Jamestown, N.Y. – On the day after Earth Day 2023 the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) learns about the positive benefits of taking our yards back to a more natural state. All are welcome. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC) Special Projects Coordinator John Jablonski III will present “Rewilding Our Landscapes For Water Quality Protection” at the UUCJ’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Taking our yards back to a more natural state can add beauty to your property, provide beneficial wildlife habitat, and even help restore and protect the water quality of our region’s streams, wetlands and lakes. Jablonski will discuss these benefits and how you can rewild your own yard. You will also learn about some of the initiatives and projects the CWC is working on to help implement rewilding on properties throughout the Chautauqua region. The message relates most significantly to the seventh of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. A graduate of Cornell University, Jablonski has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with a concentration in water resources from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After seven years as planning coordinator for the city of Jamestown, Jablonski served as executive director of the CWC for 30 years. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy owns and manages 31 nature preserves throughout Chautauqua County which permanently protect over 1,100 acres of wild lands. The conservation of natural areas provides benefits to health, happiness and the economy. CWC nature preserves offer diverse opportunities for education and passive recreational activities and help protect important conservation values such as water and air quality, forest health, scenic beauty and plant and animal biodiversity and habitat. Barbara Winner is the service leader. A social time follows. 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 Blessed Congregation: There When We Need It” is the title of the sermon Rev. Alex Holt will deliver at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, April 16. Holt, who currently serves as the interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville, Pennsylvania, says, “We know that religious communities of all types are facing the challenges of welcoming along with being a safe haven for the seeker. How many people does it take to become a blessed congregation?” 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. Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. Before coming to Meadville, he most recently was 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. A potluck luncheon 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. – Racist, religious extremism: Why should we worry about it? That is the question that retired Jamestown Community College sociology professor Dr. Jeffrey Victor will explore in his message at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, April 9. Victor will discuss why racist and religious extremism is a serious threat to religious pluralism and democracy in our country. He will explain how such extremism has given rise to increasing hate crimes, such as the mass shootings of Black people in Buffalo and Jewish people in Pittsburgh; and to political violence, as in the January 6, 2020 attack on the Capitol. The message most closely relates to the first and fifth of the seven Principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. A member of the UUCJ since 1966, Victor taught at Jamestown Community College for 52 years. He received the New York State University’s Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and has been an invited speaker at conferences in Canada, France, Scotland, and the Netherlands. He 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, a sociological research study of rumors and claims about secret criminal satanic cults and false accusations of such crimes. 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. – On Sunday, April 2, 2023, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) looks forward to welcoming its regular first Sunday virtual preacher, Verdis LeVar Robinson, at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. Anyone is welcome to join the service, in-person or virtually, as Robinson ponders the intersectionality of climate justice, drawing inspiration from the African American spiritual “Wade in the Water,” as he’s titled his message. With Earth Day approaching later this month, he will explore how we can realize the interconnections between climate and racial and social justice, and truly begin to create a climate-just world. The sermon relates to the final of the seven principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm, promote and hold as strong values and moral guides: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. A newly fellowshipped Unitarian Universalist minister, Robinson currently serves as the ministerial coordinator of worship arts production and adult religious education at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, Vermont. For ten years the Rochester, New York, native was a tenured assistant professor of history and African American studies at Monroe Community College. Before joining the First Universalist Church of Rochester in 2008, he was a confirmed local minister in the African American Holiness-Pentecostal tradition. Robinson holds 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. In May, he will receive his Master of Divinity from Chicago’s Meadville Lombard Theological School. Congregant Emily Garrick will be the service leader, and Julie Anderson the pianist. 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. – In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) guest speaker on March 26, 2023, will be Jamestown Community College professor Traci Langworthy. Langworthy will address “Voices of Conscience” at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. The talk will highlight some lesser known pioneers of the American women's movement whose women's rights activism grew from deep moral convictions about other causes of their day. In advocating for abolition, temperance, and women's health, they found themselves in the unwitting position of having to defend their right to speak in the first place. Langworthy will explore how these women rose to the challenge and the lessons we can learn from their moral courage. The message particularly relates to the first of the seven Principles that all Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm, promote, and hold as strong values and moral guides: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Langworthy has been teaching history at JCC since 2004. Nineteenth-century women's history is a particular passion of hers, along with the broader history of American social reform. Her B.A. History is from Oberlin College. She has an M.A. History from the University of Delaware and A.B.D. American Studies from Penn State Harrisburg. Alyssa Raimondo-Swanson is service leader. A social time follows. 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 church’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community. Jamestown, N.Y. – Retired Presbyterian minister Angus Watkins delivers the message at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on March 19. Checking in on the role of reading for us today, Watkins asks “What Book Are You Living With of Late?” The service will be in praise of literature and life, The message focuses on the fourth of the seven Principles that all Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm, promote, and hold as strong values and moral guides: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;. Watkins graduated from Ohio's Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and earned his master’s of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He lived outside Ashville, N.Y., in North Harmony Township for over 25 years with his wife, Anne. Now residing in their native Buffalo area, both will be at the service. Julie Anderson is pianist. A potluck luncheon follows. 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. – Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) former Board of Trustees President Emily Garrick will explain the proposed changes to the UU principles and sources at the Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. service. Her message is “Roots Hold Me Close, Wings Set Me Free.” “Big changes are in the wind in Unitarian Universalism,” Garrick says. She will examine the past and future, taking a deep dive into Unitarian Universalist principles, sources, and values. “This sermon will help to ground us as we look ahead to General Assembly 2023 and the possible changes that have been proposed to our UU Principles and Purposes.” The service will include the seven Principles that all Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm, promote, and hold as strong values and moral guides:
A graduate of Jamestown High School and Wells College, Garrick received her MS in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Rochester. She teaches English as a new language at Jamestown’s Washington Middle School. 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. – Verdis LeVar Robinson delivers the sermon to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) on Sunday, March 5, 2023. The Rochester, New York, native will present “We Deserve to Grow Old” at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. The UUCJ’s regular first Sunday preacher is a newly fellowshipped Unitarian Universalist minister. He will speak virtually from Vermont, where he serves the Unitarian Church of Montpelier as ministerial coordinator of worship arts production and adult religious education. A slogan has started to trend on social media that “Black Men Deserve to Grow Old.” Robinson will reflect on this trend in the midst of another Black life tragically lost. The sermon relates to the first and seventh of the seven principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm, promote and hold as strong values and moral guides: The inherent worth and dignity of every person and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. It also relates to the eighth principle, adopted by nearly 150 UU congregations, that will be acted on at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Pittsburgh in June: Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. Robinson holds 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. In May, he will receive his Master of Divinity from Chicago’s Meadville Lombard Theological School. Congregant Emily Garrick will be the service leader, and Julie Anderson the pianist. 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 COVID pandemic is much more than a terrible physical virus. It has changed, perhaps permanently, how society goes about its business and how we all relate to each other and ourselves. Jamestown Community College Professor Frank Corapi will discuss “The Social and Emotional Consequences of the COVID Pandemic” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. Sunday service on February 26, 2023. (This service was originally planned for December.) Fear of infection, avoiding social contact, wearing masks, using distance formats to engage in important activities, vaccinations, and the politicization of vaccines, have all been significant forces in the lives of everyone. Corapi’s talk will address the social and emotional implications of these changes, as well as what they likely mean for our future and what can be done to restore our social and emotional health. Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which are held as strong values and moral guides. This message reflects the fourth Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; Corapi is Professor of Psychology, Director of Social Sciences and Coordinator of Professional Development at Jamestown Community College. Prior to joining JCC’s faculty in 2002, he was an instructor in psychology at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pa. He has also worked as a clinical program director with a variety of behavioral health treatment programs for Stairways Behavioral Health in Erie, Pa., and was in private practice for 10 years. Dr. Jeffrey Victor is the service leader and cellist Mandy Andrews the guest musician. 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 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown welcomes Tamu Graham-Reinhardt as the speaker at their 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, February 19. Reinhardt is the Coordinator of Student Support Services in the Jamestown Public Schools (JPS). A graduate of Jamestown High School, Reinhardt received her Masters of Arts in Public Relations from Ball State University and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from State University at Buffalo. She holds a New York State School District Administration Certification, NYS Permanent Teacher Certification and Cornell University Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion. She is also a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. In her 25 years of professional experience, Reinhardt has been a staff development specialist with Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, Spanish teacher at Falconer Central Schools, school and district improvement facilitator for WestED, adjunct instructor at Jamestown Community College, curriculum and Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for JPS, and senior consultant with Battle and Banner Consulting as a qualified administrator and trainer in Intercultural Development Inventory. Reinhardt has served her community as a member of and leader in numerous boards and organizations. These include the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Jamestown City Council, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Advocacy Committee and Board Of Directors, New York State School Administrators Association, Jamestown Juneteenth Committee, Jamestown Refugee Resettlement Coalition, and the Love Mercy Do Justice Interfaith Coalition. She is also a volunteer track coach for the Jamestown Public Schools. Reinhardt’s message will include perspectives from What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty, the book by Ruby K. Payne and Bill Ehlig. Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which are held as strong values and moral guides. The message is anticipated to reflect the first and second Principles: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Linnea Haskin will be the service leader and Julie Anderson, the pianist. A social time follows. 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. |