(Sorry this week's post is a day late!)

At Yesterday's Multigenerational service, the RE class brought us a wonderful story in shadow puppets.  Turnout was rather light --- and I'd be the last one to say that with any kind of blame; I'm not used to being around children myself and I admit I find it challenging.  However, at the same time, looking back at the different churches I've been to, I realize I have looked to their children for a kind of guidance, or perhaps a litmus test.  I recall one church in particular where the pastor brought out messages of love in the Hebrew scripture I had never heard before and I admire her still, but when the Sunday School teachers presented their weekly "Children's Church" in front of the congregation about how God wants you to "color inside the lines," holding up one of their own children's coloring pages and pointing to Jesus' beautifully, childishly messy blue skin as an example of what not to do, I knew that it wasn't the church for me.  Maybe that kind of thing is why I did shy away from our Multigenerational services for awhile when I came, but I finally attended one and watched the children and adults unfold a wonderful story like the one they told today, in which everyone was valued and no one was shamed, and then I knew that much more that this was the church for me.

This week's news and events:

Newsletter and print calendar submissions are due TODAY.  Any last-minute items must be e-mailed to me ASAP.

We are also still looking for emergency backups for the Webmaster and Newsletter Editor.  Hopefully you won't have to do anything, but we want someone else to know how these things are done just in case.  Contact me if you can help.

Monday, October 21st at the Catholic Center, Jefferson City Congregations Uniting is holding a Convention Planning meeting at 5 pm, followed by a Community Assembly at 6:30 pm.  Kath Connor would be there and would love more UUs to get involved; contact her for more information.

On Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd, Climate Reality Project will be streaming its annual online program "24 Hours of Reality" at http://www.24hoursofreality.org/ --- on TUESDAY EVENING ONLY, from 5-10 pm, local climate activists will gather in Columbia to watch the event live-streamed on a large screen in Waters Hall room 210 on the MU Campus.  All are welcome.  Tea will be provided, as well as coffee from Lakota Coffee Co.  RSVP to [email protected] or contact Mollie Freebairn.

Thursday, October 24th is Capital Region Medical Center's Not-So-Scary Spooktacular from 6-7 pm at the Outpatient Pediatric Department in the Sam B. Cook Healthplex (1432 Southwest Blvd).  Free and open for kids of all ages to enjoy creative, sensory activities along with a small haunted house and more.

Friday, October 25th is our monthly turn to provide a meal at the Salvation Army.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help provide or serve food.

Also on Friday at 7 pm at UUFJC is the Last Friday Documentary film, "River of Light" by Daniel Reeves, an unforgettable film tracing the connections we all share with each other and the cosmos.

Saturday, October 26th from 10 am to 2 pm is Sapattu's "Quiet Moments with Poets and Mystics," this month focusing on Adrienne Rich.  Contact Nancy or Roger Tanner-Thies.

Next Sunday will be our third annual Day of the Dead observance.  Bob Boldt and Ruth Neudahl will construct a traditional Mexican altar to the dead.  Members and friends are encouraged to bring in pictures of passed loved ones along with any special items of remembrance.  Items will be returned on the following Sunday.

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

Yesterday, several of our members shared their experience of the recent UUA General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.  I know that out here in rural Missouri, it can be easy for a UU to feel isolated, so I was glad some of our members were able to experience just how many and varied we are and bring that experience back to share with all of us.

News and Events:

Submissions for the November Newsletter and Calendar are due next Sunday.  You can send them to me by e-mail or use my mailbox in the UUFJC office.

We are looking for emergency backups for the Webmaster and Newsletter Editor (originally the Administrator was supposed to do this, but I now hold all three positions and I can't back up myself); I will show you how I do it and give you any files you need.  If you can help, contact me or a board member.

Shanon Hawk reports:
We have participated in two events in the past month.  We made $77 at the Holistic Health and Living Expo and $168 at the Multicultural Festival.  More importantly, we were out connecting with people in our community.  Thank you to all who helped with the booths!

Monday, October 14th is the last day to make requests for our upcoming book fair!  If there's a book in the UUA Bookstore (http://www.uuabookstore.org/) that you want to meet in person, contact Kath Connor as soon as possible.

Also Monday, there will be a Relay for Life planning lunch at noon at Madison's Cafe downtown.  Carol Bontempto and Shanon Hawk are gathering ideas about fundraising for our team.  If you are thinking of attending, please contact Shanon so she can get a head count.  If you can't make it but have ideas, contact Carol or Shanon.

Later on Monday, the Worship Service Committee meets at 6:30 pm at UUFJC.  All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, October 15th at 1 pm, a legislative hearing on Medicaid will be held at the Missouri State Capitol in Hearing Room 3.  Contact Sue Gibson or Shanon Hawk.

Thursday, October 17th, Jan Harcourt's Gentle Yoga at 5:30 pm will be a special 90 minute session.  Contact Jan for more information.

Also Thursday, at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library will host local author Adam Veile for a talk about Self-Publishing Basics.  Contact Madeline Matson.

At the same time, Thursday at 7 pm, is a National Organization for Women meeting at the HyVee Restaurant in Columbia.  Contact Sue Gibson.

Saturday, October 19th at 10 am at UUFJC, we will hold a rehearsal for the Multigenerational Service next Sunday.

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

Yesterday, Rev. Mike brought us a message challenging the duality of strengths and weaknesses, virtue and vice; as a key quotation put it, "Evil is not the privation of good, but the perversion of good."  As he pointed out, sometimes we're at our worst when using our strengths to the fullest in heedless, self-deluded ways, but I also think that if we look deeply into our weaknesses, we might find some strength there, too.

News and Events:

Recently we've been discussing the Salvation Army's stance on LGBT issues and how it relates to our volunteer work with them.  Most of this discussion has taken place on the Yahoo! Group.  If you're interested, Bob Boldt has submitted a commentary examining all sides of the issue; those interested can find a copy on the Fellowship's Facebook page or contact Bob.

This coming week we have lots of great events for National Coming Out Week (NCOW), starting on Monday, October 7th at 6 pm when Table of Grace hosts a "Beyond Bullying" workshop.

Then on Tuesday, October 8th at 6 pm there will be a NCOW Bridge Walk.  Meet at the parking lot north of the river.

Wednesday, October 9th at 6 pm, Table of Grace will present a documentary double-feature, showing "Love Free or Die" about Bishop Gene Robinson, followed by "MILK" about Harvey Milk.

Also on Wednesday at 6 pm, UUFJC will hold its monthly board meeting; all are welcome to attend.

Thursday, October 10th at 7 pm, UUFJC will host Jeffrey Mittman, local ACLU Director for Missouri, to speak about the ACLU and LGBT issues.

Or, for Civil War buffs, also on Thursday at 7 pm, Missouri River Regional Library presents "A Question of Legitimacy: How Control of Jefferson City Kept Missouri in the Union, a talk by author Rudi Keller.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Friday, October 11th at 6 pm, NCOW festivities will wrap up with a National Coming Out Day Rally at Table of Grace, with great food, wine, door prizes and more!

Also on Friday, at 7 pm, the monthly Reader's Eye Film series will present "Girl with a Pearl Earring" at UUFJC.  The film is a beautifully photographed drama set in the household of Dutch master painter Johannes Vermeer and imagines the story behind his most famous painting.

Saturday, October 12th at 7 pm, the Columbia Chorale presents "Songs for Children."  This concert in honor of slain journalist Daniel Pearl will be held at the First Baptist Church in Columbia.

Next Sunday, October 13th at 2 pm, we will have a Falun Gong meditative movement session at UUFJC, a long-awaited followup to Sara Effner's message on Falun Gong this past June.  Later in the afternoon, at 4 pm, Jan Harcourt will also lead her monthly Laughter Yoga session.

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