Previous Services

“Sin and Forgiveness”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

10/06/2024

The language of sin is foreign to the positive and encouraging faith of Unitarian Universalism. But the High Holy Days remind us that we all stray occasionally from the ideal selves we can imagine and hope to be. To deny our transgressions would be to suffer yet one more transgression against the ideal. Instead, the healthy spiritual path is to recognize where we and others fall short, and, admitting our imperfection, ask for and offer forgiveness

“Climate Revival”

Lay Led

09/29/2024

Join us for a special service as part of the larger UU Climate Revival as we grow together, ushering in a new era with love and justice at the center of our climate actions. We will be remembering our love for earth, air, fire, water.  We will be tapping into our love for people, especially those first and most impacted by climate disruption.  We will be celebrating all of creation and recommitting our care and protection. 

“Enough”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

09/22/2024

My elevator speech for Unitarian Universalism is that "UUs believe that human beings are good enough, smart enough, and strong enough to create lives of health and joy for ourselves, for each other, and for the world we share." It is my faith that while we aren't everything, we are enough.

“Free and Responsible”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

09/15/2024

Our spiritual development encourages us to become more fully who we are, and to work to remove barriers so that others may fully express their true selves as well. But without limits, a radically free individual can damage a shared community. The responsible individual voluntarily curtails their freedom, creating the defined self who may actually be the true self the healthy spirit seeks.

“Beloved Community”

Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels

09/08/2024

Our identity as individuals stands in tension with our identity as members of communities. Likewise, our membership in a single community, like a church, stands in tension with our aspiration to be connected to all others. The American Philosopher Josiah Royce gave the name "Beloved Community" to this ideal community of all persons of good will. Martin Luther King later borrowed the phrase. Jesus might have called it, "The Kingdom of God."

“Soulful Reflections on Early, Mid, and Late Stage Careers”

Chris Kirchner, Lay-Led

09/01/2024

Last Labor Day, with so much of LA’s talent on strike, seems more than a year ago. This Labor Day service seeks to share the thrills of fulfilling careers. Three of our members will speak about their passion for their job. Sara Reardon nears the end of her graduate work and the beginning of her internship; Gustav Lindquist has all the creative work his editing lab can handle; and Michael Malone’s lifetime of journalism has taken many turns but never away from well-crafted writing. 

“A Faith Year”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

08/25/2024

This church year will be my last year before retirement. Although I'm sure I'll still preach occasionally, I don't plan on seeking another regular church job. So this preaching year is my last opportunity to look systematically at some of the foundational categories and concerns of faith. Today I'll invite us all to start a year-long journey of constructing a personal faith, whether you're considering these questions for the first time or coming to some conclusions.

“A Search Year”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

08/18/2024

Perhaps our most significant work in the church in the coming year will be our search for our new minister. We have an excellent search committee in place who have already begun their portion of the work. But just as the results of the search will affect us all, so too does the work of the search belong to us all. Let's set intentions this morning for how all of us will participate in making a successful search.

“Insights"

Lay Led

08/11/2024

Every so often, we have an “aha!” moment—a moment that gives us insight into a concept or problem.  Such an insight can take our lives in a different direction or can reveal an idea that was formerly unknown to us.

Three of our members will share their varied insights with the congregation.

Have you ever had an epiphany?

Also, Jacki Weber will be doing her “Blessing of the Backpacks” during the worship service. This is a wonderful way to begin the school year.  You can bring a variety of items for this blessing—backpack, book bag, lunch kit, knitting tote, computer, or grocery bag.  

“A Growth Year"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

08/04/2024

As we near the end of one church year, we begin our preparation for the next by explicitly naming our intentions. I hope that our congregation will grow this year. To sustain the level of programming we all enjoy we need the resources of a congregation more like the size we were a dozen or so years ago. Let's make a significant step toward that goal this year.

“Space Available"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

07/28/2024

Before the invention of perspective in art, an artist was limited in their composition to the surface plane of the wall or the canvas. With perspective, though, an artist could seem to place images deep inside the picture as well as on the foreground. The spiritual need of vacation is to open up the flat surface of our regular lives to make space within ourselves in which new creation can occur.

"My Spiritual Journey"

Steffi Prather

7/21/24

"Kohelet"

Nick D'Agosto

07/14/2024

UU seminary student (Meadville Lombard Theological School) Nicholas D’Agosto has been graciously invited by Rev. Rick to lead this service, and he will be preaching a sermon out of the Hebrew Scriptures that is close to his heart. A central reflection of today’s theme is this: “How can living in the knowledge of our inevitable death enhance the meaning of our present moment?”

“Everyone Welcome and Included"

Pam Geller

07/07/2024

What is inclusion and why is it important?

Inclusion in an environment is when everyone feels respected, valued, welcomed and has equal opportunities to be included and supported. Our First UU Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person reflects inclusion.

“Up and Out"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

06/30/2024

The sun has reached the highest point in the sky, and though summer awaits, every day, now, will be a little shorter, the nights a little longer. So too, our church year continues through the end of August, but the end of June signals the end of our program year. We close the active part of our church year and turn now to needed rest. We recognize, we bless, and we release.

“Calling In and Coming Out”

Welcoming Congregation Committee

06/23/2024

UUCSC is thrilled to hold its annual Pride service, which will be led in part by LGBTQ+ identifying members of our congregation. As an open-minded, liberal community, UUCSC not only welcomes all people of goodwill, but strives to affirm and celebrate the unique identity of each individual. In keeping with Unitarian Universalist principles that call us to engage in a "free and responsible search for truth," our lay-led service will use music, literature, and personal anecdotes to 

“Celebrating Our Children’s Program: Religious Education & Exploration”

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels & the REE Committee

06/16/2024
What a difference a year makes! The children of our congregation are excited to participate in this annual “looking back” and “looking forward” service to share their joy! They will jump the chalice, move with the UU words, and translate the Covenant before the REE Committee offers thanks to their volunteers, and outlines our plans for the new year. Rev Rick anchors this service with his inspiration. 

"Instrument of Peace"

John Bergquist, Driector of Music and Technology

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

Aviva Heson, Worship Associate

06/09/2024
Music is a universal language that brings people together.  The wonderful music that we’ve been sharing for the past year has drawn many people to UUCSC and has brought back some who have left.  This service will celebrate the impact our musicians have on our community, as well as the technology and the technicians that enable us to extend our reach beyond the Sanctuary walls. 

"U Fabulous U"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

06/02/2024
The events of Pride Month honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person. So too, does the UU ritual of Flower Communion, which we will celebrate today. Bring a flower to church that represents the colorful, wonderful, unique blossom you are, and, as we parade our individuality down the center aisle to our shared altar, be prepared to lose yourself in a bouquet of beautiful community.

"Near and Far"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

05/26/2024
How far away feels the goal of our UU Sixth Principle, "world community’? How distant feel the troubles elsewhere, and how near feel our country's own problems?  On this weekend, when we honor the dead who gave their lives in war, we ask what we, who are not world leaders or influential much beyond our own family or neighborhood, can do, to help create a world of "peace, liberty, and justice for all." 

"Loneliness and Connection"

Lay-Led, with Jackie Davis

05/19/2024
Last year, the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared that our country is facing a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. The treatment for this is to increase social connection. How can we as a congregation foster a culture of connection?

"You're Perfect, Now Change"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

05/12/2024
Mothering, whether performed by a mother or someone else, requires accepting a child as they are, while also encouraging and supporting growth. The necessity of loving what is and working for change is the core and the challenge of spiritual work.  

"UU Democracy"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

05/05/2024
Our planet, our home, our community, our church. We mark Earth Day by asking, "Do the shared things we call "ours" belong to us, or do we belong to them? Shared ownership sets up an exploitive principle known as "the tragedy of the commons." But if we see ourselves as nodes on an interdependent web, parts of a shared whole, citizens of an ecological system, then we invite respect and care. 

"Face the Music and Dance"

Michael Eselun

04/28/2024
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?

"Ours"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

04/21/2024
Our planet, our home, our community, our church. We mark Earth Day by asking, "Do the shared things we call "ours" belong to us, or do we belong to them? Shared ownership sets up an exploitive principle known as "the tragedy of the commons." But if we see ourselves as nodes on an interdependent web, parts of a shared whole, citizens of an ecological system, then we invite respect and care.

"All In"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

04/14/2024
Four years ago, our church partnered with the North Hollywood Home Alliance to provide a once-a-week hospitality program to persons experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood. Our Tuesday Drop-In Program succeeds because it’s a program founded on relationships characterized by justice, equity and compassion.

"Let them Speak"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

04/07/2024
The defining feature of a liberal religion like Unitarian Universalism is our belief that we get closest to the truth when we allow all voices to speak. Rather than rely on an outside authority, a guru, or a scripture, we trust our own experience, then refine our individual thoughts through discussion and debate with others to approach a shared truth. If we exclude persons from our conversation, we will arrive, at best, at a partial truth.

"Eight Blessings"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

03/31/2024
Unitarian Universalists revere a Jesus who serves as a mentor and model, not a supernatural savior.  His saving act is not death and resurrection, but a helpful, hopeful message summed up in a list.  Like the Jewish Ten Commandments, or the Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles, Jesus gave us Eight Blessings, called the Beatitudes, as a guide to living.

"The Joy Deep Within"

Angeline C. Jackson

03/24/2024
How do we ensure joy remains an unwavering companion in a world that calls on us to live out our faith through justice-making? We will explore the interconnectedness of joy and justice and delve into the essence of joy as a wellspring for our justice work. Together, we'll consider ways to nurture joy so that it not only sustains but propels us forward, even when faced with the most daunting challenges.

"All Her People One"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

03/17/2024
Because we love this faith, which has done such good for us, we wish to share our faith with others.  We wish to grow our own church membership, of course, but the motivation for growth must be deeper than simply wanting a bigger congregation.  If we truly think our faith is the means toward better lives and a better world, is it wrong to hope that the whole world would be UU?

"Where Justice Rolls Down"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

03/10/2024
The mission of our faith has both a personal and a public dimension. We look to both refashion ourselves as just persons and transform the world as agents of justice. But in our outward directed work, we must remember that we seek to help people who have their own inner work to do. The question becomes, “from where does justice come?”

"Giving Meaning to the Chaos"

The Venerable Rev. Kusala Bhikshu

03/03/2024
In early Buddhism there are five reasons things happen: geology, biology, karma, dharma and mind. I hope to tie them together as a way to understand 2024 and in the end, give meaning to the chaos. It's all “connected.” The talk will be filled with stories, observations and opinions.

"What Wondrous Love"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

02/25/2024
We are a church, a congregation, a spiritual community. We strive to be a beloved community. Sometimes we describe our church as a community of “like-minded” people. Wouldn’t it be better, and more true to our pluralistic faith if we strove to become and maintain a caring community of “like-hearted” people?

"Let it Be a Dance"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

02/18/2024
Life is tough. Life is challenging. The world around us feels uncertain. Our church asks much of us. In the midst of this anxiety, to experience spiritual qualities such as peace, serenity, or joy, is not to wait for a change in our outward circumstances but to claim a response now within ourselves.

"Riding the Waves of Relationships"

Lay-Led, Jackie Davis

02/11/2024
On Sunday, February 11, which is just before St. Valentine’s Day, we will hear from a few couples – members of our church community – about what makes their relationships work. Like catching waves, relationships take work. Like gnarly waves, life’s surprises throw relationships off balance. Some folks even crash on the shore. How can we navigate the ups and downs so we maximize our bliss and gratification, like a skilled surfer riding an epic wave? 

"The Unending Quest"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

02/04/2024
Because our Unitarian Universalist faith is "reality-based" and reality is constantly changing, there will always be something new, and something more requested of us. Our work of religious education is not merely to prepare our children for adulthood, but to equip all of us, at every age, to take the next step on a continually unfolding journey.

"This Quiet Hour"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

01/28/2024
When we think of the mission of the church, what comes to mind first is work we do (or ought to be doing) outside the church.  But the work we do inside the church is just as worthy, if not more so.  It is in worship that we connect with that ground that supports every other expression of our faith.

"The Work of the Church is not to Do, but to Be"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

01/21/2024
Because a congregation is a voluntary association of free individuals, with different needs and passions, living in diverse contexts, with varied skills and resources, the mission of a church must be broad. Our core mission, then, is not to do any one particular thing, but rather to be an institution equipped to do many things for many people. 

"Who's Calling?"

Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels

01/14/2024
Mission, whether a personal mission or the mission of an institution like a church, lies at the intersection of self-identity and social need. Sometimes the call to act comes from an urge to express our inner self. Other times the call to act comes from a need of the world outside ourselves demanding our response. The life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. models both the inner and outer call. 

"Everyday Leaders"

Lay Led, Guest Speakers Brad Golberg and Talia Inbar

01/07/2024
Brad Golberg and One-LA Organizer, Talia Inbar, will describe One LA’s philosophy of finding and developing leaders within its member institutions. By using a bottom- up approach, One LA finds the issues that are important to its members and is able to grow, strengthen, and sustain itself by giving the institutions and their constituents control over the actions we take.