Thom Botsford Archives - Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola https://uupensacola.org/speaker/thom-botsford/ Welcome to UUCP Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:46:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://uupensacola.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chalice-new-uucp-2-150x150.png Thom Botsford Archives - Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola https://uupensacola.org/speaker/thom-botsford/ 32 32 Miracles and Wonders https://uupensacola.org/services/miracles-and-wonders/ Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:46:15 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=13876 “How Much Do We Really Know about Jesus?” Not much, according to the best-selling scholar Elaine Pagels. Her new book, Miracles and Wonders, nonetheless treats Christianity seriously on a deeper level than fundamentalists and literal-minded atheists do. It’s a surprising and fascinating book.

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]]> 13876 Holiday Moods in Music (The Secular Version) https://uupensacola.org/services/holiday-moods-in-music-the-secular-version/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:21:16 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=12770 Coordinated and Sponsored by Thom Botsford. The holidays can bring joy, but also the blues. And sometimes it seems that the holidays are only truly for Christians. Non-Believers cannot escape! For this program, a specially assembled ensemble will play secular tunes that convey a range of emotions. The musicians are Lisa Kirkman, vocals; George Petropoulas, … Continue reading Holiday Moods in Music (The Secular Version)

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]]> 12770 Ralph Waldo Emerson: Renegade Unitarian https://uupensacola.org/services/ralph-waldo-emerson-renegade-unitarian/ Sun, 22 Sep 2024 19:52:50 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=12654 “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Renegade Unitarian,” presented by Thom Botsford, UUCP friend. A new biography of Emerson — “Glad To the Brink of Fear” by James Marcus– reminds us that the great thinker and man of letters was considerably ahead of his time compared with the Unitarians of his day and much at odds with religious … Continue reading Ralph Waldo Emerson: Renegade Unitarian

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]]> 12654 Antisemitism and Antizionism: Are They the Same? https://uupensacola.org/services/antisemitism-and-antizionism-are-they-the-same/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:19:00 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=12502 Presenter: Thom Botsford, friend of UUCP. This hot topic is much discussed in the coverage of the Gaza war, but poorly understood by the public. Our presentation will not take a “side” as much as point out the key elements of the current situation, both in the Middle East and at home. Watch this video … Continue reading Antisemitism and Antizionism: Are They the Same?

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]]> 12502 You Are Accepted https://uupensacola.org/services/you-are-accepted/ Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:56:30 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=12262 Thom Botsford, a friend of our congregation, presents an Easter message: You Are Accepted. Christian existentialist Paul Tillich–one of the 20th century’s most influential theologians–distilled the essence of Christianity in his sermons, including “You Are Accepted,” published in 1948. We will review that surprising sermon and consider its implications 75 years later. Tillich declares, “You … Continue reading You Are Accepted

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]]> 12262 Let the Good Times Roll in 2024 https://uupensacola.org/services/let-the-good-times-roll-in-2024/ Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:28:52 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=12041 Our New Year’s Eve music service will feature singer-pianist Burt Kimberl and his musical friends. Join in celebrating the New Year together! Watch this service on our YouTube channel.

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]]> 12041 Monty Mountcastle’s “Secret Ministry of Jesus” https://uupensacola.org/services/monty-mountcastles-secret-ministry-of-jesus/ Tue, 24 Oct 2023 23:22:50 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=11960 Thom Botsford, member of UUCP, will present on the late Professor Montcastle’s book. Is it possible that Jesus escaped death on the cross and traveled to the East, where he conversed with Buddhist and Taoist sages? The late Professor William “Monty” Mountcastle thought so and published a scholarly book about it in 2008. This service … Continue reading Monty Mountcastle’s “Secret Ministry of Jesus”

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]]> 11960 The Personal Power of Music https://uupensacola.org/services/saxy-thom-botsford/ Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:45:24 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=11118 This is the second in a series highlighting our resident musicians. Longtime saxophonist Thom Botsford feels a little immodest talking about music with any authority; after all, he’s not a working pro or a well-schooled musician. Yet, for Botsford, the saxophone has been a lifelong friend and instrument of passion. “There are more photos with … Continue reading The Personal Power of Music

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]]> 11118 Compassion and Choices https://uupensacola.org/services/compassion-and-choices/ Fri, 27 May 2022 14:01:55 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=10165 Compassion and Choices, the renamed Hemlock Society, is lobbying for right-to-die measures nationwide. Is there any plan to introduce legislation in Florida to allow “assisted suicide” for those dying of terminal illnesses? Is there any place in the U.S. where one can choose to end one’s life for “psychological” or rational reasons? Should there be? Thom Botsford considers … Continue reading Compassion and Choices

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]]> 10165 Annual New Year’s Jazz Service https://uupensacola.org/services/annual-new-years-jazz-service/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:39:31 +0000 https://uupensacola.org/?post_type=uu_services&p=9741 Our Annual New Year jazz Sunday Service with member Thom Botsford on saxophone, member Jack Wolverton on drums, and their friend Chris Saunders on keyboards. Welcome the New Year with great live music, always seasoned with a little enlightening commentary.

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