Unitarian congregations came to this country with the early colonists, many of whom found a religion of reason, tolerance, and mutual respect for each other's beliefs appealing. Our Fellowship had its beginnings on a dark and stormy night in February 1959, or so the story goes. That night a group of forty-seven North County members of the First Unitarian Church of San Diego signed the register to become the founding members of the Unitarian Fellowship of San Dieguito, becoming "Unitarian Universalist" in the mid 1970's in recognition of the merger of the two denominations. Early members met in rented quarters for several years until they could afford to develop the seven-acre hillside campus donated by members Andy and Mary Kay. The site combines the peace and beauty of a natural setting with magnificent ocean views.
By 1964 volunteers had completed the outdoor amphitheater, four classrooms, and a building that now houses the kitchen and nursery. All are still in use. In the 1990's we embarked on an expanded building program. By 1997 this included two new buildings, new restrooms, a spacious office, and accessibility for physically handicapped people. For 25 years lay members were the source of leadership for all Fellowship programs. Retired Methodist minister John Shannon performed weddings and other pastoral functions. He offered sermons on Sunday mornings as did a wide variety of guest speakers. Members finally addressed the need for full-time professional ministry and in 1984 called Reverend Anne Felton Hines. When Rev. Hines resigned after fifteen years of service, and following a two-year interim ministry, Rev. Dr. Kathy Fuson Hurt became our religious leader in 2001.
Rev. Hurt served our Fellowship until 2006, at which time she responded to a call from another congregation. At present we have an interim minister, and a vigorous Ministerial Search Committee with plans for a engaging a settled minister by September 2008.
Volunteers led the Religious Exploration program until 1986, at which time the Fellowship started to hire part-time coordinators. In 1991 Cathy Schepps brought a professional approach to the job of Director of Religious Exploration. This program continued to thrive under the leadership of Darlene Kanzler, and later Jacinda Paschaol. In March of 2007, Alison Crotty was appointed Director of Religious Education.
Molly Low, a long time member with extensive musical training, built an excellent music program during her years of service as Music Director. Professional Music Director Sally Husch Dean joined us in 2002 and has built on this foundation. We enjoy an outstanding choir and a wide variety of special music. Additionally, Music at Founders Hall is an annual concert series which has provided our community with an eclectic mix of music from jazz to classical, and from folk to opera.
In addition to Sunday services, we offer our adults a broad range of programs: Sunday Morning Forum, Buddhist Meditation groups, Spirituality Group, Senior Exercise and others. Our Social Justice Committee provides a wide range of opportunities for members to serve the larger community. The congregation is involved in community service activities such as helping with the Interfaith Shelter Network, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, and taking up a weekly food collection as part of the Sunday service.
We at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito look forward to new opportunities for service, for intellectual and spiritual growth, and for the richness that new people with diverse experiences, views and talents will bring to our community.
