Upcoming Services in Sarasota
(Past sermons are in our archive.)
This Sunday, June 23:
Service at 10:30 am Rev. Budd
A Very Big Deal
Sermon by Rev. Budd Friend-Jones We talk of a "clash of civilizations" but the real clash begins with our lack of respect for the other, our lack of dialogue, and our lack of effort to understand the other. Is there a way out of the resulting chaos and disunity? Can we identify a universal guiding principle? We can do worse than turn to Albert Schweitzer for guidance even now. Rev. Gilbert (Budd) Friend-Jones joins our ministerial staff in September. This Sunday he joins us as our guest speaker. He is the Vice-Chair and Chair Elect of the Board of the North American Interfaith Network – an organization founded more than 30 years ago with significant Unitarian Universalist support. He is committed to building sustainable interfaith networks, advocating for LGBTQ issues within faith communities, developing an earth-centered spirituality, and working for racial justice and reconciliation.
A native of West Virginia, Budd earned his doctorate at Howard University Divinity School in Washington, D.C., his M. Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary and his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Frostburg State University. He studied family systems therapy with Murray Bowen, substance abuse counseling and intervention with Vernon Johnson, and the MBTI with Otto Krueger. He completed extensive study with the Gestalt Institute of Minnesota. Prior to moving to Sarasota, he served as senior minister in Congregational and UCC churches in Maine, Minnesota, Virginia, Georgia and Illinois. Read more about Rev. Budd... |
Music
choir
Don Bryn, piano
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Religious Education for Children and Youth at 10:30 am
Nursery: Those 3 and younger will play with our nursery staff and volunteers.
PreK- 6th Grade: The Summer Program is here! This Sunday the children will learn about the two best friends of tasting and smelling and how we rely upon it in our daily living. We will hear the story of Skunkdog, play a"Smelling and Tasting" guessing game and make home-made ice-cream before heading out to the playground where we have art/building activities, water fun and just plain running around. Bring clothes to get wet in. We will have the towels to dry you off!
Youth: You are encouraged to join in the Service or assist in the Prek-6th Grade class.
Read more about our Religious Education programs for children and youth...
PreK- 6th Grade: The Summer Program is here! This Sunday the children will learn about the two best friends of tasting and smelling and how we rely upon it in our daily living. We will hear the story of Skunkdog, play a"Smelling and Tasting" guessing game and make home-made ice-cream before heading out to the playground where we have art/building activities, water fun and just plain running around. Bring clothes to get wet in. We will have the towels to dry you off!
Youth: You are encouraged to join in the Service or assist in the Prek-6th Grade class.
Read more about our Religious Education programs for children and youth...
Forum at 9:30 am
Sarah Pretorius
Selah Freedom's Success
Against Sex Trafficking
Sarah Pretorius, the Advocacy & Philanthropy coordinator of Selah Freedom, will update us on the tremendous progress that Selah Freedom, in partnership with local law enforcement and the State's Attorney's Office, has made over the past several years in curbing the devastating effects of sex trafficking in our community. She will also discuss the proven solutions that Selah Freedom brings to eradicating this issue in the U.S. and preventing the exploitation of future generations of children. She will talk about their success so far and what else we can do. Moderator, Jim Keeney.
Against Sex Trafficking
Sarah Pretorius, the Advocacy & Philanthropy coordinator of Selah Freedom, will update us on the tremendous progress that Selah Freedom, in partnership with local law enforcement and the State's Attorney's Office, has made over the past several years in curbing the devastating effects of sex trafficking in our community. She will also discuss the proven solutions that Selah Freedom brings to eradicating this issue in the U.S. and preventing the exploitation of future generations of children. She will talk about their success so far and what else we can do. Moderator, Jim Keeney.
Coffee and Conversations at 11:30 am
Enjoy coffee, juice and other refreshments as you converse with old friends and make new ones. Join a welcoming and loving community as you bask in the sunshine and relax in our lovely garden setting.
Discovery and Discussion at 11:40 am
CRISPR – What is it? Where did it come from?
How does it work?
We’ll start with a basic explanation of CRISPR: clustered – regularly – interspaced –short – palindromic – repeats. Then we’ll hear a story of scientific discovery from chemical biologist David R. Liu presented at a recent TED Conference. Liu addresses the question, “Can we cure genetic diseases by rewriting DNA?” and shares a recent breakthrough: his lab's development of base editors that can actually rewrite DNA. This crucial step in genome editing takes the promise of CRISPR to the next level.Learn more about how these molecular machines work and their potential to treat or even cure genetic diseases. Moderator: Dave Nelson.
How does it work?
We’ll start with a basic explanation of CRISPR: clustered – regularly – interspaced –short – palindromic – repeats. Then we’ll hear a story of scientific discovery from chemical biologist David R. Liu presented at a recent TED Conference. Liu addresses the question, “Can we cure genetic diseases by rewriting DNA?” and shares a recent breakthrough: his lab's development of base editors that can actually rewrite DNA. This crucial step in genome editing takes the promise of CRISPR to the next level.Learn more about how these molecular machines work and their potential to treat or even cure genetic diseases. Moderator: Dave Nelson.
Subsequent Sundays:
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Roger Fritts speaks at a recent Sunday service at our Sarasota church.
Where is the church? See map below. Click here for directions and picture...
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June 30:
If It Were Up to Me
Sermon by Mindy Simmons
Think globally, act locally! If it were up to you what would you do to change the world for the better? Guess what, It is up to us. But we can’t do it all. In this musical service, we explore what one person can do to make a better world.
If It Were Up to Me
Sermon by Mindy Simmons
Think globally, act locally! If it were up to you what would you do to change the world for the better? Guess what, It is up to us. But we can’t do it all. In this musical service, we explore what one person can do to make a better world.
Forum June 30:
What's In the News?
Another of our very popular open discussion Forums where the moderator will offer up topics of current interest. Lively discussion always ensures. Presenter and moderator, Marie Keeney
What's In the News?
Another of our very popular open discussion Forums where the moderator will offer up topics of current interest. Lively discussion always ensures. Presenter and moderator, Marie Keeney
July 7: Sermon by Charles Lee, music by Jan Dorsett
July 14: Sermon by Vickie Oldham, music by Troy Nichols and Jan Dorsett
July 21: Sermon by Catherine Bonner, music by Jan Dorsett
July 28: Sermon by Rabbi Michael Werbow from Temple Beth Shalom, music by Jan Dorsett and Rex Willis, classical guitar
July 14: Sermon by Vickie Oldham, music by Troy Nichols and Jan Dorsett
July 21: Sermon by Catherine Bonner, music by Jan Dorsett
July 28: Sermon by Rabbi Michael Werbow from Temple Beth Shalom, music by Jan Dorsett and Rex Willis, classical guitar
Forum July 7 “Literacy Efforts in Sarasota”
Thomas Melville, the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Sarasota, will bring data and insights about the one in five Sarasotans who need literacy help. If 20% of our population lacks basic literacy or English communication skills, what can we do to help?
Moderator, Linda Jones.
Forum July 14 “Recognizing the Inherent Dignity and Worth of Every Person: Alzheimer’s Disease - A Call to Love."
Based on what is both known and unknown about Alzheimer’s disease, and based on misunderstandings and misperceptions about the cognitively impaired, many in our society erroneously conclude that the potential of people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia is all used up. Blending metaphors and personal experiences, this engaging presentation will focus on what remains for persons with Alzheimer’s, including their inherent worth and dignity, and their potential to serve and heal humanity through the authentic expression of their lives. Presenter, Rev. Jade Angelica; Moderator, Marie Keeney
Forum July 21 “For the People—What’s In HR 1 and Why Does It Matter?”
Our democratic institutions and processes are being threatened and weakened under this current President and Party. HR-1 “For the People Act” was passed by the congressional House in January but is currently blocked by the Senate. The omnibus bill is intended to strengthen our Democracy by legislating changes in voting rights, ethics and campaign financing. At this session, Dr. Anderson will detail why this bill is so important for the health of our democracy and how it can function as a major talking point in the 2020 election.
Presenter, Dale Anderson; Moderator, Don Diddams.
Thomas Melville, the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Sarasota, will bring data and insights about the one in five Sarasotans who need literacy help. If 20% of our population lacks basic literacy or English communication skills, what can we do to help?
Moderator, Linda Jones.
Forum July 14 “Recognizing the Inherent Dignity and Worth of Every Person: Alzheimer’s Disease - A Call to Love."
Based on what is both known and unknown about Alzheimer’s disease, and based on misunderstandings and misperceptions about the cognitively impaired, many in our society erroneously conclude that the potential of people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia is all used up. Blending metaphors and personal experiences, this engaging presentation will focus on what remains for persons with Alzheimer’s, including their inherent worth and dignity, and their potential to serve and heal humanity through the authentic expression of their lives. Presenter, Rev. Jade Angelica; Moderator, Marie Keeney
Forum July 21 “For the People—What’s In HR 1 and Why Does It Matter?”
Our democratic institutions and processes are being threatened and weakened under this current President and Party. HR-1 “For the People Act” was passed by the congressional House in January but is currently blocked by the Senate. The omnibus bill is intended to strengthen our Democracy by legislating changes in voting rights, ethics and campaign financing. At this session, Dr. Anderson will detail why this bill is so important for the health of our democracy and how it can function as a major talking point in the 2020 election.
Presenter, Dale Anderson; Moderator, Don Diddams.