February 1 - Rev. Judy,  “Islands of Sanity”

Islands of Sanity are places where, as Margaret Wheatley says, “human spirits come alive, and we contribute in ways that make more possible.” Can UUCA be an island of sanity where those adrift in turbulent waters might find a place to breathe, regroup, and begin to feel sane again? As we join together let’s build strong resilience spirits for ourselves and others so we can be an island in rough waters.

February 8 - Jennica Davis-Hockett, “Taking Joy Seriously”

Join Jennica Davis-Hockett in exploring how joy and community-building

can be transformative forces in our lives. She shares a personal story of

shifting away from internalized self-exploitation toward a more playful,

liberatory approach—one that embraces rest, community care, and

resilience. Using the Deeper Joy framework, and some very serious play,

Jennica invites us to experience radically inclusive, accessible and

spiritually grounded community. Video presentation by Jennica Davis-Hockett, UUA Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry Staff.

February 15 - Rev. Judy, “Happy Douglas Day!”

Frederick Douglas was born into slavery on an unknown date in 1817 or 1818. “That day was taken from him long before he had the means of owning it. Birthdays belong to free institutions. We, at the South, never knew them,” wrote Scott Bombay, editor of the National Constitution Center. So, in freedom, Douglas chose his own birthday, February 14th. Even though he was born 42 years after the Declaration of Independence, some historians assert that his actions and influence on American history were so consequential that Frederick Douglas should be considered one of our Founding Fathers. Let’s join in celebrating his life and legacy.

February 22 - Rev. James I. Ford, “Through the Valley of the Shadow: A Zen meditation on the 23rd Psalm”

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.