 Monday, December 1, 2025
6:00 p.m. Village Hillcrest – 3955 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Each year, Mama’s Kitchen and Village Hillcrest jointly host the Annual Tree of Life Ceremony to commemorate World AIDS Day. This special event serves as a time to recognize and remember those who have been affected by AIDS, as well as to honor the ongoing leadership efforts being made toward ending the epidemic. World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for individuals living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. The Tree of Life Ceremony is traditionally an evening of special memories, singing, and sharing, culminating in a poignant candle lighting ceremony to honor all those affected by AIDS. The celebration of the Tree of Life will include several key elements:
Event promoted by Rainbow Action
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 In the corridors of immigration courtrooms, where anxiety and uncertainty weigh heavily on those facing an uncertain future, a quiet ministry of presence has taken root. FAITH—Faithful Accompaniment in Trust & Hope – began in May as a collaboration between Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the San Diego Catholic Diocese, and the San Diego Organizing Project, a multi-faith social justice network to which First UU belongs. This interfaith court-accompaniment program represents a powerful act of solidarity: clergy and lay people standing alongside immigrants during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. While volunteers cannot change the legal realities that migrants face, or prevent the arrests that sometimes occur at courtroom doors, they offer migrants something equally vital—the reassurance that in their time of greatest need, they are not alone. Through prayer, presence, and pastoral care, FAITH volunteers embody a simple but profound truth: these individuals navigating the immigration system are not statistics or case numbers, but neighbors, brothers and sisters deserving of dignity, witness, and compassion.
Members of First UU have answered this call to accompaniment, joining FAITH volunteers at the Federal courthouse to stand alongside immigrants and observe court proceedings. Among them is Isabella Furth, whose recent reflection for the FAITH newsletter offers a window into what it means to bear witness during these critical moments in our neighbors' lives. Reflection by Isabella Furth “There is pain in this world that you can’t be cheered out of. You don’t need solutions. You don’t need to move on from your grief. You need someone to see your grief, to acknowledge it… Some things cannot be fixed. They can only be carried.” —Megan Devine “We are each other’s magnitude and bond.” —Gwendolyn Brooks The hallway where we wait is dimly lit, with drab walls and dirty brown carpet. It’s hard not to feel its shabbiness reflects a systemic contempt for the people who make their way here:disregard, dismissal, even dehumanization. And yet, in this stark place, tenderness still finds its way through. It appears in a quiet conversation, a gentle nod, a silent vigil. Small gestures of care shimmer against a backdrop that tries to erase human dignity. When someone is detained and escorted down the corridor toward the elevators, what meets their eyes? A dingy hallway. Masked guards. Volunteers with cell phones doing necessary but intrusive work of documentation. In the midst of that violence, my role is simple: to stand present and unshielded. To communicate, often without words, you are not alone. Someone sees you. Sometimes a detained person meets my gaze and holds it as long as they can. In those suspended seconds, there is nothing to fix and nowhere else to go. There is only presence — a moment carried together, a quiet acknowledgment that honors the humanity in both of us. That brief encounter becomes a bond, fragile yet profound. I am a humanist and a universalist. I believe all people — all of creation — are woven together in a vast, living web of interdependence, sustained by the great spirit of life and love. For me, the divine dwells in the spaces between us: called into being by our connections, by shared grief, our common longing, our recognition of the holy light in each other. My prayer is that every person who walks into that hallway will be held and sustained by the spirit of life, that they will feel its eternal and all-encompassing love, even in places that attempt to deny its very existence. Gwendolyn Brooks writes, “We are each other’s magnitude and bond.” Her words remind me that what strengthens us is not power or certainty, but the ties we form — the ways we show up for one another, especially in places shaped by hardship. This bond is stronger than the systems that diminish us. It is the quiet work of the spirit of life, stitching connection where the world has torn it apart. May we continue to be channels of that spirit. Learn more about FAITH and upcoming orientations.  Thursday, December 11th
6-8 PM Bard Hall at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego 298 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103 FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC The Dells (2024, 72 mins) offers an intimate portrait of international students navigating the gap between the American Dream and American reality in Wisconsin Dells, the self-proclaimed "Waterpark Capital of the World." Through the State Department's Summer Work Travel program, young people from Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic arrive in the Midwest on temporary J-1 visas, taking low-wage jobs as lifeguards, housekeepers, and servers while living in dormitories behind the town's tourist attractions. This observational documentary follows an ensemble cast of "J-1s" as they work long hours, party, deal with car troubles and job losses, and cruise around town in taxis, their youthful optimism and friendships sustaining them through the disappointments and occasional moments of transcendence that define their summer abroad. Check out the trailer.  Sunday, November 30th
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Bard Hall at First UU Join the Journey Toward Wholeness (JTW) Team for a workshop based on Subtle Acts of Exclusion by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran. Together we’ll explore compassionate ways to recognize and respond to subtle acts of exclusion on our church campus, helping us build the beloved and inclusive community we aspire to at First UU. Free event.  Thursday, November 13th
6:30 PM Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse There are struggles happening right here in our community that demand our attention and compassion. We are sharing this information and inviting you to join us for a Prayer Vigil in support of immigrants currently detained in extremely difficult conditions. The Reality of Detention in Our Own Backyard The facts surrounding the treatment and conditions of detained immigrants are deeply concerning, and they highlight a critical need for our collective response:
Join Us in Prayer and Solidarity We invite everyone in the community to join us as we gather to pray for those suffering in our communities—the detained, their families, and all those working toward justice and human dignity.
 Sunday, November 23rd
2:00 - 4:00 pm Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay 1600 Vacation Rd, SD 92109 (on the east side of Vacation Island) Everything that we give thanks for in this season of Thanksgiving flows directly from our earth and the ecosystems that sustain us. We of the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice wish to show our gratitude for our beloved planet with our 2nd annual outdoor interfaith gathering. We will offer prayers from several faith traditions, listen to the music of Kol Tefillah, and fly kites after decorating them with earth friendly words and images. Bring your own kite (as earth friendly as possible with appropriate decoration) or fly one of the FREE kites we will provide. Some light refreshments will also be provided. Please join us and bring the whole family!! And for those who would like to order their own kites, we recommend the Simple Rokakku kites that can be found here. Rain date – Sun. Dec. 7 from 2 - 4 PM. For more information visit the website or email [email protected]. Dear Members and Friends of First UU San Diego:
Like all of you, we are deeply troubled by the delay in SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing government shut down. We want to let you know how we at First UU are responding, remind you of available resources, and let you know how you can help. Food Pantry Distribution resumes 11/8 The Food Pantry moved from our location on Broadway to St. John’s Episcopal, 760 First Ave in Chula Vista just last week. On Saturday 11/1, we oriented volunteers to our new location, and this week, distribution resumes on Saturday 11/8. We are grateful for the many people who have donated time and treasure to make this move happen. Click here for the pantry webpage. Help is available Church members who rely on SNAP benefits are welcome to join the many families and individuals who receive nourishing food from our food pantry. You can find out more about how food is distributed on Saturdays by contacting [email protected]. We also distribute diapers on Sundays at 12:45 pm. Rev. Kristen and Rev. Justine can also provide assistance to members who are facing challenges due to loss of benefits through the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Please contact Rev. Kristen ([email protected], 619-398-4435) or Rev. Justine ([email protected], 619-398-4434) if you need assistance. How you can help The food pantry welcomes volunteers during the week and on Saturday mornings. To learn more, contact [email protected]. We also welcome financial donations to the food pantry and to the Minister’s Discretionary fund. For $1 a week, the pantry is able to provide 15-20 pounds of fresh food to a family. Providing support to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund helps us to continue to provide support to the members of our church who are struggling. We expect to experience greater need, especially as the government shutdown drags on and as we approach the holiday season. You can donate here: https://www.firstuusandiego.org/donations.html Unitarian Universalists Respond We are part of a movement of Unitarian Universalists around the country who are responding to the needs of our communities. You can learn more about the work of UU congregations around the country in this recent UU World article, which also highlights the South Bay Food Pantry: https://www.uuworld.org/articles/snap-benefits-help-unitarian-universalists We are grateful for the ongoing generosity of spirit and resources from this community of faith. Let us continue to support one another in these troubling times. In faith and service, Rev. Justine and Rev. Kristen Ministers, First UU San Diego  The government shutdown could lead to local families losing all or part of their CalFresh (SNAP/Food Stamps) benefits.
This would leave our neighbors without the means to buy essential groceries. Our food pantry is a lifeline to fill this gap and ensure no one in our community goes hungry. We Need Food Pantry Volunteers! Your time and effort are needed to support this demand. Contact: Corina Macias ([email protected]) Your generosity could make the difference between a family eating or going hungry.  You may have heard that our congregation has begun what’s called the Call Discernment process. It’s how we will discern whether the time is right for Rev. Kristen Kuriga to transition from her current contract position as Assistant Minister to settled or “called” Associate Minister. The first step was taken on Sunday, Nov. 2, as more than 50 congregants gathered in Bard Hall and online to hear how the process will proceed. The five-member Call Discernment Team led the Q & A, and encouraged everyone to sign up for one of 16 small group Congregational Conversations that will be offered over the next few weeks. Rev. Justine provided great context and inspiration for what may result in a tighter bond with Rev. Kristin. No worries if you missed this informational kickoff session! Visit the Call Discernment process webpage to learn more, AND to find a Congregational Conversation you can attend. Many will be offered after the Sunday service at Hillcrest, with additional sessions on other days. South Bay will host three of these facilitated conversations, and another three will take place on Zoom. All of this is likely to build toward a full congregational gathering on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 that will end with a vote. It’s very important that all church members attend this meeting. We won’t be able to move forward without a quorum. We look forward to welcoming you as we walk this path together! |
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(619) 298-9978 | Staff Directory
We have two campuses:
Hillcrest campus: 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103 | South Bay campus: Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 760 1st Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
For GPS to our Hillcrest Campus, please use 298 W Arbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92103
For detailed directions, parking and more see our Contact page.
We have two campuses:
Hillcrest campus: 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103 | South Bay campus: Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 760 1st Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
For GPS to our Hillcrest Campus, please use 298 W Arbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92103
For detailed directions, parking and more see our Contact page.
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