I am honored to serve as Moderator of this vibrant and active church family. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we continue to meet virtually and sustain one another in ways big and small. We’ve taken some huge leaps of faith: from conducting our recent Congregational Meeting via Zoom (which drew over 150 participants!) to holding virtual book club meetings, Bible study groups, adult education classes, task force discussions, comma groups, choir check-ins, and much more. We’ve switched to online Sunday worship services and pivoted to conducting Admin Board meetings and Ministry Board meetings via Zoom. We continued the search process for a new minister despite the pandemic, calling the Rev. Dr. Sarah Halverson-Cano as our next settled pastor. We look forward to partnering with her to reach new levels of activism and involvement in the social justice causes we hold dear.
Through it all, our guiding mantra has been to “protect the flock” by keeping our members safe while ensuring that everyone remains engaged and informed. It’s a tough balancing act, but we are a strong congregation and we will work together to survive and come out of this experience even better than before.
These are uncertain and challenging times, with still more unknowns ahead. We must keep moving forward because we cannot stand still. Onward, IUCC members – let’s stay involved, stay connected, and keep the faith!
In hope and optimism,
Tricia Aynes
Moderator
Recent News
Creating the Beloved Community
IUCC members will be among those joining in “Creating the Beloved Community: a virtual celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18. The event will feature the Rev. James M. Lawson, a former featured speaker at IUCC. He is recognized as
EventsNo comments yet Continue readingBudget forum and Winter Congregational Meeting announced
The Finance Committee will host a budget forum on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom in anticipation of the Winter Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 31. The Winter Congregational Meeting focuses on the adoption of the IUCC budget for the coming year and requires a quorum of 25
GeneralNo comments yet Continue readingTwo new choral interns keep IUCC’s traditions alive
At IUCCm we love our choral interns! While we hate to see any of them leave when they graduate or have other obligations, it’s also a pleasure to welcome new people. This January, tenor Jaime Reza and soprano Brandi Birdsong became the newest additions to the IUCC choral program under
Featured| MusicNo comments yet Continue readingYour donations can help the unsheltered homeless
The 2019 Point in Time Census of homeless people counted over 4,000 unsheltered homeless people in Orange County. That census has been shown to be undercounted and, with Covid, the number this year has increased dramatically. IUCC Mission & Service Ministry will be working to help Santa Ana’s largest unsheltered
Featured| Mission & ServiceNo comments yet Continue readingJoin in singing the Gathering Song
If you have seen our IUCC Chancel Choir members sing the Gathering Song, you know what a “Virtual Choir” looks like. Director of Music Chris Peterson would like to invite anyone (not just the choir) to be part of this if they want. “I am adding faces each week, and
Music| Uncategorized| WorshipNo comments yet Continue readingChristmas Eve at IUCC
Enjoy both the Family Service and the traditional Candlelight service. Wishing you a peaceful, safe and blessed Christmas
WorshipNo comments yet Continue readingChristmas Eve services at IUCC
IUCC will hold three virtual services on Thursday, Dec. 24, to give everyone a chance to observe Christmas Eve at a convenient time. You can participate here or via Facebook. The service at 5:30 will be a Family Service, with some special readings and an informal atmosphere. The services at 8 and 10 p.m. will
Featured| WorshipNo comments yet Continue readingAdopt a Child or Family for Christmas with Family Promise’s Project Holiday Joy!
There are 12 families (40 individuals of which 20 are kids) seeking adoption. Family Promise suggests 1-2 gifts for approximately $75 for adults and about $150 for 1-3 items per child. Every parent is providing a list of needed/wanted items. You can shop individually and deliver the gifts to Family Promise by
Mission & ServiceNo comments yet Continue readingEvery child deserves a little Christmas
Be part of the IUCC toy drive for Families Forward Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child and warm your heart at the same time? IUCC has had a long standing relationship with Families Forward. This wonderful organization has received four stars from Charity
Featured| Mission & ServiceNo comments yet Continue readingFactory Farming
Sofia Portillo explains what factory farming is, how it ties to social and racial justice issues and possible solutions in this presentation made earlier this summer to IUCC’s Green Faith Committee. The video can’t be embedded but the link should take you to a video recording of the event. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/_dYpKrz-q1xObJ3jyBHicPdmLN79aaa8hHRKr6Ben0q2lpN3znTF3au9U7LVKmD5
UncategorizedNo comments yet Continue reading