Notes from the President’s Desk – February, 2017

History and Vision
I was asked by Beverly Jordan, to speak at a New Member Orientation on the history
and vision of UUCV. The following are some of my comments:
The complete history of UUCV is on our website and I encourage everyone to be
familiar with our beginnings and how far we have traveled since 1958. If there were
a UUCV history book, I think it would have three chapters with a fourth in the
works.
Chapter one – How it all began. Fifty-nine years ago, a small group from the
Universalist Church of Santa Paula formed a Fellowship in Ventura. There are photos
in Berg Hall of the homes and rented spaces where those first meetings were held. In
1962 the name of the church officially became the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Ventura. Bobbie Schoenherr, a founding member, is still involved in church events.
That early church was much like ours today, with parents seeking a more vital religious
environment within which to raise their children and grandchildren.
Chapter two – The Terry House, a Ventura Historic Landmark. It was a bold move
to come together and commit to a mortgage. That takes trust. Frank Peterson, who
continues to be an active member, was instrumental in raising the down payment.
From 1969 to 2004 the Terry House was our home. It was peaceful and the view
was stunning. You can still see our Chalice on the parking lot gate near Foothill
and Day Roads. Social Justice work was at the forefront of our presence in Ventura.
Chapter three – The move to Ralston and the promise of this new facility was another
bold move to accommodate growth and be more accessible to the community of
Ventura. We have vitality and potential in this location. Our building does not look
much like a church; it was designed as an office building. The best features are the
large parking lot and the 14,000 sq.ft. of space. This is a busy and happening place.
Our calendar is scheduled everyday with activities and events. The lesson learned
is that a church is not its’ building, rather it is the community of people gathered
and what they do together.
As we begin Chapter four, the future is not yet written, we are writing it together.
We are on a journey. So far, the story of the UUCV is about the history of our times
and the building up of a people. My hope is we will carry forward the themes of
Boldness and Prophetic voice found in the first three chapters.
You may think differently, which would be typically UU, but I believe that our vision
for the future includes helping people change their lives, and the lives of others for
the better, fulfilling the meaning of being a justice-seeking people and making a
difference in the world by standing on the side of love.
How we do that work is up to us, democratically, while observing the 7 Principles
and our Covenant of Right Relations. The relationship we have with each other and
the world can be a place of tension. It is where we comfort the afflicted and afflict the
comfortable. To me, it is the heart of Unitarian Universalism to be in relationship
together, supporting one another in our individual search for truth and meaning.
So, what I want to know from everyone reading my column is this: How has the
UUCV changed your life? Please, write your UU Story and email it to me, bryanabuck@hotmail.com. I hope to share some of them in our newsletter.”
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, President