Category: Archives

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…