2021 Annual Pledge/Mission Funding Drive

In this time of social distancing, the annual pledge drive will happen virtually, starting on October 4. Now is the time to be considering your pledge for 2021. Think about what you want UUCJ to be able to accomplish next year and into the future, and what it means to you to be a member or friend of this beloved community. For UUCJ to thrive, we need your time, talent and treasure. As one congregant said recently, “We get the Church we are willing to fund”!

Spiritual Studies meets every Sunday morning by Zoom from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. We have a fun time discussing various perspectives on Spiritual and Personal Growth. We also share what is going on in our lives along with our personal strategies and Spiritual practices for surviving and thriving in this world. This is a drop in discussion group. No commitment or prep required. All voices are equal.

To participate just contact David at altauniverse@gmail.com and he will send you a Zoom invite and add you to the weekly email list.

Join the Playing with Ideas group via Zoom every Sunday 9:30-10:45 a.m. 

Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/playingwithideas
Phone: (301) 715-8592
Meeting ID: 826 5797 4162
Password: 427026 

This week's topic: Carlos Fraticelli presenting TED Talk "What is Modern Populism"

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UU Justice Zoom Meeting

UU Justice Florida is holding a Zoom meeting titled “Justice Takeway from General Assembly,” after UU The Vote on On October 1, 2020 at 7 p.m.

The focus of the October 1 Zoom meeting  will be the extended CSAI, The Actions for Immediate Witness and a review of the UUA justice outreach initiatives in place.

In addition, note that UU Justice Florida is also offering the “Being A Social Class Ally Workshop,” presented by UU Conversations on October 15 at 7 p.m. 

Registration is  here: https://uujusticefl.salsalabs.org/registerforoctoberzoom/index.html

Speaker Bio: Sukhbir Singh

Sukhbir Singh practices Sikhism as a path to humanity and salvation. Sukhbir’s family has lived in Jacksonville for twenty-five years and his is probably the longest living Sikh family in this area.

Sukhbir has been married to Sargum for almost thirty years. They are blessed with two sons, who have been raised in the Jacksonville community. Sukhbir is a small business entrepreneur and has a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Master’s in Computer Science.

Sukhbir is a co-founder of the Sikh Society of North East Florida. Sukhbir has been an architect in creating awareness about Sikhism and Turbans in our community through lectures as well as presentations in schools, colleges, universities, temples, churches, hospitals, and in the mayor’s and Sheriff’s offices. He has also engineered three Turban Days on the University of North Florida campus as part of his continuous efforts to educate the Jacksonville community.

Sukhbir has a passion to cultivate universal brotherhood and oneness, which are the tenets of Sikhism.

4,000 Pounds in 2020?

We are closing on 3,000 pounds of contributions, which was what UUCJ members and friends donated to Arlington Community Services in 2019.  A 4,000 goal is possible if we keep the current pace of donations. Thanks for the food contributions and cash donations to ACS. UUCJ/ACS Teamsters delivered 71 pounds to ACS this Tuesday due in part to a cash donation from Marion Hines.

Message from Mary Louise Weber, Executive Director, Arlington Community Services:

We are very thankful for the blessing of your continued monetary gifts, gift cards, masks, children’s books, personal hygiene items, and food. We were able to feed 257 and help 48 financially in August. We are gratefully serving our neighbors’ thanks to your generous donations.

Current needs are: canned peas, corn, mixed beans, pork and beans, mixed vegetables, tomatoes, yams, potatoes, instant potatoes, gravy, Hamburger Helper, Jiffy Cornbread Mix, canned meat, tuna, and laundry detergent.

Be Safe. Do Good. Stay in love with God. Peace.

Arlington Community Services
1450 Rogero Road
Jacksonville, FL 32211
904-503-8496

Stress Reduction Tip

A popular meditation and stress reduction technique is about water. Maybe it is because our bodies are mostly water.

Just shut your eyes and think about being in a beautiful place where there is water. Take a deep breath in, relax, and picture yourself just floating on the water until you’re relaxed. Now begin thinking that you are the water. Not merely thinking of floating on the water, but that you are actually the water, as if the water in you has dissolved into this body of water. Water is in constant flow moving towards its own balance. Water seeks its own level. So, as you are flowing towards balance no matter what the journey, you are adapting to that environment and constantly moving, constantly flowing.

After you have been in this state of meditation, you can just bring your awareness back into your body, bringing your awareness to floating on the water, bringing your awareness back to the image of this beautiful place. You can return here anytime you need to, it only takes a few moments. Just shut your eyes and remember.

Caring Candles

Byron Berg, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Augustine and previously a member of UUCJ, was recently hospitalized and then transferred to Bayview Rehabilitation in St. Augustine on August 18, 2020. He is continuing his physical therapy and doing well. Cards and notes of good wishes should be sent to Byron’s home at 348 Armas Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Rob McKennon’s father, Bobby McKennon, passed away on September 8, 2020 in La Marque, Texas. He was born on October 3, 1943. Our condolences go out to Rob and Anne and their family.

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