Yesterday morning, we wrapped up our month of reflections on Gratitude with a message from George Grimm-Howell, MDiv.


We are now getting ready to move into our December theme: Mystery.  This transition strikes me as characteristically "UU."  Our faith tradition does not shelter in certainty, but gratefully embraces mysteries: not only "that transcending mystery and wonder" listed in our Six Sources, but also the more immediate mysteries of puzzles, questions, and doubts.  Mystery can be awe-inspiring, it can be fun, it can be an entry into the search for truth, and more often than we sometimes think, it is something to be grateful for.

A couple of other things to note: our service next Sunday will include a special collection to express thanks to our gracious hosts and support their regular activities at our interim location.

And the restoration of our building is coming along!  We're not ready to move back just yet, but we hope to have a work day there some Saturday soon.  Volunteers will be much appreciated, and the stars may align on short notice, so please stay tuned!  Contact our president, Rich Burdge, for the latest.

For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service message from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Thank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

It's time to update our UUFJC Members and Friends Directory.  If you would like to share your contact information with other members and friends, please contact our administrator at [email protected] with the information you would like to share.

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.

Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

This Friday, December 1st at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents their monthly First Friday Film: "The Family Stone."  Set in a fictional New England town, the film features a conservative and formal businesswoman who accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric family's annual holiday celebration. The all-star cast includes Luke Wilson, Diane Keaton, Sara Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulrney and Craig T. Nelson.  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more library events, visit MRRL.org.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Yesterday morning, Rev. Nancy TannerThies joined us to continue our month of reflections on "Gratitude."

That monthly focus is especially relevant this week as we in the US come upon the Thanksgiving holiday.  The "Pilgrims and Indians" story associated with the holiday offers a slanted view of some painful and unjust American history, but we can confront those flaws without losing sight of the gift of the harvest that sustains our lives or the role of gratitude in our spirits.  It is still worth taking a "holy day" devoted to giving thanks, and the challenges our own Fellowship has faced bring into relief all we have to be thankful for.  These words by Gwen Matthews say it well:

"Today, we're thankful for you and what you bring to our church.
"Your spirit, talents, generosity, imagination, and dedication reaffirm our fellowship and create our Beloved Community. Our heartfelt thanks to you on this day and for all days to come.
"For those who embrace Thanksgiving as a day to honor the gifts of family, friendship, abundance, security, we celebrate with you and join our voices to hold aloft all sacred blessings.
"For those who hold Thanksgiving as a day of sadness, who mourn for the hurt and loss of native peoples, who are lonely, who grieve the loss of those dear and beloved, we hold your heartache and sorrow so you do not have to carry the burden alone.
"Blessings be upon you."

Wishing you blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving!


For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service message from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Thank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

Submissions for our December newsletter were due yesterday.  Please email any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP: [email protected].

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.  Watch for an update from Rich in our November Newsletter and coming to this email list soon!

It's time to update our UUFJC Members and Friends Directory.  If you would like to share your contact information with other members and friends, please contact our administrator at [email protected] with the information you would like to share.

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.
This Friday, November 24th would normally be our monthly Salvation Army Meal, but in the past our November meals have not been needed due to an outpouring of support for the Thanksgiving holiday.  If you would like to help provide food for those in need, check with Bob Antweiler.


Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

No community events were submitted for inclusion in this week's email.  If you know of a community event you would like to see featured in this space, contact our administrator at [email protected].

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Yesterday morning, we continued our month of reflections on Generosity by turning our attention to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and its annual holiday season support drive, Guest At Your Table.  We shared a message via video from a previous campaign, when then-UUSC president Rev. Mary Katherine Morn spoke on "Power, Partnership, and Change" at All Souls UU Church KC.  As they write: "To meet the enormous challenges of today and build a more just future, we need big ideas and bold change. We must fundamentally transform the way things are, so that we do not perpetuate systemic inequities and repeat the harms of the past.  At UUSC, we believe that the transformational solutions we need come from communities most directly impacted by injustice. Join us for this year’s Guest at Your Table program to learn what UUSC partners are doing to address immediate injustices – as well as what they envision for the future. We think their stories will offer inspiration and guidance on the path toward justice."  The message is available to view online:

This year's Guest At Your Table theme is “Supporting Liberation.”  More information, videos of this year's featured guests, templates for homemade donation boxes, and more are available at the UUSC's website:
https://www.uusc.org/resources/congregations/gayt/


For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Thank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.

It's time to update our UUFJC Members and Friends Directory.  If you would like to share your contact information with other members and friends, please contact our administrator at [email protected] with the information you would like to share.

This evening, Monday, November 13th, our friends at JC Interfaith Climate Action are co-sponsoring a presentation on “Climate Change Challenges and Solutions” with conservation advocate Nancy Ylvisaker at 7 pm at McClung Park Pavilion.  Open to the public; question and answer session after the presentation.  Contact Rich Burdge for more information.

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.

Next Sunday, November 19th, the UUFJC Board meets at 3 pm.  All are welcome to attend our board meetings.  This meeting is planned to take place at the UUFJC building, construction permitting.  For agenda and more information, contact our president, Rich Burdge.
Later next Sunday, November 19th, the UUFJC Worship Team will meet at 4:30 pm, again at the UUFJC building, construction permitting.  To get involved in creating our Sunday services, contact our vice president, Lisa Sanning.


Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

This Wednesday, November 15th at 5 pm, Planned Parenthood Great Plains is partnering with Missouri Family Health Council (MFHC) at their Jefferson City office at 1909 Southridge Drive to assemble emergency contraception (EC) kits. These Free EC Kits are offered to anyone of any age throughout Missouri.  Registration required.  For more information or to register, visit: https://mfhc.org/news-events/training-events.html?emci=c263f195-d078-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&emdi=0dc757ed-8379-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&ceid=17358300

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Yesterday morning, Rev. Nancy TannerThies joined us to begin our month of reflections on Generosity by exploring the question: "What is the Proper Response?"

I did not hear the message myself, but Rev. Nancy's title reminds me that some of us were taught the virtue of Generosity in an unhealthy, self-denying way: that giving was virtuous and "taking" was selfish.  The wonder of Generosity, however, is part of a much more complex, lively, and interdependent flow that embraces giving but also receiving and self-care.  A proper response to the needs of others is to be open to giving while respecting your own needs.  A proper response to gifts from others is to be open to their generosity and capability while respecting your own need to choose what you bring into your life.  Giving and receiving are not a black and white duality, but a complex and many-hued tapestry that binds us to each other, echoing the interdependent web of life we are embedded in.

For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

hank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.

It's time to update our UUFJC Members and Friends Directory.  If you would like to share your contact information with other members and friends, please contact our administrator at [email protected] with the information you would like to share.

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.

Next Sunday, November 12th, our Intergenerational Book Study group meets at 2 pm.  This month’s selection includes several short stories by a wide variety of authors; the stories are available on request from Emma Regnier ([email protected]).  Contact Emma or contact Betty Cooper for more information.

Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

This evening, Monday, November 6th, the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (which normally meets in our building) holds its monthly meeting.  Open to the public.  For meeting location, Zoom link, and more information, contact Betty Cooper.


This Tuesday, November 7th at 6 pm, Jefferson City Room At The Inn holds a Volunteer Training & Chili Supper at their new location: First Baptist Church Activity Center, 107 Monroe St.  RSVP is helpful but not required by emailing [email protected].  You can also find "Jefferson City Room at the Inn" on Facebook. Jefferson City Room at the Inn is a low-barrier, emergency, overnight winter homeless shelter and is a function of Housing the Community Jefferson City (HCJC).

This Thursday, November 9th at 7:30 pm, the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America holds its monthly online meeting.  To register or for more information, contact Alicia Erickson at [email protected]

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Yesterday morning, we wrapped up our month of reflections on Heritage with the second of two sermons by Rev. David Schwartz of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, considering the Seven UU Principles, the heritage they represent, and the current proposal to re-envision them.  Rev. Schwartz argued that re-envisioning is part of our heritage as UUs, that the Principles are not a creed, but only a current best effort to describe the shared experience that brings us with our diverse beliefs together into a shared faith.

The new proposal attempts to describe what we share as the "Spiritual Discipline of Love," which shines through in inseparable facets of Interdependence, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Generosity, and Justice.  Echoes of the current Principles continue, but it isn't a mere tinkering around the edges.  The new proposal, for instance, places greater emphasis on taking action and doing the work, both within ourselves and out in the world.

Rev. Schwartz did not intend to argue for or against the revision, but called on listeners to sit with it, see what feels right about it, where we may feel resistance to it, where it fits better than what came before, and what may still be missing.

Both sermons are available to view online:
"How (and Why) We Got Our Unitarian Universalist 7 Principles":

"Rewriting Our Seven Principles":

And the UUA offers more resources for exploring the proposed "Article II" revision to our UU Principles:
Article II Study Commission Report
New Article II Congregational Resources

For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Thank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.

It's time to update our UUFJC Members and Friends Directory.  If you would like to share your contact information with other members and friends, please contact our administrator at [email protected] with the information you would like to share.
This Thursday, November 2nd at 7 pm, we are invited to join our neighbors at First UU of Springfield for their monthly “Date with Death Club” via Zoom.  These are standalone sessions exploring our shared mortality.  More information about the program can be found at https://datewithdeathclub.com.  Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87033373838

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.

Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

This Friday, November 3rd, Missouri River Regional Library presents their monthly First Friday Film at 7 pm in their Art Gallery.  This month's selection: "Come See The Paradise."  In 1936, intermarriage is illegal in California. Jack McGurn and Lily Kawamura elope to Seattle where they have a daughter. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Lily, her family, and thousands of other Japanese-Americans are "relocated" to internment camps. Jack tries desperately to keep his family together, but the grim specter of war threatens to tear them apart.  Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita star in this powerful film.  Contact Madeline Matson.  For more on library events, visit MRRL.org.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Yesterday morning, we continued our month of focus on Heritage by looking again at the place of the Seven Principles in our UU Faith heritage.  We shared a message originally delivered by Rev. David Schwartz at the UU Church of Boulder  in February this year on "How (and Why) We Got Our Unitarian Universalist 7 Principles."  The message is available to view online:

Rev. Schwartz also gave a follow-up message one week later, looking at the current proposal to rewrite the Principles and "inviting consideration of where it may do better (or not) than the 7 Principles at articulating just what it is Unitarian Universalists believe in."  This second message is also available to view online:

For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service from yesterday is available to view online:

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

Donate to UUFJC
You can also mail donations and pledges to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Thank you for being with us and supporting us!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.

Submissions for our November newsletter were due yesterday.  Please email any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP ([email protected]).

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.
This Friday, October 27th is our monthly Salvation Army meal.  Please contact Bob Antweiler if you want to help provide food for those in need.


Next Sunday, October 29th, the UUFJC Board meets at 3 pm.  All are welcome to attend our board meetings.  For agenda and more information, contact our president, Rich Burdge.

Our building (when available) is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

No Community Events were submitted for inclusion in this week's email.  If you know of a community event you would like to share, contact our administrator: [email protected].

For more events, see our online calendars:

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