Donna Zimmerman presents
“The Platinum Rule”
a sermon written by
Rev. Darcey Laine
Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland (NY)
Elizabeth DeCoux, Worship Leader
Gary Smart, Accompanist
Mike Bernos, Special Music (Guitar and Voice)
This is the most profound gift and the most profound challenge of being truly welcoming: if we encounter difference, we stick with it through the embarrassing fails, the emotions, and the tough conversations, it will change us. We will grow not only in our hospitality but in our deeper and wider understanding of this world we share. The Golden Rule helps us remember that we all have the same basic needs: food, shelter, and safety, to love and be loved. But in this world of tremendous diversity, and among the diversity of this, our beloved community, let’s also remember the Platinum Rule: “Do unto others as they would do unto themselves.”
About Our Speaker
Donna Zimmerman is a long-time resident of Jacksonville who had a “timeout” for a mere 18 years in Dallas, where she found the UU church there. Her background is in social services, and she was the Executive Director of Lutheran Social Services of NE Florida, where she started several programs, including the first HIV/AIDS services in the region provided by a professional organization. She is retired and spends her time on the Worship Committee and as a Chaplain on the Pastoral Care Team.
About the Sermon Author
Rev. Darcey Laine grew up in a musical family and has a bachelor’s degree in Music performance from Indiana University. She attended Star King School for the Ministry and developed a passion for ministry with children and youth. After her ordination in 1998 to the Unitarian Universalist Ministry, she served as DRE for the First UU Church of Stockton, then settled in Silicon Valley, where she served as Minister of Religious Education for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto for seven years. In the summer of 2007, Darcey and her partner Eric and son Nick moved to Ithaca, New York, to be closer to family. In 2008, she was called to serve as Parish Minister of the UU Church of Athens and Sheshequin (PA) and has served as their settled minister ever since. She began a second ministry with the UU Church of Cortland (NY) in 2018. She helped both congregations enter into a congregational partnership of mutual support, collaboration, and care that has continued to this day.
Special Music by BBUUC Member Mike Bernos
Mike is an accomplished businessman, musician, producer, and writer. A singer/songwriter of many genres, he is the founder and plays with Spice & the Po Boys and AmpleAngst. Mike is a member of BBUUC, the husband of Annabelle Gallois-Bernos, and the father of Joachin.