LCIF Launches Fall Programs With Public Discussion Series and International Outreach Drive

Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) announced that its popular “Faith and Reason” class will resume on Monday, Sept. 14 and will meet each Monday thereafter at 11 a.m. in the church’s conference room through the fall. This discussion class is open to the public and will be facilitated by Jeffrey Brandt, a member of LCIF, and by Henry Fliegel, a professional astronomer (ret.).

The study this fall will focus on Reza Aslan’s book, “No god but God: the Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam (2025).” This is the 20th anniversary of Aslan’s initial work on Islam, a religion that has grown to be the world’s second largest (after Christianity) with some 2 billion adherents.

Brandt said, “The purpose of the class will not be to compare belief systems or political ideologies associated with Islam on the one hand, and the Judeo-Christian tradition on the other. That is, we will steer away from analyzing the topic as a ‘clash of civilizations.’ Instead, as our author Reza Aslan suggests, we will use the study and discussions to come to a ‘broader … understanding of religion itself,’ that is, how religions grow out of stories attempting to capture feelings of transcendence (or connection to a Higher Power) experienced by members of a community. In that sense many commonalities between the world’s three major monotheistic religions will be found.”

In addition to the “Faith and Reason” class, LCIF invites the community to help assemble school supply bags for children in need around the world. The bags will be assembled this Sunday, Sept. 13 in the church’s Fellowship Hall, following 10 a.m. worship. The project, called “Gods Hands, Our Work,” caps a summer-long school supply drive hosted by the church. The completed kits will be distributed internationally through Lutheran World Relief.

For more information on all church events or to receive pastoral care, visit lcifoothills.org, email office@lcifoothills.org or call (818) 790-1951. The church is located at 1700 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Rummage Sale at CSL

A huge rummage sale will be held at the Center for Spiritual Living –  La Crescenta on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The Center is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

Lots of goodies!

UUCVH Water Ceremony

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills will share water and stories from summer travels and activities. The waters will be mingled to symbolize connections with each other, and later be used to nourish the church gardens. The church will celebrate being together at the beginning of a new “church year” looking forward to new activities to connect with each other, more outreach and social justice work, and supporting each other on our journeys.

In person meets at 10:30 a.m. at 4451 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta or visit the UUCVH website (https://www.uuverdugo.org/) for the Zoom link. 

Women’s Nondenominational Bible Study

Seasons of Life Bible Study offers two classes to choose from:

* Joy of Living is studying Acts 1 and 2. 

* Women of Faith will be studying Prayer with Power and In His Eyes.

Classes are held on Thursday mornings from 10 – 11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 24 through April 15 at Highlands Church (4441 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta).

If interested, please contact the church at (818) 405-0763 or call Lynda Hessick at (818) 640-6022 or email lyndahessick@gmail.com. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 6  to have the book you select ordered for you.  

CSL Offers Gentle Movement Class

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

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