Messages

A message from the monthly “Vulnerability.” In her poem “”Gate A-4,” Arab-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye shares an account of distress, compassion and community as she is called to interpret Arabic for a fearful traveler at an airport. The PWR Staff (the Pacific Western Region Staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association) has put together a worship service that touches on the themes of the poem, and questions such as “Who are we called to care for?” “When do we answer the call to serve?” “Where might we be surprised by grace?” Kikanza Nuri-Robins is our worship associate for this service.

A message from the monthly “Love.” “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly,” writes Langston Hughes. What are your dreams? What are our common dreams? Let’s consider waking up to our dreams this morning to truly soar. Please join us at noon for a Special Meeting of the Congregation to consider adoption of the bylaws drafted by the Bylaws Refresh Task Force and endorsed by the Board. Sue Bickford, worship associate

A message from the monthly “Love.” “We are about half way through our first church year emerging from the global pandemic. This has been a year of rebuilding and rebirth and we still need your support, skills, talent, leadership, participation, and love to continue to grow and thrive as a beloved community. Come learn about the many opportunities to get involved in this year of spiritual rebirth.

A message from the monthly “Love.” Commonly depicted as the Supreme Yogi wandering in the Himalayas with long dreads, the ashes of the cremation grounds covering his body, and wearing tiger skins, Shiva is one of the oldest expressions of divinity in the world. In honor of this holiday, we will explore a synthesis of the diverse practices of yoga that can be utilized to follow the ancient path of the Yogin. Jeremiah Kalendae Chela Metzger

A message from the monthly “Love.” How can you love your neighbor if you don’t love yourself? Self love is not selfishness, it is honoring who you are and the gift of life that is yours. Consider what might change if you loved yourself enough to say Ouch, No! or Stop, when it was appropriate. Reflect on the things that make your heart smile. How might you arrange your life so that you heart smiled more often? Do you love yourself enough to make that happen?

A message from the monthly “Finding Our Center.” What makes a space sacred to you? Where are your sacred spaces? A special place in nature? Camp de Benneville Pines? Our historic sanctuary in Santa Monica? Join us this morning as we explore sacred space and what it means to create it and hold it as special in our lives.

A message from the monthly “Finding Our Center.” We covenant to affirm and promote our First Unitarian Universalist Principle: the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Join us this morning as we explore the trailblazing ministry of Homeboy Industries-the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world–and what it really means to live affirming this radical religious commitment in our world. Jeremiah Kalendae Johnny Canales

A message from the monthly “Finding Our Center.” How do you know you are doing the right thing? How do you calibrate your moral and ethical choices? How do you balance or prioritize your decisions when you must choose between individual and community needs, mercy and justice, short-term benefits and long-terms gains? An internal gyroscope is shaped and informed by your experiences, beliefs, values and culture. This morning we will talk about how you might refine and calibrate your mechanisms for complicated decision-making. #values #priorities #inner voice #decisions

A message from the monthly “Finding Our Center.” Sunday morning worship is the heart of our Unitarian Universalist spiritual life. We’ve gathered in our liberal religious communities for centuries, continuing a tradition that stretches back thousands of years. Join us as we explore, as our Worship Associates did last month, why we worship. We’d also love to hear why you come to our weekly services! Please email Rev. Jeremiah to share your motivations for possible inclusion in this week’s sermon. #worship #uuworship #whyworship #uuwhyworship

A message from the monthly “Finding Our Center.” Church member, popular guest speaker, and UCLA oncology chaplain Michael Eselun will explore the dance we do between acceptance and self-compassion. If we reach for acceptance of our circumstances as a pathway to inner peace, what part does self-compassion play? Sue Bickford, worship associate.