UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SARASOTA, 3975 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA FL 34232, TEL. 941-371-4974
  • Home
  • Visitors
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Virtual Guestbook
  • Sundays
    • Upcoming Services
    • Directions
    • Previous Services >
      • Making of Virtual Church
    • Music Program >
      • Our Choir >
        • Videos for rehearsal
      • Schedule of Musicians
      • Our hymns
    • Sermon Archive (Pre-Covid) >
      • Sermon Archive 2020
      • Sermon Archive 2019
      • Sermon blog 2019
      • Sermon Archive 2014-2018
      • Sermon Archive 2011-2013
  • Pledge Campaign
  • Our Church
    • Directions
    • Newsletter >
      • Newsletters 2023
    • Calendar
    • Minister and Staff
    • From the Heart of the Minister
    • Rev. Roger Fritts Minister Emeritus
    • Architecture
    • Archives - Church History
    • Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
    • Arts Council
    • Authors' Showcase
    • Board of Trustees
    • Breeze Directory >
      • Breeze Tutorials
    • Brief History
    • Church Documents >
      • Annual Meeting
    • Community Ministers
    • Committees
    • 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
    • Member Directory
    • Multimedia Guidelines
    • Scams
    • Thanksgiving Photos
    • UUs in the News
    • Valentines Luncheon
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Zoom
  • Children
    • Religious Education Overview >
      • Nursery
      • Elementary- Faithful Journeys
      • Youth Group- Riddles and Mysteries
    • RE News
    • RE Calendar
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Family Events
    • Meet our Staff and Teachers
  • Social Justice
    • Welcome Justice Seekers
    • Building a Culture of Inclusion
    • UUSC - UU Service Committee >
      • Ukraine response
    • Racial Justice Program >
      • Racial Justice Events
      • Racial Justice Initiatives
      • Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition
      • RJ Glossary
      • RJ Resources
      • The 8th Principle
    • Remembrance Project
    • GREEN TEAM PAGES >
      • Green Solutions
      • Eating Sustainably
      • Veg Restaurants
      • Farmers Markets
    • Reproductive Rights
    • 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
    • ChaliceGroups >
      • Sample Session Outlines
    • Cinema Conversations
    • Death Cafe
    • Forum >
      • Forum Archive
    • Garden Crew
    • Great Decisions Group
    • LGBTQ
    • Men's Groups
    • Mindfulness-Based Human Flourishing
    • Tai Chi
    • Women's Book Club
    • Women's Discussion Group
    • Zen Study Group
  • Contact
  • Annual Meeting 2023
​​Virtual Church 2023
Services are displayed on the following pages:
​This Sunday's service, Sunday and Monday:
Last Sunday's and prior services, 2023:
2022:
2021:
​ March 22 through December, 2020:
​January through March 15, 2020:
​2019:
​2014-2018:
​2011-2013
​Future services:
Home
​​​
Virtual Church 2023 (this page)
Virtual Church 2022
Virtual Church 2021
​Virtual Church 2020 
Sermon Archive 2020
Sermon Archive 2019
Sermon Archive 2014-2018
Sermon Archive 2011-2013
​Upcoming Services page.
Services on this page are displayed in reverse chronological order,
​with the most recent videos on top.
Click here for our 
Picture
channel.
Picture
Monday, March 20:
Join us as we honor the arrival of Spring. Music by Nick Bohn.  
The hours of day and night are in balance. A flower communion was also included.  Click the image to view the YouTube recording of Monday's event.

Picture
March 19:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin

A major and lasting influence within Unitarianism that originated during the mid 19th Century was the Transcendentalist Movement.  The most famous Transcendentalists were  Ralph Waldo Emerson,  Henry David Thoreau and Theodore Parker.  I will explore their beliefs, as well as other lesser known Transcendentalists,  and how their ideas on free religious thought changed and challenged our religion.
Click here for the 10:00 am service 
and here for the 11:30 am service.

Picture
March 12:
Sermon and special music by Fred Johnson
Spirituals, The Blues, Anthems, and some other Jazz.                                                                   
Acclaimed vocal performer Fred Johnson returns to explore the melodic power of the collective breath in overcoming and manifesting that which is healing and for the Greater good…..For All.  Fred will be sounding the Harmonic Resonance of sacred Intention.

Frederick Alan Robert Johnson is a Vocal Performer, Storyteller, Melodic Narrative Master Teacher, Director, Author, Arts Educator, and Painter. He is an artist and educator dedicated to the journey of creating space that serves to manifest the restoration of our highest energy of humanity. He is recognized globally for his work in the health and wellness community as well as his extensive work in international Interfaith peace and reconciliation. His offerings include lectures and seminars re-accentuating the importance of creative expression and the sharing of story as catalysts for personal and communal empowerment, health, and healing, and giving voice to the voiceless. Mentored by spiritual masters of the African oral and percussion legacy, Fred has been hailed as one of the true guardians of an oral tradition transplanted and nurtured to create a fusion of cultural heritage that is uniquely American and inherently African. His fifty years of experience as an artist, arts administrator, and educator has uniquely equipped him to be poised to both create structure and artistically inspire.

Fred currently serves as Artist in Residence, Community Engagement/Diversity, and Equity Specialist, and coordinates the Arts and Health initiative at Tampa’s David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. 
Click here for the 10:00 am ​​and here for the 11:30 am services on YouTube.

PicturePhoto by Hogr Othman on Unsplash
March 5:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
Often in our society, vulnerability is seen as a weakness. I would like to explore how vulnerability can be a spiritual path that can lead to growth. In fact I would say it is a courageous thing to ask for help, to admit we are unsure about something, or to share something that has burdened us. Let us appreciate how walking the path of vulnerability can strengthen us, individually and as a community. 
Click here for the 10:00 am ​​and here for the 11:30 am services on YouTube.

Picture
February 26:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
Just saying the word spirituality can conjure up various images and meaning for different people.   I will explore the meaning of spirituality and how spiritual practices can be integrated into your everyday life. 


Click here for the 10:00 am ​​and here for the 11:30 am services on YouTube.
​

Picture
February 19:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
This weekend marks the kickoff of our Annual Pledge Drive. This time of year is when the Church formally plans what we hope to accomplish during the next fiscal year.  As people return from Covid, we are recalibrating how the Church can serve its congregants and the larger community. With more financial and volunteer resources, there is much more that we can accomplish.  We hope you will join us and learn about exciting possibilities and programs that we could support this upcoming year.     
Click here for the 10:00 am ​​and here for the 11:30 am services on YouTube.

Picture
February 12:
by Paula Cole Jones and Rev. Jay Wolin
Rev. Jay and Paula Cole Jones will have a conversation about why we want to build a culture of inclusion, the theology and history behind the 8th Principle, the future of Unitarian Universalism, and whatever else may come up!! 
​
​​​To see the service on Youtube, click here at 10:00 am ​and here at 11:30 am

Picture
February 5:
Sermon by Rev Jay Wolin
With the recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade, many states are further limiting and even criminalizing abortion. Unitarian Universalism has long been an advocate for Women’s Reproductive Health Justice. I will share some of the underlying theological thoughts that support that position and many of the underlying fears and myths surrounding these issues.

​​​To see the service on Youtube, click here at 10:00 am ​and here at 11:30 am

PicturePhoto by Jack Hishmeh on Unsplash
January 29:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
In a world that is becoming ever more global and distant every day, it is important to take time to explore the intimate and ultimate of our lives. In a church this size, you may not know everybody but it is important to know somebody. Chalice Groups provide a way to make meaningful connections and to have meaningful conversations with others. Please join me as I share why I think this is so important and how chalice groups can help lead to creating the beloved Community.


​​
​To see the service on Youtube, click here at 10:00 am ​and here at 11:30 am

Picture
January 22:
Multimedia musical message by Jim Scott.
This is the first performance, pre-premier, of “The Year to Save the Earth” by Unitarian Universalist composer Jim Scott. Powerful and poignant songs of Earth and Ecology are illustrated with beautiful and striking images on our big screen. There will be many opportunities to sing along. Come celebrate our Mother Earth, the challenges, and the hope for the future.
        
Jim has visited us a number of times in the past, and has performed at more than 700 Unitarian Universalist churches over nearly four decades. His songs, including the much loved “Gather the Spirit” are staples in our Hymnbooks. Former Co-chair of the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for the Earth, Jim was one of the originators of the "Green Sanctuary" program.

He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to develop and perform this new project and hopes to take “The Year to Save the Earth” on tour nationally this year. As a member of the Paul Winter Consort, Jim was co-composer of their celebrated Missa Gaia/Earth Mass. He compiled and arranged the Earth and Spirit Songbook, a collection of over 100 songs of earth and peace and has gone on to create an extensive body of work including PBS soundtracks, award winning choral works and nine CDs of original music. 

Picture
To see the service live on

click here at 10:00 am ​and here at 11:30 am​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Saturday, January 21:
Concert at 3:30, Bonfire and Potluck at 5
Jim brings a warmth and authenticity that turns any size audience into an intimate gathering. His lyrical melodies, well-crafted words, guitar mastery and humorous surprises invite all to get involved with the songs and ideals he raises.  Jim Loves to get people singing. Honed through his years with the Paul Winter Consort and world travels as a soloist, Jim’s enchanting manner and conviction moved folk legend Pete Seeger to call him “Some kind of magician.” Jim has recorded nine CDs of original music, published the Earth and Spirit Songbook and a growing line of choral works.
​Suggested donation: $15 for the concert. Kids free with an adult.                            Click here for the YouTube recording...
Picture
January 15:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
Although Martin Luther King Day was made a Federal Holiday in 1986, it was not until 2000 that the final state made the day a paid holiday.  We remember King  for the courage of his actions and the changes in society he helped bring about.  We do this not just to remember and commemorate him, but to inspire us
to similar values and actions.  Let us remember that parts of his dream are still unfulfilled. 
Click here for the 10:00 am service ​and here for the 11:30 am service.
​

Picture
January 8, 10:45am:
Sermon by Rev. Jay Wolin
Starting January 11th we will be starting a five part adult religious education class based on the documentary "Race–The Power of an Illusion"  During this sermon, I will share some of my experiences with Race and how the social construct of Race impacts our relationships to society and each other.  What can and should we do to end racial oppression?  ​

Picture
January 8, 4:00 pm:
​
Those who have never experienced an installation might be wondering what it is. One might ask, didn’t we vote Rev. Jay in as our Minister on May 1st, 2022?  Yes, you did.  May 1st was the culmination of a long search process and discernment by the Search Committee. As required by Church bylaws, voting by members was required to call me as your settled minister. I met with many of you briefly during candidating week.  Now that I am beginning my sixth month as your minister, I have had the opportunity to spend more time with many members, as we get to know each other better. I am still learning about the Church and the larger Community. Learning is an ongoing part of Ministry for all involved in this Church.

This is first and foremost a celebration of the start of our shared ministry together. Secondly, there is a Unitarian Universalist tradition of installation which formalizes the covenant between the Minister and Church. We share our commitment with each other in the various ministries of this Church. It is a sharing of our hopes, dreams and expectations of and for each other. The event also usually includes ministers from the community, region, as well as, those who have been mentors for me in my ministerial career. This communal recognition of our covenant as a Church, is to highlight that our ministry is not just for ourselves. This covenant recognizes our interdependence with the larger Community,  other Unitarian Universalist Congregations, and the Unitarian Universalist Association as well. Speakers at this special celebration include:

Picture
January 1:
New Year’s Traditions and Resolutions 
Sermon by Bill Payton
Where did the concept of celebrating the New Year come from? We have a general idea how it is celebrated in the United States, How is it celebrated in other parts of the world?  How do Unitarian Universalist’s celebrate the New Year?  What are the traditional meals of the day? And what about New Year’s Resolutions?  How many of us take this plunge?  Do resolutions work? How many of us are successful?  And if you were to make a resolution, what would it or should it be? Bill Payton will provide some insight on why New Year’s Day represents a new beginning, a chance to wipe the slate clean.

​Members Corner
Weekly CONTACT Newsletter
Church Calendar
Upcoming Services
Religious Education for Children and Youth
Serendipity Auction
​Social Justice
Green Team Pages
Art Gallery in Lexow Wing
Our association: the UUA
Find other UU congregations
Copyright © 2022 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...