Following David Sammons' retirement after 23 years of ministry, he was named Minister Emeritus. In 2006 MDUUC welcomed Diane Miller as our Interim Minister for a two year transitional period. In 2007 we elected a Ministerial Search Committee which met weekly for a year. On the recommendation of the Committee, the congregation called David and Leslie Takahashi Morris from Charlottesville, Virginia to serve in a shared ministry. They began their co-ministry at MDUUC in August 2008 and were formally installed by the congregation in February 2009.
The lifetime religious education programs of the church, now under the direction of Heather Sawyers, serve all ages in exploring the quest for religious meaning, ethics and social issues. MDUUC helped pioneer OWL (Our Whole Lives) -- sexual education for children, teens and adults -- and continues to offer OWL classes at all levels.
The MDUUC choir, begun in 1963, continues to grow under the direction of Mark Tuning and pianist/accompanist Dr. Lino Rivera. Our newsletter editor, Beverly Bortin, has served almost 45 years. A service of Meditation, begun 20 years ago continues every week. In 2008 we added a Thursday evening Vespers Service, preceded by a community supper
We proudly fly a rainbow flag, symbol of a "Welcoming Congregation" to gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people. We offer programs to help eliminate racism and to encourage cultural diversity. Many members participate in TIE (Together in Exploration), small groups that explore ideas, moral and spiritual values.
We continue to support vital social action programs -- the Marriage Equality Task Force, the Interfaith Council, the UU Service Committee, the Food Bank, the UU Legislative Ministry of California, homeless shelter programs, Habitat for Humanity, etc. We donate a portion of our collection one Sunday each month to a charity. We continue our relationship with Erdoszentgyorgy, A Unitarian congregation in Transylvania, Romania. Our Green Group Committee has led MDUUC to be designated a Green Sanctuary within the UUA, and the church community continues to seek ways to be environmentally responsible.
After years of planning and fundraising and nearly a year of construction, the David and Beverly Bortin Fellowship Hall was dedicated in January 2009. This beautiful "green" building greatly expanded the opportunities for all-church events and for use by the wider community.
By Summer 2009 our membership topped 400 and religious education enrollment was soaring. In addition to our talented staff of full and part-time employees, many dedicated volunteers, both members and friends, continue to sustain the vision and work of our church community.
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