12/16/2013 Yesterday our own Don Love brought us a message based on the Ware Lecture by Karen Armstrong at the 2011 UUA General Conference, followed by a very lively discussion.  Armstrong identifies Ancient Greek civic theatre — in particular, the famous plays of Sophocles, Euripides, and others — as a kind of religion, a communal ritual in…

12/9/2013 This past week, the world mourned the loss and celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela, the anti-Apartheid leader and first democratically-elected president of South Africa, who became a hero and an inspiration to many people of every race throughout the world.  In media reports, again and again I heard praise for how, after Apartheid…

12/2/2013 Yesterday was a fun service to start getting us all into the spirit of the holiday season.  Rev. Mike shared a story about family Christmas traditions and foods with the whole congregation, young and old, and we followed it up with a delicious potluck meal.  Some of us later decamped to the Forum Room…

11/25/2013 The weather at last has taken a sharp turn for the wintry, and the Holiday Season is upon us!  This Thursday brings the American ritual of Thanksgiving, and while it’s worth thinking twice about all those Pilgrims-and-Indians images, it is always worth the deceptively challenging and vulnerable work of embracing gratitude, as Rev. Nancy reminded us…

11/18/2013 Yesterday we were visited by Prof. Cliff Cain of Westminster College, who described what he saw as the three greatest challenges facing religion in the 21st century: Religious Diversity, the interaction of Religion and Science, and Environmental Issues.  For the second week in a row we gave a warm welcome to a Christian speaker…

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…

9/2/2013 September is upon us already.  Summer is on the way out, Autumn is on the way in, and our schedule shows it.  Some events that were on hold for the Summer are returning, and next week we’ll be commemorating the change of season with our annual Water Communion and a potluck, so please bring…

8/26/2013 Today we were greeted by a new sight when we arrived at the Fellowship: we have a new board in the entryway to hang everyone’s nametags!  The old cabinet is still there for those who prefer it or don’t want their name hanging out there for anyone to see (which we respect; we know…

8/19/2013 Thank you for your continuing generosity in donating items for flood relief in Waynesville!  Laura Gilkey’s van was full on Tuesday and full again Sunday.  They are still in need, especially of cleaning supplies, linens (bedding, towels, etc.), food, and hygiene items.  Contact Laura if you still want to donate. Other news: Voting on…

8/12/2013 It’s been a rough week in parts of our state.  After all the flooding, it was was great to be together again at the Fellowship, but we also have in our thoughts the people who weren’t as fortunate. Earlier this week Shanon Hawk and friends took a load of relief supplies down to Waynesville,…

8/11/2013 The Social Action Committee will be collecting supplies for South Elementary School all this month.  Leave donations in the bin at the Fellowship.

7/28/2013 Meets this Saturday, August 3 from 11am – 1pm at Vitality Cafe in Jefferson City. (map)Join us as we discuss ways to eat and prepare food ethically. Shanon Hawk and Wayne White will speak about ethical eating workshops at GA in Louisville. Contact: Shanon Hawk.

7/16/2013 When:  Fri, July 26, 5:00pm – 6:30pmWhere:  Salvation Army, Jefferson St. (map)Description:  A team from the fellowship prepares and serves a meal to those in need in our community. Contact: Shanon Hawk or Bob Antweiler.

7/16/2013 When:  Friday, July 26, 7:30pm – 9:00pmWhere:  Unitarian Church of Columbia, 2615 Shepard Blvd. (map)An evening with UU singer-songwriter Jim Scott. Tickets $12 ($6 under age 16). Call (573)442-5764 for info.

7/10/2013 Meets this Saturday, July 13 at Brew House on E. McCarty at 9:00 a.m.

6/24/2013 UUFJC will serve a meal at the Salvation Army this Friday, June 28 at 

6/4/2013 Let’s DrUUm Up Support! Join your fellow UUs as we raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Contact Patt Behler. The booth for our team (DrUUm Up Support) is #61. Friday, June 7 at 6:00pm to Saturday, June 8 at 5:30amat the Cole County Fairgrounds (map)

5/29/2013 Join us for our monthly meeting and discussion this Saturday, June 1, at 9:00 a.m. at Brew House in Jefferson City.

5/21/2013 Join us at Memorial Park for our Service this Sunday!  We will host the entire service at Memorial Park in Jefferson City.  We begin with Adult Forum at 9:15 a.m. and end with a potluck picnic in the park.  For more information about This Sunday, fol

5/16/2013 When: Sat, May 18, 8:45am – 11:45amWhere: Hwy. B (map)Come help with the semiannual trash pickup on our adopted highway. Meet on Tanner Bridge Rd. (the little dead end off Lorenzo Greene just before B). Contact Barb Koenig, 635-0082.

4/22/2013 The coming week includes several notable activities, including the Women United march Saturday morning, and that evening, a social and film screening sponsored by the Capital Area Interfaith Alliance at the Jefferson City mosque. If you are interested in attending, please let Katherine Connor know ASAP. A group will be meeting at the fellowship…

4/18/2013 Friday, April 26, 5:00pm – 6:30pmSalvation Army, Jefferson St. (map)A team from the fellowship prepares and serves a meal to those in need in our community.  Contact: Shanon Hawk or Bob Antweiler.

3/17/2013 JCCU Community AssemblyWhen: Monday, March 18, 6:30pm – 8:00pmWhere: Catholic Center (map)Community-wide meeting for Jefferson City Congregations United. Contact: Kath Connor. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning OrganizationWhen: Thursday, March 21, 3:00pm – 4:30pmWhere: Jefferson City City Hall, Room 200 (map)Come and give your input on transportation issues in our community. Today’s sessions will focus on freight,…

3/4/2013 Description: An opportunity to lobby state legislators on immigration issues.  Registration by March 1 recommended.  When: Wed, March 6, 8am – 4pmWhere: Missouri Capitol (map) Contact: Don Love.

3/4/2013 Monday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. at UUFJC

3/31/2013 at 4:30 p.m.  Details on where TBA.

3/31/2013 Planned Parenthood rally When: Wed., April 3, 10am – 11amWhere: Missouri Capitol basement (map)DescriptioRally on behalf of Planned Parenthood. Contact: Sue Gibson, 353-6463.

2/18/2013 UUFJC has enrolled our registered team members with the American Cancer Society 2013 Relay for Life. But we can still use more team members! The more signed up, the better we can accomplish success as a team. Our DRUUM UP SUPORT team will meet on Monday March 3 at 6:00- 7:00 PM at the fellowship building. Help…

2/18/2013 It’s time to consider our next exhibit! Come help us think of new, exciting creative art projects and exhibits that we can introduce to the membership of our fellowship. Our next meeting will take place at the fellowship on Monday, March 3, at 7:00-8:00 PM. In addition, for those who don’t like to attend evening or weekday M-F meetings,…

2/10/2013 Join the UUFJC Social Action Committee in the lobby of the state capitol building Tuesday, February 12, at 9:30 a.m. to lobby in support of Planned Parenthood.

2/10/2013 The Senate will consider Missour’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment on February 19, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. in the Senate Lounge.  UUFJC’s Social Action Committee submitted signatures on the following letter to the Senate in advance of the hearing and encourages all to join them in their support of equal rights for women:…

2/18/2013 Trivia Night is back, so get your team together and let’s have some fun while raising money for an important cause! When: Friday, March 1, 2013, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.Where: UUFJC Fellowship HallWhat: OneLove’s annual trivia night! Cost: $10 per person, at the door. Price includes snacks, drinks and a chance to win the…

2/3/2013 Check out the weekly calendar for up-to-date information about coming events. You can see the calendar by following the link in the right hand column. This Week: Monday, 6:15 p.m. — Relay for Life Meeting Thursday, 7:00 p.m. — AAUW Friday, 7:00 p.m. — Reader’s Eye Film: “Flowers of St. Francis” Sunday — Chinese…

12/26/2012 Coffee Zone–9:00 a.m. for “Coffee & Conversation” Join us for a group-led discussion about eating ethically in today’s complex world. Please note the time and location change for January’s Ethical Eating Group