Our message at yesterday's service was on food, from our own Ethical Eating group.  I missed it while helping with RE (aides needed October 6th and 27th, contact Amy Regnier), but ethical eating is a topic that touches us all.  As I've grown away from my Christian roots, I can feel some tension around saying "grace," but when we sit down to eat we can all take a moment to reflect on the plant and (for many of us) animal life, as well as the human labor that goes into nourishing us, and reflect on the decisions we're making for our own health.

News for this week:

Monday, Sept. 30th at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library will offer a presentation on Home Security Tips with Jefferson City Police Officer Kevin Kempker.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Tuesday, October 1st at 5 pm, Planned Parenthood of Columbia is offering patient escort training.  Contact Lisa Sanning.

Thursday, October 3rd at 7 pm, the American Association of University Women meets at UUFJC.  Speaker Margaret Tollerton, State Outreach Director of Missouri Cures Education Foundation, will tell us about medical research projects in the state.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

Also on Thursday, October 3rd, also at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library offers "Medicare 101," a program aimed at helping seniors navigate their Medicare options.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Friday, October 4th is a busy day:

- At noon, PROMO and ACLU host a Post-DOMA LGBT Rights webinar.  Register online here, join in a Q&A afterward on Twitter using hashtag #DOMAMO13, or contact Don Love for more information.

- At 5:30 pm, UUFJC will host our First Friday Social.  Bring your own food and beverages for an evening of off-budget fun and relaxation with members and friends of all ages!  Contact Scott Regnier.

- And at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library offers their First Friday Film, "Hitler's Children."  Contact Madeline Matson.

Saturday, October 5th at 9 am, the Ethical Eating Group meets at UUFJC to view the documentary "Eating."  Contact Stephanie Childress or Shanon Hawk.

Also on Saturday, October 5th, from 10 am to 2 pm, a community symposium on Human Trafficking will be held at the Catholic Center.  Contact Don Love for more information.

For Yoga, Zumba, and even more events, see our Calendars.

At service yesterday our own Amy Hoffman brought us a reminder of how far the "interconnected web of all existence" stretches with stories and images from her visit to the northeast, where The Puffin Project is working to repopulate Atlantic Puffins and other shorebirds.  The pictures of the unique wildlife reminded me of the breadth and diversity of our world that, as little as I've travelled, I can sometimes forget.  I did just get back from a brief trip south to Arkansas, and the moment I realized I was travelling was when I looked out the window and realized I was seeing more maple than oak and more pine than cedar.

News for this week:

The Art Committee is replacing the member-made collages with a new, fall-themed display.  If you made a collage and want to keep it, contact Patt Behler ASAP.  If you want one of the collages you didn't make, Patt can put you in touch with the artist.

From the Social Action Committee: Thursday, September 26th at 1 pm, the Missouri House Interim Committee on Medicaid Transformation will hold a hearing in House Hearing Room 3 at the Capitol.  SAC has been pushing our state legislators on Medicaid expansion, and they appreciate anyone who can turn out for the hearing.

Thursday, September 26th at 5 pm, the NEEED Project is holding a general meeting, located at UUFJC.  Members interested in community gardening, economic development, and renewable energy can contact Jan Harcourt for more information on this organization.

Friday, September 27th at 5 pm is the monthly UUFJC-provided meal at the Salvation Army.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you want to help with providing or serving the food.

Later Friday evening, September 27th at 7 pm is the Last Friday Documentary film series.  This month's selection is "Bidder 70" about environmental activist and UU Tim DeChristopher.  Contact Bob Boldt.

Next Sunday September 29th, the 65ers+ will meet and eat after service in the Forum Room.  The main dish will be provided (those who were at service today, they found a backup chef), additional side-dishes are welcome.  Contact Patt Behler or Pat Goetz.

Also next Sunday, September 29th, the annual CROP Walk will begin at Soldier's Memorial on the Lincoln University campus.  Festivities begin at 3 pm, walkers set out at 4 pm.  Proceeds fight hunger, and 25% stays local with the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City.  Katherine Connor is accepting donations now and more walkers are welcome, so contact Kath for more information.

For Yoga, Zumba, and even more events, see our Calendars.

Autumn is hitting its stride.  The weather is starting to cool down and the Halloween costume shops are cropping up, although September is only halfway through.  Still gently, the arc of the year is bending toward the dark and cold that is another part of the whole.  Today Rev. Nancy brought us a great message about seeing and accepting both the light and the dark within ourselves as part of our own whole, as well.

This week's news and events:

Submissions for the October Newsletter and Calendar are due in one week, on Sunday, September 22nd.

Monday, September 16th, Jefferson City Congregations Uniting will hold a Community Assembly at the Catholic Center from 6:30 to 8:30.  Kath Connor plans to attend, and you can contact her for more information.

Tuesday, Sept. 17th, Missouri River Regional Library hosts a photography presentation by Bob Colvin and Walt Mose, offering different lenses on their recent photography trip to Colorado.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Wednesday, Sept. 18th at 6 pm is the monthly UUFJC Board Meeting.

Also on Wednesday from 6-8 pm is a post-DOMA LGBT Rights Town Hall at the Activity & Rec Center in Columbia.  Contact Don Love for more information.

Thursday, Sept. 19th at 7 pm, Columbia Area NOW meets at the HyVee restaurant at Broadway and Fairview in Columbia.  Contact Sue Gibson for more information.

Saturday, Sept. 21st from 9 am - 3 pm is the Holistic Health & Living Expo at the Community Room in Capitol Mall.  The Ethical Eating Group will be there, as well as solar energy and more.

Next Sunday, Sept. 22nd, is the Mid-MO Pagan Pride Festival in Columbia, and also the Walk to End Alzheimer's at the State Capitol.  For more information on the Alzheimer's walk, visit alz.org/walk or contact Madeline Matson.

The Art Workshop that had been planned for next Sunday has been cancelled.

For Yoga, Zumba, and even more events, see our Calendars.

Today we held our annual Water Communion.  We filled our bowl with water and with stories of the past year from regulars, old friends we hadn't seen in awhile, and even new faces.  Here's looking forward to where the coming year will take us!

Other News:

UUA MidAmerica region is accepting workshop proposals for next April's Regional Assembly.  The theme is "Hunger for Justice."  For more information, visit the MidAmerica UUA website and look under "Events."

We need Adult Forum leaders for October.  See Laura Gilkey.

The Worship Service Committee meets tomorrow, Monday, September 9th at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome to attend; if you have ideas but can't make it to the meeting, contact Kath Connor.

CRMC Healthplex presents "Are You at Risk for a Fall?" Tuesday, September 10th, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.  Contact Patt Behler.

The Department of Peacebuilding meets Tuesday, September 10th at 4 pm at Missouri River Regional Library.  Contact Betty Cooper.

MRRL is also hosting various author talks and other programs at 7 pm this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (September 10th, 11th, and 12th).  For more details, see our Google "Community Events" calendar (link below) or contact Madeline Matson.

This Friday, September 13th at 7 pm, the monthly Reader's Eye film will be shown at UUFJC.  This month's selection is "District 9."

Saturday, September 14th is the deadline to register for the Missouri State NOW Conference.  The conference will be held September 21st in Columbia.  For more information contact Sue Gibson.

Also on Saturday the 14th, the Martin Family will be holding their 4th annual block party at 6:30 pm at their home.  Bring a side dish, your own beverages, and a lawn chair; the Bluegrass Martins will provide the main dish and entertainment.

Next Sunday, September 15th, Older RE begins for youth in grades 6 and up.  They will be discussing the situation in Syria.  Contact Amy Hoffman.

The monthly Laughter Yoga class was also rescheduled from the first Sunday of this month and will be held next Sunday, September 15th, at 4 pm at the Fellowship.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

For Yoga, Zumba, and even more events, see our Calendars.

September is upon us already.  Summer is on the way out, Autumn is on the way in, and our schedule shows it.  Some events that were on hold for the Summer are returning, and next week we'll be commemorating the change of season with our annual Water Communion and a potluck, so please bring some water with a story, and bring your favorite dish!

This week's news and events:

Monday, September 2nd at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library hosts Shakespeare on Demand, performed by The Knighthorse Theatre Company.  Contact Madeline Matson.

The American Association of University Women meets this Thursday, September 5th, at a different time and location than usual: 6 pm at Meadowbrook Country Club in New Bloomfield.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

This Friday, September 6th at 5:30 pm is our monthly First Friday Dinner.  This time it's Bring Your Own whatever for an evening of off-the-budget friendship and fun.  If you want to get a slab of delicious grilled ribs from Sam that evening to share or take home, contact Shanon Hawk and see if there are any left!  They're $20 per slab to benefit our Relay for Life team; other delivery options are available but quantities are limited, first come first served.

Also on Friday evening at 7 pm is Missouri River Regional Library's First Friday Film, "Catch Me If You Can."  Contact Madeline Matson.

The Ethical Eating Group meets this Saturday, September 7th at 9:00 am at The Sage Garden, 209 John Street, Jefferson City.  Contact Stephanie Childress or Shanon Hawk.

Also on Saturday, starting at 10 am, Sapattu hosts the next in the series "Quiet Moments with Poets and Mystics," this time focusing on the works of Rumi.  Contact Nancy or Roger Tanner-Thies.

Meanwhile, at 11 am on Saturday, Columbia Area NOW will be protesting Hobby Lobby's anti-birth-control policy at the corner of Bernadette and Worley in Columbia.  Contact Sue Gibson.

As stated above, next Sunday, September 8th, is our annual Water Communion.  The service will be open mic.  Members and friends are invited to bring samples of water from places they've traveled and moments they've experienced in the past year and to share these stories with the Fellowship.  The service will be followed by a potluck lunch.

Also next Sunday from noon to 5 pm is the Master Gardener Garden Tour.  Visit and learn how-to's in each of 5 gardens.  Tickets are $10 (children 12 and under free), proceeds benefit scholarships.  Contact Pat Goetz.

Bob Boldt has raised concerns about the Jefferson City Cantorum and Capital City Players' support for a local Pregnancy Help Center that opposes abortion.  Contact Bob if you would like to sign a petition or join him in opposition.

Kickin' Cancer bracelets are still available for $5 each to benefit cancer research.  Contact Shanon Hawk.

For Yoga, Zumba, and even more events, see our Calendars.