WELCOME TO
UNITED CHURCH
of the VALLEY
41685 Date St., ste. 100
Murrieta, CA 92562
951-698-1520
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1312
Murrieta, CA. 92564
Worship with Us every Sunday Live and on Zoom at 10am
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Sunday Jan. 22nd
Right after our service
This will be the 2023 Annual Meeting where UCV's plans for this new year will be discussed. The Annual Budget will be available and the vote for approval will take place at this meeting. For a vote to take place, we must have a quorum to proceed with the meeting which is 20% of our membership. If your not a member please feel free to come, listen and participate in 2023 planning. You just won't be able to vote. If you should want to become a member of UCV before then please be sure and let us know and we'll make sure it happens. 2023 should be a good year so please come and participate.
A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
We stand in solidarity with all of our friends and family members who may be susceptible to the current public health concerns and have elected to modify our Sunday Services meeting in person and on Zoom. You can also view past Sunday services by clicking on the button below.
Please reach out to the church if you have any concerns or needs by calling 951.698.1520 or emailing admin@ucvchurch.org. For information on our plan for resuming in-person Sunday services, please click here. Thank you and everyone please take care of yourselves.
Given the Rise in COVID cases throughout S. Ca., masks will be required during out Sunday service
UNITED CHURCH OF THE VALLEY
OUR MISSION
There’s a fresh wind blowing in the Murrieta/Temecula Valley. It is the wind of openness and inclusiveness, the fresh breeze of a community built upon an affirmation approach to life which respects the customs and integrity of all persons. This fresh wind is called United Church of the Valley. This church comes from a tradition of calling and gathering God’s people to respond to the world with new eyes and new hearts. It is a church of vision and involvement. We unashamedly work hand in hand with our God to dismantle the fences which have been erected between people. We follow God’s vision of a just world where all will live peacefully, growing in their concern for each other.
UCV Stewardship Campaign 2023
It's that time of year where we at UCV plan for 2023. We look at continuing our current ministry providing assistance to Charaseca, Nicaragua, to providing back to school backpacks filled with all of the things a student would need and giving them to Walden Family Services, fighting the good fight against injustice as it often times rears it's ugly head, providing a well rounded Christian Education program with Rev. Jen Zechlin leading the way, book clubs, pot lucks, helping members of the congregation in their time of need, reaching out to our beloved community, supporting the local food bank, and the list goes on.
To continue to provide these programs, services and assistance requires your support. I know our goal looks like a daunting task, but we as a church family are committed to making it happen. All that we do is too important to miss the mark.
So we look to you to help us reach our goal.
What Does "All Are Welcome" Really Mean?
I have been in discussion over the past week or so with many friends from our little church about the word “welcome.” What do we mean as a church when we say, “All Are Welcome?” It’s a good question because I imagine most churches say, “All Are Welcome,” and they mean it, but I think it might mean different things to different congregations. In our congregation I think the meaning is found in our public covenant of “Open and Affirming (ONA).” This is a designation that we voted on many years ago and re-confirmed just last Sunday. On the UCC website ONA is defined this way:
“Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.”
In another article on the UCC website I found this statement which further clarified for me what our welcome means.
‘All Are Welcome’ isn’t enough
“Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of faith often experience emotional and spiritual injury in churches that condemn their capacity to love and seek love. Because they’ve learned that “All Are Welcome” usually doesn’t apply to them, they can’t assume that any church will be safe for them and their families.”
After the many conversations I’ve had with friends throughout this week and especially after hearing Stephanie’s sermon last Sunday, this statement reads loud and clear to me. Interestingly, I (a straight, middle-class, white guy) also feel welcome by our ONA statement. This is a community I want to be part of. This is where I want to be.
When we invite people to participate in our church we should lead with this welcome. We should clarify what we mean by “All Are Welcome.” This way, we are welcoming them honestly and genuinely while also preserving our community as a place where people who are otherwise marginalized know they have a home.
*Taken from Jamie Barnett's article in Moderator Monday
How We Minister
At United Church of the Valley we don't utilize a full time minister, but rather a rotating group of ministers who are creative thinkers. During the course of a month you might see the Rev. Sharon Graff, Rev. Stephanie Toon, Lee Eddy, Sandy Selby or Darcie Dunlop behind the pulpit. We enjoy a different approach as seen through a different pair of eyes each week. Not only does it keep us on our toes, but it keeps our minds fresh and open to new ideas and a new way of seeing that, which we have looked at the same way for years.
January 22nd- Rev. Jennifer Zechlin
Hi, I’m Jen!
Formally from the Inland Empire, I’m currently living in Southwest Mississippi.
As a former Religious Studies major my passions revolve around Christian education, interfaith dialogue, and servant ministry.
As a member of the Human race social justice and environmental restoration is as important to me as breathing and eating.
I enjoy writing an occasional poem, pushing around paint on canvases, and learning how to play the flute and trombone.
I am thrilled to have found United Church of the Valley and look forward to getting to know and building relationships with you all.
Working Title
"Working Title? What kind of name is that for a sermon Rev. Jen?", I can hear some of you asking.
It's quite simple really.
Together we'll take a look at the passage of scripture where Jesus begins his ministry by calling two sets of brothers. The first of these brothers are promised to be turned into fishers of people.
This Sunday I'll offer an interpretation of this story I've arrived at and then will allow you each to choose your own title - metaphorically speaking - if you desire.
Rev. Jen
A new service is available every Sunday morning
Christian Education
UCV is a family friendly congregation! Children remain in service with parents and often participate in some way. There are quiet activities available near the entrance for children to use in the sanctuary as well as a quiet room where parents can take small children if they desire - all while still being able to hear the service. Please know that we love to hear the voices of our youngest members and so there is never any pressure to remove them from the service.
After a short break (Usually 5 to 10 minutes) we offer a parent participation children's class. We meet in the classroom for a short lesson in alignment with our progressive and inclusive values and a variety of activities like crafts, games, stories, music, etc. Parents must accompany and be responsible for their own children but don't worry, parents end up having as much fun as the young one!
For more detailed information on our Children's Ministry click on the button below.
Photographs and Memories
Roots
Chacraseca
Pride
Church Council 2021
Archie
What do we have here?
Randy L.
Christmas Celebration
Pumpkin Glow 2019
