Author: UUFJC1

11/11/2013 Yesterday we had as our guest Father George Kramer, giving us his thoughts on the accession of Pope Francis and the hopeful developments he represents for the Catholic church.  All of us have our reasons to attend Unitarian Services instead of Catholic Mass on Sunday mornings, but seeing the enthusiasm and laughter Father George…

11/4/2013 November already!  Halloween candy is on clearance, and some of us are already Christmas shopping; where does the time go?  Speaking of time, did everyone get their clocks set back?  We had a very good turnout yesterday; maybe people were waking up “earlier”? Rev. Mike brought us a message about Trust and the Common…

10/21/2013 At Yesterday’s Multigenerational service, the RE class brought us a wonderful story in shadow puppets.  Turnout was rather light — and I’d be the last one to say that with any kind of blame; I’m not used to being around children myself and I admit I find it challenging.  However, at the same time,…

10/29/2013 (Sorry this week’s post is a day late!) This past Sunday was UUFJC’s third annual Day of the Dead Observance, and again Bob Boldt and Ruth Neudahl set up a beautiful altar in the Mexican tradition, devoted especially to the legacy of Frida Kahlo and showcasing an amazing piece of fiber art by Joanna…

10/14/2013 Yesterday, several of our members shared their experience of the recent UUA General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.  I know that out here in rural Missouri, it can be easy for a UU to feel isolated, so I was glad some of our members were able to experience just how many and varied we are…

10/7/2013 Yesterday, Rev. Mike brought us a message challenging the duality of strengths and weaknesses, virtue and vice; as a key quotation put it, “Evil is not the privation of good, but the perversion of good.”  As he pointed out, sometimes we’re at our worst when using our strengths to the fullest in heedless, self-deluded…

9/30/2013 Our message at yesterday’s service was on food, from our own Ethical Eating group.  I missed it while helping with RE (aides needed October 6th and 27th, contact Amy Regnier), but ethical eating is a topic that touches us all.  As I’ve grown away from my Christian roots, I can feel some tension around…

9/23/2013 At service yesterday our own Amy Hoffman brought us a reminder of how far the “interconnected web of all existence” stretches with stories and images from her visit to the northeast, where The Puffin Project is working to repopulate Atlantic Puffins and other shorebirds.  The pictures of the unique wildlife reminded me of the…

9/16/2013 Autumn is hitting its stride.  The weather is starting to cool down and the Halloween costume shops are cropping up, although September is only halfway through.  Still gently, the arc of the year is bending toward the dark and cold that is another part of the whole.  Today Rev. Nancy brought us a great…

9/9/2013 Today we held our annual Water Communion.  We filled our bowl with water and with stories of the past year from regulars, old friends we hadn’t seen in awhile, and even new faces.  Here’s looking forward to where the coming year will take us! Other News: UUA MidAmerica region is accepting workshop proposals for…