Yesterday, we honored Women's History Month.  With so many amazing historical women, our speakers were challenged to pick and choose, but Jan Harcourt brought us the stories of three women in the sciences — Beatrix Potter's unsung career as a naturalist, Ada Lovelace becoming arguably the world's first computer programmer, and Shirley Ann Jackson's achievements as the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT.  Laura Gilkey spoke about women in literature and the need to look beyond what's in the textbooks to find the full voices even of the women included, as well as their literary foremothers and sisters.  Ruth Robertson also gave us music all from women composers — including the Happy Birthday song we sang for Gale Fuller!

Karen Beahan had hoped to present as well, but she has suffered a severe leg fracture and is in the hospital at St. Louis.  We have a get-well card for her for our members and friends to sign, and she sent along a favorite quote from another trailblazing woman artist, Georgia O'Keefe:

"I decided that the only thing I could do that was nobody else's business was to paint.  I could do as I chose because no one would care."

UUFJC News and Events this week:

We need you to turn in your annual Estimate of Giving forms to Don Love as soon as possible, hopefully within the next week, so that we can begin planning for next year's budget.  A copy of the form is on the back page of the April Newsletter, and you can hand them in or e-mail the information to Don Love.

The Social Action Committee, with the approval of the Board and in keeping with our status as an LGBT Welcoming Congregation, has signed our Fellowship on to the Missouri Workplace Equality Initiative.  More information is available at http://www.moworkplaceequality.com/, or contact Sue Gibson or Don Love.

This Thursday, April 3rd, American Association of University Women meets at the Fellowship.  Lobbyist Mary Mosley will be delivering a legislative update.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

Saturday, April 5th, the Ethical Eating group will meet at 9 am at The Brew House Cafe.  The Speaker, Randy Boyce, has been snowed out twice; here's hoping for a beautiful day this time.  Contact Shanon Hawk.

Next Sunday, April 6th, Youth RE will meet during the service; see Nancy Ordway.  We'll also have Stephanie Scott-Huffman from Table of Grace for the forum to talk about The Pantry, their plan for a new food assistance program, and Jan Harcourt will be holding her Laughter Yoga session at 4 in the afternoon.

Coming up this summer are the Adult Midwest UU Singles Enrichment (AMUUSE) vacations in Michigan; we have a flier about that on the back bulletin board or visit http://www.AMUUSE.org.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, April 3rd at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library will host Melinda Hemmelgarn of Food Sleuth Radio, a nationally syndicated program produced at KOPN studios in Columbia.  She promotes food system literacy, connecting the dots between food, health and agriculture. She and her husband have been traveling across the U.S. for the past six years, interviewing and photographing farmers and then comparing and contrasting their stories about food and farming with media messages. Her presentation will focus on this project, titled “F.A.R.M.: Food, Art, Revolution, Media.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Then Friday, April 4th at 7 pm, MRRL presents their First Friday Film: "Nicky's Family."

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

At our service today, our Social Action Committee Chair Sue Gibson and Mickey Belosi shared their concerns about the legal issues of corporate personhood and money as free speech; when corporations are given the same rights as people but have vastly more resources and strictly profit-driven aims, they warp our political playing field.  Sue and Mickey — as well as Kath Connor, Patt Behler, and other members — are working to reverse this trend with MoveToAmend.org and other organizations, and they're looking for more people to get involved, so contact Sue if you're interested.

The UUA General Assembly in 2013 adopted an Action of Immediate Witness affirming that corporations are not people and money is not speech.  At the annual meeting in May, our Social Action Committee also intends to present a resolution on this issue to the Fellowship for a vote, so please be thinking about it.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Estimate of Giving forms are now available in the back of the Sanctuary.  Please fill one out and turn it in to Don Love, our Treasurer, to help us start planning for the coming fiscal year.  There's also a budget report on the bulletin board; please review it and be thinking about what you want to see as our budget priorities going forward.

Longtime member Rebecca Mitchell and her husband Alex are having a baby shower May 10th at 2 pm.  Contact us for location and RSVP information if you'd like to attend.  They're registered at Target, for those who wish to send gifts.

Today is the deadline to register for the Eliot UU Women's Weekend in Columbia, Illinois (not Missouri); the weekend retreat itself will be held April 26th-27th.  Visit http://eliotwomensweekend.com for more information.

This Thursday, March 27th at 7 pm, we'll be hosting a panel discussion on Marijuana Law Reform here at the Fellowship.  Our Social Action Committee is sponsoring the event along with MASW, Missouri NOW and other local organizations.  Contact Don Love.

Next Friday, March 28th at 5 pm is our monthly Salvation Army service day.  If you want help provide or serve the food, contact Bob Antweiler.

Later Friday evening at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the monthly Last Friday Documentary.  This month's selection is the animal rights film "A Peaceable Kingdom."  Dr. Daria Kerridge, animal activist and MU Professor of Art and Peace Studies will introduce the film and lead the post-screening discussion.  Contact Bob Boldt.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is still collecting signatures to put Early Voting on the ballot.  Their next training is next Saturday, March 29th from 9 am to 1 pm at First Baptist Church downtown, or contact Kath Connor to sign the petition or get involved.

The 65ers-Plus group will meet next Sunday after the service at about 11:45 in the Forum Room to eat and discuss. The main dish will be provided  (small donations appreciated) and sides (of fruit and vegetables?) are welcome. We're going to talk about MONEY; "Who has it, are we ourselves worried about it, etc."  all who "qualify" are invited; bring a guest if you like. The gathering usually lasts about an hour or so. Contact Patt Behler for more information.

The deadline to pre-register for the MidAmerica UUA "Hunger for Justice" Regional Assembly is coming up March 31st.  Visit http://midamericauua.org for more information.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, March 27th at 7 pm (for those less interested in Marijuana Law Reform), Missouri River Regional Library is hosting a talk by author Margot McMillen on the life of Dr. Carolyn V. Atkins, who had an exemplary career in social services in Missouri. Atkins served as superintendent of the Tipton Correctional Center for Women in the mid-1970s and later was the first woman and first African-American member of the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. She was a professor at Lincoln University, where she taught criminal justice courses, and was active in many local, statewide, and national organizations.  Contact Madeline Matson

Friday evening, March 28th at 6:30 pm is the Jefferson City Multicultural Forum Trivia Night at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company meeting room.  It promises to be a fun time to benefit a good organization — UUFJC usually has a booth at their annual Multicultural Fair.  (Nancy Ordway was trying to get a table or two of UUs together; contact her if you're interested.)

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

Well, we were supposed to have a potluck and our annual financial planning meeting after service today, but the Winter that Wouldn't Die had other plans.  Many of us stayed home, and the brave souls who ventured out seemed to forget about business, although we did have a good potluck (so at least we have our priorities straight).  Rev. Mike was also kept home by the weather, but Kath Connor was able to read a message from him in his absence, and several members shared thoughts about what the Fellowship means to us and the value it has in our lives.  We'll just have to work on adding dollar amounts later.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Next Sunday, March 23rd is the submission deadline for the April Newsletter and print calendar.  E-mail submissions to Laura Gilkey or put them in the Administrator mailbox in the Fellowship office.

Tomorrow, March 17th at 6:30 pm, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds their monthly Assembly at the Catholic Center.  Contact Kath Connor.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is still collecting signatures to put Early Voting on the ballot.  Their next training is next Saturday, March 22nd from 9 am to 1 pm at First Baptist Church downtown, or talk to Kath Connor to sign the petition or get involved.

Also Saturday morning there will be a special Yoga workshop here at the Fellowship from 10 am to noon.  Contact Alberta Mobley.

Next Sunday, March 23rd is the deadline to register for the Eliot UU Women's Weekend in Columbia, Illinois (that's Illinois, not Missouri); the weekend retreat itself will be held April 26th-27th.  Visit http://eliotwomensweekend.com for more information.

Next week, we'll be hosting a panel discussion on Marijuana Law Reform here at the Fellowship.  Our Social Action Committee is sponsoring the event along with MASW, NOW Missouri Chapter, and other local organizations.  The panel will be Thursday, March 27th at 7 pm.

Community Events this week:

Tuesday, March 18th at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library will host Heart of America Sweet Adelines upstairs in the Art Gallery.  This musical performance, under the direction of Marj Friedmeyer, will feature music honoring strong women in commemoration of Women’s History Month.  Sweet Adelines is an organization of nearly 25,000 women worldwide who sing four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Wednesday, March 19th from 11:30 am to 1 pm, the Dementia Caregivers Resource Group will meet in the cafe at First Baptist Church.  Bring a brown bag lunch to this session.  Alexis Lewis, Social Worker, will discuss information about skilled care facilities in Missouri, how to recognize the best facilities, and how to be aware of elder abuse.  Ms. Lewis has worked for the State of Missouri in the health care division.  Discussion will also include the Nursing Home Checklist.  There will be time for questions and answers.  Everyone is welcome; meetings are free.

Thursday, March 20th, Columbia Area NOW meets in the Hy-Vee Restaurant at Broadway and Fairview in Columbia.  Non-members and new members welcome.

For exercise, yoga, and even more events, see our Calendars.

It was good to be back today after losing yet another Sunday to the Winter that just won't end, and it was especially good to come back for another message from Dr. Cliff Cain.  His topic was "Is Religion Good or Bad?"  Any of us of course can think of historical examples on either side of the question --- Dr. Cain presented his own list, but what matters most is coming together in dialogue, what Dr. Cain called the "united critical scrutiny of people of good will," from any faith or none.

By the way, Dr. Cain also mentioned the recent C. S. Lewis Legacy Lecture at Westminster College; here's the link to the online video of the talk, by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The UUFJC Board meets this Thursday, March 13th at 6 pm here at the Fellowship.  All are welcome to attend; just enter quietly since Yoga will be there too.

This Friday, March 14th begins the annual online auction to benefit the UU Service Committee.  Visit http://uusc.org/auction.

Also this Friday is the monthly Reader's Eye Film at 7 pm at the Fellowship.  This month's selection is "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," the last film by director Sidney Lumet, which also stars the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Contact Bob Boldt.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is still collecting signatures to put Early Voting on the ballot.  Their next training is next Saturday, March 15th from 9 am to 1 pm at First Baptist Church downtown, or talk to Kath Connor to sign the petition or get involved.

Next Sunday we'll be having a potluck and financial planning meeting after service.  If you haven't gotten your annual giving statement or have questions about it, contact our Treasurer, Don Love.  Also consider your estimate of giving for the next year, and what you think the Fellowship's financial priorities should be.

We are also looking forward to hosting a panel on Marijuana Reform later this month, March 27th at 7 pm at the Fellowship.  See our online calendar below (Social Action Committee events) or contact Don Love for more information.

Nancy Ordway is trying to get UUs together for a table or two at the Jefferson City Multicultural Forum Trivia Night, coming March 28th.  It'll be a fun night to support a good cause --- we usually have a booth at their Multicultural Festival.  Contact Nancy for more information.

You are all invited to attend the MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2014, held the second weekend in April.  The theme is "Hunger for Justice," and this is the first Regional Assembly to be held in four locations! Please visit midamericauua.org and check out the different programs in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bloomington, Indiana; Topeka, Kansas, and Wausau, Wisconsin!  Each location will have opportunities to worship and sing together; meet UUs from across the region; learn from each other; and be inspired.  Register BEFORE March 15th to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount.

Community Events this week:

Starting Monday, March 10th and continuing through Saturday, March 15th, University of Missouri Columbia hosts a Life Sciences and Society Symposium on the topic of "Decoding Science" --- how scientists can improve their dialogue with the public.  Guest speakers include Bill Nye, Chris Mooney, Rebecca Skloot, and more!  Visit http://lssp.missouri.edu/decodingscience for more information.

Tuesday, March 11th, Citizens for Peace meet at Missouri River Regional Library at 4 pm, upstairs in the Story Hour room.  Contact Betty Cooper.

Beginning Wednesday, March 12th and continuing through Saturday, March 15th is the annual Missouri River Regional Library/ABLE Book Sale at the St. Martin's Knights of Columbus hall.  They always have a huge number and variety of books, making it a real event for any book lover, in support of two great organizations.  More information is available on MRRL's website: http://www.mrrl.org/BookSale

Next Sunday, Jan Harcourt will lead the monthly Laughter Yoga session at 4 pm at the Fellowship.  These sessions are free and open to all; contact Jan for more information.

For exercise, yoga, and even more events, see our Calendars.

Our Services this morning are canceled due to inclement weather.  Stay safe and warm, and take extra care if you have to be on the roads.

Be alert for cancellations of other coming events this week:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

We've opened our Fellowship building to Keeping it Real, a Narcotics Anonymous home group, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6 pm - 9 pm.  We ask our members and friends to respect the group's privacy and avoid being in the building at those times.

This afternoon at 2:30 pm, Missouri ACLU Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman and Legal Director Tony Rothert will speak at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Columbia.  Our Social Action Committee is among the sponsors of this event; talk to Don Love for more information.

Thursday, March 6th at 7 pm, the American Association of University Women will meet at the Fellowship.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is collecting signatures to put Early Voting on the ballot.  They're holding trainings and group canvassing on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm at First Baptist Church downtown; the next session is this coming Saturday, March 8th.  If you'd like to learn more, sign the petition, or get involved, see Kath Connor, Laura Gilkey, or Sharon Morgan.

Next Sunday, March 9th, we'll be having Youth RE during services.

High School sessions of the Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sex ed curriculum are starting soon at the UU Church in Columbia.  For more information, contact Christy Hutton at the Columbia UU Church.  Slots fill quickly and there is a required parent orientation next Sunday, March 9th at 7 pm, so contact her soon if you want to participate.

Community Events this week:

Documentary Days at Capitol 8 Theater wrap up Monday evening with "Muscle Shoals."  Shows at 5 and 7 pm.

Thursday, March 6th at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library hosts licensed financial advisors Madalyn E. Gramke and Donna McDonald for a presentation on financial planning for women.  Contact Madeline Matson.

At the same time, Thursday at 7 pm, Lincoln University presents The Vagina Monologues at Mitchell Auditorium in a one-hour performance featuring 13 women from Lincoln U and the Jefferson City Area.

Friday, February 7th at 2 pm, Missouri NOW is sponsoring a one-hour showcase of women composers on KBIA.  Tune in at 91.3 FM or listen to the online stream at KBIA.org.

Later Friday evening at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library presents their First Friday Film, "Hemingway and Gellhorn."

Saturday, March 8th, Alberta Mobley is holding a special Yoga Workshop at the Fellowship from 10 am to noon; contact her for more information.

Later Saturday afternoon, at 3 pm, local Pagans will be meeting to chat at Panera.  Any and all Pagan or pagan friendly visitors are welcome. This is an ongoing group that meets the second Saturday of each month and chats for an hour or two.  Contact Richard Parsons for more information.

For exercise, yoga, and even more events, see our Calendars.

Stay warm and safe!