Member Experience
Here's what a few of our members say about OCUUC.
Keith
Jenkins
What
Attracted You to OCUUC?
It was the people. I was in search of a spiritual home and
had attended quite a few churches of various denominations.
I never returned to any of them, not because I took issue
with their beliefs, but because they seemed as
disinterested in me as a visitor as they appeared to be
with their own service. At one point I decided I would
return to a church if I could find just 5 smiling people
after the service. I returned to OCUUC because people
seemed to genuinely enjoy attending and taking part in the
service…and I counted over two dozen smiling people, most
of whom made it a point to say hello to me. I truly
appreciated the hospitality….the first committee I joined
was
Membership
(Barb Davia was chair).
What
Have you Found Here That Keeps You Coming
Back?
OCUUC has become my spiritual home; the members are my
extended family. At several points in the last ten years
when I have experienced the worst of life’s challenges, the
one constant in my life was the support and encouragement I
received here. Being at OCUUC is as comfortable and
supportive for me as being with my biological family. Like
family, we often disagree about a great many things, but
those differences never stand in the way of our caring for
and supporting one another. I lived in Oceanside for three
years, but I continued to attend OCUUC!
What
Activities in The Church Most Interest
You?
Potlucks! OK, overall I’ve enjoyed teaching a great deal.
I’ve taught youth classes in
Religious Education
and Human Sexuality (Our Whole Lives), and co-facilitated a
Building Your Own Theology class for adults. I’ll be
teaching an adult class this summer on Popular Bible
Misconceptions, and am looking forward to teaching an Adult
OWL class. I also enjoy attending “The Reel Story” and
never miss a “This I Believe” service. Both events offer an
opportunity to hear others’ opinion, belief and analysis of
ethics, philosophy and faith.
Rachel
Smith
What
Attracted You to OCUUC?
My
attraction to OCUUC was the people. I was looking for a
liberal community of people with whom I felt comfortable
and where I could be myself. I was not looking for a
religious community, but rather one that was involved with
and cared about people, society and social justice issues
in general. I was introduced Unitarian Universalism at the
Santa Monica UU Church but did not find the time to join a
congregation until I went looking for something more local
to where I lived in Huntington Beach. I had two different
congregations on my radar and never got the second one.
What
Have you Found Here That Keeps You Coming Back?
What
keeps me coming back are the people. I have also developed
a sense of appreciation for my inner self that needs to be
nurtured. That gets accomplished through attending the
Sunday sermons on a regular basis. They also often offer me
an intellectual insight into life in general.
What
Activities in The Church Most Interest You?
I
love the
Auctions
and the items offered through them – going to them and
getting to know other members and friends in a more casual
and personal atmosphere. I love the
Covenant
Group;
I love the
Women’s
Circle;
I love the
Concert Series
and almost all the concerts! I love working in conjunction
with others at OCUUC for the common good and advancement of
our Congregation. I am able to work on and support
the
social justice
items that I find most important and have the time to
commit to. My involvement in committee work has been: on
the Membership Committee, as a member for several years and
Chair; on the Nominating Committee; on the joint search
Committee with Tapestry; as a Trustee.
Elizabeth
Alexander
What
attracted you to OCUUC?
I was attracted by the Principles of the UUA. Before
I came to OCUUC, I had tried other churches and
denominations. I liked what I found here.
What have you found here that keeps you coming to
OCUUC?
I like the may programs that are offered. I like the
fact that a number of people in the congregation have come
from other religions, as I did. This means that
people have thought through what they want in a church. The
people in the church seem to have the same values as
myself.
What
activities interest you?
Over the years I have enjoyed Work Parties, Circle Suppers,
Movies with the Minister, Knit Wits, and the
Book Group.
What
do you like about OCUUC?
I have been a member for a number of years. I like the
services, particularly when we have a guest artists, or a
speaker who talks about a relevant current
issue.