2/9/2014
Today we marked “Evolution Sunday.” When we think about Evolution, many of us think of the “war” between science and religion. Myself, I’m too used to that war, and, being on science’s side for the battles still raging over the teaching of evolution, there’s a certain amount of shellshock — any mention of “science” and “the supernatural” in the same breath can trigger my “incoming fire” reflexes. We also know, however, that the war mindset can blind people to truth, maybe even the side I’m on in this. Of course, it doesn’t serve science or truth to say “a wizard did it” and stop asking questions when things stretch beyond what we can currently know (or even what it seems we can ever know), but it also doesn’t serve science or truth to fall into “scientistic” prejudice and brush off what now seems “supernatural” without investigation, or to cast aside the unique and ineffable, or the ennobling, meaning-making power of sacred story.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
Submissions for the March Newsletter and print Calendar are due a week from today, Sunday, February 16th. See Laura Gilkey.
Tomorrow, Monday, February 10th, the Worship Service Committee meets at 6:30 pm at the Fellowship. All are welcome to attend.
Then on Tuesday, February 11th, the UUFJC Board meets at 6 pm at the Fellowship. All are welcome to attend this meeting, too.
Friday, February 14th at 7 pm, the monthly Reader’s Eye film will be shown at the Fellowship. This month’s selection is “Zero Dark Thirty,” the controversial and brilliantly-produced dramatization of the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. Contact Bob Boldt for more information.
Faith Voices for Jefferson City is collecting signatures to put Early Voting on the ballot. They’re holding trainings and group canvassing on Saturdays from 9 am to noon at First Baptist Church downtown; the next session is Saturday, February 15th. If you’d like to learn more, sign the petition, or get involved, see Kath Connor, Laura Gilkey, or Sharon Morgan.
Community Events this week:
Documentary Days continue Monday, February 10th at Capitol 8 theater with “Blackfish,” an exposé about the lives of captive orcas (aka killer whales), previously aired on CNN. Shows at 5 and 7 pm. (If you hurry, you can also see the film on CNN this evening, Feb. 9th at 8 pm; short notice, I know…)
Also at 7 pm on Monday the 10th, Missouri River Regional Library hosts BYOB (“Bring Your Own Book”), a pressure free, no-required-reading-list book discussion in the Story Hour room. Contact Madeline Matson.
Tuesday, February 11th at 4 pm, Citizens for Peace meets, also at MRRL in the Story Hour room. Contact Betty Cooper.
Later Tuesday Evening at 7 pm, MRRL hosts “Where Would We Be Without Thee?” Master storyteller Loretta Washington from St. Louis portrays four women from African American History. Contact Madeline Matson.
Friday, February 14th, Columbia Area NOW joins One Billion Rising’s campaign to end violence against women with a Valentine’s Day Dance at the Rock Quarry House in Columbia. Contact Sue Gibson for more information.