Author: Steve Scott

Pastoral visitors team announced

We are delighted to share that a new team of pastoral visitors has been formed and trained by Rev. Molly to extend the pastoral reach of the congregation. This team will collaborate with the minister to offer emotional support, spiritual encouragement, and pastoral care in situations of transition and difficulty. It will also help maintain … Continue reading Pastoral visitors team announced

“Pen Pal” program with Fulton State Hospital

The LGBTQ Collective is piloting a pen pal program with patients at Fulton State Hospital and is in need of ally volunteers. Volunteers will receive one or two pen pals from the hospital’s LGBTQ group. Please email Rev. Molly if you are interested in being a pen pal to get connected with program organizers.

October report from our Social Action Team

October Faith-to-Action recipient The October Faith-to-Action recipient for October 2025 is The Center Project. The Center Project is a primarily volunteer-run organization sustained by the generous donations of individuals and local organizations. It provides community resources to improve the well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth, parents and adults through inclusivity education, community outreach, and collaborative partnerships with other … Continue reading October report from our Social Action Team

“Coming Back to Life” programs planned on Saturday mornings starting Nov. 1

A collaborative program of UUCC and two other faith groups will offer a “Coming Back to Life” series of programs on Saturday mornings from November through March with a theme of “Empowerment in the Fact of Planetary Suffering.” UUCC members and friends are invited to share their care for the earth and engage in relational … Continue reading “Coming Back to Life” programs planned on Saturday mornings starting Nov. 1

Care Team re-launches

The UUCC Care Team is being re-launched with new members and new focus. Are you interested in embracing radical neighboring? Please join the UUCC Care Team! The group has several areas we are focusing on: Meals: After a birth, surgery or illness, etc. Rides: To church, medical appointments, etc. Memorial Services: For UU Members Cards: Joys, … Continue reading Care Team re-launches

Quarterly leadership gatherings planned – next meeting will be Dec. 5

Mark your calendar to join UU leaders to deepen collaboration, troubleshoot together, and nurture our culture of shared ministry at quarterly leadership meetings. The first meeting was held Sept. 6. The next meetings will take place on the following Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.: Dec. 5, 2025 March 7, 2026 All leaders, as self-identified, … Continue reading Quarterly leadership gatherings planned – next meeting will be Dec. 5

UU minister Jordinn Nelson Long will do research at UUCC

Rev. Molly has announced that UU minister and cultural geographer Jordinn Nelson Long will be visiting with us during the 2025-2026 church year to support her research on thriving progressive faith communities. Jordinn will be with us for most of September and from January to mid-March. She will be embedding herself in the congregation, meeting … Continue reading UU minister Jordinn Nelson Long will do research at UUCC

Rev. Molly receives 2024 Skinner Sermon Award from UUA

Our minister, the Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon, is the 2024 recipient of the Skinner Sermon Award from the Unitarian Universalist Association for her Oct. 20, 2024 sermon “How to Have an Enemy,” the UUA has announced. The announcement said the sermon was recognized “…for its powerful clarity, deep power analysis, and unwavering solidarity with … Continue reading Rev. Molly receives 2024 Skinner Sermon Award from UUA

Ten new members join UUCC

Ten new members joined UUCC during a New Member Ingathering Ceremony during worship on June 15, 2025. In alphabetical order, they are: Carmen Clearwater, Katie Guinn, Amy Hoffman, Maha Libdeh, Jeremiah Long, Kristen Long, Tim Madsen, Trana Madsen, Sam Schick, and Carol Snively. Many thanks to Kim Wade for taking the following group photo and … Continue reading Ten new members join UUCC

Our Board of Trustees issues public statement about our commitments in these times

Members of our Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the following public statement regarding our commitments in these times at their March meeting. The statement was circulated by email to church members and friends on April 29 and was published the same day on the editorial page of The Columbia Missourian. View a video version of … Continue reading Our Board of Trustees issues public statement about our commitments in these times

40 Missouri UUs attended first-ever Advocacy Day in Jeff City

Forty UUs, including six from UUCC, gathered in Jefferson City on Wednesday, April 23, for the first-ever Missouri UU Advocacy Day. The group met at the Jefferson City UU Fellowship for relationship-building, training and lunch. After lunch they went to the Missouri State Capitol to talk with legislators about bodily autonomy, workers’ rights, and how … Continue reading 40 Missouri UUs attended first-ever Advocacy Day in Jeff City

Please provide complete ingredients list for potlucks

Potlucks can be challenging and sometimes downright frustrating for those with food sensitivities and allergies. For many, checking a box indicating “gluten-free,” “vegan” or “nondairy” is not enough. For instance, one of our members is gluten-free but also sensitive to arrowroot and sorghum flour. Let’s support each other by completing an ingredient list for our … Continue reading Please provide complete ingredients list for potlucks

Please feed our Food Barrel

Thanks to everyone who put non-perishable food items in the barrel at the upstairs elevator doors over the last few months. Joan and I took 90 pounds to the Food Bank Market on Jan. 26. The need continues. Please, everyone, continue to feed our barrel, which helps feed our neighbors, and maybe some of us. … Continue reading Please feed our Food Barrel

Rev. Dottie Mathews recognized for immigrant work

Dottie’s recognition certificate Click to enlarge During our Oct. 23, 2022 worship service, our Affiliated Community Minister, Rev. Dottie Mathews, was recognized for her past work as coordinator of the Congregational Accompaniment Project for Asylum Seekers (CAPAS), a program of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). As part of the recognition, it was announced that … Continue reading Rev. Dottie Mathews recognized for immigrant work

Welcome to our meadow!

By the time you see this article, the backyard meadow at church is likely to have received its maintenance-mowing and may look like a blank space or a poor excuse for lawn. But, I hope you have seen, can imagine, or will see the wonderful plants that are still alive and well beneath the ground. … Continue reading Welcome to our meadow!

We love our trees!

The Grounds Team would like to introduce you to some of our trees and invite you to share your love of our trees and woods on the UUCC Facebook page. Shingle Oak – Wood from this oak can be split into thin sheets, which used to be made into shingles. White Oak – These oaks … Continue reading We love our trees!

UU Life Writers’ Group publishes its second anthology

The UU Life Writers’ Group is pleased to announce the publication of its second anthology, Stories, Just Stories. The stories are mini-memoirs about family, growing up, social activism, romance and pets. A big section of poetry is included. The anthology also contains tributes to those writers no longer with us. Copies are $8 and can … Continue reading UU Life Writers’ Group publishes its second anthology

April 19, 2020 Podcast – “Lessons from the Flowers”

Sunday, April 19, 2020, was the sixth Sunday of our online worship in compliance with guidelines for social distancing during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. We remembered the beauty of the earth as well as its impermanence by creating a nature mandala with beautiful bits of spring. Rev. Molly’s homily was “Lessons from the Flowers.”  

April 12, 2020 – Easter – The Holy or the Broken Hallelujah

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, was the fifth Sunday of our “virtual” online worship in compliance with guidelines for social distancing during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Molly livestreamed the service from her home via Zoom. This podcast features Rev. Molly’s homily, “The Holy or the Broken Hallelujah.” You can also view a video of the … Continue reading April 12, 2020 – Easter – The Holy or the Broken Hallelujah

Oct. 20, 2019 – Strengthening Our Hearts

On Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, our Worship Associates presented a meaningful lay-led service on the topic “Strengthening Our Hearts.” They offer us an  opportunity to hear UU Churchers’ testimony about what “Courageous Love” means to them in their lives.  

Nov. 3, 2019 – Remembrance Sunday

On November 3, 2019, our annual “Remembrance Sunday” on the Sunday closest to All Souls Day, we set aside a time of deep memory, honoring the lives of loved ones now gone. Rev. Molly Housh Gordon explored how community holds memory in a way that none of can do alone.