Today, author and researcher Gary Kremer of the Missouri State Historical Society visited our Fellowship to give an excellent and challenging talk on the historical background of the racial issues we see today, in Ferguson and elsewhere.  He traces the problem to different experiences of history.  Many white people look to the past and see honored ancestors whose achievements they take pride in and whose reputations they will leap to defend.  Many black people, however, look back on the same times and places and see the scars of white supremacist violence and institutional bad faith.  The disconnect is a deep challenge, but we can begin by listening.

I as a white person remember seeing video of a famous African-American folk singer performing a song and punctuating it with raps on the body of her guitar.  "How interesting to use the guitar for percussion," I thought.  Only when the song was over did I find out --- it was a chain-gang song.  The raps on the guitar marked the places where black men had been forced to swing pickaxes, in a history where the justice system was used to sentence them to labor in a back-door continuation of slavery.

Nancy Ellis-Ordway also recommends the book "Children of the Dream" by Laurel Holliday. It is a collection of essays written mostly by people growing up black in post-"I Have a Dream" America, often about attempts to assimilate and why they failed. As Nancy writes, part of developing empathy is listening to other people's stories.

Next Sunday, February 1st, 2015:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Charlie Hebdo," Bob Boldt

Parent Workshop - 9:30 am

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "When was the last time you checked your worldview?" Rev. Mike Adamek
Your worldview is the reality you imagine you inhabit.  Your cosmology has left the three layer cake of heaven, earth, and hell far behind.  But does your world view include the Higgs boson, dark matter and dark energy?  I love the mystery of life, but science fascinates me when it turns the unknown to new knowledge.

Plus Children's RE - Volunteers Needed!

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

65ers+ Meet.  See below.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The February Newsletter and print calendar are ready.  We have paper copiesin the back of the Sanctuary.  Electronic copies are also available.

If you are willing to give someone a ride to services once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 26th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  This month's assembly will begin a planned yearlong conversation on race.  Contact Katherine Connor for more information.

This Friday, January 30th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the Last Friday Documentary film.  This month's selection, "Muscle Shoals," deals with the Blues tradition and is possibly one of the best music films ever made.  Contact Bob Boldt.

A new weekly Gentle Yoga session is starting at the Fellowship this Saturday, January 31st at 11 am.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

The 65ers+ will Meet and Eat after services next Sunday, February 1st.  A main dish will be provided; please bring side dishes.  Contact Patt Behler.

Community Events this week:

Monday, January 26th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents "Songs of the Civil War."  This program of music, history and storytelling features Bob Welch, who uses vocals, banjo and guitar to bring history to life for all ages. The audience will be treated to songs, along with interesting and sometimes humorous stories, associated with the Union as well as the Confederacy. Welch has presented his program across the country in museums, historical societies, fairs, senior centers, schools and libraries.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Tuesday, January 27th beginning at 6:30 pm, Lincoln University hosts comedian and peace activist Dick Gregory at Mitchell Auditorium at the Richardson Fine Arts Center.  The event is in collaboration with the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration.  Free and open to the public.

Thursday, January 29th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents "The Marijuana Question" with Dan Viets.  Is Missouri ready for marijuana legalization? Four states have now legalized recreational marijuana for  adults 21 and over. Twenty states also have some form of medical marijuana law, and efforts are underway in Missouri to place an issue on the ballot in 2016—a proposal to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol.  Attorney Dan Viets has practiced law in Missouri for 28 years and is the statewide coordinator and a national officer for NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. He also hosts a show dealing with civil liberties issues on KOPN-FM Radio.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This Saturday, January 31st, the Missouri Theater in Columbia hosts the Peace Corps Third Goal Film Festival from noon to 9 pm.  Contact Patt Behler for information and posters.

The Jefferson City Police Department and Cole County Sheriff's Department are offering Rape Aggression Defense Classes.  The first session starts March 10th; pre-registration required.  Contact Patt Behler for information on how to register.

This week, Capitol City cinema presents "Song One" and showings of this year's Oscar-nominated Short Films in the Animation category.  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

This morning, in both our Adult Forum and Rev. Nancy's message, we explored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and reflected that when a "prophet" like him confronts us with profound and challenging truths, it's easier to praise the prophet as a hero than to absorb their challenging truths into our lives.  Rev. Nancy challenged us to the more difficult path, to take the words and ideas of Martin Luther King --- or another prophet who speaks to us --- into our lives seriously for a year and a day, until Martin Luther King Day of 2016.  If we take our prophets down from their dusty pedestals, what could we transform in that time?

Next Sunday, January 25th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Identity and Justice," Laura Gilkey
We will view and discuss a TED Talk by Bryan Stevenson about the power of identity and the need for racial and social justice.

Parent Workshop - 9:30 am
Leader: Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Ferguson, Missouri:  A Historical Perspective," Gary Kremer
Gary Kremer of the Missouri State Historical Society will try to place the events of Ferguson in 2014 in historical perspective, to illustrate through historical examples the ways in which whites and blacks often perceive the world differently and the consequences of those different perceptions.

Plus Children's RE with Barb Koenig; Aide: Jim Davis

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

UUFJC News and Events this week:

If you are willing to give someone a ride to services once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.

Roberta Dunkel still has a collection box by the front door for donations of pajamas and other warm clothing for Foster Care and Adoption.

This Thursday, January 22nd, the Transgender Support Group meets at 7 pm at the Fellowship.  Contact Ari Morse.

This Friday, January 23rd is our monthly Salvation Army meal.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help prepare or serve food for those in need.  Serving starts at 5:00; please be there by 4:30.

Community Events this week:

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Low Down" and "Song One."  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

I hope everyone is keeping warm and safe in this weather!  I myself stayed off the roads today and missed our own Jim Davis's talk about the Origins of Universalism in America.  According to Katherine Connor, it was very good.  She writes: "Jim started with Origen of Alexandria, went on to John Murray who brought Universalism to the United States, then to Hosea Ballou who expanded the concept of Universalism.  Jim went on to talk about the evolution of Universalism through recent history, and its expansion to a theology that encompasses all religions.  He used very entertaining anecdotes and stories that demonstrated the evolution of Universalism."

Next Sunday, January 18th:

Newsletter Submissions Due.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"How do we create Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 'Beloved Community'?," Betty Cooper

Parents Workshop - 9:30 am

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Pondering Puppies and Prophets," Rev. Nancy Tanner-Thies

Plus Children's RE with Katherine Connor; Aide needed!

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

UUFJC Board Meeting - 1:30 pm

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Submissions for the February Newsletter and print calendar are due next Sunday, January 18th.  E-mail items to Laura Gilkey or leave them in the mail slot in the office.

Due to the weather, today's scheduled meeting of the UUFJC Board was postponed to next Sunday, see above.

If you are willing to give someone a ride to services once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.

Roberta Dunkel has a collection box by the front door for donations of pajamas and other warm clothing for Foster Care and Adoption.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 12th, the Worship Service Committee will meet at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome.  Contact Carol Bontempo.

Next Sunday, January 18th is the monthly Laughter Yoga session at 4 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

Community Events this week:

Frank Rycyk has passed along an invitation to apply for the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy.  Open to high school students preparing to enter their Sophomore or Junior year.  It’s a 3 ½ day leadership camp at William Woods University, Sunday, June 28th through Wednesday, July 1st.  All expenses are paid.  It is a very competitive selection process.  They are seeking students with “A Heart for Service”.  The deadline to apply is February 1st.  Contact Frank for more information.

This Tuesday, January 13th, Citizens for Peace meet at 4 pm at Missouri River Regional Library in the Story Hour Room.  Contact Betty Cooper.

Later Tuesday evening at 7 pm, MRRL hosts "Puppies for Parole" in the Art Gallery.  Cindy Prudden of the Missouri Department of Corrections will discuss the partnership between the department, animal shelters and animal rescue groups that provide benefits to the community, to offenders and to correctional institutions.  Selected offenders learn dog training skills and work with rescued dogs to make them more adoptable. Trainers go through an apprenticeship program that equips them with skills they can use when their incarceration ends.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Thursday, January 15th at 7 pm, Columbia Area NOW meets in the Hy-Vee Restaurant at Broadway and Fairview in Columbia.  Non-members and new members welcome.  Contact Sue Gibson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" and "Low Down."  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

This morning, we began the new year with a look back at the history of Unitarianism.  As Rev. Mike argued, Unitarians have always aspired to universality of religion, ethics, and inclusion, but as we forge our identity, it necessarily creates a boundary, a wall between who we are and who we aren't.  Through our history we've lived in this tension, with our wall not a wall of stone, but a living wall like a cell wall, built again in each generation as our principles are re-envisioned and restated.  Each time we've rebuilt it, it has retained the shape of Freedom, Reason, and Tolerance.

Next Sunday, January 11th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Vehicle Stops Report," Don Love

Parents Workshop - 9:30 am

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Origins of Universalism in America," Jim Davis

Plus Children's RE.  Volunteers Needed!

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

UUFJC Board: 1:30 pm.
All are welcome to attend.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As you can see above, we need RE volunteers for next week, as well as throughout the month.  To help with RE, contact Barb Koenig.

The January Newsletter is ready.  Paper copies are now available in the back of the sanctuary.  Electronic copies were sent out earlier this past week and are available on request.

If you are willing to give someone a ride to church once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.

Monday, January 5th, there will be a special Yoga Workshop at the Fellowship from 5:30 to 7 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

The Transgender Support Group will meet at the Fellowship this Thursday, January 8th, at 7 pm.  Contact Ari Morse.

This Friday, January 9th at 7 pm is the monthly Reader's Eye Film.  Contact Bob Boldt for this month's film selection and more information.

Sami and Camryn are selling Girl Scout Cookies!  They'll be there after service next week, or contact Kim Connor.

Roberta Dunkel is collecting donations of pajamas and other warm clothing for Foster Care and Adoption.  Look for a box by the front door or contact Roberta.

Community Events this week:

Thursday, January 8th at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library hosts "World of Mah Jongg."  Learn the history, meanings of the tiles, and watch game play with Teresa Tolksdorf, a longtime student of Mah Jongg and its challenges. This ancient game was said to have been created during the time of Confucius. It was introduced to Americans in 1920, gained popularity during the Great Depression, and is currently enjoying a revival among gaming fans.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "The Homesman" and "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night."  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.