Archives: Services
“The Maravillas: Gangs, Aging, and Mattering in East Los Angeles,” by Dr. Randol Contreras
Dr. Randol Contreras spent close to a decade studying the legendary Maravilla gangs of East Los Angeles. Once celebrated in the gang world as rebels who defied the established inmate prison order, veterano Maravilla gang members now grapple with the consequences of leading violent lives. This talk sheds light on how these aging men struggle … Continue reading “The Maravillas: Gangs, Aging, and Mattering in East Los Angeles,” by Dr. Randol Contreras
“Origin Stories: How Our Pasts Shape Our Present Selves,” by Grace Preuss & Pat Cawunder
Service Video. As the writer William Faulkner wrote, “The past isn’t dead…it isn’t even past.” Our origin stories of personal memories, history, and experiences provide insight into who we are today. How can these stories help us in shaping the next chapters of our lives?
“Engineering the Soul with Crayons,” by Bill Casey
Service Video. Hegel’s philosophy can be described as the interplay of thesis, anti-thesis, and synthesis. Once we have decided when and where our energy is, we can arrange our architecture and radiate our forces outward… But forces will inevitably be met with counterforces. Here is how we can build architecture to come to the compromises … Continue reading “Engineering the Soul with Crayons,” by Bill Casey
“Flower Communion,” by Alec Peck
Service Video. The Flower Ceremony, or Flower Communion, is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. In this ceremony, everyone brings a flower to place in a shared vase. The congregation blesses the flowers, and then given back out, with each person bringing home a different flower than the one they … Continue reading “Flower Communion,” by Alec Peck
“Love in the Complicated Places,” based on a reflection by Rev. Jo VonRue
Service Video.
“Reducto Non Absurdum: Spring Cleaning the Soul,” by Bill Casey
Service Video. Spring is the season our thoughts turn to cleaning, sorting and refreshing our surroundings. What will we keep? What will we discard? It can also be a good time to do some spiritual housekeeping—soul searching and examining our belief systems to see if they align with our values and purpose in life.
“Living with Purpose,” by Pastor Darryl Udell, Sr.
Service Video. Pastor Udell will be speaking to us on living our lives today with purpose, in light of eternity.
“Asexuality and Inherent Worth,” by Wren Monsour
Service Video. Asexuality is a sexual identity, like being gay, for someone who has little to no sexual attraction to any gender. This sermon will discuss the history of asexuality and how UUs can support the asexuals in their lives.
“World Autism Awareness,” by Laura Luna
Service Video. We will learn about world Autism Awareness month from a person who has a son with autism. Hopefully, after the presentation, we will be more comfortable living and socializing with those who have autism.