Sunday Services for March 2026.
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker – Al Wileden
Worship Associate – Nancy Wileden
“The Ocean as our Teacher: Living our Principles beneath the waves”
This presentation will describe how many natural behaviors in the ocean mirror our UU Principles.
Our guest speaker Al Wileden is a lifelong UU and has been a member of UUCT for 5 years. He began his association with the Unitarian Universalists in the early 60’s just as they were consolidating. He was the leader of the youth group at the Lakeland Fellowship and the group was responsible for conducting services on a regular basis. He attended the University of Florida and began a career in Electrical Engineering. He joined the First Unitarian Church in Orlando and was married to Nancy in late 1968 in the Church library. Being a UU is something that he considers central to who he is and a faith that he believes in. He has been active at UUCT, serving on several Committees and participates in the Pathways to Membership sessions. While traveling to several countries during his career, he would observe different cultures and environments and see if our UU Principles might be at work. One unique environment that he explored as a scuba diver was the vibrant life in the ocean and how it might be practicing our UU principles. What he saw and learned was something remarkable and he would like to share these thoughts with you.
There will be a New to UU session Sunday March 1 at 11:45 in the Teen Room(rm 5) of the Multipurpose Building. This is an informal 15-20 minute session to answer questions about UUism, how to get connected here at UUCT, as well as the next steps to becoming a UUCT member.
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Sunday, March 8, 2026
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker – Rev. Charles McKenzie
“A Thousand Hacking at the Branches”
The message will center around how ideological frameworks/ beliefs precipitate human behaviors. And, until those frameworks are genuinely examined, analyzed and expanded, the human experience will continue to be a cycle of repetitive behaviors steeped in lower consciousness.
Rev. Charles McKenzie is a 1982 graduate of Bethune-Cookman with a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy. Rev. McKenzie is presently an ordained minister and a full-time public-school teacher in Manatee County. He has been involved in the political landscape promoting civil rights for minorities, women, farmworkers and the youth. Experiencing hardship and an unstable background growing up, McKenzie developed a passion for helping the less fortunate, the underserved, the exploited and the neglected.
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Sunday, March 15, 2026
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker – Rev. Bob Murphy
“How We Grow”
Be the change that you want to see in the world. Shared ministry, resistance to injustice, and mutual aid are religious practices that help congregations to rise in troubled times.
Rev. Bob Murphy is a UU community minister for Florida. Bob asks people to love and care for each other and their natural environment during some difficult days for planet Earth.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker – Rev. Elaine “Fairie” Silver
“Celebrating Spring Equinox”
This service demonstrates examples through lecture and singing with some audience participation.
“Rev. Faerie” Elaine Silver is a highly acclaimed musician, performing and recording artist (22 CDs and counting) with a thriving Music Ministry. She is a Trans-denominational minister and Divinity Priestess who has garnered much attention in progressive churches and centers due to her unique method of delivering Music-inspired lessons, messages, workshops and concerts. She is also a Certified Beatleologist through Beatleology University in the UK. As a Licensed Science of Mind Practitioner (RScP), she shares Truth Principles and Universal Law using lecture, songs and audience participation, which bring about connectedness and a sense of ONENESS in many. She is delighted to be presenting at The Unitarian Universalists Church of Tampa.
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Sunday, March 29, 2026
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker – Jean Kelly
“Intelligent Life Is All Around Us”
The path of a zookeeper that started with a tiny baby bird.
J Kelly has worked with animals for almost 50 years. From growing up on a farm to working at a zoo and sanctuaries, she is passionate about making animals lives better.
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Following this service: conversation with the Board.
On the last Sunday of the month, following this service after coffee time: Conversations with The Board
Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church today from 11:45 to 12 p.m. The purpose is to open communication and share ideas. Come with questions and ideas but always with an open mind.