Venice MainStreet is delighted to have the Unitarian Universalist Congragation of Venice (UUCOV) join as a Nonprofit Partener this year. UUCOV is a welcoming, caring community encouraging spiritual growth, seeking meaning and pursuing justice. The UUCOV’s vision is to strengthen the UUCOV community, spread the message of Unitarian Universalism, develop greater intergenerational and cultural diversity, promote leadership for environmental stewardship, and promote a fair, just and peaceful world. 

In a climate of joy, goodwill and trust, this congregation covenants
– to treat one another with kindness and respect,
– to listen with openness and acceptance,
– to support and protect the environment of which we are all a part,
– to solve problems responsibly as we grow and change,
– to encourage learning and nurture the growth of diverse human spirits, and
– to dedicate time, talent and resources in an effort to make a difference in local and world communities.

UUCOV’s MINISTER: REV. KHLEBER VAN ZANDT V
I am so happy to be serving the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice as its first-ever settled minister. Previously, I served for ten years as minister to the First Unitarian Church of Alton, Illinois, and before that, ran a construction business while raising a family in St. Louis, Missouri.

Reared in Texas, I received engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, then moved to St. Louis where I got involved in business and the community as well as the local Unitarian Universalist church. My lay leadership in that church led me to enter the ministry and attend Eden Theological Seminary near my home in St Louis.

My wife Linda and I have seven children between us, spread all across the continent in CA, MI, MO, PA, and TX. Despite our geographical remoteness, we are a close-knit bunch and find the time to get together whenever we can. Linda and I have found the people of UUCOV to be as warm and welcoming a group of folks as there is. They are people who have decided to make this their spiritual home, and with good reason: there is evident in this place an openness to diversity coupled with a call to action to live out our liberal faith.

I hope you’ll come check us out. I believe you’ll be glad you did.

CONTACT
 941-485-2105
office@uucov.org
1971 Pinebrook Road, Venice, Florida 34292-1563
uucov.org

Photo credit: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice