Listless Isolation - and Possible Cures

This morning, we met in a virtual service via Zoom and heard from our own Rev. Nancy TannerThies.  Rev. Nancy shared the concept of "Acedia" --- a mental or spiritual lassitude known to early Christian monks in their isolated devotions, a state that makes days stretch forever and every action feel pointless.  In our current virus-imposed isolation, we may recognize this feeling, and without adopting early Christian moralizing about it, perhaps their experiences can offer some help to us.  The cure they prescribed: "Work and Pray."  Rev. Nancy suggested taking prayer in a broader sense: taking time for quiet, for checking in with ourselves and being present with our feelings, for contemplation and for naming our gratitudes and needs.  For the "work" of the prescription, she suggested maintaining structure and routine, and also looking forward to the work that lies ahead of us beyond this situation.  A new normal will come.  What do we want it to look like?  What do we want to do in it and with it?  When the time comes, how do we want to reconnect?

Next Sunday, April 26th:

Adult Forum - 9:15 am
Anthony Simones
Dr. Anthony Simones will surprise us with an enlightening legal discussion of his choosing.
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)
Meeting ID: 652 714 556
Password: 988270    
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 e-mail list 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 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 22nd 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 --- you do not have to read the book on your own.  This week we will listen to chapter 4.  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 23rd 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

This Friday, April 24th is our regularly scheduled Salvation Army meal.  While we want members and friends to stay safe, we also know that the need is great at this time.  If you want to help, contact  Bob Antweiler: [email protected].  

Our building is reserved for ongoing community groups on Monday, April 20th starting at 6:30 pm, Wednesday April 22nd starting at 6 pm, and Saturday April 25th 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!