January 5
Rev. Betty Stapleford: To Die For
Michael Servetus was a 16th Century Unitarian martyr who tried to show John Calvin the error of his ways and was rewarded by being burned at the stake in Geneva. On this Sunday morning, we will look briefly at the history that surrounds this little know figure and then ask ourselves what values we hold strongly enough to die for. If we were indicted for being Unitarian Universalists, would there be enough evidence to convict us? It's something to think about.

January 12
Rev. Betty Stapleford: What is Your Spiritual Direction?
We Unitarian Universalists go in a number of different directions in our spiritual lives, and it is sometimes difficult to get our bearings or even to know if there are any. Over a year ago, I began working with a Spiritual Director who has helped me focus my life in what I think are some profound ways. I am still a work in progress, but I hope that sharing some of my struggles and insights with you will give you some direction for your future journey.

January 19
James Coomes: Accountablity
James Coomes is a leader of DRUMM (Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries), a member of the UUA Norminating Committee and a licensed social worker for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. He is a lifelong African-American UU from Neighborhood Church in Pasadena. His sermon will focus on personal and community accountability as we observe and honor the Martin Luther King Holiday. How do we, as individuals and as a community, remain accountable for affirming the essential dignity and worth of every human being? Join us in honoring and reflecting on the meaning and the call to action of this important holiday.

January 26
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Source of Human Good
The title for today's sermon comes from a book of that title by Henry Nelson Wieman, a Unitarian Theologian. Some religions see human beings as inherently sinful, but Unitarian Universalism has traditionally opposed that point of view, saying that people are inherently good. On this Sunday we will look at our reasons for doing the right thing and the ways in which we can put those motivations into action to make the world a better place because we have been here.

February 2
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Seeing Your Own Shadow
On this Ground Hog Day, we will look at our shadow sides and the parts they play in who we are and how we make choices. As much as we would like to ignore the negative aspects of ourselves, they are there. On this Sunday morning, we will shine the light on our lives and discover the possibilities of learning from the less than positive elements of our personalities and finding ways to turn winter into spring.

February 9
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Unraveling the Gender Knot
Patriarchy has influenced our society for centuries, but it has also shaped the way we live our individual lives as women and men today. The sermon this Sunday, based on a book by Allan Johnson, will explore the ways that patriarchy has influenced us and the process through which women and men can become allies on a common journey. This could be the beginning of new and positive ways of being together.

February 16
Ross Blasman: Fall In Love With Your Life
Explore the provocative spiritual path of fellow CVUUF member Ross Blasman. We'll discuss how a bad example is sometimes the best example, gender roles - all we need to know can be learned from horses and more. Board president Dennis Weiher will name this year's Fellowship Sweetheart. Special music will be performed by the Mostly Men's Chorus, Ross Blasman and very special guest Steve Brandick.

February 23
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Our Civil Liberties
At our 2002 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Quebec City, the delegates voted to support the investigation of the Loss of Our Civil Liberties as a Study Action item for attention by our member congregations for the next two years. At the end of that time, the 2004 General Assembly in Long Beach may well vote to accept this important issue as a Statement of Conscience to be publicly supported by the UUA. This is a chance for our congregation to be a part of that process. Don't miss it.

March 2
Rev. Betty Stapleford: From Brahma to Vishnu and Shiva
The path of Hinduism is not one that many of us know very much about, so here is an opportunity to learn about it and to find the common threads that connect us to those who describe the world in different ways than those that are common to most of us. We will experience some of the rituals and beliefs of this ancient religion and share a view of what the faithful call the "eternal truth." We also hope to have some special guests to join us on our cultural and religious journey.

March 9
What Is Stewardship?
This intergenerational service is the culmination of the RE curriculum some of our kids and adults have just completed on Stewardship. Most of us have only a fuzzy idea of what stewardship means, but by the end of this service, which will include banners and costumes and music and a cast of thousands (well, not quite!), you should go home with a better idea of how you can be a better steward in your own life, in the life of the Fellowship, and in the greater world.

March 16
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Of Death, Mystery, and Meaning
All of the major religions of the world have attempted to address the reality of dying and the ways in which they can help people understand it. On this Sunday, we will look at some of the answers that have been suggested by these religions through the eyes of author Kenneth Kramer and his book entitled The Sacred Art of Dying. Then, we will explore the way in which we as Unitarian Universalists can come to grips with this age-old conundrum.

March 23
Ace of CUUPS: Spring Equinox
The Covenant of UU Pagans within the Fellowship will be celebrating the Spring Equinox at this service. Everyone is invited to participate.

March 30
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Road Less Traveled
The subject of today's sermon comes from a book by that title by M. Scott Peck, and we Unitarian Universalists are certainly very familiar with following a less traveled road in comparison to more mainstream religions. In fact, Unitarian Universalism has been described as an "uncommon denomination." So how do we travel that road with understanding and integrity? And how can we combat the loneliness of our chosen path and the diversity within our own community? These questions and more will be the focus of this morning's service.

April 6
Frances Pardee & the CVUUF Choir: It's About Time
On this first Sunday of Daylight Savings Time (our semi-annual reminder of just how many clocks we have in our lives!), we'll be talking about time from several different directions, along with listening to some appropriate 'time' music from the choir. Most of us complain about not having "enough time" in our lives and time management techniques don't seem to help. Let's take a fresh look at how we spend our precious time. Don't be late!

April 13
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Palm Sunday for Unitarian Universalists
On this Sunday, most of the Christian World commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on a day nearly 2000 years ago. It was a joyful day of celebration when all may have seemed right with the world. In our time when all may seem wrong with the world, we will look this morning for the way to find meaning and joy in this time and this place as we reevaluate the historical and the personal in our lives. Join us for this day of celebration. New Member Induction.

April 20
Rev. Betty Stapleford : Resurrection and Hope for All Creation
This is Easter Sunday, a day when we can look to the meaning of the ancient biblical story of death and resurrection and the importance it can hold for us today. It is also the Sunday closest to Earth Day. On this Sunday, we will combine our commemoration of the two holidays as we talk about the importance of rebirth in our lives and for our planet. Bring a flower to share in our flower communion and to honor the life and death of Norbert Capek, a Czechoslovakian Unitarian minister who created the flower communion that we will celebrate on this day. Choir sings.

April 27
Beth Leehy: My Spiritual Journey
One of the unspoken, unofficial rites of passage for an intern minister is to share her spiritual journey with her internship congregation. There are many reasons for this: it helps clarify the intern's faith and forces her to articulate that faith in positive terms. It helps the congregation get to know the intern more deeply, and it may help others in articulating their faith. Come join me on my journey.

May 4
Rev. Betty Stapleford:The Challenge of A Liberal Faith
Based on a book by Unitarian Universalist minister George Marshall, this morning's sermon will explore such topics as the need, or lack of need, for a religion in today's world; the unique and sometimes torturous path of Unitarian Universalism for those of us who have chosen this path; and the difficulties of being a part of what some have called an "uncommon denomination." If you have questions that you would like answered in this sermon, please send them to Rev. Betty via e-mail by at least April 30th.

May 11
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Letters to Our Mothers
This Sunday's service will focus on the complex topic of motherhood. We all had Mothers, and many of us have been Mothers. And, for good or ill, we have had to deal with that sometimes perplexing relationship. So what kind of letters would we write to our mothers today or what kind of letters have we received, or would we like to receive, from our children? Please send your contributions to Rev. Betty via e-mail as soon as possible. There will also be a Child Dedication service this Sunday. Please contact Rev. Betty if you would like to participate. Choirs Sings.

May 18
Coming of Age Service:
We will celebrate the culmination of the Coming of Age program with a lively, dynamic group of teens today. The participants of this year's program bring us an intergenerational service drawing from their experiences and personal lessons learned during the Coming of Age journey. Join us and them as they share their experiences of self, relationships to the wider world and individual spiritual growth.

May 25
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Memorial Days and Ways
On this Sunday before the celebration of Memorial Day in the United States, we will look at the ways in which we would like our country to be memorialized in the future. We have heard a lot about patriotism in recent weeks and months - people's views of what it is and what it isn't. During our time together, we will look at what it means to engage in the "free and responsible search for truth and meaning" affirmed by our fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle. Warning: the views expressed here may not reflect the ideas of all in our congregation.

June 1
Deborah Saier Keawe: Thriving in Transition, Coping with Change in Our Lives
This Sunday's service will explore an area of our mental health as it relates to significant events in our lives and the constant evolving changes that face us each day. For most of us facing a crisis or traumatic event, the fact remains that "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." How do we cope with and thrive in the present while keeping our "sanity" and balance? Join us for a thought-provoking, spiritual, and life-sharing sermon by one of our Lay Ministers. Special music by Norman Beebe, a local musician.

June 8
The Rhythms of Life
Man, oh man, you don't want to miss this one! Our biggest music service yet, this one is jam packed with toe-tappin' numbers. We'll hear from the CVUUF Choir, the "Kids Khoir," and new vocal and percussion ensembles - all sure to put a wiggle-in-your-walk by 11:00. We'll also learn some interesting aspects about rhythm as a part of our daily lives and how it can be used to improve communication and cognitive tasks. And yes, by popular demand, we will be singing "The Rhythm of Life." See you there! Child care provided for Annual Meeting following the service. Light lunch follows.

June 15
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Let's Raise Cain on Father's Day
The subject of this morning's sermon comes partially from a book in our CVUUF library called Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. On this Father's Day, we will explore the messages that our society is sending to our young men - many of them future fathers - and the ways in which we as UUs can provide some strong and positive counter-messages for them. Senior Graduation Recognition

June 22
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Transcendentalism for Today
Back in November, Tom Powers was the winning bidder at our annual Auction for a sermon topic of his choice, and he expects to get his money's worth. Transcendentalism has been touted as the one theological perspective that was uniquely developed by Unitarians, so today we will look at the historical roots of this philosophy and the ways in which it can still have meaning for us as 21st. Century UUs. New Member Induction

June 29
Beth Leehy, Intern Minister: CVUUF as a "Welcoming Congregation"
Several years ago our congregation voted to become officially recognized as a congregation welcoming and affirming lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual individuals and families. With some of our lay ministers in training and other members of the congregation, we will further explore what it means to be truly welcoming and affirming to all.

July 6
Laura McLean and Melissa Zawrotny:
It Takes A Village to Raise A Child
This, the title of Hillary Rodham Clinton's first book about her views on the roles each one of us plays in the life of a child, may be familiar to you. Perhaps you have even read the book? Our sermon today, though not a book report, also borrows the title from the ancient African proverb. Please join us as we offer our views on the sharing of life experiences of every member (AdUUlt and YoUUth alike) of (for today) the Conejo Village Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

July 13
Rev. Beth Johnson:
Transforming Conversations
We generally think of conversation only as the verbal communication between people. We are, however, part of the interdependent web of existence and as such are always and everywhere in conversation with the world around us - with people and with the rest of creation. This sermon will explore ways in which we can understand these conversations, particularly with other than human beings, and be transformed by them.

Beth Johnson is a recently ordained UU minister who is serving the UU Church of the Verdugo Hills on a part-time basis. Beth is also in the Doctor of Ministry program at Claremont School of Theology.

Sunday Service will also be held at the CVUUF Campout at Carpinteria: 10:00 am Worship at the Beach - An intergenerational service of stories, songs, and sharing, with the sound of waves in the distance!

July 20
Rev. Betty Stapleford: A Buddhist Perspective on Mind/Body Wholeness
This morning's sermon will be drawing from a book by Buddhist psychiatrist Dr. Martin Epstein, called Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart. We will be exploring the use of meditation and psychotherapy to achieve and maintain mental health through the gentle art of letting go.

July 27
Dr. Mike Wolfe:
Envisioning Your Self-Transcendent Life
A former fundamentalist preacher who is now a UU and a psychotherapist facilitates asking and answering fundamental questions about the purpose of life, and gives practical examples of applying answers to daily encounters and priorities.

August 3
ACE of CUUPs: Lughnasad
Lughnasad (say "LOO-nah-sah") is the first of the three traditional Celtic harvest festivals. Legend has it that the great King Lugh proclaimed that upon this day a great festival would take place in honor of his foster mother, Taillte, who died of exhaustion after having tilled the fields for her people. So shall we celebrate the first fruits of our labors and, in keeping with Lugh's wishes, we will honor those who have toiled and sacrificed on our behalf. Feel free to dress in medieval festival garb for our celebration.

August 10
Beth Leehy: The Mustard Seed Parable Today
Lk 13:18,19 He said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? To what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and put in his own garden. It grew, and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches." The parable of the mustard seed is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke and is only 2-3 verses, depending on the gospel. This morning we will explore what this brief parable can mean for Unitarian Universalists centuries after it was attributed to Jesus of Nazareth.

August 17
Rev. Betty Stapleford: "Identity Crisis Times Four"
The newly formed CVUUF Chalice Players, under the direction of Rev. Betty, will present four monologues in a readers theatre format from a play by Jane Martin called "Talking With." Each vignette will reveal the personality and struggle of its character, convincingly played by Tricia Bevan, Kathy Matthews, Tom Stapleford, and Bea Ornstein.

August 24
Tom Powers: The Three Julies Sing Love Songs
The three Julies sing Love Songs in our fourth annual Kurt Weill Songfest. Since last year's program featured songs about Death, we thought we'd lighten up this year. You'll have to judge for yourself whether we are successful. The service will also feature the Mostly Men's Chorus and the ever expanding CVUUF instrumental ensemble.

August 31
Justine Fischer: Bobo, the Dog-faced Goat Boy
Bobo is a character we use in Children's RE to discuss the principles of our faith. Today in service we will look into the deeper dimensions of how Bobo reflects each of us; similar to Bobo, we've each been persecuted for some aspect of our humanity and in turn, we've each been the persecutor.

September 7
Rev. Betty Stapleford: How To Fly the Kite of Your Dreams
On this Sunday we will celebrate the element of air by bringing cloth that we have waved in it, both far and near. We will share stories about where we have been and what we have done during the summer. But more than that, we will consider the vision of what we want to do as individuals and as a congregation as we continue our journey together. Bring your cloth and join us for this intergenerational service of ingathering. Also, please bring finger food for a continued celebration after the service. Extended Sunday until 2:00 p.m. Intergenerational Service.

September 14
Rev. Betty Stapleford and other CVUUF Delegates to General Assembly: The Inspiration of General Assembly
The continental Unitarian Universalist General Assembly was held in Boston at the end of June this year, and we had seven delegates. This Sunday some of these people will share high points of this amazing experience where almost eight thousand UUs gathered for five days. And we hope that you will be moved by their stories to attend next year's General Assembly in Long Beach.

September 17
Rev. Betty Stapleford: "Identity Crisis Times Four"
The newly formed CVUUF Chalice Players, under the direction of Rev. Betty, will present four monologues in a readers theatre format from a play by Jane Martin called "Talking With." Each vignette will reveal the personality and struggle of its character, convincingly played by Tricia Bevan, Kathy Matthews, Tom Stapleford, and Bea Ornstein.

September 21
Rev. Ricky Hoyt: Beginnings
A sermon about where we come from: our fathers and our mothers and also the ancestors long before them. Our goals and theirs live in us. The task of our life is to remember and live out their dreams but also to transform them in line with our unique selves and times.

Rev. Ricky Hoyt is the minister for the Unitarian Universalists of the Santa Clarita Valley. He is a former classmate of Rev. Betty Stapleford, receiving his MDiv from the Claremont School of Theology in 1998.

September 28 at DeBenneville Pines
Rev. Betty Stapleford, Intern Minister Beth Leehy, and CVUUF Lay Members and Friends: The Shirk Ethic
Most of us probably spend our lives in busyness and work, whether at home or on the job; and there is certainly an important place for that. But during this worship service at the Annual CVUUF Retreat, we will explore the ways in which we can find rejuvenation and spiritual centering through getting in touch with our "inner slug." Come prepared to relax and be refreshed.

September 28 at the Goebel Center
Tom Schmidt: Rephrasing the Question
I hear it from patients at the hospital where I work as a chaplain. I hear it from people interviewed on the news following a catastrophe. When bad things happen, people want to know "Why?" and that may be a valid question some of the times, but most often, I think the better question would be, "How?" Spiritually speaking, how one responds to tragedy is far more important than the why it happened because the holy in life is not found in what happens to us, the holy can be found only in our response to what life has to offer us.

Tom Schmidt is a candidate for the UU ministry who will be starting his final year at Claremont and recently served as Intern Minister at the UU Church of Studio City. Bring your drums and rattles and Thanksgiving leftovers to this community participatory event.

October 5
Beth Leehy: Forgive, Not Forget
October 5 comes right at the end of Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe culminating with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. We Unitarian Universalists don't really have a ritual of our own like Yom Kippur, but I think it is important to recognize the value of forgiveness and reconciliation. This morning we will explore forgiveness, what it is and isn't and what place it may have in our daily life.

October 12
With A Little Help From My Friends :
No matter what our age or era, it seems that music by the Beatles has always been a part of our lives. We are again feeling a world in turmoil, looking for peace and love. Music from the Fab Four helped us once, touching our hearts and souls, inspiring us to look at ourselves in new ways. Maybe it's time to do a little of that again. Grab your love beads, your tie-dye and bell bottoms, and join the CVUUF Choir, Darcy Lober, and friends, for this special music service. Yeah, yeah, yeah - you'll be singin' too!

October 19
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Unity In Our Diversity
We often talk with pride about the incredible theological diversity in our congregation and in UU congregations in general. And it certainly does make life interesting. But on this Sunday morning, we will look at the possibility that we are more alike than different in what gives meaning to our lives. We will dig beneath the surface to discover what it is that makes our kinship as UUs more than skin deep.

October 26
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The End of Daylight Savings Time
This Sunday is quite literally the end of Daylight Savings Time - a Sunday on which we get an extra hour to be at the service on time. Of course, reality is that we don't actually gain another hour in the day, however much we might wish that were the case. We just change the arbitrary construct that we call time so that the daylight hours fit more naturally into the regular work day. The topic of this Sunday's sermon is the way in which we can bring light and purpose to the hours that we have.

November 2
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Power of Myth
The word "myth" has taken a bad rap. It has been equated with "untruth." However, scholar Joseph Campbell spent his lifetime explaining that myths are the things that have given meaning to the lives of women and men throughout the centuries. On this Sunday morning, we will explore some of the archetypal myths that have influenced Western culture and the ways that those myths have influenced our lives for good or ill.

November 9
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Finding a Language of Reverence
Last spring our Unitarian Universalist President Bill Sinkford stirred up a tempest by suggesting that we UUs needed to find what he called a "language of reverence." And this summer at our General Assembly, a full forty-five minutes was given on the floor of a plenary session for folks to respond to the idea. This Sunday, after a brief introduction, the members and friends of this congregation will get a chance to respond. Come prepared to share your thoughts and hear from others.

November 16
Alina Cenal: "Cuban Folk Tales My Grandmother Told Me" in song and dance.
Connect to the wider world and each other in this intergenerational service of down-home wisdom.

November 23
Rev. Betty Stapleford and Intern Minister Beth Leehy: The Best Things In Life Aren't Things
On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, we will be sharing a dialogue about what the important things in life really are. In our society today it is easy to get caught up in the notion that success and happiness can be measured in terms of the car we drive, the house we live in, the clothes we wear. We invite you to join us in thinking deeply about what is truly meaningful in your life.

November 30
Native Pathways: Honoring First Peoples with Beverly Rosenthal and special guest, Frankie Florez, Chumash Dancer and Storyteller.
Bring your drums and rattles and Thanksgiving leftovers to this community participatory event.

December 7
A CVUUF Chalice Players' production, directed by Rev. Betty Stapleford: Whose Life Is It Anyway?
The Chalice Players will present a staged reading of a segment from this provocative drama by Brian Clark. The play examines questions of life and death from the perspective of a woman who has lost her will to live after a near fatal accident that has left her paralyzed. Join the cast as they probe the ethical issues involved in her right to die, and stay after the service to share your ideas in a facilitated discussion with the cast.

December 14
Rev. Jan Christian: Life As Struggle
Why is it that some struggles seem to wear us down and others make life worthwhile?
Rev. Christian is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.

December 21
A Winter Solstice Celebration: "The Darkness Closes In"
led by Lorella Hess, Dana Ryon, Julie Crooks, and Frances Pardee. On the day before the longest night of the year, this service of special music and readings will celebrate the value of darkness, proclaim our faith in the returning light of the sun, and honor the light we make ourselves when it's needed most.

December 28
CVUUF Lay Ministers: Reflections on the Turning of the Year
Share with us as we explore Taking Inventory, Letting Go, and Living Your Dream as we enter the coming year. How will you evaluate what you will keep and what you will relinquish as you enter 2004. The service will include special music by Steve Brandick, David Wood and Ross Blasman.

Christmas Eve Services
Goebel Center, 6:30 p.m.
The Fourth Wise Man Many writers have been inspired by the notion of a fourth wise man, who also saw the star heralding the birth of Jesus but did not reach Bethlehem in time. Please join us for this family-friendly service and learn the teachings of The Fourth Wise Man who turns disappointment to good account and shows how the power of faith can transform our lives and how our outer journey through life is mirrored by the inner journey of the soul. Choir Sings. As is our tradition, please bring finger food or sweets to share after the service.

9:30 p.m. Location to be announced
Christmas Eve With Words, Music, and Candlelight: Rev. Betty, the Lay Ministers, and the Music Staff. This worship service will be more contemplative than our earlier family-oriented event. There will be readings, instrumental and vocal music, and the opportunity to light candles as we share the meaning of this night for our lives and our world. The location of this service will be announced at a later time