October 2022

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.

Sherian Spencer

Moderator

Onward!!

Back BC (before Covid) our church went through a really challenging time of transition. We were working through serious personnel changes and trying to make sound financial decisions about whether or not to purchase the building we now use. There were a lot of big feelings (both difficult and exciting) by people on all sides and I honestly wasn’t sure our “Little Church that Could” was going to weather the storm.

We frequently hear of stories about famous people prevailing against all odds while on the road to living their best life: Michael Jordan was actually cut from his High School basketball team; Actress Tiffany Hadish was living in her car before she was “discovered”; Michael Oher was 1 of 13 kids in Tennessee and lived in foster care and on the streets for years before he became an NFL player and had the movie “Blind Side” made about his life.

There are “ordinary” people that have faced down Goliath size obstacles and still accomplished truly life changing things. Katrina Rosenblatt was a victim of Human Trafficking, survived a murder attempt, and lived in crushing poverty. However, she went on to achieve a law degree and a PhD. She was the first and only known US Survivor of Sex Trafficking to be included in the National Center for Civil & Human Rights Museum in Atlanta. And Andrew Bridge was a foster youth housed at the infamous MacLaren Children’s Center in LA that was criticized for its harsh treatment of kids and eventually closed by the court. He went on to Harvard Law and even cancer couldn’t stop him. He is now a NY Times Best Selling author, attorney, and Executive Director of the CA based Alliance For Children’s Rights.

ONWARD!!! must have been a word all these people held near and dear to their hearts. As each fought monumental odds, I feel sure they knew they were here to achieve miracles and kept on “keeping on”.

Now is UCV’s time for ONWARD!!! As more and more conservatives are pressing their agendas in the Temecula Valley (and getting louder and louder trying to do it), our church is a voice for the progressive ideas that are so very needed. Without our church, I feel as if this entire geographical area is destined to be exclusive (and not in the good sense) and prejudiced against ANYONE that does not fall into the Privileged White Conservative faction. (Just this week at the Temecula City Council meeting there was one board member trying to push through a statute declaring Temecula an Abortion Free City and people from 412 were right there pushing the shared ideology.) Our valley NEEDS us!!! The FaceBook Group Temecula Rises also had a large showing to protest the Councilwoman’s scheme. This woman is also the CEO of Birth Choice, which is a pro-birth assistance center here in town. Can you say conflict of interest?!?!

So yes, this valley needs us and to be more than a little self-serving, I need our church!! Soon we will be starting our yearly Pledge Drive for next year’s budget. Please, please consider submitting a weekly pledge (Venmo is a great way to make it convenient) or if possible, increasing your already standing commitment. Right after the turmoil our church was in BC, Lee was Council Moderator, and he wrote a fantastic open letter to the congregation talking about “A Way Forward”. Now we are searching for A Way ONWARD!!

Temecula Valley has such a significant need for people that are more open minded and wanting to see positive changes come out of the political rhetoric we so often are subjected to. 

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE for all that you do to support our amazing church! You are appreciated and loved, always know that.

Sherian 

Our October Worship Services

October 3 is World Wide Communion Sunday. Not all Christian churches celebrate the Eucharist every week as we do here at the United Church of the Valley, but this one day of the year, we know that churches around the globe are participating in this sacred ritual. The thought that churches from widely divergent cultures, geographical areas, and religious dogmas are sharing bread and wine seems like a powerful example in our divided world. At the end of the month, Rev. Jen has some thoughts about Halloween to share. I’m not sure if they are spooky or not—I guess you’ll have to come and find out! Last year, we had an offrenda as we remembered beloved friends and family who have passed away. The Mexican and Hispanic tradition of Day of the Dead reminds us that the dead live on in our memories. We will again have an offrenda at church on Oct. 30. Please bring photos and/or artifacts of your beloved family and/or friends who you want to remember. I think Day of the Dead also reminds us that those saints who have departed from this life are with us around the communion table each week. Indeed, each week as we take communion, Jesus lives anew as we remember him through the act of a communal meal and as we strive to follow his teachings

We’re so fortunate to have such fine and dedicated musicians leading our worship. We’re glad Pei-Ying is back with us. We are grateful to Charles Barzon and Lorian Dunlop for their beautiful and sensitive music. And it’s always great when our choir can sing. We’ve had a flexible schedule during summer and early fall, but Christmas is coming so I’m looking forward to a more regular schedule as we move toward Christmas. And, speaking of Advent and Christmas, there will definitely be lots of music to share. Watch for more information by the end of this month.

Christmas Raffle for a Beautiful Quilt is Underway

UCV

Prayers & Squares

Drawing Date – Dec. 4^th need not be present to win

Christmas Quilt

Funds go to UCV General fund

Contact: Edna 909-518-9978

Donation $10, 3 for $25

UCV Birthday Bank

October Birthdays

The Birthday Bank has been a tradition at the United Church of the Valley for many a year. When your birthday comes around you get to put $1 for every year into the birthday bank (the $1 per year is only a suggestion). Of course we would love to celebrate with you during our social after the Sunday Service, we'll even provide the cake. Is your name on this list?

October Birthdays

• Johanna Marx -1st
• Jeff MacLean - 3rd
• Kate McGrath - 4th
• Larry Elwood - 6th
• Anne Grim - 6th
• Bev Perkins - 9th
• Steve Falgout - 11th
• Corina Wolfe - 16th
• Nita MacLean - 18th

There is no specific news from our partners in Chacraseca. The political news from Nicaragua continues to be pretty bleak and disturbing. We certainly need to continue to keep them in our prayers!

JOYS

• The return of Irene and Rocio and family.
• Sandy's husband Paul is doing good after his back surgery. He will be starting Physical Therapy soon.
• We at UCV celebrated our 29th birthday on September 26th. We sang Happy Birthday and had cake after the service.
• Starting in November we will bring back the out to lunch bunch. We will go to a different restaurant each week after the church service. All all welcome to be part of this group.
• Thank you to Ruth and Sherian for wrapping the candy tubes. We now will need to fill the pre-wrapped tube with candy and then finish tying them and then return them to the church by Nov. 20th. The tubes will be given out just before Christmas at the food bank in Murrieta.

Look for the following activities in this newsletter:                

Our book study continues to meet on Sunday at 8 am via zoom.  

Please join us for game night at the church on Oct. 1st.  

Also the Annual Pumpkin Glow on Oct. 30th.

Prayers for the following:

• Lynnie
• Steve
• Jennifer

Pilgrim Pines News

Pilgrim Pines now has its own Board to run the camp after an all conference zoom meeting on Sept. 24th. The camp has been under the same board as the SCNC for many years. We are still with the conference. Tracy Brown will be our new Executive Director starting January 1, 2023. We want to thank Connie Clark who has been Camp director for the last 6 years.

Fall Fun for All Intergenerational Pod Camp and Apple Pie Day

Join us on the mountain for this fun event with some of Pilgrim Pine's favorite camp traditions and activates. Enjoy outdoor crafts, games, conversations, workshops, hikes, and other fun and meaningful activities with your pod. You have the option to come up for the weekend or just join us for lunch, apple pie, and some fun activities on Apple Pie Day! Camp will be following their Covid-19 protocols and guidelines to make sure everyone is safe.  

Intergenerational Weekend Retreat is Oct. 8-9th with check in at 9am on Saturday Oct, 8th and check out time at 11am on Sunday Oct. 9th. Registration is $135 for adults, $115 for Children, and kids under 3 are FREE. Up to 75% Camperships: based on need and availability (for Weekend retreat ONLY).

Apple Pie Day is October 8th starting is 9:30am--5:30pm. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children, and FREE for kids under 3. 

Register online at pilgrimpinescamp.org  

Then go to events. Registration closes October 2,2022. Also look for sample schedule.  

Call Donna at 951-217-0735 for more information. We can car pool from my house since I am the farthest one north of the church except for those in Hemet.  Camp is in Oak Glen above Beaumont.

Follow Us on Social Media, click the icons below