Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota FL 34232, Tel. 941-371-4974
  • Home
  • Visitor Center
    • Welcome Visitors
    • Who we are as a Faith
    • Who we are as a Church
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Virtual Guestbook
  • Sundays
    • Virtual Church >
      • Making of Virtual Church
    • Upcoming Services in Sarasota
    • Directions
    • Order of Service
    • Upcoming Services in Lakewood Ranch
    • Potluck Sunday
    • Schedule of Musicians
    • Virtual Church 2020
    • Sermon Archive 2020
    • Sermon Archive 2019
    • Sermon Archive 2014-2018
    • Sermon Archive 2011-2013
    • Forum Archive
    • Discovery and Discussion Archive
    • General Assembly 2020
  • Newsletter
  • Our Church
    • Directions
    • Together We Can
    • Monthly Calendar
    • Minister and Staff
    • Rev. Dr. Doug Wadkins bio
    • Rev. Beth Miller bio
    • Rev. Budd Friend-Jones bio
    • Rev. Roger Fritts bio
    • Ministerial Transition >
      • Basics for Interim Minister
    • Lakewood Ranch Congregation
    • Architecture
    • Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
    • Arts Council
    • Auction >
      • Auction Donation Form
      • Auction Volunteer Form
    • Authors' Showcase
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board Minutes
    • Brief History
    • Church Documents
    • Community Ministers
    • Committees
    • Flea Market >
      • Flea Market Bakers Sign up
    • From the Garden Gate
    • Giving
    • Korond Partner Church >
      • Korond Updates
      • The Village of Korond, Transylvania
      • Our Relationship with the Korond Congregation
      • The Ministers and Their Family
    • Members' Corner
    • Multimedia Guidelines
    • Scams
    • Thanksgiving Photos
    • UUs in the News
    • Valentines Luncheon
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Zoom
  • Music
    • Music Program
    • Our Choir >
      • Videos for rehearsal
    • Gallery of Musicians
    • Love Stories of Our Musicians
    • Schedule of Musicians
  • Children
    • Religious Education Overview
    • RE News
    • RE Calendar
    • Family Events
    • Photo Gallery
    • Meet our Staff and Teachers
  • Social Justice
    • Welcome Justice Seekers
    • Racial Justice Program >
      • RJ Get Educated
      • RJ Take Action
      • Racial Justice Reading Program
      • Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition
      • RJ Glossary
      • RJ Resources
      • The 8th Principle
    • GREEN TEAM PAGES >
      • Upcoming Events
      • Eating Sustainably
      • Veg Restaurants
      • Farmers Markets
    • Activist Corner >
      • FedStateLocalContacts
      • Gun Control Activism
    • Community Partners
    • Fair Trade Program >
      • What is Fair Trade?
    • Justice in Action >
      • Get out the vote rally
    • Volunteer
  • Adult Programs
    • Bridge for Fun
    • Chalice Groups >
      • Sample Session Outlines
    • Cinema Conversations
    • Forum
    • Garden Crew
    • Getting to Know You
    • Great Decisions Group
    • LGBTQ
    • Men's Groups
    • Mindfulness in Plain English
    • Qigong
    • Veterans Discussion Group
    • Women's Book Club
    • Women's Discussion Group
    • Zen Study Group
Watch this Video from Yolanda Stevens on why our Church is so important
Our Annual Stewardship Campaign is Here!
Submit pledge cards by March 16 for special drawing
With our yearly Stewardship campaign in full swing, a special drawing awards a family membership to Selby Gardens if your pledge is received by March 16. Read more about our "Together We Can!" stewardship campaign...
Welcome Visitors!  Click here for a special  message for you.  
Sunday's service:
Picture
Zoom meetings this week:
With the church campus closed, many activities have moved to Zoom. Here are some of them. 
​Monday, 12:00- 1:00 pm; Mindfulness -  sign up acbradt@gmail.com
Tuesday, 5:00 to 6:15 pm Congregational Conversation (details below)
Tuesday, 7:00-8:00 pm: Qigong drop-in class  Read more...
 

Wednesday, 11:30 - 12:30 Coffee, Tea or Lunch Read more...
​Thursday, 10:00-11:00 am: Qigong drop-in class  Read more... 
Thursday, 11:00 am Chair Yoga - sign up 
acbradt@gmail.com
Thursday, 12:00 - 1:00 pm; Mindfulness - sign up acbradt@gmail.com
Thursday, 5:00-6:15 pm:  Racial Justice Reading Program.  Read more... 
Friday, 5:00 - 6:00 pm: Happy Hour Read more...
Sunday, 9:30 am: Forum (details below)
Sunday, 10:30 am: Religious Education (details below)

Sunday, 10:45 am: Sunday Service available above (details below)
​Sunday, 11:30 am: Coffee Hour (details below)

Sunday,  7:00 pm: Zen Buddhism (details below)
Small groups and committees are also meeting via Zoom
These events are listed on our calendar. 
The meetings are live events and not recorded. ​

Picture
​​Donate to the church by clicking the Donate button to the left. Your support is needed and gratefully received. 
This Sunday, March 14:
Live Sunday Service at 10:45 am:
Picture
Commitment
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins

​One of the most powerful aspects of real connections in the world is that it asks something of us. Whether in friendship, partnership, parenting, work, or our commitment to justice, what we commit to takes us on a journey that asks us to change, grow, and live up to our promises.  This service will explore how such work can make a huge difference in the depth and meaning in our lives. 


Picture
​​Donate to the church by clicking the Donate button to the left. Your support is needed and gratefully received. 

Music 

Picture
Masked Mini-Choir

Live Religious Education at 10:30 am

Picture
No matter your age, ALL ARE WELCOME to join us if you are in line with our UU values and principles.  Not on our current religious education mailing list?  Sign-up here and a Zoom link will be emailed to you.  Call Catherine Bonner at (941) 720-8437 if you have any questions.  

Live Forum via Zoom at 9:30 am

Picture
What You Need to Know About the Nursing Home Lobby
What influences the funding and coverage of one of Florida’s most important medical industries?  More than you might imagine, and in ways that are important to consumers. ​Presenter, Fred Sirasky; Moderator, Don Diddams; Zoom Host, Marie Keeney.

Live Zoom Coffee hour at 11:30 am

Picture
We gather in the Zoom "courtyard" after the service for fellowship.  All are welcome to join us.  ​The login for this meeting is the same as for the Forum. If you attend the Forum, you can just stay logged in. Or log out after the Forum and log in again for the Coffee Hour. To receive the login, sign up on our Virtual Guestbook. 

Live Zen Buddhism via Zoom at 7:00 pm

Picture
A group focusing on "The Study and Practice of Zen" meets every Sunday evening at 7 pm via Zoom. Each session is organized into two components: The study of Zen and the practice of Zen through a 20-minute meditation. Open to newcomers as well as experienced Zen practitioners. To join the session send an email to zen@uusarasota.org with your name and email address. We'll email you the password and credentials.​  Read more...

Congregational Conversation March 9 at 5 pm:

Picture
Congregational conversations about the 8th principle and what it would mean for our international Unitarian Universalist Association, our local congregation and ourselves are being held this month and next.  The first two sessions were held on February 14 and 24. The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, at 5 pm.  To receive the login and reminder notices, sign up here.  

​Past services are on our Virtual Church page. 
Past Forums, including links to documents, are on our Forum Archive page. 
​Future services are on our Upcoming Services page. 
​Zoom meetings are live and not recorded. 
How are the Virtual Church recordings made? see  Making of Virtual Church
Our Youtube channel is at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota.


​Pastoral Care and Connection

Picture
Rev. Beth Miller
Picture
Rev. Doug Wadkins
Picture
Rev. Budd Friend-Jones
The Reverends Beth Miller (Bethmuucs@gmail.com 617-893-1949), Doug Wadkins (dougwuucs@gmail.com 941-371-4974 extension 4) ​and Budd Friend-Jones (Buddfjuucs@gmail.com 224-623-9200) are available to respond to your pastoral needs. In addition, Caring Committee and Pastoral Care Team members are available to help in a variety of ways. Pandemic rules currently in effect prohibit hospital and care facility visits, and home visits would be only in special circumstances, but we can arrange other help as needed. Please contact Beth, Doug or Budd if you or someone you know in our church community has a need, or just to talk.

Social Justice Action

Picture
Racial Justice News
UUCS offers many different ways to get educated and get involved. More information here. 

We stand with the Jewish community
See Rev. Budd Friend-Jones' remarks about recent anti-semitism in Sarasota.
A suspect has been identified. Read more...​

Picture
Ready to Take Action?
There are many ways to share your opinions about current events with your local, state and federal representatives. The most effective way is by phone, followed by writing letters. The Social Justice Committee is here to help by providing contact information, all in one place. Visit our Activist Corner for easy access to the phone numbers of your local, state and federal leaders.
Picture




At this time, only financial donations are requested.  We recently donated $1,540.

Picture
Did you know? From clothes to food, the closer to home these products are made and bought, the less carbon is created with their transportation. Not only that, but you’ll be supporting the local economy. Vote for our community and our planet with your wallet.

Solution: BUY LOCAL
Picture
Green Team Home Page 
Upcoming Events

​
Eating Sustainably
    
Veg Restaurants
    Farmers Markets
Picture
Fair Trade Program
Our fair trade program is on temporary hiatus awaiting the end of the Covid issues.


Picture
Return of the Monarchs
Dick Happy's latest reflection is at his
"From the Garden Gate" blog ...

Picture
Chalice Groups
Small groups are active now. Contact
Chalice@uusarasota.org 
​for more information, Read more...

Picture
Connecting Through Art
The UUCS Arts Council is proud to present the Spring 2021 UUCS Members Art Exhibit. This is your opportunity to connect with these artists. The exhibit features 34 works of art by 20 UUCS artists. Just click on the link above to see the slide show. Enjoy!

Picture
Congratulations to Peg Green!
... for the recognition she has received from the national UUA in the Summer 2020 issue of the UU World magazine. Read More

Click here for a Guide to Streaming Sunday Services, Meetings, and Classes
Beware of scams. Our ministers do not solicit contributions via email. Click here to read a scam email recently received by a member.
Picture
Leach receives Unity Award
Rev. Brock Leach has been named as one of the recipients of this year's Sarasota Magazine's Unity Award. These awards celebrate the people, companies and projects that advance equality, diversity and inclusion in our community and around the world. Read More...

The Sarasota Mindfulness Institute, a local non-profit and friend of the church, warmly welcomes you to join us! SMI hosts free, twice-weekly guided mindfulness meditation/book discussion sessions via Zoom:  on Wednesday evenings at 6pm, and/or on Fridays at noon. SMI also offers a variety of community classes, including mindful movement--Qigong & Tai Chi--via Zoom, three times a week. Donations are gratefully accepted. Easily register for all SMI classes, programs, and retreats at www.sarasotamindfulness.org.
Congratulations to Tom Cook who was named the WINNER of WEDU's  Be More Awards 
This honor recognizes Tom to have lent  voice to bring awareness, credence, support, or action to an issue or cause faced by our citizens and thus making a tremendous impact within an organization in our community.  Tom has volunteered at Childrens First for nine years.


Picture
Here we affirm and promote reason and the scientific method as the tools in learning to love each other and
live in harmony with the earth.

We have no creed, but we do strongly encourage everyone to treat each other with respect. We are affirming and promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Picture
Our religious education program helps our children develop their own common sense and logic in evaluating religious claims. We provide a safe place to help children learn and talk about the big issues such as God, Death, and Sexuality.

Picture
We are a Welcoming Congregation, celebrating and affirming the active presence here of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members and friends, and their families.

We are a Green Congregation, promoting respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

Meet the Ministers

Picture
Rev. Dr. Doug Wadkins, Interim Senior Minister, joined our church
​August 1.. Read more...

Picture
Rev. Beth Miller, Associate Minister, joined the church on September 1. Read more...
​

Picture
Rev. Gilbert (Budd) Friend-Jones, Associate Minister, joined the church on September 1. Read more... 

Ministerial Transition
Read more...

Frequent Questions

Picture

​Click on Breeze to login to Church Directory


  • What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
  • FAQs about our church in Sarasota
  • How do I make donations to the church in someone's honor? (We call this a "Tribute Fund Gift.")

Search this site

Quick Links

  • Need to login to breeze with your name and password  because you forgot how to reach breeze. Just click on this text to login to Breeze​​
  • ​Members Corner
  • Weekly CONTACT Newsletter
  • Church Calendar
  • Music Schedule
  • Upcoming Services
  • Religious Education
  • Arts Council
  • Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
  • Our association: the UUA
  • Find other UU congregations

Videos and Audios

  • Members tell why our church is so important to them​
  • ​Why I became a Unitarian Universalist:
  • ​Sermon Archive 

Meet the Board

Picture
Our Board of Trustees is elected annually by the congregation. Read more...
Picture
Happy gets distracted in church
Read more in Dick's "From the Garden Gate" blog...

Picture
The Board of Trustees meets at 7 pm on the third Tuesday of the month. Read the latest minutes here. The current year budget can be found in the Members Corner.

Conquering Technology-
Free Help Here

Need help with your technology including Zoom, emails, browsers or more?  Sign-up here for some free help.

UUs in the News:
Heartwarming adoption story featuring Diane and Dick Happy

Picture
The Happys are featured in Zac Anderson's front page column in the February 14 issue of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Read complete article...

 .
​
Picture
​Drone video of our partner church is now available. Click here to view...
​
Read more about our partner church...


Picture

Chalice Groups

Deep Thinking, Deep Listening
A new group begins soon.
Picture
We are a

Welcoming Congregation

Our church is a safe space for g/l/b/t persons. We take positions against oppression in our larger community.
Picture
We are a

Green Sanctuary

Congregation practicing reverence, gratitude, and care for the living Earth.


Picture
Our Partner Church

Read about our relationship with the Unitarians of Korond, Transylvania.


Visitor's Page
​Members Corner

Weekly CONTACT Newsletter
Church Calendar
Music Schedule
Upcoming Services
Adult Programs
Serendipity Auction
​Religious Education for Children and Youth
Green Team Pages
Arts Council
Social Justice
Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
Our association: the UUA
Find other UU congregations
Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Links are encouraged. Contact Admin for permission to publish.
Contact info:
3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota FL 34232
Tel. 941-371-4974
Office hours are 10am to 2pm Tuesday - Friday

Click here for more contact information...
Thank you to our many volunteers who contribute to this website.
Most have no prior web editing experience. Weebly makes this easy, which is why
​we recommend Weebly to non-profits dependent on volunteers. Read more at Introduction to Weebly...
Photos used under Creative Commons from donald judge, Cultural viewpoints from around the world, Pictures by Ann, steve p2008, Shiva Shenoy, watts photos1