Come As You Are

We invite you to our joyful and contemplative 10:30 Sunday morning worship, either in-person or livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube @UUSantaMonica.

Co-Creating Beloved Community

10:30 am Sunday Services in the Sanctuary

We look forward to being with you either in-person or in spirit (virtually) on Sunday mornings. Our sanctuary has reopened, welcoming all who are masked and vaxxed. Our worship leaders bring us sermons and stories, meditation, and music weekly. Sunday worship spiritually fortifies us to support others in uncertain times.

Masks-on indoors might look a bit different from usual, but we are excited to make you feel at home. Stop in at the Welcome Table next to the entry, staffed by our friendliest volunteers. (Though they’re always on the lookout for visiting introverts.)

Meanwhile, you'll find us streaming LIVE at 10:30 am on Facebook and YouTube; or explore past services, available 24/7, on our Sermons page. To join in the livestream chat on social media, you will need to log into your personal social media account. But anyone may view the services, any time, without logging in. We encourage you to light a chalice or candle at home, meditate, and sing along.

For Families

We gather on Sundays, in part, to foster the personal and spiritual development of the next generation. Childcare often includes supervised service projects, such as baking treats for the animal shelter, assembling hygiene kits for the homeless, or a beach-cleanup field trip. Parents are encouraged to join in.

After a short time listening in the pews, children are asked to bring forward the congregation’s donations of food to the Westside Food Bank, then are invited to the chancel to participate (optional) in the Story for All Ages. Parents are then welcome to escort their children to their Religious Exploration class and return once the kids are settled.

For those families who need some extra room or time, the service is also streamed to Forbes Hall, located behind the sanctuary. Whatever your religious background—even if you have never participated in a faith community before—there is room in our church for your family.

Your best opportunity to find out more is to drop in at the Visitor Meetup first Sundays after services.

What to Expect

  • A warm and considerate greeting.
  • Honor and respect for a diversity of identities and views.
  • Inspiring music as we gather and worship.
  • Lighting the chalice creates space for transformation, healing, and inspiration. It is an invocation.
  • A values-based story suited to children of all ages.
  • Thought-provoking readings and time for silent reflection or prayer.
  • A relevant sermon of deep. understanding, including a message of radical love and inclusivity.
  • Coffee hour: a time to make new friends after the service.

Questions?

Join the Visitor Meetup.

What do Unitarian Universalists believe? How are children raised “in the faith”? Which group engages in direct action for the environment? Of course you’ve still got questions.

First-time and frequent visitors gather in-person after the service on the first Sunday of the month to learn more about UUs and our church community. Find opportunities for reflection, growth, and connection, as well as opportunities to work for equity and serve our community and the world.

 

The flaming chalice is the beacon of the Unitarian Universalist faith. When we light the chalice in worship, we illuminate a world that we serve with love and a sense of justice.  We encourage you to light a chalice or candle at home during worship, at a meeting, or at table. The flame, and the act of lighting it, connects us to the web of UUs throughout the world.

Our Location

We gather in-person for celebration and contemplation at our historic sanctuary at 18th and Arizona at 10:30 am.

Located in the heart of Santa Monica at 1260 18th Street at Arizona Avenue.

Parking: Ample free parking is available on Sunday mornings around the corner at the UCLA Hospital parking structure at 16th and Arizona - just pick up a parking pass at the Visitors Table before or after service. Accessible parking spaces for disabled persons can be found behind the campus, in the alley off Arizona Avenue.

As a Green Sanctuary, we encourage members and visitors to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation.

Transit: Several Big Blue Bus and LA Metro bus lines run up and down Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. We are only a 10 minute walk from the Metro Expo Line train station at 17th St/Santa Monica College.

Bike: Santa Monica continues to upgrade its bike paths and lanes. The UUSM campus has ample bike racks.

Our campus remains closed to the public Monday through Saturday. Call 310-829-5436 for assistance.

We acknowledge that the land we inhabit was once known as Tovaangar. It was the home of the Gabrielino/Tongva people, the stewards of this land before we came to live and worship here.