"All of us need all of us to make it." - Rev. Elizabeth Mount and Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto, UUA General Assembly 2025 | |
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Joys: As I write this, folks are decorating our float for the St. Pete Pride Parade; we're going to hand out flyers for tomorrow's Interfaith Pride Service. I just came home from the UU General Assembly in Baltimore; I am prouder than ever to be part of this denomination, and this congregation.
Sorrow: During that same General Assembly, our government bombed Iran and the Supreme Court passed laws that harm trans and nonbinary people. Last month we lost two of our beloveds: Sula Donnolo and Kate Kroupa.
Many of you have told me you feel anxious and afraid. You tell me you feel less joy than you used to. You wonder how we can face such insurmountable challenges.
We will face them the way we always do: together. We will keep our values in our minds and our hearts. What would you do right now if you were putting love at the center? How would you treat the next person you see if you leaned into our interdependence? How would you treat yourself if you held to the values of justice and equity?
Lucinda and I will be spending the month of July in the United Kingdom. I look forward to seeing you when we return. Hopefully by then we'll have re-hired the cleaning service we used to employ, as well as a new Office Coordinator. We are part of a web at UU St. Pete that is getting stronger and stronger, and a denomination that's doing the same. There's no work I'd rather be doing than this work; no one I'd rather be doing it with than you.
Love and blessings, Ben.
| | | | Upcoming Worship Services at UU St. Pete | | Have you ever wondered where we receive inspiration for our Sunday service themes? We reach into resources like Soul Matters to create monthly themes. We are always welcoming to hear more perspectives for our 'view from the pew' segments during Sunday service. | | Masks are optional; available at church entrances. Doors are locked at 10:45 a.m. Ring the black door bell and wait for a greeter to let you in during service. Please be mindful upon entry. Thank you. | | |
Coffee Hour - First, second, third, and fifth Sundays, Hospitality will provide coffee, tea, and cold drinks only. The fourth Sunday, snacks will be offered.
We welcome contributions of snacks for the fourth Sunday, July 27. Fresh fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers, and sweet treats are popular. It would be helpful to know about the contributions in advance and to have food in the kitchen by 10 am on the fourth Sunday so the team has time to include it in the set up.
You can help! We are currently looking for two people to commit to helping on the third Sunday every month, and two on the occasional fifth Sunday.
To volunteer, click here for more information, email hospitality@uustpete.org, write your name and contact info on the signup sheet at church, or talk to one of the team members: Kat Lee, Lucinda Zeman, or Dayna Foster.
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"For almost two years Millie Jones and I have been meeting monthly since she became the overall Greeter Coordinator. Gigi Khalsa will now take over for her, though Millie will remain the "first Sunday" greeter leader.
Thank you Millie for your leadership! Thank you Gigi for your willingness to step in!" - Rev Ben
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Participants in the Unitarian Universalist Church of St Petersburg (UUSP) community come together out of a common belief - that what we do in this world matters.
Love is the spirit of this church and service is its law.
Since a healthy and vibrant community depends upon our adherence to a common congregational covenant, we expect all community participants (church members, church staff, church volunteers, and church visitors) to commit to a growing community covenant which was established in the Annual Congregational Meeting May 2025. UUSP 102 "Integrating All Aspects Into UUSP" is a perfect class to take to become more familiar with the inner workings of the church. Led by the Director, class lasts roughly an hour.
You will be guaranteed to gain deeper insight of your beloved place of worship. The next class will be in September. See you in the fall!
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Hello Friends! We are in summer break. Attendance is always pretty low during the summer and we already miss our students! Our teachers are always ready to teach! Bring a friend!
When kids do join us this summer, make sure they are wearing closed toed shoes as Ms. Trish will taking the class into our backyard for bubbles, building fairy houses, and fun!
Dates to Remember (may change with as much notice as possible).
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July 6 - Nursery teachers and Ms. Trish will be present. Erin, our teen teacher, will be out of town.
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July 13 - Nursery teachers and Ms. Trish will be present. Erin, our teen teacher, will be out of town.
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July 20 - All RE staff present; RE Quarterly Meeting. Any parents and RE Volunteers welcomed to attend at 9:30 in the Gilmour Library.
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July 27 - All Ages service RE WILL BE CLOSED with nursery care available.
(This information is subject to change, so please keep an eye out for Sunday newsletter announcements as the updates are applied there. Thank you for understanding!)
| | Pictured: Jimmy Gilmore and Ross Scott with their son David | |
Can you find your name among these Legacy Builders?
Anonymous (2)
Barbara and Tom Archibald
Jon Arterton and James Mack
Rev. Ben and Lucinda Atherton-Zeman
Susan Burnore
Estate of Sally Carville
Laurie Clement
Marjorie Davis
Timothy J. Flaherty
Jimmy Gilmore and Ross Scott
Geraldine Huempfner-Gatz and Sabine von Aulock
Teresa Kelly
William Motter
Kathleen Rehl and Charles Pickett
Carol Ulmer
Lise S. Beane Walter
Rebecca Wilson
Deb Woodburn
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Look who have just become Legacy Builders by designating
UU St. Pete as a beneficiary of their estate!
Thank you, Jimmy and Ross, for your generosity and thoughtful intention to help ensure UU St. Pete’s mission into the future.
To find out more about UU St. Pete’s Endowment visit https://www.uustpete.org/giving/endowment.
Let us know if you have provided for the future of UU St. Pete, by completing this form: https://sites.google.com/uustpete.org/uu-st-pete/giving/endowment/statement-of-intent.
With great appreciation to the Legacy Builders who have designated UU St. Pete as a beneficiary of their estates or have made direct contributions to the Endowment.
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Interested in becoming a member here at UU St Pete?
Why not check us out?
We offer two free, no obligation classes three times a year: UU 101, which teaches about Unitarian Universalism, and UUSP 101, which teaches about our church. Be on the look out for classes in the fall.
UUSP 102 Class will be available for those interested in volunteering and learning the inner workings of the church. Everyone benefits from a class like this. The values taught align with our Community Covenant. All members and any people who dedicate their time to the functionality of the church are encouraged to attend. Sign up by clicking here!
Chris McDonald for UUSP Membership Committee
| | | | UU Community, Social Justice, & More | | | | |
Richard Boeke Obituary (1931 - 2025) - Legacy Remembers
The Rev. Dr. Richard F. Boeke, a Unitarian Universalist minister and lifelong advocate for peace and interfaith understanding, died on May 25, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia at the age of 94. His life journey took him from humble beginnings in the American South in the years following the Great Depression, to pulpits and peace forums across the globe as he pursued his calling of forging unity, meaning, and mutual trust among people across cultures and faith traditions. Read more about his legacy here.
| "Rev Boeke was minister when my parents John and Barbara Clement joined the church. He later performed the marriage ceremony for my sister Margy and brother in law John Eller out in California." from Laurie Clement | | |
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Stop the Florida Bear Hunt Postcard Signing And Coloring During Coffee Hour
Every Sunday through August 3rd
UUSP Animal Ministry is having a postcard drive to urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to call off the unscientific, unnecessary, and cruel Florida black bear hunt.
Postcards will be available to sign (or color for kids and the young at heart) each week during coffee hour until the FWC's final vote in August. We will stamp and mail them for you. Feel free to take some for your friends. The goal is to send as many postcards as possible to keep the FWC's mailbox full of opposition to this terrible hunt.
Help us protect Florida's beloved black bears!
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Announcing LGBTQ+ First Sunday Brunch
New Restaurant!!
New Time!!
Date: July 6
Time: 12:15 pm (Note this is EARLIER!!!)
Location: Three Birds Tavern, 1492 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Inside in the air conditioning! (Note this is a NEW LOCATION)
We listened to you. They serve lunch and booze!
Email bridgetoya@yahoo.com to let me know you're coming.
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Sunday Morning Book Discussion Group
This summer, the 9 am Sunday Morning Book Discussion Group is reading Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families, which was the UUA Common Read for church year 2024-2025. The book is available (including as a Kindle ebook) from inSpirit.
Contact Cynthia Patterson for more information.
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UUSP Racial Justice Team
3rd Annual Retreat
Sunday, July 13, 12 to 4 pm in Conway Hall
All are invited to help plan UUSP Racial Justice Goals & Activities for 2025-2026
RSVP and questions: racial.justice@uustpete.org
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Fourth Sunday at 6 pm at a local affordable restaurant. In July, the Dinner and Discussion Group will meet Sunday, July 27 at 6pm.
This is a Covenant Group style discussion group, but you don't have to make a commitment and can attend once, twice or when you'd like but reservations are required.
RSVP to Chris McDonald at bridgetoya@yahoo.com or sign up at the Membership Desk after the Service.
| |  | Our UU St. Pete is a BLUUHaven! We are taking a break for the summer and will return in the Fall. See you in September! For more information, contact bluu@uustpete.org. | |
📅 Save the Date: Active Shooter Preparedness Training
Sunday, August 24 | 12:00–1:30 PM
Sanctuary at UU St. Pete
All are invited to attend a vital Active Shooter Survival Presentation led by Officer Chip Wales of the St. Petersburg Police Department. This 90-minute training is designed to equip individuals and organizations with essential knowledge and strategies for surviving an active shooter. This day in age, its hard to have these conversations, but if our children are taking these trainings in school, we should too.
This presentation, developed by the St. Petersburg Police Department, is specifically intended for churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, and other community spaces—providing realistic, potentially life-saving guidance on what to expect, how law enforcement responds, and how best to protect yourself and others in a crisis.
Attendance Details:
- All staff are mandated to attend.
- Leaders are strongly encouraged to be present.
- All members and friends of UU St. Pete are welcome.
For any questions leading up to this training and for childcare (which may be available upon request) please email re@uustpete.org in advance to inquire or confirm needs.
We hope you will join us for this important training as part of our shared commitment to safety, awareness, and preparedness.
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UU Service Committee Presents:
Coffee, Tea & Chocolate needs!
Fair trade is every 2nd and 4th Sunday after service. (Cash or checks made out to UUSP)
Please let us know if you’re planning to pick up a few extra of your favorites, as we want to be sure that we’ll have what you need.
Contact: karencolett@gmail.com
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Check out our new Community Resources page on our website! It is a work in progress!
This page is a curated collection of local resources serving the wider Pinellas County from arts programs to crisis support and everything in between. We’ve gathered this information to support you on your hunt,
and we encourage you to explore it at your own discretion.
Thank you for visiting, and we wish you all the best as you connect with the services and support you need.
Click here to check it out!
| | UUA and Various UU Connections | | | | |
Imara Jones delivered a Ware Lecture that will echo in our hearts for a long time to come.
With brilliance and unwavering truth, she laid bare how anti-trans politics have become tools of authoritarianism—and called us to live our values with courage and consistency.
From the pews to the public square, justice isn’t a concept we admire—it’s a verb we must practice.
Thank you, Imara, for your prophetic clarity, your deep care, and your fierce invitation into faithful action.
As UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt said at the close:
“Let this be the lecture that changes us.”
#UUAGA #MeetTheMoment #UU #UnitarianUniversalist #Democracy #Justice
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Opportunities for Growth and Community Service
Our Unitarian Universalist Church is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults who may be at risk or have committed non-violent offenses. We work to provide a safe, welcoming environment where young people and adults can earn community service hours for scholarships and/or probation requirements.
Our program is designed to help teens develop skills, build confidence, and make positive connections within our community. We offer various volunteer opportunities and activities that foster personal growth and a sense of belonging.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this supportive atmosphere, please reach out to us. Together, we can create a path towards a brighter future.
To apply, click here!
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Thank you for supporting our church! If you have an article, event, or story to share, we welcome your submissions. Please note that the deadline for the order of service is Wednesday at 5 PM.
Monthly newsletter submissions are due by the 21st of each month.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294
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