BCUCC News for Sunday, March 31, 2019

News and Upcoming Events

·         Sunday, March 31: One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS donations go to Church World Service for emergency relief and humanitarian projects all over the world.  We in the UCC join other mainline churches to support this charity that is known for rapid emergency response, very low overhead, and respect and empowerment of the people it serves.

·         Sunday, March 31 Worship at 10am.  Theme: “Who’s the Prodigal?  Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.  Guest minister: Rev. Marcia Hoffman. Marcia was born and raised in Southern California and has worked in churches almost all of her life.  She has been ordained for over 26 years, is currently Moderator of the UCC Central Association and serves on the Ecumenical Interfaith Relations Committee for the UCC Conference and the DOC Region.  She has three adult children and three grand children with another due in April.

·         Sunday April 7: Celebration of Becoming a Creation Justice Church.  Themed potluck: “Going Green!”  Bring dishes with the color green in them.  All-church photo with our new Creation Justice Banner, and celebration of steps on our green journey.  (And collection of nonperishable food for First Food Sunday, of course!)

·         Sunday April 14: Palm Sunday, and Rededication of our Native Garden.  Thanks to those who helped refresh our Native Garden in the past few months!  We will have a short liturgy.

·         Save the date:  special Good Friday worship April 19, 7:30 pm.

Ongoing

·         Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. Dates for April will be the 4th, 18th, and 25th.

·         Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm.  Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome.  We are studying the Gospel of John.  Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework! 

·         Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time?  Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us! 

·         The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be reading, Making a Way Out of No Wayby Monica A. Coleman. Coleman articulates the African American expression of “making a way out of no way” in today’s context of globalization, religious pluralism, and sexual diversity.  Drawing on womanist religious scholarship and process thought, Coleman describes the symbiotic relationship between God and humanity that helps to change the world into the just society it ought to be.  Come join the discussion on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill household.  Please email or phone Jim or Karen for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261.  See you then.

·         Request your electronic copy of our updated Church Directory (and automatically receive future directories) by signing up on the clipboard in the Hall or emailing Kimly at uccbrea@gmail.com.  Ask Terry for a paper copy if you need it.

·         Is your birthday on our list?  If not, please let Kimly know by email or phone, and she’ll add it.

·         Our California Native garden will be part of  “California in My Garden”, the OC California Native Plant Society garden tour, Saturday April 13, 10-4.  To register for this free garden tour and receive the guide by mail, see occnps.org.

Our church is discussing a resolution to the UCC General Synod in support of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763.  This is a game-changer.  Let’s learn about it now so we know what we are being asked to support.  Here’s some info:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/
https://www.fcnl.org/documents/886

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 24, 2019

News and Upcoming Events

·         Sunday, March 24:  Worship at 10am features Hawaiian Children’s Chorus .  The Keiki Choir from Kamehameha Schools, 45 3-5th graders, will grace our worship with songs in Hawaiian and English.  Worship theme:  “Ways to Pray.”  Scripture: John 7:37-39Luke 11:9-13.  

·         Sunday, March 31: One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS donations go to Church World Service for emergency relief and humanitarian projects all over the world.  We in the UCC join other mainline churches to support this charity that is known for rapid emergency response, very low overhead, and respect and empowerment of the people it serves.

·         Sunday April 7: Celebration of Becoming a Creation Justice Church.  Themed potluck: “Going Green!”  Bring dishes with the color green in them.  All-church photo with our new Creation Justice Banner, and celebration of stepson our green journey.  (And collection of nonperishable food for First Food Sunday, of course!

·         Sunday April 14 : Palm Sunday, and Rededication of our Native Garden.  Thanks to those who helped refresh our Native Garden in the past few months!  We will have a short liturgy.

·         Save the date:  special Good Friday worship April 19, 7:30 pm.

Ongoing

·         Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary – next session 3/28.

·         Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm.  Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome.  We are studying the Gospel of John.  Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework! 

·         Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time?  Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us! 

·         The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be reading, Making a Way Out of No Wayby Monica A. Coleman. Coleman articulates the African American expression of “making a way out of no way” in today’s context of globalization, religious pluralism, and sexual diversity.  Drawing on womanist religious scholarship and process thought, Coleman describes the symbiotic relationship between God and humanity that helps to change the world into the just society it ought to be.  Come join the discussion on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill household.  Please email or phone Jim or Karen for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261.  See you then.

·         Request your electronic copy of our updated Church Directory (and automatically receive future directories) by signing up on the clipboard in the Hall or emailing Kimly at uccbrea@gmail.com.  Ask Terry for a paper copy if you need it.

·         Is your birthday on our list?  If not, please let Kimly know by email or phone, and she’ll add it.

·         Our California Native garden will be part of  “California in My Garden”, the OC California Native Plant Society garden tour, Saturday April 13, 10-4.  To register for this free garden tour and receive the guide by mail, see occnps.org.

Our church is discussing a resolution to the UCC General Synod in support of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763.  This is a game-changer.  Let’s learn about it now so we know what we are being asked to support.  Here’s some info:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/
https://www.fcnl.org/documents/886

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

– Romans 8:26

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 17, 2019

News and Upcoming Events

·         Sat. March 16: CCL Sustainability Fair, 10am-5pm. Be sure to join us and invite your friends and neighbors.  Speakers from all over California at BCUCC!

·         Sun. March 17: Worship at 10am.  Second Sunday of Lent.  Our Lent theme is “Cultivating.”  This week: “Cultivating Trust.”  Scripture: Luke 12:22-32.

·         Sun. March 17 at 11:30 in the Church Office: An Experience of Contemplative Silence.  Sample a short (30 min.) experiential introduction to a Christian form of meditation developed by Thomas Keating.  Get refreshed and renewed.  You are NOT too busy for this! Joe Conti, Ph.D., author of Holistic Christianity (Paragon Press, 2007) and instructor in the Religious Studies Department at CSUF, will facilitate a guided meditation to interior silence.  This discovery of this silence has changed lives, expanded spiritual horizons.   Many experience it as a breakthrough to the “Inner Christ”— an indelible discovery of the oneness of the soul and God.  
        “The most powerful prayer….is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter the mind, the more powerful, the worthier, the deeper, the more telling and more perfect the prayer is. To the quiet mind all things are possible.”  ~ Meister Eckhart

·         Sunday, March 24:  Hawaiian Children’s Chorus in worship.  The Keiki Choir from Kamehameha Schools, 45 3-5th graders, will grace our worship with songs in Hawaiian and English.  We will take a group photo with them and our new Creation Justice banner after worship. 

·         Sunday, March 31: One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS donations go to Church World Service for emergency relief and humanitarian projects all over the world.  We in the UCC join other mainline churches to support this charity that is known for rapid emergency response, very low overhead, and respect and empowerment of the people it serves.

·         Save the date:  special Good Friday worship April 19, 7:30 pm.

Ongoing

·         Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary – next session 3/28.

·         Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm.  Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome.  We are studying the Gospel of John.  Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework! 

·         Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time?  Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us! 

·          The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be reading, Making a Way Out of No Way, by Monica A. Coleman. Coleman articulates the African American expression of “making a way out of no way” in today’s context of globalization, religious pluralism, and sexual diversity.  Drawing on womanist religious scholarship and process thought, Coleman describes the symbiotic relationship between God and humanity that helps to change the world into the just society it ought to be.  Come join the discussion on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill household.  Please email or phone Jim or Karen for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261.  See you then.

·         Request your electronic copy of our updated Church Directory (and automatically receive future directories) by signing up on the clipboard in the Hall or emailing Kimly at uccbrea@gmail.com.  Ask Terry for a paper copy if you need it.

Is your birthday on our list?  If not, please let Kimly know by email or phone, and she’ll add it.



Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.

-John O’Donohue, Walking in Wonder

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 10, 2019

News and Upcoming Events

  •  **Daylight Savings Time starts March 10.  Spring forward, rise early, and join us for Worship at 10am. Our First Sunday of Lent.  Our Lent theme is “Cultivating.”  This week:  “Cultivating:  Rooted in God.”  Scripture: Psalm 65.
  • Sun. March 10, 11:30 am.  Art & Soul.  Wire wrap shamrock jewelry in time for St. Patrick’s Day!  Janine Arp shares her expertise with us.  Community members and friends welcome too.

  • Sat. March 16: CCL Sustainability Fair, 10am-4pm. be sure to join us and invite your friends and neighbors.  Speakers from all over California at BCUCC!

  • Sun. March 17 at 11:30 in the Church Office: An Experience of Contemplative Silence.  Sample a short (30 min.) experiential introduction to a Christian form of meditation developed by Thomas Keating.  Get refreshed and renewed.  You are NOT too busy for this! Joe Conti, Ph.D., author of Holistic Christianity (Paragon Press, 2007) and instructor in the Religious Studies Department at CSUF, will facilitate a guided meditation to interior silence.  This discovery of this silence has changed lives, expanded spiritual horizons.   Many experience it as a breakthrough to the “Inner Christ”— an indelible discovery of the oneness of the soul and God.
    “The most powerful prayer….is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter the mind, the more powerful, the worthier, the deeper, the more telling and more perfect the prayer is. To the quiet mind all things are possible.”  ~ Meister Eckhart
  • Sunday, March 31: One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS donations go to Church World Service for emergency relief and humanitarian projects all over the world.  We in the UCC join other mainline churches to support this charity that is known for rapid emergency response, very low overhead, and respect and empowerment of the people it serves.

 

Ongoing

  • Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary – next sessions 3/14, 3/28.
  • Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm.  Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome.  We are studying the Gospel of John.  Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework! 

  • Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time?  Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us!
  • The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be discussing, “The Cross and the Lynching Tree,” by James H. Cone, on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:00pm at the Hill household.  Mr. Cone writes about the complicity of Christians in the evil, yet common, practice of murdering African Americans as a means of social and political control.  As he discusses the contemporaneous and historical racism in America, he helps us confront the dark truths of our past so that we can create a future that is brighter for all people.  Come join the discussion.  Email or phone Jim and Karen Hill for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261.
  • Compassionate Communication consults available.  Do you have a situation where you’re not sure how to express yourself compassionately and be heard?  Trying to work through a difficult relationship and stay connected?  Contact Pastor Terry to schedule a conversation/consult in person or by phone. (Classes are dark for March and April.)
  • Request your electronic copy of our updated Church Directory (and automatically receive future directories) by signing up on the clipboard in the Hall or emailing Kimly at uccbrea@gmail.com.  Ask Terry for a paper copy if you need it.

Is your birthday on our list?  If not, please let Kimly know by email or phone, and she’ll add it.

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 3, 2019

News and Upcoming Events

  •  Saturday March 2, 11am-1pm: Teach-in on Racism: “Orange County Unmasked”, led by Mike Rodriguez. The session will explore regrettable chapters in the county’s racial history, including the Ku Klux Klan presence and “sundown” racial policies early in the 19th century. Through historic awareness, we can build a more positive future.
  • Sunday March 3: Worship at 10am.  Transfiguration Sunday. Scripture: Luke 9:28-43a.  
     Topic: “Ups and Downs” 

  • Sunday, March 3: First Food Sunday!  Nonperishable food is collected for worship. Jams, food with pop tops and healthy lunch snacks are always needed. Pot Luck after worship.  Bring a dish to share, and join us.
  • Sunday, March 3: Pastor Search Committee Q&A during our potluck lunch after worship.  The PSC must observe confidentiality about the content of their search (personal information about candidates.) But they would like to help everyone understand the process they are using to search for our next pastor, and answer your questions as they are able.
  • Wed. March 6, 2pm, and Sun. March 10, 11:30 am.  Art & Soul.  Wire wrap shamrock jewelry in time for St. Patrick’s Day!  Janine Arp shares her expertise with us.  Community members and friends welcome too.
  • March 6.  Ash Wednesday special worship at 7:30pm. “A Ritual of Letting Go.”
  • Saturday March 9: Chapman University Founder’s Day.  A day of celebration and learning for UCC and Disciples around the region.  Learn about the St. John’s Bible.  Written on vellum using medieval calligraphic techniques with luminous illustrations, the St. John’s Bible seeks to awaken a biblical passion for social justice and appreciation for art, science, and discovery.  Complete information at http://www.chapman.edu/founders-day.
  • Sunday March 10: Lenten sermon series begins.  Theme: “Cultivating.”
  • Creation Justice is a cause many of us feel personally and passionately.  Now that we are officially a Creation Justice church, we are in lively conversations about what we can do for the planet going forward, as a church and individuals.  Stay tuned, let the Council know if you have a creative idea, and be sure to join us and invite your friends and neighbors Saturday, March 16 for the CCL Climate Education and Clean Energy Fair, 10am-4pm.  Speakers from all over California at BCUCC!
  • Compassionate Communication consults available.  Do you have a situation where you’re not sure how to express yourself compassionately and be heard?  Trying to work through a difficult relationship and stay connected?  Contact Pastor Terry to schedule a conversation/consult in person or by phone. (Classes are dark for March and April.)
  • Sunday, March 31: One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS donations go to Church World Service for emergency relief and humanitarian projects all over the world.  We in the UCC join other mainline churches to support this charity that is known for rapid emergency response, very low overhead, and respect and empowerment of the people it serves.

 

Ongoing

  • Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary – next sessions 3/14, 3/28.
  • Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm.  Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome.  We are studying the Gospel of John.  Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework! 

  • Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time?  Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us!
  • The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be discussing, “The Cross and the Lynching Tree,” by James H. Cone, on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:00pm at the Hill household.  Mr. Cone writes about the complicity of Christians in the evil, yet common, practice of murdering African Americans as a means of social and political control.  As he discusses the contemporaneous and historical racism in America, he helps us confront the dark truths of our past so that we can create a future that is brighter for all people.  Come join the discussion.  Email or phone Jim and Karen Hill for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261.

Is your birthday on our list?  If not, please let Kimly know by email or phone, and she’ll add it.