UU St. Pete

Struggling With Islam: Waging War in our Hearts and with Others

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:47:44 GMT

Our nation is embroiled in two overseas wars, both involving nations in which Islam is the dominant religion. Beyond the few basic facts we may know, do we really understand this religion or the spirit of its people? How do we make sense of the fact that many Americans fear this religion, and view it as the faith of the ‘enemy’? We continue our year-long examination of World Religions with Rev. Mishra leading us in a discussion of Islam and our national struggle with it.

Earth Day

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:16:54 GMT

Join us as we celebrate Earth Day. Our special guest Mike Nashleanas is an expert in environmentalism. Mike will reflect with us on our commitment to the planet we live on. He relates the story of Gaviotas, Columbia, a self-sustaining village, founded more than 40 years ago in the harshest area of Colombia where they use wind and solar power as they reclaim the rain forest.

The Fire of Loneliness

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:25:40 GMT

Have you ever felt completely alone amidst a sea of people? Wrestled with feelings of isolation or loneliness—physically, emotionally, spiritually? This common human experience can be one that fuels great pain, but it can also be a creative repose, a time of gathering. Rev. Mishra will explore this topic with us, as we examine the nature of loneliness.

He Said, She Said: Visions of St. Petersburg's Future

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:15:47 GMT

We are excited and pleased to host St. Petersburg Council Member Leslie Curran this morning, in a service jointly led with Rev. Mishra. Council Member Curran has taken views that some have found controversial—join us for this opportunity to hear directly from her, and Rev. Mishra, on their visions for the city of St. Petersburg.

Easter Sunday: Rolling Away the Stone

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:30:27 GMT

What is the significance of Easter Sunday for us Unitarian Universalists? Rev. Mishra explores the topic of the many resurrections of the spirit in a beloved community such as ours.

Unitarian Universalist Women

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:21:59 GMT

March is Women’s History Month. During this lay-led service, members Harriet Ha-Sidi, Dorothy Goldsmith, Pat Yochim and Betsy Filz will bring history to life, with a service honoring the contributions of our Unitarian and Universalist foremothers: Mary White Ovington, founder of the NAACP; Carrie Chapman Catt, founder of the League of Women Voters; May Sarton, a poet; and Malvina Reynolds, a songwriter.

Finding the Light of Hope

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:46:11 GMT

Our community is a beacon of hope to many. In what ways does it enrich, even save, lives? How are we called to support that work? Rev. Mishra explores the nature of community.

Hocus Pocus and Mumbo Jumbo: In Search of More Than Meets the Eye

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:51:34 GMT

Our Unitarian heritage is historically grounded in its opposition to ‘mumbo jumbo,’ supposedly supernatural events. Were we too hasty in making that judgment? Is there more to ‘magic’ than we might think?

Unwinding the Spiral of Negativity

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:31:16 GMT

As a human being it is inevitable that we experience times of suffering and pain. How can our liberal religion understand these feelings and help us in times of need? In particular, continuing our year-long series on World Religions, Rev. Mishra examines the insights and wisdom that Buddhism provides into the nature of human suffering.

Why We Need Black History Month

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:27:42 GMT

Honoring Black History Month Harriet HaSidi, our lay leader for today’s service reads a poem on the small but powerful voice of a crocus. Ernest Hooper, a columnist for the St. Pete Times, who writes three times a week on numerous topics around the Tampa Bay area, is our guest speaker. Mr. Hooper will discuss why we need Black History Month.

Will You Be My Valentine?

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:48:24 GMT

Honoring Valentine’s Day, Rev. Mishra focuses on the theme of love and the spiritual lessons it inspires us towards. Valentine’s Day evokes many different emotions and experiences. Reflecting on this, Rev. Mishra will discuss with us the themes and nuances of love.

Tampa Bay UU Regional Marketing Campaign Kickoff

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:34:34 GMT

The Reverend William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, is our guest speaker at the kickoff celebration for the Tampa Bay Regional Marketing Project.

The Thankfulness Born of Blessings

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:10:47 GMT

The Thankfulness Born of Blessings -This Sunday we have our annual Thanksgiving Celebration led by Rev. Mishra in which Rev. Mishra reflects on the Biblical phrase “I am the life and the way, follow me”; the creative force in all of us; and how we look at life – from the framework of lack and want or endless bounty.

The Sun is Always There

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:00:25 GMT

The Sun is Always There – As we celebrate the winter solstice, a time of honoring nature and our connection to the universe, Rev. Mishra reflects on his own relationship to these elements, and how the winter solstice might inform and enrich our lives.

Parakeets and Paracletes

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:24:22 GMT

Parakeets and Paracletes – Rev. Lorakim Joyner will be visiting us this day from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville. Following National Bird Day on January 5th, she will help us celebrate some of her favorite birds, parrots and parakeets. These birds in story, humor, and metaphor have much to tell us how we can witness to the beauty and tragedy of life, and be a paraclete (comforter, counselor, advocate) for others.

Teach Us and Show Us the Way

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:21:09 GMT

Teach Us and Show Us the Way – Drawing on a phrase from the Chinook Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, today’s service explores the ways in which we human beings spiritually learn and grow and the sources we draw on. Join us as Rev. Mishra offers his reflections on this topic.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Part I

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:13:35 GMT

The Seven Deadly Sins: A People’s Voices Service – Dante’s Inferno has contributed to spirituality and literature the idea of the seven deadly sins. Join us as we explore together these ‘sins.’ What might they mean to us? How have these concepts affected our lives? Led by member Pat Robinson, personal reflections will be shared by: Ms. Evie May on the sin Wrath, Mr. Ian O’Hara on Sloth, and Ms. Connie Millett on Greed.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Part II

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:40:00 GMT

The Seven Deadly Sins: Part II As we continue our reflection on Dante’s seven deadly sins, join us as we hear Ms. Alexandra Bolton-Schultes’ reflections on Pride, and Rev. Mishra on Lust. How have we experienced these ‘sins,’ and what have we learned from our encounters with them?