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Special Guest

October 10 – “The Struggle over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter”

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Please join us this Sunday, as we host special guest speakers, Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar and Rev. Dr. Andre E. Johnson, co-authors of the book The Struggle over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter. The publisher states, “This book ties together online and offline, national and local, and personal and political to understand one of the defining social justice struggles of our time.” Dr. Edgar and Dr. Johnson will speak about their research and its implications for our involvement in society. There will be time allotted for Q & A.

About the Speakers: Amanda Nell Edgar and Andre E. Johnson are communication professors at the University of Memphis. Both are prolific writers and speakers. Dr. Amanda Edgar is familiar with Fayetteville, having received a graduate degree from the University of Arkansas in 2011. Her research focuses on sound, identity, and popular culture. She is the author of a book titled Culturally Speaking: The Rhetoric of Voice and Identity in a Mediated Culture. Her scholarly articles have explored topics such as Tupac, Beyoncé, country music, jazz, and police brutality. Rev. Dr. Andre Johnson was named 2020 Scholar of the Year by the Religious Communication Association. His books include No Future in this Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality, and his numerous journal publications are shaping the history of African American communication. He serves as Senior Pastor of Gifts of Life Ministries and Scholar in Residence at the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change and teaches preaching, theology, and social justice for two seminaries.

You can find the link/info to join this and other UUFF online services and events in your latest UUFF Weekly Email (access on uufayetteville.org home page in the “This Week” section). To view the Order of Service, CLICK HERE.

August 29 – “The Forever War?”

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The “Forever War” is not about Afghanistan, but is instead about the seemingly perpetual “Good Fight” that everyone seems to be urged to continue. We are told to keep fighting the “Good Fight,” but to what end? Lately it seems that we are in many ways back to square one. Does this fight last forever? Does it ever end? Is it even possible for it to end? And what do we do if we realize that it doesn’t end? Our guest speaker, Doug Krueger, helps us contemplate these incredibly important questions.

To view the Order of Service, CLICK HERE.

August 22 – “It’s not about Us & Them: It’s about We”

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With guest service leader, Melanie DeMore. In these times of ‘hyper individualism’ (so particular in American culture) what is our loving responsibility to our community? How do our actions effect those around us? These days call for radical interdependence. I thrive when you thrive, just sayin’…

To view the Order of Service, CLICK HERE.

August 15 – “Connection in These Times”

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UUFF’s former Minister Intern, the now “Reverend” Ren Pasco is our guest speaker this Sunday! Join us as we consider the following questions: What does “connection” mean now? In this second wave of pandemic, how do we fulfill both our deep need for community and our need for safety? Reverend Ren Pasco served as UUFF’s Ministerial Intern from 2017-2019. She is now an ordained UU Minister and works as a Hospital Chaplain. Rev. Pasco is delighted to be joining us virtually from her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma!

To view the Order of Service, CLICK HERE.

August 1 – “Contemporary Judaism: Challenges, Accomplishments, and Opportunities.”

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Join us as Rabbi Dr. Jacob Adler provides an overview of some of the issues being encountered in contemporary Judaism, including sociological changes, new developments in observance and practice, institutions and individuals, and relations with neighbors of other faiths and/or no faith.

To view the Order of Service, CLICK HERE.

April 25 – “At the Speed of Trust”

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With speaker Sarah Osborn, Intern for the UU Curriculum “Beloved Conversations.” How do we widen the circle of concern and heal the impact of racism on our lives? How can we find freedom together and find collective liberation? Sarah Osborne will share her transformational experience as the intern minister for the Beloved Conversations program of the Fahs Collaborative, a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

April 18 – “Climate Justice for All”

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This Sunday, we honor the Earth with our “Climate Justice for All,” service and speaker, Shelley Buonaiuto. Many of us are very concerned about climate change and the detrimental and often disparate impacts on communities both locally and globally. We will examine these struggles and share actions we can take to accomplish positive environmental and social change. UUFF member Joanna Person-Michener will provide an overview of the issues before introducing Shelley, who will share her knowledge and experience from engaging with Arkansas Delta communities to promote climate justice.

About Shelley Buonaiuto: Shelley has been a member of Citizens’ Climate lobby since 2012. She is most active in researching and addressing the intersection of climate change and racial equity and is a regional representative for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee within Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Shelley is a sculptor who has long attempted to represent racial equity in her work and is also a mother and grandmother!

January 17th – “Transforming Love: MLK Jr. and the Poor People’s Campaign of Today”

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Guest speaker, Rev. Anika Whitfield, Co-Chair of the Arkansas Poor People’s Campaign, will speak to the Transforming Love of Martin Luther King Jr’s Poor People’s Campaign and how it has been revived to transform us today.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

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September 6 – “Moving Forward Together.”

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Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan has a long history of promoting progressive issues and championing diversity and inclusiveness. This Sunday he will speak at UUFF on his personal values that tell him how to approach issues like the pandemic, social justice, and sustainability for himself, and his community.

You can view the Order of Service HERE.