Today, Doctor-in-training Taisei Suzuki visited our Fellowship to talk about his years of humanitarian work in Africa.  Suzuki opened and closed by inviting us to ask ourselves: "What is 'Aid'?"  He made the crucial point that, in our desire to help others, we must not simply impose our ideas of what's good on them; true aid must respect the people's situation and culture, making local collaboration essential.

Next Sunday, March 1st:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Video Games: Can They Be Good For You?," Frank Rycyk
Some research suggests that video games can improve vision, improve the ability to pay attention, and allow us to practice moral decision making.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Hanging: Life is What Happens while you're Making Other Plans," Rev. Mike Adamek
This sermon is a little Zen, a dose of the Dude from Big Lebowski, and the joy of recognizing myself in the conversation between Zen Master Bernie Glassman and actor Jeff Bridges.  I am betting you too will recognize yourselves when they express their truths.  If the truth is always encountered but rarely perceived, they make perception available to us all.

Plus Children's RE with Kim Connor and Jim Davis.

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

Next Sunday's service will be followed by a Potluck Lunch, so bring a favorite dish to share!

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The March Newsletter and Print Calendar are ready!  Paper copies are available in the back of the Sanctuary, and electronic copies are also available on request.

We need Adult Forum Leaders for March.  If you have a topic you'd like us to discuss, contact Laura Gilkey.

Your donations have provided 84 lb.-size packages of frozen vegetables that will be delivered to people in need through The Pantry, the food assistance program by our friends at Table of Grace.  These and many more items will be distributed this February 27th.  If you are ever available to help on the fourth Friday of the month, contact Stephanie Scott-Huffman.

If you ordered Girl Scout Cookies, they're in!  Contact Kim or Katherine Connor.

Tomorrow, Monday, February 23rd, there will be a special Yoga Workshop at the Fellowship at 5:30 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

Also Monday evening at 6:30 pm, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  This month's topic is the Justice (?) System.

This Thursday, February 26th, the Transgender Support Group meets at the Fellowship at 7 pm.  Contact Ari Morse.

This Friday, February 27th is our monthly Salvation Army meal.  Serving begins at 5:00; volunteers are recommended to arrive early.

Later Friday evening at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the Last Friday Documentary film.  This month we are proud to present a pre-release screening of "She's Beautiful When She's Angry," a new documentary about the history of the Woman's Movement in America.  Contact Bob Boldt.  

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, February 26th, Westminster College in Fulton presents the CS Lewis Legacy Lectures at 11 am and 7:30 pm.  Admission is free but seating may be limited, so arrive early..  For more information, visit: http://news.westminster-mo.edu/campus-life/2015-cs-lewis-lecture/

Thursday evening at 7 pm in the Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "KJLU Radio and How It Grew."  Mike Downey, KJLU manager, and Dan Turner, KJLU program director, will talk about the operation of this excellent Lincoln University radio station, how and why it developed, and future plans for the station.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Thursday, February 26th at 7 pm is the Lincoln University Music Faculty and Friends Recital at Mitchell Auditorium.  Admission is free.  Contact Ruth Robertson.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

I missed services today.  I always hate to miss Rev. Nancy, but I was spooked by the weather forecast.  Everyone, stay safe and warm!

Next Sunday, February 22nd:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Understanding Nonviolence," Betty Cooper
Nonviolent understandings are needed to displace misunderstandings.  We will examine the work of two pioneers of nonviolence, Badshah Khan and Mahatma Gandhi.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Anti-Poverty Work in Africa," Taisei Suzuki
Suzuki has served with UNESCO and other not-for-profits in several African countries.

Plus Children's RE with Lisa Sanning.  Aide needed!

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

UUFJC News and Events this week:

We need Adult Forum Leaders and RE Volunteers for March.  Contact Laura Gilkey to lead the Adult Forum, and contact Barb Koenig to help with RE.

We have a vision board in the back of the room and we’re asking everyone to write in their ideas for our Fellowship’s future!  Contact Kath Connor.

The American Association of University Women will meet at the Fellowship this Thursday, February 19th at 7 pm.  Note that AAUW is moving to the third Thursday of the month.

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, February 17th at 7 pm in the Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: “Keep myself riding on this train: Ollie Ollison, George Mayfield and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters."  Dr. Delia Cook Gillis, director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Central Missouri, looks at the lives of Kansas City train porters Ollison and Mayfield as well as the significance of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, founded by A. Philip Randolph, examining their impact on the black professional class and the modern civil rights movement.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This Thursday, February 19th at 7 pm, Columbia Area NOW meets at the Hy-Vee Restaurant at Broadway and Fairview in Columbia.  Non-members and new members welcome.  Contact Sue Gibson.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

Today, friend of the Fellowship Dr. Cliff Cain returned to deliver the message for our annual Evolution Sunday, exploring the impact Darwin's theory has had on many worldviews shaped by Christianity.  For someone who believed the story in Genesis, Chapter 1, that humans were created special and apart "in the image of God" and given the earth to "fill" and "subdue," the idea that we were a part of the animal world could be a shock.  But the Bible contains a second creation story in Genesis, Chapter 2, where the first human was created from the dust like any other animal and given the charge to tend and protect the garden.  In light of this second account and the realities science shows us, Rev. Cain sees "the image of God" --- or for non-Christians, the unique condition of humanity --- not as a dominion but as a responsibility to care for the whole of life: not kingship, but kinship.

We also took up a second collection today to benefit The Pantry, the food assistance program of our friends at Table of Grace.  It's not too late to give!  The Connors will be bulk-buying food donations, so you can contact them to contribute, or you can give to The Pantry online at gofundme: http://www.gofundme.com/thepantryjc

Next Sunday, February 15th:

March Newsletter Submissions Due.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Jury Selection and the Boston Marathon Case," Frank Rycyk
The Associated Press provides insights into the jury selection process.  While the focus is on the Boston Marathon case, these methods may be utilized in many other criminal situations.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Without Love?," Rev. Nancy Tanner-Thies

Plus Children's RE with Roger Tanner-Thies; Aide 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:

We need Adult Forum Leaders and RE Volunteers for March.  Contact Laura Gilkey to lead the Adult Forum or Barb Koenig to help with RE.

We still have our vision board in the back of the sanctuary, and we're asking members, friends, and guests to write in their ideas for our Fellowship's future!  Contact Katherine Connor for more information.

The Worship Service Committee meets tomorrow, Monday, February 9th at 6:30 pm at the Fellowship.  All are welcome to attend and share their ideas.  Contact Carol Bontempo.

This Thursday, February 12th, the Transgender Support Group meets at the Fellowship at 7 pm.  Contact Ari Morse.

This Friday, February 13th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the monthly Reader's Eye Film. This month's selection: "Faust," an award-winning Russian film by director Aleksandr Sokurov.  Contact Bob Boldt.

Next Sunday, February 15th, the monthly Laughter Yoga session will be held at the Fellowship at 4 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

Community Events this week:

Monday, February 9th at 7 pm in the Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "The Battle of Island Mound."  John Cunning and Alison Dubbert of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will show the film depicting the first time that African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat, almost a year before the battle depicted in the feature film “Glory.” They will discuss the battle, its historical import, and the development of the state historic site commemorating the battle.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Tuesday, February 10th at 4 pm, Citizens for Peace meet at MRRL in the Art Gallery.  Contact Betty Cooper.

Thursday, February 12th at 7 pm in the Art Gallery, MRRL hosts Sister Peggy Bonnot, founder of el Puente, to explain the work of this important institution that helps new immigrants integrate into mid-Missouri communities.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema continues its presentations of Oscar Nominated Short Films with the Animation and Live Action categories on different nights, plus encore screenings of "Boyhood."  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

This morning, Rev. Mike brought us a message about the progress of science and how it affects our worldviews.  We UUs join spiritual progressives of all stripes in our respect for science and embrace of the truths revealed by its rigorous methods.  However, incorporating it into our worldviews is an ongoing challenge as new mind-blowing discoveries about our universe emerge.  There's no controversy about Evolution in our Fellowship --- in fact we're celebrating it next Sunday --- but how do we build our worldviews when huge proportions of the universe consist of "dark" matter and energy that we can't see --- and may never be able to see?  Science can teach us both exhilaration at the world's wonder and complexity, and also humility before its enormity and mystery.

Next Sunday, February 8th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Evolution Sunday: Faith vs. Reason," Bob Boldt

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Darwin Day," Rev. Cliff Cain

Plus Children's RE with Ted Koenig and Judi Jecmen

Youth RE is available.  Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe

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

UUFJC News and Events this week:

We have a new Vision board in the back of the sanctuary and we're asking everyone to write in their ideas!  Contact Katherine Connor for more information.

Starting this Tuesday, February 3rd, the Recorder Players' Group will meet at the Fellowship on Tuesdays from 1 pm to 3 pm.  Contact Richard Parsons.

This Thursday, February 5th at 7 pm at the Fellowship, the American Association of University Women hosts Margaret Tollerton of Missouri Cures for a talk on stem cell research.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

This Friday, February 6th starting at 5 pm is our First Friday Social.  Bring snacks for yourself or to share, enjoy music and games, or just hang out.  Contact Katherine Connor.

Community Events this week:

This Friday, February 6th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents their First Friday Film: "Labor Day."  Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin star in this drama based on Joyce Maynard's book of the same title.  The story follows a lonely woman and her son who take in a stranger who happens to be a prison escapee.   Over a Labor Day weekend, a passionate love affair ensues that has major repercussions for all concerned.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents Oscar-Nominated Short Films!  The Animation nominees are showing through Thursday, then the Live Action nominees starting on Friday.  For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.