Join us each Sunday ONLINE as we celebrate and worship as a community.
We as Unitarian Universalists look forward to being with you online/in spirit on Sunday morning. We continue to develop our new hybrid spiritual practice of co-creating beloved community together in the midst of a global pandemic. We’re finding ways to spiritually prepare and fortify ourselves and to support others in uncertain times. If you need help getting to the online services, please contact board member Eileen McCormack for assistance. RSVP for in person attendance at the link in the gold box below.
Join our live online Sunday service broadcast on the church’s Facebook or YouTube pages on Sunday mornings and join the conversation. You can also watch it live on the UUSM website on the main page (uusm.org). You don’t need to have a Facebook or YouTube account or be logged in to watch on any of the websites. You do have to be logged in to comment and chat with other members of the congregation. The video will also be archived on our YouTube channel and website after the end of the service, so tune in anytime to catch up and worship with your community.
Please join us for a Zoom Coffee Hour Check-In and Conversation after the service, from 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Email zoomcoffee@uusm.org for the Zoom link or find it in our private UU Santa Monica Facebook Group. Ask to join.
Since September our worship leaders have been livestreaming from our sanctuary, Forbes Hall, and courtyard at 10:30 am. Significant investments to enhance our technological infrastructure and staffing allow us to broadcast live on Sunday mornings.
UPDATE on Dec. 31st: Congregational attendance in the sanctuary on Sundays is temporarily suspended in light of the rapidly spreading COVID variant. Only staff and worship leaders will be permitted in the building for everyone’s safety. So please join us online at 10:30am for our regularly livestreamed service. We hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 2, 2022
“Spiritual Report Cards“
Michael Eselun, preaching
Charles Haskell, Worship Associate
ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only
How many of us live our lives as if there will be a report card at the end of the term? What would constitute an “A” grade in your book, spiritually speaking? And does it matter? We welcome back oncology chaplain and popular guest speaker, Michael Eselun, who will explore these questions.
Michael Eselun serves as the chaplain for the Simms-Mann/UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology. Two-time TED-X speaker, Michael speaks extensively to healthcare professionals, patient populations, and faith communities across the country. He has also worked as an activist/educator addressing anti-LGBTQ bias in the larger community for over 30 years. In recognition of having lived a meaning-driven life, Michael was inducted into the UCLA-Semel Institute Eudaimonia Society. His website is www.michaeleselun.com.
Sunday, January 9, 2022
“Jesus’ Ministry of Anti-Oppression”
The Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, preaching
Chela Metzger, Worship Associate
ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only
Jesus said he was called to give good news to the poor. This might mean that he intended to minister to those who are poor in attitude, poor in spirit, or poor in self-confidence. Jesus said he was called to give prisoners freedom. This might mean the prison of self-limitation, the prison of narrow mindedness, the prison of negativity and scarcity in your thinking. Jesus said he was called to give recovery for the blind. What are your blinders? What do you miss? What do you choose not to see? What do you fail to acknowledge? This Sunday we will look at the ministry of the Historical Jesus to see how his work informs our values for social justice and anti-oppression.
Sunday, January 16, 2022
“The 8th Principle”
The Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, preaching
Sue Bickford, Worship Associate
ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only
We hold our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles — from affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person to respect for interdependent web of life — as strong moral guides. An 8th Principle has been proposed and adopted by many congregations that affirms the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression as central to our journey towards spiritual wholeness. Come learn more about the proposed 8th Principle as we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., Day this Sunday.
Proposed: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” [source: www.8thprincipleuu.org]
Sunday, January 23, 2022
“Footprints”
The Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, preaching
Cassie Winters, Worship Associate
ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only
For most of our lives we focus on our futures: What are our goals? What is next? There is a point, however, when we might begin to think about our legacy. What is the body of work for which you will be remembered? What are your footprints? And where will people find them?
Sunday, January 30, 2022
“The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of the Divine”
The Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, preaching
Amy Brunell, Worship Associate
ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only
Our Unitarian Universalist tradition embraces religious wisdom from many sources. Although the Hebrew and Christian sacred texts have been at the foundation of our tradition, other texts such as the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism have also played an important role in shaping our liberal tradition. Come join us and learn more about the Hindu tradition and this beautiful sacred text this Sunday!
January Generous Congregation Recipient: YWCA Greater Los Angeles
We come together for more than ourselves. This month, half of our Sunday Offering will go to YWCA Greater Los Angeles. Thank you for your generous support of this beloved community and the Los Angeles area’s YWCA.
To give $10 right now, text “$10 GCC” (or another amount) to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.) Or visit uusm.org/make-a-donation.
