Congregation News and Events
Studio City Jazzanova Free Concert and Reception
You are cordially invited to a FREE Jazz Band Concert to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City, on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 7:00 PM, in the church sanctuary! The program showcases Studio City Jazzanova, performing a variety of vocal and instrumental jazz, pop, standards, blues, R & B, and rock tunes from various eras. It will lift you up, and get you moving!
Studio City Jazzanova features two members and regular performers at UUCSC services: Gene Herd on drums, and Nick Pierone on electric bass, piano, and vocals. Come support them and the UUCSC with your presence and participation and have a great time! Refreshments will be provided.
Studio City Jazzanova is a group founded by Music Mends Minds, a nonprofit that creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. It is also sponsored by the Studio City-Sherman Oaks Rotary Club.
Studio City Jazzanova holds weekly jam sessions at the UUCSC Church Sanctuary, 12355 Moorpark Street, Studio City, and invites everyone to attend every Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 PM, to observe, sing along, play provided percussion instruments, or even sit in with the group as an instrumentalist or vocalist, with this exciting and healing group, known for their creative and inspiring performances! It’s lots of fun for everyone!
Join us in lifting your spirits on high! For more information, please leave a message at (747) 217-4385. See you at the concert!
Cabaret 2023 Ticket Sales
Please join us for an evening of fun, entertainment, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts! $20.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Here is the link to purchase tickets:
https://unitarianuniversalistchurchst.betterworld.org/events/cabaret-2023-good-vibrations
Cabaret 2023 will be June 24, 2023, 7:00 PM, UUCSC Sanctuary
See you there!
Annual Congregational Meeting
Please plan to attend this very important meeting.
–Greg Golden, Board Secretary
Preach It!
August 10, 17, 24, 31; September 7, 2023
Have you got a sermon in you? Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels will lead a sermon writing class five Thursday evenings this August and September. The class will cover the place of the sermon in worship, a preacher’s authority, writing tips for a manuscript intended to be presented out loud, and how a sermon differs from other kinds of writing and public speaking. Participants will write a twenty-minute sermon and practice preaching in the class with coaching from Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels and the other participants. The goal is for participants to preach their sermon on a Sunday service during the church year when Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels is away from the pulpit.
Lay preaching is an important expression of our faith. Balancing the professional minister’s preaching with a variety of different voices demonstrates that there are many paths to the divine and that diversity is a resource for spiritual growth. Preparing a sermon is an excellent way to explore your own thoughts and feelings. Members of the congregation will appreciate getting to know you better and will experience your sermon as a gift of intimacy.
Mark your calendars. The class will meet Thursday evening: August 10, 17, 24, 31, and September 7.
UU Studio City Choir
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM; Sundays, 9:00 to 9:30 AM
Performances: Sundays, 10:00 to 11:00 AM
The UU Studio City Choir wants YOU to join us in raising your voice as we combine worship with music in 2023. The year is new. What better time is there to get involved? You don’t need to be able to read music to join. The choir welcomes folks of all backgrounds and musical abilities. If you have even the slightest interest in singing with the choir, please join us at rehearsal on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. We look forward to seeing you Tuesday evenings. musicdirector@uustudiocity.org for more information.
Food Drive, Every Sunday
There are many food-insecure folks living in the Studio City / North Hollywood area. They can use your help. The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry's current greatest need is for:
- Canned beans
- Packages of dried beans
- Bag of white or brown rice
- Canned fruit
- Canned soup
- Granola bars
- Hygiene kits with travel size hand sanitizer, deodorant, shampoo, combs, conditioner, body wash, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste
- Large diapers, wipes
- Canned tuna fish
- Regular size box of breakfast cereal
- Peanut butter
Please donate your items on Sunday mornings. Leave them in the wicker basket at the front of the Sanctuary. Thank you!
Technology and the Tech Team
The AV renovation is well underway at UUCSC. The technology improvements will improve the production of worship services, making services more seamless and tech volunteers’ work easier. As Nick Pierone put it, “what is this, the Starship Enterprise?” Come and see what he meant. We are managing with our current team of wonderful volunteers, but we need more folks to step up! All you need are basic computer skills and a familiarity with controlling ZOOM meetings. If your skills are a little shaky, we’ll train you. So put on your visor, grab your tricorder, and welcome aboard! musicdirector@uustudiocity.org for more information.
Volunteer to Help Unhoused Folks
Building on the homeless initiatives organized by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in NoHo since March 2016, NoHo Home Alliance (NHHA) runs a unique homeless drop-in program that prepares homeless persons to receive services and housing placements. As a satellite location for NHHA, the Tuesday drop-in program at UUCSC provides meals, clothes, charging stations, case management, and housing referrals for approximately 40 guests each week.
While NHHA administers the program, members and friends of UUCSC volunteer to prepare and serve meals and manage a clothing closet, offering our Tuesday guests clothing, blankets, and hygiene kits. Volunteers at St. Matthew's Lutheran and St. Michael's Episcopal Churches provide hot lunch entrees three Tuesdays each month. Our church prepares the entree on the second and fifth Tuesdays (when a month has five Tuesdays).
Here are some ways you can support the drop-in program.
- Donate clothing for the closet. We can use all types of clothing, especially men's clothing in larger sizes.
- Help with the hot lunch. Our kitchen leads, Jane Swanson and Christina Mathers oversee the preparation of a hot meal each week. They supplement the hot entrees with sides, including salads, vegetables, fruit, and dessert. Contact Jane or Christina to learn how you can help.
- Help serve food. In addition to the hot lunch, we serve coffee, oatmeal, and cold cereal throughout the morning and distribute to-go lunches.
If you'd like more information about participating in the Tuesday drop-in program, contact Reid, rswanson@uustudiocity.org
The UUCSC Caring Committee
To date, the committee has provided transportation to surgical procedures and follow-up medical examinations, provided meals for ill church members, and sent sympathy and get-well cards. When the committee learns of a need, we contact committee members to provide transportation, meals, or other types of support. Please let Jane Swanson (janewswanson07@gmail.com or cell: 310-871-2862) or any committee member know how we can assist.
A HUGE thank you to the UUCSC Caring Committee for the services they have been providing. Members of the committee include Bonnie Burroughs, Greg Golden, Luis Harbottle, Joyce Fidler, Terry Hassman-Paulin, Aviva Heston, Sue Kennedy, Marilyn Shield, Babu Shankar, Gil Shorr, Christina Mathers, and Rich Suter.
"Jazzanova" Mends Minds
“Jazzanova” jams every Wednesday at 1:30 PM till 3:30 PM at our church in either the Sanctuary or the Fellowship Hall. Jazzanova, sponsored by the Studio City Rotary Club, is one of several bands in Los Angeles organized by Music Mends Minds, an organization that creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. Musicians with or without diagnoses, including caregivers, family, and friends, are welcome to attend!
Music Mends Minds Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Senior Fellowship
Senior Fellowship meets on the first and third Wednesdays at 2:00 PM for support and camaraderie for people who attend our church who identify as seniors. Please email seniorfellowship@uustudiocity.org for more information.
Medical Emergencies at Church: What to Do
Medical emergencies occur unexpectedly, and the Board wanted to remind everyone that if anyone appears to be in medical distress, the first thing to do is call 911.
You should also be aware that the church has an AED near the narthex by the restrooms. An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It's a sophisticated yet easy-to-use medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. To help us understand and use the device if ever needed, the Emergency Preparedness Team is researching training options
UUCSC 4th Sunday Open Mic
Every 4th Sunday of the month
7:00 PM, UUCSC Sanctuary
Calling all performers: UUCSC’s Fourth Sunday of the Month Open Mic is back! Storytellers, poets, dancers, musicians, comedians--and more--are welcome. Sign-ups begin at 6:30 PM with the show beginning at 7:00 PM. If you aren’t a performer, come sit in the audience and support our local artists! Performers may remove their masks, but they will need to show proof of vaccination. If you have any questions, feel free to email Anthony Concepcion at his new email address, ConcepTonesMusic@gmail.com.
Playground Access for Families
The UUCSC Playground is available by reservation to families who are part of the UUCSC community. Families not part of the community may also schedule a reservation for the space with a recommendation from a community member. This is a great way to spend some time outside with your family!
Please send an email to playground@uustudiocity.org with your name and the date you'd like to reserve. Along with any questions you may have regarding access to the playground. You will receive a confirmation email once your request has been processed. We will try our best to respond within 24 hours, thank you for your patience.
Reservations are available on first come, first served basis. Following COVID-19 safety measures, one reservation will be allowed access per day.
Visit our Calendar on MyChurchEvents.com to invite friends and schedule reminders.