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.

Open and Affirming News
We are entering the home stretch of the Open and Affirming conversation in our church and I am pleased to announce that the committee has drafted an Open and Affirming statement for the congregation to review. In addition to being posted in the Narthex, I have included it below. There will also be a comment box in the Narthex. We want to get your feedback – what do you like, what don’t you like. You’re opinion is very important and we want to hear from you. The date to vote on whether to adopt this statement or not is June 13.

The last in the discussion series on Open and Affirming will be APRIL 18 following worship. Ronald Goetz and Patti Boman from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will be speaking to us on the challenges facing them as parents of gay and lesbian children. We invite you to join us and ask questions. Snacks will be provided.

Open and Affirming Statement – Draft #1

Inspired by the example set by Jesus Christ, we, the University City United Church, United Church of Christ, declare ourselves Open and Affirming. As an Open and Affirming congregation, University City United Church welcomes people of every faith background, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, nationality, economic and military status, family structure, marital status, age and physical or mental ability. Our communion table is open to all. We offer a safe and spiritual home where relationships based on love and respect may flourish. We invite everyone to participate fully in the life of our church which includes not only worship but also membership, leadership and employment. In making these affirmations, we celebrate the richness of diversity, together seeking to live as a family of God.

Your Open and Affirming Committee: Sally Buffington, Carrie Holmes, Carol Howe, Amy Kapsis, Tim McConnelL Sally Mowry,
Sharon Reynolds, Jackie Stromberg, Don Ward

New Church Directory
The 2010 Church Directory has been completed. Please pick up one copy per family listing at the table in the Narthex for the next two Sundays. Should you find an error in your entry contact Carrie Holmes so that we can publish corrections in the next issue of the Church and Home.

A New Proposed Order of Sunday Worship
In order to enable the youth of our congregation to more fully participate and experience our Sunday morning services, the Worship Committee has created a modified Order of Worship which we will implement on a trial basis the week after Easter.

The changes will be posted in the Narthex soon. We'd like your feedback on these changes so be looking for the poster. The different Order of Worship will allow the older children (fourth grade and older) to join in the Centering Prayer and Fellowship Time as well as hearing and perhaps participating in the Chancel Choir Anthem. The new design of the service will also allow the older youth to sing a second hymn and hopefully help lead some as well. These hymns will often be geared to their age group.

New Hymnals
What an adventure we're having exploring the new hymnals and discovering it's wonderful features. Our goal is to fully underwrite the cost of these books and we are about half way there!

The two ways to help us achieve this are:

1) purchase a hymnal ($25.00)
2) purchase and dedicate a volume to a friend or family member ($25.00)

On Music Appreciation Sunday, MAY 23, we will acknowledge those to whom hymnals have been dedicated. Now is the time to add names to this list of loved ones. If you would like to purchase or dedicate a hymnal, please see Jeanne Stutzer after church services or call her.

It is heart warming to open the front cover of these volumes and think fondly of the people whose names are found inscribed there.

Time Change - Fall Schedule
Fall hours are in effect starting September 13. Worship service begins at 10:30 AM.

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.