Speakers for December

  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

December 2

Speakers: KATE REALI, LUCY MERCER, AND BRISA ABLES
Title: Generation Z: Voting for the First Time
Summary: Other Generation Z woman voters include Linda Ables (2021) and Sophia Mercer (2024).
Highlighting one hundred years of women voting, from the suffragettes to the first time voting experience, this
presentation will include our Generation Z teen fellowship members as they express what it means to vote in 2018. Lucy, a recent high school graduate who turned eighteen in October and voted for the first time, was the recipient of the first Scholarship for the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship Student Accepted at a College or University. Brisa is a senior at Fairhope High School and a committed political activist for progressive causes. Linda is a sophomore at FHS, has a black belt in Taewondo, and hopes to pursue a career in criminal justice. Sophia is an 11th grade student at Daphne High
School in the International Baccalaureate Program and volunteers as a veterinarian assistant. Kate is an accomplished photographer, the FUF Teens Group advisor, and the mother of these three Mercers as well as a son, Aidan.
Introduction: Lucy Mercer

December 23

Speaker: HELEN GARRETT
Title: A Fairhope Christmas in 1952
Summary: After a Christmas sing-a-long with the congregation and Heather Nutting and Pinky Bass at the piano, Helen Garrett will tell her Christmas story. Having grown up in Fairhope and later lived in Huntville, she and her husband came back to Fairhope to retire. She enjoys life here by playing the dulcimer with a folk music group and singing with the Eastern Shore Choral Society. A member of the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, Helen sings in the FUF choir and with the popular FUF group, Back Porch Folk Singers. And she lovingly plans the music for all of our programs.
Introduction: Pinky Bass

December 9

Speaker: Keith Ward, FUF Board Chair
Title:  ANNUAL MEETING

December 16

Speaker: MAGGIE CUNNINGHAM
Title: Yoga: Above and Beyond the Mat
Summary: FUF member, Maggie Cunningham will answer the very broad question “What is yoga?” by exploring its history, different types, benefits, and the ‘eight limbs of yoga as put forth in “The Yoga Sutras” of Patanjali, a roadmap of how to live in peace and equanimity even in today’s hectic world. Along with her yoga training, Maggie has a number of group exercise certifications specific to seniors, two of which are personal trainer and group exercise leader with the Functional Aging Institute. Her current passion is sharing her enthusiasm and training to help keep those of us who are in our “golden years” active and functionally fit.
Introduction: Trudi Rogier



December 30

Speaker: MICHAEL HEALY
Title: The World’s Largest Herbicide: Should You be Concerned?
Summary: Traces of Glyphosate (trade name: Roundup) herbicide have recently been reported to be found in various processed foods such as breakfast cereals, snack foods, and beer. Dr. Healy will explore important questions that have emerged about this chemical since its introduction in the early seventiess. A plant scientist with a B.S. in horticulture and an M.S.
and a Ph.D. in plant pathology, he has worked in pesticide research for twenty-five plus years. He presently conducts plant injury mystery investigations privately as an expert witness in court cases.
Introduction: Ray Ables