Alyssa Halliday presents a sermon by
Rev. Dr. Sandra Fees, UU Minister, poet, spiritual teacher and facilitator
“Starting Over”
Manny Andrade, Worship Leader
Gary Smart, Pianist
Timothy Edwards, Violinist

“At times, we need to take a wrong turn or go on retreat to start fresh. I hope each of you will be attentive to the fresh starts in your life. Where might we open ourselves to what life has yet to offer us? As John O’Donohue says, ‘Part of the art of living wisely is to learn to recognize and attend to such profound openings in one’s life.’…”

About Our Sermon Presenter

Alyssa Halliday has been attending BBUUC since 2017.  After joining in 2018, she has served on various committees, including her favorite Worship Committee. She also served as a Board Trustee. She enjoys leading worship and appreciates the opportunity to share a sermon written by a UU minister.

Please bring loose change or extra cash for our monthly “Pennies from Heaven” collection. In celebration of our BBUUC Accessibility Team, the benefactor of our July through September collections will be Hope Haven, a Jacksonville nonprofit serving children and young adults with special needs. Hope Haven provides assessments, intervention, education, and advocacy – empowering individuals and their families to thrive.

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 Musician

Timothy Edwards studied violin in Detroit public schools and at Interlochen Arts Academy before earning a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music from the University of Michigan. He has held section, principal, and concertmaster roles with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Flint Symphony, and Toledo Symphony, with substitute appearances for the Detroit and Jacksonville symphonies. A dedicated educator, he has guided gifted young violinists and served as an adjunct professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville. He currently performs as a soloist and chamber collaborator for four Jacksonville churches and is concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville, which offers free concerts to the community.