Our December Newsletter and Print Calendar are ready.  Paper copies are available at the Fellowship, and electronic copies are available to view or download:
Newsletter
Calendar

This morning, Alexis helped us conclude our month of reflection on Attention and celebrate our annual Bread Communion.  We often find our attention drawn to fleeting things, whether it's the sunset glow on autumn leaves, a meal prepared with love that is soon devoured, or wrapping paper that will be discarded after the holiday morning.  Some of these things can be distractions, but some are nourishment to the spirit, things that give strength and love and enable good work long after the object itself has disappeared.  Alexis asked us to reflect on this as we direct our attention, to look beyond surface enjoyment and ask, in the words of Phillip Gulley, "What helps me do what is most important?"  What helps each of us to be "an instrument of reconciliation and love?"  These are the things that nourish us, that we can direct our attention toward.  At times we will all fall short, but we can always refocus on our values and rise again.

As a symbol of coming together in love and creating spiritual nourishment in our Fellowship community, we also held our annual Bread Communion.  Members and friends brought many kind of bread which were present for reflection at the service and were shared and enjoyed afterward.

Next Sunday begins our month of reflection on "Awe."

Next Sunday, December 1st:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Fake News," Bob Boldt
Bob will explore what is real, what is "fake," and how to tell the difference.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Information, Knowledge, Experience, Wisdom, Numen," Rev. Mike Adamek
In ancient Rome, a daimon could possess a person and they could be gripped by a genius, an unknown spirit which led them beyond experience, beyond wisdom to an awesome mystery which they did not control and which they did not yet understand. Rudolf Otto called this level of absolute reality beyond knowledge, beyond experience and wisdom, the numinous. He described this as mysterium tremendum et fascinans as the absolute spiritual reality, or God. As a religious humanist, I want to look at this reality from the forefront of continuous human exploration into the mysterious (not simply the unknown) which always produces a renewed sense of awe which is both full of wonder and fearful in its possibilities.
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 --- "The GooseBumps that Arise From Love in Action"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Please help us spread the word about our small group gatherings!  We have postcard and letter sized flyers available; take as many as you like to give to people who you think would like to participate.  For more information or to RSVP, contact Alexis at [email protected].

We have some new chairs in our Sanctuary, thanks to donations from the Yoga classes that meet in our building.  Many thanks to everyone who donated!  We are hoping that the new chairs will be comfortable, as well as more lightweight and durable.  Give them a try and let us know what you think!  We may invest in more of them in the future.

Tomorrow, Monday, November 25th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  Contact Rev. Kim Woodruff:
[email protected]

Next Sunday, December 1st, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm.  Please allow privacy.

Community Events this week:

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Greener Grass" (Thursday through Sunday) and "Meet Me In St. Louis" (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 and a Happy Thanksgiving!

This morning, Rev. Nancy TannerThies continued our month of reflections on Attention, and she shared a story she was told about her childhood, that she would stand in the backyard of her family's home in a wind-swept part of the country, shaking her small fists and crying "Stop it, Wind!  Stop it!"  In these times, in many ways we find ourselves "standing in the wind" --- the howling of stimulus overload, the buffeting of our own confusion, stress, and trauma, the enveloping pressure of our society's conflicts and hatreds, and even the sometimes-too-literal burning or battering winds of our disrupted ecology.  How can we stand in these winds without being broken and blown away?

Rev. Nancy argued that attention is key, but not just any attention.  We must be present in the moment, but not settle for commodified "mindfulness" that leads us only inward and soothes us into complacency.  The Latin root of the word "attention," Nancy pointed out, means "to stretch toward," and that is what we must do --- stretch toward empathy for others, toward shared strength with them, and toward the place where our calling to do meets what the world needs done.

What stands alone in the wind will break.  What stands still and rigid in the wind will break.  We must attend to the moment and feel what we feel, attend to others and stretch toward them, move into the action that calls us, and trust that we don't have to do it all alone.

Next Sunday, November 24th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"The Mummy's Curse?" Dr. Christine Boston
Description:Lincoln University Anthropology professor Dr. Boston will trace myths about mysterious deaths associated with mummies.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Directing Our Attention To What Nourishes Us," Alexis
--- Plus Bread Communion
You're invited to join us for a contemplative experience with prompts to encourage reflection upon what really nourishes and enriches our lives.
Bread Communion will follow the service.
The Bread Communion is our annual ritual marking the harvest and supporting the blessings that support our lives.
Everyone is invited to bring a bread to share that has special meaning to them, or is just a favorite.
The fellowship will provide butter and cider. If you would like to contribute honey, jam, etc., please feel free to do so.
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 --- "Attention to the Beauty Around Us: The Practice of Gratitude"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Submissions for our December newsletter and print calendar are due TODAY.  Please e-mail any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP ([email protected]).

Please help us spread the word about our small group gatherings!  We have postcard and letter sized flyers available; take as many as you like to give to people who you think would like to participate.  For more information about small groups or if you would like to participate, please contact Alexis at [email protected].

We have some new chairs in our Sanctuary, thanks to donations from the Yoga classes that meet in our building.  Many thanks to everyone who donated!  We are hoping that the new chairs will be comfortable, as well as more lightweight and durable.  Give them a try and let us know what you think!  We may invest in more of them in the future.

Next Sunday, November 24th at 2 pm is the second session of our UU Ethics small group, which was rescheduled due to the weather.  Participants in this small group explore their values and consider their stances on ethical issues. Important Note: This is a space to learn together and grow, not a space for arguments or debate. While no ongoing commitment is required, regular attendance may be helpful.  For more information or to participate, contact Alexis at [email protected].

The UUFJC Board meets later next Sunday, November 24th at 6 pm.  All are welcome to attend our board meetings.  Contact our President, Katherine Connor.

Tomorrow, Monday, November 18th, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm.  Please allow privacy.

Community Events this week:

Tomorrow, Monday, November 18th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents an Author Talk on "CB Radio and American Culture."  Tim Scherrer, author of Crashed the Gate Doing Ninety-Eight, will tell the story of the first electronic social network in America—the CB radio. Citizens Band Radio grew from a small number of hobby users to a cultural phenomenon in the 1970s. CB life created its own “slanguage,” music and values. What started mostly with truckers grew during the 1974 oil crisis and became widespread, with users adapting CBs to their own economic and social uses. This movement changed the character of the radio use, eventually making the radios truly the Citizens’ Band. Then they disappeared…  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Peanut Butter Falcon" (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 continued our month of focus on "Attention."  We UUs count among the Sources of our Living Tradition "Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life."  As such, we are called to pay attention to the beliefs of others.  To that end, this morning we enjoyed a video from our larger UU community, in which Sarah Farkas and Judith Scott describe their Jewish faith at the UU Fellowship of Bay County in Panama City, Florida.  Judaism is a diverse tradition, but many Jews and many UUs can find common ground in a shared focus on acting with goodness, working for social justice, and a questioning approach to faith.

You can view Sarah and Judith's entire presentation on YouTube, including the question and answer period we didn't have time for in our service:  A Jew and a Unitarian Walk into a Bar

Next Sunday, November 17th:

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

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Environmental Consciousness," Molly Freebairn

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: Rev. Nancy TannerThies
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 --- "Turning Attention to the Now: The Practice of Mindfulness"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Please help us spread the word about our small group gatherings!  We now have letter-sized and postcard-sized flyers available at the Fellowship; please take as many as you like to give to people who you think would like to participate.

Indeed this is a good time to spread the word: the next sessions of both of our small groups are coming up this week.  Tomorrow, Monday, November 11th at 6:30 pm is the second session of our UU Ethics small group; and next Sunday, November 17th at 2 pm is our “This I Believe” gathering on this month’s theme of “Attention.”  For more information or if you would like to participate, please contact Alexis at [email protected].

We have some new chairs in our Sanctuary, thanks to donations from the Yoga classes that meet in our building.  Many thanks to everyone who donated!  We are hoping that the new chairs will be comfortable, as well as more lightweight and durable.  Give them a try and let us know what you think!  We may invest in more of them in the future.

If you brought pictures or mementos for our Day of the Dead altar, thank you.  Those items are ready to be returned to you. Contact Bob Boldt for more information.  

This Tuesday, November 12th, Patt Behler is hosting an informal discussion group for UUFJC members and friends at her home at 7 pm.  The theme will be “How Do We Know What We Know?”  Contact Patt for more information.

This Thursday, November 14th, the local chapter of the American Association of University Women meets in our building at 7 pm.  This month's speaker is Kellie Ann Coats, Executive Director of Missouri Women's Council.  The Missouri Women's Council, an agency within the Department of Economic Development, was established in 1985 by the State's 83rd General Assembly to identify and address issues affecting the economic and employment status of women in Missouri.  Open to the public.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents: "Medicaid Money in Missouri: Now and the Future."  After passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2019, Medicaid expansion became central to increased healthcare in the states. Studies from the University of Missouri and other sources indicate that Medicaid expansion would add $10 billion to the Missouri economy over the first 10 years. Rural hospitals would receive larger payments because they serve more elderly and poor citizens. And this year in February, Washington University released a study indicating that expansion could help almost 230,000 citizens receive health coverage with the costs mostly paid for by the federal government. Rural hospitals are closing. There is more reliance on ER usage, which hospitals call uncompensated care.  Hospitals then raise rates, and insurance companies pass that cost on to consumers.   Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

Next Sunday, November 17th, The 2nd Annual Sam B. Cook Memorial Organ Concert presents Alan Morrison, Organ Chair, Curtis Institute of Music, performing at 4 pm at First Christian Church, 327 East Capitol Ave.  Seating is limited.

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

This week also concludes Scene One Theatre's production of "Tales from the Rough Writers: An Evening of Original Performance Art," with shows Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  For more information visit sceneonetheatre.com.

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!

Apologies for lateness in giving this its own post...

Our November Newsletter and Print Calendar are now ready.  Paper copies are available at the Fellowship, and electronic copies are available to view or download:
Newsletter
Calendar

This morning, Rev. Mike Adamek began our month of reflections on "Attention" with a message he described thus:

"Ralph Waldo Emerson was a master at focusing our attention on what was worthy in a life well lived.  We must celebrate the miracles in the mundane if we have ears to hear and eyes to see."

A good reminder that the wisdom of mindfulness and attention has deep roots in our UU faith.

This month also marks 20 years Rev. Mike has been bringing us monthly messages at UUFJC!  Many thanks to Rev. Mike for all he's done for us and for all the blessings of our years together!

Next Sunday, November 10th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Environmental Journalism," Tina Cassagrand
Jefferson City publisher Tina Cassagrand will discuss how she is bringing together environmental journalists.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: To Be Announced
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 --- "Attention to the Needs of Others: The Practice of Helping"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

If you brought pictures or mementos for our Day of the Dead altar, thank you.  Those items are ready to be returned to you. Contact Bob Boldt for more information.

This Thursday, November 7th, the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America meets in our building at 7 pm.  Contact Susan Randolph.

This Friday, November 8th, our building is reserved for a private recital from 6:30 to 8 pm.  Contact Charlotte Parsons.

Next Sunday, November 10th, our Worship Service Committee meets at 6 pm (some versions of the November calendar list a different time, but 6 pm is correct).  To get involved in creating our Sunday services, contact our Vice President, Lisa Sanning.

And a week from tomorrow, on Monday, November 11th at 6:30 pm is the second session of our UU Ethics small group.  For more information, see our November newsletter or contact Alexis at [email protected].

Community Events this week:

Starting this week Scene One Theatre presents "Tales from the Rough Writers" (Thursday through Saturday).  For tickets, showtimes, and more information, visit sceneonetheatre.com

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Judy" (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!