Our Board of Trustees issued a unanimous public statement on our commitments in these times. View a video version.

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Unitarian Universalist Church
of Columbia, Missouri

2615 Shepard Boulevard

Columbia, MO 65201-6132

Phone: 573-442-5764

Email Minister

Email Church Administrator

Email Website Administrator

Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m.

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 recurring events

Gentle Yoga with Karen Dwyer – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Gentle Yoga is offered:

    • 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays
    • 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays (except the first Thursday each month)

Additional information is available from Karen Dwyer, or contact the church office.

Minister’s Office Hours – Tuesdays and Fridays

The Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon’s office hours are:

    • 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at church
    • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays at Uprise Bakery downtown

Other meeting times are available by appointment. Schedule an appointment online. If you can’t find a time that fits your schedule, email Rev. Molly and she may be able to work you in at a different time.

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 September-May. 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

With the arrival of warmer weather, Living Earth Meditation will resume weekly sessions at 9 a.m. Saturdays at 1400 Gary St. on April 5. It is facilitated by Peter Holmes, Ph.D., Jared Belden, M.A., and Tricia Straub. Sign up to attend by email. During cold weather months, 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. The meditation and study group programs are a joint project of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show-Me Dharma.

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May and June events

First Sunday Potluck – after worship Sunday, May 4

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. Go here for the online PDF version of the ingredients form.

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.

Social Action Team – 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4 – 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.

Conversations Etc. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 – 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, May 9

For our final Junior Youth meeting of the program year, we will be having a talent show. Youth are encouraged to bring a talent to share. It doesn’t have to be fancy! Sing a song, tell a joke, perform a card trick, do a silly dance, whatever you like! Or come be the audience to cheer on your friends. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 7.

Junior Youth Group meetings will resume in September.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10 – 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.

Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team – 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10

The Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team will hold an in-person meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at church in the Lower Level-Forum Room/Library. All are welcome to participate. For more information, email either of the team’s co-chairs, Allie Gassmann or Dave Gibbons.

Writing (and Reading) for Spiritual Sustenance – 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10

Join us at church from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the second Saturday each month to listen to the “still small voice within” and to write in response. We are a group of writers of all genres (journaling totally counts), levels of experience, and interests. We set aside time to read poetry together, share writing prompts related to the spiritual theme of the month or work on our own projects – and also share with one another in affirmation.

20s and 30s Group – noon Sunday, May 11

The 20s-30s Group meets on the second Sunday each month in the Sanctuary after worship for a potluck lunch and activities. All UUs and visitors in their 20s and 30s are warmly welcomed. Please email Rev. Molly to request childcare or ask any questions!

Book Discussion Group – 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11 – online

The Book Discussion Group will meet to briefly via Zoom discuss books that each has read. For information email Pam Springsteel.

Board of Trustees – 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15

Our Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Per church bylaws, church members are welcome to attend and observe board meetings.

Art GroUUp – 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 16

If you love art and making connections, the new Art GroUUp is looking for you! We will be meeting at the church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every third Friday of the month. Meetings may include BYO craft nights, art therapy prompts related to monthly sermon topics, collaborative creations to beautify the church, and service projects. Open to all skill levels and experience!

Life Writer’s Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17

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.

Annual Congregational Meeting – Noon Sunday, May 18

The 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting will be held after worship at noon on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Business to be conducted at the meeting is:

    • Approval of the proposed 2025-26 operating budget
    • Election of members of the Board of Directors
    • Receipt of annual report(s)
    • Preliminary report by the Mission and Vision Task Force

More information is available on the Annual Meeting page.

LGBTQ Collective – 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18

The collective will meet in the Sanctuary to discuss future plans, pride plans and the pen pal program. Please join us!

Loaves and Fishes – 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18

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.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 24 – 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, May 25

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. For more information, contact Kathie Bergman at 573-999-3938 or by email.

UUJME – noon Sunday, May 25

Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) will hold a regular meeting at noon Sunday, May 25, in the Lower Level-Centering Room.

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s list of Actions of Immediate Witness for 2024 includes the call to be “in solidarity with Palestinians” through acts of public witnessing, education, organizing, and advocacy. In response to this call, UUJME of UUCC sponsored a showing of the movie “Where Olive Trees Weep” on Sunday, May 4 in the UUCC Sanctuary.

For more information email UUJME Chair Margaret Tyler.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31 – 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.

Newcomer Retreat – 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8

The Membership Team‘s next “Getting to Know UU” Newcomer Retreat will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8. If you are considering becoming a member of the UUCC, we strongly encourage you to attend. Retreat participants will learn about Unitarian Universalism and our own church, connect with newcomers, dine with UUCC members/friends, and share a bit of their stories. Register here by June 1. For more information, see the How to Join page.

UUCC members, friends, and those who have previously attended a retreat or new member class are encouraged to bring a dish (please list ingredients) and meet the newcomers starting at 6 pm. Register here by June 1.

Childcare is available with a registration. For questions email the Membership Team.

Kaleidoscope Pagan Gathering – 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21

Join Kaleidoscope at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, as we celebrate Litha, the summer Solstice. The longest day and the shortest night are here. The Sun stands in his glory and full strength. Glory with him, this bringer of warmth, light, and hope.

We will join in ritual, followed by a finger food potluck and friendship. All are welcome, no matter what their personal paths.