Site Updates

Aug. 17, 2025

Here’s what’s new on our website since last Sunday:

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the all-ages worship service next Sunday, Aug. 24, will be our beloved Annual Water Ceremony led by Rev. Molly and DRE Jamila Batchelder. Join us for our beloved annual water ceremony ingathering service, as we re-gather from the adventures of summer and mingle the waters that have refreshed our spirits. Together we build the kind of community that sustains us and keeps us well watered to thrive. You are invited bring some water with you from a place of refreshment (either symbolic of, or actually), which we will bless to hold our joys and sorrows stones in the coming year.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – No Classes – All-Ages Worship
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- 11:50 a.m. – Philosophy Club
- Noon – Middle School D&D
- Noon – Milestones Circle
- 12:15 p.m. – Disability Justice and Inclusion Team
- 4 p.m. – R.E. Orientation
- 5:30 p.m. – R.E. Potluck

A video of Kim Wade’s sermon this morning, “The Night of the 37 Campfires,” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Contact and Office Hours

This page has been updated to reflect the resumption of Rev. Molly’s regular Tuesday and Friday office hours after a summer hiatus during which meetings were by appointment only.

Disability Justice and Inclusion Team (DJIT)

The recently restarted Disability Justice and Inclusion Team is described on this new page. Also, the DJIT page is now linked on the Church Groups page in the “Serving the Larger Community” section.

Weekly News Update

The most important weekly news is posted on this page every week. You can easily get to this page by clicking the “Weekly News Update” button in the “Stay Informed” section at the bottom right of the home page.

Aug. 10, 2025

Here’s what’s new on our website since last Sunday:

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, Aug. 17, will feature the final installment in our summer “Sermon-in-YOU” series. UUCC President Kim Wade’s sermon titled “The Night of the 37 Campfires” will be a story of radical neighboring, aliveness, and a peach orchard.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – R.E. at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – UUJME – online
- Noon – LGBTQ Collective
- 4 p.m. – Loaves & Fishes – please sign up here

A video of Rev. Molly’s sermon this morning, “Grieve Global, Thrive Local,” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

UU minister Jordinn Nelson Long will do research at UUCC

The Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long will be with us for two extended periods this coming year as part of her research project on thriving progressive faith communities. The PDF document linked in this article provides details about her project.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page.

Aug. 3, 2025

Here’s what’s new on our website since last Sunday:

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, Aug. 10, will feature Rev. Molly’s sermon “Grieve Global, Thrive Local.” In these times of overwhelming cruelty coming from the halls of power, we take the time to grieve deeply. And we also center our hearts on the loving care that powers us right here where we live.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – R.E. at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – Middle School D&D
- Noon – 20s-30s Group
- 1:30 p.m. – Sanctuary & Immigrant Justice Team

A video of lay leader Anna McAnnally’s sermon this morning, “Owing, Holding and Hoping,” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Church News Blog

The following articles are new this week on the Church News Blog:

- R.E. orientation and potluck scheduled Aug. 24
- Church leaders’ August messages
- Social Action Team August news

Current Newsletter

In case you missed previous announcements, the August issue of our monthly electronic newsletter, The Searchlight, is accessible on the Current Newsletter page. The issue also is linked on the Monthly Newsletter page along with past issues.

Worship Services

Worship services planned in August are detailed here.

RE Schedule

DRE Jamila Batchelder provided the information on this page about August religious education classes and activities.

Upcoming Events

Details about upcoming events in August can be found here in chronological order.

Board and Officers

At its July meeting, the Board of Trustees selected the following 2025-26 officers: President-Elect, Sarah Oldfather; Secretary, Shannon Mulvania-Beck; and Treasurer, Jeff White. This page is now updated to show all officers.

Weekly News Update

July 27, 2025

Here’s what’s new on our website since last Sunday:

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, Aug. 3, will continue the summer Sermon-in-You series with Anna McAnnally’s sermon “Owing, Holding and Hoping.” What do we owe one another? Our culture tells us that we do not owe anyone anything, but is that true? Join us as we puzzle through the questions of owing, community, and how we can use these to hope for a better future.

After worship we’ll enjoy our monthly First Sunday Potluck.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – R.E. at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – First Sunday Potluck
- 1:30 p.m. – Social Action Team

A video of Rev. Molly’s sermon this morning, “Faith in Resistance,” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Current Newsletter

In case you missed the email this past week, the August issue of our monthly electronic newsletter, The Searchlight, is accessible on the Current Newsletter page. The issue also is linked on the Monthly Newsletter page along with past issues.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page.

July 20, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, July 27, will feature Rev. Molly preaching on “Faith in Resistance.” Join us to glean lessons from 20th century theologians who faithfully resisted fascism in their own time. We’ll spend time with the wisdom of German Christian theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer and American Unitarian theologian James Luther Adams.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – R.E. at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – Middle School D&D
- Noon – Milestones Circle
- 12:15 p.m. – Disability Justice and Inclusion Team

A video of major portions of this morning’s worship service, featuring lay leader Steve Scott’s reflections titled “Flying Through Space on a Rock,” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Board Policies

At its regular meeting on June 19, our Board of Trustees adopted a new Endowment Action Reserve Fund Policy and amended the sub-part of the Finance Committees Policy relating to the Audit Committee. Those changes became final when the board approved the June 19 minutes at its July 17 meeting. The Board Policies page was updated to add the Endowment Action Reserve Fund Policy.

Board Information

The agenda and related documents for the Board of Trustees meeting on July 17 were added to this page.

Milestones Circle Materials

Materials for the July 27 gathering of the Milestones Circle were posted here.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page.

July 13, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, July 13, will be lay-led by Steve Scott, whose reflections are titled “Flying Through Space on a Rock.” Astronomers estimate there are between 100 billion and 200 billion galaxies in the observable universe. Our Sun – one of an estimated 100 billion to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy – orbits the center of the galaxy at a speed of 483,000 miles per hour along with its planets, including Earth. We are literally flying through space on a rock. What do these facts imply about how puny humanity should behave?

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of activities next Sunday, July 20 (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – R.E. at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – LGBTQ Collective
- 4 to 6:15 p.m. – Loaves & Fishes

July 20 Loaves & Fishes Signup

A video of major portions of this morning’s worship service, “Sacred Songs in Sacred Places,” led by Music Director Violet Vonder Haar, appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Disability Justice and Inclusion Team is restarted

Read here about the restarting of the Disability Justice and Inclusion Team, which will hold its first meeting in its new incarnation after worship on Sunday, July 27.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page.

July 6, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, July 13, will be led by Violet Vonder Haar, our Director of Music Ministry. Join us for a session of her beloved new singing circle. All summer Violet has been gathering folks in beautiful places to learn and sing heart-centered songs of hope and solidarity. On July 13 we’ll sing together in an all-ages worship service.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of next Sunday’s activities (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – No Classes – All-Ages Worship
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – Middle School D&D
- Noon – 20s-30s Group
- Noon – UUJME – online
- Noon – R.E. Volunteers Appreciation Lunch
- 1 p.m. – Social Change Now author interview
- 1:30 p.m. – Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team – online

A video of major portions of this morning’s worship service, “The Work that Reconnects,” led by Caya Tanski and Allison Wonderland, appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Rev. Molly receives 2024 Skinner Sermon Award from UUA

Our minister, the Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon, is the recipient of the 2024 Skinner Sermon Award from the Unitarian Universalist Association for her Oct. 20, 2024 sermon “How to Have an Enemy.”

2025 Honduras trip

Allie Gassmann, leader of the Honduras Ministry Team, provided this write-up of the team’s March 22-29 service trip, which includes 15 photographs.

Board and Officers

The composition of our Board of Trustees changed on July 1 with the addition of three new members and the retirement of three former members. Biographical sketches and photos of the members of the current board appear on this page.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page.

June 29, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the worship service next Sunday, July 6, will be lay-led by Caya Tanski and Allison Wonderland. Their topic will be “The Work That Reconnects,” a framework for personal and social change developed by Joanna Macy, a scholar of systems theory, deep ecology and Buddhism. It is designed to help individuals and communities confront and process the ecological, social and political crises of our time – such as climate change, species extinction and systemic injustice – empowering us to act by reconnecting us with feelings of care and concern for the world and strengthening our sense of belonging and interconnection with all life.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of next Sunday’s activities (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – RE at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – First Sunday Potluck
- 1:30 p.m. – Social Action Team
- 4 p.m. – Social Change Now book discussion

A video of major portions of this morning’s worship service featuring Rev. Molly’s sermon “Clear, Grieving and Grounded” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Church News Blog

The following articles are new this week on the Church News Blog:

Worship Services

Descriptions of all worship services planned in July are now available on this page.

RE Schedule

DRE Jamila Batchelder provided the information on this page about July R.E. classes and the July 13 R.E. Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events in July are listed here in chronological order.

Current Newsletter

In case you missed the announcement this past week, the July issue of our monthly electronic newsletter, The Searchlight, is available here. The July issue also is linked on the Monthly Newsletter page along with past issues.

Weekly News Update

June 22, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, Rev. Molly’s sermon next Sunday is titled “The Sermon in Summer.” What inspiration, learning and reflection has she been gathering this summer? Refreshed by attending the UUA General Assembly and a gathering with minister colleagues, she will share what’s on her mind. Come hear what she has to say!

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of next Sunday’s activities (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – RE at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour

A video from this morning’s worship service of lay leader Ben Schulz’ sermon “On Drawing Near” appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Board Information

The agenda and related documents for the Board of Trustees meeting this past Thursday evening appear on this page, along with minutes of the board’s May meeting. Minutes from the June meeting will be posted here shortly before the board’s July 17 meeting.

Weekly News Update

June 15, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, Ben Schulz will be the lay leader of worship next Sunday, June 22, with a sermon titled “On Drawing Near.” Can’t you do something? What if you do the wrong thing? And what do you do with the fear of not knowing?

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of next Sunday’s activities (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – RE at the Park
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – Middle School D&D
- Noon – Milestones Circle

A video of major portions of this morning’s worship service, which included a New Member Ingathering, appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Nine new members join UUCC

Nine new members joined the church during this morning’s worship service. Their names and photos will be published here when available, so check back later.

“Work That Reconnects” workshop planned July 4 weekend

Caya Tanski announced this workshop with activities over three days during the July 4 weekend.

Milestones Circle Materials

Materials for the June 22 gathering of the Milestones Circle are now posted here.

Contact and Office Hours

This page has been updated to reflect that Rev. Molly’s regular office hours have been suspended through Aug. 14 – but appointments can still be scheduled.

Weekly News Update

Joys and Sorrows

We share the joys, sorrows and prayers of our community on this page

June 8, 2025

Home Page

Featured at the upper right of the home page, the June 15 worship service will be “The Sermon in YOU.” We’ll be kicking of our summer lay preaching series with an interactive all-ages service. As UUs we believe that every person of every age and identity has a unique and important message to share with the world. Join us to discover.

Immediately below the worship service information on the home page is this summary schedule of next Sunday’s activities (details here):

- 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
- 10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – no classes – all-ages worship
- 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour
- Noon – LGBTQ Collective
- 4 to 6:15 p.m. – Loaves & Fishes – please sign up here

A video of major portions of our “Pride Sunday” worship service this morning appears in the center of the home page. The video is directly accessible here and also is linked on the Sermon/Worship Archive page.

Social change activities planned in June-July

Following up on our February “Empowered Resistance” workshop led by Jen Hofmann of Americans of Conscience, our Finding Our Way Forward (FOWF) Team is planning three activities centering on the book Social Change Now by Deepa Iyer, including a multi-session online book study that began today and gatherings on July 6 and 13.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia, Missouri

Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 17, 2025

Aug. 10, 2025

Aug. 3, 2025

July 27, 2025

July 20, 2025

July 13, 2025

July 6, 2025

June 29, 2025

June 22, 2025

June 15, 2025

June 8, 2025

Unitarian Universalist Church
of Columbia, Missouri