David Dean presents
“Freedom and Other Ineffable ‘F’ Words”
a sermon written by Pastor Joshua Berg
Minister of Pacific U.U. Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Alyssa Halliday, Worship Leader
Gary Smart, Accompanist
Garret Kaplan, Guest Musician, Piano
“The faith I am referring to is faith in the power and ability to love sufficiently to effect change that is progressive and revolutionary enough to sustain a society that has hit a giant roadblock but is ultimately ever moving toward more and equal freedoms. Joining together in great numbers with love, I have faith we can succeed…”
About Our Speaker
David Dean, a BBUUC member and an integral part of our Worship Team, is an Emmy-nominated editor who works as Senior Editor/Post-Producer for the PBS series “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.” David is also a presenter, writer, and storyteller who volunteers his time as the editor of our worship videos and contributes his other talents in the worship arts to our ministry.
About the Sermon Author
Pastor Joshua Lewis Berg, MBA, MDiv, BCC, is the settled minister at Pacific Unitarian Universalist Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. He was raised Jewish in Detroit, attended Hebrew school, and had a Bar Mitzvah. As an adult, he identifies as a culturally Jewish Humanist and finds his faith in UU values centered on love.
He earned a BA in Japanese from the University of Michigan, studied in Japan and Russia, and earned an MBA in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York. He produced theater in New York and London before working in nonprofit management for a decade.
In 2015, Joshua became a Humanist celebrant and later completed Clinical Pastoral Education as a chaplain. He earned his MDiv from Meadville Lombard Theological School (A UU Seminary in Chicago) in 2018 and was ordained as a UU minister in 2022. His previous experience includes ministry internships, residency as a chaplain, and serving as a Board Certified Chaplain. He is married with two daughters.
About our Guest Musician
Garret Kaplan is an accomplished pianist, composer, and record producer. He is a University of North Florida student studying music technology and has a Conducting Certificate. Garret is a student of Dr. Gary Smart and Dr. Erin Bennett. He is the winner of numerous awards. Most notably, the 2023 UNF Piano Playoff. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, photography, and cooking.
Don’t forget to bring your loose change (paper bills also accepted) for our first Sunday Pennies from Heaven collection. BBUUC proudly supports Lutheran Services Florida – Refugee Fund through our “Pennies from Heaven” plate-sharing program. Since 1982, LSF has helped over 200,000 refugees and immigrants find safety, housing, and jobs after fleeing persecution. With funding cuts threatening these vital services, our support is more critical than ever. By giving, we uphold our UU values of justice and compassion, helping ensure that vulnerable individuals can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.