Weekly News Update

General Church News

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Featured this week
Coming up Sunday
Announcements
What’s happening soon?
Joys and sorrows
More activities

Featured this Week

Music and Variety Show scheduled this Friday, Nov. 21

The annual UUCC Music and Variety Show will take place at church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 21, organized by Music Director Violet Vonder Haar. The event will be an opportunity to come together in community and showcase the many talents within our congregation.

Members (and non-members) of all ages, abilities and talents will participate with songs, stories, poems and possibly dances..There will be a 5-7 minute time limit for each performer.

There will be a $5-20 suggested donation, with all proceeds going toward the UUCC music program.

Play area workday scheduled Nov. 22

The final currently scheduled family workday to build our tree-deck play area will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 22. Previous workdays were held on Nov. 1, 8 and 15.

If you would like to financially support this playground project, we are still inviting your gifts. Here’s how you can contribute:

Make a gift at https://uucomo.org/give by selecting Children’s RE Reserved Fund in the dropdown menu.
Buy a handprint for your child in the planned decorative concrete border alongside the sidewalk, or donate in honor of a family who might not be able to purchase a handprint. $100 per print. Fill out this form to purchase handprints or to request a donated handprint.

We’d like to share a special thank you to the family of our dear departed member Carla Anderson for their gift from her estate toward our Wild Wonder Playground Campaign! Due to this generous gift, we now only need to raise $3,000 more to reach our goal!

Questions? Contact Kevin Fritsche at 573-289-4536 or by email.

“Friendsgiving” potluck planned on Nov. 28

Join us Friday, Nov. 28. We’ll enjoy our meal from 2 to 3 p.m., with time before and after for setup, and cleanup.

RSVP here so we have an accurate head count, and plan to bring a dish or two with an ingredient list so we have enough food for all.

Honduras Ministry plans trivia night fundraiser on Nov. 29

The UUCC Honduras Ministry has scheduled its annual Trivia Night Fundraiser for our partner projects in Honduras at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at church.

Besides trivia fun in seven-person teams, the evening will feature a chili/soup cook-off for a chance to win bragging rights, 50-50 games, and a silent auction. Childcare will be provided.

All proceeds will go to support the El Pital, Honduras Health Clinic as well as latrine-building and other partner projects in Honduras.

Early-bird tickets are $25. Tickets will be $30 at the door, or $15 for students. Tickets will be on sale before and after worship on Nov. 9 and 16 and at the door. For more information, email Allie Gassmann.

Chalice Circles signups now open

Need community? We’ve got you.

Being in community might just be the most important thing we can do right now for ourselves and for each other.

As a small-group ministry of our church, Chalice Circles are designed to build that community, foster connections between members, and provide opportunities to share your heart in a safe, brave space.

These groups of no more than 10 members are led by fellow UU volunteers and topics are planned to complement the monthly themes of the church year. A Chalice Circle commitment is for one cycle of eight or nine sessions, though some chalice groups may elect to continue in some form over the summer. Groups will meet once or twice a month for one and one-half hours, from September or October 2025 to May 2026.

You can learn more here or go ahead and sign up here!

If you have questions, you are welcome to email the Chalice Circles Leadership Team that consists of the Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon, Gretchen Maune and Crystal Paddock Buffaloe, or call or text Crystal at 573-289-9705 (please leave a message!).

We look forward to a fun, connected, meaningful year ahead!

With Gratitude,
Crystal Buffaloe, Gretchen Maune and Rev. Molly

Check us out on the UUCC Facebook Group Page

Coming up Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

For Forum meetings, meditation and worship,
drop-in childcare is provided. No reservation needed.

9 a.m. – Forum Discussion Group – Lower Level-Forum Room/Library

The Forum Discussion Group meets at 9 a.m. Sundays from September through May. On Nov. 23 Connie Johnmeyer will lead a discussion on Chapter 3 of Great Decisions, “Competition, Cold War, or Conflict? Navigating U.S.-China Relations in Tense Times.”

9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation – Fire Circle or Lower Level-Centering Room

Mindfulness Meditation takes place at 9 a.m. every Sunday. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. If the outside temperature is 55° F. or higher and weather permits, meditation will take place at the Fire Circle behind the church. Otherwise, meditation will be in the Lower Level-Centering Room. For more information, email Anna Lingo or Susan Pereira.

10:30 a.m. – Worship Service – Sanctuary

Harvest Celebration – A Service for All Ages – Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon and DRE Jamila Batchelder

Join us for our annual All-Ages Harvest Celebration service, where we give thanks for the abundance of our earth, and respond with blessings for one another.

Online worship links – Zoom • Facebook

Submit Joys and Sorrows by 8:30 a.m. Sunday before worship:

Joys and Sorrows Submission

Online Donation or Pledge Payment

Visitors participating in our online worship services
are invited to fill out our Visitor Connection Card:

Visitor Connection Card

10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – No Classes – All-Ages Worship.

The 10:30 a.m. worship service will be for all ages. There will be no children’s religious education classes. Free nursery care for infants to 3-year-olds will be available until 11:45 a.m. Read about our Youth Religious Education program.

After Worship – Coffee Hour – Greeting Area

Enjoy beverages and conversation in the Greeting Area after worship.

11:45 a.m. – Philosophy Club – Sanctuary

Philosophy Club, led by Michael Davis, is a group for anyone interested in discussing a topic more deeply with others. No philosophical training is needed; all worldviews are welcome, and any member can submit a subject to be discussed, from spirituality to sociology, psychology, ecology, science, and anything else. The group will meet at church from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on fourth Sundays.

Noon – Milestones Circle – Lower Level-Forum Room/Library

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 Nov. 23 topic will be “What makes life meaningful for you?” For more information, contact Kathie Bergman by email.

Noon – YRUU – Lower Level-YRUU Room

Members of YRUU, our high school youth group, will gather for the regular weekly meeting.

12:15 p.m. – Disability Justice & Inclusion Team – Lower Level-Centering Room

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.

Announcements

“Coming Back to Life” programs planned on Saturdays

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.

Exploring mutual aid and radical neighboring

Thirty-six UUCC members and friends gathered to explore possibilities for radical neighboring and mutual aid following our worship service and Rev Molly’s sermon on “Mutual Aid, Labor and Faith: A History” on Sunday, August 31.

The theme that afternoon was “What forms of radical neighboring and mutual aid do we want and need? How might we begin?”

Folks then proposed and hosted small group exploratory discussions on these topics:

Childcare collective
Farming and gardening work sharing
Meal sharing
Goods & services exchange / skills sharing
Barn-raising-style yard work and home repair
Peer- or co-counseling, self-resourcing and self-care
Local “rapid response” political activism

Want to know more and how you might be part of next steps? If so, read on.

Care Team re-launched

The UUCC Care Team has been re-launched with new members and new focus. Team meetings will be held at noon on the third Sunday each ]month ]in the Centering Room. Feel free to drop in or reach out for more information.

The Care Team has several areas of focus:

Meals – after a birth, surgery or illness, etc.
Rides – to church, medical appointments, etc.
Memorial Services – for UUCC members
Cards – joys, sorrows and support
Visitation – Pastoral visits to those needing special attention

A new group of pastoral visitors has been formed and trained by Rev. Molly to extend the pastoral reach of the congregation. This team will collaborate with the minister to offer emotional support, spiritual encouragement, and pastoral care in situations of transition and difficulty. It will also help maintain connection with those in our community who need special attention. The visitors group currently includes Kathie Bergman, Todd Iveson, Kathy Nettleton, Roger Nettleton and Jim Treece, in partnership with Rev. Molly. Pastoral visitors will each regularly visit several folks in need of care. If you would like to receive visits or join the team of visitors, please email Rev. Molly.

Are you Interested in joining the Care Team to build community? The team needs more willing volunteers to grow the team and expand its mission.

Use these links to offer care or request care: Offer care • Request care

What’s happening soon?

Weekly and bi-weekly recurring events

Choir Rehearsals – 7 p.m. Wednesdays

The UUCC Choir rehearses at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sanctuary. If you are interested in joining the choir, click the button below to learn more and to sign up.

Choir Info & Signup

Gentle Yoga with Karen Dwyer – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Gentle Yoga is offered at the church:

- 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays
- 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays

Effective the week of Sept. 15, Gentle Yoga is no longer offered on Thursday evenings. Additional information is available from Karen Dwyer, or contact the church office.

Crafting Group – 1 p.m. Thursdays

The crafting group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday in the Greeting Area from September through May. For more information, email Bonnie Johnson.

Sacred Song Circle with Violet Vonder Haar – 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

Join Violet for group singing. No experience or RSVP required. Just come join the group and sing. Sacred Song Circles are held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. except the first Thursday of each month and on holidays. If you are interested in participating, please sign up here for the weekly email. The Sacred Songs program is co-sponsored by UUCC and Compass Inc. For questions, contact Violet by email.

“Coming Back to Life” – 9 a.m. Saturdays

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.

Scheduled events coming soon

Board of Trustees – 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20

Our Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Per church bylaws, church members are welcome to attend and observe board meetings.

Music and Variety Show – 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

The annual UUCC Music and Variety Show will take place at church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Music Director Violet Vonder Haar has announced. The event will be an opportunity to come together in community and showcase the many talents within our congregation. Members (and non-members) of all abilities and talents are invited to participate. Whether you have a song you’d like to share, a story or poem you’d like to recite, or even a choreographed dance, you are welcome and encouraged to sign up. There will be a 5-7 minute time limit for each performer. All ages are welcome to participate. Sign up here by Nov. 16 to be included! There will be a $5-20 suggested donation, with all proceeds going toward the UUCC music program.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 – 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.

Play Area Workday – 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

Mark your calendars for family workdays to build our tree-deck play area this fall! We will gather from 1 to 4 p.m. 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.

Milestones Circle – noon Sunday, Nov. 23

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 Nov. 23 Milestones Circle will be reflecting on this topic: “What makes life meaningful for you?” For more information, contact Kathie Bergman by email.

Disability Justice and Inclusion Team – 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov.23

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.

“Friendsgiving” Potluck – 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28

The UUCC Care Team will host a Potluck Friendsgiving the Friday after Thanksgiving. All are welcome for friendship and food! The church will be providing turkey and tofurkey, and the rest of the meal will be potluck style. Join us Friday, Nov. 28. We’ll enjoy our meal from 2 to 3 p.m., with time before and after for setup, and cleanup. RSVP here so we have an accurate head count, and plan to bring a dish or two with an ingredient list so we have enough food for all.

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 – 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.

Honduras Ministry Trivia Night Fundraiser – 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29

The UUCC Honduras Ministry has scheduled its annual Trivia Night Fundraiser for our partner projects in Honduras at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at church. Besides trivia fun in seven-person teams, the evening will feature a chili/soup cook-off for a chance to win bragging rights, 50-50 games, and a silent auction. Childcare will be provided. All proceeds will go to support the El Pital, Honduras Health Clinic as well as latrine-building and other partner projects in Honduras. Early-bird tickets are $25. Tickets will be $30 at the door, or $15 for students. Tickets will be on sale before and after worship on Nov. 9 and 16 and at the door. For more information, email Allie Gassmann.

Joys and sorrows

You can read the Joys and sorrows shared with the congregation by clicking the button below. The page is also accessible from the Members/Friends drop-down menu. The Joys and Sorrows page is password-protected, so you must be logged in as a registered user of our site to see it. If you have not already registered, you can do so here.

Read Joys and Sorrows

You can submit joys and sorrows online by clicking this button:

Submit Joys and Sorrows

More activities

View Online Calendar

View Upcoming Events Page