This Sunday, our own Sharon Morgan continued our monthly theme of "Here and Now" with a sermon on the activist call of Unitarian Universalism. Both our Unitarian and Universalist forebears held inclusive theologies and moral convictions that let them to embrace marginalized people and work for a just society. Many of them, both the famous and the unsung, fought for the abolition of slavery, prison and mental asylum reform, support of the civil rights movement, and much more. Here and now, similar convictions are embodied in our UU Principles, and the call to live out our faith is immediate and urgent; like Sharon, many of us feel among current events a variety of affronts to our values. No one can do everything, but all are called to do something.
Sharon's advice: Choose one or two issues that are close to your heart. Research them. Tell others about your convictions, and find or start a group of mutual support. Talk to those affected by the issue. Accept that you will make mistakes; learn from them. And finally, practice self-care so that you can sustain your efforts.
Next Sunday, August 19th:
Newsletter Submissions Due.
Please submit your items for our September newsletter and print calendar to Laura Gilkey by e-mail ([email protected]) or in writing.
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Toltec Civilization, Part 2," Stephen Carew
(Continued from July; please bring your July forum handouts.) The discussion in July centered around the Aztecs who were strongly influenced by a culture that rose to power in the Valley of Mexico called Toltec. The Toltecs were masters of architecture, art, medicine, engineering, and calendrics. They left no written records, but a masterpiece of the teachings was written by Don Miguel, called The Four Agreements. In July, two of The Four Agreements were discussed; this session focuses on Agreements 3 & 4.
Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "A Wider Deeper Center," Rev. Nancy TannerThies
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
Plus Children's RE --- "People of Risk - Risking Failure and Change"
Congregational Covenant Building Session - After Services
We are returning to the task of creating a covenant for our congregation, to share our expectations and hopes for how we treat each other within our Fellowship community and intentionally create our Fellowship's culture. Because it is important for everyone to have a voice in this process, it will take some time, and this session is only the first opportunity to contribute.
Please RSVP to Katherine Connor ([email protected]) if you plan to attend, and please contact her with any questions. Katherine can provide materials for review before the session..
Finger food will be provided in lieu of lunch.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
Tomorrow, Monday, August 13th at 7 pm is the monthly UUFJC Lecture Series. This month: "The Aging Brain" with Dr. Carolyn Perry. Dr. Perry will focus on new research about how creativity can help maintain a healthy brain. She will be teaching a course this fall about the aging brain at Westminster College, where she serves as vice president. For more information about the lecture series, contact Carol Bontempo or Frank Rycyk.
This Friday, August 17th, our building is reserved by a community group starting at 6:30 pm. Please allow privacy.
Community Events this week:
This Tuesday, August 14th at 7 pm in their Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library hosts a presentation on the Climate Reality Project. Climate change is affecting ecosystems and communities across the globe, but it’s not too late to take action. Gary Leabman, a Climate Reality Leader, recently spent time in Mexico City training with the Climate Reality Project where he learned much from Nobel Prize Laureates and other about the climate crisis. He will explain why now is the time for a Sustainability Revolution with the speed of the digital revolution. Contact Madeline Matson.
This week, Capitol City Cinema hosts a book signing with Jason Kander (Tuesday at 7 pm), as well as presenting the film "First Reformed" (Thursday through Sunday). For showtimes, more events, and more information, visit capitolcitycinema.org.
For yoga and even more events, see our online calendars:
Service Committee
Religious Education
Building Use (other)
Social Action
Community Events
Have a great week!