Join us for our June Assembly!

This Sunday, June 20th, is our Pride Assembly! We'll be hosting activist Jacob Bayliss as he gives his world renowned TED talk on "Pride in Practice!"

Jacob has been working in the non-profit sector for over 10 years, and has led local and national work in Australia, Europe and the UK.

He is passionate about creating meaningful impact for underserved communities and often draws on his own

experience as someone who identifies as queer and trans.

Not only does this Assembly happen during Pride, but it also falls the day after Juneteenth! It's going to be a fun day of commemorating.

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We will enjoy singalongs from various musical artists, breakout rooms and a fun community-filled day, hosted by Amy Boyle!
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All of this will happen via "Zoom!" IMPORTANT: Be sure you register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqd--tqjsoG9dhgEGZ6etaQIKHMBjptdEP

 

You'll need to click on a link in the email you receive after registering.
If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to "share space with" with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below. If you are struggling with access or have questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions:
- If it is your first time using Zoom, feel free to use your laptop or desktop browser to test it out prior to the day of Assembly: https://zoom.us/test
- If you're using a mobile device, the Zoom app can be found in both the Apple App store and Android Marketplace.
- Register now at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqd--tqjsoG9dhgEGZ6etaQIKHMBjptdEP
-then use the link in your email to join us on Sunday.
- There is a call-in option if your technology isn't compatible.

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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email [email protected]!

Don't forget to spring forward and join us as we team up with Sunday Assembly Silicon Valley to learn about Verbal Vagaries!

Please note the new Zoom Link below.

We have an exciting lineup for this month's LA Assembly; unfortunately an unexpected illness has befallen our featured speaker and foiled best laid plans. We wish her rest and science-based healing, and in the meantime this Sunday we're vacationing in lovely Sunday Assembly Silicon Valley! Please join us at 11am, or even earlier if you'd like to mingle in breakout rooms starting at 10:30.

Ambiguities in language, such as multiple meanings of words and phrases, seem to make communication inefficient and error prone. But research shows humans are quite adept at making rapid inferences using context clues such as gestures and intonation. This means that although ambiguity might seem inefficient, it is also adaptive--it has evolved to be ambiguous in just the right ways to still be understood by humans.

Our speaker, Benjamin Bergen, directs the Language and Cognition Lab at UC San Diego where he studies language and cognition in the laboratory and in the wild. He’s also the author of Louder than Words, an introduction to the cognitive science of how we manage to extract meaning from the language around us.

We'll be singing with the band on:
Hand in my Pocket - Alanis Morissette
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Our celebration also includes a reading, how a member is doing their best, and a moment of reflection. Greg C. will be hosting.

Don't let our RSVP numbers dissuade you. We typically have 30+ people join us at our Assemblies. 

Mingling will be from 10:30-11
Assembly from 11-12
And more mingling after

SASV is an inclusive secular community, meaning we don’t advocate for any religious or spiritual beliefs, but we do welcome and respect others, including agnostics, atheists, humanists, believers, and LGBTQ.

Sunday Assembly is organized by volunteers. Sharing this event on Facebook and beyond; suggesting speakers, contributors, or online gatherings; and other offers to help are much appreciated.

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We will enjoy singalongs, breakout rooms and a fun community filled day!
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All of this will happen via "Zoom!" IMPORTANT: Be sure you register here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsf-GopzwjH9CX0H3ZibVCMSdtX_fWZ9Sn

You'll need to click on a link in the email you receive after registering.

If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to "share space with" with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below. If you are struggling with access or have questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions:
- If it is your first time using Zoom, feel free to use your laptop or desktop browser to test it out prior to the day of Assembly: https://zoom.us/test
- If you're using a mobile device, the Zoom app can be found in both the Apple App store and Android Marketplace.
- Register now at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsf-GopzwjH9CX0H3ZibVCMSdtX_fWZ9Sn

-then use the link in your email to join us on Sunday.

- There will be a call-in option of your technology isn't compatible.
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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations.

f you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member at https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/monthly

Or making a one-time donation at https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/donate
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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us this Sunday, September 13th at 11am on Zoom. Per always, we will have singalongs, breakout rooms and a fun community filled day! 

All of this will happen via "Zoom!" IMPORTANT: Be sure you register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclc-ugrTouHtCdh6_8cVxx3vtxeaL7jNaO

You'll need to click on a link in the email you receive after registering.

If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to "share space with" with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below. If you are struggling with access or have questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions:

- If it is your first time using Zoom, feel free to use your laptop or desktop browser to test it out prior to the day of Assembly: https://zoom.us/test
- If you're using a mobile device, the Zoom app can be found in both the Apple App store and Android Marketplace.
- Register now at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclc-ugrTouHtCdh6_8cVxx3vtxeaL7jNaO then use the link in your email to join us on Sunday.
- There will be a call-in option of your technology isn't compatible.
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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us this Sunday, August 9th at 11am on Zoom, where we will be joined by Randy Lioz from Braver Angels. Randy has made it his life’s work to depolarize conversations we have surrounding politics. Too often we dehumanize those we don’t politically agree with, but what if we seek an honest dialogue devoid of emotional rhetoric? How does that look in 2020? Let’s hopefully find out on Sunday! Per always, we will have singalongs, breakout rooms and a fun community filled day! 

All of this will happen via "Zoom!" IMPORTANT: Be sure you register here:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-qsqzkuE9Va59nj3LKXwHnSFNSkNqlb

You'll need to click on a link in the email you receive after registering.

If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to "share space with" with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below. If you are struggling with access or have questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions:

- If it is your first time using Zoom, feel free to use your laptop or desktop browser to test it out prior to the day of Assembly: https://zoom.us/test
- If you're using a mobile device, the Zoom app can be found in both the Apple App store and Android Marketplace.
- Register now at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-qsqzkuE9Va59nj3LKXwHnSFNSkNqlb then use the link in your email to join us on Sunday.
- There will be a call-in option of your technology isn't compatible.
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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us this weekend for our regular monthly Assembly at 11am! Fresh off her virtual chat with NASA, where she took spectators on a 3D fly through of the Orion Nebula, Sabrina Stierwalt, our favorite Astrophysicist, joins us to talk about black holes. We are thrilled to have her back and this will surely be one for the books.

All of this will happen via "Zoom!" IMPORTANT: Be sure you register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oduiuqDkjHtdKtX4DVLUm6GMvYvBTpMae

You'll need to click on a link in the email you receive after registering.

If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to "share space with" with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below. If you are struggling with access or have questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions:

- If it is your first time using Zoom, feel free to use your laptop or desktop browser to test it out prior to the day of Assembly: https://zoom.us/test
- If you're using a mobile device, the Zoom app can be found in both the Apple App store and Android Marketplace.
- Register now at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUscuyrrT0uHdwqTFTDU_41atfwK1OHEeBw then use the link in your email to join us on Sunday.
- There will be a call-in option of your technology isn't compatible.
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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

This Sunday, our Assembly will host a panel discussion regarding allyship, privilege and police reform. The experiences for people of color aren't monolithic, thus we are working to make this panel as diverse as possible. We know that the educational burden isn’t on people of color, but rather each of us as individuals, so we are very grateful to the people who are volunteering their time to be with us. Each day we will be announcing a panelist via Facebook and Instagram. To experience the growth needed, we have to first observe, sit with discomfort, unlearn and then relearn! Our goal is that this growth, or at least the skills needed, will be a takeaway from this Assembly. 

Our band is bringing some thematic tunes for the day! We will feature an interesting take on “Trying My Best!” It’s sure to be a rewarding morning. It's also Pride Month so bust out your best rainbow garb for this Zoom!

Register for Assembly here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceGqqzosGNeHZcgrB9J4k19pwGL8_68s 

Quick suggestions for Zoom:

- Use your headphones instead of the computer's/phone's speakers; it'll make hearing you easier when we break out into little chat groups.
- If possible, please enable your video feed so we can see you! The speakers will then be able to see your beautiful faces and reactions, and it'll feel more like we are in person. If you have to walk away from or move your camera, please disable it until you get back. And yes, of course we want to see your cats.
- You'll be muted right when you get to the meeting, but worry not, there will be smaller groups during and after the assembly that you can use to talk to your fellow Assemblers.
- In the corner of the box with your face in it, you can choose to hide yourself from your view, so you won't find looking at yourself so distracting. Also, it'll make more space on your screen to see others.

Please join us for the first ever, In The History of All Humankind, California Assembly, a joint effort by all assemblies within the Golden State. Hosted by Steven Soden, Songleader Emeritus Paul Svenson will make a live appearance for the final song The other songs will be pre-recorded with lyrics on the screen. SALA's band is working with SASV on a treat as well. We will hear trying our bests from each respective Assembly!

Star Trek, one of the world’s most successful and beloved television series is uniquely concerned with ethics. Many of its episodes directly address questions of right and wrong, exploring ethical questions in a science fiction setting. Philosopher and Ethical Society Outreach Director James Croft, Ed.D., explores how the show inspires us to live better, help often, and wonder more as we “live long and prosper.”


For this Zoom assembly, you will need to register here with your email before receiving the link to attend the event:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuduuvpzIuH9HNXZDbSMWr3IZNp9vYyASt

Quick suggestions for Zoom:

- Use your headphones instead of the computer's/phone's speakers; it'll make hearing you easier when we break out into little chat groups.
- If possible, please enable your video feed so we can see you! The speakers will then be able to see your beautiful faces and reactions, and it'll feel more like we are in person. If you have to walk away from or move your camera, please disable it until you get back. And yes, of course we want to see your cats.
- You'll be muted right when you get to the meeting, but worry not, there will be smaller groups during and after the assembly that you can use to talk to your fellow Earthlings.
- Edit your name on Zoom to the following format so we will know where you are from, if you have an Assembly you regularly attend: i.e: (Ryan from SALA)
- In the corner of the box with your face in it, you can choose to hide yourself from your view, so you won't find looking at yourself so distracting. Also, it'll make more space on your screen to see others.

Final song:
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life ” by Eric Idle

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best
And...

Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the light side of life
(Whistle)

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly, chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing
And...

Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the light side of life
(Whistle)

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin
Give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow

So always look on the bright side of death
(Whistle)
Just before you draw your terminal breath
(Whistle)

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughin' as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you
And...

Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the right side of life
(Whistle)

This month, our Assembly will be online via Zoom.

Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUscuyrrT0uHdwqTFTDU_41atfwK1OHEeBw

 and the meeting link will be emailed to you.

Join us this weekend for our regular monthly Assembly at 2pm! We are hosting Billie Guerrero, a resident Dinosaur expert from the Raymond Alf Museum of Paleontology. Billie has a very interesting project she is working on called, "Parasaurolophus." We will hear good music, have a chance to dance it out and even socialize with one another.

All of this will happen via "Zoom!"

If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, it is a video conference platform that allows us to commune with one another while adhering to the physical distancing laws in place. The instructions for Zoom can be found below! If you are struggling with setting up the program, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Zoom instructions: 

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Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

En lieu of our regularly scheduled March 8th Assembly, we’re meeting under the covered picnic area in Mother’s Beach in MdR.

Our venue double booked this weekend and cancelled our contract for March 8th! Fuck it, we’re going to the beach! 

So if you’re up for spending time with your SALA fam--bureaucracy, Daylight Saving Time and plagues be damned--meet us at the pavilions at Mother’s Beach for potluck, conversation, song and that secular community thing we do. 

Some things we love about this 

• The stellar a capella atheist choir Voices of Reason is already unplugged
• SALA Kids can hang at the playground
• Tons of parking on site (for a fee)
• We can steer clear of a lot of the LA marathon traffic 
• Covered picnic tables with charcoal grills
• A chance to get together before we’re all quarantined!
• Why not, really?

Please remember to set your clocks forward, and bring a sweater. Hope to see you Sunday!

February 9th: "Carpe the F-ing Diem"

(*CN: Sensitive content on terminal illness, death and the word "fucking")

Dave Warnock is a former evangelical pastor who, after receiving a devastating diagnosis of ALS in March 2019, has been busy living his death out loud. With the knowledge that he has just a few years to live, Dave is creating as many meaningful moments as possible, traveling and speaking to friends and like-minded communities and living out his motto: "Carpe the fucking Diem."

Along the way, he has noticed a stark contrast between how his secular and evangelical friends react to his news. Fixated on his eternity, he feels his religious friends disconnect from his pain and that they are left feeling helpless except to pray.

Meanwhile, Dave's secular community is appropriately rendered speechless and sad but not afraid to crawl into the pain with him: to love, laugh, and cry together as moments continue to be made. They say things like, "call me anytime" and "I'm here for you". They admit there's nothing they can do but stay focused on sharing life with him as much as they can so that his remaining days are maximized. 

Please join us for this special Assembly to welcome Dave to LA and to Sunday Assembly as we connect on living, loving and losing the one breathtakingly precious life we have. 

* This Sunday's Assembly has content concerning terminal illness, death and grieving that may be sensitive and/or triggering. There is adequate space to step away as needed, and a supportive community to draw on if desired. Please take care of yourself, and let us know if you have any questions.

** While SALA is family friendly, and children are welcome in the Assembly or at our complimentary childcare, which takes place in a separate area, there may be infrequent profanity and/or topics during the Assembly to which you may not choose to introduce your children at this time, or may want to preface with thoughtful conversation. Please take this into consideration when planning your family's experience on Sunday.

SALA's house band is back in its entirety to rock our new Second Home!

Stephanie Idlebird Rivers is Trying her Best.

Sam and Ava host!

Exciting new speaker and content! Same great new space! 

Join us at 10:30 am, at our new space, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and pot luck in the courtyard. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us this Sunday at the soft launch of our new venue! Our speaker, Andrew McGregor, wrote and directed a short film that is a love story between a rat and a robot who guide humans stranded in a land mine field to safety. The film and his humanitarian passion then inspired him and a small team to try and make the vision from the movie a real-world reality and several years and breakthroughs later he leads the Oomvelt research project that is now rapidly creating wearable technology that utilizes robotics to help train the APOPO Hero Rats to find landmines while enabling them to communicate to a human when they find one.

One of LA Weekly's 40 most interesting people, Andrew McGregor has an eclectic background in the not-for-profit and social enterprise worlds. He has started many successful companies that draw from his expertise as a filmmaker, inventor, writer, chessboxing champion, entrepreneur, frequent TEDx speaker, mentor, Highlands games athlete, photojournalist, Grammy nominated bagpiper, and magician. 

Join us at 10:30 am, at our new space, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us this Sunday for Assembly at 11am when City of Hope's Maria Cuevas educates us on the life saving matter that is bone marrow. City of Hope has been treating HIV/AIDS and cancer patients since 1913. Afterwards, we, in conjunction with City of Hope, would like to extend to you the opportunity to join the national Be the Match Bone Marrow Donor Registry. That will be set up at our brunch spot, Spoonfed. We can all make a difference! 

We will get started at 11:00 we'll get started with a great talk, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted. This month, in the same spirit of giving, we will also be collecting donations for our annual Giving Tree! The list of needed items for these families that we've adopted can be found here: Giving Tree Wishlist

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

Join us this Sunday at 11am when Astrophysicist Dr Sabrina Stierwalt will be telling the greatest story ever told: how the elements that comprise you and everyone you love were fused in the core of a star billions of years ago. How are stars formed? What happens when they die? What is in store for our Sun?

Sabrina is a professor at Occidental College where she teaches fun courses like quantum mechanics and advanced electricity and magnetism and researches the physics of galaxy-galaxy collisions which includes, you guessed it, star formation.

We will get started at 11:00 we'll get started with a great talk, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

This Sunday, at 11am, recurring SALA speaker James Witker joins us to discuss his research on how Humanism has shaped so much of this world's history. Ground Control is back to rock out, Steve Friedman is Trying his Best, Chole Rivera presents a skit and Ryan Trout and Meredith Henderson host! This is sure to be a fun day!

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

This Sunday, we are back at Hudson Theatres! Our speaker, Chet Cooper, will be delivering his talk on unconscious bias and how knowledge can overcome ignorance.

Chet started Ability Magazine, as well as the first jobs website for people who are differently-abled. He has been on the forefront, addressing the UN, former Presidents and keynoting several prestigious conferences. We are very excited to host this talk, as he just returned from delivering it to the National Press Association.

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Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

--------

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

--------

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

August 11th we will be hosting Vanessa Gomez Brake. Vanessa is the Associate Dean of Religious Life on USC's campus and the first Humanist to hold that position on a college campus in America. She will join us to share the story of her family's migration to America, and how it shaped her role as the University's point person for undocumented students, providing confidential counseling and support with campus resources. Vanessa was recently awarded the Humanist of the Year award from the Universal Unitarian Church. 

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

IMPORTANT NOTE: Street parking has changed around the venue. The street spots will still be available, but with a 2 hour limit. Be mindful of the signs. The valet will be on site at 9:30 for the lot behind the Hudson. The Hudson staff as well as our staff here at SALA have written the Councilmember who represents the district and put out feelers for a nearby lot. 

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

This Assembly, Matthew Cameron will join us to talk about how synthetic polymers could be utilized in power plants to dramatically reduce Co2 emissions. The best part? He has already nailed the macromolecular science of it all and even invented the polymer. 

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, grab brunch with us at Spoonfed. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

For our Assembly on the THIRD Sunday in June, when we'll be taking a Mental Health Day!

Serena Sun of Breaking Taboo will talk about how we can help shed the stigma of mental illness and be a strong support network for each other. With music from Ground Control and material from storyteller Nasimeh. Sam and Phil host!

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

For anyone who doesn’t know (or is trying to forget), former comedian David Misch is a screenwriter (“Mork and Mindy,” “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” “Saturday Night Live”) and author (Funny: The Book, A Beginner’s Guide To Corruption).

He speaks about comedy all over the world, from the Smithsonian Institute, Grammy Museum and Austin Film Festival to Oxford University and the University of Sydney. More at davidmisch.com.

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

--------

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

On Sunday, science teacher Phil the Science Guy will inspire us to appreciate science in the wild and in the classroom, with demonstrations that will keep us wondering more. 

With music from Ground Control and the comedic stylings of Mary Gallagher! Ryan Trout is Trying his Best! Hosted by Ross Blocher and Stephen Friedman!

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Join us afterwards down the street at Spoonfed: 959 Seward Street. Parking is $1 with validation. Also, if you pre-ordered a new T-shirt, they'll be available to pick up at brunch. A free Tshirt is also redeemable for members at the $20 level or more, or available to purchase for $20.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Climate change can seem like an overwhelming, scary and intractable problem. One way we can get our heads around it is by taking it one evidence-based step at a time.

On March 10th, activist James Witker will talk about common sense climate change policy and how the momentum on environmental policy is changing with an influx of young activists and incoming freshmen congress members. This is a cause that needs more support from people who value reason and evidence and love our fragile pale blue dot home. There are small things all of us, even if we aren’t scientists, economists, or politicians, can do to help secure a livable future for our species.

With music from Sunday Assembly San Diego Songleader Paul Svenson. Original poetry by Deborah Edler Brown. Hosted by Amy Boyle and Ryan Trout. 

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood.Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Street parking is free on most of the surrounding streets on Sunday, and the theatre has valet parking available for a small fee.

Please join us afterwards for brunch at Spoonfed, down the street at 959 Seward. 1 hr parking for $1 with validation.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

For over a hundred years society has been living under the guise of the prosperity doctrine. Via the media, religion, politics and self-help gurus, we’ve been led to believe that wealth, success, and luxury would source our happiness. However, positive psychology and studies on longevity reveal that the key to a meaningful life is available to everyone regardless of economic status.

The empirical evidence and our common experience debunks this theory. There are 3 fundamentals that, if implemented, will result in a happier, more fulfilled life. Come hear from Peter Montoya, founder of ThriveUnion, how when we collectively shift from chasing wealth to chasing fulfillment, we will become a more peaceful, empathetic and content society.

Join us at 10:30 am, and at 11:00 we'll get started with great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Street parking is free on most of the surrounding streets, and valet is usually available in the theatre lot for $7. Down the street, Spoonfed offers 1 hour of $1 parking with validation.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

Peter is the Founder and Director of ThriveUnion, a real-world community and life-school dedicated to human well-being. The community meets weekly at ThriveSunday where they practice radical belonging and share lessons for living. The life-school provides educational video-essays and workshops geared to help people live better. Learn more at www.ThriveUnion.Org

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9:30am. to set up signs, greet attendees and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Did you know that 32% of Angelenos rely on public libraries as their main source of high speed internet? Sunday, January 13th, Mya Stark will be joining us to tell us how LA MakerSpace, a division of Two Bit Circus, is refocusing their mission to bring creators, scientists, tinkerers and educators together to create camps for these underserved students. What opportunities they're bringing to those families, what results they're chasing and how we can help. 

Mya Stark is the Director of LA Makerspace, an innovative STEM education nonprofit which expands opportunities for hands-on, project-based science and tech learning for low-income kids. Working on a train-the-trainers model, LAM is the Los Angeles Public Library’s primary partner for STEM education. Previously, Mya has worked with Paramount, Warner Bros and Disney Touchstone as a live-action screenwriter and director, edited a magazine and curated an art gallery. She began her social benefit sector career by founding the development department at nonprofit cinematheque The Cinefamily.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Tomorrow, December 9th, is our very last Assembly of 2018. (Not counting Yule Rock next weekend!) Let's "wrap up" this calendar year and welcome in the next! 

As you enter the theatre, we will hand you a battery operated candle and when the time comes, if you'd like to share something you'd like to let go of from the past year, something you're grateful for in the moment or maybe even a goal for the new year, you will turn on your candle and someone will bring you a mic. No pressure to speak; you can just sit with your community and listen as we witness each other's lives and mark the changing of the year.

Don, Steve and friends will treat us to all new singalongs. Jeff Caldwell is trying his best. Sam Renderos and Nicole host!

We'll be back at the Hudson Theatres. Arrive early to save your seat. Reminder that Assemblies now begin at 11am!

Afterwards, we will move to our favorite post-Assembly hangout Spoonfed LA to brunch, enjoy a signature cocktail and wrap gifts for families we have adopted from LA Dept. of Public Social Services. 

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Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Join us for an Assembly Birthday Party this coming Sunday! On November 11th, SALA turns five, and we're celebrating five years of great talks, live music and secular community with a very special Assembly. 

Get ready to revisit memories, share thoughts on the future and rock our faces off, Queen-style, with Ben, KT, Fletch, Yari and Don of Ground Control. Heather Barron honors Trans Awareness Month with an original piece. 

We'll be back at the lovely Hudson Theatres, Please note that Assemblies now begin at 11am!

Join us after for brunch, signature cocktails and birthday cake at Spoonfed.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Please note the new start time: 11am! Arrive early to guarantee your seat!

The Case for CRISPR:

Join us for an Assembly packed with science and wonder, as educator, author and Byte of Science speaker Katie McKissick discusses the practical applications and ethical considerations of human gene editing.

Featuring musical guests Hunter and the Dirty Jacks, the comedic stylings of Ryan Trout, and hosts Meredith and Sam!

We are back at The Backstage, the same stage used by Comedy Central since 2013, at The Hudson Theatres. Street parking is available and unmetered on Sundays, and for your convenience, valet will be onsite to assist you for a small charge. 

This month we are collecting gently used clothing for Safe Place for Youth, and we're beginning to accept new, unwrapped gifts for the families our community will adopt for this year's Giving Tree. Much needed items include: children's books, games, grocery and clothing gift cards, bedding, stocking stuffers and school supplies. 

Join us pre-Assembly for coffee, bagels or muffins in the Lobby Cafe! After the Assembly, a lot of us will brunch at Spoonfed. Spoonfed, walking distance for The Hudson Theatres, has lots of options to accommodate most any diet. The most recent add to this menu is a Sunday Assembly signature cocktail, the Double Helix!

Everyone is welcome. Free street parking or valet will be onsite as well for a small charge. As always, SALA is free to attend, and childcare is complimentary. Donations gratefully accepted.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Due to an unforeseen power outage at the 11:11 Theatre, we will be holding the upcoming Assembly 2 miles down the street at Backstage Theatre at The Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd (cross street Vine).

Our featured speaker, memory researcher and veteran SALA guest Dr. Craig Stark, will talk about new research into how Virtual Reality and video games can enhance cognitive function and memory and what this tells us about the human brain. 

Comic Rachele Friedland tells it like it is. Steve Friedman is Trying His Best. With Music from Ground Control! Fletcher Crossman and Amy Boyle host!

Join us pre-Assembly for coffee, bagels or muffins in the Lobby Cafe! Find your seat in the theatre around 11, and our Assembly begins at 11:30. If you're still hungry for brunch or company, after the Assembly, come on over to the Eat This cafe.

Free street parking or valet will be available closer to 11. As always, SALA is free to attend, and childcare is complimentary. Donations gratefully accepted.

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9:30am to set up signs, fold programs, greet attendees, and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Eric Huff, PhD, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratories, talks black holes and dark matter, while Ground Control keeps us grounded in some of our favorite hits. Don't hold back, because in space, no one can hear you sing!

With special guest writer, actor, comic and trans activist Riley Silverman!

Join us at 11 am, and at 11:30 we'll have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Lava Conquers All

Featuring geologist (and Ground Control rockstar) Ben Castellana. Paul Svenson sings. KT Sharp is Trying Her Best. And more!

Join us at 11 am, and at 11:30 we'll have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

Where can nonbelievers turn in times of loss? How do we discuss death and comfort our secular friends and family members who are surrounded by well-meaning but discordant messages of afterlives, healing energy and gods' plans? 

On her own path to recovery from a tragic loss, Rebecca Hensler discovered that most bereavement organizations are deeply rooted in divinity. Seeking something that better serves people with secular views, she created Grief Beyond Belief, where people can share experiences and heal in a way that resonates with their worldview. She'll talk about how we can find comfort in each other and reach out to our secular loved ones in times of crisis with empathy and understanding.

Voices of Reason, the world's only atheist a capella choir, has been in the press a lot lately, profiled everywhere from the LA Times to George Takei. This Sunday, they return to Sunday Assembly LA to treat us to beautiful, science-based harmony.

Ryan Trout, Sunday Assembly LA's favorite Community Organizer, hosts.

Join us for this special Assembly at 11 am, and at 11:30 we'll have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you'd like, lunch down the road at Mendocino Farms.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

Sunday Assembly is a volunteer-driven non-profit entirely funded by attendee donations. If you'd like to see SALA continue to develop positive secular community, please consider becoming a sustaining member: sundayassemblyla.org/monthly

About our Speaker:
Rebecca Hensler graduated Brown University, here she majored in Political Activism, in 1991. After a decade of work in AIDS activism and HIV prevention, she received her Masters in school counseling at San Francisco State University in 2002. She has spent the last 16 years as a middle school counselor, Dean and LGBTQ Support Liaison at James Denman Middle School.

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We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the (figurative) magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Questions, feedback, special requests? Email us at [email protected]!

As is our custom in June, en lieu of our regularly scheduled Sunday Assembly in West Hollywood, we'll be showing our colors at LA Pride!

If you're interested in joining us in a marching contingent, as part of a SALA booth, or just meeting up with Assemblers at the festival, please RSVP here, and we'll be in touch!

Despite our best efforts and the community's overwhelmingly positive response to the SALA West experiment, this Assembly has been cancelled until further notice, due to a sudden, dramatic increase in venue cost. 

We are actively exploring alternative venue options in the area (and taking suggestions!) and will discuss the options with the community, including the options of scaling back to one monthly Assembly temporarily or longterm. 

Your feedback is welcome and very valuable as we evaluate this situation. Please don't hesitate to email [email protected] with questions, suggestions, preferences, selfies, etc. 

Sincerely,

Amy and the SALA Team

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Join us at our BRAND NEW LOCATION for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Join us at 11, and stick around afterward for coffee and snacks until 1:30, and if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Street parking is free on Sundays. Come in the front lobby and follow signs to Sunday Assembly, or listen for the sounds of sound checks and secular community!

Coffee provided. You're welcome to bring a snack to share. Free childcare available during the Assembly. Everyone is welcome. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Or email us at [email protected] 

From Rocks to Humans: What it Really Means to be Alive

On Mother’s Day, a day we celebrate how each of us came into life individually, Dr. Hamed Mirzaie invites us to contemplate the question on a much grander scale.

Since 2015, Hamed Mirzaei, PhD has hosted over 30 Artist and Scientist speakers at his monthly “Byte of Science” lecture series, which takes place at a local tavern. 

The Big Bang explains how rocks came into existence and the theory of evolution explains how a simple cell evolved into complex beings. But how do you go from the stuff that makes up rocks to the stuff that makes up us? Join us Sunday, May 13th, to hear Hamed demystify some of the intermediary steps that connects rocks to humans. 

Ground control will be rocking out! 

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Non-Monogamy for Non-Majors

with Dedeker Winston, coach, author, podcaster

1 in 5 Americans have experienced a consensually non-monogamous relationship. You may not realize it, but chances are very high that you have a friend who is taking part in some kind of non-traditional relationship. Non-monogamy is as old as the hills, but it's become a new topic of media fascination within the past decade. Swinging, polyamory, and other forms of consensual non-monogamy are perfect fodder for news segments and tabloids: one part scandal, one part sexy, and one part side-show freaky.

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However, it's time to look behind the sensationalism and examine the everyday lived experiences of people in non-monogamous relationships. In this talk, we'll explore everything you need to know about non-traditional relationships as they function in the real world -- and how we can all make the real world a safer place for all relationships styles.

Join us at our Playa Vista location for great talks, live music and secular celebration starting at 11:30, then stick around afterward for coffee and snacks until 1:30, and if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood over at Urban Plates.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.  Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Street parking is free on Sundays. Come in the front lobby and follow signs to Sunday Assembly, or listen for the sounds of sound checks and secular community!

"There is a Space for Us"

Pippa Evans, co-founder of Sunday Assembly and host of Sunday Assembly London, has been trying to find time in her busy schedule as a musical comedian, writer and improvisor, to visit us in Los Angeles. We've grown impatient, though, so this Sunday, along with the rest of our live Assembly, we'll use the powers of technology at our disposal to screen her brilliant recent TEDx talk. Come hear, in Pippa's words, how Sunday Assembly came about, and how spaces outside the mainstream allow people to come together authentically and foster a sense of purpose and community.

With music from Ground Control!

Discussion breakouts with fellow Assemblers

Amy Boyle is Trying her Best!

Danielle Griffin and Phil Jackson host!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Join us at our BRAND NEW LOCATION for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Join us at 11, and stick around afterward for coffee and snacks until 1:30, and if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Street parking is free on Sundays. Come in the front lobby and follow signs to Sunday Assembly, or listen for the sounds of sound checks and secular community!

Coffee provided. You're welcome to bring a snack to share. Free childcare available during the Assembly. Everyone is welcome. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Or email us at [email protected] 

Weird Science: How to Spot Fake Science News

Dr. Sabrina Stierwalt, named a L'Oreal UNESCO International Rising Talent after being the first astronomer ever awarded the L'Oreal For Women in Science fellowship in 2014, joins us to talk about entertaining examples of the kind of nonsense trying to pass itself off as science reporting in today's media. Using entertaining examples and trusty tips, she'll show us how to keep our families and friends in the know.

Dr. Stierwalt is an astrophysicist based in Los Angeles working as a research scientist for Caltech. She's also a TEDx speaker and Macmillan Publishing's Everyday Einstein with a weekly science podcast with an international audience. 

Please note that the March 11 Assembly will be at the historic Great Hall, just across the lawn from our usual accommodations at Fiesta Hall. Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Going Deeper: Better Sex through Stronger Connections

In her many years of experience as a Clinical Sexologist and educator, Dr. Laurie Bennett Cook has heard it all. And she says it's almost never about sex. Whether the issue is difficulty with arousal, awkward intercourse, too much sex or no sex at all, she's been able to help people have better sensual experiences by making better connections with themselves and their partners. 

Dr. Laurie Bennett-Cook is a graduate level Clinical Sexologist, with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a doctorate in human sexuality. She divides her time between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, as president of the non-profit Sex Positive LA and its new chapter Sex Positive Salt Lake City, and sees clients for counseling, workshops and hands on exercises in both locations. All of Dr. Laurie's work is welcoming and affirming of all gender identities, sexual orientations and relationship expressions.

with music from Ground Control!

and comedy by Ron Placone!

Aaron Carter is Trying His Best!

Meredith Henderson hosts!

Join us at our BRAND NEW LOCATION for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Find your seat at 11 for a start time of 11:30 sharp, and stick around afterward for coffee and snacks until 1:30, and if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood. Street parking is free on Sundays and inexpensive at the Runway shopping complex across Jefferson. Come in the front lobby and follow signs to Sunday Assembly, or listen for the sounds of sound checks and secular community!

Complimentary coffee and snacks. You're welcome to bring a snack to share. Free childcare available during the Assembly. Everyone is welcome. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to runthrough the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Or email us at [email protected] 

On February 4th, back in West Hollywood, join us for an intimate conversation with Rachel Bloom, Golden Globe winner and writer-producer-star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Hunter and the Dirty Jacks play some California-crafted rock and blues. Monica and Raphael are Trying their Best. 

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

We're expecting a big turnout this Sunday, so if the Southwest and North lots fill up, there is an option a short walk away.  First hour is free, the next 2 are $1.50.

7195 Romaine St

West Hollywood, CA 90038

 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

January 21: Man Enough to be Mindful

Mindfulness practitioner and instructor Michael Holt joins us to talk about his journey shedding the false expectations of "mouth-breathing masculinity" and discovering the capacity for intimacy, calm and self awareness that lies in each of us. His no-nonsense approach defies new age trendiness and "spiritual materialism" and focuses on how an effective daily mindfulness practice can lead to increased clarity, sensitivity, strength and endurance.

Join us at our BRAND NEW LOCATION for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Join us at 11, and stick around afterward for coffee and snacks until 1:30, and if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Street parking is free on Sundays. Come in the front lobby and follow signs to Sunday Assembly, or listen for the sounds of sound checks and secular community!

Featured musicians Ground Control!

Nicky Endres and Margot Page host!

Coffee provided. You're welcome to bring a snack to share. Free childcare beginning at 10:30am. Everyone is welcome. Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We could always use more volunteer helpers, starting at 9am. to set up signs, greet attendees, brew coffee and load out after the event, let us know if you can be on the team this month!

Want to sing your heart out from the other side of the stage? The Wonder-more Warblers is a for-fun choir that meets at 10:30am on the day-of to run through the songs. Sometimes we even have a rehearsal with the band before the day! Sign up here to learn more. 

There's a TON that goes into driving a thriving community--planning committees, event hosts, blog writers, social media posters, video editors and maybe something you're into that we haven't even thought of yet. If you'd like to be a part of the magic of managing a science-based community, let us know!

Or email us at [email protected] 

"Tell me More, or: How to Shut up and Make Friends"

In the course of hosting the hit skeptic podcast "Oh No Ross and Carrie," Ross Blocher and his cohost have broken bread with Flat Earthers, taken seminars from Scientologists, gone in the field with ufologists, and interviewed purveyors of sundry supplements, fad diets and healing crystals. Despite beginning with wildly differing points of view, they always manage to be respectful and fair, and more often than you'd think they manage to change someone's thinking or learn a little something.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

‘Tis the season to rock out with friends! Yule Rock is the ultimate festive singalong and Sunday Assembly LA’s answer to the traditional carol concert.

Get ready to belt secular seasonal classics with hundreds of other revelers in the beautiful East West Players Theater in Little Tokyo. Warm up with live comedy from celebrity guest comics. Then croon along with live performers, including Shelley Segal, Ground Control, the Evangenitals and some surprise special guests! Holiday attire encouraged, good cheer required!

(If you would like to be part of the planning or would like to volunteer at the event, please let us know! The more people involved the more spectacular we can make it!)

Update: Link to the PDF of Nicky Endres's slides for links and more

On November 5th, to mark Trans Awareness Month and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, actress and activist Nicky Endres will talk about demystifying the trans experience and empowering trans allies. She'll take us on her journey from growing up in a conservative midwestern town, to performing gender alongside other roles as an artist in the industry, to finding authenticity in defying norms and embracing complexity. In sharing her personal journey, Nicky hopes to help cisgender people feel like more confident Allies for their Trans friends, family, and peers!

Allstar guest band! Shelley Segal, Paul Svenson and Sam Baker sing, with the Wonder-More Warblers.

Marsha Rose is Trying Her Best.

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding.

October 8th: "The Spirits of Innovation"

The Rest is Still Unwritten:

"Why We Need Diverse Books"

Our house band, Ground Control, will be performing with the Wonder-More Warblers. Thank you, Ben Castellana, Fletcher Crossman, Don Mogill, KT Sharp and Yari Shutzer!

Special guest Steve Watkins from Backdraft shares an original song.

Deb Nash is Trying Her Best.

Amy Boyle and Ryan Trout host!

If you have any to spare, please bring a canned or nonperishable food item, as we are collecting these for Food Pantry LAX. We're also collecting your used solar ecclipse glasses on behalf of Astronomers without Borders.

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and snacks, and, if you're still game, lunch at Loreley's down the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and online donations are gratefully accepted.

(Currently, we're not able to accept on-site donations at this venue. If you'd like to support SA, an entirely donor supported and volunteer powered non-profit, you can find us here: https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/donate

For sustaining memberships: https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/monthly)

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

 Joey Jefferson, JPL

Cassini Spacecraft Operations Team

*DATE CHANGE*  In August we are meeting on the 3rd Sunday!  Please mark your calendar and look for an announcement about a Summer Social event on the 2nd Sunday, August 13th.

Joey Jefferson from the Cassini Flight Control Team at JPL will speak on the Cassini mission as it approaches Saturn for its final descent! 

The new Sunday Assembly house band will regale us with space-themed pop songs (yes, that is a thing)!

Ross Blocher (Oh no, Ross and Carrie!) and Darrin Butters host.

James Henderson is trying his best! 

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and snacks, and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and online donations are gratefully accepted.

(Currently, we're not able to accept on-site donations at this venue. If you'd like to support SA, an entirely donor supported and volunteer powered non-profit, you can find us here: https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/donate
For sustaining memberships: https://sundayassemblyla.nationbuilder.com/monthly)

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

The Social Origins of Music

Charles Darwin proposed that our inclination for music began with mating rituals. Others contend that music started with the soothing sounds of “motherese" (infant-directed speech-song). Still others argue that the survival of early hunter-gatherers depended on musically induced collective states. Neuroscientists suggest that the release of endorphins and oxytocin, chemicals linked to group cohesion, constitute music’s evolutionary purpose. These and other theories point to the social origins of music. Whether connecting one person to another or uniting communities, music began as—and still remains—a social glue.

Jonathan L. Friedmann, Ph.D., is Professor of Jewish Music History at the Academy for Jewish Religion California, Adjunct Professor of Hebrew Bible at Claremont School of Theology, Extraordinary Associate Professor of Theology at North-West University (NWU), South Africa, and a Research Fellow at NWU in Musical Arts in South Africa: Resources and Applications. He is also Community Leader and Education Director of Adat Chaverim - Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeles. Jonathan spends his time writing, professing, serving as a pulpit cantor, and researching the roles of music in human life. He is the author or editor of sixteen books, most recently Jews, Music and the American West: Portraits of Pioneers (Gaon, 2016).

Jonathan Friedmann, his ukelele and the Wonder More Warblers will demonstrate the chemical and social benefits of shared music!

Sharí Alexander and Meredith Henderson host!

Ash Gernak is Doing Their Best!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

3 hours of free parking is available on a first come basis. The Southwest parking Lot off Santa Monica (closest to Fiesta Hall) and the larger North Parking Lot off Fountain and Vista are both free and open to the public. 

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

SALA is celebrating a NEW VENUE! On June 18th, join us in Fiesta Hall at 1166 N Vista Street!

Kicking off the first Sunday Assembly Los Angeles at our new venue at Fiesta Hall in West Hollywood, experimental psychologist and stunt woman Dr. Jessica Cail will speak how play shapes the brain and helps you lead a longer, healthier life.

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:30 we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch in the neighborhood.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free public parking is available at the park on a first-come basis. The South Parking Lot is off Santa Monica Blvd between Fuller and N. Vista Street, with a 3 hour parking limit. The North Parking Lot is off Fountain and N. Vista Street, without a parking limit. Free street parking is also available in the nearby residential areas - please check street signs before parking.

After the Assembly, we'll linger for coffee and snacks in the courtyard, then head to Shakey's Pizza a half mile away at 7001 Santa Monica Blvd. Shakey's has a large parking lot. If you are parked in the South Lot at Plummer Park, please remember to move your car, as there is a 3 hour limit. 

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and get ready for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Influence for Good

Starting around the age of two, language has been a part of our daily lives. So, it's understandable if we often take it for granted. And yet, there is so much power within the uniquely human trait of language. Our words can change minds, guide actions, and can leave a ripple effect in our communities. So, why do we suffer with the daily struggle of not having our ideas heard? How does one break through the noise? How do you get people to perk up and pay attention when you speak or write? Sharí will share with us some of the enlightening lessons she learned by the world's best influencers - including CIA agents, hostage negotiators, and more. She will show ways that you too can harness the power of positive persuasion in your daily life. 

Sam Renderos and Keith Swallow debut as hosts!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Can an old brain learn new tricks? Can you change and rewire your brain? Dr. Craig Stark returns to talk about “brain training" the problems with commercial products and show that yes, you’re continually rewiring your brain with the experiences you have. You'll hear fascinating data on how playing big, immersive 3D video games actually improves memory performance. Come explore the best ways to expose yourself to new things and alter your brain in potentially beneficial ways.

Sarah and Ryan Sandberg host.

Paul Svenson returns to bring the music all the way from SA San Diego.

This month we'll be collecting new and gently used items on behalf of Baby2Baby. Baby2Baby works with homeless and domestic violence shelters, Head Start programs, and children’s hospitals to provide low-income children ages 0-12 years with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.

Items that are urgently needed include: 

• Diaper bags
• Books
• Arts & Crafts supplies 
• Hygiene Products (Toothpaste, Shampoo, Bodywash)
• Infant/Toddler Toys (0-3 years)
• First Aid Kits/Items

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

As technologies are changing rapidly and the political landscape and cyber security regulations in the US and abroad are in constant flux, many are becoming more concerned worried what they say and do online and on their mobile devices are being watched. Hannah Howard, Digital Security Specialist will give an overview of how technologies leave us vulnerable, and offer some basic tools you can use to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Hannah Howard is a senior developer and tech generalist with over 15 years experience in programming and other technical fields. Prior to programming, Hannah worked for 10 years in the non-profit sector in Los Angeles, specializing in LGBT advocacy and community organizing. Hannah returned to coding in 2012, and brings her passion and experience from community organizing to helping new programmers get up to speed on technical topics.

with music from Andrew Kelsey (Uncle Charlie)

Ian Dodd and Marsha Swallow Host! Julie Williams is trying her best. 

For Valentine's Day, we'll be collecting donations straight from the heart, in the form of ... blood. The Cedar Sinai Bloodmobile will be onsite in the parking lot, with reception set up in the lobby, from 9am- 2:30pm. If you plan to donate blood, please consider arriving early (especially if you are also volunteering!), as it does take some time, and there is usually a rush just after the Assembly.

(We regret that FDA guidelines continue to uphold a non-evidence based policy that doesn’t allow all our members to donate, and we thank everyone who can or would like to donate life-saving blood.)

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Start 2017 off right, with TWO Assemblies in January. Just one week after our regularly scheduled secular gathering in Hollywood, Sunday Assembly LA is joining the star-studded cast of LogiCAL at the Hyatt LAX. 

LogiCAL is Los Angeles's only annual con for skeptics and features speakers Sean Carroll, Harriett Hall, Eugenie Scott, Seth Andrews and so much more. SALA is kicking off Sunday's lineup with an all-stars Assembly 9-10am. You can attend the Assembly for free, but we strongly encourage you to register for the conference and catch all the speakers and after-hours events. 

 SALA highlights include:

Jean Franzblau, speaker, educator and founder of the Cuddle Sanctuary

Alternative Folk Pop Sensation Streetlight Cadence

More!

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. 

* +1 RSVPs are enabled on this event

* If you'd like to attend any portion of the conference in addition to Sunday Assembly, you'll need to register separately on their website: http://logicalla.com/blog1/register-2/

 David Misch, Comedy Writer

The Shame of Satire

George Carlin said “It’s the duty of a comedian to find out where the line is… then step over it.” David Misch (Mork and Mindy, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Saturday Night Live, Funny: The Book) looks at satire and how it works, with a little help from Samantha Bee, Groucho Marx, Key & Peele, Richard Pryor and Stephen Colbert.

*This month's speaker will be tackling the darker, more controversial side of comedy, which includes content that might not be suitable for all audiences, including race, sex, and sexual assault. Please take care and contact us with any questions.*

Shelley Segal returns to lead music!

Jeff Sargeant is Trying his Best.

Meredith and James Henderson host!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Terry McGlynn

How do we know what we know? How can we leave room to challenge dogmatic thinking and arrive at new conclusions?

Terry McGlynn will speak about "Unknown Unknowns," those moments when observation challenges accepted scientific wisdom, and how major paradigm shifts in scientific thinking--and our own minds--can occur. 

A tropical biologist who does research to solve the biological mysteries involving ants and rainforests, Terry is a professor of biology at Cal State Dominguez Hills and a research associate of the Natural History Museum of LA. His blog is Small Pond Science.

Musical guests Hunter and the Dirty Jacks return!

Keith Swallow is doing his best.

Introducing Daniel Algazy and Sara McGuire as hosts.

We'll be collecting new unwrapped children's toys on behalf of Children's Hospital LA and you can always bring food for Westside Food Bank. Thank you for your generosity!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Renewable Energy

Paul Scott

Paul Scott, a lifelong environmental advocate, co-founded Plug In America in 2005 to galvanize support and advocate for the manufacture of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids that reduce America’s dependence on petroleum, boost America's economy, and improve the global environment. Paul will give us the score on switching to renewable energy and electric transportation.

With music from Shelley Segal!

A gaggle of Assemblers perform The Lorax.

Sunday Assembly founder Pippa Evans is Doing her Best from London!

Darrin Butters and Ross Blocher (Oh No Ross and Carrie!) host!

And people are wishing us joining us live online from around the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_QvUrLL2hY

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

After Life: Making Choices about End of Life

Joe Barnes,

Outreach Manager for Compassion & Choices CA

 It's a fact of this one incredible life we have that it is finite, and it falls to the living to contemplate mortality and loss, support each other through grief and, at times, make difficult and compassionate choices about how we and our loved ones face that end.

On June 9th 2016 the California End of Life Option Act went into effect, authorizing medical aid in dying for the almost 40 million people who call California home. Come learn more about this new option, who it's for, and how the Compassion & Choices Access Campaign is helping to ensure equitable access to patient center end of life care for all Californians. Joe Barnes is an experienced political organizer and was instrumental in organizing the effort to get this law passed and now works with communities and volunteers across the state to provide comprehensive education. Joe's interest in engaging this issue came after caring for his own father at the end of his life and seeing the disconnect that often exists between the care people want and what they receive.

In celebration and memory...

In honor of the day and of our lost loved ones, we'll have our own secular memorial table. Please bring pictures of loved ones you'd like to memorialize and/or flowers, notes or other tributes. We will also have paper and art supplies where you can add the names of those whose lives you would like to commemorate.

with music from Andrew Kelsey

and Ian Dodd is doing his best

Introducing: Meredith Henderson and Matt Rockel as hosts!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

***Content Notice: Talk contains explicit information about anatomy and sex.***

Shedding Shame: Sex, Stigma and our Human Bodies

Did you know that in a recent study, 29% of college age women were unable to correctly locate the clitoris on a diagram? This Sunday, Kait Scalisi, MPH, will tackle taboos and dispel myths about what goes on "down there." She'll talk about realities of anatomy they're shying away from teaching in health class, and explain why staying silent on the subject of female anatomy and pleasure leads to shame and difficulty communicating clearly about consent and health, while honest discussion empowers people to live better through stronger partnerships with others, their bodies and themselves. 

with Paul Svenson and the Warblers!

Sarah and Ryan Sandberg Host!

We'll be collecting nonperishable food items on behalf of the Westside Food Bank. For a complete list, please check here. 

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Reading, Writing and Rocket Science: Scientific Literacy for the Next Generation

An understanding of fundamental scientific principals and concepts is critical, not just for those in or entering the scientific community, but for all members of an engaged society. As we are asked to weigh in on an increasing number of issues with some connection to science and technology—either by means of public opinion or through the ballot box—it is important that our opinions are rooted in an understanding of scientific thought and fact. The focus of this talk will be the importance of scientific and technological literacy in society. We will discuss these issues and how steps are being taken to ensure current and future generations are being provided with these skills.

Lyle Tavernier

Lyle Tavernier is an Educational Technology Specialist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He specializes in integrating technology into classroom instruction and providing STEM education through distance learning technologies. Lyle has presented at AIAA Space, ISTE, GSA, NSTA, CSTA and CUE conferences on the topics of distance learning and STEM education. Prior to his work at NASA, Lyle was a classroom teacher, instructional technology coach, new teacher mentor, science fair coordinator, and a gifted and talented education coordinator. Lyle is a credentialed teacher and holds a Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Geosciences.

With Guest Performer: David Huntsberger

David Huntsberger is a stand-up comedian who hosted SyFy’s late night comedy clip show REACTOR, and whose voice you might recognize from his weekly podcast Professor Blastoff with Tig Notaro and Kyle Dunnigan or his new podcast The Space Cave. He has released three CDs, with the two most recent through Stand-Up Records. Humanitis, released in 2011, was named #1 on the Serious Comedy Site’s year end list. His most recent CD, Explosion Land, debuted in the top 15 of the iTunes comedy charts and deals largely with human evolution, technology, and beliefs. In his free-time, he enjoys drawing comics and animation – which can be seen at his website www.davidhuntsberger.com. 

And Doing Our Best with Jenny Chieu

Amy Boyle and Ryan Sandberg Co-host!

Item Drive: Travelsize New Toiletry Items for the Sunday Assembly Line Care Kits Project

In our ongoing efforts to #helpfoten in our community, we will be partnering again with the Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition to distribute care kits as a part of their evening meal. We have bags leftover from our last program, but need more toiletry items. To help, you can bring travel sized items for this project OR make a purchase from our Amazon wishlist. Needed items include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, toothbrushes, and more. Please only include new and unopened items. Thank you!!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

"The Woman Who Changed Space and Time"

Dr. Sabrina Stierwalt

Dr. Sabrina Stierwalt, extragalactic astrophysicist and host of the podcast Everyday Einstein, works on ALMA, the largest telescope in the world and was named a 2014 L’Oréal-UNESCO’s Women in Science fellow. Dr. Stierwalt will share some little-known stories about women in science whose discoveries are the foundation for our understanding of space and time today and she'll talk about how including diverse points of view makes us all stronger. 

With Guest Band: The Evangenitals

Imagine if Johnny Cash, Bob Marley and Joan of Arc were one woman. Now, imagine that woman gathering a band of eclectic musicians on a crusade to expand the bounds of Country music. The Evangenitals, founded by playwright/director Juli Crockett and opera, jazz & gospel singer Lisa Dee are an alt-country/Americana love revolution made flesh for your listening pleasure. On a quixotic crusade in the key of life hell-bent on breaking hearts open, they are a genre-bending, ever-creating force of nature.

Ron Placone returns to Sunday Assembly for a short performance comedy set. Ron hosts the nationally-syndicated radio show, Indie Bohemians, has been featured on SiriusXM and TMZ, is part of the Young Turks Network, and tours the country as both a speaker and stand-up. As an academic, Ron has been published in the Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric.

Guest Performer: Ron Placone

 And Doing Our Best with Shawn Shih

 Ross Blocher and Darrin Butters return to Co-Host!

We will be hosting a blood drive on this date. Cedars-Sinai will be set up in our parking lot from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Please come early and RSVP here if plan to donate. Walk-ins will also be taken, but RSVPs help us plan.

Our Item Drive this month is for The Academy Project

They request school supplies of all kinds, especially journals for their programs dedicated to changing educational outcomes for foster youth in Los Angeles.

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Special June Schedule: 3rd Sunday instead of 2nd!

"Maximizing Potential:

Building Resilience in Children, Families, and Communities"

Why do some people thrive no matter what life throws at them while others crumble under the seemingly smallest adversity? From genetics to relationships to culture, Dr. Christensen will discuss the various factors that influence the fragility and magnitude of human potential. Come discover what over 60 years of research on resilience across the lifespan reveals about what helps us overcome obstacles of all sizes. Explore how we can take this information and apply it to our daily lives – to better ourselves, our children, and our communities.  

Jacquelyn Christensen

Dr. Christensen received her Doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. Her research areas of interest include sensory processing, self-regulation, resilience, and the biopsychosocial implications of trauma, with a focus on non-suicidal self-injury in early adolescence, as well as meta-emotion and parent-child interaction in toddlers.

With Guest Musician: Shelley Segal

Shelley flirts with elements of jazz, folk, pop, blues, reggae and electronica, imparting a pure joy about music and its power. “Truly an artist with international flair” (AU review) her powerful voice has taken her around Australia, Hong Kong, China, England and eight tours of the United States. She has performed to festival crowds of over 30,000 people. An artist, an activist and an explicit storyteller, Shelley uses her music not only to express the way she sees the world, but to create the world that she wants to see.

And Short Performance with Brian Felsen

And Doing Our Best with Mike Monte

Ross Blocher and Darrin Butters Co-Host!

Please bring clothing for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. You can view a full donation list HERE. 

Collection Drive: Los Angeles LGBT Center

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

"The Deeper Hunger in America"

Every day in America, 10,000 people turn 70, and many of them look in the mirror and wonder, "How did I get so lost along the way?" And, everyday across the country, tens of thousands of people volunteer, looking in small part, for a way to feel more connected to their community, each other, and themselves. For almost 30 years, Robert Egger has been working to open doors, light beacons, and re-introduce people to their true selves, first through his work at the legendary D.C. Central Kitchen, and now at his latest effort, the L.A. Kitchen. Join him for a deep dive into the real hunger issue in America . . . the hunger to be connected.

Robert Egger of the LA Kitchen

Robert is the Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which recovers locally sourced, cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program for men and women coming out of foster care and older men and women returning from incarceration. Founded in 2013, L.A. Kitchen is now located in a 20,000 sq. ft., two–level, processing kitchen, located in NE Los Angeles. L.A. Kitchen operates Strong Food, a wholly owned, for ­profit subsidiary that hires training program graduates and competes for food service contracts, with an emphasis on opportunities to serve healthy senior meals. Robert pioneered this model during his 24 year tenure as the President of the DC Central Kitchen, the country’s first “community kitchen.” Since opening in 1989, the Kitchen (which is a $11 million a year, self­-sustaining, social enterprise) has produced over 30 million meals and helped 1,500 men and women gain full time employment.

In addition, Robert founded CForward, an advocacy organization that promoted the economic role that nonprofits play in every community. Currently, Robert serves on the Board of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, Phoenix Foods USA, the Philanthropic Collaborative, and Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen. He also serves on the Advisory Board for numerous social enterprise and food justice organizations, including Food Shift and The Food Recovery Network. Robert’s book on the non­profit sector, Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding For All, was released in 2004 by HarperCollins. It received the 2005 McAdam Book Award for “Best Nonprofit Management Book” by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management. Robert was included in the Non-Profit Times list of the “50 Most Powerful and Influential” nonprofit leaders from 2006 - ­2009. He was the recipient of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s 2007 “Lifetime Achievement” award and the 2004 James Beard Foundation “Humanitarian of the Year” award. Robert has been named an Oprah Angel, a Washingtonian of the Year, a Point of Light, a Food Hero by Food Tank, a REAL Food Innovator by the US Healthful Food Council, and one of the Ten Most Caring People in America by the Caring Institute. 

With Guest Musician: Paul Svenson

Short Performance by Comedian, Shelagh Ratner

And Doing Our Best with Matt Rockel

Margot Page & Gina Kirkland Co-host! 

Don't Miss Our Mother's Day Mimosa Fundraiser

We will be setting up a mimosa station in the assembly with complimentary mimosas for moms and donations/tips requested from everyone else with all funds going directly to Sunday Assembly Line after expenses are covered. Please bring cash and tip generously. (Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available at the mimosa station.)

Please bring non-perishable items for the Westside Food Bank, battling food insecurity and hunger in Los Angeles. You can view a full donation list HERE. 

Collection Drive: Westside Food Bank

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,  lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

"Rebels with a Cause"

Featuring "How Satan Brings Us Closer to a More Just and Compassionate World"

with Ali Kellog & William Morrison from The Satanic Temple

Members of The Satanic Temple (T.S.T.) do not actually believe in Satan. Instead, they use the literary Lucifer as a satirical tool to promote egalitarian, secular values and push back against encroachment on the separation of church and state. Why Satan? They are joining us to answer just that question.

In their own words ... "It’s the question members of T.S.T. are constantly asked. For us, the image of Satan represents the ultimate rebel. The outsider. In Christianity, Lucifer was the archangel cast out of heaven for defiance and questioning authority. This metaphor resonates strongly with our identity as individuals and as an organization. When confronted with religious extremism and those who envision America as a theocracy, members of T.S.T. attempt to serve as mirrors, quietly asserting our humanist stance and generally causing our detractors to fly into a frenzy when faced with a simple indefensible argument supported by the first amendment. It’s a risky venture. The imagery we use alienates a lot of people, but at the end of the day it works."

In the short time T.S.T. has been around they have won some major battles for the secular movement and garnered a great deal of support from the international press. Even CNN has come out in support of T.S.T. and its mission. During their talk, they will speak about the seven tenets of the Satanic Temple and why they choose to identify with the image of Satan as individuals and as an organization.

They will also update the assembly on current actions that are happening with T.S.T. nationally, in the realm of 1st amendment rights and women’s reproductive rights and provide an overview of the development of the L.A. chapter of T.S.T. and their future plans.

At Sunday Assembly, we understand that the word "Satan" is provocative, but we feel this talk is both timely and relevant to anyone invested in the separation of church and state. If you have any questions or concerns before the Assembly, we are happy to answer them. You can reach us at: [email protected]

About Ali Kellog: Ali Kellog is an archaeologist, musician, writer, visual artist and activist. She studied anthropology at UCLA and conducted research on ancient Mayan agricultural and religious practices in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. A seasoned musician, DJ and artist, she has recorded, toured, and performed with various acts including Father John Misty, Jeffertitti’s Nile, Ahkiyyini, Lumerians, Benson & Stabler, and her solo project Sister Calypso. She has worked with Playing For Change, a non-profit organization and multi-media music project which brings music schools to impoverished youth around the world. She also regularly works with the ChangeFire orphanages in Mexico, installing solar panels and providing education for the children. She currently works as an educator at a Holocaust museum in L.A., primarily teaching children and teenagers about genocide, racism, and social activism.

About William Morrison: Morrison is a Canadian born Grammy nominated Filmmaker and Musician.He's forged a long standing relationship with the West Coast industrial music scene and became a member of the pioneering activist band Skinny Puppy. In tandem with his musical career he embarked on a decade of producing and directing culinary, action reality television and documentaries all over the globe for Food Network, History, Discovery, Travel, MTV, BBC and more. William has worked extensively with Native and Inuit peoples from Wounded Knee to the high Arctic, working with the Nisga’a tribe to create an audio visual data base to preserve their dying language for future generations. Most importantly, living in Los Angeles, he’s the devoted single parent of two amazing kids.

With guest musician: Voices of Reason

Voices of Reason is an a cappella group supported by Atheists United, catering specifically to atheist/agnostic/humanist singers and audiences. They select music that reflects those values, whether it's about religion, human virtues, or even edgy comedy. They do take new members, so whether you've been in a choir, musical theater, or even if you can't read music but can hold a note, come talk to us afterwards or go to voicesofreason.net to join our meetup group www.meetup.com/VoicesOfReason. Our meetings are in Echo Park, about twice a month for two hours.

James Witker is "Doing his Best"

Collection Drive: Baby 2 Baby

Please bring new and VERY GENTLY used items for children 0 - 12 including: clothing, toys, beds, cribs, diapers, wipes, school supplies, car seats, carriers, maternity clothing, breast pumps, monitors, shoes, and more. You can see a full donation list HERE.

Ian Dodd and Chole Rivera host!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

****SPECIAL EVENT*****

Immediately following the Assembly is Sunday Assembly Line, from 12:30-2pm, is a fast, fun and friendly service where we put together care kits for the homeless. Join us! RSVP HERE. You can donate to the Sunday Assembly Line service project HERE. 

The Sunday Assembly Line (2!)

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: What Would It Mean to Remember Every Day of Your Life?

Craig Stark

Dr. Craig Stark is a Professor for the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California - Irvine. His work has appeared in over 60 peer-reviewed publications and he has made appearances on Talk of the Nation: Science Friday (NPR), All Things Considered (NPR), and Midmorning (MPR).

A newly discovered memory phenomenon, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), has caused us to re-examine our ideas about what the human mind is capable of remembering. People with this rare and fascinating ability can effortlessly span back through decades worth of information to retrieve autobiographical events with remarkable clarity, accuracy, and detail. Remarkably, their memory for non-autobiographical information and other cognitive skills are completely normal. This phenomenon raises many interesting questions, such as: 1) Is there a limit to how much can we hold in memory? 2) Is there a cost associated with have excellent recall of personal life events? 3) What strategies or processes are required for this memory ability? 4) Were these individuals born with this gift or was it acquired later on? 5) What brain regions are responsible for this phenomenon?

With Guest musician: Andrew Kelsey

Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Andrew Kelsey is native of Los Angeles.  Andrew is stylistically influenced by such artists as James Taylor, The Eagles, Sublime, and Dean Martin.  He is well versed in performing live as a solo acoustic artist, as well as with a full band.  His consummate objective is to facilitate spiritual, mental, emotional, and if even possible, physical healing through music.

With Short Performance by Comedian: Matt Kirshen

And "Assemblers Doing Our Best": Rosa Navas

Amy Boyle and Ryan Sandberg host!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Paul Svenson: "The Russians Gonna Get Me!"

The cultural construction of “them and us” is as old as humanity. Today we live in an environment where fear, and often hatred, is associated with terrorism, beheadings, and the manufactured threat of our country falling under the influence of fundamentalist Sharia law. Paul tells his story of growing up in Los Angeles in the early 60s, when "the other” was the Soviet Union, and American families listened to tales of Soviet anti-Americanism and prepared for the fallout of Russia's ever growing arsenal of nuclear weapons. Hear Paul's riveting and insightful story of coming of age in a culture of air-raid sirens and fallout shelters while being raised in a home with compassionate parents who taught a message of reason and tolerance. 

Paul Svenson is a career songwriter, songleader, music director, recording engineer/producer and audio video system designer. He was raised in Sherman Oaks and spent the better part of forty years in southern California as a professional church music director, itinerant song leader, business owner, husband and father. He lives in San Diego with his wife Wendy of 34 years. From there he operates his businesses PS Audio Video and Makin’ Music 101. Paul enjoys music, baseball, vintage instruments and recording equipment, family and friends. He is the resident songleader for Sunday Assembly San Diego. 

With Guest musicians: Hunter & the Dirty Jacks

Hunter & The Dirty Jacks are the band. Retro Fresh Rock & Roll is the sound. Fronted by lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Hunter Ackerman, and anchored by Jon Siembieda and Carmelo Bonaventura on guitar, Aaron Barnes on bass, Brian Lara on drums, with Moana Avvenenti on vocals, they are a blues-infused rock and roll force not to be missed.

Debuting Emcees: Hannah & Anthony Richards

Featuring Doing Our Best: Brittany DeVries

And Short Performance: Sava Ellis

 This month we are collecting items for the Burbank Animal Shelter. They have requested food (Wellness and Evanger's brands preferred), beds, toys, and other items for dogs and cats. They also have Amazon Smile wishlists you can glance at for both dogs and cats. (Don't forget to choose Sunday Assembly Los Angeles as your Amazon Smile designated charity!)  Bring your items to the assembly and we will get them delivered to the Burbank Animal Shelter.

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game,lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Complimentary parking is available onsite in our lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Planets, Planets Everywhere!

Scientists have been hunting for and finding planets outside our Solar System (called Exoplanets) for well over 3 decades. Since its launch in 2009, the Kepler mission has dramatically increased the number of known exoplanets – and also discovered many that are at the right distance from their star to be in the “habitable zone.” Kepler’s findings have allowed scientists to draw some conclusions about how common planets are in our Galaxy and the Universe. Come learn about these exciting discoveries!

Tracy Drain, Flight Systems Engineer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

Tracy Drain is a Flight Systems Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. In her 15 years at JPL, she has participated in the development and operation of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (now in orbit at Mars), Kepler (a mission that searched for new Exoplanets in our galaxy), and Juno (which is currently on its way to Jupiter, slated to arrive in July 2016). In parallel with her ongoing work on Juno operations, she is currently the Supervisor for the Flight System Systems Engineering Group, providing guidance and oversight to other engineers who support a variety of JPL missions.

With Guest musicians: Streetlight Cadence

Streetlight Cadence is a four-piece Alternative Folk Pop band that started on the streets of historic Waikiki. What began as a means to pay for groceries has now turned into a full-time career for this group of friends. The band has spent the last six years honing their craft as songwriters and entertainers. Although they came from a strict classical background of musical performance, the men of Streetlight Cadence are anything but your typical quartet. Now based out of Southern California, none are safe from your friendly neighborhood busking band. 

And "Assemblers Doing Our Best" Brian Felsen

This month we are collecting winter clothing and toiletry items for Safe Place for Youth. This link has details on items you can purchase on Amazon Smile (don't forget to choose Sunday Assembly Los Angeles as your Amazon Smile designated charity!) and details the kind of gently used and new items that are helpful for homeless youth in Los Angeles. Bring your items to the assembly and we will get them delivered to Safe Place.

Join us at 11 am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street at around 1:30 pm.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Complimentary parking is available on site in our lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Nahtahna Cabanes, Community Outreach Coordinator, CASA Los Angeles

Fostering Hope in the Foster Care System

There are over 30,000 children under the jurisdiction of the LA Country dependency system. Many have been removed from their homes and find themselves in the complicated world of the foster care system. Ms. Cabanes will share stories of the system’s efforts to reduce and reverse the effects of child abuse and neglect to ensure these children can thrive.  

Nahtahna Cabanes has dedicated her life to advancing equity through education and advocacy. She received a Master’s Degree from Tufts University in the Social and Cultural Construction of Middle Ages and a second Master’s in Social Work from UCLA with a focus on Community and Policy Setting. As a Bohnett Fellow she served Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa in his Office of Education working to push forward progressive education reform. She is currently a foster youth advocate for CASA of Los Angeles working to uncover and challenge the structural policies that affect the conditions of the classroom in order to promote lasting change.

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

 Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Complimentary parking is available on site in our lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Dr. Foad Dizadji-Bahmani, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Cal State LA

Where Science meets Science Fiction

The idea that there are "parallel" universes, other universes where, for example, there are "copies" of us, is certainly popular in science fiction. But a variety of physicists and philosophers also think that there really are such parallel universes. No, but really! In this talk I set out three different kinds of "parallel" universes --  1) the Multiverse hypothesis in cosmology; 2) the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics; and 3) Modal Realism in philosophy. I shall compare the various pictures of reality that they give us and explain the motivation for each.

With Guest Musicians . . . . Streetlight Cadence

This November marks our community's second anniversary! We'll celebrate with hugs and high fives, and ice cream we'll make on site, courtesy of our speaker Dr. Foad Dizadji-Bahmani. 

We're also collecting care kit items this month: card games, books, snacks (not chocolate) and personal letters. Jason Torpy, president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, has requested 15 care packages for Humanists and about 100 more that they can distribute to others. Humanist books and literature are welcome for the Humanist care packages only. 

After the Assembly, we'll assemble a little longer to put together care kits and write letters for Humanist servicemen and women. 

Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Complimentary parking is available onsite in our lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Ron Placone, speaker, radio personality and comedian

Madness in the Message: Start Talking

How is a for-profit media affecting democracy, and what can we do about it? Speaker, radio personality and comedian Ron Placone joins us on October 11th to help us challenge the way “we the people” interact with news and the corporate media.

Since launching Madness in June of 2012, Ron has performed for colleges, advocacy groups, and enjoyed several sold-out theater shows. Ron hosts the syndicated radio show and podcast, Indie Bohemians, in Nashville, TN, is part of The Young Turks Network on YouTube, and tours the country as both a Media Policy Speaker and stand-up comedian. In his academic life, Ron’s been published in the Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric and occasionally serves as Adjunct Faculty at Nashville State Community College.

Paul Svenson, the fabulous songleader for Sunday Assembly San Diego, is our musical guest, and Gina Kirkland and Amy Boyle MC. 

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Jean Franzblau, speaker, actor, sex-positive educator

The Power of Touch

Touch deprivation is linked to measurable increases in stress, sleep problems, a compromised immune system and cardiovascular disease. This means that touch is a powerful weapon in the arsenal for good health. In this affirming talk, we’ll explore why this issue is at near epidemic levels in our country and what each of us can do to take care of our need for Vitamin T.

About Jean Franzblau

Jean has worked internationally as a seminar leader and coach to inspire people to reach their highest potential. She teaches workshops on sexual esteem and women’s empowerment. Jean graduated cum laude with a BA in communications from UCLA and has 18 years experience with the 12-step model of recovery.

 

Coming back for an encore is Voices of Reason, the secular choir that includes several of our Assemblers, to lead us in celebratory song!

And you probably know them as the friendliest faces around SALA and the leads on every manner of volunteer teams, but this Sunday you'll see Ryan and Sarah Sandberg as MCs!

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

The Science of Happiness

Dr. Jessica Cail returns to talk about the latest psychological and neurological research on happiness. Learn the science-based steps we can take every day to help ourselves and each other remain playful, mindful and generous ... and live better!

 Live Music

Hunter and the Dirty Jacks will keep us moving with the kind of Rockin Blues that make you smile. 

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

 Amplifying Our Values

When we gather in community with like-minded people, people who share our values and vision for a better world, we motivate, encourage and inspire each other to fulfill those aspirations in a way that we never could by ourselves.  In the words of our guest, Bart Campolo, "together we amplify our values."

For the July Assembly, we're going explore how we can turn up the volume on our values so that, to borrow a line from the classic movie, This is Spinal Tap, "these go to 11!"

This month, we welcome Bart Campolo to be a part of Sunday Assembly Los Angeles as our guest curator and speaker.  Bart is a master of bridging ideological differences as the humanist chaplain at both USC and UCLA.  Coming from a 25+ year career as a pastor and community-builder, Bart has a unique perspective on Sunday Assembly's tagline "all the best bits of church, without the religion, and awesome pop songs" that he'll be sharing with us that day.

Join us this month for a little different kind of Assembly,

co-hosted by Ian Dodd, a SALA regular.   

Afterwards, stay for refreshments and fellowship and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

As always, Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

"The Anthropology of Laughter"

Studies have shown that we emit some variation of the exclamation “Ha!” dozens a time each day, yet few of those laughs are about anything funny. From laughter’s prehistoric origins (probably in a scream) to biologists tickling rats (yes, there's video), this talk will take a look at laughter’s hidden complexity and, as a free bonus, explain how to achieve transcendence through fart jokes.

On June 14th, comedy writer David Misch (Mork & Mindy, She Spies) will share these and other seriously funny insights into "The Anthropology of Laughter." 

We also welcome a new musical guest to Sunday Assembly, Mr. James Lee Stanley.  James has been recording since the age of 14 and has played with such greats as Bonnie Raitt, Robin Williams and Chick Corea.

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

[DATE CHANGE for May: because Mother's Day falls on our regular 2nd Sunday, this month we're pulling the Assembly up by a week to May 3rd.]

"Born Together; Reared Apart"

Author and prestigious twin researcher Dr. Nancy Segal will present an overview of the landmark Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, its origins, methods, findings, implications and controversies. 

“Twins separated at birth are endlessly fascinating and give us some of the best scientific insights into nature and nurture. No one can tell this story better than Nancy Segal, gifted scientist, raconteur, and wise observer of human nature.”

                                                                                —Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature

Andrew Kelsey returns for a very special set of big band favorites for this Swing Edition Assembly! So bring your dancing shoes, Daddy-O. We're going to jump and jive!

Amy Boyle and Michael Lewis MC. 

Remember to mark your calendar for May 3rd. And don't forget to call your Mother on the 10th.

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding. 

Dr. Michael Shermer, author and founder of The Skeptics Society, joins us in April to talk about how abstract reasoning, rationality, empiricism and skepticism have profoundly changed the way we perceive morality. 

Ever since the Enlightenment, thinkers have consciously applied the methods of science to solve social and moral problems, and in the process created the modern world of liberal democracies, civil rights, equal justice, open political and economic borders, and prosperity the likes of which no human society in history has ever enjoyed. In this provocative and compelling talk—that includes brief histories of freedom rights, women’s rights, gay rights, and animal rights, along with considerations of the nature of evil and moral regress—Shermer explains how scientific ways of thinking have moved us ever closer to a more just world.

Dr. Shermer will be signing copies of his new book, The Moral Arc, which will also be available in the Assembly lobby.

Hunter and the Dirty Jacks return to do that soulful thing they do with vintage rock and blues.

Join us at 11am-12:15pm for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

At the April 12th Assembly, we'll be accepting travel-sized toiletry items for our first homegrown, kid-friendly charity project, the Sunday Assembly Line. In April, please consider bringing travel-sized wet wipes, toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant and lip balm. We will also continue to accept non-perishable foods on behalf of the Westside Food Bank. 

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Memory

"I remember it like it was yesterday." How often have you said those words? How well do we really remember yesterday? In the wake of recent high profile events like Ferguson, MO, how do we sort out conflicting eyewitness accounts of events? If they all saw the same thing, why don't they remember it the same way?

Dr. Craig Stark is a professor of neurobiology and behavior and a memory and learning researcher at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Stark will share with us what he and his colleagues are learning about the way memory actually works (and how it's very different from the way the public thinks it does).

 We'll also be welcoming back Kent Martin to lead the SALA choir (that's you).  

Join us at 11am for great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Professional childcare provided.

To kick off a longer-term food drive to help feed the working poor in our community, SALA is accepting nonperishable food donations on March 8th. Please consider bringing: canned foods, boxed pastas and lentils, nut butters, breakfast bars, infant formula, baby food and other nonperishables to help alleviate hunger in Los Angeles. (The food bank asks that you not donate glass, except baby food, and donated food not be expired.) Thank you!

  "A Universe of Stories"

On February 8th we welcome to town author "Buzzy" Jackson, who will explore what some of humankind's greatest thinkers have written about the big universe, our tiny human lives and the relationship between the two. Buzzy's new book, The Inspirational Atheist: Wise Words on the Wonder and Meaning of Life, will be available for sale in the lobby.

We'll also be treated to the musical stylings of the very talented Andrew Kelsey. 

As always, we invite you to stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street. 

While donations are welcome, Sunday Assembly is free of charge.

Everyone is welcome. Professional childcare provided.  

Wow, where did the year go? Throughout 2014, many of you may have been following the blog "Year Without God." On January 11th its author, Ryan Bell, will share his insights on navigating the narratives that shape our lives. 

 The blogger, Ryan Bell, will be our guest speaker for the January 11 Assembly.  

On Dec. 31, 2013, the former pastor announced on the Huffington Post that in 2014 he would "live as if there is no God."  For the next year, he dove in and explored non-belief in all its varieties and kept a public record of his journey at his popular blog.  Now his year is over and Ryan is ready to share some of the lessons he learned about the paradigms in which we live our lives, both consciously and unconsciously.

Join us at 11am for some intriguing insights, songs and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street. 

While donations are welcome, Sunday Assembly is free of charge.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided. 

On Nov. 9, we will be celebrating the first anniversary of the launch of Sunday Assembly-Los Angeles by doing a little looking back at all that we've accomplished and some looking forward to our next year.

 Founders and co-directors Amy Boyle & Ian Dodd will be our co-hosts for this celebration.

 Our friends Hunter & the Dirty Jacks will be back to bring down the house with the rock & blues.  But don't expect them to play the traditional "Happy Birthday" song. . . 

Fun factoid: the words 'religion' and 'ligament' share a common Latin root.  Religiare originally meant "that which binds us together" like a ligament binds the bones of our skeleton.  Many traditional religions have their "smells and bells", the shared shorthand of rituals and traditions where meaning can be conveyed with few or no words that binds their members together.  But religion doesn't have the copyright on ritual.  Secular ritual is not an oxymoron.

What do secular communities, especially brand new ones like Sunday Assembly, have that can bind us together?  What role can ritual play in building our community?  Can we consciously create rituals that will carry meaning for us?  We've invited Randi Gottlieb, a psychotherapist with a background in cultural anthropology and a keen interest in the role of ritual in building community, to come kick off this conversation.

 And if you've been waiting to splurge on a new Sunday Assembly T-shirt, this will be the day to buy yourself a little birthday present as we roll out some fresh new designs and styles.  Come check them out at the merchandise table.

 If you would like to lend a hand as a volunteer for our birthday celebration, simply...

             CLICK HERE

We welcome Dr. Clifford Johnson, a theoretical physicist at USC, to the October Assembly, who will be doing a talk bound to make us "wonder more" about the latest discoveries supporting some of the more "outside-the-box" ideas about the Big Bang.  Have you heard about gravitational waves?  These are the ripples embedded in the fabric of space that are predicted by "inflationary theory", the idea that the Universe underwent an exponential, faster-than-light expansion in the first few zepto-seconds (yes, that's a real unit of time) after the Big Bang.  Last spring, physicists working in Antarctica announced the discovery of evidence for these gravitational waves, lending support to the inflationary theory.  Dr. Johnson will lead us into the weird world of Big Bang cosmology with his talk, "Even the Universe has an Origin Story".

And don't forget the DATE CHANGE for October!  Instead of our usual 2nd Sunday, just for October we've had to slip it back a week to Oct. 19, due to unforeseen circumstances (not an act of God, thankfully).

For the September edition of Sunday Assembly, we welcome Conor Robinson, recently back from a year of community service work in four countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as part of the pilot program for the Pathfinders Project, sponsored by the Foundation Beyond Belief.  Conor will be sharing his experiences and speaking on the nature of service.

Scroll down to RSVP for Sept. 14.

After graduating from Yale, where he launched the student humanist group, Conor taught for 2 years in Los Angeles with Teach for America.  During that time he began formulating his ideas for a humanist service corps that focuses on specific local needs while fostering dialogue across religious and cultural boundaries.  The Pathfinders were the featured cover story in the May/June issue of the Humanist magazine.

In addition, we'll have music by Kent Martin, an icebreaker, Assembler milestones, stories from our community, all hosted by SA-LA organizer Elijah Senn and, of course, bread-breaking with fellow Assemblers afterwards.

Our guest speaker will be Nanea Reeves speaking on "Taking NO Out of Innovation."

Join us for song, cerebral stimulation and secular celebration!

Join us for song, cerebral stimulation and secular celebration!

Join us for song, cerebral stimulation and secular celebration! This June, Sunday Assembly LA is proud to welcome paleontologist Donald Prothero as our guest speaker.

Join us for laughter, song and secular celebration. As always, Assemblies are free to attend, and everyone is welcome. 

Join us for laughter, song and godless celebration. 

Sunday Assembly Los Angeles is proud to announce Michael Dowd, evolutionary evangelist and author of Thank God for Evolution, as our featured speaker this March. 

Join us for laughter, song and godless celebration at Sunday Assembly Los Angeles. This February we welcome Phil Zuckerman, author and Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, as our keynote speaker. Stay tuned for musical guests and more!

Our speaker will be Dr. Jessica Cail discussing the "Biology of Sex/Gender ID."

Join us for laughter, song and godless celebration at the second Sunday Assembly Los Angeles.

We hope you can join us at the first ever Sunday Assembly Los Angeles at 11am on November 10th at the Professional Musician's Local 47 auditorium at 817 Vine Street in Hollywood. (Parking is first-come, first served--please plan accordingly!)

RSVP here!

Join us for good times and live music, featuring Hunter and the Dirty Jacks. Their intoxicating blues and rock sound raises proceeds for the homeless every Tuesday in Santa Monica. Next Monday they're hosting a special show just for Sunday Assembly LA!

$5 cover at the door. 21 and up only.

Have a ride or need a ride? Check out our carpool group at https://www.carpoolworld.com/carpooling.html?c=sundayassemblyla