A collaborative program of UUCC and two other faith groups will offer a “Coming Back to Life” series of programs on Saturday mornings from November through March with a theme of “Empowerment in the Fact of Planetary Suffering.” UUCC members and friends are invited to share their care for the earth and engage in relational and earth mindfulness practices in these sessions that will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays beginning Nov. 1.

“Living Earth Dialogos” will take place on first and third Saturdays at Show Me Dharma, 1600 East Broadway. Read more about what is planned.

“The Work that Reconnects” will take place on second and fourth Saturdays at UUCC. Read more about what will be covered.

You can sign up for these programs and ask questions by emailing livingearth1400@gmail.com. The sponsors are UUCC, Show Me Dharma and Columbia Friends Meeting.

“Getting to Know UU” Newcomer Retreat/Potluck – 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12

The Membership Team will host its final “Getting to Know UU” Newcomers’ Retreat of the calendar year from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 in the sanctuary. Those wishing to learn more about the church and about Unitarian Universalism (with the possibility of becoming members during an Ingathering on Oct. 19) will attend the entire retreat. Current members and friends are invited to attend the potluck from 6 to 7 p.m. This is our chance to meet and welcome newcomers. We hope you will put this on your calendar and register here for the retreat and the dinner. Questions? Please email Patty Daus.

Board of Trustees – 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16

Our Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Per church bylaws, church members are welcome to attend and observe board meetings.

Life Writers Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

The UU Life Writer’s Group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturdays of the month to write and share at the church. For questions email Mary Herde.

LGBTQ Collective – Noon Sunday, Oct. 19

The LGBTQ Collective meets on the third Sunday each month after worship. On Oct. 19 there will be a book discussion open to all UUers about Jim Obergefell’s book, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality. In reading the book, you will find that some Unitarian Universalists were directly involved in this landmark case. The discussion will be led by Dr. Mark Price, a UUCC member and Columbia College professor. Childcare will be provided. The Columbia Public Library has this book available for check-out in multiple formats: https://dbrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S18C674736. If you have questions, email Heidi Shearer.

Loaves & Fishes – 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19

Our Social Action Team needs volunteers to prepare servings of various dishes and other volunteers to serve the meal and clean up afterward. The location of Loaves and Fishes is the Ashley Street Center, 1509 Ashley St., behind the city power plant (view map). The meal time is 4:30 p.m. Both the volunteers providing food and those who will serve and clean up are asked to be at the Ashley Street Center between 4 and 4:15 p.m. Cleanup is expected to be complete by about 6:15 p.m. Please sign up here. You can also support this effort by making a donation to the church specifying “Loaves and Fishes Fund.” For more information, email Fred Young or Gregg Suhler.

LGBTQ Collective – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 – Columbia College 

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, join the LGBTQ Collective in attending a lecture by Jim Obergefell at Launer Auditorium on Columbia College’s campus. A reception with Obergefell will follow the lecture. Learn more about Obergefell here: https://www.ccis.edu/events/schiffman-lecture/ethics. If you have questions, email Heidi Shearer.

Potluck and Movie Night – 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 – at UUCC

Join us at church for our first “Mutual Aid Potluck and Movie Night.” All will enjoy a potluck, and then there will be movie showings of “The Gatekeepers” for adults and “Coco” for children (with childcare). Bring a dish to share for the potluck. For more information speak to Lindsey Saunders, James Gordon or Dan Cass. Information about “The Gatekeepers”: Trailer • Wikipedia article.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 – online

The UUCC Men’s Group meets online via Zoom on the second, fourth, and fifth Saturdays of each month. For more information, contact Wiley Miller at 573-864-8574 or by email.

Milestones Circle – noon Sunday, Oct. 26

The Milestones Circle is an open, drop-in small group for older adults to meet, share thoughts and concerns, and receive support and friendship in a UU setting. The group meets each month on the fourth Sunday after the worship service in the Forum Room/Library on the lower level of the church. Bring a brown bag lunch and help explore the spirituality in your life.

Milestones materials are available here. The Oct 26 Milestones Circle will be reflecting on this topic: Are you feeling off balance because of the current popular culture? How can we maintain our grounding in the present that we find ourselves in? For more information, contact Kathie Bergman by email.

Pumpkin Carving Party – noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

All families are invited to our annual pumpkin carving party, hosted by our high school youth groups. We will have a chili lunch followed by pumpkin carving and a few other activities planned by the high schoolers. We will provide the pumpkins! RSVP by Oct. 22 so that we know how many pumpkins to get.\

Disability Justice and Inclusion Team – 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

The Disability Justice and Inclusion Team (DJIT) meets on the 4th Sunday of each month in the Centering Room and via Zoom. DJIT contacts are Gretchen Maune and Marcie Brennan.

Play Area Workdays – 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22

Mark your calendars for family workdays to build our tree-deck play area this fall! We will gather from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22 when weather allows. If you would like to financially support this playground project, we are still inviting your gifts. You can make a gift at https://uucomo.org/home/stewardship/give/ by selecting Children’s RE Reserved Fund in the dropdown menu.

Kaleidoscope Pagan Gathering – 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1

Join Kaleidoscope for Samhein (sa-win): Year’s Ending, and the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead grows thin. Now is the time to remember those who have passed, and explore within ourselves those changes we need or want to make in our lives. We’ll gather at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at the church. We will join in ritual, followed by a finger food potluck and friendship. All are welcome, no matter what their personal paths.

New Member Ingathering – During Worship Sunday, Nov. 2

New members will officially join the church during an Ingathering Ceremony as part of the 10:30 a..m. worship service.

UUJME Chili Supper Fundraiser – 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15

On Saturday, Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m., Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) will be holding its annual fundraiser Chili Supper to help Palestinian children who are struggling with the effects of war, famine and loss. Everyone is welcome, including families with young children. The chili supper is free for everyone, but donations are welcome and will go directly to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). There will be a short program at about 7 p.m. If you would like to help by donating chili or sides, or in some other way, please email Margaret Tyler or text Win Scott at 573-823-8400. Please plan to join us for this fun event and great cause.