Our Board of Trustees issued a unanimous public statement on our commitments in these times. View a video version.
The 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting has been scheduled after worship at noon on Sunday, May 18 in the Sanctuary and via Zoom. Business to be conducted at the meeting will be: Approval of the proposed 2025-26 operating budget Election of members of the Board of Trustees Receipt of annual report(s) Interim report from the Mission … Continue reading Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled May 18
At a special meeting of our Board of Trustees on Sunday, May 4, the board approved a contract with Christensen Construction for $32,332.50 to repave the church parking lot. The cost of the repaving will be paid from the Building and Grounds Accrual Reserved Fund.
Ruth Milledge, 2024-25 President Your Board of Trustees has made this statement publicly via several media: As we witness cruel, destructive, and divisive acts by our Federal and State governments, we, the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia, Missouri, are moved to speak out. Love is the foundation of our faith. … Continue reading May messages from church leaders
he Membership Team‘s next “Getting to Know UU” Newcomer Retreat will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8. If you are considering becoming a member of the UUCC, we strongly encourage you to attend. Retreat participants will learn about Unitarian Universalism and our own church, connect with newcomers, dine with UUCC members/friends, and … Continue reading Newcomer Retreat scheduled June 8
May Faith-to-Action recipient The Faith-to-Action recipient for May 2025 is Children’s Grove Kindness Libraries. The mission of Children’s Grove is to inspire a culture of kindness and to support the mental and emotional well-being of our youth. Our Kindness Library program works to get storybooks featuring kindness and empathy into the hands of our community’s children. … Continue reading May report from the Social Action Team
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
The UUCC Social Action Team has opened nominations for Faith-to-Action collection recipients for September 2025 through August 2026. The team is requesting that nominations be submitted by July 1, 2025. If a full set of nominations has not been received by that time, the team will continue to consider nominations that come in later, but … Continue reading 2025-26 Faith-to-Action nominations now open
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
Be on the lookout for a “Know Your Rights and Accompaniment Training” organized by the Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team (SIJT). We all have certain constitutional and legal rights in this country, no matter whether we are U.S. citizens or not. It is important for all of us to know what our rights are. The … Continue reading SIJT plans “rights training”
Annual Giving Chair Christine Heath and Rev. Molly report that our stewardship campaign for the 2025-26 fiscal year was extremely successful. The total pledged exceeded the aggressive goal of a 9% increase over current year pledges, allowing us to increase our budget from $327,000 this year to more than $356,000 for the next fiscal year … Continue reading Stewardship campaign was a big success
Looking for a great summer experience? Join us at Bayside UU Family Camp held at Wesley Woods Conference Center on the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, WI. This year camp will take place July 6-12. This special week includes adult workshops, activities for children, free time for family fun and relaxation, and intergenerational … Continue reading Bayside UU Family Camp July 6-12
Thirteen new members officially joined UUCC on Feb. 2, 2025 in an Ingathering Ceremony during the worship service. A 14th new member was unable to attend the ingathering. This was the largest group of new members since 16 people joined in December 2014. The 13 new members at the ingathering are Donna Brockmiller, Catherine Cooper, … Continue reading Membership Team welcomes 14 new members
Thirteen new members officially joined UUCC on Feb. 2, 2025 in an Ingathering Ceremony during the worship service. This was the largest group of new members since 16 people joined in December 2014. The new members are pictured in a group photo below as well as in individual photos that are in alphabetical order by … Continue reading 13 new members join UUCC
On Jan. 26, the Membership Team and the Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon hosted the first “Getting to Know UU Newcomer Retreat.” Fifteen newcomers got to know each other and the church through discussion, videos and songs. Approximately 20 members and friends then joined the newcomers for a light dinner. Our next Newcomers Retreat will … Continue reading Membership Team hosts successful Newcomers’ Retreat
Have you met Hamamelis vernalis? …also known as Ozark Witch Hazel? Several of these woody shrubs live on our church grounds, one in front of the building and a few out back. Each year, they are the first of our native plants to bloom, even before spring arrives! On warmer winter days (January-March) they can … Continue reading Grounds Team introduces Hamamelis vernalis
Have you noticed our parking lot and the street filling up quickly on Sunday mornings as our attendance increases? We are able to park in the Shepard Elementary School lot across the street from the church. If you have been attending for some years and are able to, please park there to help welcome newcomers … Continue reading Please park at Shepard school if you can
Our worship attendance spiked in the Sundays before and after the Nov. 5 general election, bringing our average attendance for November to 111, a 28% increase from the October average of 87. We held an initial congregational strategy meeting after worship on Sunday, Nov. 17 to imagine how we can deepen our solidarity in this … Continue reading Election concerns boost attendance, spark strategy brainstorming
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
By the Rev. Dottie Mathews When Rosie and I moved to Columbia in 2015, we were thoroughly delighted to find this vibrant, committed faith community to join, and it has been my honor to serve as your Affiliated Community Minister for these eight and a half years. For those who may not know, that role … Continue reading Living Our Love for Our Trans and Gender Expansive Siblings
When you sell items on EBay or Facebook, you can now donate some or all of the proceeds to UUCC using the Paypal Giving Fund. You will need to select an option in EBay or Facebook to donate a percentage of sale proceeds to charity. When you do that, at the time you complete a … Continue reading Help UUCC when you sell on EBay or Facebook
The Planned Giving Work Group of the Stewardship Team has been busy this past year and has launched a renewed planned giving program at UUCC. During many past Founder’s Day celebrations, we have shared the story of how our founders hand-carried water to nourish the young trees on the site where they planned to build … Continue reading Water Bearers Society is launched
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
Staff and volunteers successfully completed a CPR and AED course with the American Red Cross on Oct. 29, so we are feeling more prepared for any medical emergencies that may come our way. UUCC staff members have been working on creating a visible area for the supplies needed in these life-saving treatments. The photo at … Continue reading First Aid supplies now located in Sanctuary
In the past UUCC used a key system for exterior doors. We have now fully transitioned to an automatic lock system to make our church more secure. Each week, Church Administrator April Rodeghero will update the schedule so the exterior doors will unlock and lock for scheduled activities. Staff members, lay leaders and organizations that … Continue reading Lock system for exterior doors has changed
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
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!
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!
We are excited to announce that we have launched a new system giving our members and friends the ability to give to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia by: Text message from your smartphone, or Online This new system has been arranged through the Breeze Church Management System, our new church database. It replaces our … Continue reading Easy text and online donations now available
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
Sunday, May 3, 2020 was the eighth Sunday of our online worship in compliance with guidelines for social distancing during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Molly Housh Gordon’s homily was titled “A Chance to Dream.” Even as our state rushes to “re-open the economy,” it is clear not only that there is no quick and safe … Continue reading May 3, 2020 podcast – A Chance to Dream
Sunday, April 26, 2020 was the seventh Sunday of our online worship in compliance with guidelines for social distancing during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Our service observed the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, and we enjoyed the beauty of spring as members of our Green Sanctuary Team reflected on “Lessons from Nature.” … Continue reading April 26, 2020 podcast – Lessons from Nature
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.”
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
On Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon preached on “Loving Bravely.” Rev. Molly invites us to explore together how we live through the spiraling dance of love and fear, discern the difference between discomfort and danger, and expand our comfort zones so that we can draw the circles of love and compassion in … Continue reading Oct. 13, 2019 – Loving Bravely
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.
On Sunday, March 8, 2020, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon’s sermon title was “Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!” Often it is not actually what we do that is most supportive to our loved ones, but rather a quality of our presence. Rev. Molly invites us to explore what it means to be a healing presence … Continue reading March 8, 2020 – Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!
On Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, special guest Jeanne Snodgrass, Director of Mizzou’s Hillel Jewish Student Center, preached on “Begin Again in Love.” One way we practice courage is by making amends and beginning again in love. On this Sunday closest to Yom Kippur, Jeanne invites us to learn what wisdom we can all take from … Continue reading Oct. 6, 2019 – Begin Again in Love
On Nov. 17, 2019, “What Do We Seek Here?” was the Rev. Dottie Mathews’ sermon topic. In our Unitarian Universalist faith, there is no precept demanding weekend attendance or any “extra heavenly points” awarded to those who actively participate in Sunday services and in other fellowship opportunities. Rev. Dottie invites us to ponder: Why is … Continue reading Nov. 17, 2019 – What Do We Seek Here?
On Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon’s topic was “With Heat and Great Effort.” Listen as she explains that beloved community is not a thing that simply happens – rather, it is created, under heat and with great effort. Rev. Molly invites us to reflect upon what it really means to forge community … Continue reading Nov. 10, 2019 – With Heat and Great Effort
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.
This summer we are exploring the use of secular works as sacred texts. Listen to the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon’s sermon on July 14, 2019 as she explicates the thesis of the book Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown. Brown posits that there is more to this world than the pursuit of mere life, liberty … Continue reading July 14, 2019 – Making Liberation Irresistible
In summer 2019 we are studying secular works as sacred texts. On June 16, 2019, we explored secular texts using the spiritual practices of Lectio Divina and Floralegium – techniques that ancient monks used to study the Bible. Tim Dickerson and Sam Otten applied these techniques to excerpts from two works – Les Misérables by … Continue reading June 16, 2019 – Looking Up to Les Misérables
At worship on May 19, 2019, we were treated to a music extravaganza as we celebrated the service of our Interim Director of Music Ministry, Marques J. Ruff, and our accompanist, Arun Garg. We also celebrated the accomplishments of our high school graduates. We apologize that this is one of the longest podcasts we have … Continue reading May 19, 2019 – Celebration Sunday Podcast
On Sunday, March 24, the Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM) Team presented the lay-led service, “Living Up to Radical Welcome,” and made a small change in the sanctuary while we were at it. As we’ve heard a number of questions about this change, we thought it was about time we shed some light on it. … Continue reading Fragrance sensitivity? We’ve got you (or at least your chair) covered!
On Sunday, May 12, 2019 we celebrated our annual Flower Communion, a tradition started in 1923 by Czech Unitarian Minister Norbert Chapek. In this podcast, we are pleased to present the reflections of our Director of Religious Education Jamila Batchelder and feature the wonderful music from our service, by permission of the performers. Although the … Continue reading May 12, 2019 – Flower Communion
At worship on Sunday, March 24, the UUCC Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Team explored the topic of disability. Some disabilities are easily observed, leading to snap judgements about the person’s inherent worth and dignity, to misconceptions and prejudices, and often to discrimination. On the other hand, many disabilities are invisible, leading to accusations that the … Continue reading March 24, 2019 – Living Up to Radical Welcome
At worship on Feb. 24, 2019, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon’s topic was “Reparations & Soul Repair.” She explored these issues: If power is the ability to act, then our power is deeply affected by our resources. What do we do about the truth of history that many have been systemically robbed of resources and thus … Continue reading Feb. 24, 2019 – Reparations and Soul Repair
After a two-year lapse in the availability of UUCC T-shirts, the UUCC Social Action Team now has three designs of T-shirts available for purchase at $20 apiece. The shirts are perfect for rallies and other activities and events. Look for them in the Greeting Area. Some of the shirts feature the design that first became … Continue reading Social Action Team makes UUCC T-shirts available
At worship on Jan. 27, 2019, the day before the 68th anniversary of our church’s founding on Jan. 28, 1951, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon reflected on the history and future of Unitarian Universalism in Mid-Missouri. Listen to her sermon exploring the vision that connects us across generations, what it means to be a good ancestor, … Continue reading Jan. 27, 2019 – Across Generations: Founders’ Day Sunday
On Jan. 20, 2019, the day before the official observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, Rev. Molly Housh Gordon revealed a major new effort by Faith Voices of Columbia – an interfaith group that promotes relationships of understanding, cooperation, and respect across religious and political divides. This proposal is scheduled to … Continue reading Jan. 20, 2019 – MLK Jr. Weekend – The Lonely Justice-Maker
