<![CDATA[UUFJC: A Welcoming Congregation - News Updates]]>Sat, 12 Apr 2025 18:51:40 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[April 12th Newsletter]]>Sat, 12 Apr 2025 23:27:56 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/april-12th-newsletter
Picture
Rev. Tom Bozeman, our guidance Minister will be visiting the weekend of May 31-June 1. He plans to try to meet and greet every member of our congregation during that weekend.

Schedules & Sermons

This week's Adult Forum: Susan Roemer, executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center.​ Susan will inform us of the many services they provide for people with disabilities.

Next week's Forum: Betty Cooper, Earth Day. Each year on April 22, citizens worldwide will examine the Earth Charter’s 16 principles as a way to create and maintain a sustainable world.

This week’s sermon: Finding Joy in the Struggle by Rev Gail Marriner

UU Moment: Active Hope by Rev. David Schwartz. We are a people of hope, and often it's an ordinary thing: woven into the fabric of daily living as an active practice, not just something that happens to us.

​Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Joy
Chair Yoga with Alberta
begins Tuesday, April 15 @ 11 am
​by donation

Annual Meeting May 18, 2025

We will be voting on our board members and a proposed change to our by-laws. That change would be increasing our board from five members to seven members. Please plan to attend the meeting.

Joys and Concerns

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Book Club

The Inter-generational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.

Lunch After Services

Please join us for lunch after the service. This week’s lunch is at Panera Bread.
Picture
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[April 5th Newsletter]]>Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:10:09 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/april-5th-newsletter
Picture

Joy
Madison Morrigan​

I was convinced that life
Was meant to be hard.
​
Relationships like sandpaper
Joy - fleeting
Pleasure - sinful
My body - bad
Ease - not to be trusted
Rest - earned

I crumbled up all those beliefs, threw them in the fire.
Watched them burn bright until they were nothing
​and began again to claim my joy.
I choose to believe Heaven was always here.

Schedules & Sermons

This week's Adult Forum: Melinda Jennings, campaign director of the
Salvation Army will speak about plans to update their facility.

Next week's Forum: Susan Roemer, executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center. Susan will inform us of the many services they provide for people with disabilities.

This week’s sermon: "No Time Like the Present" by Intern Minister Steve
Sieck. What does it mean to be present? What does presence feel like? How
does the practice of Presence help us to put love at the center in our lives?

UU Moment: How shall we be known? By the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon pastor of UU church in Columbia MO. Rev. Molly Housh Gordon explored how we might extend our webs of real, felt relationship further and further outward to express our love and connection to every corner of our community. She said, "It is time now to be the love people. And this is not a call to go out and save the world. The love people are the people who show up – who show up at every frayed edge, who sit down there, who stay vulnerable together, who listen to the stories and weave them into our own lives until the web begins to glow, to sparkle once more with the love that nurtures, grounds and frees us."

Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Joy

Lunch After Services Please join us for lunch after the service. This week’s lunch is at El Espolon.

Joys and Concerns

​If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Annual Meeting May 18, 2025

We will be voting on our board members and a proposed change to our by-laws. That change would be increasing our board from five members to seven members. Please plan to attend the meeting.

Book Club

​The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[April Newsletter]]>Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:55:25 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/april-newsletterFlame on the Water

UU Day of Advocacy

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10 am - 3 pm Come build community with UU’s from all over the state. Hear from special guest UU’s in state government. Then we’ll continue to the capital to visit with legislators about our UU values.

​Keeping Our Connections Strong
Sean Parker Dennison

All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other…
And we'll rise up, rise like the waves
We'll rise up in spite of the ache
We'll rise up… and we'll do it a thousand times again.
—Andra Day, "Rise Up"

I feel like I'm on a constant hunt for hope these days. I have to be: every time I look at my phone or open my laptop, I’m overwhelmed by stories of violence, disrespect for life, greed, and selfishness. When I listen to my friends and loved ones or to conversations in coffee shops, it feels like everyone is dispirited and disheartened. And that is dangerous.

The danger of hopelessness is a double danger. First, hopelessness makes us feel it’s useless to take action. It fools us into believing there’s nothing we can do, or that our efforts won’t make a difference. Once we abandon hope, there’s no stopping the momentum of the unscrupulous who are willing to cooperate with evil in order to get ahead.

The other danger of hopelessness is that we can lose each other. In times of hopelessness, it’s easy to get scared of everything and everyone. It’s easy to start believing that your neighbor is the problem and that hoarding is a better strategy than generosity. The problem is that when community starts to break down, we lose the most important source of hope we have: each other.

The message of hope that still blazes bright for me in these hard times is that I am not alone. I don’t have to face the world alone and I don’t have to fix the world alone. When I need hope, I find it in on the faces of my people. I find it in their hearts, when we find each other again and stop hiding out, thinking we are the only one. I find it when we come together in community to sing, to bless one another, to mourn, to strategize. All we need is hope... and for that, we have each other.

Prayer
​Spirit of Life and Love, in these times when so much seems difficult, help us remember that we are not alone. We have each other. Help keep our connections strong and remind us that kindness, generosity and trust are antidotes to fear. Help us remember that our hope and our power grow when we are faithful to our deepest commitments and to each other. May we rise up to do the work of Love again and again. Amen.
Do you need a donation report for your taxes? See Bob Antweiler

Beauty Is Our Birthright
Rebekah Savage

Sometimes we awake in the morning with a heaviness in our chest.
Sometimes we awake in the morning with the endless to-do list rattling through our thoughts, the nagging reminders of what was left undone yesterday,
and the pangs of “I have to do it all again today?” pinching at our insides.
Sometimes we awake in the morning, and we’d rather go back to sleep,
We would rather escape under the covers, a rock, the bottom of the closet.
And then,
The first sliver of sunshine may dance across our face. Beautiful.
And then,
The wafting scent of a new day may glide over us. Beautiful.
And then,
Signs of life blossom around us, to include inside of us. Beautiful.
Beauty is our birthright. Just as we are born in love, through love To love;
To nurture beauty is to return to our essence,
To touch, taste and experience creation as beautiful,
As the fragile, wonderful and wild interdependence with the Spirit of Life,
that which is so much greater than ourselves.
May beauty wrap and delight us, and guide our way.
May beauty be yours now and forever.
Amen and ashe.

April Adult Forums

4/6/25 - Melinda Jennings, Campaign Director of the Salvation Army, will talk about plans to update their facility.

4/13/25 - Susan Roemer, executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center will let us know about the many services they provide for people with disabilities.

4/20/25 - Betty Cooper on Earth Day. Each year on April 22, citizens worldwide will examine the Earth Charter’s 16 principles as a way to create and maintain a sustainable world.

4/27/25 - Bob Priddy will speak on “Missouri Steamships”. We will learn about plans to excavate the Steamship Malta as well as a possible Steamship Arabia museum in Missouri.

If you would like to schedule a forum, please see Frank Rycyk

Religious Education, 10:30 am

Children attending are welcome to join RE instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour.

Lunch After Services

If you would like to join other members and friends for lunch, watch for postings and announcements, or ask about each week's lunch location. If you have a particular place you’d like to recommend, please let us know.

Message from Frank Rycyk

We create much JOY at UUFJC. We affirm the “Quest for Truth”! How much more JOYFUL can you get? It is a JOY that we have a newsletter which helps us to share our IDEAS. I see the potential for JOY as infinite. UUFJC is a good start.

Our Intersectional Justice Priorities

Climate Justice (inclusive of Indigenous sovereignty and Climate Resilience) with Create Climate Justice

Democracy and Electoral Justice (inclusive of Voting Rights and electoral participation) with UU the Vote

Decriminalization (inclusive of Racial Justice and Immigration Justice) with Side With Love

LGBTQIA+ and Gender Justice (inclusive of reproductive justice and abortion access) with UPLIFT Action

The work that we do together to build a world in which all of us are free and thriving is interrelated. When we ground our spirits, grow our skills, and act strategically for justice in deep relationship with each other and our Movements, we choose to Side With Love.

Action Center is a place where we unite in work towards a world where we all thrive. Together we take action, Side With Love, and make deep impacts in this critical moment.

Joys and Concerns

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Insight Meditation

Thursday evenings at 7 pm A meditation group led by Joe McCormack meets weekly in our building, when possible. Zoom may also be available. Contact Bob Antweiler.

UUFJC Board of Directors

President: Logan White
Vice President: Lisa Sanning
Secretary: Amanda Landrum
Treasurer: Bob Antweiler
Director of Religious Education: Samantha Porter
Administrator: Mary Jo LaCorte
]]><![CDATA[March 30th Newsletter]]>Sun, 30 Mar 2025 21:32:21 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/march-30th-newsletterDear Friends

A Springtime Prayer
​George A Tyger

​Oh power of springtime,
Spirit of green grasses and warm breezes;
Goddess of creativity
of birth
of life renewed
You sing all about us at this time.

The birds call your sacred name.
Buds burst forth with your vestment.
The sun reaches higher into the sky
shining the light of this new day
through the windows of your cathedral,
this world.

Oh power of springtime
forgive us our speediness
and our racing before your
eternal grace
that we do not see
the miracle world we share.

Open our eyes with your warmth
and our hearts with your beauty
slow our minds with awe and wonder.

Dear Spirit of green grasses
and warm breezes;
let us find here
in these moment of quiet
the grace of your breath
as we breathe into our bodies
the spirit of spring.

Legislative Action


Our congregation has been invited to join UU ministers and members from around the state here at UUFJC on Wednesday, April 23rd at 10:00 - 3:00

They are traveling to Jefferson City for a day of legislative action at the capitol. The day will start out with connecting with UU’s from around the state. Then there will be training on how to advocate with our elected officials. We'll share lunch and then head over to the capitol.

Service and Sermons


This week's Adult Forum: Gary Kowaluk, Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Lincoln University will introduce the concept of “prisons of the mind.” He will relate this psychological concept to his work “behind the walls.”

Next week's Forum: Melinda Jennings, campaign director of the Salvation Army will speak about plans to update their facility.

UU Moment: by Rev. David Schwarz

Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Trust

This week’s sermon: Service as a Spiritual Practice: Unitarian Universalist Faith in Action by Rev. Beth Dana

What does it mean to truly serve others? Is it about helping, fixing, or something deeper? In Rev. Beth's sermon "Monthly Service," we explore the difference between simply offering assistance and engaging in service as a spiritual practice. Drawing from the wisdom of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, the Apostle Paul, and Unitarian Universalist teachings, we reflect on how service—when grounded in faith and connection—can transform both the giver and the receiver. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the world’s needs or searching for a way to make a meaningful impact, this sermon invites you to reflect on how service can be an expression of faith, love, and joyful responsibility.

Joys and Concerns


​If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Book Club


​The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[March 18th Newsletter]]>Sun, 23 Mar 2025 18:21:33 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/march-18th-newsletterDear Friends
Our congregation has been invited to join UU ministers and members from around the state here at UUFJC on Wednesday, April 23rd at 10:00 a.m. They are traveling to Jefferson City for a day of legislative action at the capitol. The day will start out with connecting with UU’s from around the state. Then there will be training on how to advocate with our elected officials. We'll share lunch and then head over to the capitol.

This week's Adult Forum: Donna Scheidt, Executive Director, Little Explorers Discovery Center. Scheidt will share how “Little Explorers” goes beyond just daycare and facilitates child development.

Next week's Forum: Gary Kowaluk, Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Lincoln University will introduce the concept of “prisons of the mind.” He will relate this psychological concept to his work “behind the walls.”

Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Trust

Joys and Concerns

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Book Club

The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[March 15th Newsletter]]>Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:38:13 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/march-15th-newsletterDear Friends
Pat Buhler’s art is being displayed at the Missouri River Regional Library in the Art Gallery on the 2nd floor. A reception will be held on March 16, from 2-4 pm.

An Exciting Opportunity!!

Our fellowship has been trying to make arrangements to have a minister's influence for some time. A Rev. Tom Bozeman has responded to our UUA request for a part time minister. The board zoomed with him and discussed our needs.

Rev Tom has made us an excellent proposal to be a 1/8 or 1/4 mostly virtual guidance minister. He would help us strengthen one or more important areas of our community, i.e. worship. But he would also make a few visits and will attempt to personally meet everyone. We have the finances for this arrangement.
​
We will be discussing the specifics of the proposal during the upcoming weeks. But what we need before moving forward is a commitment of time from community members. Rev Tom is asking for a group of 6-12 members to commit to meetings and studies with him. 
​
This is a great opportunity for the Fellowship. But it also has the potential to be a major step on the personal journey of each participating member. Please consider making this commitment. 
​
If you are interested and would like further information see a board member.

Sermons and Schedules

​This week's Adult Forum: Shanon Hawk, past UUFJC President, Update on the midway point of the legislative year.

Next week's Forum: Donna Scheidt, Executive Director, Little Explorers Discovery Center. Scheidt will share how “Little Explorers” goes beyond just daycare and facilitates child development.

This week’s sermon: Keeping a Holy Lent by Bryan Elwood, Ministerial Intern

UU Moment: Invitation to an Undivided Life by Rev. David Schwartz
Children's Religious Education: 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Trust

​Joys and Concerns

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Book Club

The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[Newsletter for March 8th, 2025]]>Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:56:42 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/newsletter-for-march-8th-2025Dear Friends
Pat Buhler’s art is being displayed at the Missouri River Regional Library in the Art Gallery on the 2nd floor. A reception will be held on March 16, from 2-4 pm.

An Exciting Opportunity


Our fellowship has been trying to make arrangements to have a minister's influence for some time. A Rev. Tom Bozeman has responded to our UUA request for a part time minister. The board zoomed with him and discussed our needs.

Rev Tom has made us an excellent proposal to be a 1/8 or 1/4 mostly virtual guidance minister. He would help us strengthen one or more important areas of our community, i.e. worship. But he would also make a few visits and will attempt to personally meet everyone. We have the finances for this arrangement.
​
We will be discussing the specifics of the proposal during the upcoming weeks. But what we need before moving forward is a commitment of time from community members. Rev Tom is asking for a group of 6-12 members to commit to meetings and studies with him. 
​
This is a great opportunity for the Fellowship. But it also has the potential to be a major step on the personal journey of each participating member. Please consider making this commitment. 
​
If you are interested and would like further information see a board member.

Sermons and Forums


​This week's Adult Forum: Marshal Mull of Lone Jack, MO presents “Migration to Earth.” 
How can a non-writer suddenly write 2 books? Mull shares how. He also shares a birthday with Nostradamus and sees things differently.

Next week's Forum: Shanon Hawk, past UUFJC President 
Update on the midway point of the legislative year.

This week’s sermon: Practicing Trust in Community by Rev Gennifer Norstum, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Communities can heal or harm, depending on shared practices. A trustworthy community makes you feel safe, allows you to be human, and calls you (back) to your best self. When we do this together, we create a culture of trust and accountability that strengthens individual confidence and the bonds among us. Join us for this service where we explore covenant, accountability, equality, and trust in community.


​
UU Moment: Use of the word evil by Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford.

Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Trust

​Joys and Concerns

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week.

Book Club

The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.

Caring Committee

Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.

We Unitarian Universalists celebrate the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The greatness of our nation lies not in our wealth or global prestige but in the promise of the gifts that were given at our founding—freedom, equality, and liberty. It is our progress, generation upon generation, to improve on the initial rendering and expression of those gifts, wherein America claims its mantle as leader of the free world.

During this season of trials and tribulations for our democratic norms, Congress must defend our mantle here at home.

We call upon Congress to use every ounce of courage and muster every iota of conviction—for all of us, our republic. They must protect the right to vote and make voting more accessible for every eligible voter if they wish to walk in the footsteps of our nation’s giants.

As Unitarian Universalists, we hold sacred the inherent worth and dignity of every person, humanity’s interdependence, the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, and the pursuit of justice. We believe what affects one of us affects us all.

We urge broad, bi-partisan, full-throated support by members of Congress for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”
​
Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of UUSJ

Tell Your House Member To Support JLVRAA

In America, we believe in the freedom to decide our future — whether it’s choosing leaders who will fight for affordable housing, better jobs, and quality healthcare, or holding those in power accountable. But this fundamental freedom is under threat. Some politicians are trying to roll back voting rights because they fear the power of our voices. Take action and lift up the need for Voting Rights. 

Tell Your House Member To Stop the SAVE Act

The SAVE Act would make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to register and vote by requiring strict proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, and other documents. There is virtually no election fraud in our voting system, a minuscule number of people vote more than once—a tiny risk compared to a major obstacle to voting.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator

Support us on Venmo
]]><![CDATA[Newsletter - March 1st, 2025]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:59:18 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/newsletter-march-1st-2025Dear Friends
A donation was made to Building Community Bridges as a memorial for Brad Connor. He was a founding member of Unitarian Universalist fellowship of Jefferson City. This donation was requested by his survivors.

This week's Adult Forum
Treaka Young, director of State Fair Community College, Jefferson City Campus.

Dr Young will trace the development of cooperation between State Fair and Lincoln University. LU has expanded beyond open enrollment and graduation is the goal. Young will share how.

Next week's Forum
Marshal Mull of Lone Jack, MO presents “Migration to Earth.”

How can a non-writer suddenly write 2 books? Mull shares how. He also shares a birthday with Nostradamus and sees things differently.

This week’s sermon
“What Shall We Do With Our Anger? With Rev Joanna Fontaine Crawford.

​How is your anger showing up? Are you more irritable or carrying a slow-simmering rage? There are many justifiable reasons to be mad right now. How do we best channel that anger in a way that is productive and doesn’t harm us or the people we love?

UU Moment: Sacred Activism
Rev Matthew Cockrum

Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am
Dr Samantha Porter 

Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This month's theme: Inclusion

Joys & Concerns
​
Please submit your Joys & Concerns to our website by noon on Friday or on paper forms for in-
person contributions as early as possible on Sunday mornings. See Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Lunch After Services
Please join us for lunch after the service. This week’s lunch is at Ria’s.
Book Club
The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.
Caring Committee
Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Last Call for 5th Annual February Baby Wipes Drive
Common Ground partners with Capital City Diaper Bank to provide diapers and wipes onsite for our clients. For the past four years, Common Ground with partner churches has held a drive for Baby Wipes and Pull-Ups. Since the Diaper Bank spends all of its cash donations on purchasing regular diapers, Common Ground hosts this annual drive to ensure that the Diaper Bank has wipes and Pull-Ups to supply to its partner agencies.You can bring your donations to Common Ground or To UU. There is a place to put them in the entryway. Read more about the Diaper Bank here.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator
]]><![CDATA[March Newsletter]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:21:35 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/march-newsletter8227359​Flame on the Water
What Kind of Times Are These?
Adrienne Rich

There's a place between two stands of trees where the grass grows uphill
and the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows
near a meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted
who disappeared into those shadows.


I've walked there picking mushrooms at the edge of dread, but don't be fooled
this isn't a Russian poem, this is not somewhere else but here,
our country moving closer to its own truth and dread,
its own ways of making people disappear.


I won't tell you where the place is, the dark mesh of the woods
meeting the unmarked strip of light—
ghost-ridden crossroads, leafmold paradise:
I know already who wants to buy it, sell it, make it disappear.


And I won't tell you where it is, so why do I tell you
anything? Because you still listen, because in times like these
to have you listen at all, it's necessary
to talk about trees.

Trust
Oren Jay Sofer

I trust what this body knows –
   breathing in, breathing out,
   the way home.

I trust the ground, which I can stand upon –
  the earth that rises to meet my feet
  and gives gently beneath my weight.

And I trust that ground which I cannot stand upon –
   the falling away that everything returns to.

I trust what this body knows –
   the pulsing and quivering, the tight, the hard, 
   the smooth, rough and flowing.

I trust the great oak and the white pine, who do not question
   where the next branch will grow;
   who are tall, solid, gnarled and strong; 
   who bend in the wind.

I trust the sun, that shines and warms
   the taut green skin and deep blue water of this earth;
   that sun toward which we all instinctively turn;
   which touches our billion faces alike, 
   asking only the song of our sincere living in return.

I trust what this body knows –
   breathing in, breathing out,
   the way home.

I trust what this body knows
   that the magnolias in spring take time to bloom,
   that the autumn leaves do not struggle to reach the ground,
   that we too are beautiful, brief, free.
March Adult Forums

March 2nd
Treaka Young, director of State Fair Community College Jefferson City Campus will trace the development of cooperation between State Fair and LU.

March 9th
Marshall Mull, “Migration to Earth” How is a non-writer able to publish 2 books? Mull shares a birthday with Nostradamus and sees things differently.

March 16th
Shanon Hawk, past-president of UUFJC will share a “Legislature Update” at the midway point in the legislative year.

March 23rd
Donna Scheidt, Executive Director of Little Explorers Discovery Center discusses how they go beyond daycare and facilitate child development.

March 30th
Gary Kowaluk, Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Lincoln University will introduce the concept of “Prisons of the Mind.” He will relate this psychological concept to his work, “behind the walls.”

​
​Do you need a donation report for your taxes?
See Bob Antweiler
Lunch after services

If you would like to join other members and friends for lunch, watch for postings and announcements, or ask about each week's lunch location. If you have a particular place you’d like to recommend, please let us know.
Side With Love invites you to join us for a WEBINAR
Grounded, Resilient, and Responsible: Responding and Organizing in Authoritarian Times
​
Tuesday, March 4 at 7pm ET/4pm PT

This moment calls for us to be deeply grounded in our values, resilient in the face of challenges, and responsible stewards of justice. Together, we will explore:

*Simple tips on communicating safely in public and on private channels
*Strategies for responding in crisis moments
*Practical tools for organizing and resisting authoritarianism
​
Join us for powerful stories from the organizers who helped write the Grounded, Resilient, and Responsible toolkit. Learn how these tips can help you meet this moment.

Now more than ever, we must show up for one another. Join us to deepen your commitment, strengthen your skills, and act in solidarity for a just and liberated future.

RSVP NOW
Joys & Concerns

Please submit your Joys & Concerns to our website by noon on Friday or on paper forms for in-
person contributions as early as possible on Sunday mornings. See Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
Religious Education
10:30 am

Children attending are welcome to join RE instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour.
Insight Meditation
Thursday evenings at 7 pm
​
A meditation group led by Joe McCormack meets weekly in our building, when possible. Zoom may also be available. Contact Bob Antweiler.
UUFJC Board of Directors

President: Logan White
Vice President: Lisa Sanning
Secretary: Amanda Landrum
Treasurer: Bob Antweiler
Director of Religious Education: Samantha Porter
Administrator: Mary Jo LaCorte
]]><![CDATA[Newsletter for February 22nd]]>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 21:39:13 GMThttp://uufjc.org/news-updates/newsletter-for-february-22nd​
Waiting For Spring
Pat Brisson 
​
The trees are bare,
the skies are bleak;
spring's not due for
a few more weeks.
I'm patient though,
I'll do my bit --
I'll just sit here
and wait for it.
This week's Adult Forum: “What Do You Believe?” by Betty Cooper
A culmination of years of thought brought together after an emergency medical incident.

Next week's Forum: Treaka Young
Director of State Fair Community College, Jefferson City Campus.

This week’s sermon: "The Work That's Ours To Do" by Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman
Minister at First UU of Springfield Mo, Delivered Feb 16, 2025

UU Moment: "Activism as a Spiritual Practice" by Mark Mahjundro

Children's Religious Education: This month's theme is Inclusion
Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Dr Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. 

Lunch After Services: 
Please join us for lunch after the service. This week’s lunch is at Las Trajas (on Edgewood Dr).
Book Club

The Intergenerational Classical Book Study has chosen the next great read. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Next meeting date is March 9, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Forum Room in our UU Building. Join them for an invigorating hour of book study.
Caring Committee
​
Contact Heidi Atkins-Lieberman for assistance.
5th Annual February Baby Wipes Drive

Common Ground partners with Capital City Diaper Bank to provide diapers and wipes onsite for our clients. For the past four years, Common Ground with partner churches has held a drive for Baby Wipes and Pull-Ups. Since the Diaper Bank spends all of its cash donations on purchasing regular diapers, Common Ground hosts this annual drive to ensure that the Diaper Bank has wipes and Pull-Ups to supply to its partner agencies.You can bring your donations to Common Ground or to UU. There is a place to put them in the entryway. Read more about the Diaper Bank here.
This Week's Joys and Concerns

Concern: For our political leaders: may they be led to make wise choices in the best
interest for all Americans.

If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website here. We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the
following week.
Blessings Always,
Mary Jo LaCorte
Administrator
]]>