2024-25 President Ruth Milledge

I am always fascinated when two preschoolers encounter each other for the first time. Often, they unabashedly inspect each other, sometimes even circling one another during the examination. As we grow older, we develop more sophisticated means for getting to know one another.

At UUCC, we greet each other before services, we catch up at coffee hour, and we become acquainted while being of service together on teams, committees, and in religious education classrooms. Chalice Circles and other small groups are other means for connection.

Recently, I searched through our calendar to find a spot for a conversation with two other members. Most places in UUCC were already spoken for. Members of the congregation and people from the wider community are busy engaging with each other. At first I was dismayed, but the three of us found a suitable spot. On further reflection, I was gratified that UUCC is bustling with so many folks carrying out the business of the church and the business of the broader community that is in-line with our values. If you want to make a contribution of time and talent while forming community, please join any of our teams and committees. You will be guaranteed to get to know other congregants. You can also contact the Nominating Committee (Iyesatu Kamara-Bush, Chair, and Fred Young and Taylor Gill ) to volunteer for nomination to the Board of Trustees, to serve on a committee, or to be a delegate at the Mid-America Regional Assembly or the UUA General Assembly. Let Rev. Molly or any team member know if you have interest in serving on a ministry team.

The January Faith-to-Action collection recipient, Boone County Community Bail Fund, is an example of a group who, while not members of our congregation, are involved in work that reflects our values. Other groups use our building because they trust UUCC to be a safe space for carrying out their mission. They know this from their encounters with our minister, the Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon, from conversations with congregants, from working alongside with congregants in other organizations, and from our Mission and Vision Statements.

Another way to create community with others is to participate in a Cottage Meeting and share your thoughts and feelings about our church as part of our preparation for developing our next Mission and Vision Statements. We have had many newer members take part. We also look forward to the participation of members with longer experience at UUCC sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon

How do we care for each other well in uncaring times?

There are so many ways we can show care, and each of them can be a balm, a life line, and a culture shift toward more embodied love in this time of duress:

Listening well when someone needs a place to vent. Try not to offer solutions or advice, unless they are explicitly being asked for.

Offering practical support to someone who is struggling, without asking them to do the mental labor of coming up with the most helpful thing for you to do. “Can I come do a few loads of laundry for you on Tuesday?” is much easier to respond to than “Let me know how I can help.”

Dropping by a meal when someone is going through a difficult or intense time, like an illness or hospitalization, the birth of a new baby, or some other distressful situation.

Reach out to those in your networks who may be feeling isolated or frightened. A simple “I’m thinking of you” text message can kick off a supportive conversation, or it can simply be a door left open to further care whenever the person is ready.

These are practices that churches have lived out since the days of our grandmothers’ grandmothers. We seek to live them out in our own era as a pathway into solidarity, connection, and mutual thriving. This month, I’ll be working behind the scenes to re-staff and re-vitalize our Caring Ministry Team, which crumbled away a bit after the initial care-giving rush of Covid and after a chairperson moved away. If you’re interested in being part of this work in big ways or small ones, please do let me know!

Let’s make this world a more caring one, one casserole and load of laundry at a time!

Jamila Batchelder, Director of Religious Education

There are a lot of big things that need doing in the world, and it can feel overwhelming. But there are also a lot of little things, and those are important too. So sometimes that is the best place to start.

This month we think about caring for each other. And we can start by thinking about how we care for each other in our UUCC community. I often say that being in a congregation together is an opportunity to practice at a microcosmic level all the big ideas we dream about for the world.

But also, each connection we build, and the deeper we weave ourselves into community, the more capable we become of doing the big things together.

So how will you and your children work on caring for each other here at UUCC? It could be as small as inviting someone new to sit with you at a potluck. Signing up to bring a new parent a meal. Helping out now and then in an RE class. All those little things matter, in little ways and in big ways.