Reflections on Welcome

The October newsletter has been delayed.  Our editor is deeply grateful for everyone's patience.

Yesterday morning, we wrapped up our month of reflections on Welcome as Lisa Sanning read a sermon by Rev. Jone Johnson Lewis.  Lewis described the UU aspiration of welcome as: "to grow and develop our capacity, and the world’s capacity, to see each human being as precious as they are and full of potential to grow."  This, she points out, is a paradox, like saying we are already perfect at the same time that we are a messy work in progress.  Lewis centers her message on a poem by Rumi, the one we at UUFJC sing a version of as our ingathering; this is the translation she uses:

"Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving — it doesn't matter,
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, though you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, come again, come."


We have broken our vows a thousand times, but we need not despair.  We can look at ourselves with compassion --- what were we trying to achieve with those broken vows?  What values were we trying however imperfectly to live into?  We can see our mistakes and our preciousness, and move together toward the fullness of our potential for growth.  By looking at ourselves and others with this lens of compassionate curiosity, we can create a spirit of welcome and truly say: "Come, yet again come."

UUFJC News and Events this week:

For accessibility and convenience, we have an option to donate to our Fellowship online through PayPal:

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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!


And remember all our ways to stay in touch!  You can visit our website at uufjc.org.  You can also join our open-posting "UUFJC Cafe" Google Group to chat with other members and friends via e-mail and receive additional announcements and reminders (contact the Administrator at [email protected] to join).

The restoration of our building after our recent fire continues, although we still expect it to be some time before we can move back.  If you have any questions about the state of the restoration, please contact our board president, Rich Burdge.

An independent Insight Meditation group taught by Joe McCormack meets at our building Thursday nights at 7 pm, when possible.  Zoom may also be available.  For more information, contact Bob Antweiler.

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

Community Events this week:

No community events were submitted for inclusion in this week's email.  If you know of a community event you would like to see listed in this space, contact our administrator: [email protected].

For more events, see our online calendars:

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