About Us - News

For more UCUC news, please see the current issue of our newsletter, "Church and Home." To be added to the "Church and Home" mailing list, contact the Church at 858-453-3444 or via e-mail.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami
(The article below has been sent to us by our Conference Minister,Felix Villanueva)

Our thoughts and prayers go to our brothers and sisters in Japan as they struggle to recover from this devastating natural disaster. Many members of our Conference have relatives and friends in Japan. So far, our office has not received any news of lives lost. We ask you to join us in continued prayers for all.

We have received various inquiries asking how to donate money to the disaster relief. Through the giving of One Great Hour of Sharing, we are already providing assist-ance. Additionally, the United Church of Christ has created a website and has issued a special offering for the "Pacific Earthquake/Tsunami (http://www.ucc.org/disaster/japan-earthquake-2011/).

If you are interested in contributing, we suggest checks be made out to your local church with "Pacific earthquake/tsunami" written on the memo line. This way you can get a receipt for your donation. Your church can then forward the funds to the Conference office.

Interim Pastor Selected for UCUC
With Curt scheduled to depart on his 3-month sabbatical May 16, a committee was formed last December to identify an Interim Pastor to provide worship and pastoral care for our congrega-tion during his absence. This committee, comprised of Curt, Sharon Reynolds, Chris Pfeffer, Sally Buffington and Randy Ward, has worked diligently to find a UCC minister who will not just act as a caretaker, but strive to enhance the spiritual life of our church. We are pleased to announce that Reverend Dr. Loletta Barrett has agreed to serve in this capacity this summer.

Dr. Barrett received her calling to seminary in 2001 after nearly 20 years working in the private sector. While studying for her Doctorate, she served part-time at several California churches such as San Marino Congregational (UCC), Westchester Christian Church (DOC), Bethel Congregational Church (UCC) and Bloomington Congregational Church (UCC). Additionally, she has held positions at the Claremont School of Theology and the Southern California -Nevada Conference. Currently, she is the Interim Pastor at Hillcrest Congregational Church. Residing in Upland, California, Dr. Barrett will serve with us in a part-time capacity and will be available locally on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from May 16 through August 16.

While we will dearly miss Curt, we are confident Dr. Barrett will bring energy and innovative ideas to our worship experience. Her first Sunday at the pulpit will be May 22.

Summer Camp Registration
Registration is open for Pilgrim Pines Youth Summer Camps! Please consider this wonderful opportunity:

July 10 – 16: CIT week
July 17 – 23:
July 24 – 30: Creative Expressions week
July 31 – August 6: Conference Youth Ministries week

Schedules, fees and registration information can be found on the Pilgrim Pines website: http://www.pilgrimpinescamp.org/

Please note that the deadline is June 1st and all campers need to sign up individually! If you have any questions about summer camp, please call Gail Hawley.

From Social Concerns: We're Here for You
Our Social Concerns Committee realizes we are going through difficult economic times. We know there are people at UCUC who might need assistance during these tough times. Please let us hear from you. We care for each and every one of you in our UCUC family. “Social Concerns is Love in Action.”

Your Social Concerns Committee: Carolyn Billings, Carol Hemming, Cindy Essary, Ione Buie, Marlene Campbell, Elaine Tanner, Meridith Lafrenz, Judy Wilkinson and Pastor Curt Fuller.

SHARE Foods Program
Did you know that the SHARE Foods Program is available to anyone regardless of income? The SHARE Program (Self-Help And Resource Exchange) began in 1983 in California. It was designed to help those on Social Security. As the word of the program spread, it began appealing to everyone who wanted to ‘stretch their food dollars’ and help out in their commun-ity. SHARE is dedicated to providing monthly, consistent, affordable, supplemental food packages to those willing to help themselves and others.

The Golden SHARE program started in March, 2005. The principle of the program is people helping people and building community through volunteer work. The program serves the community with the best quality food and service around. SHARE helps families to save up to 50 percent on their groceries. For more information, go to www.goldensharefoods.

Please let Pastor Fuller know if you or your friends are in need of emergency assistance during these difficult economic conditions and changes in our community. The Social Concerns Committee is available to help with dire emergencies.

Congratulations to Our Preschool
Paula Riess, Preschool Director, recently announced that UCUC Preschool has received accreditation through June 2013. We are very proud of the outstanding reputation and quality of education of our school due to Paula and her splendid staff of teachers.

We Need YOU
We would like volunteers to help prepare and serve coffee and juice after the Sunday worship. Instructions are easy and available.
Please sign the clipboard in narthex.