Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St Augustine, FL

06/15/2026

Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. "The Limits of Science: Why Einstein Believed Science Needs the Humanities" by Jeffrey Nall, Ph.D.

We undoubtedly live during an age when our political and educational institutions prioritize science and technology over the humanities. Such prioritization runs counter to the assessment of one of the greatest scientists in human history: Albert Einstein. In this talk, Dr. Jeffrey Nall engages Einstein’s writing and lectures to help explain why the renowned scientist believed the humanities with its emphasis on values and ethics are essential to human flourishing and wisdom and could not be replaced with a purely scientific worldview.

Jeffrey Nall-Bradford, Ph.D., teaches philosophy and humanities courses for Indian River State College and the University of Central Florida. Nall also teaches courses in Florida Atlantic University’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department. He maintains a Substack newsletter, “Humanities in Revolt,” which can be found at JeffreyNall.substack.com

06/08/2026

Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10 a.m. "The Courage to Hear" with Phillip Baber.

In this service, we will be invited to examine our own listening habits and to recognize listening as an act of love, solidarity, and moral responsibility. Through stories of community and justice, we will consider how hearing one another can reshape our world.

Phillip Baber is well known to this Fellowship and is a strong advocate of social justice. His ministry emphasizes reconciliation and empowerment in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In years past Phillip served as pastor of the Unitarian Church in Jacksonville and as an interfaith leader in greater Jacksonville. Phillip and his family have since moved to Dublin, Ireland. Besides being a devoted husband and father, Phillip continues his scholarly research and writing.

06/02/2026

Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m. "It's Gay Pride Month" with Matt Whitney

“The times they are a changing!” …or are they? From shame to pride and … assimilation! How one community forged its own path toward acceptance … through a 50-year retrospective gaze by a North Florida native. This personal history draws on major historical events and trends that shaped not only the gay community but society as a whole, from 1970 until today. Matt Whitney was born and reared in Gainesville, Florida. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Florida, where he taught Spanish, French, and German for seven years. Matt’s decisionmaking, fueled by being treated as “different” as a young man impacted who he is today. Initially “escaping” to visit over seventy countries, he settled in St. Augustine in 2001. Matt works full-time translating six languages into English for agencies worldwide.

05/26/2026

Sunday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. : Dr John Young

Dr. Young is an Associate Professor of History at Flagler College. He holds doctoral and master’s degrees in Medieval Studies from the University of Notre Dame, a diploma in Jewish Studies from the University of Oxford, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham Young University. He teaches a wide variety of courses on various historical layers of and thematic emphases within European and African history. His research focuses on the intersections between the culture, politics, and economics of the high Middle Ages, with a particular emphasis on monasticism and Jewish-Christian relations. He also has a secondary research interest in Mormon Studies.

Dr. Young has spoken to our congregation on several occasions and in November of 2024 moderated a Saturday discussion on Conflict in the Middle East.

05/24/2026

Wonderful celebration of our 40th year anniversary! A few tears may have been shed during the video as we remembered old friends.

05/19/2026

“40th Anniversary Commemoration” and Potluck Lunch. UUFSA Is 40 Years Old This Year! May 24, 2026 at 10:00 am

Let’s celebrate the 40 year history of our Fellowship. We will watch the video Dave Perkins put together to celebrate our 25th anniversary and our long-time members, including a few founding members, will share their memories of our journey. A potluck lunch and celebration will follow.

05/16/2026

“Humanism and Reading Humanistically”–Mimi Ensley, Ph.D.
May 17, 2026 at 10:00 am

Every Sunday, the service leader refers to the Seven Principles “…on the wall behind me.” as guides to living. Not often do we speak explicitly on the background materials or ideas used to develop these principles. There are “Six Sources.” Number five: “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.” What can we learn by looking at the long history of humanist thinking through the lens of medieval and Renaissance literatures. After the Protestant Reformation in England, what were readers and thinkers to do with the now-problematic theological perspectives of revered medieval Catholic authors like Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower? They found one answer in the discourses of humanism, which offered them a way to continue to celebrate and learn from the medieval past despite differences in religious perspectives.

Dr. Ensley is an Assistant Professor in the English department at Flagler College where she researches and teaches medieval and Renaissance literature. She holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in medieval studies from the University of York (UK), and a BA in English and Journalism from the University of Georgia. Her book, Difficult Pasts: Post-Reformation Memory and the Medieval Romance, was published by Manchester University Press in 2023. She lives in St. Augustine with her husband Garrett and her daughter Flannery.

05/07/2026

Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. "Motherhood as a Model of Civic Courage" with Phillip Baber

In this service we will consider motherhood as a model of civic courage rooted in a tradition that began with abolitionists, suffragists, and peace activists, whose legacies continue to inspire us to reject political silence and embrace sacred public engagement.

Phillip Baber is a strong advocate of social justice. His ministry emphasizes reconciliation and empowerment in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In years past Phillip served as pastor of the Unitarian church in Jacksonville and as an interfaith leader in greater Jacksonville.

Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother's Day

04/24/2026

Sunday, Apr 26, 10 a.m. "Unity for UUs" with Jonathan Dotson, Ph.D. and students from the Classical Ensemble of St Aug High School.

The St Johns County Center for the Arts Classical Guitar Ensemble, the first high school classical guitar ensemble in the state of Florida, presents a program of unique arrangements and compositions spanning 450 years of history. The program will include works exploring themes of love, acceptance, and gratitude, including "This is Love" by Lou Warde, "Simple Gifts" arranged for guitar ensemble and more. Directed by Dr Jonathan Dotson.

You can hear more of his music on facebook and on his webpage:

Wedding Music | Jonathan Dotson, Classical Guitarist | St. Augustine, FL