"You are not designed to flourish in every terrain. When you find your happy place, you will find your people."
      - Buky Ojelabi

When I was in my forties and fifties, I searched and hoped to find some friends or groups of people who liked the things I liked - liked to read, travel, attend lectures and plays, watch somewhat serious films, go to museums or garden tours, learn new things (crafting, try new recipes, grow new types of plants). Yes, I already had groups of friends, but the discussions with these friends were often limited to talking about TV shows, work-related topics we had in common, celebrities we liked or didn't like, cool restaurants, where we liked to shop, and gossip. In other words, not pithy or deep for the most part.  

I don't consider myself an intellectual snob, but something seemed to be missing. When I attended Tapestry for the first few times (then UU Church of South Orange County, before its name change), I learned they had sermons I could relate to, a book group, a travel group, an Adult Forum (that met prior to services and offered a broad range of things to think about from scientific topics and quasi-religious topics, to things like ice sculpting and the detailed workings of an air traffic controller's job). At the first book group meeting I went to they were discussing a novel by Virginia Woolf - not romantacy or shallow at all. Before long, I found and made friends with ladies who became traveling companions on more than one trip. some to foreign countries. Yes, I found my people. 

Tapestry has a diverse group of members, friends and visitors. Ranges of ages and interests are far-reaching. They are not all looking for the same particulars I mentioned above, but the wide diversity offers a great deal to choose from - committees that focus on going green, global warming, and recycling, to groups about racial justice, working to aid immigrants, political topics and community interest groups, rallies and marches, community social justice events, going green and environmental issues, feeding the homeless and advocating for affordable housing, book groups, women's groups, men's groups, and more. You will see some of these groups and interests featured in this newsletter.  At Tapestry you can choose your own beliefs, build your own theology, and question deeply; you are not limited to any specific ideas or dogma.  

We are just completing our yearly pledge drive, and this is a good time to consider joining or pledging if you are not already a member. (In fact, we just welcomed several new members on March 29.) This is not an ad or a pitch to get you to join. Maybe you'd rather put money in the weekly collection basket instead. This is to let you know how much we have to offer. But if you are new, I encourage you to keep coming. I think you will likely find your people in one of our groups or offerings. And you might have ideas about additional offerings of activities we could pursue. And if you do, if it's a match, you might tell a friend or two. A quality congregation is worth sharing and growing.