The theme for October is Belonging. The question to ponder is What does it mean to be a people of Belonging? On Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Belonging comes third, after basic physiological needs, and needs for safety. Often when a person finds Unitarian Universalism, the feeling expressed is, I have found my spiritual home, or … Continue reading A People of Belonging
Joyce Smandra will share her journey through some spiritual traditions that she encountered as she sought meaning in her life. These traditions include practices done in silence and solitude that allow her to touch the gentleness of her inner depths, to find the place where she belongs to her soul. Having connected with her inner … Continue reading Solitude, Silence and Belonging
We have volunteers to prepare pancakes with all the fixings and other goodies to make a full meal. So, come hungry and ready to dig in. We have entertainment provided to keep the mood lively and fun. The Islamic Center of NW Florida are our invited guests. What better way is there to meet new … Continue reading Second Annual Pancake Breakfast
Categories that neatly define who people are and what they think, makes it easier for us to navigate socially. We are more comfortable when we believe we know what to expect. Unitarian Universalists often sort themselves by their various theologies, or spiritual inclinations. Is the tendency to label a help, or a hindrance, in the … Continue reading Sorting it Out
While the word covenant is clearly defined, what does it mean to be bound by covenant, as an individual and as a congregation? We’ll explore what the concept of covenant means to Unitarian Universalists, and its role in our church life as it calls us to service and helps us through difficult times. Listen to … Continue reading Bound by Covenant
Faith is very dependent on communication. For our western religions this is the spoken and written word and visual images. In this talk I explore, from an artist’s perspective, how visual images were, or might have been, devised to show concepts from an invisible spiritual world. Many such illustrations have influenced how we think of … Continue reading Art and Religion
Peace in the Time of Cholera: Reflections on Maintaining Equilibrium during Social Chaos Julie Patton, who teaches at the University of West Florida and is a long-time friend of the Unitarian Church, will talk about the concept and process of maintaining inner peace during times of great societal disruption and strife. Julie has a lifelong … Continue reading Peace in the Time of Cholera
Those of us who choose to join Unitarian Universalist Congregations covenant to affirm and promote seven principles. The first is the inherent worth and dignity of every person. A similar belief was at the heart of the development of Labor Unions. The leaders believed everyone deserved to be treated with respect. On this Labor Day … Continue reading Valuing Inherent Worth and Dignity
As the summer season comes to a close we gather as a church community with renewed commitment to what we value most. Whether we travel or stay close to home, summer usually offers a change of pace, inviting time for renewal and reflection. Perhaps you took a dip in a pool, played in the waves, … Continue reading Annual In-gathering And Sharing Service for All Ages
I’ll share a few of my own tunes about my family, including a song about my Dad, one for my wife of 54 years, and a happy little song for my son at age 2 (he’s 43 now!) I’ll also share my take on some classics like Cat’s In the Cradle and Teach Your Children.
