A Progressive Christian Community



An Open & Affirming Congregation

A Just Peace Congregation

An Accessibility 2 All Congregation

June 2026

A Year of Resistance

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.

We welcome new members to United Church of the Valley each month. If anyone wishes to join our church at this time, please speak with Lee Eddy, Rich Hayden or Debbie Hudson.

If you are planning on attending a United Church of the Valley Sunday Service or other event and require a ASL interpreter, please email admin@ucvchurch.org so that we can meet your specific needs.

Worship

The liturgical calendar says it’s Pentecost season or Common Time which goes on for a long time! At UCV, June will have at least two opportunities to celebrate Pride Month. Rev. Steph will kick off Pride month on June 7. And, we’ll conclude the month by re-affirming our Open and Affirming Covenant that UCV first adopted in 2008. The Southern CA Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ concluded it’s Annual 2-

day Gathering on Sat. May 30. The theme was “We’re the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For.” I remember, many years ago as a young adult, when I first heard that statement and I sure felt convicted by it. All those times as a kid when I said “I’ll do things differently when I’m an adult” brought me to the stark reality that now I was the one that was expected to fix things.

Oops! During my recent trip to Italy, several discussions with my friends expressed the longing for “the right” leader who can “fix the mess” our country is in. They were in a sense looking for a savior who will ride in and right the ship. I tried to express my concern that was probably unrealistic. In the closing session of Annual Gathering yesterday, our amazing UCC

conference minister, Rev. Rachael Pryor, gave a powerful plea that we can’t be silent in these times especially. We’ll watch it during worship within the next couple of weeks. It’s powerful—convicting, but also hopeful. Rev. Rachael also has provided a video of her full sermon on the subject that we will see later this summer.

UCV Official Designations

The United Church of the Valley, your church, is officially designated a/an:



Open & Affirming Congregation

Just Peace Congregation

Accessibility 2 All Congregation

Pastoral Care Ministry

Even though we don’t have a paid pastor at UCV, we have a number of lay pastors who want to be there for you as you travel down life’s sometimes difficult road. Please contact Rev. Dr. Fred Schaeffer at (760) 315-5590 to receive a confidential referral. 

The Ruth Sharp Meditation Garden sits in front of the United Church of the Valley building, a totem of peace and hope for all people. A place to come and sit to reflect on life.

UCV Book Study with Rev. Dr. Fred Schaeffer

UCV cordially invites you to join in a book study that will be on Zoom, starting times will be changed to 7:00pm. Please let Rev. Fred know that you'd like to participate by emailing him at drfes2001@yahoo.com. He has purchased 5 books & has them available for you. Rev. Fred is anxious to start this group and delving into this subject with all of you.

Meeting ID: 9516981520 Password: 9516981520

To see what is happening at Emily's Space during the month of June view the calendar below by clicking on the button.

Phone:951-249-3255 Website: www.emilysspace.org 

Instagram: @emilys_space_ Email: EmilysSpace.Murrieta@gmail.com

Emily's Space/Temecula Valley Pride

June Events

Temecula Valley Pride/United Church of the Valley

41685 Date Street, Unit 100

Murrieta, CA. 92562

justind@temeculavalleypride.org

Mark Your Calendars

• Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom (see flyer below)
• Temecula Valley Pride - October 17th

Pride Prom 2026 was a Huge Success

Thank you to all involved



Reverend Dr. Fred Schaeffer



 BEYOND: Love Surpassing



Save the dates for the 2026 General Assembly online, July 10–11, 2026! The theme, BEYOND: Love Surpassing (Ephesians 3:14–21), builds on the work that God began last year and marks the first General Assembly of the new triennium as we live into our new structure. Plan to join us online alone or with others at a local assembly gathering in your area for vital worship, discernment, and connection.

 The whole church throughout the United States and Canada, is invited to attend General Assembly 2026. Ephesians 3:14-21 invites the Stone-Campbell tradition of today and tomorrow to be rooted and grounded in the love of God that surpasses knowledge and barriers to build fuller relationships and ministries led by the limitless love of God. The prayer that calls to the church in Ephesus also calls the Christian Church to set a bigger table that surpasses our previous capacity.

More than just a series of meetings, General Assembly is a covenantal table set for education, discussion, worship, business, fellowship, and action. Each congregation is invited to boldly claim their covenantal place at the table by inviting everyone to attend online and by prayerfully designating 3 delegates to vote at General Assembly. Meeting every year online will allow more Disciples to connect more frequently and to work together more fully “to be the church we say we are.” If you’ve never attended General Assembly before, a special welcome is extended to you.

One and all, individuals, Congregations, General Ministries, Regional Ministries, Ministry partners, and friends are invited to actively participate in our new way of being church and our church wide resolve to embody and share God’s surpassing love as we gather in July.

For these reasons:

• The cost is $30 in the hope of removing an economic barrier.
• Translation through closed captioning will be available in 5 languages including Spanish, Korean, French, English, and Chinese, in the hope of removing language and accessibility barriers.
• You can participate at a local gathering or on your personal device in the hope of removing the barriers of geography and isolation. The tech team has worked hard to make sure that GA is accessible and to train Regional and Congregational tech leaders to ensure that they didn’t create a new digital divide within the church.
• The format and schedule include a Topic for Education, Discussion, and Prayer and time for dialogue to move beyond brief discussion accessible only to persons that attend GA in-person to include more voices from across the whole church.
• Register online and take your place in this year’s General Assembly rooted in hope, inspired by purpose, and alive with possibility. Your voice, your presence, and your spirit matter. Come be part of what God is doing next.     2026 General Assembly BEYOND: Love Surpassing - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Blessings!

Rev. Dr. Fred Schaeffer

Rebecca Rose Clinton Millsaps Obituary

Rebecca Rose Clinton Millsaps, affectionately known to all as Becca Boo, left this world on February 14, 2026, at the age of 29. She passed away in Duarte, California, surrounded by love and warmth from her family. Becca was born on March 7, 1996, in Long Beach, California, to her adoring parents, Kristi and Mark Clinton. She was a cherished sister to Jessica Rodriguez and a beloved wife to Darien Millsaps.

Click the link below to view the obituary and the information regarding the celebration of Becca's life.

JOYS

• C J Slade graduated from Temecula Preparatory School on 6/2/2026. He will be attending Michigan Technological University to study Chemistry and Material Science Engineering.
• Ruth Dunlap graduated from Cal State University Long Beach on May 18, 2026. She will be moving to New York to work on her Master's of Vocal Performance at Eastman in Rochester, NY.
• Emily Boucher graduated from Cal State University Fullerton on May 20, 2026 with a Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She will be moving to Clear Lake, Calif this summer.
• Daniel Boucher graduated from his Family Medicine Residency on June 24, 2026. He will be moving to Clear Lake, CA to work in a Family Medicine Out Patient Clinic.  
• Jordan Glassman graduated and will heading off to high school
• For Julia who received an amazing letter of recommendation
• Our larger choir and Lynne who leads it                                           T
• To all who have helped with the fund raiser for Pilgrim Pines
• For all who help with set up before church and who help clean up after church.

Concerns

• Kristi and Mark
• Kristi for health problems
• Donna and Mark
• Laurie and Jason and family
• Jen Zechlins mother
• Lorian and Darcie--for Lorian's dad and step mother--Donald and Joyce

Conference News

The Annual Meeting was held on May 29th & 30th at the First Congregation Church of Los Angeles. Donna was our delegate. More about it in next month's newsletter.  

Go on line for all upcoming events of the Southern California/Nevada UCC Conference at SCNCUCC.org for SCNC Newsletter.

Pilgrim Pines had a fun week-end in May Donna was there and saw many of her friends and participated in the work camp. We are getting ready for summer camp. Donna also attended the Perris UCC church to speak about fund raising for the Campership Fund. She also is asking UCV to help with this fund raiser. Donna has already swam over 400 lengths of the pool at her camp ground. She had raised over $1000 so campers can have help with the cost of camp. See Donna if you can help with this fund raiser. There are new staff people at the Pines. Come up to camp and meet them when you get a chance. See camp events on line at pilgrimpinescamp.org

Loch Leven Camp News

Go on line at DOCPSWR.org/camp Other events for the DOC Christian Church go on line at PSWREnews/monthly news letter

Farm Workers of Deluz

Becky Sulzmann, is one of the coordinators for this effort and will be our 'point person' for this campaign. Her contact information is:



Becky Sulzmann

847-507-9305

becsulzmann@gmail.com

45002 Corte Zorita 

Temecula, Ca. 92592

See below for a full listing of needs

• all Soups, no boxed soups please
• breakfast cereals or anything breakfast related
• shelf-stable milk
• canned chicken, tuna, beef
• instant coffee
• powdered creamer
• water
• masa
• canned fruit
• top ramen
• apple sauce
• pasta
• canned stews
• pasta sauce
• peanut butter
• popcorn kernels
• quinoa
• rice
• chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• green pickled whole jalapeno peppers
• tortilla chips
• trail mix
• instant oatmeal/hot cereals
• can openers (sturdy)
• canned vegetables
• salt/pepper/spices
• chicken, beef, and vegetable broths and stock, not boxed
• dried fruits
• healthy snacks for kids
• honey
• juices for kids
• nuts, salted and unsalted
• canola oil or lard
• band aids
• paper towels
• soap-bath, dish detergent
• towels/wash cloths
• shampoo
• rubbing alcohol
• peroxide
• pain ointment or cream
• anti itch cream
• sunscreen
• toilet paper
• toothbrushes and toothpaste
• sanitizing wipes
• work gloves
• calamine lotion
• feminine hygiene supplies - no pads please

June Birthdays

Lucas Eddy - 2nd

Lee Eddy Jr. - 7th

Edna

2026 Church Council

Please email any joys & concerns you would like read aloud to at . You can also send confidential prayer requests. Just indicate as such and let Sandy know if you want it shared with any of the other spiritual counselors.

Even fellowship can be online, thanks to the innovative minds at Zoom! Join us for Sunday Service live and on zoom beginning at 10am. UCV has its own Zoom meeting room at https://zoom.us/j/9516981520

You can join from your Zoom app using meeting number 9516981520 

Or you can join by phone:

One tap mobile

+16699006833,9516981520# US (San Jose)

or dial 

+1-669-900-6833

and then enter 

9516981520# 

You can start your own online fellowship, too! Just email Sandy Selby at moderator@ucvchurch.org to get on the meeting schedule. 

Sunday Service - Live and on Zoom, 10AM

Book Club - We are meeting online every Sunday at 8am 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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