30 years ago, Mr. Joyner started an afterschool step team to help kids create a sense of community. Mr. Joyner teaches them that the decisions they make today, will affect their tomorrow. A statement, that proves true in Mr. Joyner’s everyday life as the program he’s built thrives.  Ethan Martin just completed his 7th season with the HYPE program. Mr. Joyner credits his faith with the decisions he’s made; saying, “Making decisions that honor God and reflect that character,” has never steered him wrong. Come learn about this incredible program, its rich history, and its impact on communities.

Service Leaders: Rev Mary Martin & Ethan Martin

Presenter: Mr. Willie H. Joyner, MSA

Stan Allen will talk briefly about Dorothea Dix’s journey to  Unitarianism from a different tradition, which was Catholicism. His main topic will be her extended campaign across America before and after the Civil War, and elsewhere, to have safe and humane “asylums” established for the mentally ill. Stan will also share some of his experiences as a 25 year employee of the hospital she inspired in Raleigh, which was erected in 1857, and closed in 2012.

Service Leader: Ethan Martin (he/him)

Presenter: Stan Allen (he/him)

On May 25th we continue our series examining Article 2 of the UUA bylaws adopted in July of 2024 as we celebrate Global Accessibility Day and examine our value of Equity. 

Service Leader: Joanne Hill (she/her)

Presenter: Rev Mary Martin (she/her)

Offering our compassionate presence to others holds great power. This power, made up of shared moments of connection, joy and awe, helps combat the isolation and loneliness that families facing dementia feel.

Come Again is a social respite program where people in early to middle stages of dementia spend time with trusted, trained volunteers in a safe, judgment-free space. We aim to bring joy, friendship, and purpose to everyone while giving care partners a chance to rest. We might not always know what we're supposed to be doing, but it feels right to be doing it together.

Service Leader: Bob Fisher (he/them) 

Presenter: Lindsay Robert (she/her)

The offering will be shared with Come Again. Come with a plan to give from the heart.

May 11th we will reimagine and expand our ideas on motherhood with flower communion. Please bring a flower or two to share as we celebrate this beautiful UU tradition. 

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them)

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is celebrated to increase awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. It aims to educate the public, encourage early intervention, and foster understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.  

Service Leader: Stan Allen (he/him)
Presenter: Lorraine S. Gardner, MSW (she/her)

The Paradox of Tolerance - let’s explore what it means to be a tolerant people. Where are our boundaries and how do they impact our values? 

Service Leader: Nicolette Powell (she/her)

Presenter: Rev Mary Martin (she/her)

On April 20th we will conclude our plaque on the wall series with the Unitarian Chalice and Cross.  

Service Leader: Ethan Martin (he/him)
Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson serves as the Executive Director of the UU Justice Ministry of NC. UU Justice NC's works with over two dozen congregations around the state with the mission of joyfully organizing UUs to co-create a transformative movement for justice through spiritual grounding, collaboration and imagination. On Sunday April 13th, Rev. Lisa will speak about the faithful work of creating climate justice in preparation for UUFNB's Climate Justice Revival later on this spring.

Service Leader: Tom Shoup (he/him)
Presenter: Rev. Lisa Garcia Sampson (she/her)

Our service for April 6th will focus on Climate Change and how we can alter its impact. As our society increasingly faces the impacts of monster weather events, we need to commit to what we can do to create a more positive future.

Presenter-  Sam Love (he/him)
Service Leader- Mike Sagaser (he/him)

In honor of the Transgender Day of Visibility, Ashley Nance (she/her), Nat Crosby (they/them), Stephanie Jones (she/her) will share the fear and hope, the loss and gain, related to transgender visibility from their personal experience of realizing who they are and deciding to live in that truth.

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them)

Over the last 10 days of Ramadan, Muslims will celebrate Laylat Al Qadr – the Night of Power.  This is the most sacred holiday on the Muslim calendar - honoring the beginning of the revelations of the Quran to the prophet.  What is true power?  Let’s explore together!

Service Leader: Paula Banks Saihati (she/her)

Presenter: Rev Mary Martin (she/her)

As the air warms and the days grow longer, pagans everywhere begin to feel the energy shift. Ostara, celebrated around the time of the Spring Equinox, is a festival deeply rooted in history and tradition. Join us to explore the enchanting origins of Ostara, its significance, and practical tips for honoring this vibrant holiday.

Presenter- Nicolette Powell (she/her)
Service Leader- Trish Hardy (she/her)

March 9th, Zev Martin (they/them) will speak on Love and The Practice of Empathy - embarking on topics related to the emotions. Questions we will approach together…

How do you show others that you empathize with them, or that you love them?  

What does feeling and practicing compassion and empathy do to help your lived experiences? 

And how will it allow you to help and lift up others (as UUs and/or as “humans being”?)

Presenter: Zev Martin (They/Them).
Service Leader: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

As we near the end of Reverend Mary's Plaque on the Wall series, we've seen that each of those religions is not monolithic. All include subgroups, most claiming to be "truer" than the others. Christianity is no exception. Primitive Baptists are one such example that once was important in NC. What does "primitive" mean, anyway? Are there still P.B. churches? All shall be revealed. We'll sing a hymn verse as they might have sung it-- back in the day, and will also hear from a pre-Civil War Primitive Baptist Church in coastal Hyde County, where Stan's ancestors lived in the 1700's.    

Stony the Road We Trod

From Bondage to Freedom in James City

During the Civil War, more than 10,000 refugees from slavery came to Union occupied New Bern seeking freedom. Thousands of these Freedom Seekers settled across the river in what was called the Trent Settlement. What happened to the Freedom Seekers and how the Trent Settlement became James City will be the topic of this presentation.

Presenter: Rosanne Wilson

Service Leader: Margaret Tau

On February 16, we continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series by exploring the Taoism Yin/Yang Symbol. For this year, January 29th began the 16 day festival marking the Chinese Lunar New Year. Culminating with the Chinese Lantern Festival on February 12. 2025 begins the year of the Rat. What can we learn from these ancient traditions that will enrich our lives as Unitarian Universalists?

Taoism Plaque Artist: Kerwub Schaefer
Service Leader: Kehli Saucier (she/her)
Presentation: Rev. Mary Martin(she/her)

Fred Pittinger will present: “Imagine: How John Lennon shows us the

possibility of living for today.” We have created a subjective world for ourselves, and

how do we make sense of it all?

Service Leader is Zev Martin (they/them)

Carole McCracken and Cindy Baran will present: “Let Me Tell You a Story: The Power Of Imagination To Create a Better World.” Carole and Cindy will share a couple of stories that illustrate how we connect with others through the miracle of Imagination.

On January 26, 2025, we continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series. We will learn of Lailat al Miraj, an Islamic holiday the honors the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his later ascension. How do these traditions enrich our lives as Unitarian Universalists? What does a pilgrimage even mean when home isn’t a safe place to be?

Service Title: The Journey Home
Islamic Crescent & Star Plaque Artist: Fred Zink
Service Leader: Dave McCracken (he/him)
Presentation: Rev Mary Martin (she/her)

Richard Friend will present: “Nine Lives”

Richard shares a journey through the transplant experience from start to . . . . and why you should have that (heart) on your ID or Driver’s License.

Service Leader: Molly Knazek (She/Her)
Presenter: Richard Friend (He/Him)

"Looking for Love in all the Right Places"  Bob Fisher will give an experiential presentation on practical ways to calibrate ourselves in a loving direction during challenging times. 

Service Leader: Nicolette Powell (she/her)

Presenter: Bob Fisher (he/him)

Together, we will honor Chanukkah and celebrate with fire communion.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Nicolette Powell (she/her)

Special Music provided by Joanne Friedman (she/her)

We continue our study of Article 2 with a focus on our value of Pluralism. We will explore where our traditions of Christmas come from and how to honor their history and our own. Appropriation or celebration? - Maybe we can decide together.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Margaret Tau (she/her)

Join Zev Martin as they recruit some friends to share the stories we know (and maybe a few we don’t) about the carols and hymns of the holiday season. The choir will lead us and all are welcome to join in!

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them)

Music by: Bethanne Jacobson, Jim Beise, and UUFNB Choir

 Join us as we celebrate Bodhi Day and continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series with the Dharma Wheel.  

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin, she/her

Service Leader: Stan Allen, he/him

Dharma Wheel Artist: Steve Greer

Tom Shoup will give an update on the Social Action Committee’s past activities on Climate Change and the upcoming roll out of the Green Sanctuary program next spring.

We welcome Joey Crutchfield, a Monacan Indian man, who will guide us to a thoughtful look at our connections.

Service Leader: Ruth Cooper

Join us for the next installment of the Another Plaque on the Wall series as we learn about the Sokar Festival and our Labyrinth Plaque. Together, we will learn about this ancient festival and how the practice of journeying together can help us to live into our values as UUs.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Kehli Saucier (she/her)

Labyrinth Plaque Creator: Marty Chandler