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In celebration of Pride Month, we will honor notable historical figures who lived as closeted gay people. The service will be co-led by Margueritte Jhonson, our LGBTQ+ Team Chair, and Ella Shepherd, our Secretary. Additional speakers will include UUDeLand members Les Figueroa and Leslie Slavin, along with Jose Goire, President of PFLAG of West Volusia. Join us for this welcoming rainbow … Continue reading Rainbow Service
Mitzi Dykes will present this sermon by UU Rev. Emilie Boggis, who invites us to remember, âWhen the times are urgent, let us slow down.â Though that idea may seem counterintuitive, it offers an important truth. In periods of upheaval, many of us feel constant pressure to react. But when we stay in fight-or-flight mode, we may … Continue reading Rest is Resistance
What do the facts really say about immigrants? Sergio Guevaraâs talk bridges research and empathyâexamining economic contributions, debunking harmful myths, and calling our community to respond with the dignity, fairness, and justice every human being deserves. Sergio, Volusia Branch Manager of Self-Help Credit Union, brings 25+ years of financial expertise across the North, Central and South Americas. He … Continue reading From Fear to Facts: Understanding Our Migrant Community
Dr. Eric Peden will explore one of science and medicineâs most fascinating phenomena through his dual lens as a pharmacology scientist and sound meditation facilitator. Heâll trace the history of the placebo effect and reveal what tools can (and canât) tell us about healing, meaning, and human perception. This will be a grounded lesson in how … Continue reading Power Within: Lessons from the Placebo EffectÂ
The root causes of homelessness are complex and far from obvious. Potential solutions to this issue are equally elusive, especially in the current political and cultural climate. Savannah-Jane Griffin will lead us through a reality-based discussion of this perplexing issue and give us a glimpse into efforts to rationally address it. Ms. Griffin is a nationally recognized leader specializing … Continue reading Homelessness: Root Causes and Rational Solutions
Ella Shepherd will facilitate a youth-led program about motherhood and the wildly popular video game Minecraft. They will connect this game that kids love to the important role mothers play in “building a world.” The youth will teach us about how creative and fascinating it is to build our own virtual worlds. Ella will be our service leader. A licensed … Continue reading Honoring Motherhood: Building a Minecraft World
Deborah McShane will conduct a Flower Communion celebrating the beauty and diversity of our beloved community. Created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek (Czechoslovakia), this was intended as a symbolic ritual to connect people. Everyone will bring their own flower and place it in shared vases. After the flowers are blessed, each person then selects a different flower from … Continue reading Flower Communion
Patti Rauschâs talk will center on the work of Dr. Diana Louise Eck and The Pluralism Project at Harvard University. Dr. Eck defines pluralism as not just diversity, but the energetic engagement with that diversity. It involves actively seeking understanding across differences, recognizing commitments, and fostering dialogue among various groups. Pluralism will be contrasted with inclusivity and exclusivity with teaching stories … Continue reading Pluralism, Inclusivity and ExclusivismÂ
Dr. Jason Evans will explore the principles of self-organization and emergent properties in ecological systems, reflecting on the deep connectivity of living things in an ever adapting and evolving world. Floridaâs native springs, wetlands, and sandhills will be the primary focus. Dr. Evans is Professor of Environmental Science and Exec. Dir. of the Institute for Water and Environmental … Continue reading Living Connections
Rowan Jacobsen writes about science and nature for The Atlantic, Scientific American, The New York Times and more. He writes about endangered diversity, focusing on the environmental and evolutionary impact of synthetic biology. A Nova Media Fellow, he researches the science of sun exposure. His new book, In Defense of Sunlight: The Surprising Science of Sun Exposure, will be published … Continue reading In Defense of Sunlight: The Surprising Science of Sun Exposure
