We are taught to think of great, larger-than-life figures as the creators of social change. For example, in the popular imagination “the civil rights movement” and “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” are two ways of saying the same thing. In reality, much change flows from multiple small acts, many of them quietly courageous, performed by people un-noted in the history books. Gordon Gibson, our visiting minister, was a participant in the Selma voting rights campaign of 1965 and was the Unitarian Universalist minister in Mississippi 1969-84. He has spent years collecting stories of small acts of great courage. Last summer he witnessed such acts when the church he now belongs to in Knoxville, Tennessee, was attacked by a man with a shotgun. Guest minister, Rev. Gordon Gibson. Lay leader, Michael Bonilla. Accompanist, Laurel Holmes.

Small Acts Plus Quiet Courage Equals Change [ 34:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animal are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi. Homeless is a word that we’re hearing more and more as our economy spins downward. While more Americans are facing homelessness, an estimated 8 million dogs and cats regularly become homeless each year in our affluent country. With respect to the seven UU Principles, there are some very practical steps that each one of us can do to help reduce this needless statistic, even if you are not willing to adopt another critter. Jeanne Olson is a holistic veterinarian in North Pole, and was the veterinarian/manager at the FNSB Animal Control from 2002-2004. She has also volunteered to help the street dogs and cats in Guam and Romania. Jane Smith will speak about her experiences with the FNSB shelter foster program.

Speakers, Jeanne Olson and Jane Smith. Lay leader, Lisa Sporleder. Accompanist, Laurel Holmes

UU Fellowship of Fairbanks - Helping the Other Homeless: Animal Rescue Play Now | Play in Popup | Download