Worship Services
Service Format
Services begin with a welcome to all and some devotional thoughts to contemplate. This is followed by an opportunity for members and visitors to share their current joys and concerns. Then a children's story is read and after the story, children are invited to either stay for the sermon or to go upstairs for religious exploration classes.
The members of our congregation attend church in a variety of styles of clothing. You are welcome to wear "business attire," shorts and sandals, or anything in between. During the service there is childcare for infants and toddlers, and religious exploration classes (Sunday School) for all ages: preschoolers through high school. Children of all ages are also welcome to remain in the service. Refreshments and fellowship time follow the service. We'd like to meet you, and hope that you'll drop by for a visit! We are a friendly group, but we are not "pushy."
Religious exploration and child care services are provided. See the Children's Religious Exploration page for more info on the curriculum and activities of the RE program.
Audio equipment is available for the hearing impaired. Just ask any church member for assistance.
Also, large-print hymnals.
Guest Speaker Suggestions Welcome; see the announcements page.
Worship Services for January 2009
January 4, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Risking Joy
The beginning of a new year brings reflection on who we have been and who we want to be. Often we seek personal security, more responsible actions, and family stability in the hopes for a long and healthy life and community. We might forget to wonder what it would mean for us to seek simple joy. What risk do we have to take? In a time when joy feels rare and selfish, let’s talk about risking a commitment to joy in the New Year.
The Rev. Mitra Rahnema
January 11, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
UU Belief in Community
Is it true, Unitarian Universalists can believe whatever we want? It is true that we live with tension between building our own theology and the traditions of our religious ancestry. As a result we sometimes have a tendency to create dualities between ourselves and others within and outside our community. Today, we will look at how contemporary polarities are both a gift and limitation of our tradition, growing theologies, and community.
The Rev. Mitra Rahnema
January 18, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Finding Faith in Uncertain Times
Come find out what it means to have faith when you are a Unitarian Universalist how we might be willing to believe some things that we cannot prove. And even more important, how we find a way to keep our faith in the face of life's uncertainty.
The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff
January 25, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
The Gothic Heart: Finding Meaning Where You Will
Michael Eselun is a hospital chaplain at UCLA Medical Center and a well-received speaker here several times. He will share reflections on how we create meaning from our life experience. Is there such a thing as inherent meaning or is it all manufactured and does it matter?
Michael Eselun, a Unitarian Universalist, is a hospital chaplain at UCLA Medical Center. He works there primarily with acute oncology and adult psychiatric patients, and serves as the chaplain for the Palliative Care Team. Michael is also a co-founder and co-chair of a non-profit, volunteer anti-homophobia speakers bureau called GLIDE, Gays and Lesbians Initiating Dialogue for Equality.
Michael shares his life with Scott, his partner of 30 years. He is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica and has been a popular guest speaker there and at over a dozen UU congregations in Southern California.
Adult Forums
Adult Forum, in its fifteenth year, continues informal discussions on a wide variety of topics. All are welcome. As always, goodies and drinks are available. Attend first service, then come to the Social Hall at 11:00 a.m. for Adult Forum.
January 11, 11:00 a.m.
"Theories of Everything, and Hidden Dimensions"
A return to our Understanding the Universe series by Prof. Alex Filippenko, UC Berkeley Professor of Astronomy
January 25
TBA
Announcements
In order to create a more reflective mood, announcements are not given orally during the service. Information regarding church business will be printed in a slip-sheet and placed inside the order of service. If you want to submit an announcement, please edit it carefully and include all pertinent information. What you submit will be cut and pasted into the slip-sheet as is. Please also indicate how many Sundays you would like the announcement to appear. Submit announcements to no later than the Wednesday preceding the service.
