Though our culture tends to teach and practice an approach to the natural world that seeks to control, tame, and extract resources, Jesus’ teaching suggests a different way: he asks us to “consider the lilies,” and learn from the birds. The Gospel beckons us toward a mutuality with the earth, honoring the integrity of creation. www.TheLoftLA.org ..read more

There is something inside all of us that longs for security, stability, and peace. However, human history reveals that we tend to try to meet this longing through coercion and force. This tendency has led us to view violence as a tool for peace rather than an obstacle that prevents peace. The spiritual path of Jesus reveals to us a pathway to peace beyond the myth that violence has the power to redeem or save us. Even after his own death, Jesus still whispers peace—and not once, but over and over again, speaking directly to the fears and insecurities that arise when choosing peace over dominat ..read more

Among all of Jesus’ disciples, Peter’s spiritual pilgrimage is a good example of what it means to fall upward. Just before Jesus ascension into heaven, he finds Peter at the shoreline, casting his nets yet again. He turns to Peter and asks three times, “Do you love me?” as if each answer washes away Peter’s earlier three denials. To be sure, no matter how far we wander off our path during our spiritual pilgrimage, no matter if our faith is strong or weak, what we can give is our love. Conversation Question – Are you able to name one or two people who have been a true mirror for you? If so, how ..read more

We invite you to join our Loft community in the Sanctuary for an Easter Sunday Celebration featuring the Singers of Soul Gospel Choir as we reflect on the hope we find in the resurrection of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus’s question to Mary while standing at his empty tomb is the central question of Easter: Who—or what—are you looking for? What kind of Jesus are you looking for? What kind of Christianity are you looking for? Where do you see hope in the resurrection of Christ? www.TheLoftLA.org ..read more

Rather than spending our time wondering why bad things happen to good people, how different would our faith be if we focused our energy on what to do when we experience suffering ..read more

During the final week of his earthly life, Jesus enters Jerusalem to much fanfare. Moreover, Jesus began to speak more frequently about the purpose of his life and why living out of his purpose might cost him his life. Living with purpose connects us to our deepest sense of self and the Sacred. Join us this Sunday as we explore how we might practice living with a sense of purpose. www.TheLoftLA.org ..read more

After leaving the wilderness, Jesus began his ministry of theological and social healing in earnest. While many welcomed his message and the community work he was doing, some of the most religious people bristled. Jesus taught and practiced a boundary-breaking love, and breaking boundaries almost always makes us uncomfortable. However, the spiritual path of Jesus invites us to hold a creative tension between law and freedom. Join us this Sunday as we explore how to unburden the parts of ourselves that seemingly love rules more than people. www.TheLoftLA.org ..read more

What does it mean to be a "progressive Christian?" How does attending a progressive Christian church inform your theology? Today's episode is the first of a two-part series of interviews with members and staff from The Loft community where we answer these and other questions. These episodes give you a glimpse of what it is like to worship in a community of people committed to following Jesus' spiritual path of radical compassion ..read more

After his baptism, Jesus continued his spiritual Pilgrimage in the wilderness. Wandering alone, he spent time in prayer and fasting as he sought clarity about the next steps in his ministry. His experience in the wilderness and the temptations he faced gave him insight into the obstacles we create that stifle our own spiritual formation. We are excited to be joined by Lola Davidson, Peer-to-Peer Manager at Covenant House LA, to discuss the Sleep Out event that Westwood UMC is participating in! Question to Consider – How, if at all, do you distinguish between pain and suffering? www.TheLof ..read more

Would you walk over 500 miles to discover the truth of who you are - the raw, naked, truth? In this episode we are joined by Rev. Anne Gardner to discuss her book And So I Walked: Reflections on Chance, Choice, and the Camino de Santiago. Using the famed pilgrimage path as a backdrop, Gardner’s memoir weaves together her personal narrative with the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges presented by the Camino.  You can learn more about Anne at her website, https://www.anne-gardner.com ..read more