This week, Tom Durkin was here from the Missouri Attorney General's Office to talk about Missouri's Sunshine Law and the importance of providing open access to public proceedings to secure citizens' rights and build their trust.  The law applies to public bodies, but represents a standard of good practice for private organizations as well.  Democratic self-management is among our principles as UUs, and we need to make sure we're being as open and transparent as we should be in how we make our own decisions.

(Just a reminder, all are welcome at our Board meetings.  Board minutes are posted in the Yahoo!Group files and are available on request if you have trouble getting into Yahoo.)

Next Sunday, October 5:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
Next week's discussion leader: Jim Grogan

Service and RE - 10:30 am
Message: "Tough-Minded Optimists Are Needed Now," Rev. Mike Adamek
"The greatest discovery of my generation," said William James, "is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."  This modest little statement covers a lot of people who are not starry eyed Polyannas but realistic folks who make the best of whatever situation.   We need more tough-minded optimists.

Plus Children's RE with Barb Koenig and Judi Jecmen - AND - Youth RE with Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The October Newsletter and Calendar are ready!  Paper copies are in the back of the Sanctuary, and electronic copies are available.

We're still working on updating our Members and Friends Directory.  There's a copy by the door at the Fellowship for you to note any changes, or e-mail Laura Gilkey your updates.

This Thursday, October 2nd at 7 pm, the American Association of University Women meets at the Fellowship.  This month's speakers: Missouri State President of AAUW, and Anji Gandhi, independent candidate for Prosecuting Attorney of Cole County.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

This Friday, October 3rd beginning at 5 pm is our First Friday Social, an evening to casually get together with your fellow members and friends.  Bring refreshments of your own or to share, and feel free to use our deck and grill.  Contact Kath Connor.

This Saturday, October 4th is the Jefferson City Multicultural Festival downtown.  UUFJC will have a booth for fundraising and community outreach, and we need volunteers!  There's a sign-up sheet at the Fellowship.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help.

Later next Sunday afternoon at 3 pm at Lincoln University's Soldier's Memorial is the CROP Walk against world hunger.  25% of proceeds stay local to support the Buddy Pack program.  To become a walker or donor, please see the sign-up sheet near our cafe bar under the monitor, or contact Kath Connor.

Coming up Sunday, October 12th directly after service, we are having a planning meeting for a fundraising event tentatively scheduled for November 15th.  Please come if you can help or contact a Board member if you want to help but can't make the meeting.

Community Events this week:

Monday, September 29th, Documentary Days continue at Capital 8 Theatre with "Code Black," a documentary about the Emergency Department of Los Angeles County Hospital which "offers a tense, doctor’s-eye view, right into the heart of the healthcare debate – bringing us face to face with America’s only 24/7 safety net."  Screenings at 5 pm and 7 pm.

Thursday, October 2nd at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library hosts "Peace Corps: Then and Now."  Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will explore how the Peace Corps experiences have evolved throughout the decades as well as how they have affected the lives of volunteers. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from Chad, Costa Rica and Ethiopia are just a few of the countries that will be represented at this panel event. Join these volunteers for an evening of cultural experiences and diverse adventures.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Friday, October 3rd at 7 pm, MRRL remembers legendary actor and comedian Robin Williams with its First Friday Film: "Good Morning Vietnam."  Williams portrays Adrian Cronauer, a wild and crazy radio deejay who came to Saigon in 1965 to host a morning show and shook up the station with humor and irreverence.  Williams received his first Oscar nomination for his role in this hilarious film.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema on High Street presents "The Trip to Italy."  For showtimes and more information, visit http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

The Rotary Spaghetti Supper is coming up Friday, October 10th.  Tickets are $10.  Contact Frank Rycyk for tickets and information.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

Today, Rev. Mike brought us a message about the increasing militarization of police forces throughout the US, both in tactics and in equipment.  The results can be frightening for the health of our communities and for our civil rights, as we have recently learned once again from the events in Ferguson, Missouri.  However, pitting officer safety against the rights of the community is a false choice.  By meeting the community on a human level, face-to-face, police officers can both respect citizens and forestall the danger that comes from confrontation.  In light of the events in Ferguson, local people and organizations are working toward just this kind of dialogue, including Faith Voices for Jefferson City, Missouri Association for Social Welfare, and our own Bob Boldt.

Note: I'm trying out adding a "Next Sunday" section below.  Let me know if it helps, or if the News and Events feel too buried.

Next Sunday, September 28:

Adult Forum: "Humans Need Not Apply," Laura Gilkey
We will view a video and discuss the challenges as increasingly sophisticated computers and robots threaten to displace human jobs in a new age of automation.

Service Message: "Open Meetings Law," Tom Durkin
Tom Durkin lived through the era of Watergate and has worked in the Missouri Legislature, Supreme Court, and Attorney General's office --- as well as on the soap opera General Hospital!  He's sure to bring this boring-sounding but vitally important topic to life!

UUFJC News and Events This Week:

We are updating our Members and Friends Directory.  A copy is on a table by the entrance for you to review and note any corrections, or contact Laura Gilkey if you need your information updated, added, or removed.

If you shop at Hy-Vee, we have $50 Gift Cards you can purchase and spend like any other gift card on groceries, gas and more, but these cards benefit the Fellowship!  See Bob Antweiler to get one (or more!).

This Friday, September 26th at 5 pm is our monthly Salvation Army meal.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help prepare or serve food for those in need.

Later Friday evening at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the monthly Last Friday Documentary Film.  We're marking the 100th birthday of math and science writer Martin Gardner with an episode of David Suzuki's "The Nature of Things: Mystery and Magic of Mathematics - Martin Gardner and Friends," followed by some additional short films.  Contact Laura Gilkey.

We still need volunteers for some upcoming events and fundraisers:

October 4th we will have a booth at the Jefferson City Multicultural Festival.  See the sign-up sheet by the entrance or contact Bob Antweiler if you can help!

October 5th is the CROP Walk against world hunger.  Kath Connor is signing up walkers and donors; contact her or see the sign-up sheet on the Cafe Bar below the monitor.

We have another fundraiser tentatively scheduled for November 15th and we need volunteers to decide what kind of fundraiser we want and put it on.  There will be a planning meeting directly after services October 12th --- if no one steps forward we will have to cancel the plan and consider budget cuts.

Community Events This Week:

Monday, September 22nd, Documentary Days continue at Capital 8 Theatre with "Life Itself" about the life of beloved film critic Roger Ebert.  Screenings at 5 pm and 7 pm.

Tuesday, September 23rd at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library hosts "The Voice Within Us: An Evening of Poetry" in the Story Hour room.  Bring a poem of your own or one of your favorite poet to share.  Contact Madeline Matson.

At the same time, Tuesday evening at 7 in the Art Gallery, MRRL is also hosting "Things to Know Before You Go."  Come prepared with the questions you’ve always had about death but were too afraid to ask! Certified Preplanning Consultant Samatha Boudria Renner of Riverview Cemetery takes a lighter approach to death while discussing historic funeral customs, the many options available today in addition to practical financial considerations.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema on High Street presents "Mood Indigo" and "A Trip to Italy."  For showtimes, visit http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

This Sunday, educator Lorie Steele spoke to our Fellowship about Montessori Education, which Wikipedia describes as "an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori and characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development."  Lorie's description of the mixed-age environment that allows children to learn from each other reminded me of my mother's fond memories of an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Submissions for the October Newsletter and Calendar are due next Sunday, September 21st.  E-mail submissions to Laura Gilkey, or put them in the "Newsletter" mail slot in the Fellowship office.

We are updating our Members and Friends Directory.  A copy is in the back of the sanctuary for you to review, or contact Laura Gilkey if you need your information updated, added, or removed.

This Monday, September 15th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  Contact Kath Connor.

Youth RE meets next Sunday, September 21st, under our new teacher, Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafane.  Contact Alexis for more information.

Also next Sunday, the UUFJC Board meets at the Fellowship at 1 pm.  All are welcome to attend.  (The meeting scheduled for today, September 14th, was postponed to next week.)

Later next Sunday afternoon, Laughter Yoga is starting again at 4 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

We need volunteers for some coming events and fundraisers:

We will have a booth at the Jefferson City Multicultural Festival, coming Saturday, October 4th.  This is an important opportunity for community outreach and fundraising.  If you can help with setting up, staffing, takedown, or can provide baked goods, crafts, or other items to sell, please contact Bob Antweiler.

Sunday, October 5th, is the CROP Walk against world hunger; 25% of proceeds stay local to benefit the Buddy Pack program.  Kath Connor is signing up walkers and donors.  See the sign-up sheet in the sanctuary (under the monitor by the coffee bar), or contact Kath.

We have another fundraiser tentatively scheduled for November 15th, and we need volunteers to organize and staff the event.

In other fundraising news, if you shop at Hy-Vee and would be willing to use fundraising gift cards to purchase your groceries, please contact Bob Antweiler.

Remember we made a big fundraising commitment in this year's budget!  Our members are working to make it happen, but we need your help!

Community Events this week:

Monday, September 15th, Documentary Days return to Capital 8 Theatre with "The Dog."  Screenings at 5 pm and 7 pm.

Thursday, September 18th, join the Lincoln University chapter of MASW at LU's Pawley Theatre at 6:30 pm for a "Stand Up and Be Heard" rally and voter registration event.  Afterward, a brief advocate training session will be available for those who wish to be more involved.  Visiting from Kansas City is guest speaker Rev. Dr. Howard, Jr., a leader in the emerging "Moral Missouri" movement.

Also Thursday evening, Columbia Area NOW meets at the Hy-Vee Restaurant at Broadway and Fairview in Columbia.  Contact Sue Gibson.

Next Sunday, September 21st at 3 pm, friend of the Fellowship Rev. Cliff Cain and other local faith leaders will speak at LU's Scruggs Center Ballroom on the topic: "Some Like It Hot!? Religions Respond to Environmental Issues."  The event is co-sponsored by LU and Capitol Area Interfaith Alliance.

This week, Capitol City Cinema on High Street presents "A Most Wanted Man" and "Mood Indigo."  For showtimes and more information, visit http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.

This Sunday was our annual Water Communion.  With the summer travel season wrapping up, we gathered our members and friends back to our Fellowship home bearing water from many moments and places, and we brought the water together on our altar to mark another year in our Fellowship's journey together.

This week, our Fellowship also mourns the loss of a very dear friend and companion in our journey, Geraldean McMillin.  Gerry was a vital presence in our Adult Forum, and we'll carry with us her insights and her resolute respect for everyone --- she made it a rule never to tell anyone "you're wrong," just "I understand it differently."  Her free hugs will be sorely missed.  Here's some of what Gerry believed, from her book "75 Years in the Wilderness: A Christian Agnostic's Search for Answers":

• God exists in the form of Love.
  
• The world is sacred because Love dwells there.
  
• Love is something I do, not something I feel or think.
  
• No religion has a monopoly on Love, regardless of its name or the language it speaks.
  
• Love resides in everyone.  Thus, everyone deserves to be revered and treated with respect.
  
• Love is synonymous with "grace" and always forgives.
  

If you haven't read Gerry's books, ask around; someone can probably give or loan a copy.  And let's always remember to think of Gerry and offer each other free hugs.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

We are updating our Members and Friends Directory.  A copy is in the back of the sanctuary for you to review, or you can contact Laura Gilkey to confirm your information and get it updated, added, or removed.

Monday, September 8th, the Worship Service Committee meets at the Fellowship at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome to come and share ideas for upcoming Sunday services.  Contact Carol Bontempo.

This Friday, September 12th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the monthly Reader's Eye Film.  This month's selection: "Much Ado About Nothing," based on the play by Shakespeare and directed by Joss Whedon.  Bob Boldt is out of town this month; contact Laura Gilkey.

Next Sunday, September 14th, the UUFJC Board meets at the Fellowship after lunch at 1:30.  All are welcome to attend.

We need volunteers to organize and staff our booth at the Jefferson City Multicultural Festival, coming up October 4th.  This is an important outreach and fundraising opportunity for us, so please volunteer if you can help!

The CROP Walk against hunger is also coming up October 5th, and Kath Connor is signing up walkers and donors.  See the information in the sanctuary, below the TV by the cafe bar, or contact Kath for more information.

We are also looking for volunteers to organize and put on a fundraiser in November, tentatively November 15th.  What do you want to have?  A cook-off?  A silent auction?  A talent night?  We need your creativity and energy to live up to our budget, so please volunteer if you can help!

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, September 9th at 4 pm, Citizens for Peace meets at Missouri River Regional Library in the Story Hour Room.  Contact Betty Cooper.

This Saturday, September 13th, there will be a special Yoga Workshop at the Fellowship from 10 am to noon.  Contact Alberta Mobley.

This week, Capitol City Cinema on High Street is showing "Life After Beth" and "A Most Wanted Man."  For more information, visit http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.

For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.