Embracing Posibility

On Sunday, September 5, Rev. Mike Adamek joined us to begin our month of reflections on Embracing Possibility.  We often think of "realism" as a dark outlook, and many dark things are currently happening in our world to bolster that notion, but Rev. Mike reminded us that true realism means looking at all the possibilities, including the possibility of positive change.  The best way to foster hope for those positive possibilities, Rev. Mike said, is through using our reason, sympathizing with others and applying our ingenuity to improve the world for them and ourselves.  The key commitments of a reasoned approach are to provide evidence for your beliefs and to constantly re-examine those beliefs.  All of us, liberal, conservative, or independent, have a natural reflex to resist information that upsets our beliefs, or to believe things only because they are cultural touchstones we want to identify with.  We must accept this and do our best to dig beneath the things we think we know.  We can gain hope from a long history of human accomplishments arising from this approach --- new forms of healing, new values upholding peace and compassion --- and temper our "realism" with the possibilities to be found in whatever life deals us.

News Note: We are also looking forward to a party next week, celebrating milestones for two of our beloved longtime members.  See Coming Events below or contact Roberta Dunkel for more information.
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Next Sunday,September 12th:
Adult Forum - 9:15 am

"Critical Race Theory," Dr. Darius Watson of Lincoln University

Our Adult Forum is currently available both in-person and via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98858741051?pwd=d3ZMbHJSL3NjMGMxZEM5N1VxUysxQT09
Meeting ID: 988 5874 1051
Password: 047662  
Phone
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago - US toll)
Find your nearest number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am

Water Communion
All are invited to bring small offerings of water that represent places or experiences that have touched them in the past year.
Zoom participants can be part of the service as well. If they actually have water, they can hold it up and say a couple of sentences about it and then we'll have someone at the building pour in symbolic water for them.

Our services are currently available both in-person and via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94285041130
Meeting ID: 942 8504 1130
By Phone (US toll):
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your nearest number: https://zoom.us/u/ak1ZLCDJG

We are resuming Children's Religious Education at our in-person services!
This week's lesson: "Understanding the Principles 2:  learning compassion and empathy."
Children are welcome to join Religious Educator Samantha Porter for a lesson in the RE Room during the service hour.  For more details, contact Samantha or our RE Director, Kim Connor.

Masks are currently required for everyone attending UUFJC events in-person.  Free masks will be available if you do not have one.

Also note, we are transitioning to a new audio/video system for hybrid in-person and online services, and we’ve been experiencing some bumps along the way.  We appreciate your patience as we learn how to make the new technology work.

UUFJC News and Events this week:

Community Pantry update: Summer is ending and we are able to stock canned goods in our pantry again, as well as other nonperishables, personal care items, and more  For more information about the pantry and current needs, contact Joan Kurtzeborn: j[email protected].  Reimbursements are available; contact our treasurer, Bob Antweiler: [email protected].

On Thursdays at 5:30 pm, Katherine Connor hosts a weekly Zoom Happy Hour for UUFJC Members and Friends to gather and check in.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91843966450?pwd=djBwTEx4YUxseW9SdytSZjJGS0xrdz09
Meeting ID: 918 4396 6450
Password: 918925    
Phone:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago - US toll)

Find your nearest number: https://zoom.us/u/aeC2zyWdIo

On Fridays at 1 pm, Robin Duple of the UU Church of Columbia hosts a weekly Zoom get-together for crafters and creators of all stripes and has invited UUFJC members and friends to join in.  For more information, visit the UUCC website: 
https://uucomo.org/event/crafting-club-online-weekly/all/

Next Sunday, September 12th, we will be holding a party for Patt Behler and Jim Davis; Patt is celebrating her 94th birthday, and Jim is moving away to be near family.  After services, we will go to McClung Park Pavilion.  Entertainment, drinks, and cake will be provided.  Please bring a brown bag lunch.  For more information, contact Roberta Dunkel.

Later next Sunday, September 12th at 3 pm, Emma Regnier and Betty Cooper will hold the first session of their new classic book discussion group at our building.  This month's selection: 1984 by George Orwell.  Contact Emma or Betty for more information.

And starting next Sunday, September 12th, our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia are moving their online Sunday services to 9:30 am.  This may change our practice of opening our building to view UUCC's service when we do not have a service of our own scheduled.  Watch this e-mail list for updates.

Our building is reserved by community groups Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm; and Sundays starting at 7 pm.  If you have access to our building, please allow privacy at these times.

Community Events this week:

This Thursday, September 9th at 7 pm is the monthly meeting of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women.  Contact Charlotte Parsons for meeting information.

For more events, see our online calendars:

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