​Jamestown, N.Y. – When Ruby Wiles speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, October 20, her topic will be “Rebuilding Our Once Civil And Civic-Minded Society.”

Wiles will share the results of her experiment of building bridges and civic engagement with her high school classmates at their 50th class reunion in Warren in late September. She will also reflect on public figures who have been working to rebuild our once civil and civic-minded way of life and how people's life stories affect their decisions and viewpoints.

Wiles received the UUCJ 2017 Richard T. Parker Award for Social Justice for founding and directing Free Books for Kids Town, which has provided thousands of free books to children in Warren County, Pa. Inspired by her passion to encourage kids’ reading by having books that belong to them, the church’s Social Justice Committee gives books to Jamestown’s Fletcher Elementary School kindergarteners, has free book boxes for both adults and children in their front yard, and hosts book give-aways on Halloween and Memorial Day. 

Wiles graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, interned at Community of Christ in Washington, D.C., while a student at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, and completed work in Clinical Pastoral Education at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her first call at a two-point parish in North Dakota was followed by 12 years at Calvary Lutheran Church in the Bronx. Returning to her roots in rural Pennsylvania, she served Tabor Lutheran Church in Kane before founding Free Books for Kids Town in 2013.

Pianist Julie Anderson provides the music for the service, and all are welcome to the potluck that follows.

Participation can be in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – Coming “home” to visit his parents is giving Joseph Bednarik an opportunity to speak to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) as he does regularly at UU churches in the Pacific Northwest. 

“Cosmic Time in the Middle of Nowhere” will be his topic at UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, October 13.

The Washington state resident describes his message as, “‘You’re in the middle of nowhere,’ the bartender said. Then a young farmer sat down, ordered a burger and a beer, and within minutes a conversation between strangers turned very deep. This Sunday we consider our various nowheres and the cosmic time we share within.” 

Bednarik grew up in Jamestown and has many fond memories of Bergman Park, Chautauqua Lake, and shoveling way too much snow. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1983, studied a year at Jamestown Community College, then earned a degree in philosophy from Haverford College. 

After college, Bednarik moved to the Pacific Northwest and began a long career in literary publishing. He has edited several books and recently published a collection of his Sunday morning talks titled Invited to Speak: Tell it true, make it vivid, keep it tight. 

Linnea Haskin is the service leader.  

Everyone is welcome to the service and coffee hour that follows at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown. To participate virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – Last spring Lakewood Memorial Library Executive Director Shannon Taylor spoke to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) about “Silencing Stories: Resisting Censorship in Libraries.”

On Sunday, September 22, the first day of Banned Books Week, Rev. Lauren Turner will address “The Limits of Free Speech” at the 10:30 a.m. service.

For 2023, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship – a 65% surge from 2022 –  as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. 

Turner says, “The pen is mightier than the sword. Free speech is essential for science, art and thriving societies. But are there limits?” He observes that our standards of free speech were set before bad actors could use computers to automate the distribution of lies to incite violence or alter elections. Extremists from both the right and the left want laws to limit certain types of free speech, and others use “soft despotism” to silence some through public shaming. Where should ethical people draw the line?

Now retired after many years as a Methodist minister, Turner has a longtime interest in book banning. After September, he is speaking at UUCJ on the second Sunday of odd months during the 2024-2025 church year.

Julie Anderson is the morning’s pianist.  

Everyone is welcome to the service and the potluck that follows at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown. To participate virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

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​Jamestown, N.Y. – The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, 1255 Prendergast Ave., Jamestown, presents “An Afternoon of Gershwin” Sunday, September 15 at 4 p.m.  

Ron Packard opens the program with George Gershwin piano selections. Songs like “Summertime,” “Embraceable You” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It” by mezzo-soprano Melanie Gritters and pianist Julie Anderson follow. 

In this 100th anniversary year of the premier of likely Gershwin’s most-recognized composition, Packard and clarinetist Elizabeth Brewer will perform Rhapsody in Blue as the finale of the program. 

Born in 1898, George Gershwin is one of the most significant and popular American composers of all time. He wrote for the Broadway musical theater, as well as orchestral and piano compositions. He was just 38 when he died. 

Rhapsody in Blue was a key composition that defined the Jazz Age and began a new era in America's musical history. It established Gershwin’s reputation as an eminent composer and became one of the most popular of all concert works. 

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a music concentration, Anderson has taught music classes in public and private schools and is currently an instructor at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts.

A former Infinity student who now teaches there, Brewer was a music education major as a clarinetist at SUNY Fredonia, where she is completing a degree in social studies adolescence education. She has performed with many local ensembles and twice with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Gritters has been singing publicly since age 5. She is a past member of Serendipity, the Chautauqua Chamber Singers, and Erie Renaissance. She currently enjoys singing with the First Presbyterian Church Choir in Jamestown. 

Packard began piano lessons at age 9 and was a student of applied music at Fredonia State. Following 15 years as a DJ for Princess Cruises, he has taught piano at all levels and ages at Infinity since 2015. Ron studied Rhapsody In Blue under the tutelage of Helga Hulse.

A freewill offering will benefit Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Fund. Infinity recently celebrated 25 years of service to the community. More than 1,000 students benefit from music, art, dance, theater, photography instruction and performance opportunities annually, with 30% of membership students qualifying for need-based scholarship support for their membership fees. 

A cookie reception follows the free event.

Parking is available behind the church or across the street in the parking lot of Christ First United Methodist Church.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – Books for all ages will be given away free this Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, during the Northside Neighborhood Block Sale. 

From 9 a.m. to noon, members of the Unitarian Church will have a table in front of their building at 1255 Prendergast Avenue, near Buffalo Street, where you are welcome to stop by and take a book of your choosing. Children’s books, cookbooks, novels and more will be among your choices. 

In the event of rain, the books will be moved just inside the sanctuary doors.

The congregation is participating in the Block Sale sponsored by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation as part of the neighborhood activities requirement for the Renaissance Block Challenge (RBC) grant. Hours for the entire sale are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inspired by research showing that growing up with more books in their home increases a child’s lifetime success, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) Social Justice Committee makes books available to children in the Jamestown community by giving them away for free. 

The church has “adopted” Fletcher Elementary School’s kindergarten classes, providing each student with books three times during the school year. On Halloween, children are welcomed into the building by costumed parishioners for a Halloween Read and Treat where they can choose a book, receive a treat, and do some simple crafts. 

The two book boxes in front of the church are filled with books; one is for adults and one for children. Anyone is welcome to take books of their choice any time.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – The vision of two board-certified forensic nurses, Drs. Jennifer Wilcox and Tammy Bimber, became reality a year ago with the opening of Jamestown’s Wellness and Forensic Center, a nonprofit medical clinic focused on services for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, sex trafficking, dating violence, stalking, and domestic violence. 

The Center serves Chautauqua County and provides support to rural communities in New York’s Erie and Cattaraugus counties and Warren County, Pennsylvania. In its first six months, it assisted 95 survivors of abuse and their families, helping with housing, clothing, food and more, in addition to trauma-informed medical and forensic services. The Center also provides extensive training, education, and prevention services to law enforcement, advocacy, child protection, multi-disciplinary, medical providers and county employees. 

In recognition of this important work, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown honored the Center with the T. Richard Park Award for Social Justice that included a $500 donation. At the presentation to Dr. Wilcox, committee chair Dr. Jeffrey Victor explained that the award was established in 1985 following the sudden death of Parker, a longtime leader of the congregation. It was created to memorialize his ideals in a way that would contribute to the local community. 

Responding to questions following her acceptance message, Wilcox said that the Center receives referrals from a wide range of sources including law enforcement, emergency rooms, private physicians and community members. Through generous community donations, it serves pediatrics, adolescents, and adults who require medical care at no cost. 

The Wellness and Forensic Center is located at 21 E. 3rd St. in downtown Jamestown. It is on Facebook and can be reached any time at (716) 488-7293. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa.

Jamestown, N.Y. – For 2023, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship – a 65% surge from 2022 –  as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. 

On Sunday, June 16 Lakewood Memorial Library Executive Director Shannon Taylor will address “Silencing Stories: Resisting Censorship in Libraries,” 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ). 

Taylor’s message will be a discussion of the rise of book challenges in recent years and why librarians are fighting against them. Why are books being challenged, and who is initiating the challenges? What can we do to support the freedom to read and to access information? 

After working at the Lakewood Memorial Library for two years, Taylor was named executive director in late 2019. She has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of South Florida and a master of public administration from SUNY Brockport. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature and writing from Indiana University Southeast. 

Everyone is welcome in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – Like last year during Jamestown’s Memorial Day Parade, the Unitarian Church is giving away books to all ages on Monday morning, May 27, 2024.

With this year’s parade route on Lakeview Avenue, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) is moving the giveaway from their Prendergast Avenue location to Christ First United Methodist Church near Lakeview Cemetery, the parade’s destination. Adults and children who are watching or participating in the parade are invited to stop by, choose a book to take home, and have a snack.

Inspired by research showing that growing up with more books in their home increases a child’s lifetime success, the UUCJ Social Justice Committee makes books available to children in the Jamestown community by giving them away for free. 

The church has “adopted” Fletcher Elementary School’s kindergarten classes, providing each student with books three times during the school year. On Halloween, children are welcomed into the building by costumed parishioners for a Halloween Read and Treat where they can choose a book, receive a treat, and do some simple crafts. 

The two book boxes in front of the church at 1255 Prendergast Avenue are filled with books; one is for adults and one for children. Anyone is welcome to take books of their choice any time.

Jamestown, N.Y. – Now returned to Chautauqua County after a long career as a United Methodist minister, Rev. Lauren Turner has been studying developments in artificial intelligence for the past decade. He uses it daily to produce graphics and sound. 

Turner says, “Artificial Intelligence has been making the headlines this year. Many believe it will have an impact on the economy, jobs, and politics as great or even greater than the internet.  Some compare the coming Age of AI to the Industrial Revolution. Some, including many of those who know it best, feel it poses a threat to humanity as great as nuclear weapons.” 

At the May 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m. service of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, Turner will speak on “Artificial Intelligence: Blessing or Threat?” He will try to discover what is hype and what is reality, and how this will affect all of us. 

Everyone is invited to the potluck that follows during which Turner will give a demonstration of how AI graphics programs work. “I may ask people to describe a scene and then tell me a famous painter whose style they like and in 15 seconds we could have a new masterpiece,” he says.

Early in his career, Turner worked in jails and prisons with inmates. Over the last few decades he has studied neuroscience extensively. He taught audio recording classes at Jamestown Community College and still writes music. In his spare time, he likes to write novels. This year Turner plans to make videos to preserve Democracy in the United States.

Participation can be in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

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​Jamestown, N.Y. – Rev. Lauren Turner returns to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) on Sunday, March 24. 

At the 10:30 a.m. service, he will speak on “Hearts and Minds.”

Turner observes that, “Thoughts come from our minds and feelings come from our hearts, right?  But doesn't the heart actually pump blood?  Where do feelings really come from? Neuroscience provides some surprising answers that relate to morality as well.  Modern science meets ancient wisdom in our message this week.”


“The Story of Jack” is the video Story For All Ages Turner created that will be part of the service.

Now retired after 46 years working as a United Methodist minister, early in Turner’s career he worked in jails and prisons with inmates. Over the last few decades he has studied neuroscience extensively. He taught audio recording classes at Jamestown Community College and still writes music. In his spare time, he likes to write novels. This year Turner plans to make videos to preserve Democracy in the United States.

Chuck Brininger is the service leader, and Julie Anderson is pianist.

Participation can be in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.