We have new information since our weekly update:

This Sunday we will have online services via Zoom with a message from Rev. Nancy TannerThies:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92256965406?pwd=bEN0T0xpOVdzVVk1dm5QMzZ3Mythdz09

Meeting ID: 922 5696 5406
Password: 000413
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,92256965406#,,#,000413# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,92256965406#,,#,000413# US (New York)

Dial by your location
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 922 5696 5406
Password: 000413

​Hope to see you then!

This morning, thanks to the work of our worship team, we at UUFJC were able to come together once again and observe our annual Flower Communion online via Zoom.  While we missed our usual ritual of bringing flowers together with their stems and petals in our hands, we shared images of flowers, reflections on our unique gifts, and the story of the ceremony's creation.

In her reflections, our President, Katherine Connor, recognized that we are in a time of grief now --- we grieve for the flowers we cannot touch, the hands we cannot hold.  But by coming together with our unique gifts and our compassion, we can support each other through this time and find meaning, even as we acknowledge and hold our losses.

Next Sunday, April 19th:

May News Due.
Please submit your items for the May newsletter and print calendar to Laura Gilkey at [email protected].

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Earth Day," Betty Cooper
Betty Cooper will trace the history of Earth Day from Rachel Carson to the present day, including the United Nations' Earth Charter Commission.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 652 714 556
Password: 988270  
https://zoom.us/j/652714556?pwd=dGl5WUtCd0JUcUpXZzBGU1c0Mkd1dz09
Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo  

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
To Be Announced
We may have UUFJC Services via Zoom.  Watch this page for developments.
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

UUCC Online Services - 10:30 am
If we do not have our own online services, we have been invited to join our neighbors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia.
These services will be offered via Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianUniversalistChurchOfColumbiaMO/?eid=ARCFLwfOPhvNekpA6bZuhuMke8zRihU5cX37pHO0Ig0hKx3TtbHgCgOx6CG-2K9kJWv-gRxpo4lI5kdW
And via Zoom:
Join Zoom Webinar:
Webinar ID: 380 411 489  
https://zoom.us/j/380411489
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As we try to find new ways to come together, we still need financial support, even without Sunday offering baskets.  We now have an online donation option 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!

We are also working on drafting our budget for the coming fiscal year.  If you have not yet made a pledge or estimate of giving, please contact our Treasurer, Bob Antweiler: [email protected].

This Wednesday, April 15th at 2 pm, Laura Gilkey is hosting a weekly virtual book club for UUFJC members and friends via Zoom.  Selected book: Silas Marner by George Eliot.  We will be listening to the book with accompanying text during meetings --- there is no "homework;" you do not have to read the book on your own.  This week we will listen to chapter 3.  New participants are welcome to catch up and join in!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 957 765 341
https://zoom.us/j/957765341
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo  

This Thursday, April 16th at 5:30 pm, Katherine Connor will be hosting a weekly Zoom Happy Hour for UUFJC Members and Friends to gather and check in.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 182 389 756  
https://zoom.us/j/182389756
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

The UUFJC Board meets next Sunday, April 19th during the afternoon, specific time to be determined.  The meeting is expected to be held via Zoom.  All are welcome to attend our board meetings.  For more information, contact our President, Katherine Connor: [email protected].

Our building is reserved for ongoing community groups on Wednesday April 15th starting at 6 pm and Saturday April 18th starting at 6 pm.  We have not checked in to see if these groups are meeting, but if you have access to our building, please continue to allow privacy at these times.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Please stay safe, well, and connected!

In a new development since our weekly update, we will be holding a virtual observance of our annual Flower Communion this Sunday, April 12th at 10:30 am.  We hope you can join us!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/854606889?pwd=RHlOYVN2aUQ4RCt1dTFjYzM2SnF1QT09

Meeting ID: 854 606 889
Password: 080973
​
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,854606889#,,#,080973# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 854 606 889
Password: 080973
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

This morning, we continued our revived Adult Forum with the occasional and always-beautiful poetry forum led by Bob Boldt.  Among the poems shared was this:

In the Time of Pandemic
by Kitty O'Meara 
 
And the people stayed home.

And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.

And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.

Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
 
Not everyone has the privilege -- the material, social, and psychological resources -- to paint such a rosy picture, but for those of us who do, it is right to embrace any unique and strange blessings we can find in this difficult and deadly time, to be grateful for them, and use them toward compassion and justice.  We must be mindful of those for whom this time is most dangerous and painful so that that awareness can guide us toward those "new choices."  But if you can, in this time of enforced withdrawal: meditate without guilt, dance without shame, heal with gratitude --- this can be the path toward healing for all.

Next Sunday, April 12th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Systems of Care," Joan Kurtzeborn
Joan Kurtzeborn will talk about her work with an Osage County non-profit.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 652 714 556
Password: 988270  
https://zoom.us/j/652714556?pwd=dGl5WUtCd0JUcUpXZzBGU1c0Mkd1dz09
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

UUCC Online Services - 10:30 am
The UUFJC Worship team is working on online services.  In the meantime, we have been invited to online services by our neighbors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia:
These services will be offered via Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianUniversalistChurchOfColumbiaMO/?eid=ARCFLwfOPhvNekpA6bZuhuMke8zRihU5cX37pHO0Ig0hKx3TtbHgCgOx6CG-2K9kJWv-gRxpo4lI5kdW
And via Zoom:
Join Zoom Webinar:
Webinar ID: 380 411 489  
https://zoom.us/j/380411489
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As we try to find new ways to come together, we still need financial support, even without Sunday offering baskets.  We now have an online donation option 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!

This Wednesday, April 8th at 2 pm, Laura Gilkey is hosting a weekly virtual book club for UUFJC members and friends via Zoom.  Selected book: Silas Marner by George Eliot.  We will be listening to the book with accompanying text during meetings --- there is no "homework;" you do not have to read the book on your own.  This week we will listen to chapter 2, or, if enough new people come, we might consider starting over with chapter one (just this once).
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 957 765 341
https://zoom.us/j/957765341
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo  

This Thursday, April 9th at 5:30 pm, Katherine Connor will be hosting a weekly Zoom Happy Hour for UUFJC Members and Friends to gather and check in.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 182 389 756  
https://zoom.us/j/182389756
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

Our building is reserved for ongoing community groups on Wednesday April 8th starting at 6 pm and Saturday April 11th starting at 6 pm.  We have not checked in to see if these groups are meeting, but if you have access to our building, please continue to allow privacy at these times.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Please stay safe, well, and connected!

Our April Newsletter is now available to view or download:
UUFJC April 2020 Newsletter
(No print calendar this month)

Bit by bit, we muddle toward a new normal and recover bits of our old normal.  This morning our Adult Forum returned with a stimulating discussion about seeking positive solutions in the current crisis, and, in late-breaking news not included in the newsletter, our Forum Coordinator, Frank, is back on the job, and we hope that many of our already-scheduled Forum topics can be discussed as planned via Zoom.

We were also invited again to online services with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia.  UUCC minister Rev. Molly Housh Gordon shared the reading "Choose to Bless the World" by Rebecca Parker, but approached that blessing in what at first seemed a strange way.  This is no time to sweep our feelings under the rug, to bottle them up to corrode or explode.  Rev. Molly invited us to own the anger we feel at the present situation, to shout it out or proclaim a curse upon it --- but then, she called us to breathe deeply and realize that anger and fear are the guardians of what we love and hope for.  Every "NO" we shout is in defense of a "YES" that we yearn for.  Rev. Molly called us to enter that yes, enter that love, enter "an act of recognition, a confession of surprise, a grateful acknowledgment that in the midst of a broken world unspeakable beauty, grace and mystery abide" --- to enter the place where we can choose to bless our world.

Next Sunday, April 5th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Poetry," Bob Boldt
You are invited to bring a poem to read aloud to the group, whether a poem you have written yourself or a favorite poem by another author.  Introduced and moderated by Bob Boldt.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 652 714 556
Password: 988270   
https://zoom.us/j/652714556?pwd=dGl5WUtCd0JUcUpXZzBGU1c0Mkd1dz09
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

UUCC Online Services - 10:30 am
The UUFJC Worship team is working on online services.  In the meantime, we have been invited to online services by our neighbors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia:
These services will be offered via Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianUniversalistChurchOfColumbiaMO/?eid=ARCFLwfOPhvNekpA6bZuhuMke8zRihU5cX37pHO0Ig0hKx3TtbHgCgOx6CG-2K9kJWv-gRxpo4lI5kdW
And via Zoom:
Join Zoom Webinar:
Webinar ID: 380 411 489  
https://zoom.us/j/380411489
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As we try to find new ways to come together, we still need financial support, even without Sunday offering baskets.  To support UUFJC, please mail your pledges and contributions to:
UUFJC
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Thank you for being with us and supporting us!

We are also still in our annual pledge drive.  We ask everyone who is able to estimate their financial support for the coming year so that we can plan our Fellowship’s future.  Contact our Treasurer, Bob Antweiler at [email protected].

Starting this Wednesday, April 1st at 2 pm, Laura Gilkey is hosting a weekly virtual book club for UUFJC members and friends via Zoom.  We will be starting on our selected book: Silas Marner by George Eliot.  We will be listening to the book with accompanying text during meetings --- there is no "homework;" you do not have to read the book on your own.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 957 765 341
Password: 032766  
https://zoom.us/j/957765341?pwd=TyswaWQvV0tLQy9rVlp5bTd0TWxlQT09
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo  

Starting this Thursday, April 2nd at 5:30 pm, Katherine Connor will be hosting a weekly Zoom Happy Hour for UUFJC Members and Friends to gather and check in.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 182 389 756  
https://zoom.us/j/182389756
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,303350454# US (Chicago)
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest phone number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

Our building is reserved for ongoing community groups on Wednesday April 1st starting at 6 pm, Saturday April 4th starting at 6 pm, and Sunday, April 5th starting at 6:30 pm.  We have not checked in to see if these groups are meeting, but if you have access to our building, please continue to allow privacy at these times.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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

Please stay safe, well, and connected!

​Tomorrow we invite you to join us in these virtual Sunday gatherings:

Zoom Forum - 9:15 am
UUFJC's Forum Hour returns via Zoom.  We do not yet know if we will be able to hold forums on previously scheduled topics.  For more information, contact Katherine Connor: [email protected]  
Join Zoom Meeting via web browser
https://zoom.us/j/678786486
Meeting ID: 678 786 486
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,678786486# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,678786486# US (New York)
Phone - Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 678 786 486
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo  

UUCC Online Service - 10:30 am
UUFJC members and friends are invited to join our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia for online services.
These services will be offered via Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianUniversalistChurchOfColumbiaMO/?eid=ARCFLwfOPhvNekpA6bZuhuMke8zRihU5cX37pHO0Ig0hKx3TtbHgCgOx6CG-2K9kJWv-gRxpo4lI5kdW
And via Zoom:
Join Zoom webinar using Web Browser:
https://zoom.us/j/380411489
Or iPhone one-tap :
    US: +16468769923,,380411489#  or +13126266799,,380411489#
Or Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 646 876 9923  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799
    Webinar ID: 380 411 489
    International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aTznTWFfb 


Hope you are all staying safe, well, and connected!

We are in extraordinary times, so this week's e-mail is going to be a bit different.

These extraordinary times make it ever more important to come together in community and minister each other.  The following is an excerpt from a message by national Unitarian Universalist Association President, Susan Frederick Gray:

"There is no script for these times. We are all learning as we go—building skills of resilience and letting compassion, connection, and ministry be our guide.

"Naturally, there is a lot of anxiety and fear. Connecting across physical distance will be ever more important. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you tend to your community:

• "Tend to the things that help reduce anxiety, particularly the acts of human connection that help calm us. People will experience different levels of insecurity and anxiety, particularly as weeks pass. Many are reminded of previous trauma and are navigating those alongside present circumstances. Others are holding personal fears for their own health and that of loved ones. Existing challenges, whether physical, conditional, emotional, or relational may be exacerbated.
• "Be diligent about calling, texting, video chatting, and emailing messages to your loved ones and community members. Practice good listening. Offer compassion and a non-anxious caring presence. Look at organizing small groups to come together virtually more frequently or create calling circles to stay connected. We are fortunate there are so many ways to connect across distance.
• "Provide specific ways people can help one another, the congregation, and larger community. Having a task, knowing how you can help and serve is a gift right now. Create opportunities for people to minister to one another."

We at UUFJC are feeling our way forward and seeking new ways to come together.  At the same time, we encourage our members and friends to reach out to each other by phone, e-mail, or whatever safe and responsible medium feels best for you.

Also please consider the virtual gatherings listed below.  We are relying on the Zoom platform, which we realize is a challenge for some.  For help, you may try this short video on how to join a webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGbpwZNW3oI.  Our president, Katherine Connor ([email protected]) will also do her best to help you.

Today, March 22nd:

April News Due.
Please submit your items for our April Newsletter and Print Calendar.  E-mail them to me at [email protected].

UU Church of Columbia Online Service - 10 am
UUFJC members and friends are invited to join our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia for online services.
Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianUniversalistChurchOfColumbiaMO/?eid=ARCFLwfOPhvNekpA6bZuhuMke8zRihU5cX37pHO0Ig0hKx3TtbHgCgOx6CG-2K9kJWv-gRxpo4lI5kdW
Zoom Webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/380411489 (you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom app if you don't already have it)
Zoom by iPhone one-tap :
    US: +16468769923,,380411489#  or +13126266799,,380411489#
Zoom by Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 646 876 9923  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 669 900 6833
         or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799
    Webinar ID: 380 411 489
    International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aTznTWFfb 

UUFJC Coffee Hour - 11:30 am
Zoom Webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/119378901?pwd=ZU9wN2xocGZLaDk1L2JjMHpibjFpUT09
Meeting ID: 119 378 901
Password: 491285
Zoom One tap mobile
+16465588656,,119378901# US (New York)
+13126266799,,119378901# US (Chicago)
Zoom by telephone:
Dial by your location
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 119 378 901
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

Next Sunday, March 29th:

We are again invited to the Columbia UU online service; see the information above.

Please watch your e-mail for online events from UUFJC.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As we try to find new ways to come together, we still need financial support, even without Sunday offering baskets.  To support UUFJC during this time, mail your pledges and contributions to: 
UUFJC
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

We are also still in our annual pledge drive.  We ask everyone who is able to estimate their financial support for the coming year so that we can plan our Fellowship’s future.  Contact our Treasurer, Bob Antweiler at [email protected].

This afternoon at 2 pm, our This I Believe small group will be meeting online via Zoom.  For more information, contact Alexis at [email protected].

Later this evening, our Worship Service Committee meet at 6 pm.  For the status of this meeting, contact our vice president, Lisa Sanning at [email protected].

Next Sunday, March 29th, our UU Ethics small group will be meeting online via Zoom.  For more information, contact Alexis at [email protected]. 

Community Events this week:

Many community events are canceled, including all in-person events at Missouri River Regional Library.  Even when events remain scheduled, we encourage our members and friends to follow CDC guidance and avoid gatherings of 10 or more people whenever possible.

However, we encourage you to explore the library's many online resources at MRRL.org.  Many more national and local organizations are stepping up with online resources that you can explore.

Please keep us informed of virtual events serving the local community.

For more events, see our online calendars, now including a new "Virtual Gatherings" calendar.  We are still working to catch up with changing events, so some listings, particularly in the Community Events calendar, may not be current; please contact event organizers for more information:

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

Have a safe week!

A message from our Treasurer, Bob Antweiler:

Greetings,
I hope everyone is being safe.

We are looking at our financial situation. Most of our costs are continuing. To support UUFJC during this time, mail your pledges and contributions to: 

UUFJC
PO Box 1245
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Your generosity is appreciated. 

Bob Antweiler. 

If you have any questions, you can contact Bob at: [email protected]

A Message from our Vice President/Worship Committee Chair, Lisa Sanning:

In light of the changing situation regarding the Coronavirus/Covid-19 situation, the board has decided to suspend Sunday services in the UUFJC building indefinitely. 

The CDC, at this point, is recommending gatherings of no more than 10 people and is urging people to socially distance themselves to prevent the spread of the virus and to keep our hospitals and the dedicated people working there, from being overwhelmed by the pandemic.

As a congregation, we will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

We are working on virtual alternatives so we can still be in community at this difficult time so look for more information to come as we develop those options for our members and friends. We can, and should, check on each other, by phone or email and reach out if we need support, (groceries/supplies delivered for those who shouldn't be out), or just a shoulder to lean on, or an ear to listen. 

Here are some links if you need more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html

This is a particularly helpful resource in explaining visually, (for those able to see the graphs), why social distancing is so important:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/17/817251610/its-time-to-get-serious-about-social-distancing-here-s-how

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/europe/italy-american-woman-life-under-quarantine/index.html

What Italians, who are dealing with failing hospitals, horrible ethical decisions, and rationing of medical resources, would tell themselves if they could travel back in time ten days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cImRzKXOs&feature=youtu.be

Here's one more link in a handy format describing what activities are red, yellow, or green on a social distancing scale:

https://www.gradyhealth.org/social-distancing/

Take care everyone and I'll be in touch soon about virtual services.

Lisa