Dear friends in Christ,

Thank you for you outpouring of love and support as my husband Bruce and I mourn the passing of his beloved mother this past Sunday. She died peacefully in her sleep, in her own bed, surrounded by family. We have received so many flowers, cards, texts, emails, and phone calls expressing condolences and offers of help. As many of you know, we relocated to Los Angeles in 2017 to caretake her so she could remain in her own home for as long as possible. Bruce has been by her side and adapting to her care needs every step of the way since 2017. Her health took a serious downturn last January and then rapidly declined over the past year. The past several months have been particularly exhausting as she was bed-bound and required round-the-clock care following her hospitalization in January 2025.

I am grateful to everyone in this church for their patience, love, and support as her care required more and more days working from home and my schedule became wildly unpredictable. I am especially grateful to Giselle Toporkova, Tere Riordan, and Rev. Lisa Bove who over and over again simply caught the balls that I began dropping and stepped up to steer the ship while I was absent. Our Council – Rev. Lisa, Janie Ito, Rodney Chadderton, Tom Droney, Gary Grayson, and Jenn Nichols – has been a rock-solid source of support and leadership as we navigated this rapidly-changing landscape. Rodney, thank you for jumping in and preaching with less than a day’s notice. And all of our staff – Giselle, Mark, Randi, Nelson, and Tere have reassured me again and again, “Don’t worry. We’ve got this. You take care of your family.” Knowing that every single one of you was capable, knowledgeable, resourceful, and positive, I knew that if you said you would take care of, it would be handled very well. Over and over, I was freed to focus on the needs at home. The value of that reassurance cannot be overstated. I am grateful for the love and support, but I am also grateful for having an incredible church family that can come together and pitch in when needed. Thank you, and may God bless you all.

This Sunday is a big day for me and a big day for the church. I am looking forward to the installation and to covenanting with all of you for our future together. My family and close friend Yasmin are all coming down from the San Francisco Bay Area for the weekend, and I’m excited for you all to meet each other. On Sunday they will be joining us for morning worship at 11 AM. Then the plan is to head to IHOP a few blocks east on Sunset Boulevard for an informal, no-host lunch and meet-and-greet with any church folk who want join us. The installation will begin at the church at 3 PM, followed by a reception.

I was encouraged to postpone the Installation this Sunday, but so many people had set aside so much time in their schedules for months, that I was determined to go forth this Sunday, no matter what. Frankly, this is really important to the church and to me, and I don’t want to kick it down the road after so much preparation. However, Bruce and I are running on fumes at this point. Council has graciously encouraged me to take a week of rest for bereavement following my installation on Sunday, March 30.  It is my great hope that by taking a week for Bruce and I to catch our breath, I will be much better restored and prepared to lead a positive Easter season.

This week I will be preaching the sermon I had planned for last Sunday, on the three parables of the lost – lost coin, lost sheep, and prodigal son. We will not have Bible Study on Monday, as I will be on bereavement leave. Bible Study will resume Monday, April 8th.

We will look forward to seeing you there.

Many blessings,

Pastor Tracy

SAVE THE DATE

Easter Week Schedule

April 13 at 11 AM – Palm Sunday Worship with Parade of Palms

April 17 at 6 PM – Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service with Potluck Soup Supper

April 20 at 11 AM – Easter Worship with Easter Bonnet Parade

Opportunities for youth

We are applying for a grant that will allow us to give grocery gift cards to medical workers who have been on strike for more than five months as they negotiate for better patient care and working conditions. If the grant is awarded, as part of our support we will be purchasing non-perishable groceries for the workers. All youth are invited to help make the grocery list, shop for the groceries, and assemble the grocery boxes. If your youth is interested in helping, please text Pastor Tracy at 323-793-9059

Sunday, April 6 – The Youth will be shopping for our Sack Lunch Program immediately following worship. Our goal is to make and distribute 1000 sack lunches this year.

Easter Sunday, April 20 – Our luminescent Children’s Choir is coming together for Easter. If you would like to participate, please contact Mark Abulencia.

Opportunities for service

Saturday, April 5 – Rummage Faire. Contact Jenni Nichols for more information. [2025 Congregational Goal #3 of 12 – Stewardship and Fundraising]

Sunday, April 13 – We will assembling sack lunches for our Sack Lunch Program immediately following worship. Many hands are needed.

NOW: The United Church of Christ has been marshalling many resources in response to the recent unjust executive orders. You can click here to learn more about the national response to countering racism, advocating for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, resisting Project 2025, and actively fostering justice and peace. We are not alone, and people across the country are working together. [2025 Congregational goal #12 – Respond to Unjust Executive Orders]

Opportunities for spiritual growth

Monday, March 31 – No Bible Study

Monday, April 7 – Bible Study Resumes at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall, or join us on Zoom.

Wednesday, March 26 at 7 PM via Zoom – Prayer Group meets online every Wednesday

Saturday, May 3 at 1 PM – Labyrinth Walk as part of World Labyrinth Day. Join us at the Culver City Labyrinth at

Opportunities for fellowship

March 29, 2025 at 1 PM – Rev. Rachael Pryor will be installed as our new Conference Minister at Montebello United Church of Christ. All are welcome to participate and celebrate. Click here for more info.

Sunday, March 30 at 3 PM – Service of Installation of Rev. Tracy Kariya followed by reception here at the church. [2025 Congregational Goal #6 of 12: Pastor Tracy Installation]

Saturday, April 12 – Knitting Ministry and Potluck Brunch from 9 AM – 12 N in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your own projects or help us make hats for our Sack Lunch Program. All materials provided, all levels welcome.

May 30 – June 1 – WeHo Pride. WeHo UCC is going and we need your help! Please see Jenni Nichols if you would like to help with the planning and coordinating or to staff the booth.