News, Volunteer Opportunities
Oceanside Sanctuary
New Year, new opportunities to volunteer at OSC

As we step into a new year at The Oceanside Sanctuary and a renewed vision and mission, you are invited to lean into community and help us cultivate a Christian spirituality “reclaiming its calling to be known for love, liberation, and the celebration of God’s image in all people.”

New Year, new opportunities to volunteer at OSC

What Is Your Stance on the LGBTQ Issue?

What Is Your Stance on the LGBTQ Issue?

Hi Concerned Mom, This is such an important question. So many LGBTQ persons have been treated hatefully by Christians or abusively by churches or, at the very least, relegated to second-class status. I think all churches have a responsibility to clearly articulate their position on this.

Our church is a member of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which, as a denomination, has been open and affirming since 2013 – and that is our position at OSC as well. To be open and affirming means that an LGBTQ person is free to participate in all the rights and responsibilities of membership at OSC…

What Are Your Beliefs On the Afterlife?

What Are Your Beliefs On the Afterlife?

Hi Lisa, Honestly, in our church we don’t place much emphasis on the afterlife. We are much more concerned with how being Christian leads us to live good and ethical lives of impact here and now.

The possibility of an afterlife was a subject of much debate in the Judaism of Jesus’ time. In fact, Old Testament prophesies about the “new creation” don’t describe an eternal state of living forever, but rather an idyllic life lived on earth…one which eventually ends in death. Consider this passage from Isaiah…

Does Your Church Believe in Eternal Conscious Torment in Hell?

Does Your Church Believe in Eternal Conscious Torment in Hell?

Hi Jordan,

Our church doesn’t have a position on this, but I’m definitely not a fan of the doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment in hell. The idea that God would inflict an eternity of torture on anyone – even the worst among us – seems entirely antithetical to the revelation of God’s true nature in the person of Jesus Christ.

Christ did refer to a final judgement in several times, most vividly in Matthew 25:31-46. In that passage, Christ warns that those who fail to help the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned will face…

Its Leaves Shall Stay Green

Its Leaves Shall Stay Green

Dear friends,

Last year we learned what it means to be on a journey. In the first-half of last year, we explored the journey of faith that Abram began thousands of years ago; an old story that is a deep source of nourishment for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Then, at the end of last year, we studied what it means to follow Jesus on his journey, to live out his teachings through our everyday walk of faith.

We also spent time last year exploring our church’s values, hopes, and dreams, through a series of prayer meetings, brainstorming sessions, and visits to other churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Through these Mission Team travels, we explored what different forms of Christian mission could look like today.

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Feeding America Awards $6,400 to Sarah’s Hope Food Pantry

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Feeding America Awards $6,400 to Sarah’s Hope Food Pantry

Last January, our church to a leap of faith to start our own little food pantry right here in the heat of Oceanside, called Sarah’s Hope.

Your support of this program has been incredible! Many of you stepped up, giving your time and money to help launch this important program to feed hungry families in our neighborhood. As a result, 9 months later, we are feeding between 100 and 150 people every week with non-perishable groceries, fresh produce and baked goods, thanks to God’s grace, your selfless service, and our partnerships with Feeding America San Diego and Gelson’s Market.