David Dean presents a sermon by
Rev. Dr. Sandra Fees,
UU Minister, poet, spiritual teacher, and facilitator
“Ordinary Bravery and the Call of the ‘Warrior Spirit’”
Jennifer Bacmeister, Worship Leader
Gary Smart, Pianist
Bill & Paula Prince, Guest Musicians
“What is the brave course of action? According to Wheatley, we “remain sane and available.” We choose to be open to life. The alternative is to recoil from life and lose faith in its possibilities. Chogyam Trungpa says, “It becomes a dark time when we lose faith in each other and thus lack courage.” In Buddhism and New Age spirituality, this courage is called spiritual warriorship…”
About Our Sermon Presenter
David Dean, a BBUUC member and an integral part of our Worship Team, is an Emmy-nominated editor who works as Senior Editor/Post-Producer for the PBS series “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.” David is also a presenter, writer, and storyteller who volunteers his time as the editor of our worship videos and contributes his other talents in the worship arts to our ministry.
About the Sermon Author
Rev. Dr. Sandra Fees is a poet, writer, and Unitarian Universalist minister. She holds degrees in English literature, creative writing, divinity, and ministry from Shippensburg University, Syracuse University, and Lancaster Theological Seminary. Sandra is passionate about connecting writing and spirituality, exploring inner wisdom, deepening relationships, and nurturing creativity. She has published several poetry collections and served as poet laureate of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Sandra has served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Reading and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She currently provides consulting ministry services, including preaching, wedding and funeral officiating, and other programs.
About Our Guest Musicians
Paula Prince is a graduate of the jazz studies program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In Cincinnati, she played saxophone and/or flute in various large and small bands. After relocating to Florida, she performed with various ensembles, including the First Coast Wind Symphony, the TBA Big Band, Swing and a Miss, and the North Florida Saxophone Quartet.
Bill Prince, a professor emeritus at the University of North Florida, has performed with numerous bands and orchestras, including Buddy Rich, the NORAD Band, and the American Wind Symphony Orchestra. He has performed on over 70 albums and can be heard on Buddy Rich’s, Mercy, Mercy, and The Best of Buddy Rich. In recent years, Bill developed a cabaret show that he performed on cruise ships worldwide. One of his unique talents is the ability to perform professionally on several instruments. Bill produced his CD, Happy Thoughts, on which he composed, arranged, and performed all parts. He also published a book on his musical life titled Music Is My Ticket, available on Amazon.