Need community? We’ve got you. Being in community might just be the most important thing we can do right now for ourselves and for each other. As a small-group ministry of our church, Chalice Circles are designed to build that community, foster connections between members, and provide opportunities to share your heart in a safe, … Continue reading Chalice Circles signups now open
During the 2024-2025 church year, the Board’s Mission/Vision Task Force held a series of cottage meetings about our mission and vision to gather information from the congregation in preparation for updating these guiding statements. The executive summary from those meetings was shared at our May 2025 annual meeting, and can also be found here on … Continue reading Please take the Mission/Vision survey
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
Wild Wonder Playground Campaign What: An accessible wooden tree deck surrounded by natural play materials to connect our kids with our grounds and each other in imaginative play. When: To be built this fall! Where: In the shade on the east side of the grounds – look for the newly poured concrete sidewalk! How: The … Continue reading “Wild Wonder” playground campaign announced
Violet Vonder Haar, Director of Music Ministry, has announced choir and “Sacred Songs” plans. Choir: It’s time for another season of singing UU! The UUCC Choir will resume our weekly rehearsals this Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. Members are invited to bring a dish for a potluck for our first rehearsal. We will eat … Continue reading Choir and Sacred Songs plans announced
Mark your calendars for the annual interfaith CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk to raise funds to relieve hunger here in Columbia and mid-Missouri, across the US, and around the world. This event is sponsored by Church World Service. Local programs that will receive financial support from the Columbia Crop Walk are Loaves and … Continue reading CROP Walk set on Sept. 21
2025-26 President Kim Wade Dear UU folks, Cardboard boxes take up a lot of space in my head and home these days. My spouse and I are moving across town. Long before I was at the “we’re-gonna-need-boxes” stage of moving, folks began offering us boxes. Folks went out of their way, even while slogging through … Continue reading Church leaders’ September messages
Faith-to-Action September recipient The Faith-to-Action recipient for September 2025 is The Lajee Center. Based in the Aida Refugee Camp near Jerusalem, the Lajee Center offers help and support for refugees as they attempt to get an education, work, and care for their children. The Lajee Center is a bastion of hope and helps the refugees with … Continue reading Social Action Team September news
Our Membership Team is about to pilot a buddy system (now called “Welcome Weavers”) to introduce and connect visitors to the church. This is being facilitated through a Membership Team subcommittee whose members are Nancy Browning, Alexandra Roper, Aaryn Johns, Mary Beth Buffaloe, and Kathy Myers. Church members will meet in person with visitors who … Continue reading Membership Team will pilot “buddy system”
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
Join us in the sanctuary from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday each month from September through May for Guidebook to the Garden, an all-ages workshop to engage the theme of the month with creative prompts. We’ll get started on Friday, Sept. 5. Participants will receive a blank book to fill up with … Continue reading Monthly worship theme workshops planned on 1st Fridays
Philosophy Club, led by Michael Davis and Ben Schulz, is a group for anyone interested in discussing a topic more deeply with others. No philosophical training is needed, all worldviews are welcome, and any member can submit a subject to be discussed from spirituality to sociology, psychology, ecology, science and anything else. The group will … Continue reading New Philosophy Club will meet on 4th Sundays
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
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
Rev. Molly has announced that we will have another intern minister this coming year. Here is the text of her announcement: I am delighted to share that we will be serving as a teaching congregation once more for the 2025-2026 program year! In September we will be welcoming Monica Clark-Robinson to UUCC to complete the … Continue reading Monica Clark-Robinson will be our new intern minister
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
UUCC has new network name – “Unitarian Universalist Wifi.” The password is unchanged and can be found on the password-protected Church Wifi page. You may need to have your device forget the old network names so it does not try to automatically connect to them. If you experience any problems with the wifi, please email … Continue reading New wifi network name
With deep gratitude and admiration, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia honors the late Dr. Dorothy Watson for her generous and compassionate bequest to the church. We celebrate her legacy in our newly formed Water Bearer’s Society, which recognizes those who plan for the future of our congregation with a legacy or estate gift of … Continue reading Planned Giving Work Group lauds Dr. Dorothy Watson
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
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
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
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
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!
