United Way News!

Our final number is $44,327.80 with 38% of UM System staff participating. WOW! Did we make our goal? How about 108%!

"Before I came to work in University Hall, I worked briefly at a social services agency here in town. I am grateful for that experience, because it allowed me a glimpse into the lives of people I would not otherwise have met. I was naive about so many things that so many people have to deal with every day: hunger, poverty, unemployment, substandard living conditions, drug or alcohol addiction, disability, and the list goes on and on. Sure, I encountered people who were “working the system,” but for the most part, I heard the stories of people who could not move forward because they were mired in circumstances – often, desperate circumstances. I was able to see just how far a little bit of help could go, whether it was a visit to the Food Bank, assistance with a heating bill, finding daycare, or getting counseling or training. And I saw that the assistance they received made a real difference in their lives.

I’ve said all that just to say this: Your pledge to United Way matters. The programs that United Way helps fund were developed out of need, and those needs are, unfortunately, ever increasing. The people you have helped may not know whom to thank, so I will do it for them: “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”"

Staff Awareness...
Are you gearing up for the holidays with all the parties and family gatherings? All that feasting on scrumptious food and treats really whetting your appetite? AND THEN -- after all is said and done – you realize you have gained more weight!

The Show-Me Shape Up (program of the Show-Me State Games) is coming to your rescue in January. Get a team of 2 to 10 people from your office or other friends to take part in our 5-month physical fitness and health program.

If you are anxious to know more about it, contact Jean Hough at 884-4998 or e-mail to houghj@missouri.edu.

More detailed information coming later.

Editor's Corner!
Staff Advisory Council meetings are open to all UM System Staff. Meeting times are 9:00am-11:00am the second Wednesday of the month. The locations are posted on our website on the "Events Calendar." Our website is by now familiar to everyone, I hope, but we add things all the time, so give it a look again. We have pictures of the Staff Appreciation Week Events on the web site now! To see additional pictures, click on the refresh button on the toolbar and the picture will change. If you have any questions about the Newsletter or the Staff Advisory Council, please send me an email!
--Donna Barnes

Thanksgiving Facts!
The "first" Thanksgiving Day in America in was in 1621 and became the model for the Thankgiving celebrations we honor today, but it was not actually repeated by the Pilgrims and Indians, so they did not make it the tradition it later became.

On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unamimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. That proclamation is reproduced here in the same language and spelling as the original.

The proclamation quoted on this page is the oldest extant thanksgiving proclamation:

"The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ."

In 1782, the Continental Congress made a Thanksgiving Proclamation making it an official "holiday" by stating: "...abstain from all servile labour thereon." But is has been historically Geroge Washington who got the credit for making it an official holiday with his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789! Then in 1863, Abe Lincoln made it the last Thursday in the month of November with his version of the Thanksgiving Proclamation. Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each November as the holiday.

Most people celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with family or friends for a holiday feast. So I hope you will be enjoying fun and feast with your families as well! And be careful traveling!