CA 92591. 
• Edna continues to have pain.
• The Martinez family who are helping a new family that just arrived from Mexico.  
• Sandy continues therapy for her knee.
• The Dunlap family has been under the weather (not covid).

Joys

• The children will be participating in the Lenten service.  
• Everyone is well at the Martinez home.
• Ruth will be back from her travels with her college choir. She has been in South Korea. 
• Thank you to everyone who made our monthly potluck a great success, especially the Llamas-Martinez family who handled set-up and clean-up
• Game night is returning the second Saturday of every month. Look for info in this newsletter.
• Thank you for participating in the Super Bowl soup Sunday. This helped provide money and canned food for the Murrieta Food Pantry. 
• Also, the sock box is now in the connecting hallway. It is for donations of new socks for the food pantry.  

Southern Association News

Lynne and Donna attended the Southern Association annual meeting via zoom. It was on Feb. 26 in the afternoon. The new board was installed. The program was "Our Call to Create a Just world for All: A look at Racial Justice, A2A (accessible to All), and O&A (Open and affirming). We were placed into different chat groups to discuss this program. Our church is doing all 3 of these things. We are open and affirming. Our building if accessible to all. And we are working hard on racial justice. The association/conference will be e-mailing information on what is available to assist with these 3 important topics to assist with discussion groups within the next several months.

Conference News

The annual meeting for the Southern/Nevada Conference of the UCC will be held live at Chapman University on June 9-10. Watch for more info or go to our conference website at scncucc.org.

The Perris UCC is having a flea market on March18th on their church parking lot from 8am to noon. If we want to set up a table/awning for a fee of only $20.00 please call Diomy Jenkins at 951-529-5686 for more information. If enough people show an interest the flea market the church will host the flea market monthly. Watch for info in this monthly newsletter.

Pilgrim Pines had a successful mid-winter camp in February. There were about 50 campers (6th -12th graders) and 20 adults. They enjoyed the program and food.

March Birthdays

Barbara Boardway - 5th

Sarah MacLean - 8th

Dwayne Williams - 11th

Joanne Fiske Love - 17th

Grant Harris - 17th

Ray Wellman - 31st

Sunday Service - Live and on Zoom, 10AM

Book Club - We are meeting online every Sunday at 9am Zoom Meeting Room

UCV Council Meeting - 1st Sunday of the month 11:15am Zoom Meeting Room

AA Meeting - Every Monday 7pm

Women's Al-Anon Meeting - Every Wednesday 5:30pm

Men's AA Meeting - Every Wednesday 7pm

OA - 12 Step Program - Thursday 6:30pm - 7:30pm

A Big Book Study - Every Friday 7pm

C.O.D.A.Meeting - Every Sunday 5:30pm (Currently still on Zoom)

The Community House is located at

41685 Date Street, Murrieta 92562

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