Speakers for July

  Our Sunday services at 11:00 a.m. feature a different guest speaker each week, either a member of our congregation or someone from the surrounding community. We address a variety of topics, from literature and history to politics, religious thought and social issues. We welcome suggestions for speakers, please contact Donna Orchard donnaforchard@gmail.com

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 July 2 

Speaker:   DR. TOMM JOHNSON
Title:  Choice Theory: How It Shaped a Family of Free-Thinkers
Summary: .Choice Theory, developed by William Glasser, MD., provides an explanation of motivation that is markedly different from what many of us have been taught. Dr.Tomm Johnson is a landscape designer, economist, botanist, and lawyer.
He comes from a long line of overachieving, free-thinking individuals. During our celebration of Independence from rule by monarchy, he will share some of his observations of how making certain choices can influence an entire generation. Tomm is from Culman, Alabama and in 2016 relocated to Fairhope to decide what he wants to be when he grows up.
Introduction: Rodney Hoffman

July 16

Speaker:  AMY RICE
Title: The New Mobile Federal Courthouse Design and Construction
Summary: Amy Rice will give details on the design of the new courthouse, the bidding process, the cost, the schedule and the renderings and construction process to date. A licensed civil engineer with an associate degree in architecture, Ms. Rice has spent the majority of her career working on large-scale real estate projects throughout the Hawaiian Islands, including overseeing a $120 million dollar renovation of the Hawaii Federal Courthouse. In 2014 Ms. Rice was transferred to the Southern Alabama Court District to oversee the construction of the Mobile courthouse and the
renovation of the 1935 Historic James Campbell Courthouse.
Introduction: Serena Low

July 30

Speaker:  DONALD ZIMLICH
Title: Garden Tonic for Your Green Thumb
Summary: Simple gardening techniques can reduce workload and increase enjoyment on your homestead. Donald Zimlich will give some no nonsense advice on pruning, fertilization, and plant selection. The discussion will include how to prune to reduce work, how to fertilize more effectively and how to select plants to ensure success. A fourth generation local cabbage farmer, and a third generation florist/flower gardener, he has a BS degree from Auburn in Agriculture/Landscape Design and is co-owner of Zimlich Patio Garden and Elizabeth’s Flowers.
Introduction: Bill Orchard

July 9

Speaker: SUZANNE CLEVELAND
Title: PFLAG (LGBT community, families, and allies) A Panel
Summary: PFLAG affirms that unity, inclusion, and a shared commitment to human dignity are critical to fight discrimination and bigotry in any form so that all families can live free of fear. Suzanne Cleveland has been the coordinator of the Mobile Chapter of PFLAG(Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) for many years. She is a board member of AIDS Alabama South as well as of Mobile AIDS Support Services. She is also part of the diversity committee for the Alabama Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Company and the District 2 Representative to Mobile’s diversity group.
Introduction: Donna Orchard

July 23

Speaker: JANE FINGER
Title: The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with your Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life
Summary: It is a rite of passage for parents to have ‘the talk’ with their children about the beginning of life(the birds and the bees). The Other Talk, by Jim Prosch, is about preparing them for our own end of life. FUF member Jane Finger explains why this book convinced her to follow his advice not to wait for a crisis but(at seventy-two) to have the ‘other’ talk with her own adult children, who are spread out among California, Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
Introduction: Rodney Hoffman