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Schedule of Services
Services are held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at
8447 Manresa Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Church Phone: (904) 276-3739 • Website: www.BBUUC.org
Check the BBUUC Calendar for information on other programming.
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July 5 Speaker:
Gary Smart
"What's American About American Music?"
Worship Leader: Jeremy Ritzmann
Accompanied By: Gary Smart
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In this “musical sermon” Dr. Smart will discuss and perform several selected pieces of American music to reveal how the history and vibrant spirituality of our culture is reflected in our music. His student and colleague, Dillon Duggan, will join pianist-composer Smart in this presentation.
Gary Smart
Gary Smart has been a member of BBUUC since 2001. Gary is a composer, classical and jazz pianist, and is currently a Presidential Professor of Music at UNF, where he served as Chairman of the Music Department from 1999-2003.
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Pennies from Heaven is July 5
Please bring your extra change for a special collection to benefit our local Meals on Wheels program.
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BBUUC Celebrates Marriage Equality
This Sunday July 5 we’re celebrating the Supreme Court decision to uphold marriage equality in all 50 states. Immediately after the worship service our Fellowship time will include expanded sweets and savories along with Miss Frances’ special punch. At noon all are invited to take a seat up front in the sanctuary for a brief performance by Sarah and Jo Nieschalk of their “Coming Out Monologue.” Last weekend Jacksonville’s NPR studio WJCT sponsored the annual Coming Out Monologues to support Jasmyn and Pflag and Sarah and Jo were the uplifting concluding act.
You might recall that during this year’s canvass several organizations were suggested for a Share the Plate program. Jasmyn (Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network – www.jasmyn.org) was one of the top selected. BBUUC has supported Jasmyn for many years with individual activities such as Prom night, Thanksgiving meals, etc.
Jo and Sarah, along with their good friends Deanna and Shannon Snell, have been attending BBUUC since February and hope to take our next Newcomers classes in the fall. Let’s give them a warm welcome and thank you for sharing their story with us!
Excerpts from cast bios:
Jo Nieschalk
“Jo is thrilled to be a part of this year’s cast. Typically found on a karaoke stage, the Coming Out Monologues is her theater debut. Jo believes it’s important for all stories to be told and wants to live in a world where every voice matters – equally. When she’s not wooing karaoke audiences, Jo can be found at home in a pile of dogs or spending time with her gorgeous wife.”
Sarah Deierlein Nieschalk
“Sarah is a bonafide tax nerd and office klutz by day, and a fur-mommy, wife, and baking enthusiast by night. This experience of stepping out of her comfort zone and onto the stage is exhilarating and terrifying in the best possible ways. After the last few years filled with extraordinary experiences, Sarah is a strong believer that anything is possible if you open your heart and mind to opportunity.”
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July 12 Speaker:
Rev. Jack Ford
"Right Relations"
Worship Assistant: Manny Andrade
Accompanied By: Gary Smart
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The New Testament repeatedly admonishes its readers: "Be kind to one another", "Be kind to all", "Love is patient, love is kind". Our UU Principles hint at this theme with language such as 'compassion', 'acceptance', 'dignity', and 'respect'. And our church covenant elicits our promise to "practice gentleness and kindness with one another". What is the spiritual significance - and cost - of such a covenant?
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Calendar:
Click here for the BBUUC calendar: http://www.bbuuc.org/activitie
Wednesday, July 1
7:00pm Beacon
7:00pm CUUPS
Thursday, July 2
6:30pm Tai Chi
7:00pm Popcorn Theology
Sunday, July 5
9:30am Coffee Conversations
10:30am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coming Out Monologue
Monday, July 6
10:00am Prayer Shawl Affinity Group
Tuesday, July 7
7:00pm PR Committee Meeting
7:00pm Worship Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 8
11:30am Lunch Bunch
7:00pm Beacon
7:00pm Popcorn Theology
Thursday, July 9
6:30pm Tai Chi
7:00pm Religious Texts and Society
Sunday, July 12
9:30am Coffee Conversations
10:30am Sunday Service
11:45am Tending the Flame
12:00pm Reiki
12:00pm Caring Committee Meeting
1:00pm Zentangle
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Prayer Shawl Affinity Group
The Prayer Shawl affinity group creates shawls and lap blankets to comfort community members in need. The group meets the first Monday of each month, 10am-noon, at the Mandarin Panera (11111 San Jose Blvd). The next meeting will be July 6.
If you would like to attend, please contact Lisa Cromar at prayershawls@bbuuc.org no later than the day before the meeting. If there are no RSVPs, the meeting will be cancelled.
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Popcorn Theology
This summer at 7pm, join us for a fun movie, good company, and thought-provoking discussion! Contact Dani Slader at dre@bbuuc.org for more information or if you are interested in leading a presentation.
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Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch will meet on Wednesday, July 8 at 11:30am at Pengree's Restaurant in Orange Park (556 Kingsley Ave). This group meets the second Wednesday of each month for food and fellowship. All are welcome! Please contact Frances Kennicutt or admin@bbuuc.org if you plan to join us, so that we can reserve a table at the restaurant.
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Religious Texts and Society
On Thursday, July 9 at 7pm, the Religious Texts and Society group will discuss Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman.
"For almost 1,500 years, the New Testament manuscripts were copied by hand––and mistakes and intentional changes abound...many of our widely held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself are the results of both intentional and accidental alterations by scribes."
All are welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Dale Crawford or Scott Cromar.
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Parent Group
Lifespan Religious Education facilitates a bi-weekly parenting group on Sundays July 12 and 26 at 11:45. We bring finger foods to share during our discussion time, as able. Childcare is provided and parents should provide a bag lunch for their children. Discussions are varied. Currently we are discussing ideas from “Tending the Flame: The Art of Unitarian Universalist Parenting.” Reading the book is optional. Join us as we share ideas and discuss parenting as a spiritual practice. No Sign-up required. Contact religious_ed@bbuuc.org for more information.
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Coffee Conversations
Each Sunday morning at 9:30, the Coffee Conversations group gathers for a friendly discussion of the issues of the day. All are welcome.
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Childcare is available for many church activities, but must be requested in advance when you sign up for an activity. Please contact the activity sponsor listed in the announcement for more information.
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The 2015 UUA General Assembly (GA) in Portland featured discussion and decision on a number of issues that are important to the progress of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in the years ahead. The BBUUC web site hosts links to online recordings of the public meetings, notes from the proceedings and news articles about decisions reached during GA. http://bbuuc.org/ga-2015/
The theme of inclusion ran throughout the presentations, workshops, discussions and resolutions featured in this year's GA.
Racial Justice
Themes of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice rang through the conference in the wake of the murder of African American churchgoers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and a wave of arson directed at churches serving black communities. Sunday evening's General Session included approval of an AIW (Action of Immediate Witness) with language that was strongly supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In Thursday morning's General Session, Rev Miguel De La Torre addressed UUs about dealing honestly with white privilege and class divisions. De La Torre spoke about an apparent expectation among UUs that people of color will rush to join their congregations simply because they are welcome. “After centuries of exclusion, why should I come running to help you prove your congregations aren’t racist?” he asked. “The church discovers its own salvation through its solidarity with the marginalized.
Delegates also approved an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) calling on President Obama, Congress, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to close the family detention centers and immediately release those detained who do not meet priority criteria.
Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry
The UUA GA also highlighted the importance of access for people with disabilities. The UUA's AIM (Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry) certification process was discussed in a workshop on Friday and was the focus of a presentation in Sunday evening's General Session.
To become certified, the congregation will conduct an assessment of accessibility of the congregation and inclusion of people with disabilities, and then create an action plan describing worship, workshops, and projects. Next, an AIM Review Team will review the congregation’s AIM Certification Plan and it will be approved by the AIM Coordinating Committee; upon approval, the congregation will then implement the plan. When the plan has been implemented, the congregation can apply to be certified as an AIM Congregation.
Reproductive Justice
This year's Statement of Conscience dealt with reproductive justice. UU World reported that the mini-assembly on this issue was enthusiastic and supportive. When it came time for a vote in Friday's General Session, the general assembly endorsed a ringing statement of support for reproductive rights.
The UUA also continued dialog with advocates for survivors of clergy sex abuse, including a workshop hosted by UUA Moderator Jim Key. Delegates signaled their continued support for survivors by including strongly-worded unincorporated amendment F in the text of the final Statement of Conscience.
Covenant-based Governance
The UUA continued work on reimagining a more collaborative, covenant-based approach to governance. A number of Bylaw changes recognizing the Southern Region's experiment in regionalization were passed in Sunday afternoon's session. This included an incorporated amendment to the Board's original proposal that creates a way for Southern Region congregations to bring an issue to the General Assembly, an issue that many delegates felt had been neglected during the regionalization process.
Incorporated amendment 3 includes the following language: "In a district or region that does not maintain a formal governance structure, a meeting for this purpose may be convened by vote of the governing bodies or membership of at least fifteen congregations in that region in good standing with the UUA. A quorum for such a meeting shall require that at least one-third of the congregations of the district or region be represented by one or more formally credentialed delegates."
In Saturday's General Session, the delegates rejected a Board-proposed amendment to the UUA Bylaws that would have re-defined the independent Commission on Appraisal as a committee of the UUA Board. The two sides appeared to be far apart on this proposal, as the UUA Board rejected a unanimous request from the delegates in the business mini-assembly to change the name of the body to reflect its proposed status and function.
Environmental Justice
The UUA continued its strong support for environmental justice in several different ways. In Sunday evening's General Session, delegates passed a strongly-worded Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) supporting action on climate change.
Friday's General Session featured a presentation by leaders of Commit2Respond, including a dialog with UUA leaders regarding their controversial decision to sell mineral exploration rights in Texas to close a hole in the UUA budget. UUA leadership also apologized for implying that their hand was forced by a resolution from the 2014 General Assembly to divest from fossil fuel resources.
Commit2Respond also worked with the Lummi nation to organize a public witness event to call attention to climate change. The Lummi people have been using the terms of their treaty with the United States to fight the proposed construction of a large coal terminal on the Salish Sea.
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Cornel West Electrifies GA Audience
Cornel West electrified the UUA's General Assembly audience as the 2015 Ware Lecturer. In the keynote speech of the 2015 General Assembly, the charismatic speaker called on UUs to examine ourselves to root out racism and elements of white privilege and white supremacy.
"We begin with a critical self-inventory," West said. "If there’s white supremacy in me, then my hunch is that you’ve got some work to do."
West also called for UUs and other Americans to have the courage to identify and root out prejudice wherever it exists.The current situation "is a struggle about integrity," said West, "and what it means to be human." West issued a strong challenge to be courageous. "Cowardice is more dangerous than violence."
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Ministerial Support Fund
The amount collected for the Ministerial Support Fund since mid-2014 is nearing $50,000. (Donations to the Ministerial Support Fund are doubled thanks to a matching grant by an anonymous donor.)
If you are current on your pledge, you can contribute to the Ministerial Support Fund by specifying "MSF" on the memo field of your check or on a donation envelope.
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Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church offers a warm, diverse,and welcoming community that embraces intellectual and spiritual growth for all ages.
-BBUUC Mission Statement
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Rev. Jack Ford
Rev. Jack Ford is minister of BBUUC. Jack studied at Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a Fellowshipped (Preliminary) UU minister, he served at the Valdosta UU Church for seven years. Jack is currently working towards his Final Fellowship certification with the UUA Ministerial Services Committee.
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The Journey is the official newsletter of the Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church. It is distributed monthly by electronic means to members and friends of the BBUUC community. If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to publishing@bbuuc.org.
Physical printouts of the Journey are also available at the Membership Table in the Sanctuary. (If a pledging member of the community does not have home Internet or computer access, a mailed printout can be requested from admin@bbuuc.org, or by contacting the church administrator at 904-276-3739.)
If you have comments or suggestions about the format or content of the Journey, please contact the editorial team at publishing@bbuuc.org.
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P.O. Box 844
Orange Park, FL 32067
904.276.3739
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8447 Manresa Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32244
904.276.3739
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