Sunday Morning Book Discussion

This group meets every Sunday from 9 am to 10 am via zoom. Newcomers are always welcome.

Contact:                 Mary Galligan

Current book: The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times Magazine

From the project website:  “A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present.

In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia bearing a cargo of twenty to thirty enslaved people from Africa. Their arrival led to the barbaric and unprecedented system of American chattel slavery that would last for the next 250 years. This is sometimes referred to as the country’s original sin, but it is more than that: It is the source of so much that still defines the United States.

The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning “1619 Project” issue reframed our understanding of American history by placing slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of our national narrative. This new book substantially expands on that work, weaving together eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in present-day America with thirty-six poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance. The essays show how the inheritance of 1619 reaches into every part of contemporary American society, from politics, music, diet, traffic, and citizenship to capitalism, religion, and our democracy itself.

The 1619 Project speaks directly to our current moment, contextualizing the systems of race and caste that still define so much of American life today. It reveals the hidden truths around our nation’s founding and construction—and the way that the legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation, but continues to shape contemporary American life.>

Meditation

Peaceful Heart Sangha

Contact Chuck Fantz

Mindfulness meditation practice group in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.

A relaxed and delightful practice, rooted in loving kindness, and focused on bringing mindfulness to every moment and peace to all. When we have stillness, we can become aware of the beauty and peace in and around us and open our hearts to happiness and compassion.

Peaceful Heart Sangha meets Mondays in Scanland Hall from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. All are welcome. We have a  free-will offering that is split 50/50 with UUFT. We plan to meet every Monday evening unless it is a holiday.  Our 1 ½ hour practices include: Guided Meditation, Walking Meditation, Silent Sitting Meditation, Dharma Presentation and Dharma Sharing.

If you would like to join us or have questions about the practice, email Chuck at cfantz@gmail.com and he will tell you how to join the meditation sessions.

4th Friday Game Night

4th Friday Game Night, as the name suggests, is held on the 4th Friday of each month. Open to game lovers of all ages, you may bring a favorite game and a snack to share. This activity is sponsored by the RE group, but you do not need to bring a child to attend.

Dinners for Eight

What is Dinners for Eight? It’s enjoying good conversation and food. It’s spending social time with UU’s and friends. It’s building our community and having fun. Small groups meet in private homes or reserved rooms at UUFT for dinner. A volunteer host organizes the evening’s meal and coordinates the dishes that each of the guests brings.

Each month from September through May the master list of people signed-up for Dinners for Eight is reorganized so guests will meet and dine with a different group. Over time you will have lots of conversations with many different people and gain a new sense of belonging.

All UUFT members and friends of the Fellowship are welcome. You are expected to make attendance a priority on the third Saturday of each month. Of course all of us are busy people and may need to skip a month. Simply tell the D-4-8 Coordinator to plan for your absence. 

A final list of the dinners for each month will be emailed to D-4-8 members a week to 10 days before the meals. The hosts will plan the menu. Hosts and guests will confirm with each other the dish they will bring. If a guest makes a last minute cancellation, they should contact the host and still expect to provide the food they volunteered to share. (Don’t wreck a meal by being a “no-show.”)

Please join Dinners for Eight. It’s good for you. It’s good for the UUFT Community.

The D-4-8 Coordinator needs your information: 

(example)

Name(s): Richie and Bob McDaneld

Address:  5025 SW Brentwood Road, Topeka

Telephone: 785-230-1259 (R), 785-230-0822 (B)

Email:  rmcdaneld@gmail.com  bobmcdaneld@gmail.com

Food allergies or restrictions: none

Number of people (host and guests) you can accommodate: 8-10

Send your Dinners for Eight registration information to:

Richie McDaneld, 785-230-1259 or rmcdaneld@gmail.com

Dinners for All

During the summer months, June, July and August, everyone is invited to join in an outdoor potluck dinner held at member homes. No pre-registration is required. While Dinners for Eight are adults only activities, Dinners for All usually welcome children.

Typically, the host provides seating, a barbeque grill, and basic beverages. Guests bring meat (or alternative) for themselves, a beverage if desired, and a dish to share with others. Tableware may be provided by the host or it may be bring your own. See our monthly newsletter for details.