Chaplain Michael Eselun, preaching; Judith Martin Straw, Worship Associate. Most of us would prefer tidiness over mess — a place for everything and everything in its place. Sadly, life seldom cooperates. Life is messy—perspectives and realities can collide at such inopportune times. Can we come to peace with mess? Even stand in awe before the jarring mess of life? A popular guest speaker and UCLA oncology chaplain, Michael Eselun will share some reflections with no answers at all. Come hear something new from someone who's spoken from our pulpit over two dozen times. Join us for Sunday morning worship in our historic Sanctuary at 18th and Arizona, online or in-person.
See Activist Resources and Events for our calendar of opportunities for outside actions.
Events
Calendar of Events
| S Sunday | M Monday | T Tuesday | W Wednesday | T Thursday | F Friday | S Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 events, Join us under the shade structure after the service as we prepare brown bag lunches and collect winter clothing for our homeless neighbors. Join us under the shade structure after our potluck lunch to share, reflect, and plan. Women+ includes our gender-fluid and non-binary siblings! Free | 0 events, | 0 events, | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 1 event, The Men's Group offers the opportunity to participate in a provocative and stimulating discussion. We invite you to get to know us and experience UU perspectives in a meaningful way. We meet on the first Thursday of the month on Zoom. | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 1 event, First Saturdays: Let your inner artist show forth. Watercolor basics will be explained, then it’s time to paint. |
| 5 events, James Witker, guest speaker; Rebecca Haggerty, Worship Associate. The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th reminds us that for millennia, humans have looked to the stars for spiritual meaning. 2026 marks three decades since the passing of one stargazer and teacher who showed us that our exploration of the cosmos and its billions of worlds was revealing profound truth about ourselves. For seekers and religious liberals today, his voice and legacy are more prophetic than ever. Join us for Sunday morning worship in our historic Sanctuary at 18th and Arizona, online or in-person. Join us under the shade structure after the service as we prepare brown bag lunches and collect winter clothing for our homeless neighbors. UUSM’s Art Wall features works by the Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County. Join us for the opening reception on Sunday, January 4, after the service in Forbes Hall. We invite you to learn more about how you and your community can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build community resilience, and improve climate justice. Whether you're looking for social justice activities, small group meetings, or just some inner peace, this is the time for questions and answers. | 0 events, | 1 event, All ages are invited to join us for fun and community-building at Game Night. Bring your favorite board game, and if you can, bring a new friend. | 2 events, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. How do different religious traditions and their spiritual practices make us feel as we experience the precariousness of being human? Join Dr. Franz Metcalf, an experienced religious studies professor, every other Wed. via Zoom starting October 29. | 1 event, Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry empowers individuals, chapters, and congregations to build justice and compassion for animals. Contact us at animalministryoutreach@uusm.org for the Zoom link. | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 2 events, SoulCollage® is a creative method of self-exploration through the intuitive construction of small collages. Join us every 2nd and 4th Saturday evening from 7:00-8:30 pm for International Folk Dancing led by Sandy Helperin and Teri Hoffman. |
| 4 events, Jessica TenHave-Place, DMRE, speaking; Chela Metzger, Worship Associate. As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, we reflect on the history of Black Americans "making a way out of no way" through faith, creativity, activism, and the everyday struggle of asserting humanity in the face of dehumanization. How can we find inspiration from Dr. King and other people of faith and action to continue the work of liberation in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds? All ages are welcome in this kid-friendly, interactive service! Join us for Sunday morning worship in our historic Sanctuary at 18th and Arizona, online or in-person. Join us under the shade structure after the service as we prepare brown bag lunches and collect winter clothing for our homeless neighbors. This Sunday, our UUSM Animal Ministry group will be hosting a Social Hour after Sunday service. Ministry members will be available to chat and answer questions about animal welfare: companion, farm, and wild. You can find us in Forbes Hall. Come join us and taste some plant-based treats. - We will have a plant-based snack provided for people who stay for this eye-opening documentary. (film time is 1 hr 45 mins). Discover the urgency of our collective responsibility! “Eating For Tomorrow" is a global wake-up call. | 0 events, | 0 events, | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 1 event, This is an opportunity for members to share deeply and listen with an open heart as we deepen our awareness of our own lives and hold with care the lives of others. | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 2 events, The Men's Group offers the opportunity to participate in a provocative and stimulating discussion. We invite you to get to know us and experience UU perspectives in a meaningful way. Come relax, rest, and reset while experiencing the meditative sounds with angelic singing by Adrienne Sumpter, crystal bowls, and more. All are welcome to join us. Please RSVP to adultRE@uusm.org. |
| 3 events, Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae, preaching; Dr. Susan Hendricks, Worship Associate. The aspirations of Beloved Community invite us to consider what supports multiculturalism, multireligiousness, and pluralism in our congregation and the ways in which white supremacy culture shows up. Join us this morning as we continue our multi-year reflection upon the antidotes to these maladies in spiritual community. Join us for Sunday morning worship in our historic Sanctuary at 18th and Arizona, online or in-person. Join us under the shade structure after the service as we prepare brown bag lunches and collect winter clothing for our homeless neighbors. The Faith in Action: Peace & Social Justice Committee works in many ways to put UU values into action in our local community and wider world. | 1 event, - On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this coming Monday, UUSM's FIA P&SJ Committee (with some help from the Membership Committee) will be tabling at the 41st annual Santa Monica MLK […] | 0 events, | 2 events, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. This is an opportunity for members to share deeply and listen with an open heart as we deepen our awareness of our own lives and hold with care the lives of others. | 1 event, Come Exercise with Friends! Boost Energy, Improve Fitness. Every Thursday, 11 am - 12 noon in Forbes Hall. All abilities welcome! | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 3 events, - Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, a highly sought-after business, board and church consultant, will offer a day-long workshop where she will help us explore leadership styles, their impact, and how to be effective when faced with leadership opportunities. Science Nonfiction Book Group: We will meet in Forbes Hall on Saturday, January 24, 10:30 am to noon, to discuss Pump: A Natural History of the Heart, by Bill Schutt. […] Come dance with us! Join us every 2nd and 4th Saturday evening from 7:00-8:30 pm for International Folk Dancing led by Sandy Helperin and Teri Hoffman. |
| 4 events, Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae, preaching; John Hart, Worship Associate. How has humanity attempted to name the ineffable in religious life and how has that attempt helped us to call forth what is best and good within us and, perhaps, even grasp something of our own divinity? Join us as will meditate this morning upon our many Divine Names. Join us for Sunday morning worship in our historic Sanctuary at 18th and Arizona, online or in-person. Join us under the shade structure after the service as we prepare brown bag lunches and collect winter clothing for our homeless neighbors. Join us under the shade structure for a potluck lunch. Share, reflect, and plan. Then join a workshop on "Our Development of Morality and Values." Women+ includes our gender-fluid and non-binary siblings! Free The Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education program for 7th-9th grade will meet for a series of 16 workshops from January 25th - May 31st, from 1-3 pm, with special […] | 0 events, | 0 events, | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 1 event, Come Exercise with Friends! Boost Energy, Improve Fitness. Every Thursday, 11 am - 12 noon in Forbes Hall. All abilities welcome! | 1 event, Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting in silence together can help sustain and ground us. | 0 events, |
Visit the For Members section and click the big blue button to see the full UUSM Google Reservations Calendar.