SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS
WE SERVE WITH LOVE !
Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ is committed to fighting hunger, homelessness and improving the lives of marginalized communities.
Current Volunteer Opportunities!
Meals for Storefront
2nd Thursday of the Month
Support the teens at Storefront, a homeless shelter in Hillcrest, by providing dinner for up to 12 people on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
How You Can Help:
-Prepare and deliver a home-cooked or restaurant meal.
-Purchase three $50 grocery gift cards to help facilitators buy food.
For more details on meals, click here. To get involved, contact Susan Namba at rknamba [at] cox . net.
A sign-up sheet is also available on the table in the narthex.
Your generosity makes a difference—thank you for helping feed those in need!
Compassion Kitchen
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
What is the Compassion Kitchen project? The Compassion Kitchen project is designed to feed both the bodies and souls of our most vulnerable neighbors in San Diego. POVUCC volunteers will come together to prepare simple meals that will then be delivered to a local service organization for distribution.
Why should I volunteer for this project? We, as Christians, are called to care for our neighbors and this is a wonderful way to live out that calling. Plus it's a chance to connect and work alongside fellow POVUCC members as we DO GOOD together. Lunch will be provided, so it's a great way to spend a meaningful morning with your church family.
How can you get involved? If you'd like to participate, simply show up at the church at 10am. Contact Pam Crusberg or Julie Lin for more info. Hope to see you there and can't wait to serve together!
Kiku Bento Deliveries
Tuesday Mornings
We need drivers to deliver bento meals to seniors in the Clairemont area every Tuesday morning.
If you're interested in making a difference on a regular basis, contact Nancy S for more information!
Uptown
Uptown is currently in need of socks. They can be new or gently used, men's or women's. They also need men and women's underwear, any size, any color, new or gently used. We will be collecting donations beginning through August in the bin located in the Narthex or directly to Linda Newton. Let's help our neighbors in need!
PICO California
San Diego Organizing Project is part of a larger faith-based organization nationwide called Faith in Action. Our state chapter, PICO California, is hosting an event on September 10 called "Spiritual Home Gathering." You’ll hear from leaders on the frontlines of organizing, faith, and justice, and learn ways to harness the power of faith communities to support our neighbors.
📅 Wednesday, September 10
📍 Contact the church office for the registration link
Let’s meet this moment together—standing for justice, compassion, and the well-being of all.
WE FIGHT HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION
At Pioneer Ocean View UCC, we are dedicated to serving our neighbors by addressing hunger, homelessness, and social isolation. Here are some of the ways we actively work to make a difference:
Club Kiku Senior Program: In partnership with Kiku Corporation, we host Club Kiku once a month to bring elderly community members together for a day of exercise, crafts, lunch, and social activities. This program creates a welcoming space for seniors who don’t get out much, offering them an opportunity to connect with others and engage in uplifting, fun experiences.
Food & School Supply Donations: We collect and donate food and school supplies to support families and individuals in need within our community.
Holiday Meal Baskets: In partnership with the Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA), we assemble food baskets during the holidays to ensure that families have nutritious meals to share.
Meal Deliveries to Seniors: Partnering with Kiku Corporation, we prepare and deliver delicious, nutritious meals to seniors in need, helping them stay nourished and connected to the community.
Meals for Teens at The Storefront Shelter: We support The Storefront Shelter in Hillcrest by providing meals for teens, offering them a warm meal and care.
Emergency Meals for the Unhoused and Immigrants: We pack and distribute emergency meals to those who are unhoused, immigrants, and asylum seekers, helping them in times of urgent need.
Fruit Gleaning with ProduceGood: In collaboration with ProduceGood, we rescue excess fruit that would otherwise go to waste and distribute it to organizations that help feed those in need.
Through these partnerships and efforts, we are actively building a stronger, more compassionate community. Your involvement and generosity make all of this work possible!
WE WORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
At Pioneer Ocean View UCC, we are committed to fighting for social justice and working towards a world where all people are valued, respected, and included. Here are some of the ways we actively pursue social justice:
Open and Affirming Congregation: We proudly welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions into the full life and ministry of our church. Everyone is embraced as a beloved part of our community.
Partnership for Racial Justice: Alongside other San Diego UCC churches, we participate in the Partnership for Racial Justice, working together to address systemic racism and promote equality and justice for all.
Social Justice Committee: Our Social Justice Committee helps guide our efforts toward creating an inclusive world, advocating for policies and actions that support justice and equality for all.
Interfaith Collaboration: We invited our Muslim neighbors to join us in an Interfaith Service Project at our church, fostering connections and collaboration between faith communities in the spirit of shared service and compassion.
Through these efforts, we are working to build a more just and equitable society for all people. Your support and involvement help us continue this vital work.
WE SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS ABROAD
At Pioneer Ocean View UCC, we are committed to fostering global connections and supporting our neighbors around the world. Here’s how we build meaningful relationships beyond our community:
Sister Church Relationship with Heian Church in Kyoto, Japan: We share a special sister church bond with the Heian Church in Kyoto. In 2016, a delegation from POVUCC visited Heian Church, and since then, members of their congregation have visited us twice.
Planning a Return Visit in 2025: We are excited to plan a return visit to Kyoto in 2025, continuing to deepen our connection and strengthen this global partnership.
Exchanging Christmas Cards with Churches in Japan: Each year, we exchange Christmas cards with other churches in Japan, sharing messages of love, hope, and solidarity across the miles.
Through these international connections, we are reminded of the power of unity and shared faith, supporting our global neighbors in meaningful ways.
JOIN US AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!
At Pioneer Ocean View UCC, we believe in the power of working together to make a positive impact on our community. Each year, our Board of Ministries and Christian Education sponsors all-church mission projects that serve those in need.
Past Projects Have Included:
- Packing 16,500 meals for San Diego’s food-insecure population.
- Assembling 2,000 hygiene kits for San Diego’s unhoused community.
- Collecting school supplies for low-income children in San Diego.
We invite you to join us as we continue these efforts and work together for good. Your participation helps us make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR WORK FOR A BETTER WORLD BY GOING GREEN!
At Pioneer Ocean View UCC, we are committed to caring for God’s creation and doing our part to protect the planet. In 2018, our Board of Ministries adopted a Sustainability Initiative to build on the efforts already started by the Board of Trustees in the area of Creation Care.
Our Sustainable Practices Include:
- Installing solar panels to reduce energy consumption.
- Replacing all landscaping with drought-tolerant plants to conserve water.
Expanding our recycling program to minimize waste. - Eliminating styrofoam containers and encouraging the use of earth-friendly practices, such as bringing your own reusable drink cups to both church and home.
We continue to expand our green initiatives, and we invite you to join us in taking steps toward a more sustainable, eco-friendly future. Together, we can make a lasting difference for our planet!
JOIN OUR COURT ACCOMPANIMENT MINISTRY
FAITH MINISTRY TRAINING
Pastor Mary Sue joined dozens of faith leaders and volunteers in launching the new FAITH (Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope) program—a partnership between San Diego Organizing Project and local Catholic leadership to provide spiritual presence and compassionate support to immigrants and asylum seekers facing immigration court in San Diego. Read more below about this program in this article
For those who are interested in becoming part of FAITH, there is an orientation coming up in the next few days. Please contact the office or Pastor Mary Sue for details.
WANT TO SEE HOW WE ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY?
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER WITH
CCSA is an ecumenical Christian agency that provides emergency services to individuals and families in need in San Diego County, including food, clothing, and referrals, and where practicable, counseling to assist in their transition to self-reliance. Each year, we donate backpacks to local school children in need. We also donate Christmas baskets during the holidays.
For a list of current needs for CCSA click here.
A non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. It is run by dedicated volunteers and provides services to over 2,000 homeless and very-low income persons each month. We provide financial donations and also participate in their annual fundraising walk.
KIKU SENIOR BENTO LUNCH PROGRAM
POVUCC volunteers periodically prepare and serve bento lunches for the KIKU Senior Bento program. Lunches are delivered to area seniors. Besides volunteers to prepare lunches, drivers are also needed to deliver lunches.
– menu varies. Have fun and join the POVUCC team in this worthwhile cause.
CLUB KIKU
Club Kiku is a Senior lunch and activities program that was recently started this year. This program aims to provide an enriching program for seniors to reduce social isolaton, provide a hot meal and stimulating activities.
HOMELESS TEENS SHELTER
On the second Thursday of each month, POV volunteers prepare dinner for homeless teens and deliver it to a teen homeless center in Bankers Hill. Please sign-up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office if you are able to help out!
PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT GLEANING PROGRAM
POV volunteers periodically glean excess fruit in local orchards for PRODUCE GOOD, a local non-profit dedicated to reducing food waste. Excess produce to food pantries, shelters and other organizations that feed food insecure San Diegans.
INTERFAITH SHELTER NETWORK
The Interfaith Shelter Network program is a nationwide, ecumenical outreach project that provides food, shelter, and job-seeking skills to homeless people in their community. POV has traditionally assisted Nestor United Methodist Church, as they open their church for a two-week rotation each year. Host churches need volunteers to prepare hot meals and provide overnight hosts.