Speakers Bureau
This list is provided as a service of the Florida District. The individuals listed have expressed their willingness to be available for speaking engagements to Florida District congregations. Speakers are listed by general geographical location.
Congregational Leaders: Please contact the listed speakers directly to negotiate topics, dates, and honorarium/expenses. Congregations are expected to offer an honorarium plus expenses for this service. The recommended amounts are $250 for a Sunday service plus travel [current IRS rate is .565/mile]. If travel requires more than 3 hours, we recommend you also offer one night’s lodging. If you would like to retain a speaker for a workshop, please consider an honorarium commensurate with the additional time required. Once you have made your arrangements, please send an e-mail to the District Office regarding the details. After your date, the Office will send you a brief “how did it go” survey; we will very much appreciate your feedback on our speakers.
Guest Speakers: If you would like to join the Florida District Speakers Bureau, please contact District Executive Reverend Kenn Hurto at khurto@uua.org
To update your contact information on this list, please contact the District office at uuafld@gmail.com
Northeast & North Central
Sheila T. Harty, B.A., M.A. Theology
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Augustine
Contact Information – Email: sheilaharty@comcast.net, Phone: 904- 826-0563
My major study was Catholicism, my minor was Islam, which is now my major (Sunni, Shiite, Arab, and Persian), and my thesis was in scriptural post-exilic Judaism, though my concept of God more closely resembles quantum physics and the enigma of chaos theory. My forte is demythologizing Scripture (Old and New) through history and linguistics. My sideline is deconstructing the Catholic dogmatic tradition. Website: www.sheila-t-harty.com (Updated 10-2011)
JoLaine Jones-Pokorney (pronounced p’KORNee)
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Contact Information – Email: jolaine@gmail.com, Phone: 352-871-0948 (cell)
My areas of interest include conflict management, interpersonal relationships, UU in the present and future, science and spirituality, size discrimination, the body and wellness, women and feminism. I am a professional storyteller and include story in worship. I am a worship elder at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville and perform weddings, ceremonies of union, renewal of vows ceremonies. Website: http://www.genuineyoucoaching.com. (Updated 3-2011)
Reverend LoraKim Joyner, D.V.M.
Unitarian Universalist Minister
Contact Information – Email: amoloros@juno.com, Phone: 352-377-1669 (work)
My areas of interest are primarily in compassionate communication/nonviolent communication, environmental and nonhuman animal justice/welfare, immigration, and UU spiritual practice helping us to become transforming, liberating congregations that serve. (Updated 3-2011)
Gene Klein
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
Contact Information – Email: genesigns@aol.com, Phone: 352-751-6032 (home) 352-874-5536 (cell)
Gene Klein is a holocaust survivor, Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps. Gene and his family were deported from Hungary to Auschwitz when he was 16. Gene is a dynamic and engaging speaker, who recounts his “year in hell” and derives important life lessons from his ordeal. He first became a Unitarian Universalist in the Miami, Florida in 1969. For the past fifteen years, Gene has been a frequent speaker at Unitarian Universalist congregations, and other faith communities, libraries and schools all over the United States. (Updated 3-2011)
Hana Maris, M.S., Environmental Studies/Ecopsychology; B.A. Philosophy
UU Fellowship of Saint Augustine
Contact Information: Email: hanaheron@aol.com, Phone: 207-289-9571
Hana is an experienced spiritual retreat leader, wilderness guide, singer/songwriter, feminist, and all around rabble-rouser. She weaves thoughtful inspiration, inquiry, music, and direct participatory experience in her presentations. She considers herself to be an “en-wilding facilitator” and aims to leave her audience a bit wilder than when she showed up. Her focus is on empowering the individual to honor his or her inner knowing, and to act on that truth. This anchors us in a basic and important premise of Unitarian Universalism and asks us to put it into daily and courageous practice.
Areas of particular passion include:
Inciting people to find their purpose and carry it out for the good of the world
Revealing the ongoing dialogue between people and the rest of nature, for healing and culture change
Exploring the deeply transformative point many of us experience, at which we choose to live or die
Luxuriating in and enhancing our relationship with the spirit that moves in all things
Website: www.havenfound.com (5-2011)
Reverend Beth Miller
Unitarian Universalist minister
Contact information – Email: beth849@gmail.com, Phone: 617-893-1949.
After twenty-two years in parish and institutional ministry, I’ve semi-retired and joined my sweetheart in Sebastian, FL as a “snowbird”. I’ve served three congregations for a total of sixteen years, directed the department of ministry and professional leadership at the UUA, and worked as an organizational development consultant for the Mass Bay and Clara Barton Districts. I bring a great deal of experience to all aspects of ministry and look forward to connecting with congregations and individuals in a variety of roles.
As a preacher I’m especially drawn to:
- common themes in the wisdom of the world’s religions and secular sources
- bringing our professed values into ever greater alignment with our daily lives
- surviving and thriving through the inevitable losses we experience
- community/congregational health and well being
As a workshop leader and congregational consultant I enjoy:
- board and/or committee retreats for clarifying roles, setting goals, etc.
- moderating congregational conversations
- long range planning
As a pastoral counselor or leadership coach I will meet you where you are to explore:
- your general spiritual growth and concerns
- guidance and support through major life changes, loss or grief
- managing professional or volunteer work for both effectiveness and personal fulfillment
As an officiant for rites of passage I’m available for:
- weddings
- house blessings
- memorial services, funerals, and interments or scattering of ashes
(Added 12-2012)
Reverend Janet Onnie
UU Fellowship of Marion County
Contact Information – Email: janetonnie@comcast.net, Phone 941-323-8513 (cell); 941-496-8263 (home)
Can offer programmatic workshops on lay pastoral care, adult education, and interfaith development. Sermon topics include holy foolishness, science and religion, social justice, forgiveness, change, gender roles, Unitarian Universalism for non-UUs, and Influencing and Shaping Congregational Leaders”. (Updated 9-2011)
Joseph Wetzel
Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Citrus Springs
Contact Information – Email: joepretz@bellsouth.net, Phone: 352-465-3049
My areas of interest are philosophy, history, politics, as well as literature and art, and in how they relate to Unitarian Universalist principles. Occasionally I assume the persona of great thinkers like JJ-Rousseau, Voltaire, Joseph Priestley, Bertrand Russell—using mostly their words to show how they often underpin our principles and lift our spirits. Some sample presentations: “Without a Sacred Text, How can UU’s be Moral?” Does the Interdependent Web of Existence Include Art?” “Tolerance: Joy or Concern?” “Cosmologically and philosophically, What Really Connects Us in the Interdependent Web?” “Slavery and the First UU Principle.” (Updated 3-2011)
Renée Zenaida
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Contact Information – Email: reneezen@bellsouth.net, Phone: 352-374-6541, Cell: 352-278-2029
WE ARE THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES. When re-storying the great myths, vetting current events, or celebrating our own history and present, we are telling the story—the future—of Unitarian Universalism. My passion is weaving creative, integrated worship experiences that contribute to our Unitarian Universalist story.
Topics of special interest include: Diversity & Multiculturalism, Pragmatic Spirituality, Contemplative Lifestyles, Grief & Consolation, Moving Beyond Gender Roles, Nature & Environmental Issues, Special Needs & Inclusion, and Art & Spirituality. However, I am eager to work with worship leaders and committee members to develop congregation-specific Sunday and alternative services. Website: www.reneezenaida.com (Updated 04-2011)
Central
Catherine Giordano
University Unitarian Universalist society (Orlando FL)
Contact Information – Email: cathy@talksallabout.com, Phone: 407-677-5939
Catherine’s talks are informative, insightful, inspirational, and motivational, sprinkled liberally with humor to insure that they are entertaining. The talks are lighthearted essays on life, delivered in a conversational style and containing a relevant Unitarian Universalist message.
Catherine has a BA in Psychology and her talks reflect her interests in the social sciences. She is a popular speaker, not only for UU groups, but also for schools, social and civic groups, and business groups. She is the author of several books available on Amazon.com including poetry books and non-fiction books.
The topics are eclectic so you are sure to find something that is right for your congregation. —The universal longing for do-overs and why we should respect our choices, —How to apologize … and forgive, —How a motto can change your life, — The physical, mental, social and spiritual benefits of laughter, —How to maintain loving relationships, —A brief history of happiness, —The pragmatic and moral reasons for abolishing the death penalty, and others—the list is always growing. Please check www.talksallabout.com for details. (9-2011)
Robyn L. Kelly, B.A., M.A. Human Relations
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lake County
Contact Information – Email: rlk352@gmail.com, Phone: 352-223-0654
Robyn has pent the past few years deeply involved with the transgender community of Central Florida. She was instrumental in framing her Congregation’s “Welcoming Congregation” program. She is a fervent advocate for extending simple human rights to the transgender community of Central Florida and believes that educating people about the transgender condition will accelerate that happening. She speaks with knowledge and feeling on the plight of transgender individuals and on the status of laws concerning them. Website: http://lakecountyuu.org/Interweave . (4-2012)
West Central
Dorothy (Dotti) Doyle, RN, MEd
Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater
Contact Information - Email: ddoyle1962@tampabay.rr.com, Phone: (cell) 813-842-0474
Nurse, counselor, teacher, feminist, activist
Areas of interest: women’s issues (including reproductive choice), ethical eating: environmental justice, alcoholism & addictions (including AA and UU: contradictory or complementary?), mental health (history & treatment), separation of church & state. I weave personal experience with facts and UU principles into my presentations. Humor sneaks in when I least expect it. I like to raise questions and leave my audience to think about the answers. I consider myself a spiritual humanist. (3-2009)
Susan Patricia Golden, MA, CPC, MP
Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater
Contact Information – Email: SPG@UniversalMusicDay.org, Phone: (cell) 727 804 4908
Professional Speaker, author, workshop leader and Founder of UniversalMusicDay.org
Areas of interest: Susan believes that creative self-expression is our birthright. She goes so far as to say that “we are Art & Music” because like everything else in the Universe–we are waves and particles! Art & Music are to our souls what water is to our bodies. Without them we are spiritually and physically dehydrated. Plus listening = our greatest sense. Music = teaches listening skills. Susan aims to inspire, empower, enrich, and energize your congregations.
Reverend Dee Graham
Church of the Larger Fellowship, serving Sarasota Campus Ministry @ Ringling College of Art and Design, New College & University of South Florida
Contact Information – E-mail: RevDeeGraham@yahoo.com, Phone: 941-309-0200 (Campus), 727-522-7090 (Home)
An indigenous Floridian, I’d love to share with you my passion for our region’s UU & religious past & promise. Current fun topics: Campus ministry for old & young, LBGT families & faith, Universalism & UU Christianity, Women’s Religious Heritage, & Sport As Spiritual Practice.
Dr. Ron Hammerle
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Contact Information – Email: ronhammerle@gmail.com, Phone: 954-579-4124
2011 Presentations:
• What We Can Learn From Megachurches
• 13 Proven Ways For To Grow A Congregation
• Is There A Future For Liberal Religion?
• Where Is American Healthcare Going Now?
• Care At The End Of Life: Why Do We Treat Pets Better Than People?
• Mapping UUA DNA: Why Our Congregations Look As They Do
• When Abortion Was Illegal … And How 21 Clergy Helped Change That
Ron earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago for interdisciplinary studies in medical ethics, was a traveling scholar at the Kinsey Institute for Sex Research and did post-doctoral work in leadership at the Peter Drucker Graduate School of Management. He is an independent member of the Institutional Review Board of the University of South Florida, chairman of Health Resources, Ltd. and is a popular speaker, author and editor. He and his wife Barb have been active for many years in UUA congregations throughout the U.S. (Updated 3-2011)
Reverend Susanne Nazian
Unitarian Universalist Minister
Contact Information – Email: picsbymag@aol.com, Phone 813-962-7657
I am a Unitarian Universalist minister who can speak on most topics. Favorites are Unitarian Universalist theology and history, women’s issues and women’s history, racial justice and African American theologies, exemplars of life (for example Loren Eiseley, Annie Dillard, Alice Walker and others) , Science and Religion, and themes from the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures.
Afsaneh Noori
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Contact Information - E-mail: info@ChangeThrivers.com, Phone: 813-984-9718
Afsaneh Noori is an Iranian born national speaker specializing in the topic of personal and organizational change as well as the author of “Change Thrivers-Your Resource Guide for Making Change Work”. She offers sermons and workshops based on her book. For more information visit www.ChangeThrivers.com.
Marta Pearson, MS
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Contact information – Email: info@trainingwithmarta.com , Phone: 813-495-3021 (cell)
Marta brings 14 years as a trauma recovery therapist & more than 30 years as a dynamic, entertaining, informative Speaker to her presentations. She has provided sermons and workshops to Congregations from Maine to Hawaii. Marta made multiple appearances as a trauma recovery expert on Geraldo, Donahue & Sally Jessy Raphael television programs.
Sermons:
My Great Own Determination: Defining God & Goals
Beyond the Angry Mask of Bullying Behavior: Creating Safety
Regaining Civility in an Angry World
Are Rewards (Heaven) Necessary for People to Choose to Do Good?
Extraordinary Living thru Self-Care: Managing Change & Other Life Situations
Fun, Focus, Finish: Parenting Ourselves & Our Children in Stressful Times
No Longer Dreaming: Action Planning
WORKSHOPS:
Growing Extraordinary Children
Dealing with Angry People
Solutions & Decision Making
Visioning, Goals & Success
Your Living Well – Overflowing With Life
Stress is a Marble: Spin It Your Way
(2-2012)
Reverend Angeline E. M. Theisen, D.Min., AIM
Currently on sabbatical or semi-retired, to be decided.
Contact Information – Email: RevAngieT@aol.com, Phone: 404-394-8224(cell), 727-645-6850 (office)
As a veteran UU minister of 27 years, my focus is on preparing dynamite Sunday Services, coaching lay persons on how to create them, and teaching congregations how to produce your most successful canvass ever, while laughing out loud and having a blast. The healing power of humor is my passion, and I am developing a new workshop on that subject. Life’s tough, times are hard, so we may as well keep on smiling.
Robert P. Tucker, Ph.D.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sun City Center
Contact Information - Email: drroberttucker@aol.com, Phone: 863-682-2636
I am a retired UU minister and professor of Religion, Philosophy, Ethics and Logic. I am prepared to speak in depth, seriously but with humor, on those topics as well as on pastoral and spiritual matters. I welcome Talkback/Discussion when congregations desire it. My sermons are designed as 20-minute presentations. (Updated 3-2011)
Ray Williamson
Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater
Contact Information - E-mail: rwilli60@tampabay.rr.com, Phone: 727-372-0346 (Home), 727-534-7964 (Cell)
“Reason, humor, and awe: Sense of Reality” mysteries of the senses, brain, and conscious experience. “Life, The Universe, and Everything” my awe-inspiring science-based vision of creation, with slides. “Men’s Lives” men nurture differently: an appreciation. “Science, Religion, and Morality” thoughts on evolutionary bases for morality and religion. “Non-violent Communication.”
Southeast
Pete Kersey
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach
Contact Information – Email: petenoel@comcast.net, Phone: 772-778-7880, 772-562-3936
Sample sermons: Christianity and why UU’s need to rethink how we react to that religion…A Dream of God, Trying to Define the Divine…The Environment, has it been hot enough for you?…Incivility and Meanness, it must be tempered…Four Legs to a Table of Values. Power Point slides are an enhancement to most of these sermons, but are not critical to them. (Updated 9-2012)
Southwest
Reverend Brock H. Leach
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
Contact Information - Email: brock.leach@comcast.net, Phone: 941-312-9774 (H), 941-704-0999 (C)
I’m especially interested in economic justice and ensuring that all our families and children have access to opportunity - safe affordable housing, high quality education, and access to health care. I have worked extensively in these areas as a volunteer leader and had a first career as a food industry executive. (Updated 9-2011)
Katie Romano Griffin, MA
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
Contact Information – Katie@KatieRomanoGriffin.com , Phone: 239-898-6090
Katie is an experienced, energetic speaker, adept spiritual workshop leader, author, marketing executive, humanitarian, certified hypnotherapist and life coach. Her work in both marketing and subconscious behavioral modification makes great fodder for sermons with a Unitarian Universalist message and her ability to engage and inspire is legendary. She has been invited to speak in Universities, Hospitals, Corporate Seminars, Workshops, as well as Unitarian Universalist Congregations, New Thought Centers, Christian and Mormon gatherings. She has been featured on NPR and has two books on spiritual development forthcoming from Get Groovy Publishing.
Katie’s diverse background enables her to share sermons and workshops on a variety of topics. Her favorites include “Is Peace Possible?,” “Making Peace With the Word ‘God’,” “Why We Need a Welcoming Congregation Committee,” “Living Congruently with Our Faith—a UU’s Manifesto,” “Building Bridges with Language,” “Raising UU Children: It Takes a Congregation,” “How to Feel Good About Sharing Our Spiritual Tradition,” and “Understanding Universal Laws.” For more information on Katie visit: www.KatieRomanoGriffin.com .
(2-2012)
Sharon Whitehill
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County
Contact Information – E-mail: bambisharon@gmail.com, Phone: 941-575-2666 (Florida, mid-Oct./mid-April), 616-837-9598 (Michigan)
A retired professor of English and an active member of (as well as Worship Associate at) the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County, I have during the past 15 years spoken from UU pulpits in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arizona, and Washington State as well as in Florida. Among my sermon topics are fundamentalist challenges to UUs, the history of doubt and belief, visionary experience, mythology and literature, altruism, forgiveness, aging, and immortality.
Titles of some of my sermons are listed below:
• “Tiddlywinks & Peccadillos”: Harry E. Fosdick’s Challenge to the Fundamentalists
• The Genesis Myth: Three Heretical Views
• Salvation By Syllables: John 14:6 (a response to the “proof-text”)
• Two Plus Two Equals Five? John Darby and the Scofield Bible
• A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies (on visionary experience)
• Altruism from Slime Molds to Unitarian Congregations
• Unheard Melodies: the Sacred Music of Heaven and Earth (with audio accompaniment)
• The Gift of Forgiveness”
• One or the Other (on fear of The Other, for Black History month)
• Moving Beyond the Ego
(Added 10-2011)
At Large
Reverend Naomi King
Unitarian Universalist Minister
Contact Information – Email: revnaomi@bellsouth.net, Phone: 954-249-6767
Storytelling is our central task a religious people. Our religious heritages are rich with stories that inspire us to lives of moral clarity, ethical action, and spiritual practice today. What story are you living in your community?
Utilizing the words and deeds of prophetic men and women, traditional folktales and world religious scriptures, and teaching practices accessible for any theological preference and none in particular, Naomi leads dynamic worship services helping us nurture our spirits and heal this world.
Other areas of specialty: stewardship and generosity, lifespan spiritual growth and development.
High-energy, whole congregation worship experiences.
Training programs available on worship practice, congregational polity, meeting facilitation, and specific spiritual practices.
Website: http://experts.patheos.com/expert/revnaomiking/ (Updated 4-2011)
Rev. Michael Dowd
Church of the Larger Fellowship
Contact Information: E-mail: Michael@ThankGodforEvolution.com, Cell: 425-760-9941
Michael and his wife, Connie Barlow, are among the most in-demand speakers in the UUA, having spoken in some 400 UU congregations. See: http://ThankGodforEvolution.com
INTEREST/EXPERTISE: Evolution Theology and Spirituality, Hopeful Vision of the Future, Thank God for Evolution, Bridging Humanists and Spiritual Seekers, Evolutionary Brains Science and Evolutionary Psychology. (Updated 3-2011)
Connie Barlow
Church of the Larger Fellowship
Contact Information: E-mail: Connie@TheGreatStory.org, Cell: 425-760-9941
A science writer and gifted adult and family educator, Connie and her husband Michael Dowd have spoken in 400+ UU congregations. See: http://www.TheGreatStory.org
INTEREST/EXPERTISE: We Are Made of Stardust, The Great Story, Our Common Creation Myth, River of Life, Religious Naturalism, Evolutionary Humanism, Evolutionary Brain Science and Psychology. (Updated 3-2011)
