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We had an exciting fall season at Harbor! Scroll down to remember all of the amazing events and experiences we shared!
Fall Studies
"Imagine Together" Stewardship Study
We imagined together. Now, let's recall the vision formed together over our eight week stewardship study with some of the questions we sat with listed below:
Healing (2 Kings 5) The Healing of Naaman “Gifts with Strings”
What gifts have you received? Have there been strings attached? If so, how did the strings make you feel?
A World Made Whole (Isaiah 35) The Return of the Redeemed to Zion
Land needs tending. How are you tending your own land (in your body) and how are you tending the land that surrounds you?
Enough at Every Table (Isaiah 55) An Invitation to Abundant Life
After reading Isaiah 55, how would you define abundance? What about scarcity? What does it mean when something is abundant or scarce?
A Sense of Wonder (Matthew 6:26-30) Do Not Worry
Jesus tells us that God provides all we need. How do we explain the fact that so many are in need in a world of abundance?
A Rested Community (Matthew 11:28-30) Most Impactful!
Elder Caroline “Wished more of us would say when we are in need of help / support for it makes it easier for them to say it when they are in need.”
How can your Harbor community support you in resting?
Vitality (John 3:1-10, 7:45-52; 19:38-39) Nicodemus Visits Jesus
How did you rest this past week?
Communities of Belonging (1 Corinthians 11:17-34) Abuses at the Lord’s Supper
Paul says, "When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper." What do you think he means by that?
A Sense of Awe (Colossians 1:15-23) The Supremacy of Christ
Do you think it matters to God that we agree or "get right" who and what God is?
Praying with the Psalms - A Harbor Study
Many of us had ever thought about our prayer ritual before this 4-week study of the Psalms. Whether you had or hadn't , we have all walked away with a beautiful process that we engaged with each Sunday in the form of our first Harbor Prayer Cards.
While preparing for this study with Pastor Sadie, Trustees Nan, Rhoda and community friend Bronwen Newcott took a desire for a physical prayer tool and combined it with a request for a Harbor handout for guests and members to take home. A few weeks later, this adaptation from the St. Ignatius Spiritual Practices was created. We hope each of you have taken one home for continued your prayer practice!
Harbor Fall Events
Autumnal Equinox Garden Party
Sunday, September 22
Some moments from our Autumnal Equinox Garden Party! Marking the change of season from summer to fall was all the more the fun together.
Use the arrows on either side of the carousel below to see the photos.
OC Pride
Saturday, October 5
Many of us attended OC Pride this year at a new location, the OC Fairgrounds. We were all greatly inspired by our Youth who made the extra effort to organize the outing and take over Mission Moment each week to share their thoughts on the importance of church visibility at events like this. Rewatch Shelby Kliewer's personal invitation below:
After the event, Shelby gave these thoughts on the day: “ I had such an amazing time at the pride event!! It was so healing to see go to this celebration of queer community with my church. The sun was hot, but we all had a lot of fun.”
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 13
This year, we were low on membership attendance but high in local neighbors and community! Dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens were all given their blessings for the next year. Minister of Sacred Arts Lauren Graham said after the event, "This is always one of our biggest draws to the local community! People may not come to church for themselves but they sure do for their pets!"
A beautiful windchime set was added to the Memorial portion of this event for those who took time to remember spirit fur friends.
Enjoy some photos of our familiar and local fur friends below!
Regional Assembly
Saturday, October 19
We are so grateful to join together as a Region each year and be inspired. This year we were especially blessed to receive an in-person address from General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens.
Elder Captain Caroline C. Kaufmann had this to say about her first time, "Attending Regional Assembly this year was wonderful. My only regret is that I didn't carve out the time better to be there for the whole thing. Original fellowships are so diverse and everyone is so loving. The classes were all excellent. The business was boring but it's important and I was overwhelmed with gratitude to get to be a part of it."
Choral Evensong - Peace, Unity, Justice
Saturday, October 26
It was a joy to make music with another faith community under the themes of peace, unity, and justice to hold us during this election season. Pastor's Sadie and Ryan joined Yorba Linda Presbyterian's Senior Pastor to hold the scripture and readings. Seton and Heather Earnhart were featured on voice and flute while other members added their voices to an unearthly beautiful choir. Thank you to our members who made the long drive to north county!
"Singing with the Yorba Linda Press Choir was quite the treat. Their music director, Kevin, is an old colleague of mine from CSUF. It’s always great running into Titans in the wild! As much fun as it was to perform with current colleagues and old, Yorba Linda Press also happens to be the church where I spent the first few years of my life. When we pulled up to the campus for the first rehearsal the whole space felt vaguely familiar. Low and behold, I walk in and am greeted by a few familiar faces I had not seen in over a decade! It was extra special to be able to invite my parents to the service and help reconnect a few old but timeless friendships!" - Justin Wright
Halloween Event
Saturday, October 26
What is a Halloween party without costumes, yummy snacks and karaoke??? Most of you know how talented our young people are and it goes without saying that we got to hear some great singing and just had an all around good time. Everything from Adele, to the Deftones to Cage the Elephant, Snow White and Taylor Swift were enjoyed! A special shout out to our Parent volunteers Alan Kaufman and Ron Lauzon!! Plus a special cake by Isabella!
Ancestors' Feast
Sunday, November 3
Attending the Ancestors Feast hosted by Caroline these last two years has been so good for me. Aside from all of the delicious foods, it really is so lovely to get to hear from people about their culture, the foods they grew up on, their childhood memories, and loved ones who have passed. If it's possible this year was even better than the last. I hope even more people attend next year and take this special opportunity to share about their loved ones. - Pastor Janette
Community Altar
Sunday, November 3 - 17
It is the best kind of collage during our Community Altar time each year to see how the totems, mementos, photos and meaningful objects come together to create a picture of love. Thank you to all who contributed! Your items are available to take home in Ackelson.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Sunday, November 17
This year's partnered Thanksgiving Potluck with Sallims featured all the favorites of traditional Thanksgiving food, Korean staple dishes and communing with each other. We added a special treat by inviting our Muslim friends from the Pacifica Institute who added Turkish desserts and presented on Jesus (peace be upon him) in the Quran and Islamic faith. Many of us were intrigued by the similarities and differences of key stories around the life of Jesus. Most impactful was the Islamic idea that the return of Christ could be realized as a collective spiritual personality that will descend on the many to bring heaven to earth. What a wonderful day to have our bellies filled with good food and hearts full of connection.
Huge thanks to Congregational Life Chair Heather Earnhart and community for all their contributions to the event!
WUICAN - Air Elemental Conversations
Sunday, November 19
Several from our community were able to visit the Jain Center in Buena Park to learn about the Jain tradition and to create interfaith community. We had a wonderful evening that began with a tour of the beautiful and artistic center. We then shared delicious vegan samosas with chutney and spicy sauce, and authentic chai tea with oat milk. We then finished our time together with a shared worship experience that focused on the element of air. We were led in Jain readings, breathing exercises, teachings around the need to keep our air clean, and culminating in a beautiful dance preformed and choreographed by a teenage girl. It was a beautiful evening that reminded us no matter how big our differences, we all share the elements of air, water, fire and earth.
We hope you will join us for our next elemental gatherings in the spring and summer of 2025. All of these experiences will converge in an amazing Interfaith Climate Action Festival to be held on Harbor's campus October 11-12, 2025. This event will feature local indigenous communities, activists, artists, authors, scientists, and many more who love our earth and care about her thriving. Mark your calendars for this exciting event that will be co-hosted by local interfaith groups and UC Irvine!
Harbor in Community
Welcome New Members!
The Hower-Haaken family joined officially Sunday, October 13th. They've been attending for some time now, and we were all so thrilled that they made it official!!!
Harbor in Action
Harbor becomes a Voting Center
Harbor was proud to open our doors to this year's election. The poll workers were diligent in their care of our space and their attention to the voting needs of our surrounding community. It was a wonderful experience to pray for our wider community as they exercise their sacred duty to vote.
Senior Pastor Sadie sent an email out the morning after the election with words of reflection and comfort. Revisit them below by expanding the (>) next to the title below:
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