Upcoming Services
(Past services are on our Virtual Church page and later sermons are in our archive.)
January Worship Theme:
Imagination
This Sunday, January 17, on your computer or phone.

Live Sunday Service at 10:45 am:
Imagination and Inauguration
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
It is hard to know the full extent of the challenges and opportunities ahead of us as a country, but an inauguration is a powerful time to imagine the course of the United States for the coming years. Perhaps at its best, it collects the salient wisdom of the past and intermingles it with an urgent call and dreaming lure of the future. You are invited to bring your own thoughts as we prepare ourselves for the coming months.
Imagination and Inauguration
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
It is hard to know the full extent of the challenges and opportunities ahead of us as a country, but an inauguration is a powerful time to imagine the course of the United States for the coming years. Perhaps at its best, it collects the salient wisdom of the past and intermingles it with an urgent call and dreaming lure of the future. You are invited to bring your own thoughts as we prepare ourselves for the coming months.
Music
Live Religious Education at 10:20 am:

Imagine a World with Justice
Come learn about Martin Luther King's dream and what civil rights are for all of us. We will learn through some short videos, games, and art. Download one of these MLK quotes to color. 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.
Come learn about Martin Luther King's dream and what civil rights are for all of us. We will learn through some short videos, games, and art. Download one of these MLK quotes to color. 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:

Making the Environment Great Again
MEGA will be the topic and Manasota 88, a key local environmental organization, will present the picture as we enter 2021. Presenter, Glenn Compton; Moderator, Linda Jones.
According to their website, "ManaSota-88 has spent over 50 years fighting to protect our environment. ... We are dedicated to protecting the public's health and preservation of the environment. ...Our commitment to safeguard the air, land and water quality is aggressive and uncompromising."
MEGA will be the topic and Manasota 88, a key local environmental organization, will present the picture as we enter 2021. Presenter, Glenn Compton; Moderator, Linda Jones.
According to their website, "ManaSota-88 has spent over 50 years fighting to protect our environment. ... We are dedicated to protecting the public's health and preservation of the environment. ...Our commitment to safeguard the air, land and water quality is aggressive and uncompromising."
Live Zoom Coffee hour at 11:30 am:

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.

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 virtual social gatherings? Read the article here...
The virtual happy hour was novel nine months ago. But can we overcome the limits of virtual social gatherings? Read the article here...
Zoom Open House at 2:00 to 5:00 pm

Will there be acts of violence across the land on Sunday? We can’t know in advance, but we can be prepared to support one another. Please drop in if you need a place to talk about whatever happens, or just to chat with me and other UUCS folks. If you don’t see me, make some noise and I’ll join you. Meanwhile, pray or hold positive thoughts for peaceful assembly in D.C. and all fifty states. - Rev. Beth Miller.
To receive the login, sign up on our Virtual Guestbook.
To receive the login, sign up on our Virtual Guestbook.
Live Zen Buddhism via Zoom at 7:00 pm:

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...

Sunday Service January 24:
Bring Me a Vine in the Wintertime,
and a Fig Tree, Too
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.
Bring Me a Vine in the Wintertime,
and a Fig Tree, Too
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.

Forum January 24:
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; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom host, Terri Holsinger.
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; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom host, Terri Holsinger.
Sunday Service January 31:
To be announced.
To be announced.

Forum January 31:
What's Ahead for Florida and the Bay Area?
Our Tampa PBS station’s long-time host of Florida Today and WMNF's News Director has his finger on the pulse of all things Florida. We’ll hear from the man who co-founded WMNF and has interviewed practically everyone who is key to decisions affecting us all.
Presenter, Rob Lorei, Moderator; Linda Jones; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
What's Ahead for Florida and the Bay Area?
Our Tampa PBS station’s long-time host of Florida Today and WMNF's News Director has his finger on the pulse of all things Florida. We’ll hear from the man who co-founded WMNF and has interviewed practically everyone who is key to decisions affecting us all.
Presenter, Rob Lorei, Moderator; Linda Jones; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
February Worship Theme:
Beloved Community
Sunday Service February 7:
8th Principle
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
8th Principle
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins

Forum February 7:
Understanding the Science of Epidemiology
From our own congregation, an epidemiologist who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize and who can give us a much more detailed understanding at the molecular level, will challenge us with some real science behind the news. This will be a two-part series.
Presenter, Dr. Rick Stevens; Moderator, Terri Holsinger; Zoom Host, Marie Keeney.
Understanding the Science of Epidemiology
From our own congregation, an epidemiologist who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize and who can give us a much more detailed understanding at the molecular level, will challenge us with some real science behind the news. This will be a two-part series.
Presenter, Dr. Rick Stevens; Moderator, Terri Holsinger; Zoom Host, Marie Keeney.

Sunday Service February 14:
Beloved Community
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
Beloved Community
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins

Forum February 14:
If Neanderthals Were So Smart, What Happened to Them - and Could It Happen to US?
One of our best researchers has been looking very far back and will bring us up to date on what the Neanderthals were really like, with some interesting insights into the state of humanity in today’s era of mass extinctions, global warming, and other environmental crises. Presenter, John Stinespring; Moderator, Louise Stinespring; Zoom Host, Jane Rose.
If Neanderthals Were So Smart, What Happened to Them - and Could It Happen to US?
One of our best researchers has been looking very far back and will bring us up to date on what the Neanderthals were really like, with some interesting insights into the state of humanity in today’s era of mass extinctions, global warming, and other environmental crises. Presenter, John Stinespring; Moderator, Louise Stinespring; Zoom Host, Jane Rose.
Sunday Service February 21
Sunday Service February 28
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
March Worship Theme:
Commitment
Sunday Service March 7:
Sermon by guest speaker
Sermon by guest speaker
Sunday Services March 14, 21 and 28
April Worship Theme:
Becoming
Sunday Services April 4 (Easter), 11, 18 and 25
May Worship Theme:
Story
Sunday Services May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
June Worship Theme:
Play
Sunday Services June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Sunday Services July 4, 11, 18 and 25
Sunday Services August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Where is the church? See map below. Click here for directions and picture...