The light is changing, and the days are getting a little shorter. There is a breeze in the air some evenings, and more and more of the snowbirds have begun to fly and drive south for the winter. As we prepare for October, after a slow summer of heat and light, it is time to … Continue reading Minister’s mUUsings October 2022
When I was in search for the very first time, I joked to a colleague, “I love the beach. I love Florida. I want to go where it’s warm and I understand the people! You just know this means I’m going to end up being a perfect match for a church in the far north, … Continue reading Minister’s mUUsings September 2022
In less than two weeks, I will complete my ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah and head to Venice to be with you all for the month of July. I am very excited to meet you, either in person or virtually, since so many of you are spending the summer in other areas. … Continue reading Minister’s Corner – July 2022 – Rev. Susan Karlson
Thanks to UUCOV for having me back for another month. Knowing that, as I write this, it’s a poignant time for this Congregation, the thing most on my mind is to focus on the longterm flourishing of UUCOV itself. You have a strong Congregation. As the ancient Chinese sage, Lao Tzu, has been quoted, “Leading … Continue reading Minister’s Corner June 2022 – Rev. Dennis McCarty
My wife Margie and I are looking forward to being a part of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice during the month of March. We deeply appreciate the mission of UUCOV, your commitment to open and meaningful discussions, and your dedication to improving the well-being of all people. I have sought to improve the lives … Continue reading Message from Guest Minister: Rev. Dr. Bill Nelsen
When I arrived in Venice, January 25, 2020, to serve as your six-month Sabbatical Minister, I had no idea what I was getting into. That is, I’d perceived you as a forward-looking, high-energy congregation, and I sincerely respected your Minister. But none of us realized the changes we would face due to the COVID pandemic, … Continue reading The Minister’s Column – Rev. Dennis McCarty
In my years with this congregation, I have often remarked on what a peculiar group we are theologically – atheists and Humanists, Christians and Jews, Buddhists and none-of-the-above. Often we do pretty well at getting along even in the face of our differences. Some of the time, we might even reach a deeper level with … Continue reading An Ethic of Compassion
Minister’s Corner “So provocative!” the woman had said, responding to some of the religious-sounding words she’d heard used at church. Others chimed in: “I’m not comfortable with this kind of language,” and “I’m bothered by these concepts,” and then the sentiment most often repeated, “I just have so many questions.” Questions are what we’re all … Continue reading Comfort, Challenge, and All the Rest
On October 3rd, I announced that I will retire in four months, on January 31, 2022. The Board of Trustees has taken steps toward hiring an Interim Minister to arrive on or near February 1st, 2022. The Board has now been in contact with the Congregational Life staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association to begin … Continue reading Rev. Khleber M. Van Zandt V
I’ve been mulling some past history: On March 8th, 2020, we held our last in-person Sunday service (a total of 22 COVID deaths had occurred in the U.S.). On April 1st, the Board of Trustees decided to officially close the campus (deaths totaled 3,170 in the U.S. to that point). In May, I ‘partially returned’ … Continue reading “Which Way Do We Go?”
