Past Programs

Friday, February 13, 2026

False Gospel - Christian Nationalism in Modern America.

The February 2026 meeting was an enlightening brown bag lunch presentation in the Vista Room of the Hillside Complex at Rossmoor. Our esteemed guest speaker, Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister at the Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, California, delivered a comprehensive talk on Christian Nationalism.

Aiden meticulously traced the origins of this ideology and elucidated its evolution into its current form. The presentation was designed to arm attendees with the necessary knowledge to identify and engage thoughtfully with Christian Nationalism, an increasingly pervasive belief system.

For those of faith and conscience, grasping the influence of Christian Nationalism on contemporary American society is of paramount importance. Aiden McMahon's insightful presentation offered a golden opportunity for reflection and dialogue, thereby deepening our collective understanding within our diverse community.

Aiden’s slides are available here as a PDF or a PowerPoint file.

Aiden McMahon

Aiden McMahon is the current Intern Minister at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, CA. Born and raised in Northern New England, he received his M. Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, which is where he first encountered Unitarian Universalism. Having had an upbringing strongly influenced by Evangelicalism, he brings the insights of a former insider to this topic.

Friday, January 9, 2026

The Courage to Look

Rev. Leslie Takahashi, the Lead Minister from Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, California, delivered an insightful talk at our brown bag lunch program on Friday, January 9th. The event took place in the Vista Room of the Hillside Complex at Rossmoor.

Titled "The Courage to Look - Why our values call us to keep on paying attention and how we can find the stamina to do so," Rev. Takahashi's presentation resonated deeply with our community. The talk focused on fostering resilience to sustain focus and dedication amidst long-term challenges, offering valuable strategies for UUoR members to reflect, connect, and draw inspiration as they navigate the complexities of our world together.

Rev. Takahashi's talk was followed by a lively Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage further with the topic and share their perspectives.

Rev. Leslie Takahashi

Rev. Leslie Takahashi serves as the Lead Minister at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church where she has been part of the ministry for 16 years. Prior to entering into the ministry she worked as a journalist and in public policy and leadership development. Her previous positions included serving as Assistant Vice President for the 59-institution North Carolina Community College System and as the Executive Director of the Wildacres Leadership Initiative, a statewide leadership program focused on building a network of leaders across a diversity of backgrounds. Leslie is a contributing author of two books related to the impact of race and her faith and has an upcoming book called Truth, Trauma, and Transformation. She has held numerous national leadership position in her association and currently served as the president of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association. She lives in Martinez with her two bully breed pups.