Yesterday we held our service at Memorial Park pavilion to enjoy the beautiful weather and delicious food, including cookout fare from some of our grillmaster members.  In such leisurely surroundings, Rev. Mike brought us a message about the paradox of action and contemplation; we feel like we have to do one or the other at any given time: work hard, play hard, and try to keep it all in balance.  However, wisdom traditions - including Chinese Taoism as in the book of Chuang-Tzu - point to a paradoxical third way, beyond cogitation and striving, being at one with the flow of life.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The June Newsletter and print calendar are finished!  Paper copies are available at the Fellowship and digital copies are available.

We need Adult Forum Leaders for June and July.  Contact Laura Gilkey.

Carol Bontempo has forms for luminaria for Cole County Relay for Life.  They are $5 per person; checks payable to The American Cancer Society.  Forms are due this Wednesday, May 28th, so contact Carol ASAP.

We're still looking for a new person to maintain the Fellowship's Facebook page.  Contact Nancy Ordway.

You can also still sign the keepsake book for the Ordways at the Fellowship.

This Friday, May 30th at 7 pm at the Fellowship, Last Friday Films will be screening "The Cats of Mirikitani," a provocative film about a homeless New York City artist whose past touches a dark chapter in American history.  Contact Bob Boldt.

This Saturday, May 31st at 9 am is our highway pickup on Route B.  For parking directions or more information, contact Barb Koenig.

Next Sunday, June 1st, Bob Boldt will lead the Adult Forum on the topic of Poetry.  Participants are invited to bring a poem to share - one they have written, or a favorite by another poet.  Reading is optional; you can just come and enjoy the poems if you choose.  This forum should be a lot of fun as poetry informs and inspires us all.

Next Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm will be the monthly Laughter Yoga session.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

CORRECTION: The notice about UUA General Assembly in last week's post was in error.  This year's GA is the 25th-29th of June, not May.

Community Events this week:

Thursday, May 29th at 7 pm in the Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library hosts author Leslie Clay to discuss her new book, "Sisters in Song - Women Hymn Writers."  More than 100 women are featured in the book.  Clay has unearthed the history of many familiar hymns written by women over the years, ranging from music and lyrics by Hildegard von Bingen, who lived in the 11th century, to “Nearer My God, to Thee” by Sarah Flower Adams, which was played as the Titanic sank. Clay will discuss Missouri hymn writers as well as trends and the stories behind the songs. Her book will be available for sale after the program.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

Yesterday our members came together to live out the 5th Unitarian Principle (the one about democratic process etc.) with our Annual Business Meeting.  We adopted resolutions supporting marijuana decriminalization and a constitutional amendment to reclaim elections from corporate money.  We also elected a new slate of officers, so say hello to your 2014-2015 Board of Directors:

President: Katherine Connor
Vice President: Carol Bontempo
Secretary: Laura Gilkey
Treasurer: Bob Antweiler
Director of Religious Education: Barb Koenig

Thank you to the outgoing Board for their year(s) of service, thank you to my fellow members of the incoming board for taking up the mantle, and thank you to the Fellowship for this opportunity to serve and for your ongoing support in the year ahead.

UUFJC News and Announcements this week:

We have begun taking donations for our annual Rummage Sale, which will be held next Saturday, May 24th from 7 am to noon.  This is one of our biggest fundraisers, and an event others in the Jefferson City community look forward to.  During the next week, our members, led by Pat Goetz and Bob Antweiler, will be putting in a lot of work preparing the sale (other events at the Fellowship are canceled to give them space), so come to the Fellowship through the week to help and/or bring the donated items that will make their work a success.  Contact Pat or Bob for more information or if you need help hauling donations, and be sure to spread the word about our sale!

The day after the sale, Sunday, May 25th, we will also be having a special day at Memorial Park in the pavilion.  We'll have Adult Forum as usual at 9:15, Multigenerational Service at 10:30 with a message from Rev. Mike Adamek, then a Cookout and Potluck for lunch.  Come and enjoy the season with nature in full leaf and full bloom!  See map below for directions.

We are looking for a new person to maintain the Fellowship's Facebook page.  Any interested social media enthusiasts, contact Nancy Ordway.

Speaking of, Gennifer Monteer has put together a commemorative book for the Ordways to remember us by in their new home.  It's on the table in the back of the Sanctuary for anyone who wishes to sign.

Monday evening, May 19th at 6:30 is the monthly Faith Voices Assembly at the Catholic Center.

This Friday, May 23rd is our monthly Salvation Army work day at 5 pm.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help provide or serve food for those in need.

Next Sunday, May 25th, the UUA General Assembly begins in Providence, Rhode Island.  I don't know if we have any members attending this year, but if it's too far to go, you can bring it to you with some of the events live-streaming online!  Visit http://www.uua.org/ga/virtual/30754.shtml for information.

No yoga this week.  For more events, see Calendars.

May is upon us, and despite some frost earlier in the week, today we could feel the weather wandering toward Summer.  'Tis the season for lawn and garden dreams, which Rev. Nancy used in her message this morning as a view into into our dreams and plans in general.  We need, she said, to be bold but not arrogant; we need the tension of aspiration, the humility to make achievable plans, and the relaxation to go with the flow as the universe inevitably takes our plans in its own directions.

UUFJC news and events this week:

We are looking for a new person to maintain the Fellowship's Facebook page.  Interested social media enthusiasts, please contact Nancy Ordway.

We are also still seeking board nominees for the coming year; if you are willing to serve the Fellowship as a member of the Board, please contact Lisa Sanning, Jim Davis, or Frank Rycyk.

The Social Action Committee has voted to encourage members to help Table of Grace’s food effort with a quarterly food drive.  Stephanie is planning something that includes helping recipients learn to cook what they receive.

Tuesday, May 6th, there will be a rally for Medicaid Expansion at the State Capitol.  9:30-10:15 am, Gather at First Baptist Church for an overview of the day; 10:15-10:30 am, Gather in the Capitol Rotunda for a press conference/rally.  RSVP to [email protected] or 573-256-9349.

This Friday, May 9th at 7 pm is the monthly Reader's Eye Film at the Fellowship.  This month's selection TBA.  Contact Bob Boldt.

Next Sunday, May 11th at 4 pm is the monthly Laughter Yoga session.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

If you will not be able to attend the May 18 annual business meeting but wish to have your vote counted, please fill out a proxy form and leave it with your proxy or with Laura Gilkey.  The forms are available on the back table and from Laura.  The minutes of last year's meeting are also available on the back table for review, and the meeting agenda and information on proposals are in the May newsletter.

Remember our Rummage Sale is coming up May 24th!  Please start saving items and checking your calendar if you can volunteer that week.  Contact Pat Goetz or Bob Antweiler with any questions.

A correction to the May Newsletter: the Highway Pickup on Route B will be Saturday, May 31st, NOT Friday, May 30th.  Contact Barb Koenig.

Community events this week:

Missouri River Regional Library has a full week of programs!  Tuesday, May 6th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, they will host Dana Ripper, director of the Missouri River Bird Observatory, to explain the work of the observatory and the current state of avian populations in Missouri. She also will describe the organization’s efforts to promote conservation through research, education, and cooperation with individuals and agencies across the state.  For this and other MRRL programs, contact Madeline Matson.

Thursday, May 8th at 7 pm in the MRRL Art Gallery, Jane Davis, owner of Davis Farm Garden Art, presents "Garden Art from Pinterest Pins" and walks you through creating some of her favorite garden art “pins.” She will provide examples and helpful tips on how to achieve the best results, and she usually has a door prize or two. Jane is an advanced Master Gardener and a member of Bittersweet Garden Club in Jefferson City.

Friday, May 9th in the Art Gallery, MRRL hosts an author event and book signing with Joan Barthel, author of "American Saint: The Life of Elizabeth Seton" in which she explores the life of a remarkable and adventurous 18th-century woman who on her own—not as the wife of a prominent man—left a lasting imprint on American history. Seton established the first order of American nuns and became the first American-born saint in the Catholic Church.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.