Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh
Service Associate: Lamar Allen

One of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s shared values is summarized as: “Transformation: We adapt to the changing world.” We’ll talk briefly about the theological meaning of this willingness to adapt, and what it means for our own spiritual growth. We’ll also talk about how transformation is happening, or could happen, in LCUUF.
As part of the service, we recognize our newest members of the congregation – a transformation in itself.

Kriss Gang

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Unitarians and Universalists have traditionally led the charge for social change resisting unjust, cruel and morally reprehensible social norms like slavery, war, denial of human rights, minority oppression and religious zealotry. This Sunday´s service will highlight Unitarian Universalist “Resistance” since the two denominations merged in 1961, focusing on our role in the civil rights movement, Viet Nam war protests, Immigration reform, marriage equality, economic justice, climate change and most recently the Black Lives Movement.

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Kriss Gang, Presenter, Deb Gang, Service Leader

Unitarians and Universalists have traditionally led the charge for social change resisting unjust, cruel and morally reprehensible social norms like slavery, war, denial of human rights, minority oppression and religious zealotry. This Sunday´s service will highlight Unitarian Universalist “Resistance” since the two denominations merged in 1961, focusing on our role in the civil rights movement, Viet Nam war protests, Immigration reform, marriage equality, economic justice, climate change and most recently the Black Lives Movement.

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Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Service Associate: Rev. D’Vorah Kelley, Musician: Rev. Mary Doane

As we come to the end of the year, we’re invited to reflect on all we’ve carried through this year, frustrations, losses, disappointments, as well as remembering but not clinging to the good things that happened along the way. By thoughtfully letting go, we create space for future possibilities of the coming year.
This service will include a burning bowl ritual, for letting go of things that need to go, perhaps painful memories, perhaps confining future expectations, to make that space for new beginnings.

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Presenter: Heidi MacLennen, Service Associate: Bob Koches
Musician: Rev. Mary Doane

Welcome to our Holiday Service Dec 21st, full of Joy , tradition, and music. Lots of Music. Heidi will share stories from the many places she has lived and the associated traditions from each place. At the end of the service everyone is invited into the garden for Stollen and hot apple cider. So stay and enjoy the fellowship!

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Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Service Associate: Michael Swords,
Musician: Cesar Castro

December is a time of darkness, even here in Mexico. The winter solstice reminds us to wait, for the dark times will turn around. The Christian Advent season invites us to wait, to hope, to prepare. But what if hope feels naive, or impossible, given the state of the world? This Sunday, we explore the difference between wishing for hope and the spiritual discipline of practicing hope in dark times. Can we cultivate hope when it’s needed the most?

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Presenter: Priscilla Taylor, Service Associate: Ted Fahy
Priscilla Taylor, retired Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, will present her talk, “We Are All Just Walking Each Other Home” during the December 7th gathering of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ram Dass, originally Richard Alpert and Harvard professor, is said to have made this statement during one of his lectures during a lifetime devoted to bringing Eastern Spirituality to Western audiences. Priscilla will explore what it is about this simple phrase that has made it so compelling to so many, and how a slight mis remembrance of the actual quote has made its message a more profound tool for her personally.

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Presenters: Revs. Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz, Service Associate: Hyacinthe Miller.
When Rev. Kathleen retired from full time parish ministry in June of this year, she and Rev. Wayne asked themselves: “what does life look like now?” That conversation stimulated more questions, such as: “How do I spend the time I have–and on what–and does it add meaning and purpose to our days?” These are religious and spiritual questions for all of us, at any age or stage of life. Come explore them with us!

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The humanist discussion group will explore the intersection of biocentrism, quantum physics, and consciousness, emphasizing rigorous scientific inquiry. We will examine how emerging scientific theories challenge traditional views of reality and life’s centrality; the scientific principles underlying biocentrism, and how life and consciousness are integral to understanding the universe.
Led by Bob Koches

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Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Service Associate: Lynn Cleek
It appears that the idea of representative democracy is in trouble, as voters in numerous countries have chosen to elect authoritarian leaders who are shifting those countries away from democracy. So maybe it’s time to take a long view about how democracy might be fixed, and one idea is to move away from representative democracy, or at least diminish the power of representatives. We’ll explore one idea, ‘sortition’ where representatives are randomly chosen, much like juries are in much of the world. Could random choice even work? Could it yield outcomes better than what we’re seeing with elected representatives? How might this jibe with our 5th principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large?” We’ll reflect on this idea, and democracy in general.

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Presenter: Rev. D’Vorah Kelley, Service Associate: Sandy Wallin
We all know the deep human longing for connection. We long to belong. We long to be seen, understood, and embraced for who we are. And we long for those bonds that give our lives meaning, depth, and purpose. But what does it mean to truly belong? Is it just about having a place to sit, or is it about something more?
Join us as we look at two of our UU Values, and see how they work together to make our fellowship a Place to Belong, a place where YOU belong.

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Presenter: Richard Clarke, Service Associate: Carol Johnson
We are all seekers on Life’s journey. In this engaging talk, Richard Clarke draws on the Zen parable of the Ten Bulls to illuminate the timeless stages of spiritual awakening. He will focus especially on the early steps many of us know well – searching for meaning, catching glimpses of our true nature, and beginning to live what we discover. Whether you’ve been on the path for years or are simply curious about life’s deeper dimensions, you’ll find insight, encouragement, and practical guidance for cultivating peace and presence right where you are.

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Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Presenter
Michael Swords, Service Associate

It seems that so much troubling is happening all at once: climate change is accelerating, democracies are under attack, capitalism is fissuring a growing inequality, this on top of our own individual struggles, health challenges, issues with family and friends. Is it possible to be grateful even in the face of all this? Should we even try? We will explore the potential of gratitude in times like these.

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Presenter: Bob Koches, Service Associate: Carol Johnson.
This Sunday is our traditional Day of the Dead Service. As in Mexican culture we take time to remember our loved ones. In the spirit of the day , Bob Koches will reflect on his journey of loss with his message titled “They Are Always with Us” . There will be a slide show of loved ones of our members. Rev. Mary Doane will provide the music.

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Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Speaker
Lamar Allen, Service Associate

The poet William Blake wrote,
To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wildflower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour.

We’ll explore how we relate to infinity as a mathematical and philosophical concept, and some of the paradoxes that arise from physical ideas of infinite space and eternal time. How do we make sense of such expansive ideas?

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Compassion and empathy for a UU secular humanist means embracing a deep understanding and care for others grounded in shared human experience rather than religious beliefs. These qualities inspire ethical living by affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In this discussion, we will explore what compassion and empathy signify for secular humanism and how they nurture a just and connected community.
Led by Bob Koches.

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Presenter: Gregg Kemp, Service Associate: Tim Boeve.
What is mystical poetry and why is it important to to human spiritual development? Jelaluddin Rumi, the 12th century mystical poet, has become the most read poet in North America and in the world. Why has Rumi’s poetry and that of Hafiz, and other Sufi poets become so popular? How can one mine the value of these profound metaphorical lines? Greg will dive deep into this subject to demystify this profound topic.
BIO :
Greg Kemp has been a 3HO Kundalini yoga teacher, Sheik of the Whirling Dervishes (the 700 year old tradition of Rumi), and Minister of the Essentialist Church of Christ. He, and his co-conspirator in love and life, Alicia, co-founded Project Somos Learning Village in Guatemala, where they lived onsite for 13 years. He now lives in Ajijic with Alicia, and their 3 dogs.

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Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Presenter, Hyacinthe Miller, Service Associate.
The beating heart at the center of all great religion is empathy for the suffering of those around us. It takes practice to open the heart, to be aware of this suffering and ultimately respond to it, rather than turning away. We will examine how we can become more compassionate as spiritual practice, a part of our everyday life.

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Presenters: Ted Fahy and Kriss Gang —
This will be our annual Water Communion. You are invited to bring a small amount of water – from your travels or from your house: the water that we will be sharing is a visual expression of how we as a fellowship commit to sharing not just this water, but our lives, our values, and our commitment to LCUUF.

The LCUUF Fellowship is a special part of many of our lives — as a spiritual home, a place to share our gifts, a sanctuary from a troubled world, and/or a community of care. And not just on Sundays. We also know that the work of this Fellowship, both within the congregation as well as in the Lakeside community, takes our Time, our Talents and our Treasure. The newly formed Stewardship Team is proposing a year-round stewardship program that will be our opportunity to support the work of the church with our gifts. Within this framework we will share why being good stewards is vital to a healthy Fellowship , as well as the Annual Pledge Drive, which begins today!

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