Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota FL 34232, Tel. 941-371-4974
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    • Welcome Justice Seekers
    • Racial Justice Program >
      • RJ Get Educated
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      • What is Fair Trade?
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Welcome Visitors!  Click here for a special  message for you.  
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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, 7:00-8:00 pm: Qigong drop-in class  Read more... 
Wednesday, 9:30 - 10:00 am Chair Yoga -  sign up acbradt@gmail.com
Wednesday, 11:30-1:00 Inaugural Virtual Watch Party (details above).
Thursday, 10:00-11:00 am: Qigong drop-in class  Read more... 
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 above)
Sunday, 10:20 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. ​

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​​Donate to the church by clicking the Donate button to the left. Your support is needed and gratefully received. 
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The New York Times reflects on Zoom get-togethers.
"The virtual happy hour was novel nine months ago. But can we overcome the limits of a virtual social life?"  Read the article here...

This Sunday, January 24, on your computer or phone:
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Live Sunday Service at 10:45 am:
The Vine and the Fig Tree
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
​Sermon by Rev. Budd Friend-Jones
What is happening to our country? On this anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, what can Elie Weisel, George Washington, and the Prophet Micah teach us about America? Join us as we reflect on recent momentous events, especially including the inauguration of President Joe Bidden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their new administration in the context of the worldwide honoring of the victims and survivors of the Shoah.

Music 

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Masked Mini-Choir

Live Religious Education at 10:20 am

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Think Outside the Box
Our faith asks us to use our reason to question what is and imagine new ways to think about things. Join us to think outside the box on things that help our lives.  Download this page to color and use in our lesson.   If you have legos, create something with them to share this Sunday. 

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 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

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Post-Inauguration Discussion
Everything Biden/Harris will be in the news this week, so let’s talk about our expectations, hopes, concerns, etc. for the new administration. Presenter: Steve Martin

Live Zoom Coffee hour at 11:30 am

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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

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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...

​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


​Pastoral Care and Connection

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Rev. Beth Miller
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Rev. Doug Wadkins
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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

UUs in the News:
Patricia Allen's guest column published in Herald-Tribune

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The September 25 issue of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune published Patricia Allen's guest column on the subject of the inadequecy of police in handling mental health emergencies. Read the full column...

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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...​

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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.
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Fair Trade Program



​Interested in a Drive-up, Touch-Free Delivery? Click here.

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

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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
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Green Team Home Page 
Upcoming Events

​
Eating Sustainably
    
Veg Restaurants
    Farmers Markets

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

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“Finding Peace” by UUCS Artist of the Month Cynthia Rosso
The UUCS Arts Council is pleased to present “Finding Peace” a virtual art exhibit by Cynthia Rosso. See it Here!

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September blues and purple orchids
Dick Happy's latest reflection is at his
"From the Garden Gate" blog ...

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Happy found with umbrella
Dick Happy's latest reflection, with video accompaniment, is at his
"From the Garden Gate" blog ...

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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.
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.
 
​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...
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.
Annual Report published
Our annual report for 2019-2020 has now been posted to the Members' Corner.


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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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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

Ministerial Transition
Read more...

Frequent Questions

  • 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.")

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Quick Links

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  • Weekly CONTACT Newsletter
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  • Music Schedule
  • Upcoming Services
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  • Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
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  • 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

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

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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.

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

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

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Starting in July, your new or additional pledge OR extra gift was matched by a group of Challenge Donor members, up to a total of $20,000. Thank you for doing a little more to support your church in these challenging times.
            -- your Stewardship Committee

Read more about our Pledge drive...
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Remember our 5 fun "20/20 Vision" member videos? Watch them again here. Learn more.
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​Drone video of our partner church is now available. Click here to view...
​
Read more about our partner church...


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Chalice Groups

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

Green Sanctuary

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


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Our Partner Church

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


Visitor's Page
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Upcoming Services
Adult Programs
Serendipity Auction
​Religious Education for Children and Youth
Green Team Pages
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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 9 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Thursday; 10 am - 4 pm 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
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