Jamestown, N.Y. – “The Resource Center (TRC) – Making a Difference in Our Community for 65 Years” is the subject of Steven Waterson’s presentation to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) Sunday, January 14, 2024. TRC’s director of community relations, marketing and development is speaking at UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. The Resource Center was founded in 1958 thanks to the efforts of families who wanted better lives for their loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today TRC supports people with all types of challenges. It also offers a range of health care services that are available to anyone in the local community and is a valued manufacturing subcontractor for area industry and the federal government. Waterson has been employed with The Resource Center since 1993, serving his entire time in the community relations office. Prior to joining TRC, he worked as a reporter and editor at two newspapers owned by The Ogden Newspapers group, including The Post-Journal. He also worked for a while in the community relations office at Jamestown Community College. In his current role since 2008, Waterson helps to promote and explain The Resource Center’s mission and assists in raising money for TRC and Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based not-for-profit organization that supports The Resource Center. He is The Resource Center’s initial point of contact and spokesperson for media contacts, inquiries and news stories, and he received TRC’s Employee of the Year Award for 2006. Waterson obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology from the University of Richmond. He serves on the Fundraising Committee of Family Service of the Chautauqua Region. Bruce Anderson is service leader. A social time and congregational meeting 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. – The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) kicks off the new year with an interesting question posed by their virtual First Sunday preacher. From his home in Oregon, at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, January 7, 2024, Rev. Alex Holt asks, “What DO Real Ministers Do?” “Ever wondered about why ministers do what they do? And isn't everyone a minister?” Rev. Alex poses. He will explore some of the insights we all learn in being of service (one definition of ministry). He also asks, “Please write down any questions you might have on this topic and the service leader will read them; I won't hear or see any of the questions in advance.” Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. Last summer he completed four years as the interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville. Before that, he was most recently interim minister in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Bend, Oregon; and Clemson, South Carolina. After growing up on a farm in rural Maine, Holt attended University of Southern Maine, Penn State and University of California, Berkeley in his academic work. He has a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry as well as an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Penn State. A long-term Buddhist student, Holt has focused on dharma work in addictions ministry. (Learn more at UUJamestown.org/about.) Linda Hiers is service leader, and pianist Julie Anderson provides the music. A social time 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. – In November, Dr. Jean-François Godet-Calogeras spoke at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) about Francis of Assissi. The Saint Bonaventure University Professor Emeritus of Franciscan Studies returns Sunday, December 17, 2023, to discuss “Clare of Assisi, A Woman's Leadership.” At the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service Godet-Calogeras introduces Lady Clare, a noble woman of Assisi, who in 1211 was the first woman to join Francis and his companions in the new movement known today as the Franciscan movement. At a time of high patriarchy in society and in the church, women did not have control of their lives: decisions were made for them. At 18, Clare broke the rules and opened the door to more possibilities for women. She knew what she wanted; she was assertive and talented, and she developed a new understanding and style of leadership for women. Belgium native Godet-Calogeras is known internationally for his publications on the early Franciscan documents, in particular the writings of Francis and Clare of Assisi, and for his lectures and workshops on early Franciscan history. He received his education in classical philology and medieval studies at the Catholic University of Louvain and came to the United States more than 30 years ago. Godet-Calogeras’s interests and community involvement include the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, Health Care Access Coalition (HCAC), and Enchanted Mountains Village. He lives with his wife Athena in Allegany, New York. Kristin Chambers is the service leader, and Julie Anderson is pianist. A social time 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. – “It was an honor and a privilege to have Verdis LeVar Robinson as our virtual first Sunday preacher during our 2022-2023 church year,” said Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) President Bruce Anderson. “For many of us, this Sunday (December 10) will be our first opportunity to meet him in person.” Rev. Robinson joined UUCJ on Zoom monthly while he was a seminary student and interning as ministerial coordinator of worship arts production and adult LSE at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, Vermont. His ordination on December 3 at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, where he is now the minister for growth, will also be celebrated when he preaches at UUCJ on “R.I.P. (Peace vs. Power)” at the Sunday, December 10, 10:30 a.m. service Robinson says, “The expression ‘Rest in Peace’ or ‘R.I.P’ became widespread on tombstones of Christians in the 18th century and speaks to the hope that in death we will be able to rest peacefully knowing that we have lived a good life and that those we are leaving behind are cared for and loved. It has become a blessing rendered to those we have lost and also comforts those who are left behind to journey through sorrow and grief.” He adds that recent trends have replaced “Peace” with “Power.” Everyone is welcome to participate as this trend is explored and inspiration is sought in these turbulent times. Before entering Chicago’s Meadville Lombard Theological School, Robinson was a tenured Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies at Monroe Community College in Rochester for ten years. With a B.M. in Voice Performance from Boston University, a B.S. cum laude and M.A. in History from SUNY College at Brockport, and an M.A. in African-American Studies from SUNY University at Buffalo, Robinson received his Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard in May. Emily Garrick is the service leader. A potluck and celebration time follows the service. 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. – Since his return from Meadville, Pennsylvania, to his home in Oregon last summer, Rev. Alex Holt has been the virtual First Sunday preacher for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ). At the UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, December 3, Holt speaks on “The Historical Jesus Reconsidered: Remembering the Radical Teachings.” Of his message, Holt says, “Unitarian Universalists sometimes wrestle with the story of Jesus. Dr. Marcus Borg was a liberal Lutheran scholar and one of my teachers at seminary. He told us (UU's) that the historical Jesus and his ministry were far more significant than the post-Easter Christ. Do the teachings of Jesus shorn of dogma have lessons for us now?” Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. This past summer he completed four years as the interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville. Before that, he was most recently interim minister in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Bend, Oregon; and Clemson, South Carolina. After growing up on a farm in rural Maine, Holt attended University of Southern Maine, Penn State and University of California, Berkeley in his academic work. He has a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry as well as an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Penn State. A long-term Buddhist student, Holt has focused on dharma work in addictions ministry. Linda Hiers is service leader, and pianist Julie Anderson provides the music. A social time 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. – In person and virtually, thousands of Unitarian Universalists took part in their 2023 General Assembly (GA). This annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, when participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process, was held June 20-23 in Pittsburgh, Pa. While anyone may attend GA, Janet Forbes and Emily Garrick were present as voting delegates from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ). Those at the UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, November 26 will get a flavor of their experience with a video segment from the 2023 GA Sunday service. Accompanied by the band, the choir sings “I Am Willing” before Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti delivers the sermon. The message is followed by words from Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd and the choir’s “We Can Be the Light.” Mishra-Marzetti closes with the benediction. Ladd is senior minister at River Road UU Congregation in Bethesda, Md.. Mishra-Marzetti is senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has served extensively in Unitarian Universalist leadership, including as a member of the UUA Board of Trustees, president of the Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM), commissioner on the UUA Commission on Appraisal, secretary of the board of Starr King School for the Ministry, and as an author and advocate of the 2007 General Assembly resolution confronting gender identity-related discrimination. He brings to the ministry his multicultural experience serving as a U.S. diplomat during the Clinton administration. Sarah Kindrick is the morning’s service leader. A social time 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. – When Ruby Wiles speaks to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) on Sunday, November 19, she will describe “The Transformative Power of Gratitude.” For the week of Thanksgiving, Wiles will share, “How gratitude can change you and the world, and why I believe the generation that lived through the great depression may have been our greatest generation.” In 2017, Wiles received the UUCJ Richard T. Parker Award for Social Justice for her work in founding and directing Free Books for Kids Town. This organization has provided thousands of free books to children in Warren County, Pennsylvania. 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 and has two free book boxes in their front yard. 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. 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. – Belgium native Jean-François Godet-Calogeras presents “The Morphing of the Franciscan Movement” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service Sunday, November 12, 2023. Godet-Calogeras is a Franciscan, a medievalist, and professor emeritus of Franciscan Studies at Saint Bonaventure University. He message shows how, 800 years ago, Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Movement, struggled to maintain the spirit and life of the original fraternitas while it was being institutionalized into an ordo, an official order in the Roman Church. Born in Europe in the aftermath of World War II, Godet-Calogeras is known internationally for his publications on the early Franciscan documents, in particular the writings of Francis and Clare of Assisi, and for his lectures and workshops on early Franciscan history. He received his education in classical philology and medieval studies at the Catholic University of Louvain and came to the United States more than 30 years ago. His interests and community involvement include the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. Health Care Access Coalition (HCAC), and Enchanted Mountains Village. He lives with his wife Athena in Allegany, New York. The message relates to the fourth of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Kristin Chambers is the service leader. A social time 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. – “The God Problem: Old Questions, New Answers” will be explored at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service Sunday, November 5. The church’s “first Sunday” preacher, Rev. Alex Holt, addresses the subject virtually from his home in Eugene, Oregon. Of his message, Holt says, “Do I believe in ‘God’? No and Yes (a natural UU answer). What if we change the rules about worship and devotion to a Creator God? What about another way of understanding a concept that has bedeviled people for thousands of years? Hint: it involves a triple chocolate cake with chocolate sauce on it." The message most closely relates to the fourth of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. This past summer he completed four years as the interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville, Pa. Before that, he was most recently interim minister in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Bend, Oregon; and Clemson, South Carolina. After growing up on a farm in rural Maine, Holt attended University of Southern Maine, Penn State and University of California, Berkeley in his academic work. He has a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry as well as an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Penn State. A long-term Buddhist student, Holt has focused on dharma work in addictions ministry. Pianist Julie Anderson provides the music for the service. A social time 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. – “A brief, queer look at knowing and being known” is how Jamestown Pride board member Timothy Starr describes what he will share when he presents “The Stories of Our Lives” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) on the last Sunday of LGBT History Month. Starr is speaking at UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Starr was raised in Chautauqua County, with the maternal side of his family residing there since the War of 1812. He grew up in a conservative evangelical family that was deeply involved in the Ellery Baptist Church. He first realized he was gay just prior to Anita Bryant and Jerry Falwell beginning their notorious campaigns against the LGBTQ community. Receiving his BA from Wheaton College (Illinois) in 1986, Starr began the coming out process in Chicago in the mid-80s, as the AIDS crisis was starting to tighten its grip on the gay community. Over the years he journeyed physically across the country, from Chautauqua Lake to Chicago, from Denver to San Francisco, then to San Diego, returning to Chautauqua County in 2016 (he still hates the snow). He has journeyed spiritually from his conservative evangelical roots to being a devout Episcopalian for over 40 years, finally landing in a place where he likes to refer to himself as a “Gay, Atheist, Episcopalian.” He’s been a senior engineer for the last 22 years with Peraton, an offshoot company of EDS and HP. Over the years he’s worked with various AIDS and LGBTQ groups and is currently on the Board of Jamestown Pride as treasurer. The service most closely relates to the first and second of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and justice, equity and compassion in human relations. The story for all ages is a Pop’n’Olly video, Pride Explained for Kids. Chuck Brininger is the service leader. A social time follows the service. 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. |