The Gaia hypothesis, formulated by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis in the 1970s, suggests that Earth is a self-regulating system where living organisms interact with their surroundings to maintain habitable conditions. This theory proposes that the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and pedosphere are tightly coupled, evolving together to create an environment optimal for life. Although initially criticized, the Gaia hypothesis has evolved to align with fields like Earth system science and biogeochemistry, with ongoing research exploring how life influences global temperature, ocean salinity, and atmospheric conditions. It also encourages a re-evaluation of human systems, emphasizing their embeddedness within and dependence on the Gaian system, which influences political ideas, practices, and our understanding of sustainability. The Gaia hypothesis also inspires analogies and interpretations in politics, religion, and social sciences, prompting discussions about a cultural paradigm shift affecting science, morality, and the arts. This topic is in honor of Earth Day.
Led by Bob Koches

Presenter: Rev. Timothy Boeve, Service Associate: Sandy Wallin

On this Easter Sunday, which also features the last day of Passover, the Reverend Timothy Boeve will touch upon these significant religious festivals as he highlights what for him and others these events celebrate, Renewal and Freedom, respectively.

However, with this particular Sunday falling two days prior to the 55th annual celebration of Earth Day, on April 22, Boeve will primarily focus his message on the peril and promise of living on our warming planet. His message will provide the latest updates regarding climate change and potential fixes.

One of these modest fixes is a local effort by a small team of Mexican residents planting trees around the shores of Lake Chapala. As such, included as part of Boeve’s message a couple of representatives of Siempre Verde will make a brief presentation about their vital, environmentally focused work.

Ms. Noris Binet, a resident of Lakeside for the past six years (along with her husband Tim Boeve) and graduate of the University of Guadalajara when in her twenties, in recognition of Mexico’s celebration on December 112, will bring a message centered around The Virgin of Guadalupe, whose apparition to Juan Diego first appeared on Dec. 12, 1531. Binet, a visual artist, writer, and spiritual teacher spent much of her life as a sociologist studying ancient cultures especially here in Mexico. Her talk will underscore the importance of myth -- particularly the preeminent myth in Mexico of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in helping us reach our full potential as human beings, integrating both masculine and feminine qualities into our lives. The Virgin of Guadalupe provides one doorway for us to bring about this important transformation.

Presented at LCUUF December 8, 2024

People living with memory changes share their stories of h ow they live, cope, and manage life after their diagnosis.

Presented by [email protected]

Presenter: Richard Clarke, Service Associate: Carol Johnson.
Discover how the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and the mystical insights of the Gnostics align in their call to awaken the Divine within. Both traditions offer profound paths to liberation, emphasizing self-knowledge, spiritual awakening, and transcending the illusions of the material world. Join us as we explore these shared truths and uncover how they resonate with Unitarian Universalist values of inner light, spiritual growth, and personal exploration of the sacred. Together, we’ll reflect on how these timeless teachings can inspire our own journeys toward truth and wholeness.

Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Service Associate: Dee Dee Camhi.
It has been said, “Joy is the happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens.” How is it that joy can accompany other emotions, like pain, sadness, deep sorrow? Or conversely, that we can be so filled with joy that we are brought to tears? There is something about joy that elevates it among the emotions, intertwining it with those others, so that joy forms a foundation for our emotional life, if we let it.

1 0

Presenter: Greg Kemp, Service Associate: Tim Boeve.
What is the Greatness of the human being, and how can we activate, develop, and live It on a daily basis? What does it really mean to be perfectly imperfect and how can we apply Love in a tangible way that benefits oneself, those around us, and the world as a whole? We will dive into these questions.
Spoiler alert – there will mystic poetry recited, and Sufi whirling.
Greg Kemp has been a Kundalini yoga teacher, Sheik of the Whirling Dervishes, and Minister of the Essentialist Church of Christ. He lives in Ajijic with his Beloved wife, Alicia.

0 0

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

Nature offers us important lessons, if we know where to look. Look at nature in the wrong way, and we can take away some quite distorted ideas about how to live with each other and the Earth. But we can take a different perspective, and find wonderful lessons pointing to a healthier and more whole society. This is the week of the Equinox, and so is a good time to look toward the natural world for its teachings.

1 0

From politics to everyday life, humans have a tendency to form social groups that are defined in part by how they differ from other groups. We will explore the science behind this concept and ask the question are we hard-wired to distinguish Us vs Them.
Led by Bob Koches.

1 0

Presenter: Mark Etkin, Service Associate: Jane Castleman.
Personal relationships are an important part of our spiritual life. We often hide ourselves behind barriers of fear, not knowing how to be more connected to others. This service will explore a model from a personal growth center in British Columbia about how to engage our courage and curiosity to take steps to be more open and vulnerable with others to bring more intimacy into our lives.

1 0

Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Presenter, Annie Morris, Service Associate.
Do Unitarian Universalists have faith? Many of us struggle with the idea of faith. I cannot speak for all UUs, but for myself, if faith is something certain and unchanging, then I am one of little or no faith. But if my faith can change, if I can have faith in things unknown to me, then yes, I am full of faith, I’m faithful. We’ll explore the complexities of faith in the UU world, and what faith might look like for many of us.

1 0

Kriss Gang, Presenter, Deb Gang, Service Associate,
Food scarcity is a global problem that reaches the shores of Lake Chapala. Kriss Gang, LCUUF board president will present the scope of this problem from a global, Mexican and local perspective and how LCUUF has been engaged with hunger in the Lakeside community. FoodBank Lakeside, a Share The Basket recipient and efficient and effective local non-profit formed during the Covid-19 pandemic, will be part of the presentation sharing their success stories and how they provide food support to the most needy Lakeside.

1 0

Led by Bob Koches.
Our Humanist Discussion for Feb. will focus on disinformation and the rise of the oligarchs globally and its threat to democracy. We will also look at the rise of autocracy and from the lens of history how oligarchy has also been with us.The thesis is Oligarchy has been the rule in history and Democracy is the exception.

1 0

Presenter: Elly Conreras, Service Associate: Barley Donahue
Breaking the Silence about Dementia, Elly Contreras will share a number of factors about dementia, how we can determine our risk factors and how to prevent or slow down dementia. Through her organization “Lakeside DayBreak Dementia Support” the aim is to make Lakeside a Dementia Inclusive community and offer support to those dealing with the disease.

3 0

Presenter: Rev. Tim Boeve. Service Associate: Heidi MacLennan

Our world today is filled with harm, seemingly, of late, getting worse by the day. Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön says that one anecdote to not causing harm to ourselves, and others is through mindfulness. The Rev. Tim Boeve will explore tried and true ways of not causing harm in what we think, say, and do. Drawing upon the wisdom of Chödrön and others, he will talk about staying awake, slowing down and noticing what is taking place within ourselves in any given moment. Though we are not directly responsible for much of the harm that we see in the world, our way of being in the world can either add to it or lessen its pervasiveness. As people of conscience and good will, Boeve believes we will want to choose the latter, and through staying awake, slowing down and noticing make the world a safer and better home for ourselves and others.

2 0

Speaker: Rev. Matt Alspaugh, Service Leader: Lynn Cleek/
Many organizations claim they are inclusive, but what does that mean? We can say that we welcome everyone, that all are included, but reality can kick in when we realize that diverse people may bring diverse ideas and behaviors. How many of those ideas are acceptable, even to a community that is open to diverse beliefs? What kinds of behaviors are acceptable, even in a ‘tolerant community? We’ll explore radical hospitality as a way to be more inclusive to everyone, from those who are just curious about us, to our longest-term members.

0 0

Presenters: Jane Castleman, Michael Swords, Annie Morris. Service Associate: Tim Boeve
Stories are an important part of life, enriching us and providing meaning. We live by our stories, the ones we learn and the ones we tell ourselves. This Sunday at LCUUF we will hear three separate stories from three of our Fellowship members, Anne Morris, Michael Swords and Jane Castleman. Each one will share their unique spiritual journey combining to provide our morning message, with Tim Boeve serving as Service Associate. We will hear what initiated these members onto a path that puts each one’s sense of spirituality as a focal point of their lives, and how it is that they became part of a UU congregation. In doing so the hope is that other members of the congregation in future services will be prompted to share a bit of their spiritual journey as well.

1 0

In our January Unitarian Universalist (UU) humanist discussion, we will delve into the pressing challenges of global depopulation and replacement, exploring how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) might offer innovative solutions. The conversation will focus on the potential of AI to enhance societal resilience and address demographic shifts, while also considering the ethical implications of such technologies, including issues of equity and the preservation of human connections.

0 1

Presenter: Rev. Matt Alspaugh

Service Associate: Dee Dee Camhi

0 0

Presenter: Ted Fahy, Service Associate: Priscilla Taylor
Each of us has endless and endlessly different stories about ourselves. Sunday’s service is an exploration of how our personal narratives are formed and reinforced, although they may bear little resemblance to the realities we have lived. It requires effort, open eyes, resilience, and humility to discover our untruths and to rescue ourselves from our myths while preserving our essential selves.

1 0