This page provides more information about upcoming events than may appear on the Church Calendar or elsewhere. In-person gatherings inside the church building are now permitted, but 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
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, or contact the church office.
Crafting Group – 1-3 p.m. Tuesday
The crafting group has resumed in-person meetings and now meets from 1 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday 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.
Choir rehearsals – 7 p.m. Wednesday
Weekly choir rehearsals are at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. All ages and ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join. For more information, email Violet Vondr Haar, Director of Music Ministry.
Living Earth Meditation – 9 a.m. Saturday
Living Earth Meditation is offered at 9 a.m. Saturdays at 1400 Gary St., Columbia. It is a collaborative program of our church, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show Me Dharma, and it is facilitated by Peter Holmes, Ph.D., and Tricia Straub. The format is silent meditation outdoors with an opportunity to share insights and reflection – being at home in nature while building a connection between spiritual practice and ecological awareness. For more information, email Peter Holmes.
May events
Non-Toxic Masculinity Men’s Group – 7 p.m. Monday, May 1 – online
The Non-Toxic Masculinity Group meets on the first and third Monday each month. For information email Kevin Fritsche.
Church Work Day – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6
Join us from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6 to put everything back in its place after our recent construction project. There will be a short break for a pizza lunch – bring your own beverages.
First Sunday Potluck – noon Sunday, May 7
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. To accommodate those with dietary restrictions, please label your food contribution to indicate whether it contains meat or is vegetarian and whether it contains common allergens such as gluten, dairy, eggs and/or tree nuts. 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!
Annual Congregational Meeting – 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7
All who have been official UUCC members for at least 60 days before May 7 will be eligible to vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting, which will be held both in person and via Zoom. Issues to be voted upon are approval of the 2023-24 operating budget and election of three new members of the Board of Trustees. For details, go to the Annual Meeting page. Those unable to attend in person or via Zoom may cast their votes by completing a Proxy Voting Appointment form.
Social Action Team – 4 p.m. Sunday, May 7
The Social Action Team will meet via Zoom at 4 p.m. May 7 after the worship service, potluck and Annual Congregational Meeting. Ordinarily the team meets in person at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday each month. For information, email Team Chair Fred Young.
Conversations, Etc. – 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 – online and by phone
Conversations, Etc., the UUCC senior women’s group, meets via Zoom and telephone at 3:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. We gather together to enjoy the company of women friends. If you would like to join us, send an email to Pam Springsteel.
Junior Youth – 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, May 12
The high schoolers will pay a visit to Junior Youth and have an evening of fun and games planned from them! It is an opportunity for our 8th graders to get to know the high schoolers as they get ready to transition out of RE and into our high school youth group next year. RSVP by May 10 to Jamila Batchelder.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13 – online
The UUCC Men’s Group previously met in person on the second, fourth, and fifth Saturdays of each month. The group has now arranged for online meetings. For more information, contact Wiley Miller at 573-864-8574 or by email.
Grounds Team – 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13
Do you want to learn about plants by working with plants? Come and visit with others who are doing this at the UUCC Grounds Team meeting from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in the Forum Room at church. The team will offer information, conversation and envisioning, followed by a brief guided tour of the church gardens, meadow, woods and other spots. For more information, contact Carol Arnold or Patty Daus.
Book Discussion – 3:30 p m. Saturday, May 13 – online and by phone
The Book Discussion Group will meet online and by phone to briefly discuss books each has read. For more information, email Pam Springsteel.
Sanctuary & Immigrant Justice Team – 1p.m. Sunday, May 14 – online
The Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team will hold its regular monthly meting. All are welcome to participate. For information email Allie Gassmann.
Non-Toxic Masculinity Men’s Group – 7 p.m. Monday, May 15 – online
The Non-Toxic Masculinity Group meets on the first and third Monday each month. For information email Kevin Fritsche.
Article II Discussion – 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16
Rev. Molly will lead a discussion of proposed revisions to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s bylaws at church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. Read more.
Chalice Circles year-end potluck – 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19
Members of all Chalice Circles are invited to the year-end potluck at the church at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19. Please bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided. The potluck will take place on the patio behind the church if the weather is good, otherwise in the Sanctuary. For more information, email Kathie Bergman.
Ministry Reboot Breakfast, Part II – Saturday, May 20 – 10 a.m. to noon
Thank you to the 35 lay leaders who joined us for our first Ministry Reboot Breakfast as we began to ponder the landscape of church leadership going into our new program year in Fall 2023! It was a wonderful conversation (and a delicious shared meal).
Please mark your calendars now for the second installment, which we will hold from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 20 in the Sanctuary. As with last time, please RSVP and let us know how you can help support the breakfast with setup, cleanup, or food! Childcare is available with RSVP. All UU Churchers are welcome at this event, whether you are a long term leader or brand new and interested! RSVP here.
Loaves and Fishes – May 21
The Social Action Team is looking for volunteers for our monthly turn on third Sundays to prepare and serve various dishes for the Loaves and Fishes program. Volunteers are needed to prepare servings of various dishes and to serve the meal and clean up afterward. Both the volunteers providing food and those who will serve and clean up are asked to be at Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church by 4:30 p.m. May 21. Please sign up here.
You can also support this effort by making a donation to the church specifying “Loaves and Fishes Fund.” For information, email Diane Suhler.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27 – online
The UUCC Men’s Group previously met in person on the second, fourth, and fifth Saturdays of each month. The group has now arranged for online meetings. For more information, contact Wiley Miller at 573-864-8574 or by email.
June events
Kaleidoscope – 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Join the Kaleidoscope pagan group for celebration of 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. Gather with us at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17 (note time change) at the church. We will join in ritual, followed by a potluck and friendship. All are welcome, no matter what their personal paths.
Retirement Milestones Conversations – noon Sunday, June 18
This small group ministry session will discuss issues surrounding life transition to retirement. This is the second of two sessions (the first was held on May 14). Please bring your own lunch to eat together at noon. The discussion will follow from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Please email Intern Minister George Grimm-Howell if you are interested in attending on either date.