Our June Newsletter and Calendar are now available to view or download:
Newsletter
Calendar
Paper copies are available at the Fellowship in the wall box near the coat rack.

This past week saw a devastating tornado hit Jefferson City.  Thankfully neither our building nor any of our members and friends were injured, to the best of our knowledge.  Others in our community were not so lucky, and today we took up a special offering to help our neighbors at Quinn Chapel AME Church in their tornado relief and recovery efforts.

We also concluded our month of reflections on Curiosity with thoughts from Rev. Mike Adamek.  Curiosity, Rev. Mike said, brings us into a deeper engagement with life, and often curiosity is sparked by doubt.  He shared the history of George Boole, a self-taught mathematician and philosopher whose doubt of the doctrine of the Trinity (he attended a Unitarian church although he didn't join), led him on an intellectual quest to discover the unity of God and the universe, a quest that produced the "Boolean" logic that would later power the digital age.  When we dig deep into the depths our doubts and curiosity point out to us, the results may take forms no one would have imagined!

Next Sunday, June 2nd:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Police Traffic Stops," Don Love
Love will give an in-depth analysis of racial data as pertaining to police behavior.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Beauty, Elegance and Goodness," Rev. Mike Adamek
Beauty is an aesthetic judgment which I believe is marginalized by those who only accept that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  This usually means that I do not see what you see, so I will not quibble with your aesthetic judgment. What if we dug deeper and included in our aesthetic judgment, the elegant and the good?  Can we get a clearer picture of the beautiful?
If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during the Service, please submit it by noon on Friday through our website: http://uufjc.org/joys--concerns.html

Plus Children's RE --- "Weaving a Tapestry of Faith: Making it Right"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Our annual Rummage Sale is now less than a month away!  We will be accepting donations beginning Sunday, June 16th, and the sale will be held Saturday, June 22nd from 7 am to noon.  We are asking for donations of gently used items (no adult clothing please; children’s clothing is appreciated).  We also need help that week setting up the sale, working the sale, and cleaning up.  Contact Bob Antweiler and Lisa Sanning if you can help.

Our Worship Service Committee is looking for volunteers to join in creating our Sunday services.  There are very small tasks and larger, more involved things for which the committee would love to have a pool of volunteers to draw from.  Please fill out the survey available on the table by the window and return it to the Vice President’s mail slot in the office, or contact Lisa Sanning.

UUFJC welcomes Lauraine Connelly as our new Caring Committe Chair; if a member or friend needs assistance, please contact her.  If Lauraine is unavailable, Gennifer Monteer has volunteered to be a backup contact.  Thank you both for stepping up!

Tomorrow, Monday, May 27th at 6:30 pm, Quinn Chapel AME Church is scheduled to host Faith Voices for Jefferson City's monthly assembly.  As noted above, Quinn Chapel is also at the center of tornado recovery efforts, so please contact Rev. Kimberly Woodruff about the status of the assembly: [email protected]

Our building is tentatively reserved by a community group from 8:30 to 10:30 am this Wednesday, May 29th.  Contact Frank Rycyk for more information.

Next Sunday, June 2nd, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm.  Please allow privacy.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, May 30th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "Unjustly Imprisoned—The Kevin Green Story."  Jefferson City native Kevin Green spent 17 years in a California prison for crime he didn’t commit. He was a Marine corporal who was convicted of murdering his unborn daughter and severely beating his wife. His time in prison is a story of rage, transformation, and important contributions. Released after DNA testing proved his innocence, his case gained national prominence. He continues to share his story across the country and will address a library audience about his remarkable life experiences.  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "High Life" (Thursday through Sunday).  For showtimes, more events, and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

UUFJC Events
Affiliated Events 
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Community Events  

Have a great week!

Our June Newsletter and Calendar are now available to view or download:
Newsletter
Calendar

This morning, Rev. Nancy continued our month of reflections on Curiosity with the ancient story of Pandora.  After being given a box by the gods and commanded not to open it, Pandora was at last overcome by curiosity, opened the box, and unleashed a swarm of troubles on the world --- but beneath all those troubles, the box also contained hope.  Often, we want our boxes to only contain hope, to disown the difficult but vital mix of what life brings.  Often we place ourselves in boxes, filled with all the comforts we can find, and our fear of trouble defeats our curiosity of what's beyond the walls.  Opening the box always brings consequences, but not opening the box has consequences of its own.  Rev. Nancy encouraged us to take the risk of possibility, knowing that whatever else may come, hope will be there for us.

Next Sunday, May 26th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Are we living in a simulation?" Bob Boldt

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Dig Deeper - Curiosity and Doubt," Rev. Mike Adamek
We will look at George Boole’s curious combination of curiosity and doubt which has made him an icon in the information technology industry. He attended the Unitarian Church in Cork, Ireland and never joined any church.
If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during the Service, please submit it by noon on Friday through our website: http://uufjc.org/joys--concerns.html

Plus Children's RE --- "Curiosity and Humility"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Submissions for our June Newsletter and print calendar are due TODAY.  Please submit your items to Laura Gilkey by e-mail or in writing.

Last week at our Annual Business Meeting, the Fellowship voted to adopt the following covenant:
The members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Jefferson City covenant to:

• Affirm and promote the seven Unitarian Universalist principles;
• Treat each other with respect, kindness and compassion;
• Support and inspire each other in our search for truth and meaning;
• Nurture our diversity and continually renew our commitment to be a welcoming congregation;
• Using the democratic process, support & enhance members’ work for peace and justice;
• Support the work of our Fellowship by volunteering for tasks and sharing our talents and treasure;
• Respect our own and others’ personal, social and physical boundaries, including the right to decline an invitation or request;
• Preserve privacy regarding personal or sensitive information, except in cases where a response is necessary to protect someone from harm;
• Address our mistakes with kindness and good humor; and
• Deal with conflict in good faith and with love, through direct communication, and mediation if needed.

The covenant is a commitment, but it is a living commitment, not rules set in stone.  We declare it as a signpost toward our shared vision, but the work of finding our way together goes on day by day.

In other news from the Business Meeting, we welcome Lauraine Connelly as our new Caring Committe Chair, and Kim Connor takes office as Director of Religious Education.  Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to serve!

The Hola Amigos Spanish Speakers hold their Fiesta Grande in our building this afternoon from 3-6 pm.  It's not too late to stop by!

Tomorrow, Monday, May 20th, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm.  Please allow privacy.

Our monthly Salvation Army meal has been canceled for this month as several of our volunteers are unavailable.  We hope to be back in June, but we need more helping hands to continue this longtime community service --- including someone to fill in on meal planning for July.  If you can help, please contact Roberta Dunkel.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, May 23rd at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "Vinyl Records--Back in the Groove."  Vinyl records are enjoying a major renaissance, due to the warmth of their sound, their retro vibe, and the simple joy of collecting. Taylor Bacon, co-owner of Hitt Records, a classic vinyl shop in Columbia, will offer his expert advice on how and what to collect, how to build and care for a collection, and address other questions new and seasoned collectors might have.  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Wrestle" (Wednesday only) and "Carmine Street Guitars" (Thursday through Sunday).  For showtimes, more events, and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

UUFJC Events
Affiliated Events 
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Community Events  

Have a great week!

This morning, we held our Annual Business Meeting.  We approved a budget for the coming year and talked about directions we might take our music.  The biggest news is that we voted to adopt a covenant for our Fellowship (unofficial draft):

The members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Jefferson City covenant to:

• Affirm and promote the seven Unitarian Universalist principles;
• Treat each other with respect, kindness, and compassion
• Support and inspire each other in our search for truth and meaning;
• Nurture our diversity and continually renew our commitment to be a welcoming congregation;
• Using the democratic process, support and enhance members' work for peace and justice;
• Support the work of our Fellowship by volunteering for tasks and sharing our talents and treasure;
• Respect our own and others' personal, social, and physical boundaries, including the right to decline an invitation or request;
• Preserve privacy regarding personal or sensitive information, except in cases where a response is necessary to protect someone from harm;
• Address our mistakes with kindness and good humor; and
• Deal with conflict in good faith and with love, through direct communication, and mediation if needed.

In other important news, UUFJC welcomes Lauraine Connelly as our new Caring Committee Chair and welcomes this year's Nominating Committee: Carol Bontempo, Rich Burdge, and Gennifer Monteer.  Thank you all for stepping up to serve!

Next Sunday, May 19th:

June News Submissions Due.
Please submit your items for our June newsletter and print calendar to Laura Gilkey be e-mail ([email protected]) or in writing.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Beyond Unemployment: The Testery Story," Chris Harbert
Chris lost his job and went on to form his own company.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: “Would You Open the Box?” Rev. Nancy TannerThies
Rev. Nancy will explore how we limit our curiosity.
If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during the Service, please submit it by noon on Friday through our website: http://uufjc.org/joys--concerns.html

Plus Children's RE --- "Curiosity and Imagination"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The Worship Service Committee meets this evening at 6 pm.  To get involved in creating our Sunday services, see our Vice President, Lisa Sanning.

Next Sunday, May 19th, the Hola Amigos Spanish Speakers group holds their Fiesta Grande at our building from 3-6 pm.  For more information, contact Patt Behler.

Community Events this week:

Tomorrow, Monday, May 13th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "The History of U.S. Voting Rights."  Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters in Boone County, will discuss the fight for voting rights throughout history, how the vote gets suppressed, how it’s still happening today, and how this issue can be addressed.  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Carmine Street Guitars" (Thursday through Sunday).  For showtimes, more events, and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

UUFJC Events
Affiliated Events 
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Community Events  

Have a great week!

This morning, UUFJC welcomed Kim Mason, intern minister in Golden, Colorado, and graduating student at Meadville Lombard Theological School.  Kim took inspiration from the makeover show "Queer Eye," recently revived by Netflix.  While the original version was groundbreaking in portraying diverse and skilled gay men, the revival takes the mission further.  New Fab 5 member Karamo in particular goes beyond external change to engage with makeover recipients in compassionate curiosity, leading them to live into themselves as a basis for a truly transformed life.  Kim reminded us that this is like the mission that sets us apart as UUs.  200 years ago, William Ellery Channing gave the groundbreaking sermon "Unitarian Christianity," which envisioned a God who was accepting and kind, and a humanity that was capable and deserving of salvation.  Our Universalist forerunners saw all people as loved and saved.  Like the new Fab 5, our fight now is not just for tolerance but for acceptance, for the ways to come together in the compassion and love that truly build the foundation for spiritual growth.

(Rev. Mike Adamek will return May 26th.)

Next Sunday, May 12th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Julian Assange: Hero or Villain?," Bob Boldt

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: UUFJC Annual Business Meeting
Our annual exercise in democratic process.  The agenda for the meeting is now ready; it is included in the May newsletter (see link above), or see our President, Katherine Connor, for a copy.  If you wish to review the minutes of last year’s meeting, you can view or download them here, or see Katherine.  If you wish to look at the proposed budget in advance, please see our Treasurer, Bob Antweiler.  If you cannot attend and wish to designate a proxy person to cast your votes, please fill out the proxy voting form and give it to your proxy, or give a copy to Katherine Connor.
If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during the Service, please submit it by noon on Friday through our website: http://uufjc.org/joys--concerns.html

Plus Children's RE --- "Curiosity and Empathy"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

This evening, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm.  Please allow privacy.

Tomorrow, Monday, May 6th at 6:30 pm, we will be hosting our own Alexis for a special presentation: “Stories from the Border, Sanctuary, and Ways to Help.”  Alexis will share what she learned from her time on the border in Tuscan, Arizona, plus an immediate opportunity to be of assistance to a family in Columbia.  Please invite anyone you think would also like to learn more about this important issue and how to help.

This Tuesday, May 7th at 6:45 pm, MidAmerica Region UUA presents a free Webinar: Tending to Grief and Honoring Death.  After a death, grief can be unbearable -- but it's not a problem to be solved or hustled through. Rather, grief is an unpredictable process to be tended through companionship and witness. In this webinar, Rev. Erika Hewitt, author of "The Shared Pulpit," will guide participants through a basic understanding of pastoral skills needed to respond to a death and loss; and the liturgical work of creating and leading memorial services.  For registration and details, visit:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-tending-to-grief-and-honoring-death-registration-56648854248 and for more webinars, recordings of past webinars, and other events, visit https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events

This Thursday, May 9th, the local chapter of the American Association of University Women holds a meeting and potluck in our building at 7 pm; plans to meet at Charlotte Parsons' house were canceled due to flooding.  Contact Charlotte for more information.

This Saturday, May 11th, the day before our Annual Business Meeting, we will have a Blue Sky Brainstorming Session for our members and friends here at the Fellowship from 1-3 pm.  Many people are leaving the religion they were born into and and many who have no affiliation are seeking a place for spiritual guidance.  During this session we will seek to identify what these people are looking for and how they can be exposed to what the UU is all about.   Please come with your ideas.  RSVP to Katherine Connor and let her know if you need transportation or child care.   For more information, see Stephen Carew.

Next Sunday, May 12th, the Worship Service Committee meets at 6 pm.  To get involved in creating our Sunday services, see our Vice President, Lisa Sanning.

Community Events this week:

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Beach Bum" (Thursday through Sunday) and "Steel Magnolias" (Sunday only).  For showtimes, more events, and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

UUFJC Events
Affiliated Events 
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Community Events  

Have a great week!