- President Ruth Milledge
- Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon
- Jamila Batchelder, Director of Religious Education
- Violet Vonder Haar, Director of Music Ministry
President’s Perspective – President Ruth Milledge
Dear UUCC,
How are you feeling? A poll by The American Psychiatric Association revealed that 73% Americans are anxious about the 2024 U.S. election. Various studies have shown that this statistic is up from 40% in 2012. Steve Mudrick suggested “Maintaining Your Sanity in This Election Season” as a topic for discussion in the Milestones Circle, and I think the congregation could benefit from the results..
Steve led by mentioning several ways to cope with the stress of this anxiety, and other members contributed their suggestions. These included doing something to influence the election, avoiding triggers for one’s anxiety, setting communication boundaries, self-care, and looking outside yourself for signs of hope.
This election cycle offered ways to take action that are familiar to people in our age group. Writing post cards for candidates, for ballot issues, and to encourage people to vote were actions that we had taken. Some members planned to put up signs educating voters.
Some group members avoided anxiety triggers by avoiding media coverage of election news altogether. Others limited themselves to the media that allowed them to be informed without stress. Reading news rather than listening to or watching coverage gave some of us control over the presentation style. Relying only on trusted sources could be helpful.
Milestones Circle members shared a variety of options for setting communication boundaries. One way was to avoid or limit conversations that were likely to become heated. One could identify people with whom one can disagree civilly, or you could avoid certain topics.
Self-care was noted as being especially important during election season. If you know Steve, you won’t be surprised that his self-care included listening to music. Others mentioned spending time outside and exercising. Good sleep was considered essential, as well as eating healthfully.
A source outside the discussion emphasized the importance of challenging the thought that your candidate’s loss will ruin everything.
Policies may not be what we believe are right or best, but many valued aspects of our daily life will not change. Most of us will still have the same leisure activities, eat the same foods, listen to the same music, and have the same families and friends. UUCC will still be here for us in its many ways.
Lastly, seeking support from those we trust is always an important way to reduce anxiety. The Milestones Circle is only one example of the many such supportive groups that UUCC has to offer. In any group here, you will find people who care about how you are feeling.
In community,
Ruth Milledge
2024-25 President
Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon
Dear UU Churchers,
I write this note to you exactly one week before an election that has the potential to impact the future of our loved ones and this planet for generations to come. I know many of you are feeling the burden of this. Certainly I am too. I am thinking of you and your loved ones and all your hopes with tenderness.
Our theme this month at UUCC is “Care for Possibility” and that strikes me as exactly what we are doing this year at the ballot box as we vote about restoring abortion access in Missouri, guaranteeing sick leave and a higher minimum wage for workers, and the protection of democracy itself. Our vote is an act of embodied love – care – for all that could be, if we will protect possibility enough to let it grow.
Our vote, however, is only ever the start of that growth. The world we dream about is not one we create by voting. Rather, the way we vote determines the conditions under which we may then do the never-ending work of creating a world of beauty and thriving for all. The voting part matters. Deeply. We desperately need to create conditions that most fully allow for possibility to grow. But for me, there is comfort in knowing that isn’t the only step, just the first one.
I find hope in remembering that caring for possibility, loving potential, and committing myself to the future is something I am doing now, have been doing for years, and will continue doing long after this particular election cycle. And I also find hope in recognizing that possibility, which is the stuff of life itself, springs up even in the most difficult conditions. Roses bloom from concrete. Life flourishes at the bottom of the ocean in ways we would never imagine. And human possibility, too, makes its way into the world, even under duress, even now.
No matter what unfolds in the coming days, let us keep nurturing that possibility, together.
With love and hope,
Rev. Molly
Jamila Batchelder, Director of Religious Education
As we turn in November toward care for possibility, I say what I have said so often: if you want to feel hope in the world, spend some time with our UUCC children.
Here are a few moments from our RE program last Sunday after a discussion on friendship and how to make sure everyone is included: A child quietly asking each person in the room their favorite color before creating a heart out of Legos that made sure to include each of our colors; another child creating a Lego wheelchair in case any of the Lego figures need it; in the class next door learning about civil war nurse Clara Barton, a child saying how she showed us the UU value of transformation because she helped people grow to see how strong and courageous a woman can be. Following their Clara Barton discussion, the whole class learning first aid by tenderly bandaging teddy bears.
I still have big plans for this year! But I know that beyond lessons and curricula, we will be learning most when we show our children how we show up for each other. This is an amazing community, Thank you again for showing up for me.
Jamila Batchelder
Director of Religious Education
Violet Vonder Haar, Director of Music Ministry
UUCC Choir is back! All members of our church community are invited to join us on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. for rehearsals. Whether you’re an experienced singer or just starting out, all voices are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary.
Our inclusive and supportive environment is designed to help you grow as a singer and be part of a wonderful musical community. Come and be a part of something special as we share the joy of music together. I look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Sunday performance dates:
Nov. 24
Dec. 22
Join us on Sunday, Nov. 10 for special Music by Heather Mae!
Violet Vonder Haar
Director of Music Ministry