Center for Creative Living

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

Living in the Bay Area, we are surrounded by competition in a fast-paced life. However, competition can be the direct opposite of forming a true and meaningful connection. Growing up in the Bay Area, competition was central in Lauren’s life and became even more important as she became a teen and young adult. Through sharing reflections on the two sides of this coin, let us tune in towards making deeper genuine connections with others. 

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

     Laughter was honored by the ancients as a spiritual healing tool and celebrated by the world's great religions. I don't know what happened, but today it seems like spirituality and religion have become very serious and laughter a thing of the past. 

     Laughter is so common a human experience, we forget how important it is in our life. Laughter stimulates the "feel good" chemicals in the brain, so you want to do it over and over. It has been found to alleviate depression, release stress, help your heart reduce pain, and help remove cancer cells. It is no coincidence that three of our best comedians, Bob Hope, Milton Berle and George Burns lived to be very old! Seeing the funny side of things keeps you alive! And it keeps you feeling happy about being alive!

     I can honestly say that every Sunday at CCL Sunday Celebrations there is always laughter and frivolity, quite often by or with our Pastor and the rest of the congregation.  

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

As we recognize and honor the story of an amazing man who faced death and rose again, we can celebrate within ourselves the spirit of facing our greatest challenges and rising again!

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

     My journey began with this question: What can I do to change the Western cultural paradigm that I inherited, which is destroying the ecosystems and life on the planet?  I began listening to elders of American Indigenous communities, which are known for sustainable practices.  Soon I found myself developing a different relationship with all of life. According to the late Jamie Sams, the language of the creation is love. It turns out that when we love everything, everything responds in kind, creating that link between humans and all of life.

     Stephanie Ferreira is a ministerial candidate at UCM.  Having grown up as a nature child, playing in the woods and the elements, Stephanie developed a deep love of the natural world.  Today she carefully tends native plants and habitat in her backyard for local wildlife.

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

Unexpected Healing

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

The Five Wishes

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

“The Commonality of Religion” a personal journey.

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

Rev. Joan Stutes discusses the Battle of Motherhood. As a new Mother you look at this sweet, sleeping, tiny babe and the warmth of Motherhood envelopes you. But soon the sweet babe becomes a crying, pooping, demanding individual. Your only job is to carefully and lovingly turn the babe into a loving, socially acceptable, productive human being. Ahhhh. The journey is long, tedious, difficult and rewarding. On Mothers' Day we celebrate that motherly love bestowed upon our kids, the grandkids, our friends and the families we have chosen over the years because, after all, the world needs love, sweet love.

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

CCL is inside The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda. Park in the parking lot and enter thru the gate in the back. Do not go to the front door. Be prepared to show proof of vaccine, MASKS are OPTIONAL

Memorial Day