On Sunday, March 20th, our own Katherine Connor shared her reflections on one of the Unitarian Universalist Association's "Braver/Wiser" readings, "The Question" by Erika A. Hewitt. As we consider the rare miracle of life on earth --- and its fragility in the face of some of the human behavior we see --- it can be a challenge to renew our faith in humanity and the future, but Katherine reminded us that "resignation is not an option." If we look beyond the ugly events that grab our attention, we can see the arc of history bending toward justice against the odds, and we can see acts of compassion and courage all around, from the outpouring of support for the people of Ukraine to a UUFJC friend donating to our community pantry. In a complex and interconnected world, we can't know what difference our actions will make, but we know that even small actions do make a difference.
The Braver/Wiser collection is a great resource for reflection, and we invite other members and friends to share essays that speak to them and their reflections on them. If you are interested, contact our vice president, Lisa Sanning.
In other news, our board is continuing to monitor the Covid situation, and we currently feel comfortable returning our seating arrangement to normal. Full statement from our president, Rich Burdge:
"After two years and a very difficult winter, there are indications that the COVID-19 pandemic is easing. Various metrics and indicators show that Cole County, and much of the state and country, is now at relatively low risk, and that this risk will continue to decline. While there is word of a new subvariant in Europe, it is very similar to Omicron, and it is not clear how much of an impact it will have here. Given this situation, the UUFJC Board has determined that the time is appropriate to return to conventional, undistanced seating during our Sunday services. If circumstances change, we will change our practices as well. Virtual attendance by Zoom is still an option for those who wish, and our seating arrangement has always been somewhat flexible. It should not be a problem for those who wish to maintain social distancing to do so during the service. We would also like to thank all our members for their cooperation during these past difficult months, which has allowed us to successfully keep our congregation relatively safe from COVID-19. While we can't know exactly what the future brings, we are hopeful that the worst of this pandemic is behind us, and we look forward to gathering together again, and making the most of the days to come."
For those who would also like to keep up with our neighbors at the UU Church of Columbia, their service from this morning is now available to view online: https://youtu.be/sT1DKOt9_G4
Next Sunday, March 27th:
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Alternative Energy Readings," Frank Rycyk
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
UUFJC Election of Officers
We will be sharing a message from our larger UU community via video.
This service will also include our annual Election of Officers. Voting members, please plan to attend. If you have any questions, contact our president, Rich Burdge.
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
Children's Religious Education - 10:30 am
Children attending in-person are welcome to join RE Instructor Samantha Porter for a lesson during the service hour. This week's lesson: "Compassion."
Masks are now optional for those attending UUFJC events in person.
If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have read during a service or shared in our weekly email, please submit it by noon on the Friday before through our website: http://uufjc.org/joys--concerns.html
We will also have paper forms available Sunday morning for submissions.
Zoom participants, please use the web form. Submissions made after noon on Friday may not be read or shared until the following week..
UUFJC News and Events this week:
For accessibility and convenience, we now have an option to donate to our Fellowship online 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!
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).
Submissions for our April newsletter are due TODAY. Please email any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP ([email protected]).
We are always in need of donations for our free community pantry. For more information about the pantry and current needs, contact Joan Kurtzeborn. 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
This Friday, March 25th is our monthly Salvation Army meal. Please contact Bob Antweiler if you can help provide food for those in need. Due to the pandemic, we have been asked not to serve the meal in person at this time. Reimbursements are available.
Our building 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:
Tomorrow, Monday, March 21st at 6:30 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library presents the latest installment of the LU-MRRL Lecture Series: "Living the Dream: The Women of Lincoln." The founding soldiers of Lincoln Institute had a vision of opportunity for education for those who had been denied previously. Seizing the chance offered to them, African-American women came to Lincoln to learn, nurture, and succeed. For 156 years, the Women of Lincoln have made a difference, Presenters for this program will be Mark Schleer, LU archivist, and Ithaca Bryant, assistant archivist. Contact Madeline Matson. For more on library events, visit MRRL.org.
For more events, see our online calendars:
UUFJC Events
Virtual Gatherings
Affiliated Events
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Community Events
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