Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church

Incredible community. All really are welcomed and valued.

OCUUC has a fabulous minister, Sian Wiltshire. Her talks are like college lectures on how we should strive to live. Reverend Sian’s sermons are educational and motivational. The people are kind and have supported Ukrainians in their pursuit of safety in our country. Their support of these displaced war refugees is amazing.

Unique Experience

Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church is unique and wonderful. I experienced it by “Zoom”
on November 7. Rev. Sian Wiltshire gave the first of a three-sermon series on facing the truth about our national and personal histories.

Rev. Sian is a powerful, challenging, and inspiring preacher. I found her message about the need to accept the truth about our nation’s history, the bad as well as the good, a refreshing turn from conservative denials and liberal despair over the state of the union. Wholeness, according to Rev. Sian, includes both honesty about past and present misdeeds, but also celebration of the many things to love about America.

I live 13 miles from the church. Our trip there on the following Sunday, November 14, was well worth the effort. On-site is a far richer experience than participating by “Zoom.” My wife, Linda, and I received the warmest welcome ever. Rev. Sian came into the congregation to greet us before the service began. Folks sitting on all sides of us reached out with warm words of welcome. Everyone wearing masks helped us feel safe and
among thoughtful, caring people.

The church interior is a modern and beautifully appointed space. The sermon carried on the theme of honest inquiry, this time with emphasis on one’s own family history. Rev. Sian shared her discovery of both good and bad aspects of her family’s history and what she is doing to make amends.

After the service, we enjoyed coffee and conversation at an outside patio. We were greeted by the President of the Board and met her husband. The Membership co-chair showed us drawings of a new sanctuary to be built for the growing congregation. We made other new friends.

I cannot give the Ocean Coast Unitarian Universalist Church a higher recommendation. It is a unique and wonderful experience.

Fred Fenton
Seal Beach, CA

I checked out this church in the mid-2010s. Their Atheist/Humanist group was what drew me in to begin with. I was happy to see a wider variety of ages in it versus others outside of OCUUC that I had tried. However, no one was within 5 years of my age. I really only knew and was close with ONE person in this group.

They had a really good Director of Music Ministries who chose songs I sometimes listened to at home after hearing them here.

However, some of the sermons delivered here were quite politically charged and contained sentiments I disagreed with so strongly I walked out in the middle of them. The congregation was predominantly elderly (75+).

Since 9/12/2017 I have discovered how much I simply cannot agree with Leftists, especially Leftists who are given greater protection under California Penal Code 368 just because they are old. So unfortunately, this house of worship was no better a fit for me than any more traditional theist church due to all the politics being discussed both in sermons and after-service conversations.