Join us at noon after our 10:30 a.m. worship service on Aug. 25 for an All-Church Picnic to kick off the church year with celebration and fellowship.
We have reserved the picnic shelter at Shepard Park, adjacent to the east of the church, so we can make use of the park grounds and playground for outdoor fun.
We will provide meat and veggie burgers, hotdogs, and fixin’s. You are invited to bring a potluck side or dessert for the feast. Also consider bringing picnic blankets and chairs, outdoor toys and games, and your own picnic dishes and utensils to cut down on the disposables.
RSVP by email so we can have enough burgers and hotdogs.
The Social Action Team is bringing the UUA’s new “Side With Love” director, the Rev. Ashley Horan to UUCC on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a full day of working with our Justice-oriented groups and all UU Churchers interested in justice work.
Rev. Horan will help us strategize, clarify priorities, and imagine how to work powerfully together as a congregation to move forward the work we care about. Rev. Horan is one of Unitarian Universalism’s fiercest and wisest social justice leaders, and she has worked with UU Churches across the country for years to strengthen their congregational justice-making work.
If you are a long time justice leader at UUCC, someone just dipping their toe in the water, or anywhere in between, you are warmly invited! RSVP here so that we can provide adequate lunch and child care!
During a sermon in February, I talked about how being in meaningful relationships with people and engaging with different ideas can call us to adjust the stories we write for ourselves. Little did I know how my intended storyline was about to change!
I write to you, dear community, with a mix of excitement and sadness, to let you know that my story is calling me to explore a new path, one that means ending my internship.
My time as an intern paralleled with seminary courses delving into aspects of Christian theology and biblical studies that captured my interest. As I had time to reflect upon my seminary experiences over the summer, I was surprised to realize these interests were calling me down an ordination track different from what I originally expected. After talking with trusted mentors, I have discerned a desire to explore another faith tradition, namely Disciples of Christ, a progressive Christian denomination.
This exciting new development is accompanied by sadness, because it means I will be leaving my internship to give my whole attention this new path.
Serving UUCC has been a great joy and honor, and I am full of gratitude for each one of you. I will miss you very much. The fact that my inspiration to explore another faith tradition is due to revelation rather than hardship is a great gift.
Thank you for being a space that allowed me to develop as a minister. Thank you for providing support and learning that will always be a part of whatever good I do in ministry.
I will be at both services on Sept. 8 to formally punctuate the transition from being your intern, and I hope to see you there to thank you in person. You are welcome to contact me by email if you’d like between now and Sept. 8.
In Gratitude,
Alexis
From Rev. Molly Housh Gordon:
Dear UU Churchers,
What a gift it has been to have Alexis learning and working with us over the last year. She has brought so many skills and talents to bear upon our ministry, and it has been an honor and a joy to be a part of her formation into ministry. I know that she will be a gifted minister in the tradition that calls to her heart and that we will always share the work of loving this world together.
We are sad to see her go, but it is the work of Unitarian Universalism to support the conscience and resource the spiritual journey, even when that work occasionally leads people away from us. We can be proud to be an important part of Alexis’ journey.
I hope that you will join us in worship on Sept. 8 for a ritual of release to send Alexis off into the rest of her journey with our blessing, love, and very best wishes.
And I hope and believe that with Alexis having paved the way, we will have many future opportunities to serve in a teaching and mentoring role for ministers-to-be. I look forward with you to those opportunities.
It will soon be time to sign up for 2019-20 Chalice Circles. The groups meet regularly to deepen and strengthen interpersonal connections, and encourage spiritual growth. They provide a place to share deeply with each other, to build lasting and caring relationships, and to strengthen our church’s sense of community. Each Chalice Circle has seven to 10 members and meets at least once a month.
If you would like to join a group, starting Sept. 1 you will be able to sign up on our website or on Sundays in the Greeting Area.
In an effort to bring UU adults together in homes of UUs, we will begin another year of “Dinners for 8.” The dinners beginning in September are a great way to get acquainted and experience good food. The dinners are essentially theme potlucks that are organized in advance. Dates for the dinners in September, October, November, January, February and March will be suggested by the host in consultation with the randomly-chosen members of the host’s dinner group.
In early December we have a Holiday Hors D’oeuvres Party, and in April we have a Spring Finale. Both events will take place at the church. Drinks for both events and entrees for the Spring Finale will be paid for from our dues.
Right now is a good time to email Linda Lou Brown to let her know you are interested in joining our groups. Please send your name, address and phone number, and let her know if you are able to host one or two times during the year.
Dues are $25 for couples and $12.50 for singles. You may pay your dues with a check designated for “UU Dinner Groups” and place it in the offering basket at church.
Bon Appetit!
Linda Lou Brown – 573-447-3939
Melinda Farhangi – 573-445-6325
As part of the business conducted at the Annual Congregational Meeting in May, our congregation voted to elect three new board members. In July, their three-year terms began, and we welcomed Jeremy Duke, Rebecca Graves and Michela Skelton Birk to the Board of Trustees. I’m most thankful for their service to our community and look forward to working together. At our most recent board meeting, Jeremy was elected Treasurer, and Michela was elected President-Elect. Sam Buffaloe, whose term expires in June 2020, was re-elected Secretary.
During the summer transition period, the board members spend time learning about or reflecting on our policy governance model and our board member job description. While policy governance is certainly not new to UUCC, having been adopted in 2010-2011, it may be a new or unfamiliar governance model to some. It is important that we all have a clear understanding of how our church functions, so that together we can best carry out our mission. Policy governance emphasizes the mission and values of our church, as discerned by the congregation. In our work, a policy is an expression of the board’s vision. The board leads the church by focusing on ends statements and large issues. The board delegates to the minister, staff and volunteers the job of effectively determining and executing the means by which to accomplish the ends, within the bounds of the policies. The board is continually evaluating whether the means and ends are being accomplished and, in so doing, assessing the ministry of our church.
I encourage you to learn more about our church governance here. There you can also find board meeting agendas and minutes, which will help you stay informed and up-to-date on board activity. The Board of Trustees is dedicated to the work of our church. We embrace and strive to represent the diversity of our beloved community. With that in mind, please reach out to your elected board members. We’d enjoy hearing from you and want to ensure that we are best representing our congregation.
As the hot summer days give way to hot fall days, I hope that you’ve found this summer to be a time of renewal and growth. August, for me, marks the temporary return of the monarch butterflies to our garden. Each year, I wait in eager anticipation of the first sighting, as their migratory route brings them through Missouri on their way to Mexico. I’m in awe of their beauty and inspired by their tenacity. I’m reminded that the garden is not my garden, but a space that I can cultivate to help my fellow travelers on their journey.
Justice-making summit with Rev. Ashley Horan on Saturday, Sept. 7
We on the Social Action Team believe this all-day seminar with a nationally recognized expert could be a game-changer for how we interact with each other and do our social justice work in the community. More information will be forthcoming. For now, block off the day on your calendar, and we’ll see you there.
Faith-to-Action nominations for 2019-2020
The Social Action Team has received 20 nominations for the 21 possible FTA collections during the 2019-2020 church year. At the Aug. 4 team meeting, the SAT reviewed the applicants. Look for an announcement soon on the church website of the approved recipients.
Loaves and Fishes continues and needs your help
Our church (along with many other local churches and groups) has a long-standing commitment to prepare and serve meals for our homeless and near-homeless neighbors once a month. Our turn is the third Sunday of each month. We often wonder if we’re going to get enough volunteers to cover food preparation, service and cleanup, and some months we barely do. Please consider signing up in advance. Our website administrator posts signups for several months. We know that some of you out there are planners. Now’s your chance! Plan ahead! Sign up!
Pledge drive for Cito and Keyla
At the successful crêpe luncheon fundraiser on June 29, our Honduras Ministry raised more than $350 in cash and received 26 pledges of $125 each to help cover the cost of Cito and Keyla’s college education so they can continue to help their community in the Cangrejal River Valley in northern Honduras. While we have 26 pledges so far, our goal is 50 (to cover one year of expenses). If you would like to pledge $125 to help this couple, and thereby make a positive difference in the community, please fill in your initials on the poster in the Greeting Area at church and send a check payable to UUCC for $125, with “Honduras Education Fund” on the memo line. Also please send an email to Caya Tanski so we can keep track of the contributions.
Edler, Yadira and their two girls, the Honduran asylum-seeking family that our UUCC Sanctuary Team is helping support, continue to do well. They are well set up in the duplex now thanks to many generous people’s donations. They are not allowed to drive, so volunteers to offer rides will be very appreciated.
Yadira is a great cook, so if you are interested in ordering Honduran food – it is well worth it. She also gives Spanish lessons. Contact Dottie or Allie (see below) for more information.
Our Aug. 11 lunch fundraiser for the family had to be postponed. Please stay tuned for a lunch fundraiser coming up in the near future.
We are appalled at the continuous assaults on human dignity at the border. We stand in absolute solidarity with our migrant friends and will continue to do all we can to help create a world of safety and welcome for them.
Mark your calendars the CROP Walk at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at Stephens Lake Park. This is an annual interfaith effort to raise funds to relieve hunger here in Columbia and Mid-Missouri, across the U.S. and around the world. This event is sponsored by Church World Service. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.
Kids are welcome, and the Walk is designed for all levels of ability. Look for the CROP Walk table in the greeting area during the weeks leading up to the walk. You can sign up for the walk and donate either at the table in the Greeting Area or at the Columbia CROP Walk website
For questions or more information, please email Allie Gassmann.
From Rev. Molly and the Music Director Search Team:
Jeremy Wagner
We are very pleased to introduce to you our new Director of Music Ministry, Jeremy Wagner!
Jeremy stood out to our search team because of his passion for building community through music and his gifts for working with singers of all ages and levels, including a gift for working with children and youth. He was recommended by his mentors and peers as an excellent and accessible conductor and showed himself through conversations with our search team to be dedicated, effective, and creative! We are so excited to begin working with Jeremy.
Jeremy will be getting oriented this week and next, and his first Sunday with us will be July 28. He also looks forward to gathering and meeting the choir in mid-August, and will be available for a meet and greet to the whole congregation after the service on July 28. Please plan to stay for coffee on Sunday the 28th and welcome Jeremy to our beloved congregation!
Jeremy is a promising music educator, performer and conductor who recently earned a Bachelor’s of Science-Education degree (with an emphasis in Vocal Music), as well as a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, and living in New York, Texas, and Missouri, he found that no matter where he lived he was able to find friends and nurture his love for music through school choirs. During his time in both the School of Education and the College of Arts and Science at Mizzou, he was able to work alongside and learn directly from his mentors, Dr. Wendy Sims, Dr. Brandon Boyd, and Dr. R. Paul Crabb.
Additionally, he was given opportunities to work with local public educators and students from Columbia Independent School, Rock Bridge High School, Locust Street Expressive Arts Elementary School, and Jefferson Middle School. Through his participation in the community, he has also established himself as a performer, singing a number of roles with Show-Me Opera’s productions and Missouri Symphony Society. His musical gifts and focused work ethic led to him being named the Director of Music at First Christian Church in Centralia, Mo., where he served for three years. He also worked as an intern for the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri.
In Glad Song,
Rev. Molly & Your Music Search Team – Pack Matthews, Jamie Meadows, Neil Minturn, Jeanne Murphy
Beginning in June, Rev. Molly’s Community Office Hours will be held at Kaldi’s Coffee downtown on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (instead of Tuesdays).
Rev. Molly is also always happy to meet by appointment with members, visitors, newcomers and community partners. Regular office hours at church are 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, but appointments can be scheduled on other days and at other times, including evenings and weekends.
Please do reach out if you’d like to chat about life, find your place in the church, process something difficult, find a listening ear, or discuss a project together!
You can schedule an appointment with Rev. Molly here.
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.
If you’ve been to services during the past couple of months, you have likely noticed a section of chairs in the back of the sanctuary topped with yellow pillowcases. This sunny addition was inspired by feedback we’d received from congregants who have fragrance and chemical sensitivities. These individuals had been unable to enjoy services because of the migraines, allergies, and other reactions caused by these products, which many of us don’t think twice about applying. While we can’t control what products each person uses before joining us for worship, we can create a space in which people who live with sensitivities or allergies to those products can, hopefully, be more comfortable and feel more radically welcome.
The AIM Team requests that the fragrance-free seating area be reserved for individuals who are not wearing perfumes or scented products. We thank you for your help with this step towards being more accessible to and inclusive of all members and guests.
– Gretchen Maune, Chair
Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Team
I have a love letter to my church for all the assistance you provided at the church garage sale. Thank you to the folks who asked me what they could help out with, to those who agreed to help when I asked ahead of time (and to those who wanted to help, but had other obligations), and to the folks who showed up on short notice when I started panicking about hauling off all of the left-overs, and of course to my Chalice Circle members who agreed to help with this large undertaking!
Thanks also to all the people who donated stuff and to folks who helped spread the word! (I know it sounds like a Oscar Award speech or something.)
I was so touched by the help you all gave! Together we helped people downsize and get rid of extra belongings, we helped people to reuse material, and we provided lots of free stuff for those who could not afford it and to various charities.
Additionally we raised $1,500 for the church. My heartfelt appreciation!
About six months ago our internet address changed from https://uuchurch.net to https://uucomo.org. At that time we began redirecting staff and program emails ending in uuchurch.net to correponding addresses ending in uucomo.org. Because of a problem with spam emails, we recently canceled email redirection, with the result that emails sent to uuchurch.net addresses will not be received, and you may not receive a bounce message. If you recently sent a message to which you did not receive a reply, please resend it to the corresponding uucomo.org address.
Also, please update your email program’s address book to change all uuchurch.net email addresses to end in uucomo.org. Otherwise, auto-complete may result in your sending a message that won’t be received.
In addition to the email change, we also recently modified website redirection. In the past, if you went to https://uuchurch.net, you would automatically be redirected to the home page at https://uucomo.org. Now, instead, if you go to https://uuchurch.net, you will see a page advising that the address has changed and providing a link that will take you to the current home page. Please update your browser’s bookmarks/favorites list to the new correct address.
Our minister, the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, warned congregants on Friday, May 10 that It appears email scammers are targeting our church and other Unitarian Universalist churches across the country. The scam involves using the names of staff members or church leaders with a Gmail address. The first email usually asks for urgent help, and if you reply, the scammer tends to ask for a gift card donation for a charitable cause.
The UUA’s MidAmerica Region has also issued a warning that UU churches have reported their members are receiving these scam emails and that at least one person has lost money to these scams. This scam is also targeting other religious denominations. Read more.
Rev. Molly asked our members and friends to remember that any emails from her will come from her email address ending “@uucomo.org” or through our email list showing an address of “Rev. Molly Housh Gordon via All.” She added, “If you are suspicious about any email from me at any time, please start a new email to me and ask about it. And I will NEVER email you asking for gift cards!”
Our members and friends also should be aware that UUCC only accepts online payments through this website on the Donations and Pledge Payments pages of this website and does not request gift card donations.
The UUA reports it has seen an increase in “phishing” attempts of all kinds. Phishing is a form of “social engineering” whereby a hacker with bad intentions sends an email (or text or phone call) pretending to be someone the recipient trusts and asks the recipient to take an action which can have adverse effects. Sometimes, they request money. Other times, they invite the recipient to click a link or open an attachment that can trigger malicious code.
A good rule of thumb with emails you’re not expecting is to:
Reach out to the sender through another channel such as a separate email, telephone call, or smartphone text message, and
Not click on a link (or send money, gift cards, etc.) without getting verification from a trusted source.
On the fourth Sunday each month, the Green Sanctuary Team is sponsoring monthly walks to explore the beauty of local woods and creeks (Gans Creek, Three Creeks, and Mark Twain National Forest). Participating on March 24, 2019 were Kathie Bergman, Gerti Motivali, Roy Wheeler and Peter Holmes.
The next “Walk on the Wild Side” will take place on April 28. Meet at the church at 1:30 p.m. to shrug off your civilized self for a time and enjoy the peace of wild things. The walks are suitable for reasonably fit 10- to 70-year-olds. Children are very welcome. There will be plenty of stops along the way. For more information, email Peter Holmes.
Our Social Action Team encourages everyone to consider supporting the Community Bail Fund established by Race Matters, Friends. The group completed its first bail-out recently. Read more about the Bail Fund.
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 available in 2017 before the UUA General Assembly. On the front this design includes the official church logo and the church motto. On the back, it features the logo and the following words from our Mission Statement: “Courageous Love, Radical Welcome, Deep Connection – Healing the World.”
The other two designs are specific to the Social Action Team.
You can see the shirts in the photo slideshow below. Click the arrows to see the next or previous photo.
The Social Action Team (SAT) has a variety of UUCC T-shirts available.
Allie Gassmann is one of the SAT members selling the shirts.
From left, Allie Gassmann, Caya Tanski and Fred Young modeled some of the shirts available.
Showing off their UUCC T-shirts, from left, were Caya Tanski, Sarah Wolcott, Allie Gassman, Desi Long, Joan Mudrick, Steve Mudrick and Andrew Twaddle.
Alan Arnold was a satisfied T-shirt customer.
Steve Mudrick modeled the front of his new T-shirt.
The Faith Voices of Columbia Moral Agenda 2019 was unveiled at a press conference on Feb. 4, 2019 and presented to the Columbia City Council the same evening. Read about the press conference and see a photo in The Columbia Missourian. Our minister, the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, was one of the spokespersons for Faith Voices of Columbia.
We invite all church members and all friends who have an interest in social justice issues to join our Social Action Team to help us shape and strengthen our work.
There are five important aspects of UUCC Social Justice Work
Direct Service (e.g., Loaves and Fishes, Room at the Inn).
Fundraising (e.g., through Faith-to-Action offerings, fundraisers such as the Honduras Trivia Night, sales of artisan crafts, and more, to support social justice work).
Education (learning about systems of injustice, our role in them, and how to effect systemic change).
Advocacy and witness (e.g., work with Race Matters Friends, showing up at City Council, Solidarity Network events, working with Missouri Faith Voices, the Sanctuary Team, letters to congressional representatives, work with MADP, the Center Project, etc.)
Community building and deep connection (to sustain ourselves in the work, but also to create the world we want to see).
Besides joining the SAT itself, we encourage participation in any of our subcommittees or other teams such as the Sanctuary Team, the Missouri Faith Voices work, or the Green Sanctuary team. Together we create the change we want to see while being who we want to be in the world. We welcome your comments, suggestions – and of course action items.
I am very pleased to introduce to you our next Church Administrator, Suzanne Clark.
Suzanne has recently returned to Columbia after a number of years residing near family in Rochester, NY. She spent the last 15 years working at Temple B’rith Kodesh, a Reform synagogue in Rochester, where she performed administrative duties as assistant executive director. Congregational life and the rewards of working with a community were main motivators for her in applying for the position with us. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and adjusting to a new working environment.
Suzanne will start Monday, Sept. 17, and work with retiring Administrator Kathie Bergman for the next two weeks learning the ropes. Kathie’s official retirement date is Sept. 30, although we are very grateful that she will remain available to Suzanne for a time for any questions that may come up.
Save the date for Sept. 30 after church to celebrate Kathie’s long and wonderful tenure, and get excited to welcome Suzanne warmly among us!
Our YRUU youth carried our church banner in the banner parade at the opening
session of the UUA General Assembly in Kansas City, Mo. on June 20. In the first part
of this short video, they are seen on their first pass through the convention hall.
After the transition, they are seen on their way out of the hall.
The Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly was held this year from June 20 to 24 in Kansas City, Mo. What is GA? It’s part inspiration and spiritual sustenance. It’s an opportunity to mingle with UUs from all over the country and some other countries and engage in issues important to our UU faith. But also, it’s a time to conduct a lot of the business of the association.
This year there were 2,814 registered attendees, including 134 youth. 522 congregations from all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico were represented by 1,570 delegates, including 199 off-site delegates.
Our voting delegates this year were Rev. Molly, Todd Iveson, Peter Holmes, Gretchen Maune, Connie Ordway, and Steve Scott. About 15 other members of our church also attended all or part of GA, and a number of them served as volunteers performing various tasks to keep the show running, in exchange for which they received free registration for GA. For example, Maria Oropallo and Kathie Bergman staffed an information booth to answer questions from attendees, and Larry Lile assisted with the tech staff that provided audio/video services.
The business of the General Assembly takes place in General Sessions. All registered attendees are welcome at these sessions, but only voting delegates can vote.
At the business sessions there was broad consensus for aggressively challenging the criminalization of migrants, people of color, and indigenous people. Delegates overwhelmingly selected “Undoing Intersectional White Supremacy” as a multiyear Congregational Study/Action Issue.
Delegates also endorsed three Actions of Immediate Witness, which all emphasize the urgency of supporting people of color and indigenous people. The first calls for congregational action to draw attention to predatory medical fees charged to incarcerated people, who are disproportionately people of color; the UUA’s Church of the Larger Fellowship developed the resolution in partnership with its 870 incarcerated members.
A second resolution pledged solidarity with indigenous “water protectors,” who have been fighting the placement of liquid natural gas pipelines near Native American lands and who face federal charges for disrupting construction of the pipelines.
The third resolution demanded immediate action to improve U.S. treatment of asylum seekers and migrant families to keep families together. Among other demands, the resolution advocates the abolition of Immigration Customs Enforcement “and the implementation of a system that understands the causes of migration, provides a non-carceral solution while asylum seekers await a decision on their case, and has a fundamental commitment to keeping families together.”
Delegates also approved a group of bylaw changes to bring the UUA’s governing document up to date with current understandings of gender diversity. A proposal introduced last year to change Unitarian Universalism’s “Second Source” from “words and deeds of prophetic women and men” to “words and deeds of prophetic people” passed easily.
A second bylaws amendment changed all gendered pronouns in the bylaws to the gender-inclusive “they/them/their.”
A third bylaws amendment will allow religious educators who are active members of the Liberal Religious Educators Association to serve as voting delegates at future GAs.
The assembly also approved bylaws changes adding two youth trustees to the 11 at-large trustees on the UUA Board of Trustees; allowing the role of moderator at GA to be filled by more than one person; modifying the length of terms of service on committees; and simplifying the social witness resolutions process.
The mission of the Member Connect Program is to assist UUCC members and friends in finding their place in our church community through deeper connection, service, and spiritual exploration. To do this a team of connectors is available to have a conversation with every member of the church who is interested. These conversations will give members a chance to reflect on their spiritual journey, their connection with the church, and their level of involvement in church life.
If you would like to participate in a meeting with a connector or would like to volunteer to be a connector, email Peter Holmes or Rosie Geiser.
Rev. Molly lit the new chalice on Jan. 28 from a flame passed from the chalice made by Naoma Powell.
Our observance of the 67th anniversary of our church’s founding at worship services on Jan. 28, 2018 included dedication of a beautiful new metal chalice purchased and given to the church by a member couple.
The late Naoma Powell made the chalice we had been using since 2006 after the congregation’s previous chalice broke, and it was always intended to be temporary. Naoma’s chalice served us long and well, but was showing signs of wear. To protect this beloved artifact, it is being officially “retired” from active duty but will always have a place in our sanctuary and will still be used for special occasions.
The new chalice is larger and will be easier to see from all parts of the sanctuary, in keeping with the needs of our growing congregation. It was dedicated with Naoma’s own January 2006 words of dedication of the chalice now being retired:
Though chalice changes, the flame burns bright. Not holder, not cup but flame that offers light. Flame that lights the darkness. Flame, in its burning, illumines night. Flame, its double halo, bringing light to shadow, warmth to shade. Flame, re-igniting Constant.
Meet the Chalice Artist
Ryan Schmidt
Our new chalice that was dedicated at the Jan. 28 worship services was crafted by Ryan Schmidt, a metal artist based in Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
Ryan owned and managed a motorcycle repair shop in Kansas City before moving to Tennessee in 2015. Shortly after moving he met a neighbor, William Brock, a traditional blacksmith who taught Ryan the art of blacksmithing. Ryan’s passion is creating custom-made functional objects, ornamental ironwork, sculptures, and furniture. He is a member of several professional blacksmithing groups.
When Ryan is not creating art at his shop, Mitty’s Metal Art (https://www.mittysmetalart.com/), he likes to get out and explore the surrounding Appalachian region on his Harley or mountain bike. Ryan is not a UU but is familiar with our denomination through friends.
2. Sign in using your normal Amazon username and password.
3. Next you will see a screen with a box on the right asking you to “Select a charity.”
4. In the bottom of that box, where it says “Or pick your own charitable organization,” type “Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia” in the box and click the “Search” button.
5. Next you will see a screen showing our church with the location listed as “Columbia MO,” and there may be other churches listed. Click the “Select” button next to our church’s name.
6. Finally, you will see another screen with a checkbox to indicate that you understand that you must always start at https://smile.amazon.com to support our church. After clicking the checkbox, you can click the “Start Shopping” button which will take you to the main Amazon screen.
A tutorial covering the above steps and including screenshots is available in a printable PDF.
In the future, always start your Amazon shopping at https://smile.amazon.com so that your purchases will benefit UUCC. You will find all the same Amazon products and prices there as regular Amazon.
Tip: If you have set up a bookmark or favorite for Amazon, be sure to change it to the new address.
Finally, don’t forget that you can also donate to UUCC when you do grocery shopping at Schnucks – read more.
UUCC was given an award recognizing our social action work and Rev. Molly’s exemplary leadership in social action – particularly our sanctuary work – at the annual dinner of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks on Saturday evening, Nov. 11, at the Missouri United Methodist Church.
Allie Gassman of our Social Action Team accepted the award on behalf of our church.
Allie said, “It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of our church – especially in the presence of all the seasoned activists in the room.”
The framed award certificate, shown in the photo below, is on display on the credenza in our Greeting Area.
Please welcome our new Sunday Morning Assistant, April Rodeghero, who began her work with us in October.
April is mother to a seven-year-old and to one-year-old twins. She has worked with MU Adventure Club, Missouri Afterschool Network and the Columbia Housing Authority. Now she works as a postpartum doula, supporting parents in their new roles. She has attended UUCC occasionally in the past year or so.
April will welcome your friendship and your help in the church kitchen – especially on potluck days for setup and cleanup! Please let’s show April our radical welcoming spirit!
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray was selected by delegates as the first elected woman President of the Unitarian Universalist Association at the June 21-25 General Assembly in New Orleans. She had been the lead minister of the UU Congregation of Phoenix, Ariz., where she became well known for her work on behalf of immigrants, since 2008. Read more.
More than 4,000 UUs attended G.A., including some 1,800 delegates from more than 500 UU congregations. UUCC’s delegates were Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, Patty Daus, Tracey Milarsky, Jeanne and Dennis Murphy, and Gena and Steve Scott.
Also attending from UUCC were DRE Jamila Batchelder along with four YRUU members and one 9-year-old. The young people carried our UUCC banner in the banner parade at the opening celebration on June 21. Five of our young people lined up to carry our UUCC banner in the banner parade at the UUA General Assembly. See them in action in the video below.
Our UUCC banner was carried by five of our young people in the banner parade at the Opening Celebration of the UUA General Assembly (G.A.) in New Orleans on June 21, 2017. In this short clip they are seen entering the Great Hall of the New Orleans Convention Center and later proceeding out of the hall.
Read more about the many important actions taken by delegates and the UUA Board of Trustees at G.A.
Our Social Action Team sponsors a food collection year-round for the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
Donations of canned meats and fish, stews, peanut butter and powdered milk are especially appreciated, but other non-perishable food items are welcome.
Help us to help individuals in need! If you wish to have a receipt for a tax deduction, talk to Suzanne Clark, church administrator.
Hover over the “Programs” menu and select “Schnucks Fundraising” from the drop-down menu.
Click on “eScrip” in number 2 under “How It Works.”
Fill in the form to become registered.
When you come to the choice of charities under “Select your school or nonprofit,” find “Unitarian Universalist-Columbia, Mo” in the drop-down list and click on the box to mark a check.
Then click Update.
That is all! Just keep your user name and password for the Schnuck’s website in case you wish to return to it. UUCC will get a little bonus every time you shop at Schnuck’s and show your My Schnucks card at the checkout.
Join us at noon after our 10:30 a.m. worship service on Aug. 25 for an All-Church Picnic to kick off the church year with celebration and fellowship.
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