Jamestown, N.Y. – Continuing their annual tradition, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) will again be having a Halloween Book Giveaway during Jamestown’s Trick or Treat hours, 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The church at 1255 Prendergast Avenue will be open for kids, teens and adults to enjoy treats, choose books from a large selection for all ages, and do a simple craft, if they would like. Inspired by research showing that growing up with more books in their home increases a person’s literacy and educational achievement, the UUCJ Social Justice Committee is committed to making more books available to children in the Jamestown community. The two book boxes in front of the church building—one for children and one for adults—are filled with books that are free for the taking. The church also encourages reading by giving books to Fletcher Elementary School kindergarteners. There is parking behind the church. Jamestown, N.Y. – Loneliness and isolation are some of the heaviest challenges facing the aged. Two years ago, a group of individuals in the greater Olean area who were united by one thing – the desire to age well at home – incorporated as the Enchanted Mountains Village. On Sunday, October 22, Cattaraugus County resident and retired social worker Kristin Chambers will share their story in her message “It Takes an Intentional Village” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. Enchanted Mountains Village is a “village” without a physical presence, without streets or a brick-and-mortar presence in any one place; it is a village identified by its voluntary membership. Its mission is to support its members through their later years by fostering connections to each other, community resources, and social activities, thus encouraging the development of a vibrant, involved, and mutually supportive community. Chambers has been a member of Enchanted Mountains Village since Day One, and in this reflection she discusses how the worn-out phrase “it takes a village” – normally applied to meeting the needs of children – is also perfectly applicable to the aging. “Going Batty” by Gramma K is the Story for All Ages. The message most closely relates to the first and seventh of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. A former Chautauqua County resident, Chambers now lives in Hinsdale, N.Y., with her husband, Ed Miner. She was a professor of social work and spent many years as a youth and family counselor. In 2017, she retired from writing training programs in the social services for the Center for the Development of Human Services at Buffalo State College. While Chambers is the vice president of the board of UUCJ, an active volunteer at the Olean Food Pantry, the Health Care Access Coalition, and the summer Veggie Wheels program, her favorite thing is being a grandma of three. 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. Jamestown, N.Y. – Rev. Alison Wohler will speak at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Her sermon topic is “Syncretism and Cultural Evolution.” Wohler says, “Human culture—which includes religious thinking—has picked up bits and pieces from other places and from new discoveries and thoughts as it changed throughout history. Syncretism is the name of that ubiquitous process that has always, and still, moves us forward.” The Story for All Ages is What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss. In 2016, Wohler retired as Minister Emerita from the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, Massachusetts, and moved to Columbus, Ohio, to be near her daughter and parents. She is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Chautauqua, where she is a summer resident as well as a lifelong, fifth-generation Chautauquan. Before becoming a Unitarian minister, Wohler was a working scientist and spent 19 years as an art gallery owner. Wohler’s background includes a BS in Biology from Allegheny College. Her scientific background has been a significant influence not only on her theology, but also on her philosophy of ministry, and what it means to be in religious community. She identifies as a Religious Naturalist and often brings science into her services. While many of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote are related to this service, Rev. Wohler believes the seventh, which she finds incorporates all the others, most fits: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Bruce Anderson is service leader, and pianist Julie Anderson is musician. A potluck 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. – Before his retirement, social psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Victor taught about loneliness in his course at Jamestown Community College on the psychology of intimate relationships. Since then, loneliness has become a national health crisis, as reported recently by the United States Department of Health. Victor will present “Loneliness in America: Myths and Realities” during the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, October 8. Based on current social science research findings, the teacher, researcher and writer will address why, in addition to being a personal problem, loneliness is a social problem, that is, a problem in the way society is organized. He will show how the stress caused by loneliness is linked not only to suicide, alcoholism and heart disease, but also to today’s extremist politics. The message most closely relates to the second and fourth of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. There will be an opportunity for discussion after the talk. All are welcome. A former president and member of the UUCJ since 1966, Victor taught at Jamestown Community College for 52 years. A recipient of the New York State University’s Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, he received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. He has been an invited speaker at conferences in Canada, France, Scotland, and the Netherlands and has appeared on national television programs including Larry King Live, The Maury Povich Show and The View. His many publications include the book Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend. Pianist Rosemary MacKown 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. – Rev. Alex Holt speaks again to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) at their 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Holt's topic is “It's the End of the World (and I Feel Fine).” He says, “Post apocalyptic songs and movies are very popular these days. Why? The 1987 song ‘It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)’ by R.E.M. expresses joy that apocalyptic times are here. What would this mean for us in 2023? Why is the apocalypse so very alluring to us now?" The message most closely relates to the fifth of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. Until this past summer, Holt was the interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville, Pennsylvania. After guest preaching at UUCJ last spring, he was invited to serve as the “first Sunday” preacher for their 2023-2024 church year and will be speaking virtually from his home in Eugene, Oregon. Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. Before his four years in Meadville, he was most recently interim minister in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Bend, Oregon; and Clemson, South Carolina. He grew up on a farm in rural Maine and 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. – In June, Janet Forbes and Emily Garrick, both long-time members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, represented their church at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s 2023 General Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, September 24, they will share their experience with the congregation. Their message is “Faithfully Becoming: Reflections on General Assembly 2023.” Forbes has been a member of UUCJ and the UU Fellowship of Chautauqua for more than 40 years and is a long-time Unitarian Universalist Service Committee supporter. She received her nursing degree from Jamestown Community College and her B.S. in Human Services from SUNY Empire State College. Now retired, her work experience included WCA Hospital, Cassadaga Jobs Corps Academy, and Chautauqua County Health Network. Her many volunteer activities include American Association of University Women, Audubon Community Nature Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chautauqua County Master Gardeners, James Prendergast Library, YWCA Jamestown and New Neighbors Coalition. The board secretary of the UU Young Adult Revival Network and former president of the UUCJ’s Board of Trustees, Garrick is a graduate of Jamestown High School and Wells College. She received her M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Rochester. A teacher of English as a New Language at Jamestown’s Washington Middle School, she will receive her M.S. in Adolescent Literacy from SUNY Oneonta in December. She volunteers for the Girl Scouts of Western New York and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. A social time follows the service. Participation can be either 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. – Ruby Wiles returns to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) to deliver the message on Sunday, September 17. Wiles’s will address “Becoming a Poverty Abolitionist: Taking a look at how America is in a disgraced class by itself.” Her message relates most significantly to the first and second of the seven Principles that UU congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; and justice, equity and compassion in human relations. She will share a Story for All Ages. 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. – After taking the summer off and encouraging their members to attend services at Chautauqua Institution, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) resumes its Sunday services on September 10. Participation can be in person or online. Parishioner Anne Kenefic continues the tradition for the first fall service of leading a water communion/ingathering at 10:30 a.m. at the 1255 Prendergast Avenue location. This annual celebration springs from a ceremony created in the 1980s. It began as a service to empower women and celebrate connectedness. Water symbolized the birth waters, the cycles of moon, tides and women, the solidarity with women globally, as women the world over traditionally draw and carry water. Many Unitarian Universalist congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year in September. Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is meaningful to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of a shared faith coming from many different sources. The Water Ceremony/Communion Service is an opportunity for Unitarian Universalist congregations to express their commitment to their sixth of the seven Principles they affirm and promote: the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Kenefic was a Sister of Social Service for more than a decade. A graduate of California State University, Hayward, with a BA in Political Science, Religious Studies and Women’s Studies, she received her Doctor of the Law from the University of West Los Angeles. She practiced various types of law in California and taught various subjects at the Paralegal Studies Program at California State University, San Bernardino. After moving to Jamestown in 2008, Kenefic worked as a paralegal for the law offices of Arthur N. Bailey & Associates, Legal Aid of Chautauqua County, and Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, until her retirement. She has been a UUCJ member since 2008 and was a board member for three years. A social time follows the service. Participation can be either 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 Flower Communion, also called the Flower Ceremony or Flower Festival, is an annual ritual in many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Sunday, June 18, congregant Anne Kenefic will lead the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) in a Flower Communion service at 10:30 a.m.. One hundred years ago, on June 4, 1923, the Flower Communion was initiated in Prague by Norbert Čapek, the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He saw the need to unite the diverse congregants of his church, from varying Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish backgrounds, without alienating those who had left these traditions. For this reason he honored the universal beauty of nature by having a communion of flowers instead of the Eucharist. The ritual was brought to the United States in 1940 by the Rev. Maja Čapek, Norbert’s wife, and was widely adopted by American Unitarian churches and their successor Unitarian Universalist congregations. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation and minister or leader bless the flowers, and they are redistributed. Each person takes home a different flower from the one they brought. Celebrating the Flower Ceremony is an opportunity for UU congregations to express their commitment to the sixth of seven principles they affirm and promote: The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Kenefic was a Sister of Social Service for more than a decade. A graduate of California State University, Hayward, with a BA in Political Science, Religious Studies and Women’s Studies, she received her Doctor of the Law from the University of West Los Angeles. She practiced various types of law in California and taught various subjects at the Paralegal Studies Program at California State University, San Bernardino. After moving to Jamestown in 2008, Kenefic worked as a paralegal for the law offices of Arthur N. Bailey & Associates, Legal Aid of Chautauqua County, and Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC. She has been a UUCJ member since 2008 and was a board member for three years. Pianist is Julie Anderson. 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. Jamestown, N.Y. – “Summer is a good time to restore our spirits, by resting, playing, learning, and giving our brains time to put things together,” says Ruby Wiles, founder/director of Warren, Pennsylvania’s Free Books for Kids Town. “It is a time to be aware of opening doors and opportunities that might come our way.” The former Lutheran pastor, who served in North Dakota, New York City and Kane, Pennsylvania, will deliver the message “Restoring Our Spirits in Summertime” when she addresses the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) hybrid service Sunday, June 11, 10:30 a.m. Wiles’ message relates primarily to the second and third of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations, and acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. Passionate about encouraging children to read by having books that belong to them, Wiles will share a Story for All Ages. In 2017, Wiles received the UUCJ’s Richard T. Parker Award for Social Justice that recognizes individuals whose volunteer work for social justice has not been widely acknowledged. The research she shared on the importance of books in the home for a child’s future success inspired the church’s Social Justice Committee to prioritize giving away books, most recently during Jamestown’s Memorial Day parade. Rosemary MacKown, UUCJ’s longtime pianist who is now retired, returns to share her music with the congregation this Sunday. 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. |