Today, author and researcher Gary Kremer of the Missouri State Historical Society visited our Fellowship to give an excellent and challenging talk on the historical background of the racial issues we see today, in Ferguson and elsewhere. He traces the problem to different experiences of history. Many white people look to the past and see honored ancestors whose achievements they take pride in and whose reputations they will leap to defend. Many black people, however, look back on the same times and places and see the scars of white supremacist violence and institutional bad faith. The disconnect is a deep challenge, but we can begin by listening.
I as a white person remember seeing video of a famous African-American folk singer performing a song and punctuating it with raps on the body of her guitar. "How interesting to use the guitar for percussion," I thought. Only when the song was over did I find out --- it was a chain-gang song. The raps on the guitar marked the places where black men had been forced to swing pickaxes, in a history where the justice system was used to sentence them to labor in a back-door continuation of slavery.
Nancy Ellis-Ordway also recommends the book "Children of the Dream" by Laurel Holliday. It is a collection of essays written mostly by people growing up black in post-"I Have a Dream" America, often about attempts to assimilate and why they failed. As Nancy writes, part of developing empathy is listening to other people's stories.
Next Sunday, February 1st, 2015:
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Charlie Hebdo," Bob Boldt
Parent Workshop - 9:30 am
Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "When was the last time you checked your worldview?" Rev. Mike Adamek
Your worldview is the reality you imagine you inhabit. Your cosmology has left the three layer cake of heaven, earth, and hell far behind. But does your world view include the Higgs boson, dark matter and dark energy? I love the mystery of life, but science fascinates me when it turns the unknown to new knowledge.
Plus Children's RE - Volunteers Needed!
Youth RE is available. Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe
65ers+ Meet. See below.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
The February Newsletter and print calendar are ready. We have paper copiesin the back of the Sanctuary. Electronic copies are also available.
If you are willing to give someone a ride to services once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 26th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church. This month's assembly will begin a planned yearlong conversation on race. Contact Katherine Connor for more information.
This Friday, January 30th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the Last Friday Documentary film. This month's selection, "Muscle Shoals," deals with the Blues tradition and is possibly one of the best music films ever made. Contact Bob Boldt.
A new weekly Gentle Yoga session is starting at the Fellowship this Saturday, January 31st at 11 am. Contact Jan Harcourt.
The 65ers+ will Meet and Eat after services next Sunday, February 1st. A main dish will be provided; please bring side dishes. Contact Patt Behler.
Community Events this week:
Monday, January 26th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents "Songs of the Civil War." This program of music, history and storytelling features Bob Welch, who uses vocals, banjo and guitar to bring history to life for all ages. The audience will be treated to songs, along with interesting and sometimes humorous stories, associated with the Union as well as the Confederacy. Welch has presented his program across the country in museums, historical societies, fairs, senior centers, schools and libraries. Contact Madeline Matson.
Tuesday, January 27th beginning at 6:30 pm, Lincoln University hosts comedian and peace activist Dick Gregory at Mitchell Auditorium at the Richardson Fine Arts Center. The event is in collaboration with the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, January 29th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents "The Marijuana Question" with Dan Viets. Is Missouri ready for marijuana legalization? Four states have now legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. Twenty states also have some form of medical marijuana law, and efforts are underway in Missouri to place an issue on the ballot in 2016—a proposal to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. Attorney Dan Viets has practiced law in Missouri for 28 years and is the statewide coordinator and a national officer for NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. He also hosts a show dealing with civil liberties issues on KOPN-FM Radio. Contact Madeline Matson.
This Saturday, January 31st, the Missouri Theater in Columbia hosts the Peace Corps Third Goal Film Festival from noon to 9 pm. Contact Patt Behler for information and posters.
The Jefferson City Police Department and Cole County Sheriff's Department are offering Rape Aggression Defense Classes. The first session starts March 10th; pre-registration required. Contact Patt Behler for information on how to register.
This week, Capitol City cinema presents "Song One" and showings of this year's Oscar-nominated Short Films in the Animation category. For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.
For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.
I as a white person remember seeing video of a famous African-American folk singer performing a song and punctuating it with raps on the body of her guitar. "How interesting to use the guitar for percussion," I thought. Only when the song was over did I find out --- it was a chain-gang song. The raps on the guitar marked the places where black men had been forced to swing pickaxes, in a history where the justice system was used to sentence them to labor in a back-door continuation of slavery.
Nancy Ellis-Ordway also recommends the book "Children of the Dream" by Laurel Holliday. It is a collection of essays written mostly by people growing up black in post-"I Have a Dream" America, often about attempts to assimilate and why they failed. As Nancy writes, part of developing empathy is listening to other people's stories.
Next Sunday, February 1st, 2015:
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Charlie Hebdo," Bob Boldt
Parent Workshop - 9:30 am
Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "When was the last time you checked your worldview?" Rev. Mike Adamek
Your worldview is the reality you imagine you inhabit. Your cosmology has left the three layer cake of heaven, earth, and hell far behind. But does your world view include the Higgs boson, dark matter and dark energy? I love the mystery of life, but science fascinates me when it turns the unknown to new knowledge.
Plus Children's RE - Volunteers Needed!
Youth RE is available. Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe
65ers+ Meet. See below.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
The February Newsletter and print calendar are ready. We have paper copiesin the back of the Sanctuary. Electronic copies are also available.
If you are willing to give someone a ride to services once a month, please see Bob Antweiler.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 26th, Faith Voices for Jefferson City holds its monthly assembly at 6:30 pm at Quinn Chapel AME Church. This month's assembly will begin a planned yearlong conversation on race. Contact Katherine Connor for more information.
This Friday, January 30th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is the Last Friday Documentary film. This month's selection, "Muscle Shoals," deals with the Blues tradition and is possibly one of the best music films ever made. Contact Bob Boldt.
A new weekly Gentle Yoga session is starting at the Fellowship this Saturday, January 31st at 11 am. Contact Jan Harcourt.
The 65ers+ will Meet and Eat after services next Sunday, February 1st. A main dish will be provided; please bring side dishes. Contact Patt Behler.
Community Events this week:
Monday, January 26th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents "Songs of the Civil War." This program of music, history and storytelling features Bob Welch, who uses vocals, banjo and guitar to bring history to life for all ages. The audience will be treated to songs, along with interesting and sometimes humorous stories, associated with the Union as well as the Confederacy. Welch has presented his program across the country in museums, historical societies, fairs, senior centers, schools and libraries. Contact Madeline Matson.
Tuesday, January 27th beginning at 6:30 pm, Lincoln University hosts comedian and peace activist Dick Gregory at Mitchell Auditorium at the Richardson Fine Arts Center. The event is in collaboration with the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, January 29th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, MRRL presents "The Marijuana Question" with Dan Viets. Is Missouri ready for marijuana legalization? Four states have now legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. Twenty states also have some form of medical marijuana law, and efforts are underway in Missouri to place an issue on the ballot in 2016—a proposal to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. Attorney Dan Viets has practiced law in Missouri for 28 years and is the statewide coordinator and a national officer for NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. He also hosts a show dealing with civil liberties issues on KOPN-FM Radio. Contact Madeline Matson.
This Saturday, January 31st, the Missouri Theater in Columbia hosts the Peace Corps Third Goal Film Festival from noon to 9 pm. Contact Patt Behler for information and posters.
The Jefferson City Police Department and Cole County Sheriff's Department are offering Rape Aggression Defense Classes. The first session starts March 10th; pre-registration required. Contact Patt Behler for information on how to register.
This week, Capitol City cinema presents "Song One" and showings of this year's Oscar-nominated Short Films in the Animation category. For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.
For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.
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