UCC Advocacy Resources for the First 100 Days

The UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington D.C. is dedicated to raising the prophetic voice of the United Church of Christ on Capitol Hill.

As part of this work, we are dedicated to equipping our faith community with the tools they need to stay informed and take action during the first 100 days of the new administration. Since taking office, President Trump and his administration have worked to implement his stated policy goals as put forth in Project 2025 using methods that defy the law and the constitution. Below, you will find a log of the UCC Washington DC Office’s response to those actions alongside the National Setting and partner organizations.

https://www.ucc.org/first100days/

Discover the Depth of Scripture with Lectio Divina

FORMING A NEW GROUP!

Discover the Depth of Scripture with Lectio Divina

Are you seeking a deeper connection with God and a more meaningful way to engage with Scripture? Join us in a welcoming small group setting as we explore the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. This timeless method invites you to experience the Bible in a whole new way—beyond mere reading and study.

Together, we’ll journey through four transformative steps:

1. Reading the Scripture with an open heart,

2. Meditating on its relevance to our lives,

3. Praying in response to God’s voice,

4. Contemplating in peaceful, silent communion with the Divine.

Whether you’re new to this practice or looking to deepen your spiritual walk, our progressive Christian community offers a space where all voices are heard, and all perspectives are valued. Join us as we slow down, listen, and connect with God in a way that transforms our daily lives.

Come as you are—all are welcome.

If you are interested in joining this brand new group, please contact Pastor Craig in the office.

2024/2025 Comma Groups

COMMA GROUPS ARE FORMING!

The members of IUCC have enjoyed a small group experience called “Comma Groups” since the Fall of 2011. These groups:

• Expand current relationships, giving members deeper connections with each other.

• Provide opportunities for visitors and new members to assimilate into our community in a more intimate setting.

• Serve as a foundation stone for our growing congregation.

• Provide a safe context for stimulating discussions and conversations around topics and issues that are important to our church and its members.

What is a Comma Group?

A Comma Group consists of 8 to 10 people who sign up to be part of a six month experience. The groups meet once a month in a member’s home for a meal and discussion of a predetermined topic. Most groups choose a book for study or as a discussion starter. The groups are designed to be friendly, conversational, personal and spiritual. Members have time to catch up with what is going on in each other’s lives as well as share thoughts about the mission and vision of our church. Each group has a volunteer leader who facilitates discussion while each member participates in decisions regarding where to meet and what to eat.

If you are interested in volunteering to be a leader – please contact Pastor Craig Tyrl or Rev. Dr. Terry LePage at iucc@iucc.org or terryinirvine@gmail.com

How do I join a Comma Group?

A sign-up sheet can be found Sundays on the information table. You can also register online through the website, or the link provided here and all email blast. Of course, you may contact Pastors Craig or Terry directly.

Online Registration at Register for Comma Groups HERE!

Volunteers Needed - Childcare Committee

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The ECC Committee supervises and directs the IUCC Child Care Center, ensuring that it aligns with the church's mission, while acting as a liaison to the Admin Board and congregation. They also oversee its operations and assist with special projects and improvements. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. The committee is seeking active IUCC members to join the team. If you are interested please contact committee chair Linda Heath.

Membership Committee

Legacy Circle

Hello fellow church members,

I hope you’ve had a good start to summer. I am very hopeful that there were some who took advantage of the free seminar series on It’s Your Money and Your Estate that the Fund Development Committee has recommended for the last two years. I would truly appreciate it if you contacted me with feedback about this very informative series.

Those of us who are part of the Legacy Circle, with the intention of including IUCC as a beneficiary of our estates, encourage more of you to join our ranks. We’re once again providing a list of frequently asked questions that gives information as to how you can go about leaving a legacy to IUCC (just click on this link: https://iucc.org/legacy-circle).

For those who don’t yet have their estates codified with a will/trust, we strongly encourage you to do that at your earliest opportunity to ensure that your wishes are carried out as you desire. As one procrastinator to another, if not already done, you definitely need to get it on your TO DO list. Thankfully, that’s one thing checked off my TO DO list. Get it checked off yours! Your loved ones will be glad that you did.

I hope you will watch a recent Legacy Circle video recorded by our own Administrative Pastor Craig Tyrl. I found it inspiring, and I hope you will too!

With encouraging support,

Duane Vajgrt, FDC Chair

LEGACY CIRCLE

Greetings fellow IUCC members,

As the majority of you know, IUCC was the beneficiary of an incredibly generous bequeath earlier this year by our late fellow congregation member, Lynn Carpenter. This bequeath did not happen by accident. It was planned, and thankfully so, given that Lynn was taken prematurely in her retirement years. Not ever knowing what’s around the corner, Lynn’s savvy preparation of a will/trust insured that IUCC received the gift that she intended, leaving an incredible legacy.

This time last year the Fund Development Committee brought to your attention a very worthwhile free seminar series conducted by a legitimate not-for-profit organization called ItsYourMoneyAndEstate.org (www.iyme.org) that is focused on financial and estate literacy. It is sponsored by many reputable local and national organizations that you will certainly recognize. They offer both Zoom and in-person workshops, one focusing on “It’s Your Money!“ dealing primarily with financial planning and the other “It’s Your Estate“ dealing with estate law, healthcare and power of attorney, will and estates, retirement asset planning, charitable opportunities, and estate administration. 

While both seminars are important, Lynn’s legacy underscores the importance of participating in “It’s Your Estate” whose first webinar begins on April 26 and the other series webinar begins on April 25. There are five workshops in each series. In person workshops are present in Newport Beach, Brea, Orange, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, and Laguna Beach. So, there is an in person location near you. The earliest of these begins April 3, though the majority begin a couple of weeks later. Therefore, please be sure to check out the dates in your location ASAP to register for this free workshop series.

Two of my best friends found this series so valuable that they actually have taken it twice. Another couple wholeheartedly endorsed both series. Hopefully there are those among you that took the series last year. I would like to ask that anyone who signed up last year or who signs up this year let me know and give me your feedback about the series. 

For those of you that have made preparations and intend to include IUCC in your estate planning, please contact me with regard to adding your name to those below already on the list of IUCC’s Legacy Circle. For more information regarding our Legacy Circle, click on this link:https://iucc.org/give. There you will find an FAQ link https://iucc.org/legacy-circle and this link to download a confidential bequest intention form https://iucc.org/s/IUCC-Confidential-Bequest-Intention-Form.pdf.

This is such an easy thing to procrastinate about. However, this is too important, for it goes beyond just your legacy. For the sake of your loved ones, don’t leave the future to chance. Make sure your wishes are known.

For further information, don’t hesitate to reach out to Duane Vajgrt at djvmd@iCloud.com or contact 949-795-7318 or Bill Lawrence at walawrence@icloud.com or 949-375-0418.

In earnest,

Duane Vajgrt

Bill Lawrence 

Fund Development committee co-chairs

Keith and Renae Boyum

Lorraine Fox

Connie Jones

Glenna Matthews

Brian Percy-Schofield & David Schofield

Marilyn Smith

William Lawrence & Jeff Stuckhardt

Jeffrey Benedick & Duane Vajgrt, MD

Craig Tyrl

Sign Up For Coffee Hour

2024 Coffee Hour Sign-up Now Available!

Thank you to all the individuals, groups, and leadership who hosted coffee hour in 2023. Despite changes in leadership and set up, things are going smoothly. Anyone can host! If you have never done it before, you will have step-by-step instructions alongside the support of the administration, deacons, and IUCC veterans. There is no need to fear! Individuals, families, small groups, and ministries are encouraged to host coffee hour. To sign-up for hosting, you have three easy options: 1)use the sign-up sheet on Sunday morning at the coffee hour table. 2)sign-up online using the link below. Simply add your contact information on the desired date. 3)email Pastor Craig with the date you wish to host. EASY!

You will always be sent a reminder email and instructions. Without hosts, there will be no coffee hour.

Sign-up to host Coffee Hour HERE!

For more information on hosting coffee hour click HERE!

The basics of hosting coffee hour:

1. Host ONLY after the 9:30am service.

2. Provide food and snacks for those attending worship.

3. Brew the coffee!

4. Greet people during coffee hour.

5. Help clean up once the 11:15am service begins.

6. Go home!

IUCC LAUNCHES BREEZE

IUCC LAUNCHES BREEZE CHURCH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Welcome to Breeze! Last year IUCC migrated to a different software to manage important church data such as attendance, contact information, events, financial giving, and much more. The software is user friendly with wonderful applications to support smooth and efficient church administration. It is time to roll this system out to the entire congregation. Your adaptability and support in utilizing this new system will truly enhance our church operations. Undoubtedly, there will be a learning curve as we progress towards full implementation. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact the office at iucc@iucc.org

We are asking all active corporates members to begin utilizing the program from either your phone or home computer. This is a quick summary of steps you must take:

1. Respond to the Breeze email you were sent by logging into the system.

2. Visit your personal profile and update your information.

3. Upload a profile picture.

4. Explore the system's functionality: attendance, directory, giving, profile, tags.

Complete details and instructions can be found on the IUCC website or by accessing the two links below:

How to use/set-up Breeze!

Breeze Homepage on IUCC Website

Confused About LED Light Bulbs?

Here are are some answers

Green Faith Committee member and IUCC resident expert on light bulbs Alex Ingal has answers to all your LED light bulb questions. Here's what he wants everyone to know.

Hello everyone! Did you remember to celebrate Earth Day? Forgot? Well at least you are using LEDs to light up your house, but have you noticed that your rooms are dimmer? It is not your imagination but the facts of LED bulbs.

Many of us have been raised using incandescent bulbs and only switched to LED bulbs in the last 20 years. Yet most of us don’t understand a thing on the box when we buy them. There are so many choices today, so which one is best for you? Well after reading this lightbulb guide, you will be a pro!

Putting it all together

So where do you find all this information on the packaging? Well, they list it like the food labels you don’t read. So let’s look at the first box I found on Amazon and interpret what you would be getting.

Looking at the first image from Great Eagle via Amazon, 25,000 hours life, replaces 60W, Daylight! Sounds amazing! Well of course it does! It is just like seeing fat free on the front of your butter. But does that really make it good? Well let’s look at the second label.

830 lumens. This means this bulb is not as bright as a 60W bulb would be. 22.8 years based off 3 hours a day. Looking back, in about 3 years, this bulb will be dimmer than a 40W incandescent bulb. Speaking of 3 years, the bulb has a 3-year warranty. Huh, it is as if they know the bulb will be much dimmer past 3 years.

Back to the first image. 220 beam angle. Remember, 210 is the minimum I suggest for a lamp so this will technically work for a lamp, but this is a bit excessive for a ceiling light. Then this is the daylight (5000K) model so it isn’t recommended for a lamp, unless your favorite reading spot at night time is in the sun (try to figure out how that would work).

This is a good, solid light bulb for those trying to be economical, but it isn’t a quality bulb. Remember, I just picked a light bulb at random and am in no way trying to recommend one bulb over another but just showing how to determine if the bulb is right for you.

Crochet/Knit Hearts for IUCC

Not everyone can march in a parade or be at a table for a few hours on a weekend. But you can still be part of the effort to inform people about IUCC. One of the best things we can do is give people a tangible connection to IUCC. Here are the instructions for creating a crocheted heart that attaches to a small card with IUCC information. These have proven to be very popular at events such as OC Pride.

Any color will do, so this is a great way to use up those odd bits of yarn left from other projects. A size 4 or 5 crochet hook works best, but it can be done with other sizes.

Crocheted hearts

Make a magic circle or a reverse slip knot (Check the links if you don't know how to do that or ask your nearest Scout)
Chain 3
4 treble crochet into center of circle
4 double crochet into center of circle 
1 treble into center (point of heart), plus one chain stitch
4 double into center
4 treble into center
Chain 3
Slip stitch into center
Fasten off
Pull magic circle closed.
Tie the two loose ends together on the back side of the heart.
Work in loose ends.

You can also knit hearts. Here's an option for doing that