La Cañada Presbyterian Church Launches 5-Week Series

In a time of heightened debate and strong opinions around immigration, La Cañada Presbyterian Church (LCPC) is creating space for faithful reflection and open conversation. 

The first session in the series began on Wednesday, July 9 at LCPC and the sessions continue through Aug. 13 (dark on July 30). The five-week series is titled “Let’s Talk About Immigration” and invites the community to engage. The sessions meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. They are facilitated by Pastor Ross Purdy and Betsy Faber; the series will incorporate prayer, theological reflection, guest speakers and small group discussions.

Participants will engage with Doing Justice, an online curriculum created by Fuller Seminary’s Brehm Preaching – A Lloyd John Ogilvie Initiative. The content includes reading, video segments, and guided reflection questions, offering four different Christian responses to immigration and exploring key historical and theological perspectives.

The program is designed to foster courageous conversation – creating room for understanding, compassion and spiritual growth, even in disagreement.

LCPC is located at 626 Foothill Blvd. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2zdbbfbp.

Community Events at UUCVH

On July 13 at 10:30 a.m., the community is invited to join Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills (UUCVH) for a timely reflection on presence, perception and peace at its service “Mindfulness Is Not a Retreat – It’s a Response.” 

When anger arises the Buddhist path teaches to respond with clarity, not react with heat. From the Buddha’s graceful handling of insults to the well-known story of the monk in the boat, mindfulness shows how to meet conflict with awareness instead of ego. 

Cesar Cardona will explore how these ancient teachings align with his modern framework of Growth Mindfulness. 

This presentation will be in-person at 4451 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta or visit the UUCVH website for the ZOOM link https://www.uuverdugo.org/.

Free Movie Night  

On Saturday, July 19, a free showing of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” will take place at Bethel Church, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley starting at 7 p.m.  Snacks will also be provided.  

Everyone in the community is invited and welcome to attend.

CSL Provides Gentle Movement Class

The Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta is offering a gentle stretch and relax chair movement with Mikki. It takes place every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is a $10 donation.

The class is at Chaffee Hallin the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. For more information, call (818) 249-1045.

Mt. Olive Offers Bible Studies

Mt. Olive invites the Crescenta Valley community to its monthly breakfast Bible study at Panera Bread Restaurant, 990 Town Center Drive, Suite A in La Cañada on the third Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. They are currently in the Book of Second Corinthians. Also, a weekly Bible study is held at the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

Walk and Word 

Walk and Word participants will meet in the parking lot of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, 3429 Markridge Road in La Crescenta/Glendale at 8 a.m. on July 13, 20 & 27. Participants will walk for the first hour and then gather to read a selection of Scripture. About a half hour will be spent journaling about what was read and then there will be conversation, sharing thoughts.

Participants are asked to bring something to write with, anything wanted to eat or drink, and a chair to use for the writing part of the morning. Because people will be outdoors and social distancing will be practiced, masks will be optional. 

Those with questions can email Jeanne at jnlavieri@earthlink.net. 

All are welcome. If the hike is too strenuous, there are level paths at the park. There are ramps from the parking lot to the field where the group gathers after the hike.