October 5: Courageous Compassion

Speaker: Rev. Judy Tomlinson

When our nervous system is all a  jangle from events in our personal lives and news of the world around us, how do we practice empathy and care for ourselves and each other? Compassion is a core Buddhist practice and a powerful force that can dissolve the boundaries that divide us and spread peace and loving kindness—even when compassion isn’t easy.

October 12: “ I Am a UU Mystic”

Speaker: Jessica York

Unitarian Universalists draw wisdom and guidance from various sources. UU mystics often draw upon direct experience of transcendence and personal connections to the Divine. Jessica York, Director of Congregational Life at the UUA, shares why she claims mysticism as a faith path.

October 19: “Do We Need a Spiritual Revolution?”

Speaker: Rev. Judy Tomlinson

In his book Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution actor, comedian, and author Rainn Wilson argues that humanity faces a number of intractable problems: racism, sexism, economic inequality, materialism, and climate change. He contends that the economic and political systems have failed to help us overcome these "pandemics". So he is taking a different approach--spirituality. Let's explore these concepts and see what you think… Join us!

October 26: “Through the Valley of the Shadow: A Zen meditation on the 23rd Psalm”

Speaker: Rev. James I. Ford

It's been a while since our old friend Reverend James Ford has been with us. Of late, he's been thinking about hard times, Zen, and the 23rd Psalm. Today he'll share what that all might mean. The Reverend James Ishmael Ford is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister. He served as our consulting minister in the 2019-2020 church year. A prolific writer, his most recent book Zen at the End of Religion: An Introduction for the Curious, the Skeptical, and the Spiritual but Not Religious was published by Monkfish Books this past summer. He now lives with his spouse Jan Seymour-Ford in Tujunga, where they care for Jan's 98 year old mother.