Sunday morning, Rev. Mike Adamek continued exploring our monthly theme of "Welcome" and asked, "what do we mean by Welcome?"  He described an experience where he had felt welcome as the feeling that others were interested in him and reaching out to him.  Citing the philosophers Martin Buber and Immanuel Kant, he challenged us to move beyond sorting the people we meet into mental categories for our own ease and safety, to extend genuine interest and actively bring people into the circles of connection in our lives.

Next Sunday, September 17th:

Newsletter Submissions Due.
Please submit your items for the October newsletter and print calendar to Laura Gilkey by e-mail or in writing.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Impolite Language in British Pubs," Frank Rycyk
A "zero-tolerance" policy has made swearing unwelcome in a chain of British pubs.  Regular patrons object: "Swearing is the language that accentuates stories.  It gets across your emotional response in a visceral way."  This is put into a context of British history.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Welcome!  Come On In," Rev. Nancy TannerThies
What do Jethro and the witch in Hansel and Gretel have in common?

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 --- "Welcoming the Hard Times"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The art committee will be holding pour painting classes this month with the aim of creating enough pieces to decorate the Fellowship.  The first class is coming next Sunday, September 17th from 1-3 pm (this is different than the time listed in the newsletter and print calendar; 1-3 pm is correct).  There is a small materials fee.  Please sign up on the sheet by the entrance or contact Joanna Babb.  The classes will be held in Judi Jecmen’s garage.  For directions and more information contact Judi or Joanna.

Monday, September 11th, Betty Cooper will host a peace gathering at noon by our Fellowship's Peace Pole at the corner of our parking lot.  Contact Betty for more information.

Later Monday evening at 7 pm is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series.  This month, James Klahr of the Missouri Ethics Commission speaks about campaign finance and lobbying.  Contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk.

This Thursday, September 14th at 7 pm, the local Transgender Support Group meets at our Fellowship.  Contact [email protected].

This Saturday, September 16th from 2-4 pm, members of the Fellowship are hosting a birthday party for Patt Behler, who is turning 90 this week.  For more information or to help, contact Roberta Dunkel.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, September 14th, the American Association of University Women has its first meeting of the new academic year.  This month's meeting will be at Meadowbrook Acres Country Club before the Association begins meeting at our Fellowship again next month.  Contact Charlotte Parsons..

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "May It Last - A Portrait of the Avett Brothers" (Tuesday only), "I Called Him Morgan" (Wednesday only), and "The Trip to Spain" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning was our annual Water Communion.  As is our tradition, we began a new church year, gathering back together after the summer months, and brought together samples of water representing experiences we'd had in the past year.

Jim Davis reflected on the symbolic significance of water, as it flows from rivers, lakes, and oceans to clouds and rain and snow and back again.  No water in the world is outside this cycle of the waters of the world, Jim said.  In the same way, no one of us is outside the circle of humanity that embraces all, including those around the world currently suffering from the power of water in floods.

Next Sunday, September 10th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Bots at Work," Gwen Grogan
Men Will Lose the Most Jobs...That's OK.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "What Do You Think, Feel, Hear, Smell, See or Taste When You Feel Welcome?," Rev. Mike Adamek
To practice the spiritual discipline of welcoming requires a willingness to see people as they are and accept people as they are without pretension, condescension, or pompousness. What is the first step in any authentic welcome?
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 --- "Welcoming Diversity"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

As part of our participation in Project Homeless Connect, we are collecting clothing this week.  New or gently used clothing, especially coats and jackets as well as new or gently used shoes or boots are needed.  Please place items in the box near the Project Homeless Connect display.  The box for clothing and the small bucket for new white socks and other personal items will be there until this Friday. Then on Saturday morning, Patt Behler and her helpers will transport it all to the collection site at the downtown Baptist Church.  For more information about Project Homeless Connect and more ways to help, contact Patt.

The art committee will be holding pour painting classes in September with the aim of creating enough pieces to decorate the Fellowship.  Note that the times have changed since the newsletter and print calendar were published.  The dates remain the same, Sunday, September 17th and Sunday, September 24th, but the correct time on both days is now 1-3 pm.  Contact Joanna Babb for more information.

This Friday, September 8th at 7 pm, Capital Area Missouri NOW (National Organization for Women) screens their monthly film at our Fellowship.  This month's selection: "Erin Brockovich."  Contact Sue Gibson.

The Worship Service Committee meets next Sunday, September 10th at 2:30 pm.  Contact Jim Davis.

Coming Monday, September 11th is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series.  This month, James Klahr of the Missouri Ethics Commission speaks about campaign finance and lobbying.  Contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk.

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, September 5th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library hosts a Capital READ Book Discussion.  Join library director Claudia Schoonover and adult programmer Madeline Matson for a discussion of The End of Your Life Book Club, the 2017 Capital READ title.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "The Case of the Three-Sided Dream," part of their Fall Jazz Series (Wednesday only), and "The Trip to Spain" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, our own Alexis returned from her seminary studies to finish our monthly theme of Presence.  UUs tend to love our first Principle, the "inherent worth and dignity of every person," but Alexis warned us not to take it too far and commit ourselves to an atomized individuality.  By balancing the first Principle with the third --- encouragement to spiritual growth --- and the seventh --- the interdependent web --- we can look at how our presence shapes the situations around us for better or for worse and grow beyond our comfort zones.  Learning to be the kind of presence we aspire to be necessitates facing uncomfortable truths, and truly welcoming new presences into our lives and communities means accepting change.  If we do these things, though, we can not only "stand by" each other, but "stand with" each other.

Next Sunday, September 3rd:

New Soul Matters Theme: "Welcome"

Clothing Donations for Project Homeless Connect.
See below or contact Patt Behler.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Post Traumatic Slave Masters Syndrome," guest Sharon Squires, Betty Cooper moderating
Sharon Squires is a Sociology Professor at Lincoln University whose research -- Post Traumatic Slave Masters Syndrome (PTSMS): The Real Tangle of Pathology -- questions the traditional discourse on race relations.  A pathology question is: If slavery has a lasting legacy for the slave does it not also have a lasting and equally important legacy for the slave master?    Possibly, with current news situations, a need exists to explore the motivations of White racist people.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Water Communion"
September is the beginning of a new church year.  Summer is over.  School has started.  This is a time of return, renewal and reunion.  Our UU tradition of Water Communion calls us to gather our community together once again in order to be reminded of our covenantal relationships with one another and to refresh the bonds of friendship and interdependence that unite us.  Please bring a small portion of water that is from, or represents, a journey you took during the summer – whether it be travel to a geographic location, or a spiritual journey, or accomplishing a goal, or passing a milestone in your life, etc.
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 Meaning of Welcome"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The September newsletter and print calendar are ready.  Paper copies are available by the entrance.  Electronic copies are available for download.

The art committee will be holding pour painting classes in September with the aim of creating enough pieces to decorate the Fellowship.  Contact Joanna Babb or see the September newsletter.

Monday, August 28th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  This month’s theme is “Facing White Supremacy.”  Contact Katherine Connor.

As part of our participation in Project Homeless Connect, we are collecting clothing next Sunday, September 3rd.  New or gently used clothing, especially coats and jackets as well as new or gently used shoes or boots are needed.  Please place items in the box near the Project Homeless Connect display.  For more information about Project Homeless Connect and more ways to help, contact Patt Behler.

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, August 29th, Missouri River Regional Library hosts "Nonfiction at Noon" in the Library Annex.  Discussion title: "The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis—and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance" by Ben Sasse.  The author sees an existential threat to the American way of life in a generation of youth that can’t grow up. A provocative book by an emerging political leader.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This Friday, September 1st at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents their First Friday Film: "Gifted."  Chris Evans plays a single man who works to give his child prodigy niece a “normal” life, despite interference from the girl’s grandmother, who wants her to attend a school for advanced students.  A custody battle ensues.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Lindy Lou, Juror Number Two" with a Q&A following the film (Thursday) and "Lady Macbeth" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, Rev. Mike Adamek spoke about the tension between Science and Religion.  The presence of science as a guiding principle is one of the distinctive hallmarks of Unitarian Universalism. but Rev. Mike reminded us not to get too comfortable about looking down on other churches' relationships with science.  Science demands that its practitioners doubt every "truth" but also acknowledge evidence and not misuse doubt to cling to desired beliefs.  Religion on the other hand, seeks things to affirm.  Another hallmark of UUs is our belief in freedom, but today neuroscience is questioning the very existence of free will; can we face the challenge of science casting doubt on our values?  Rev. Mike called on us to recognize that science won't always agree with our faith, but its guidance still holds UUs together.  And we are a faith that loves to say, "Doubt is the attendant of truth."

Next Sunday, August 27th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Presence," Betty Cooper
We will view a video featuring Amy Cuddy, who says: “Presence is removing, judgment, walls and masks so as to create a true and deep connection with people or experiences.”

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Stand By Me, Stand With Me," Alexis Engelbrecht
Using visuals, ritual, and song, let us contemplate what our unique presence brings to “the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” (7th Unitarian Universalist Principle).
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 --- "Sacred Presence"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The art committee will be holding pour painting classes in September with the aim of creating enough pieces to decorate the Fellowship.  Contact Joanna Babb.

We are once again collecting funds to support South Elementary School.  If you would like to contribute, please submit labeled donations to our treasurer, Bob Antweiler.

We need a small group of people to coordinate UUFJC's participation in Project Homeless Connect, which is scheduled for October 20th.  We are particularly looking for donations of new white socks, all sizes.  Fliers are available on the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary, or contact Patt Behler for more information.

This Thursday, August 24th at 7 pm, the local Transgender Support Group meets in our building.  Contact [email protected].

This Friday, August 25th is our monthly Salvation Army meal.  Please contact Jim and Joanna Babb if you can help prepare or serve food for those in need.  Serving begins at 5 pm; please arrive early to help prepare.

Later Friday evening at 6 pm, Citizens for Peace present their monthly Peace Documentary Film at our building.  Contact Betty Cooper.

This Saturday, August 26th, the Hola Amigos Spanish Speakers group meets in our building from 1 to 4 pm.  Contact Patt Behler.

Next Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm there will be a Soul Matters small group meeting at the Fellowship.  The meeting is now full, but please contact Alexis if you would like to participate in future meetings.

Community Events this week:

Monday, August 21st is the Total Eclipse of the Sun!  Enjoy the sight and protect your eyes!

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Lady Macbeth" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and "The Birds" at Riverside Amphitheater (Saturday only).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, Rev. Nancy continued our monthly theme of Presence with reflections on "The Divine Twins."  In many cultures and traditions, divine twins appear as opposites --- light and darkness, separation and union --- but paradoxically, they are both part of one whole.  Only in darkness does light shine; coming together is impossible without separate selves to bring to the union.  In a world where living together with all our differences is increasingly challenging and vital, Rev. Nancy called us to walk alongside each other without trying to judge or control, to embrace the diversity and paradox within ourselves and then use that knowledge to be present to each other.

Next Sunday, August 20th:

Newsletter Submissions Due.
Please submit your items for the September newsletter and print calendar to Laura Gilkey by e-mail ([email protected]) or in wriiting.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
Kurt Groner

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "When Religion Uses Science," Rev. Mike Adamek
How may religious individuals use science without abusing it?  Many Unitarian Universalists do not see a conflict between their religious faith and the pursuit of science.  Our ancestors and many others have made similar affirmations.  As we prepare for the solar eclipse on August 21st, let us look back and see when the presence of science has helped institutional religions and also when it has been an ill-mannered iconoclastic guest more interested in disruption than “making nice.”  Don’t be so sure your faith is immune from the disruptive rigors of science.
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 --- "Presence of Music"

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Last week the Art Committee held the first of several pour painting classes with the aim of creating enough pieces to decorate the Fellowship.  More classes will be coming in September.  Contact Joanna Babb.

Back-to-School season is upon us, and we are once again collecting funds to support South Elementary School.  If you would like to contribute, please submit labeled donations to our treasurer, Bob Antweiler.

We need a small group of people to coordinate UUFJC's participation in Project Homeless Connect, which is scheduled for October 20th.  We are particularly seeking donations of new white socks in all sizes.  Contact Patt Behler for volunteer forms and more information.

Monday, August 14th is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series.  This month, Eugene Vale, State Parks Division, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, will answer questions about the August 21st total eclipse of the sun that you may not have even thought to ask.  Contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk

This Saturday, August 19th, the Hola Amigos Spanish Speakers group meets in our building from 1 to 4 pm.  Contact Patt Behler.

Next Sunday, August 20th, Jefferson City Indivisible meets in our building from 1 to 2:30 pm.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, August 17th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library hosts an Author Talk by Larry Wood.  The author of "Wicked Women of Missouri" will share stories about some of the state’s infamous women.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Next Sunday, August 20th at 3:30 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents "Black Hole Sun: The Archaeology of Solar Eclipses."  Dr. Christine Boston, professor of anthropology at Lincoln University, will explore incidences of solar eclipses as they have occurred in antiquity, addressing how they affected cultural ideology, inspired solar predictions and scientific inquiry, fed into mythology, and influenced individuals’ power.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Then, one week from tomorrow, Monday, August 21st is the Total Eclipse of the Sun!  Enjoy the sight and protect your eyes!

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Landline" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and "E.T." (Sunday only).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, Jim Davis began exploring our new Soul Matters theme for August: "Presence."  Presence has many meanings, and we are sure to hear about more than one of them this month, but Jim chose to focus on the "unseen presence" of people, memories, and history that shape us and live on in us, even if we don't consciously remember them.  We see this on the personal level of our own formative influences, and we see it in the broad sweep of history.  Unitarian and/or universalist thinkers through the ages, from Origen's faith in reason in ancient times to Theodore Parker's focus on social justice in the 19th century, have left a legacy whose presence is still felt not only in us as UUs but in the development of present-day Christianity and of the United States.  We in turn, as we make ourselves present in the lives of others, will leave our own "unseen presence" long into the future.

Next Sunday, August 13th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Diversity at Lincoln University" with guest Rolundus Rice, Frank Rycyk moderating.
Dr. Rice serves as both dean and chief diversity officer at Lincoln University.  He is a recent arrival to Jefferson City.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "In the Presence of the Twins," Rev. Nancy TannerThies
Considering the necessity of holding conflicting ideas as we are present to one another and as we dwell in the Presence of the Divine.
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 Present of Presence"

Joys and Concerns Circle - 15 minutes after service, Forum Room
An opportunity to share aloud your own Joys and Concerns.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have a joy, milestone, concern, or sorrow to share, something you want to bring silently in your heart, or if you’re willing to support others by coming to listen.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Back-to-School season is upon us, and we are once again collecting funds to support South Elementary School.  If you would like to contribute, please submit labeled donations to our treasurer, Bob Antweiler.

We need a small group of people to coordinate UUFJC's participation in Project Homeless Connect, which is scheduled for October 20th.  Contact Patt Behler.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is still collecting signatures for the Clean Missouri initiative petition.  If you would like to sign or want more information about the petition, contact Katherine Connor.

This Thursday, August 10th at 7 pm, the local Transgender Support Group meets in our building.  Contact [email protected].

And coming Monday, August 14th is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series.  This month, Eugene Vale, State Parks Division, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, will answer questions about the August 21st total eclipse of the sun that you may not have even thought to ask.  Contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, August 8th, Citizens for Peace meet at 4 pm at Missouri River Regional Library upstairs in the Storyhour Room.  Contact Betty Cooper.

Later Tuesday evening at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents "Fake News: Perception and Reality."  Jamie L. Emery, research & instruction librarian/professor at St. Louis University, will shine light on the proliferation of misinformation in our current political culture and share strategies for recognizing both fake news and credible journalism. She will also raise awareness about confirmation bias, filter bubbles, and their impact on information consumers’ understanding of current events.  Contact Madeline Matson.

Thursday evening, August 10th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents a program on the Total Solar Eclipse.  Dr. Angela Speck, professor of astrophysics and director of MU’s astronomy program, will discuss why eclipses happen and how sun-earth-moon interactions affect life on our planet.  Dr. Speck is internationally known as an authority on stardust and works tirelessly to promote understanding and appreciation of science to audiences outside the university. She serves as national co-chair of the Total Solar Eclipse Task Force.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Landline" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, Rev. Julie Taylor once again visited our Fellowship to wrap up our monthly theme of Joy.  They started with a basic question: what is joy, and what makes it different from happiness?  Sometimes the two aren't much different, but when we say "joy," often we mean something more fleeting, rare, powerful, and spiritual.  Rev. Taylor used the example of the movie "Inside Out," where a character personifying "Joy" learns that as important as her job is, the other emotions also play important roles in a person's life, that trying to be nothing but happy can block growth and a deeper sense of joy.  To cultivate this deeper joy, Rev. Taylor suggested embracing the balance and complexity of our feelings, as well as connecting to others and to a larger purpose.

Next Sunday, August 6th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Child Advocacy," with guest Bruce Bates, Betty Cooper moderating
Bruce Bates is an attorney who is a court-appointed Guardian ad Lidem; he represents children in paternity or custody matters where abuse or neglect has been alleged; he advises the court as to what is best for the children.

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Presence," Jim Davis
We often take Presence for granted and hold it in the background of our awareness, but we should pause and reflect on the importance of Presence in our daily lives and communal living.  Some examples from UU history will be used as illustrations.
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 --- Volunteers Needed!

Joys and Concerns Circle - 15 minutes after service, Forum Room
An opportunity to share aloud your own Joys and Concerns.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have a joy, milestone, concern, or sorrow to share, something you want to bring silently in your heart, or if you’re willing to support others by coming to listen.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

The August newsletter and print calendar are ready.  Paper copies are available in our building by the entrance, and electronic copies are available for download.

We need a small group of people to coordinate UUFJC's participation in Project Homeless Connect, which is scheduled for October 20th.  Contact Patt Behler.

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is collecting signatures for the Clean Missouri initiative petition.  If you would like to sign or want more information about the petition, contact Katherine Connor.

This Saturday, August 5th, the Hola Amigos Spanish Speakers group will be meeting in our building from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Contact Patt Behler.

The UUFJC Board meets next Sunday, August 6th at 6:45 pm here at the Fellowship.  All are welcome to attend the board meeting.  For more information, contact our president, Katherine Connor.

Community Events this week:

If you missed the recent UUFJC Lecture Series presentation "Beyond PTSD, A First-Person Account," you may hear the same program at Rotary this Tuesday, August 1st at 5:30 pm at Grace Episcopal Church.  Contact Frank Rycyk.

This Friday, August 4th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents their First Friday Film: "The Zookeeper's Wife."  In 1939, Antonina and Jan Zabinski operate the Warsaw zoo, and live an idyllic life on the premises with their family. Their world changes when Poland is invaded by the Nazis. They risk everything by using the zoo’s hidden places to save people during the invasion and the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.  Jessica Chastain stars in this fact-based drama.  Contact Madeline Matson.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "The Journey" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, UUFJC member and laughter yoga teacher Jan Harcourt continued with our monthly theme of Joy.  Too often, Jan said, we suffer from the fears of "too much future" or the resentments of "too much past" when Joy is found in the present.  Jan shared some ways to meet Joy in the present.  For her, "Zen photography" --- bringing a camera on unhurried nature walks --- helps her to engage and pay attention, finding joy in the structural details of plants and the spontaneous play of animals.  We can also connect with the joy of the present moment through centering ourselves in our own bodies, as Jan showed us through a participatory movement and breathing exercise.  Being present in the moment brings us face to face with our pain as well as our joy, but it can teach us that every feeling passes in its time; being able to face suffering ultimately deepens our capacity for joy as well.

Next Sunday, July 30th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
Terri Rodgers

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "More Than Happy," Rev. Julie Taylor
Returning guest Rev. Julie Taylor specializes in critical incident response, trauma, and disaster spiritual care. They serve the UU Trauma Response Ministry team, are on the steering committee of the Don’t Shoot Coalition in St. Louis, are a Chaplain with the New York Air National Guard and are the director of the UU House of Study at Eden Theological Seminary.
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 --- Volunteers Needed!

Joys and Concerns Circle - 15 minutes after service, Forum Room
An opportunity to share aloud your own Joys and Concerns.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have a joy, milestone, concern, or sorrow to share, something you want to bring silently in your heart, or if you’re willing to support others by coming to listen.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Faith Voices for Jefferson City is collecting signatures for the Clean Missouri initiative petition.  If you would like to sign or want more information about the petition, contact Katherine Connor.

Monday, July 24th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church.  Contact Katherine Connor.

An online Soul Matters small group will be meeting this Wednesday, July 26th from 6 to 8:30 pm (the session announced for Sunday evening was moved to Wednesday by agreement of the participants).  If you would like to join, contact Alexis.

This Thursday, July 22nd, the local Transgender Support Group meets in our building at 7 pm.  Contact [email protected].

This Friday, July 28th is our monthly Salvation Army Meal.  Contact Bob Antweiler if you can help prepare or serve food for those in need.  Serving begins at 5 pm; please arrive early to help prepare.

Later Friday evening at 6 pm, Citizens for Peace present their monthly Last Friday Film at our building.  For film selection and more information, contact Betty Cooper.

Community Events this week:

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents Monty Python's "The Life of Brian" (Wednesday only), "The Birds (a special event at the Riverside Amphitheater Thursday only), and "The Journey" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

Sunday morning, Rev. Nancy TannerThies continued exploring our monthly theme of "Joy."  She cited an author who described Joy as a feeling that comes "from fulfillment of one's potential" and suggested the following creative steps:

Freeing or Awareness to understand our world and experiences,
Association to combine those materials in new ways,
Expression to act on our insights and connect with others,
Evaluation to understand the impact,
and Perseverance, because change always takes time.

Joy is a river, Rev. Nancy said, and as an ancient saying goes, "You can't step in the same river twice."  We will make mistakes, and those moments cannot be brought back and redone.  To keep floating the river of joy means letting go --- forgiving ourselves, accepting that we can't control the world or others, and doing the best we can in each new moment, because the world needs us now.

Next Sunday, July 23rd:

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

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Project Homeless Connect" with guest Sheila Murphy, Betty Cooper moderating

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: Jan Harcourt.
Jan Harcourt - a yoga, movement, and laughter instructor and longtime UUFJC member - will help us explore our monthly theme of Joy.
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 --- Volunteers Needed!

Joys and Concerns Circle - 15 minutes after service, Forum Room
An opportunity to share aloud your own Joys and Concerns.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have a joy, milestone, concern, or sorrow to share, something you want to bring silently in your heart, or if you’re willing to support others by coming to listen.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Monday, July 17th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City is co-sponsoring a Healthcare Reform Forum at 6:30 pm at Lincoln University’s Pawley Theater.  Featuring nationally known and local healthcare professionals.  Free and open to the public.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

The Worship Service Committee meets next Sunday, July 23rd at 9 am in the Library.  Contact Jim Davis.

Later next Sunday, a Soul Matters small group will meet in the sanctuary from 2 to 4 pm.  Alexis has been reaching out to people who expressed an interest, and that gathering is now full, but if you're interested in future meetings, please contact Alexis.  An online Soul Matters small group will also meet later next Sunday evening from 6:30 to 8 pm; at last report there was space for two more people to join, so contact Alexis if you'd like to take part. 

Coming Monday, July 24th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at Quinn Chapel AME Church at 6:30 pm.  Contact Katherine Connor.

Community Events this week:

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Vera's Vault" with a Q&A after the film (Saturday only) and "The Little Hours" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!

This Sunday we continued exploring our monthly theme of "Joy" with reflections from three of our members.

Elizabeth Prenger talked about her studies of Eastern medicine and Taoism, and shared the insight that joy is a guide that leads us to a balanced life, that reflecting on the joy we've experienced through virtues like justice, assertiveness, and self-care can help us maintain the balance that brings joy to our lives.

Katherine Connor shared insights from "The Book of Joy," based on a meeting between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  They discuss "the Eight Pillars of Joy."  These include both qualities of mind --- perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance --- and qualities of heart --- forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.

Jim Davis recognized that happiness can be difficult to find as we face challenging times.  Jim saw no help in leaving everything up to fate or a divine will, or in "just world" theories or individualism that can lead to self-blame.  For Jim, joy comes with interdependence, connection to others and nature, and he suggested this path toward joy: looking within to find our strengths and calling, then reaching out to connect and be of use to others.

Next Sunday, July 16th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
Alison Anderson

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Floating the Underground River: The Joy Beneath it All," 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 --- Volunteers Needed!

Joys and Concerns Circle - 15 minutes after service, Forum Room
An opportunity to share aloud your own Joys and Concerns.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have a joy, milestone, concern, or sorrow to share, something you want to bring silently in your heart, or if you’re willing to support others by coming to listen.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Monday, July 10th at 7 pm is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series.  Military veteran David Hammer will share his personal experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and his journey beyond.  Contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk.

Remember, this Wednesday, July 12th, is the voter registration deadline for the August election!

This Thursday, July 13th at 7 pm, the local Transgender Support Group meets in our building.  Contact [email protected].

Coming Monday, July 17th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City is co-sponsoring a Healthcare Reform Forum at 6:30 pm at Lincoln University’s Pawley Theater.  Featuring nationally known and local healthcare professionals.  Free and open to the public.  Contact Jan Harcourt.

Community Events this week:

This Tuesday, July 11th at 4 pm, Citizens for Peace meet at Missouri River Regional Library, upstairs in the Storyhour room.  Contact Betty Cooper.

This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "The Big Lebowski" (Wednesday only) and "The Little Hours" (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  For showtimes and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.

For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:

Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events

Have a great week!