December 31 ~ “Resolutions: Must We?”
Cathy Rifenburg will share her thoughts on a particular New Year’s tradition with which we’re all familiar- the New Year’s Resolution!
Cathy loves her role as “MoMa” & adores the grands: Colton, Annabel, and Audrey! She is a passionate LGBTQ rights advocate, is committed to advancing women in politics, and is devoted to making a difference in the lives of her family and friends. She identifies as a Humanist and surrounds herself with the best of humanity- her UUFBC community!
December 24 ~ “A Very UU Winter Holiday”
Using readings, ritual, and song, we will invoke the spirit of the season followed by a brunch.
December 17 ~ “Deck the Halls!”
We will be making Holiday Wreaths to adorn your doors. Come celebrate the holiday season with music and hot chocolate (or coffee). The UU will be providing the frames and decorations. The real pine boughs are courtesy of The Home Depot on 23rd St. This is an intergenerational service with paper wreaths for our littlest members to color.
Service will be lead by Gienah Harris. Gienah was born and raised in Reno, NV by a physicist and a spiritualist. Gienah lived in Germany and Missouri before returning home to Reno where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in European History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis in Latin American studies. She worked as an insurance agent before moving to Portland, OR to study fused glass. After moving to Panama City in 2013 Gienah became involved as a volunteer with the Children’s Religious Educaiton program here at the UUFBC. She was hired as the Religious Education Coordinator in 2016 and has provided programming for the adults and children in this congregation. Gienah was promoted to Director of Religious Education earlier this year.
December 10 ~ “The Faces of Hope”
In this talk, Canova Smith-Henderson will explore what hope looks like in different situations.
Canova has served in various capacities at UUFBC, Secretary, Youth RE, Vision and Growth and Worship to name a few. She has been with the Fellowship for about 12 years, 8 years as a member. She has given several interesting talks to the Fellowship in the past. Canova has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She is also an ordained minister through Universal Life Church, a 3rd Degree High Priestess, and a Hierophant within the Fellowship of Isis.
December 3 ~ “The Light of Hope and the Shadow of Loss”
How do we maintain hope when we are surrounded by shadows? Whether personal or collective, loss is real and despair can lurk nearby. How can we access the fortitude of spirit to persistently rekindle the flame? How can we overcome our own cynicism?
November 26 ~ “Ritual for Abundance and Emptiness”
Presented by Chris May and Cheryl Kellogg!
An interactive worship service on spiritual abundance and exploring the interwoven nature of emptiness and fullness.
November 19 ~ “November: the Month of Transgender Remembrance and Awareness”
Taryn will talk about the history of transgender people from the past to the present day focusing on what they did with their life and how they interacted with society. Following the talk will be a moment of silence for those lost this year and a question-and-answer time.
Taryn Wilson is an out-and-proud transgender service member who has been in the Navy for 22 years and is currently serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader at Naval Support Activities Panama City. She has lived all over the United States and in Japan through her career.
Last year when the news broke that the DOD would lift the ban on open transgender service, she decided to live an authentic life and for the first time not hide who she was from the world.
Taryn is currently a PFLAG board member. She is active in the community and military bringing openness and honesty about what it means to be transgender in society.
November 12 ~ “Commemorative Memory and the Significance of 11:00 am on 11/11.”
Join us on November 12 for a discussion on the importance of remembrance.
The service will be lead by Gienah Harris. Gienah was born and raised in Reno, NV by a physicist and a spiritualist. Gienah lived in Germany and Missouri before returning home to Reno where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in European History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis in Latin American studies. She worked as an insurance agent before moving to Portland, OR to study fused glass. After moving to Panama City in 2013 Gienah became involved as a volunteer with the Children’s Religious Educaiton program here at the UUFBC. She was hired as the Religious Education Coordinator in 2016 and has provided programming for the adults and children in this congregation. Gienah was promoted to Director of Religious Education earlier this year.
November 5 ~ “Celebrating Life on Dia De Los Muertos”
It’s both sad and joyful to remember those who have gone before us. You are invited to bring photos and mementos of beloved people and pets whom you would like to acknowledge by placing the memento on an altar and giving a brief explanation of whom you are remembering.
The Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 2nd, has a long history in Mexican Tradition and is truly a celebration of life. When children dance with caricatures of death, eat skull sugar molds, and learn to respect that life is brief, they learn there is a circle to life and to not fear death; then they are free to enjoy and appreciate every moment.
Sometime one hears reference to “the Days of the Dead” which refers to the Days of October 31 – November 2. October 31 is Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve. November 1 is “el Dia de los Innocentes,” or the Day of the Children and All Saints Day. November 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead.
October 29 ~ “The Paths that Led Us Here: One Seeker’s Search through Unitarian Universalist Theology”
This Summer the UUFBC sent their Director of Religious Education to the Mountain to take a class in UU theology. This service is Gienah’s part of a collaboration with other religious educators to help us examine our roots.
Service will be lead by Gienah Harris. Gienah was born and raised in Reno, NV by a physicist and a spiritualist. Gienah lived in Germany and Missouri before returning home to Reno where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in European History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis in Latin American studies. She worked as an insurance agent before moving to Portland, OR to study fused glass. After moving to Panama City in 2013 Gienah became involved as a volunteer with the Children’s Religious Educaiton program here at the UUFBC. She was hired as the Religious Education Coordinator in 2016 and has provided programming for the adults and children in this congregation. Gienah was promoted to Director of Religious Education earlier this year.
October 22 ~ “Songs of Protest and Change”
Ken Sizemore has been performing musical Sunday services, concerts, and coffee houses for UU congregations for about 35 years. He served as president of First UU of Nashville and led many fund raising events. He has served on the board several others terms as well. Ken was president of UUFBC for 3 years previously and is presently serving in that capacity again; he’s served as Treasurer for 15 years and “volunteer bookkeeper” for two more years.
If you like to learn more about Ken Sizemore, please visit his website at www.kensizemore.com.
October 15 ~ “Screw Your Courage (to the Sticking Place)”
October 1 ~ “Courage Has Many Faces”
Just as the human experience comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, so do our fears, and the moments that we are called to use our courage. Much more than a feeling, courage can be seen as a spiritual discipline, and as a choice. How do we tap into our courage? And how do we recognize it in others?
September 24 ~ “Come Out and Play – Religion as Make-Believe”
The title of this sermon might sound a bit irreverent, but there is a sound theological basis to the idea of religion as play. Cultural theorists and anthropologists have noted with fascination the elements of human behavior that make us playful are also those that make religion possible. Religion only fulfills its purpose when it functions as a sort of sacred play.
Rev. Dr. Fred Howard has roots deep in Georgia soil. He was born and raised in Macon, attended Valdosta State College and then the Medical College of Georgia, and practiced medicine as a family physician in Cairo and Douglas for twenty years. In 2002 he heard the call to ministry and closed his medical practice, moved to Atlanta, and began studies at Candler School of Theology. For the past ten years Fred has served as minister of the Valdosta UU Church. He also continues to work part time in the medical field as an emergency room physician.
He is author of Transforming Faith: Stories of Change from a Lifelong Spiritual Seeker, recipient of numerous awards including the coveted Nautilus Book Award. More recently he published Children of Covenant, an intriguing and informative suspense novel that will be of special interest to UUs.
September 17 ~ “Positive Steps for the Homeless”
Dr. Ted Wilson is the middle child of a family of five boys and attended Emory College and Medical School; he graduated in 1964. He did his 5 years surgical residency at the Medical College of Va., then spent 2 years in the USN as a surgeon. Dr. Wilson moved to Panama City in 1971 joining Dr.
McCloy and has practiced here for 35 years. Now he’s on the adjunct faculty at GCSC teaching Anatomy and Philology.
John Whitley is a retired United Methodist pastor living in Lynn Haven, FL. John Graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting from the University of Alabama and entered the Air Force and flew B-52’s during the Vietnam War. He subsequently left the Air Force to attend seminary at St Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. Following Seminary, he served churches in Missouri and Louisiana before rejoining the Air Force as a chaplain. Following retirement from the Air Force, he served as the Minister-in-Residence at Huntingdon College for several years and then as pastor at United Methodist churches in Alabama and Florida, retiring in 2006. Since retirement he has been involved in several ministries in Panama City and Seattle, Wa.
September 10 ~ “The Water Communion”
Join (or re-join) us on Sunday and celebrate the return of our members and friends from their travels and summer schedules. The Water Ceremony is a wonderful time to come and be in community with our fellow humans. Please bring a small vial of water to add to our bowl. The kids spent part of their summer in Religious Education learning to sing some of our traditional hymns in Spanish and we invite you to join us as well. Come, come, whoever you are. Wander, worshiper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair. Come, yet again, come.
Service will be lead by Gienah Harris. Gienah was born and raised in Reno, NV by a physicist and a spiritualist. Gienah lived in Germany and Missouri before returning home to Reno where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in European History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis in Latin American studies. She worked as an insurance agent before moving to Portland OR to study fused glass. After moving to Panama City in 2013 Gienah became involved as a volunteer with the Children’s Religious Educaiton program here at the UUFBC. She was hired as the Religious Education Coordinator in 2016 and has provided programming for the adults and children in this congregation. Gienah was promoted to Director of Religious Education earlier this year.
September 3 ~ “Looking In and Looking Out”
UFBC member and UU ministerial candidate Tiffany Sapp explores what it means to be welcomed into fellowship, and then what it means to turn around and reach out to welcome others in.