Wade Marbaugh is an Ohio native who moved to Atlanta in 1986 to write for a local newspaper. He subsequently married the editor who hired him, Stell Simonton. Wade has been attending the First Existentialist Congregation with Stell since the early 1990s and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. In that capacity. he headed the committee that drafted the First E’s Land Acknowledgement Statement, which is the topic of Wade’s Celebration of Life presentation.

Professionally, he has served in many roles, but his passion is writing. As a newspaper reporter, he received several professional awards and he has placed in creative writing contests. He has written several plays for local stages, a novel, various TV series episodes, screenplays, and short stories. A writing project begun in 1976 required extensive research on little-known histories of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas as well as visits with Indigenous People and attendance in traditional ceremonies.  A theme of his Celebration of Life presentation will be “To control the future, understand the present; to understand the present, know the past.”

“Calling In For Human Rights”

Loretta Ross is a Visiting Associate Professor at Smith College teaching “White Supremacy in the Age of Trump.” She started her career in the women’s movement in the 1970s, working at the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, the National Organization for Women, the National Black Women’s Health Project, the Center for Democratic Renewal (National Anti-Klan Network), the National Center for Human Rights Education, and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Her forthcoming book is Calling In the Calling Out Culture. Her most recent publications are Reproductive Justice: An Introduction and Radical Reproductive Justice.

“Transitions: Loss and Opportunity”

Major transitions can involve our families, work life, personal life, and social context. While many afford growth and opportunity, they can also be tinged with sadness and loss. We are wise to mourn the loss even as we embrace the new. 

Rev. Kim Palmer is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister serving as an affiliated community minister with the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North congregation. She is also a board-certified chaplain and has most recently been serving Emory University in the dual role of chaplain and spiritual health researcher, although she is currently transitioning to a very part-time contracting position as she and her wife Marty step into retirement beginning July 1.

The Paradox of Independence—or, I, too, Dream America

Anthony Knight is the Founder, President & CEO of The Baton Foundation—a Georgia nonprofit organization that serves the emotional, intellectual and cultural needs of Black boys ages 10-17. Before founding the Foundation, Mr. Knight worked for twenty-two years as a museum educator and consultant. Mr. Knight has extensive experience with and interest in African American history and culture, public and living history, informal education and Black youth. Mr. Knight’s work with The Baton Foundation reflects his ongoing interest in the issues and practices related to the collecting, preservation and interpretation of information about and material culture from the African Diaspora.  Mr. Knight’s undergraduate work was in Spanish and English (Ohio Wesleyan University), and his graduate work was in museum education (The George Washington University).  Mr. Knight also holds a degree in Spanish-to-English translation from the Núcleo de Estudios Lingüísticos y Sociales, Caracas, Venezuela.  Mr. Knight is a New York City native.

“Coming Out of Covid”

Franklin Abbott has been a practicing psychotherapist in Atlanta for nearly forty years. He is also a poet, musician, community organizer and amateur oral historian. His connection to the Congregation and Old Stone Church goes back more than forty years to early urban radical faery gatherings held in the sanctuary before First E became its steward. He has spoken at First E many times, performed music and poetry there, coordinated events and memorials. He and First E founding minister Lanier Clance were close friends and co-hosted an eclectic existential radio program on WRFG for over five years in the mid-1980s. His most recent project is a double CD of 44 original poems and 14 original songs titled Don’t Go Back To Sleep. He lives near Decatur with two cats who assisted him with mental health and amusement during the bad times of Covid before vaccinations

“Father’s Day for the Modern Spirit”

We’ll reflect together on the joys and challenges of this holiday, as well as sharing from my own journey towards being a parent.

Rev. Kimble Sorrells is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a graduate of Candler School of Theology (Emory University) and Berry College. Kimble’s interests are in using spirituality and contemplative practices to equip us with the peace and resolve to be justice makers in the world. They are also a Registered Yoga Teacher and draw on this and other spiritual traditions to inform their ministry. Kimble has experience in variety of ministry settings. They have worked in LGBTQ advocacy for many years, including as staff for Reconciling Ministries Network and the Atlanta Pride Committee, and organizing with Atlanta’s Trans and Queer community. They have also served in local congregations and as a hospital chaplain. Kimble is also dedicated to civic engagement and is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Alumni of Americorps Program.

“Sound of Life”

Millions of Brood X cicadas have emerged after 17 years underground to swarm in at least 15 states, including quite likely the far north corner of Georgia. While we will very likely escape their noise, we have plenty of other welcome and invasive summer sounds – natural and human created. And our unique soundscapes. This is an exploration of the hugely important – and often overlooked sense of hearing.

Rev. Marti Keller has served as a Unitarian Universalist minister for more than 23 years, most recently as the co-transition minister for the UU Church of Jacksonville Florida and prior to that in Auburn Alabama. She has been both a parish and social justice minister, and a guest speaker in many pulpits, including internationally in Edinburgh, Scotland, Ireland and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She is spending more time researching, reflecting on and writing personal essays and immersion journalism piece, having spent the first 20 years of her professional life as a reporter and editor (graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism).

“What about the Invisible Children? The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Our Nation’s Youth”

Sandra Barnhill is an attorney and founder and CEO of Foreverfamily (formerly AIMAid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers), a 34-year-old nonprofit that strengthens the bonds between children and their incarcerated parents. She is also an Encore Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project.