The Monthly Newsletter of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church. Sunday Services

Transcription

1 A Community of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds, and Helping Hands January 2019 Edition 640 The Monthly Newsletter of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church Sunday Services The theme for January is, What does it mean to be a people of Possibility? Being a people of possibility may have more to do with being a people of vulnerability and courage than we think. The work isn t just about believing in possibility. It s about being willing to endure a few wounds along the way. It can hurt to be hopeful. Especially with all that is going on in our world and society right now, we need to make room for that. January 6 Kwanzaa Frank Richmond Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of the culture and values of African Americans in the United States and other American countries of the African diaspora. Originating in at the height of the Civil Rights era, it dovetails nicely with Unitarian Universalism because of its seven principles, which are much like ours. Join us as we examine the history and meaning of Kwanzaa, partake of some of its symbolic rituals, and enjoy selections of African American music. January 13 LGBTQ People in God s Promise - Rev. Jeff and Rev. C.J. Wright, Salaam Network Rev. Jeff will be joined by Rev. C.J. Wright of the Salaam Network to launch this series of presentations that will explore what light contemporary scholarship sheds on the cultural context within which sacred texts were produced. In so doing, presenters will offer a biblical argument for inclusion of LGBTQ people in God's promise.. January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The Sin of Hate - Rev. Jeff Liebmann Unitarian Universalists generally resist terms like sin as irrelevant, outdated, or parochial. But, are there acts that even UU s would consider sinful? For example, what constitutes the act of hating? Is hate as prevalent as our social discourse suggests? Do we contribute directly or indirectly to this environment? January 27 Compassionate City - Mayor Greg Fischer We welcome to our pulpit this morning the Mayor of Louisville, Greg Fischer. Inspired by Louisville icons like Thomas Merton and Muhammad Ali, Mayor Greg Fischer has championed compassion as a core city value during his eight years in office. Join the recently re-elected mayor as he talks about the future of compassion work, the importance of interdependence and how we must all strive to create greater equity in Louisville and beyond. I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just. Thomas Jefferson

2 Pulpit Ponderings As we begin a new year, we also approach a milestone in our period of interim ministry here at TJUC. In January, I will be preparing my first review submission to the UUA Transitions Office (the Board of Trustees will also prepare a report). As I consider my comments, we might all benefit from a reminder of the major tasks of interim ministry. Claim and honor your past and heal your griefs and conflicts. In these first months here, I have learned about the nature of TJUC as a religious community, seeking to understand your history and organizational journey. Serving as the eyes of an outsider, I have sought to illuminate every element of the TJUC culture, both the intentional and in some cases the unintentional consequences of this community. Come to terms with your unique identity, your strengths, your needs, your challenges. I see one of my most important tasks as helping TJUC present itself as accurately as possible to ministerial candidates as you begin the search process. I have found that too often congregations overemphasize strengths, and resist honest reflection on challenges. Honesty and transparency will help you identify not only what you want, but what you need in your next called minister. Clarify the multiple dimensions of your leadership, both ordained and lay, and navigate the shifts in leadership that accompany times of transition. You have already identified an extensive and impressive list of goals. Achieving some of these goals will require shifts in the way you do church here at TJUC, which will of necessity challenge the systems of influence, control, and power. My job is to help you examine your leadership structure in the ways you yourselves have already determined to be needed. Renew connections with available resources, within and beyond the UUA. One of the biggest challenges that face our churches (as well as our ministers) is the ease with which we can become isolated within our denomination. Much of my work since my arrival has been to connect TJUC leaders and committees to resources on issues ranging from stewardship and staffing to religious education and membership. Renew your vision, strengthen your stewardship, prepare for new professional leadership, and engage your future with anticipation and zest. The interim period is a careful balance between maintaining the church s direction and momentum, but also pushing forward and making the changes that all organizations undergo in their regular course. An enormous benefit to being an interim minister is that I can suggest changes or pose questions without the fearful anticipation that I am forwarding an agenda. I was fired the day I was hired, so my overriding purpose is to best prepare you for your next called minister. My door is always open, so if you have questions, drop in or send me an and I will be happy to talk about any questions or concerns you may have. Have A Heart Tree Thank You The Social Justice Committee offers many thanks to the numerous people at TJ who participated in our Have-A- Heart program! A special thanks goes to TJers Pat Roles, Martha Flack, and Leslie Sanders for helping with the success of this year s project. The kindness and generosity of our congregation was on full display during the holiday season. This year we provided gifts to a family of 6 referred to us from the KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services. We also collected numerous Kroger Gift Cards for La Casita, which provides resources for our local Latinx Community. Thank you TJ members and friends, once again, for having a BIG heart!

3 What Does It Mean To Be A People of Possibility? What a great theme for us to explore as we enter a new year together! Of all our topics this year, possibility is arguably most central to our faith. It has distinguished Unitarian Universalists from the start. Historically, when many were preaching that this world was fallen, and we should look instead to the hope of an afterlife, we found ourselves falling in love with the possibility of heaven on earth. Theologically, you might say that we were the people who believed that God hadn t given up on any of us and so we shouldn t give up on each other or this world. Psychologically, it s led to us being a people of why not? Why not give people another chance? Why not fight what seems a losing battle? Why not risk a little failure? After all, to us the possible has always seemed more likely than not! Here s a list of questions to consider. The goal of these questions is to encourage figuring out what our monthly theme means for you and your daily living. Instead of trying answer each one, you are invited to find the question that is calling to you. Which one contains your desire to explore? Who taught you the most about living and leaning into possibility? How does their memory call you to today? What did your childhood and family of origin teach you about possibility? Are those lessons ones you need to remember or reject? What are others learning about living and leaning into possibility by watching you? We all have dreams of what s possible. We live with a voice that says One day I will... What possible life has been with you the longest? Why has it remained a dream for so long? What possible new you did you pledge yourself to last New Year s? Is it time to pledge yourself to it again? Or is time to finally let it go? What possible new you are you considering pledging yourself to this year? Is it possible that the thing you want is not the thing you need? Is it possible that the thing you re sure you re right about is wrong? Is That was unfair! or I was wronged keeping you from the possibility of moving on? Is avoiding rejection keeping you safe but also keeping you from what s possible? Are you sure you re too old to do it? Are you sure it s too late to try it? Is it possible that your loved one is doing the best they can? And finally need to be forgiven for not living up to who you want them to be? What s your question? Your question may not be listed above. As always, if the above questions don't include what life is asking from you, spend the month listening to your days to hear it. Coming July 2019 TJUC Family Ministry Presents: Wonders of the World Day Camp Children will embark on a 5-day adventure exploring some of the world's most exotic places. For those adventurous adults among us, volunteer opportunities will be available. STAY TUNED!

4 Sunday Mornings at 9:30 Adult Sunday Morning Class, 9:30 to 10:45 January First Sunday Current Issues Nuclear Energy - Nuclear energy is seldom mentioned when discussing options to address climate change and to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. Glen Glasgow will lead our discussion on the practicality of using nuclear energy and if it is a viable option, along with other renewable energy sources, to counter climate change. All other Sundays Beginning January 13 we will start a new video discussion series: Sci-Fi: Science Fiction as Philosophy The science fiction genre has become increasingly influential in mainstream popular culture, evolving into one of the most engaging storytelling tools we use to think about technology and consider the shape of the future. Along the way, it has also become one of the major lenses we use to explore important philosophical questions. The 24 lecture series focuses on sci-phi films including Star Trek, Firefly, The Matrix, Twilight Zone and many others to help us ponder various philosophical questions, such as: Do humans truly have free will? Could machines one day be conscious? Or be sentient? Could we actually be living in a simulated world? How will humanity confront a future of diminished resources and advancing technology? Are science and religion compatible? When, if ever, is war justified? How do we know what information to trust and what to dismiss? Pictorial Directory Pictures The free 8x10 pictures are now available. Please see Janet on Sundays at the visitor sign in desk. No Women s Choir rehearsals on January 3rd and January 10th. Let Us Be Humble Let us be humble, for the worst thing in the world is of the same stuff as we are. Let us be confident, for we too are composed of the same stuff as the stars. - Jay B. Abernathy, Jr.

5 Justice Center Library New Books Come Check Them Out! It s About Time: America s Imprisonment Binge by James Austin and John Irwin A compelling argument, based on extensive research, illustrating how the U.S. attempts to lower crime by using our correctional system as the primary solution. The book includes personal accounts from prisoners to illustrate the brutal aspects of prison life and the intent of the U.S. to create a "prison industrial complex." The Conceit of Humanitarian Intervention by Rajan Menon Advocates of humanitarian intervention claim that human rights precepts exert an unprecedented influence on states' foreign policies and that we can therefore anticipate a comprehensive solution to mass atrocities. Menon shows that this belief, while noble, is naïve. States continue to act principally based on what they regard at any given time as their national interests. Delivering strangers from oppression ranks low on their list of priorities. The Tyranny of Experts: Economists, Dictators and the Forgotten Rights of the Poor by William Easterly Demonstrating how traditional antipoverty tactics trample the freedom of the world's poor and suppress a vital debate about alternative approaches to solving poverty, Easterly presents a devastating critique of the blighted record of authoritarian development. He reveals errors inherent in our approach and offers new principles for Western agencies and developing countries alike. If anyone has books they would like to donate to the Justice Library, we are looking for recent books on activism, anti-racism, women s issues, criminal justice, environmental justice, war/ peace, democracy/government, immigration, economic justice, or any other topics related to social justice. The Corruption of Our Democracy Reviewing the Current Study Action Issue of the Unitarian Universalist Association Monday, January 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Delegates at the 2016 General Assembly in Columbus, OH, selected "The Corruption of Our Democracy" to be the Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations. The Congregational Study/Action Issue is an invitation for congregations to take a topic of concern and engage it, reflect on it, learn about it, respond to it, comment on it, and take action each in their own way. A CSAI is NOT a statement it is a question. Rev. Jeff will lead this conversation discussing the contents of the current draft of the Statement of Conscience Uncorrupting Democracy that will be considered for approval at the General Assembly this June in Portland, OR. Congregations are invited to comment on this draft by January 31 so a final draft can be prepared for submission to the delegates. Participants are asked to read the current draft (located here, as well as in hard copy in the brochure rack in the Social hall), and come prepared to discuss the issues and make suggestions. As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm and promote the use of the democratic process. This is one important way that we work with our fellow congregations to address meaningful issues. All are welcome!

6 Coming Soon: Our Whole Lives Comprehensive Sexuality Education Program Middle School Edition Our Whole Lives Program (OWL) is one of the most vital programs offered by TJ. Coming in January, we will offer the middle school part of this lifespan program. While the middle school program is primarily for grades 7-9, mature 6th grade youth will be considered. Centered in the importance of values, healthy relationships, and consent, this program will be offered on Sunday afternoons at Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church. Please mark your family calendars for the required family orientation on Sunday, January 6th, from 1:30-3:30 PM. Here is a link to what the content includes: You ll find some general information here: For more information, please contact DLRE Barb via to barb@tjuc.org Sources of Our Living Tradition Rev. Jeff, Facilitator Six Sessions Wednesday evenings 7:00 8:30 pm Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13 This interactive workshop will explore the six sources of Unitarian Universalism and the role that these sources play in our Living Tradition today. Participants will be able to attend the class either in person in the classroom (the Hearth Room) or remotely in real time via the internet. Want to attend one week in person and the next week remotely from your home using your computer? No problem; you decide what works best for you each week. Class Schedule: Feb 6 Mysticism: Direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder. Feb 13 Prophetic Voices: Words and deeds that challenge us to create justice. Feb 20 World Religions. Wisdom that inspires our ethical and spiritual lives. Feb 27 Judaism and Christianity: Historic call to love our neighbors as ourselves. Mar 6 - Humanism. Guidance of reason and the results of science. Mar 13 Earth-centered Traditions: The sacred circle of life and rhythms of nature.

7 January 2019 Tuesday, January 1, :00 PM - 09:00 PM Bridge Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 3, :00 AM - 12:30 PM Membership Comm 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Women's Choir Sunday, January 6, :30 AM - 10:45 AM Current Events Discussion 12:45 PM - 02:15 PM Music Committee 12:45 PM - 02:15 PM caring Ministry 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM OWL Monday, January 7, :00 PM - 01:30 PM Men's Group at Bob Evans 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM Women's Group at Bristol Tuesday, January 8, :00 PM - 09:00 PM Bridge Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 10, :00 PM - 08:30 PM Women's Choir Saturday, January 12, :00 AM - 11:30 AM Adult Religious Exploration Committee Meeting Sunday, January 13, :30 AM - 10:45 AM Family Group 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Aesthetics Committee 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM Greeter Training 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Board of Trustees 01:30 PM - 04:00 PM OWL Monday, January 14, :00 PM - 07:30 PM Rental Task Force 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Crossgate Meeting 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Humanist Grouip Tuesday, January 15, :00 PM - 09:00 PM Bridge Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, January 16, :00 PM - 02:00 PM Brownbag Book Group Thursday, January 17, :00 PM - 07:30 PM Hospitality Committee 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Women's Choir Sunday, January 20, :15 AM - 10:30 AM Social Justice Meeting 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM Promotions Commiottee 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM Suinday Service Planning Comm Meeting 12:45 PM - 02:45 PM Family Ministry Meeting 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM Conversation with Minister Tuesday, January 22, :00 PM - 09:00 PM Bridge Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 24, :00 PM - 08:30 PM Women's Choir Friday, January 25, :30 PM - 04:30 PM Chalice Circle 07:00 PM - 07:30 PM Hootenanny Sunday, January 27, :15 AM - 10:30 AM Green Sanctuary 01:30 PM - 04:00 PM OWL Tuesday, January 29, :00 PM - 09:00 PM Bridge Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, January 30, :00 PM - 09:30 PM Open Campus Kick-off Thursday, January 31, :00 PM - 08:30 PM Women's Choir The next Tapestry Deadline is January 24th 2019

8 TJ Committee News... Caring Ministry In the last two months, Caring Ministry supported Margie Fry with meals for her family and organized volunteers for the memorial reception for Dave Fry. We visited Toni Hardin who is recovering from back surgery at Westport Place and helped organize rides for Constanza Granados and her three children. Each TJ neighborhood now has its own connector who is designated as a contact for those in need. Hospitality Researched and purchased with Capital Campaign funds a new commercial frost-free freezer to replace the existing non-frost-free freezer which was kindly donated to the church to replace the frost-free freezer that died awhile ago. After numerous time-consuming and messy defrosting events, the HOTies volunteers are particularly thankful for this upgrade to the kitchen. Green Sanctuary The Green Sanctuary Committee voted to endorse the Clean Energy Resolution currently being considered by the Parks & Sustainability Committee of the Metro Council. We encourage all TJ members to contact their Metro Council representative and ask them to support this resolution. We continue to work with the Social Justice Committee and International Justice Committee to define the Vision and Mission of the TJ Justice Center. Membership Laura Robinson is the newest member of the Membership Committee. Promotions The Promotions Committee plans to work with TJ volunteers to explore ways to promote TJ to our community through digital/social media techniques. TJ s website and Facebook page will be used to attract prospective members and to engage our community in Social Action issues that are dear to our hearts. After the holidays we will explore what key ways we can best accomplish this. If anyone is computer savvy and comfortable with social media usage, we welcome you! Contact Ellen Sisti Wade anytime before the first of the year to express your interest! bigole@aol.com Sunday Service Committee: Frank Richmond will be giving a service on Kwanzaa in January. By special request from Rev. Jeff, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will be speaking in January. Rus Funk will have a special program in February. If you have suggestions for speakers, please let us know. Caregiver Support Group Jewish Family & Career Services located at 2821 Klempner Way, Louisville Phone number The first Tuesday of the month at 4:00 pm. (November 6) Susie Pasikowski will be facilitating our group and Naomi Malka will be in our group as counselor. If anyone has questions call Susie at We want to help as many people as possible who are in a caregiving situation. All are welcome. Please like our page: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church/ Louisville, KY It s important to Share TJ s Facebook Events and Timeline posts. Every time you share with your friends, they pass it on to others who learn about our great programs and special events! Please help us spread the word and Share it! See how many found us:

9 Winter 2019 Open Campus Schedule Offered by the ARE (Adult Religious Exploration) Committee What s fun, fascinating and FREE? Open Campus classes -- that s what. The Louisville community is encouraged to join the Thomas Jefferson crew for various classes being held during the period February 6 through April 3. A special welcome is extended to young adults, older teens and parents. Check out the nine weeks of classes and times below. Be sure to sign up during the coffee hour at the ARE table, by going to the church s website and clicking on the applicable link, or by contacting Alan Godsave at agodsave1@gmail.com. But before classes even start, we will have a terrific kickoff dinner and program with a theme of "The Church of the Future." Dinner Kick off: January 30 Everyone is invited 6:00-7:00 pm - Dinner will feature homemade soups, cornbread, desserts, and drinks. 7:00-7:30 pm Program. Rev. Jeff will speak and lead a discussion about what the church of the future will look like. Short introductions to the classes that will be offered during Open Campus will also be presented. Tickets for the dinner are $7 per adult, children under 12 are free. Reservations for the dinner may be made at the ARE table during Coffee Hour or sent to ARE c/o Debbie Horvay at TJUC by Sunday January 27. Prepaying is advised as only 66 seats are available. Open Campus Schedule: February 6 April 3. Drop-ins are welcome. 7:00-8:30 (with the exception of Sight Reading ) Wednesday & Thursday Evening Classes (sign-up is requested to help plan classroom spaces and assist with facilitator-participants communication). Sources of Our Living Tradition. Rev. Jeff, Facilitator. Wednesday evenings. Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13 (this class will also be offered on-line in real time) Men and #MeToo: Men s Experiences of and Responses to the #MeToo Movement. Rus Funk, Facilitator. Thursday evenings. Feb 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21 Banned Books. Lisa Austin, Facilitator. Wednesday evenings. Feb 6, 20, Mar 6, 20 Downsizing The Family Home. Diana Devaughn and Marilyn Snyder, Facilitators. Wednesday evenings. Feb 13, 27, Mar 13, 27 Sight Reading. Linda Marks Morgan, Facilitator. Thursday evenings (6:40-7:25). Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21 Humanism and Its Powerful Influence. Bob Schulz, Joe Brennan, and Glenn Glasgow, Facilitators. Wednesday evenings. Mar 20, 27, Apr 3 Adult RE Sunday Morning Classes. Drop-ins are welcome. Discussion Group in the Hearth Room, 9:30-10:45: Current Issues Discussion (first Sunday of each month): Topics vary. Other Sundays during the month: Video and discussion ( Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy video lectures and discussions begin Jan 13). Mindfulness, a Spiritual Practice, in the Sawyer Room, 9:30-10:30. Barb Friedland, Facilitator. (Dates: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3)) Weather Policy: If Jefferson County school is canceled due to weather conditions, please see the TJ website for information about a possible cancellation of the Open Campus dinner or classes.

10 Men and #MeToo: Men s Experiences of and Responses to the #MeToo Movement Facilitator: Rus Funk Six Sessions Thursday evenings 7:00 8:30 pm Feb 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21 This is an interactive, facilitated conversation designed to support men to explore and express their experiences of and responses to the #MeToo movement, and the sexism, sexual harassment, sexual objectification and sexual violence that has been exposed by #MeToo. Men will be encouraged to share their honest thoughts, reflections and experiences, with the goal of (as a result of this class), identifying the roles that men can have in responding to and preventing sexism, sexual harassment and sexual violence in Metro Louisville. This class is designed to be highly interactive. Class participants will be engaged in both the content and process of this class. While the focus of this class is on men s experience and response, women may attend and are welcome. The actual content and process of the class will vary depending on the gender make up of registration. Downsizing The Family Home Facilitators: Diana Devaughn and Marilyn Snyder Four Sessions Wednesday evenings 7:00 8:30 pm Feb 13, 27, Mar 13, 27 Using Marni Jameson s highly acclaimed AARP book, Downsizing The Family Home and the accompanying workbook, the facilitators will lead 4 bi-monthly meetings designed to provide support and motivation to participants as they define and work toward their personal goals of downsizing their family homes. These meetings will provide an opportunity for participants to share their downsizing goals and struggles. Participants will be encouraged to track their personal progress and meetings will create a feeling of accountability. Participants will be responsible for obtaining a copy of Downsizing The Family Home (available on Amazon for $9.98) and Downsizing The Family Home Workbook (available on Amazon for $8.48).

11 Banned Books Facilitator: Lisa Austin Four Sessions Wednesday evenings 7:00 8:30 pm Feb 6, 20, Mar 6, 20 The Brown Bag Book Club is sponsoring the class Banned Books. While Lisa Austin is the facilitator, the class will be run by members of the Brown Bag Book Club at TJUC. The class schedule is as follows: Feb 6 - Lisa Austin. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Feb 20 - Chris Ashman. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Mar 6 - Tish Moore. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Mar 20 - Carolyn Brown. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. All of these books and more are listed by the American Library Association in 2017 as banned in schools or public libraries across the United States. We will explore the why and how of the books' censorship as well as their content. Sight Reading Facilitator: Linda Marks Morgan Four Sessions Thursday evenings 6:40 7:25 pm Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21 Group participation, progressive understanding for learning to read music, no prior knowledge is necessary. This class is for everyone who has a desire to learn to read music or who wants to read music better. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MINISTER Are you new to TJ or to Unitarian principles and beliefs? Join Rev. Jeff in the Fahs Room at 1 pm (On the Third Sunday of each month)

12 Joys and Concerns Sonny Oliver s daughter Lark turned 13 years old recently. She is the one who brought him to this church. Beatrice Holt has been collecting coats for the homeless. She thanked the congregation for their donations, especially for the hats, scarves and gloves that were recently donated. Heidi Howe s mother and step-father recently celebrated their 37 th anniversary. Soon after her step-father had heart issues and open heart surgery. He is recovering well. Toni Hardin has transferred to Westport Place for rehab. She would like visitors. Jill Baker announced that she and Lee Pennington will be going on a long journey and Lee s health is not good and she is concerned that it may be a difficult journey for him. Diana Fulner reported on the Art Show. She is grateful for the 80 artists that participated and for the help of her fellow parishioners who made the event a great success. Hiroko Lippman is concerned for her friend her who recently lost her job Frank Richmond needs assistance moving a piano from the church to the home of a student. Dick Brown reported that Phil Adams is going through a rough time. He has experienced several falls lately. He is currently in Westminster Terrace. He would like visitors. John Elliott was in the emergency room recently because of a mishap with pain medication. Frank Richmond s dog died recently. The family is getting another whippet. Nancy Neill had a great visit with her half sister who had been unknown to her until last July. John and Gladys Busch shared cake with everyone in celebration of their 50 th anniversary. Deb McChane related that the broken hip Rick suffered during a bike ride is worse than thought. He s having an outpatient procedure this week that should get him on his feet sooner. Sheila Ward reported that she and others talked with children in KEAP and their caregiver. The children were excited to show off their Christmas clothes, donated by this congregation. Jackie Thomas shared that her her son passed his RN Boards and is starting work at Baptist East. Frank Richmond is concerned for Garrett Sorensen who recently had an emergency appendectomy. Garrett has been nominated for a Grammy. Jeffery Jones is happy to be back at TJ after living in Lexington for 12 years. Dick Brown shared that Phil Young s shoulder surgery was a success. Phil will be confined at home for 3 weeks and would welcome visitors. Mixed Chopir Every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Just drop in if you are interested or contacfrank Richmond at frank@tjuc.org Women s Chopir Every Thursday at 7:00 pm. Just drop in if you are interested or contact Linda Marks Morgan at linda@tjuc.org

13 Rainbow Seekers: Sneak Peek! (Fours-Kindergarten) This month, the Rainbow Seekers Group will explore the theme of the month- Possibility! We will be inventing and creating, dreaming about what is possible for our own lives, exploring growth through plants, making a difference in others lives, and the possibility of making a mistake. Jan 6th: The Possibility of You! This week we will explore what is possible in our own lives. We will use plants and seeds to help us understand this topic and relate growing plants to our own lives. We start out very small when we are born and as we grow new things become possible for us. Jan 13th: Impossible Possibility Bring your thinking caps this week as we explore what is possible and what just hasn t been discovered yet! We ll explore how past inventors and their inventions made what seemed impossible at the time become possible. As we explore this topic, the Rainbow Seekers will use safe recycled materials and masking tape to create their own inventions and creations. Do you have cardboard or plastic recyclable materials you could donate to support this activity?! Please bring them in!!!! NO METAL PLEASE!!!! Jan 20th: The Possibility of Change In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we will explore how WE can make change possible and how kindness and love can help others have happier lives. To support this idea, the Rainbow Seekers will become scientists for the day and participate in a fun and colorful chemical change experiment. Jan 27th: The Possibility of Being Wrong This week we will talk about choices we make every day. As we live each day, we all make mistakes and make choices sometimes that may not really be the best one. We will be engaging in some puppet play to help us learn how to navigate these situations and learn to think about our choices before we make them. To help us think about this topic in a fun and creative way we will be using Band-Aids to make our own ouchy story art piece. Another Open Campus Class: Humanism and Its Powerful Influence Facilitators: Bob Schulz, Joe Brennan, and Glenn Glasgow Three Sessions Wednesday evenings 7:00 8:30 pm Mar 20, 27, Apr 3 The great influence of humanism in the world today will be explored in three sessions. Class schedule: Mar 20 Becoming a humanist. Readings will include What is Humanism by Fred Edwards, and Sources of belief... Connection of humanism to Unitarianism. Mar 27 Analysis of Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs and consideration of several other humanistic psychologists and thei significance to human learning. (Erich Rom, Carl Rogers, etc.) Apr 3 The thinking of mathematicians (Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, etc.)

14 Days for Girls Kits for Kenya Sunday Jan 6 Help needed for collating 40 reusable feminine hygiene kits going to Kenya in January. Come and see what goes into these kits that help keep girls in school in areas where women and girls cannot afford or access sanitary supplies. We will meet in the Sawyer Room at 12:45 to put these kits together. Should take about 45 minutes. The kits will be leaving for Kenya the next day with Sheila Ward and Debby Sublett. Louisville Books to Prisoners Louisville Books to Prisoners is a 501c3 non-profit organization that sends free books directly to incarcerated people in Kentucky and Virginia. We provide resources to the incarcerated and those impacted by incarceration, while raising consciousness about the prison-industrial complex. The project started in 2016 with the help of volunteers from the Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project (Boxcar Books in Bloomington, Indiana). McQuixote Books and Coffee, our bookstore partner, ships our books as most prisons require that all books be shipped from a bookstore. Since April 2016, we have shipped 2,327 donated books directly to 362 inmates in ten different prisons. In the coming year we plan to reach a hundred additional inmates and become an authorized vendor in at least four additional facilities. Your donations are tax deductible, and our work is only made possible by donors like you. We are 100% volunteer driven and our only significant operational costs are postage and packing materials. It costs, on average, $1.50 to send one book directly to a prisoner in our service area. Online donations can be made on our website at: BOOK DONATIONS Donations of the following types of books can be left outside Rev. Jeff s office. DIY carpentry, electrical, radio, solar power, homesteading, gardening, raising chickens, etc. Art: How to draw and paint Pets: fish, dogs, cats, horses Games: chess, sudoku and crossword puzzle books. New Almanacs for 2019 New Age: astrology, occult, wicca, witchcraft Reference: clean and new English dictionaries and thesauruses Blank composition books (softcover only)

15 LGBTQ People in God s Promise What Do Jewish and Christian Sacred Texts Really Say About Homosexuality? Select biblical texts have been employed for centuries by Judaism and Christianity to condemn same-sex sex and sexuality. But what do these texts really say? This three-part series, created by The Salaam Network and hosted by Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, will explore what light contemporary scholarship sheds on the cultural context within which these texts were produced and, in so doing, offer a biblical argument for inclusion of LGBTQ people in God's promise. DATES: Sunday, January 27 th (3-4:30 p.m.): A Jewish Perspective, presented by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel (The Temple) Sunday, February 3 rd (3-4:30 p.m.): A Christian Perspective, presented by Kevin Karl (LCSW) Sunday, February 10 th (3-4:30 p.m.): Bringing Our Communities Together, discussion led by Rev. C.J. Wright (Rainbow Spiritual Education Center) Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church will introduce the series at their Sunday Service on January 13 th from 11-12:15. ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND! LOCATION: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church 4936 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY

16 Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church 4936 Brownsboro Road Hwy. 22 Louisville, KY Return Service Requested January 2019 Edition 640 Love is Our Greatest Purpose We affirm that love is our greatest purpose. Accepting one another is the truest form of faithful living. The search for truth is our constant star. We pledge our hearts, minds, and hands: To challenge injustice with courage; To find hope in times of fear; And to live out our Unitarian Universalist values every day as a beloved community. Thus do we covenant with each other and with all that is sacred in life. -Jay B. Abernathy, Jr. Rev. Jeff Liebmann, Interim Minister - call for an appointment Barb Friedland, Director of Lifespan RE 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM Tuesday through Friday to Barb@tjuc.org Messages may be left for her outside of these hours at (502) Frank Richmond, Music Director Janet Taylor, Membership Coordinator Debbie Horvay Administrator/Newsletter Editor Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Ellen Wade, Rental Coordinator Weddings and Rentals Call the office. Office hours: Monday thru Friday

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