Speaker: Rev. Dr. Neal Jones

Rev. Dr. Neal Jones is a clinical psychologist for the Pisgah Institute in Asheville,
North Carolina, though he presently lives in Bluffton, South Carolina. Born and raised
in North Carolina, he earned his B.A. in Political Science from Wake Forest University,
where he was a summa cum laude graduate. He earned his Master of Divinity degree
from Southeastern Seminary and his doctorate in psychology from Baylor University.
He has served as the minister of five congregations in North and South Carolina,
Texas, and Pennsylvania, including the UU Congregation of Columbia from 2004 to
2015. He has also served as the chair of the national Board of Trustees of Americans
United for Separation of Church & State, of which he has been a member for 25 years.

What is White Christian Nationalism?

This sermon is something of an extended definition. We will explore an increasingly popular ideology which combines religion and patriotism and which is threatening the survival of our democracy.

An Undeclared War

While our UU denomination focuses on racism, homophobia, and transphobia and the Right Wing foments a culture war and attacks our democracy, a war is occurring right underneath our noses which hardly anyone is talking about. On July 23, we will. Here’s a clue: you can’t achieve racial, gender, or civil justice without economic justice.

The First Thanksgiving

The real history of the first Thanksgiving deviates sharply from the rosy image many of us grew up with. We’ll look at that history as realistically as possible, with an eye on what we can learn from this history lesson.

To Love Despite All

Our current uncivil civil discourse needs an injection of empathy. Yet just because we may be empathetic is no guarantee that others will be. Then what?

Bouncing Back

Bouncing Back August 19, 2018   Why is it that when life knocks some people down – a layoff, a serious illness or injury, a breakup or divorce, the end of a friendship, the death of a loved one, the loss of a physical ability, a failure at something that matters – why is it … Continue reading Bouncing Back