This page provides more information about upcoming events than may appear on the Church Calendar or elsewhere. In-person gatherings inside the church building must be scheduled with the Church Administrator. Masks are now optional but welcome. See the Church Groups page for more information about particular groups. See the Weekly News Update for more events. Check the Zoom Links page for the links to join online meetings below. For events and meetings not listed here, contact the team leader for information.
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Weekly and bi-weekly recurring events
Gentle Yoga with Karen Dwyer – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Gentle Yoga is offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays (except the first Thursday each month). Additional information is available from Karen, or contact the church office.
Choir Rehearsals – Wednesday evenings
Choir rehearsals with Music Director Violet Vondar Haar take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings in the Sanctuary at church. All singers are welcome, regardless of experience and vocal part.
Crafting Group – 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays
The crafting group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday in the Greeting Area. The group is recruiting new members and can help with any projects you may have. Beginners are welcome, and there is no hard commitment – come when you can. For more information, email Bonnie Johnson.
Living Earth Meditation – 9 a.m. Saturdays
The Living Earth Study Group meets on first and third Saturdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Show-Me Dharma, 1600 West Broadway. It is facilitated by Peter Holmes, Ph.D. and Jared Belden, M.A. Sign up to attend by email. When warm weather returns next spring, Living Earth Meditation will resume. It is facilitated by Peter Holmes, PhD, and Tricia Straub. Sign up to attend by email. The study group and meditation programs are a joint project of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show-Me Dharma.
December events
First Sunday Potluck – noon Sunday, Dec. 1
Please bring a main dish, side dish or dessert if you are able, and please stay if you can’t because there’s always plenty of food to go around. Also, please help set up the Sanctuary for the potluck and stay after to help clean up and return the Sanctuary to normal order. Many hands make light work!
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 form. It will include a brief checklist stating whether the food is gluten-free, vegan, etc., and will ask for all ingredients. You could also print off the ingredient list from your recipe. We will have an ingredient list form available online and at all potlucks and other events where food is shared.
Those with dietary sensitivities thank you in advance, and we look forward to sharing community and yummy dishes with ingredients listed on the first Sunday of each month.
Go here for the online PDF version of the form: https://uucomo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/potluck-ingredients_fillable_form.pdf
Social Action Team – 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 – online
The Social Action Team meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday each month via Zoom. All are welcome to participate. For more information, email the team’s chair, Fred Young.
UUCC Writer’s Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
The 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.
20s and 30s Group – noon Sunday, Dec. 8
The 20s-30s Group meets on the second Sunday each month after worship. On Dec. 8 the group will have a “Rob Your Neighbor” holiday gift exchange with a potluck lunch! Bring a dish to share if you can and a (modestly priced) wrapped gift. We’ll have a few extra gifts on hand for anyone unable to bring one.
We’ll meet in the Sanctuary. All UUs and visitors in their 20s and 30s are warmly welcomed. Please email Rev. Molly to request childcare or ask any questions!
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East – noon, Sunday, Dec. 8
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) is a UUA-related Social Justice Organization. Are you concerned about what is going on in Israel and Palestine? Would you like to learn more? Would you like to take part in activities to educate ourselves and our congregation about the issues involved?
The local chapter of UUJME met in person on Sunday, Nov. 10 for the second time since Covid. We gathered two weeks later to share popcorn and apple juice as we watched “Israelism,” an interesting and provocative documentary in which two young Jewish protagonists explore how Jewish attitudes towards Israel are changing dramatically. We usually meet every second Sunday after church. We would welcome everyone to join us as we attempt to find ways to do our part to help the Palestinians, who suffer every day from famine, illness, and polluted water. Find us at the UUJME table in the church foyer, Dec. 8 after worship. Stop by to say hello, get more information about the issue, or to join our committee. Bring a bag lunch or something to share if you would like to stay for the meeting.
For more information, email Margaret Tyler, UUJME Chair
Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team – 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 – online
Our Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team will hold its regular monthly meeting via Zoom. All are welcome to participate. For information, email either of the the team’s co-chairs, Allie Gassmann or Dave Gibbons.
Conversations Etc. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 – online
Conversations, Etc., the UUCC senior women’s group, will meet via Zoom. We gather together to enjoy the company of women friends. If you would like to join us, email Pam Springsteel.
Junior Youth Meeting – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
All middle schoolers are invited to join the Junior Youth Group for pizza, popcorn, and a screening of “Home Alone.” Please RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 – 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.
UUCC Book Discussion – 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 – online
The Book Discussion Group will meet to briefly discuss books that each has read. For information email Pam Springsteel.
“Simple Gifts” Holiday Gift-Making Workshop – noon Sunday, Dec. 15
Families are invited to join us for this gift-making workshop from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 for kids off all ages – supported by their parents. Light refreshments will be served and childcare will be provided for babies and toddlers. RSVP by Sunday, Dec. 8, so we can be sure to have enough craft supplies. If you would like to volunteer to lead a craft, please email DRE Jamila Batchelder.
Loaves and Fishes – 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
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.
Board of Trustees – 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Our Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Per church bylaws, church members are welcome to attend and observe board meetings.
UUCC Writer’s Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
The 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.
Kaleidoscope Pagan Gathering – 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Join Kaleidoscope to celebrate the return of the Sun, the symbol of hope and the promise of returning warmth, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 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.
LGBTQ Collective – noon Sunday, Dec. 22
Come to this gathering to connect with fellow LGBTQ humans at UU. This first meeting will focus on getting to know each other, sharing ideas for the group and talking about support and resources. This collective is open to anyone who feels they are a part of the LGBTQ community. Childcare and lunch will be provided. For questions email Heidi Shearer.
Milestones Circle – noon Sunday, Dec. 22
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.
Are you a retiree or thinking of retiring? Transitioning into retirement is a process, and it may be scary at first, so share your concerns in the Milestones Circle. Expect it to take some time to make the transition – getting accustomed to retirement won’t happen overnight. And you may have different emotions during the transition, so don’t be hard on yourself or pressure yourself to feel a certain way immediately. Focus on you and what makes you happy. Retirement is a time to pursue your passions, build new routines and even a new identity. So do the things you love – spend time with family and friends, take up new hobbies and make new friends. Doing what makes you happy is key for a healthy, fulfilling retirement with a sense of purpose.
Milestones materials are available here. For more information, contact volunteer Kathie Bergman at 573-999-3938 or by email.
Holiday Blues Service with Potluck Soup Supper – 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
This celebratory time of year can be painful for those experiencing grief, loss, family conflict, depression, and more. Join us for a service to hold it all together, followed by a potluck soup supper. Soup will be provided – you may bring a side dish or bread if you wish to share.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services – 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24
A potluck cookie reception will be offered between the two services. Your cookie contributions will be gratefully accepted.
Family Service – in-person only at 4:30 p.m.
Traditional carols and candlelight, and an interactive telling of the Christmas story with an accessible message of hope. This service will not be live-streamed due to the participation of our children.
Candlelight Service – in-person and online at 6:30 p.m.
Traditional carols and candlelight, and a Christmas homily from Rev. Molly. This service will be live-streamed at our usual Sunday morning worship link.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 – 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.