Upcoming Services
(Past services are on our Virtual Church page and later sermons are in our archive.)
Church President addresses reopening
Details below.
September Worship Theme:
Embracing Possibility
Embracing Possibility is one of the most central themes to our tradition, “It has distinguished Unitarian Universalists from the start. Historically, when others saw depravity and sin at the core of human identity, we saw potential. When many were preaching that this world was fallen, we fell in love with the possibility of heaven on earth. Theologically, you might say we were the people who believed that God hadn’t given up on us and so we shouldn’t give up on each other or this world. Psychologically, it’s led to us being a people of “why not?” Why not give people another chance? Why not fight what seems a losing battle? Why not risk a little failure?” So, we begin this new cycle in the year with the ideals that connect us with essential aspects of our faith. This seems particularly ideal for a time when we are also embracing the possibilities presented in the search for a new minister. It asks us to think about the future and what the UUs of Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch are willing to embrace in the coming days and years? I look forward to our exploration in the coming weeks as we seek to embrace possibility.
Our Youtube channel is at www.youtube.com/results?search_query=unitarian+universalist+church+of+sarasota
This Sunday, September 26:
Live Sunday Service on Youtube at 10:45 am:
Sermon by Rev. Doug Wadkins
The last years have presented us with the harder possibilities within our humanity and our world as we struggle with a time of great division and cruelty. We have slowly begun to face the challenges presented to us! How might we leverage possibility in favor of needed change? This service will explore some of the ways that embracing possibility might bring about needed social change.
The last years have presented us with the harder possibilities within our humanity and our world as we struggle with a time of great division and cruelty. We have slowly begun to face the challenges presented to us! How might we leverage possibility in favor of needed change? This service will explore some of the ways that embracing possibility might bring about needed social change.
Music:
Don Bryn, piano, Robert Lischetti and the masked mini-choir
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Donate to the church by clicking the Donate button to the left. Your support is needed and gratefully received. |
Religious Education: 11:00am
We encourage everyone to watch the Youtube worship service starting at 10:45am for the Story for All Ages and then join in the Religious Education zoom from 11:00-11:30am.
Not on our current religious education mailing list? Sign-up here to get the Zoom link. Call Catherine Bonner at (941) 720-8437 if you have any questions.
Not on our current religious education mailing list? Sign-up here to get the Zoom link. Call Catherine Bonner at (941) 720-8437 if you have any questions.
Live Forum via Zoom at 9:30 am
Photo courtesy bbvausa.com/what is a cdfi
Investing for Change in the BIPOC Business Community
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The BIPOC communities in Sarasota are growing but still underrepresented among business owners.
As the Congregation considers ways in which we can support BIPOC owned and controlled businesses, we may wish to include a discussion of how investing relatively small amounts of capital blended with the right technical assistance can be the difference between success and failure for small emerging businesses.
Today’s talk will introduce Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), nonprofit, alternative, and patient lenders that provide both the capital and business counsel needed to make business success a reality for low- and moderate income entrepreneurs.
Presenter, David Provost; Host, Dale Anderson; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Read more at bbvausa.com
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The BIPOC communities in Sarasota are growing but still underrepresented among business owners.
As the Congregation considers ways in which we can support BIPOC owned and controlled businesses, we may wish to include a discussion of how investing relatively small amounts of capital blended with the right technical assistance can be the difference between success and failure for small emerging businesses.
Today’s talk will introduce Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), nonprofit, alternative, and patient lenders that provide both the capital and business counsel needed to make business success a reality for low- and moderate income entrepreneurs.
Presenter, David Provost; Host, Dale Anderson; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Read more at bbvausa.com
Coffee Hour via Zoom at 11:30 am
As the pandemic continues, I hope that you will renew your dedication to the practice of Sunday mornings. We will gather on Zoom after the service for Coffee Hour. We use the same Zoom sign-in as for the Forum, above. To receive the login, sign up on our Virtual Guestbook. We hope to see you there!
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...
October Worship Theme:
Cultivating Relationship
Photo by Providence Doucet via Unsplash.com
Forum October 3:
Hollaback — Bystander Responses to Harassment
Bystander intervention training to stop hate-based harassment is the mission of Hollaback training. We’ll learn about Delay, Distract, Direct, Delegate, and Document
Presenter, Joyce Fitzpatrick; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Read more at iHollaback.org
Hollaback — Bystander Responses to Harassment
Bystander intervention training to stop hate-based harassment is the mission of Hollaback training. We’ll learn about Delay, Distract, Direct, Delegate, and Document
Presenter, Joyce Fitzpatrick; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Read more at iHollaback.org
Sunday, October 10:
Live Sunday Service on Youtube at 10:45 am:
Sermon by Rev. Budd Friend-Jones
Aubrey Marcus wrote “You are comprised of 84 minerals, 23 Elements, and 8 gallons of water spread across 38 trillion cells. You have been built up from nothing by the spare parts of the Earth you have consumed, according to a set of instructions hidden in a double helix and small enough to be carried by a sperm. You are recycled butterflies, plants, rocks, streams, firewood, wolf fur, and shark teeth, broken down to their smallest parts and rebuilt into our planet’s most complex living thing. You are not living on Earth. You are Earth. Herein lies the mother lode of all relationships.
Aubrey Marcus wrote “You are comprised of 84 minerals, 23 Elements, and 8 gallons of water spread across 38 trillion cells. You have been built up from nothing by the spare parts of the Earth you have consumed, according to a set of instructions hidden in a double helix and small enough to be carried by a sperm. You are recycled butterflies, plants, rocks, streams, firewood, wolf fur, and shark teeth, broken down to their smallest parts and rebuilt into our planet’s most complex living thing. You are not living on Earth. You are Earth. Herein lies the mother lode of all relationships.
Music:
Don Bryn, piano, Robert Lischetti and the masked mini-choir
|
Donate to the church by clicking the Donate button to the left. Your support is needed and gratefully received. |
Religious Education: 11:00am
We encourage everyone to watch the Youtube worship service starting at 10:45am for the Story for All Ages and then join in the Religious Education zoom from 11:00-11:30am.
Not on our current religious education mailing list? Sign-up here to get the Zoom link. Call Catherine Bonner at (941) 720-8437 if you have any questions.
Not on our current religious education mailing list? Sign-up here to get the Zoom link. Call Catherine Bonner at (941) 720-8437 if you have any questions.
Live Forum via Zoom at 9:30 am
Hubert Joly, former CEO of Best Buy
The Heart of Business
We’ll hear about a CEO who believes that "the more taxes I pay, the happier I am" and who wants the business community to do more to help both the economy and workers’ rights.
Presenter, Fred Sirasky; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
We’ll hear about a CEO who believes that "the more taxes I pay, the happier I am" and who wants the business community to do more to help both the economy and workers’ rights.
Presenter, Fred Sirasky; Moderator, Jane Rose; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Coffee Hour via Zoom at 11:30 am
As the pandemic continues, I hope that you will renew your dedication to the practice of Sunday mornings. We will gather on Zoom after the service for Coffee Hour. We use the same Zoom sign-in as for the Forum, above. To receive the login, sign up on our Virtual Guestbook. We hope to see you there!
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...
Our empty pulpit.
Forum October 17:
Your Input on
Our Ministerial Search
Ministers who are considering applying to our Church want to know a lot about our membership. Come tell us what you are thinking about the direction of the church and what you think we need in our next minister so we can put together a really informative Congregational Record. In December, we hope a lot of great candidates will be reading it. We want to inspire great ones to apply.
Presenters and Moderators, The Search Committee; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Your Input on
Our Ministerial Search
Ministers who are considering applying to our Church want to know a lot about our membership. Come tell us what you are thinking about the direction of the church and what you think we need in our next minister so we can put together a really informative Congregational Record. In December, we hope a lot of great candidates will be reading it. We want to inspire great ones to apply.
Presenters and Moderators, The Search Committee; Zoom Host, Terri Holsinger.
Church President addresses reopening
September 2, 2021
Good morning Church Members and Friends,
I received a call from a member who wanted me to know that many members are acutely missing our church gatherings and wondering why we can’t reopen requiring masks, social distancing, and vaccine passports. I am sure this desire to meet and socialize with friends is shared by all of us (including all the Board members). The problem is the Delta variant of COVID-19.
At the recent August Board meeting, church staff said they were brainstorming options to allow in-person church events that minimized risk once the surge subsides. Since most of these ideas involve outdoor events, scheduling such gatherings when the weather improves and after we all can get a vaccine booster seems sensible. The Board encouraged them to bring ideas forward.
In the meantime, many members and friends have found ways to stay connected on Zoom during this pandemic. Opportunities include:
Stay Safe and Stay Connected,
Dale Anderson, MD
President, UUCS Board of Trustees
Good morning Church Members and Friends,
I received a call from a member who wanted me to know that many members are acutely missing our church gatherings and wondering why we can’t reopen requiring masks, social distancing, and vaccine passports. I am sure this desire to meet and socialize with friends is shared by all of us (including all the Board members). The problem is the Delta variant of COVID-19.
- The Delta variant can infect vaccinated people - Despite receiving the full recommended dose of a vaccine, studies are showing that we can none-the-less become infected with the virus, a phenomenon termed “breakthrough infection.” Breakthrough infections in a vaccinated person can produce little or no symptoms, mild symptoms (headache, runny nose, sore throat and low-grade fever) or, in a low percentage of cases, serious symptoms leading to hospitalization and even death. Last week, the New York Times published (by state) the number of people with breakthrough infections who were hospitalized or who have died prior to the Delta surge. The data demonstrate that though the risk is very low, breakthrough infections can lead to hospitalization and death.
- Vaccinated individuals who get infected can spread the virus – The CDC has reported studies showing that vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta virus can carry a heavy viral load and can transmit the infection to others. A vaccinated person can become infected, experience minimal symptoms, and unwittingly spread the infection to others. Aerosolized virus spread with coughing, sneezing, or simply breathing near another person. This can put the unvaccinated and children (under 12 who are not eligible for a vaccine) in jeopardy.
- Vaccine protection wanes over time - The protection vaccines provide wanes over time. The vaccine made by Pfizer in New York City was 92% effective at keeping people from developing a high viral load — a high concentration of the virus in their test samples — 14 days after the second dose. But the vaccine’s effectiveness fell to 90%, 85% and 78% after 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. This is the reason a booster of vaccine is now recommended for individuals 8 months after their initial vaccination.
At the recent August Board meeting, church staff said they were brainstorming options to allow in-person church events that minimized risk once the surge subsides. Since most of these ideas involve outdoor events, scheduling such gatherings when the weather improves and after we all can get a vaccine booster seems sensible. The Board encouraged them to bring ideas forward.
In the meantime, many members and friends have found ways to stay connected on Zoom during this pandemic. Opportunities include:
- Joining Coffee Hour on Wednesday mornings or Happy Hour on Friday afternoons
- Participate in the Sunday morning Adult Forum (9:30 am every Sunday)
- Watch the Sunday service live-streaming on YouTube (10:45 am every Sunday)
- Joining coffee hour on Zoom following the service (will resume on Sunday, September 12th)
- Joining a Chalice Group (a new session will be starting soon)
- Participate in Mindfulness, Zen and other Zoom sessions on our homepage: https://www.uucsarasota.com/
- Help with one of the many racial justice or social justice initiatives that are in progress (contact Sharron Howard or Nina Tortelli for further information)
- Explore the many adult programs that have moved to virtual meetings
- Consider volunteering to assist the Religious Education program.
Stay Safe and Stay Connected,
Dale Anderson, MD
President, UUCS Board of Trustees
Previous statement regarding church reopening:
The opening of the sanctuary for Sunday services has been postponed
On behalf of the Executive Committee, we wanted to share with you immediately that, after careful consideration, we have decided to postpone the opening of worship scheduled for August 15.
The Executive Committee comprises the Board President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Minister, Director of Finance and Operations, and for this emergency session, the Chair of the Safety Committee. The Executive Committee felt we needed to make this difficult decision because of the incredibly high numbers of Covid and Delta variant cases in Florida and specifically in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We believe the safety of our community and the larger community is essential to our values, and there is growing evidence that the Delta variant is a game-changer for the pandemic (more contagious, capable of infecting vaccinated individuals, and dangerous for younger people). Though vaccines prevent hospitalization and death from the Delta virus, the reports that vaccinated people can still become infected and spread the disease are very troublesome. We need to better understand the risks of this variant before returning to our church campus. We will continue to monitor the caseload in our community, and the scientific reports about this virus as this surge evolves.
We know that many of you are missing the sense of community with your friends in the congregation. We look forward to the time when we can reopen with confidence. In the meantime, we will explore additional ways for us to feel better connected as we weather this newest chapter in the pandemic.
In community and deep connection,
Doug and Dale
Senior Minister and President - Board of Trustees
On behalf of the Executive Committee, we wanted to share with you immediately that, after careful consideration, we have decided to postpone the opening of worship scheduled for August 15.
The Executive Committee comprises the Board President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Minister, Director of Finance and Operations, and for this emergency session, the Chair of the Safety Committee. The Executive Committee felt we needed to make this difficult decision because of the incredibly high numbers of Covid and Delta variant cases in Florida and specifically in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We believe the safety of our community and the larger community is essential to our values, and there is growing evidence that the Delta variant is a game-changer for the pandemic (more contagious, capable of infecting vaccinated individuals, and dangerous for younger people). Though vaccines prevent hospitalization and death from the Delta virus, the reports that vaccinated people can still become infected and spread the disease are very troublesome. We need to better understand the risks of this variant before returning to our church campus. We will continue to monitor the caseload in our community, and the scientific reports about this virus as this surge evolves.
We know that many of you are missing the sense of community with your friends in the congregation. We look forward to the time when we can reopen with confidence. In the meantime, we will explore additional ways for us to feel better connected as we weather this newest chapter in the pandemic.
In community and deep connection,
Doug and Dale
Senior Minister and President - Board of Trustees
Roger Fritts (retired March 31, 2020) speaks at a Sunday service in our Sarasota sanctuary.
Where is the church? See map below. Click here for directions and picture...