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 $.50/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 FloridaDistrictUUA@cfl.rr.com

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.

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.

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.

Ron Hammerle
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Contact Information – Email: ronhammerle@gmail.com,
Phone: 954-579-4124
Areas of interest and topics:
On Church Growth:
13 Proven Practices For Growing A Church
What UUs Can Learn From Mega-churches
On Healthcare And Social Justice:
Healthcare Reform And Social Justice
Changes You Can Expect To See Under Healthcare Reform
Can Wal-Mart Reform American Healthcare?
On Medical Ethics:
Care At The End of Life: Why Do We Treat Our Pets Better Than People?
Deaths From American Medical Errors: Equal To A Jumbo Jet Crashing Every Day
Ron Hammerle earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago for interdisciplinary studies in medical ethics (ethics, medicine, law and health administration) and did post-doctoral studies in leadership at the Peter Drucker Graduate School of Management. He and his wife Barb have been active in eight UU congregations, from Princeton to Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale and many points in between.

Afsaneh Noor
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.

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.

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.”

North Central

Dr. Ann L. Barefield
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
Contact Information – Email: abarefield@comcast.net Phone: 352-205-8226 (Home), 336-408-7492 (Cell)
Areas of Interest and Topics:
Moravians: Who Are They?, Assertive Communication: Avoid Being a Wimp or a Bully, Valuing Our Diversity, Women: From Eve to the Present, Good and Evil: What the Psychologists and Philosophers Say, From Slavery to the White House: A Brief History of Africans in American, and a variety of other topics.

Sheila T. Harty, B.A., M.A. Theology
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Augustine
Contact Information - Email: sheilaharty@comcast.net Phone: 904- 826-0563, 904-377-4947 (Cell)
My major study is Catholicism with Islam a minor (Sunni, Shiite, Arab, and Persian) 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

JoLaine Jones-Pokorney (pronounced p’KORNee)
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Contact Information - Email: jolaine@gmail.com Phone: 352-338-8385 (home/work), 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. Website: http://www.genuineyou.org

Reverend LoraKim Joyner, D.V.M.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
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.

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.

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, biographies of great thinkers, as well as literature and art, and of how they relate to Unitarian Universalist principles. I also sometimes examine any UU connection with scientific developments.

Renée Zenaida
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Contact Information – Email: reneezen@bellsouth.net, Phone: 352.374.7103, Website: www.reneezenaida.com
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.

Southwest

Reverend Dr. Pam Allen-Thompson
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte
Contact Information - Email: rev_pam@yahoo.com Phone: 757-639-7500 (cell)
Sermons topics focus on growth in numbers and spirit. Example: growing the heart, creating a culture of generosity, and radical hospitality (the latter two received sermon awards). Also workshops on preparing for size transition.

Brock H. Leach, M Div. Student at Meadville-Lombard Theological School; Student Minister
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.

Janet Onnie, M.Div., LRSM
Ministerial Candidate, UU Congregation of Venice
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, and Unitarian Universalism for non-UUs.

East Central

Dr. Robert S. Mroczkowski
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach
Contact Information – Phone: 772-562-1614, 717-940-6667 (cell)
My interest areas are UU theology and history, the Principles and Sources, tolerance and its limitations, evolution and the brain, in particular neuroscience and spirituality. I speak from a religious humanist perspective. I can provide any or all of the following: sermon, readings, opening/benediction, and recommended hymns.

Pete Kersey
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach
Contact Information - Email: petenoel@comcast.net Phone: 772-778-7880, 772-562-3936
Areas of interest: Environment and You You, Creationism vs. evolution; myths and maturation of religion; religion from the ancient past to the future; a UU’s reaction to email evangelizing; yes-UU’s should evangelize. Power Point slides are an integral part of most sermons.

Neal Stannard
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach
Contact Information - Email: nealstannard57@hotmail.com Phone: 772-562-6397
Radio broadcaster, stage actor, writer. My presentations focus on UU values as implemented in the world beyond our walls: accomplishments of heroic figures such as Oskar Schindler and Mohandas Gandhi – people who are not UU’s, but live out everything we hold dear, and show us how to do the same.

Southeast

Reverend Naomi King
River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Plantation
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.

At Large

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 300 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

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 300+ 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