Welcoming Congregation

“Our faith calls us to live a spirit of radical hospitality—only when we are truly open to the wealth of diversity in our world will the inherent worth and dignity of every person be affirmed with a large voice.”

This statement from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) provides the basis to the UUA’s Welcoming Congregation Program. In 2006, UUCOV completed the program and became accredited. As a welcoming congregation we pledge to:

• Affirm and promote the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBTQ) people in religious life
• Reach out to members of the GLBTQ community
• Stand against oppression in the larger community

Small Group Activities

We have many activities including dinners, discussions, games, classes and more! Our activities are open to members, friends and visitors. Together we can have fun, get to know each other, grow spiritually and intellectually, and find truth and meaning in our lives and the world around us.

Performances, Lectures, and Seminars

The Venice Area Historical Society also holds its Betty Itagliata Lecture Series at UUCOV.

Check our events calendar for more information on these and other events and performances.

Social Justice

Our Social Justice program is the way we express Unitarian Universalist Principles in the world beyond our walls. Since its inception in 1998, UUCOV has had an active social justice program. UUCOV’s Social Justice Council continues this important tradition locally, nationally and globally in an effort to serve people in need, work for justice and equity for all, increase environmental awareness, and promote systemic changes to improve life for all on our planet. Our Social Justice Council works through committees including Community Outreach, and Green Sanctuary, 

Community Outreach promotes action within our local community for the homeless and the underserved. The group provides financial and material donations to local non-profits, informs the congregation of volunteer opportunities, and organizes our Mat making team which weaves sleeping mats for our homeless neighbors. Once a month, we donate our basket collection to one of our local social service organizations.

The Green Sanctuary committee brings elements of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Green Sanctuary Program to the congregation through worship, education, promotion of sustainable living practices, and the creation of a pollinator garden and an edible garden our UUCOV campus.

UUCOV funded the start up of “Hand Up,” a program of the Laurel Civic Association, to provide financial education and support to folks under-served by mainstream banking.