Weekly News Update

General Church News

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

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

Featured this Week

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services – 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 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.

Order of Service

SAT will show “My Father’s Name” documentary on Jan. 4

All are invited to join the Social Action Team at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, to view “My Father’s Name,” a 20-minute documentary about a woman’s discovery that her father participated in a lynching. She “must now reckon with deeply conflicted feelings about the father she loved, find a way to hold her family accountable, and face the dawning awareness of her own unconscious racism.” View the trailer.

The showing will take place in the Lower Level-Forum Room/Library. After convening at 1:15 p.m., the film will be shown at 1:30, and then there will be a discussion led by Dave Gibbons at about 2. The session will end no later than 3.

Note that this film showing takes the place of the regular January meeting of the Social Action Team.

“Getting to Know UU” Newcomers’ Retreat scheduled Jan. 18

Our Membership Team‘s next “Getting to Know UU” Newcomers’ Retreat and Potluck Dinner has been scheduled on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.

The retreat and dinner is for those interested in becoming a member of UUCC. It will be held in the Sanctuary from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 18. Newcomers will learn about Unitarian Universalism and UUCC, share a bit of their stories, and connect with other newcomers and UUCC members.

The potluck dinner at 6 p.m. will be open to all UU Churchers. Members, friends and anyone who has previously attended a retreat or new member class are encouraged to bring a dish and meet our newcomers. Please bring a list of ingredients with your potluck contribution.

Please register here by Jan. 11. Let us know when you register if you need childcare and whether you will be attending the dinner only.

If you have questions, email the Membership Team.

Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long will return in January for research project

Rev. Molly has announced that our visiting scholar, the Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long, will be returning to UUCC for a substantial research visit starting in the second half of January. Rev. Molly shared the following letter from Rev. Long about her plans.

Dear UUCC members and friends,

Thanks for hosting me this autumn; I am looking forward to returning this winter and deepening into exploration with you.

Ahead of that, we wanted to invite you to put a few dates on your calendar:

- Diverse Economies Workshop – Part A on Feb. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. after Potluck
- Diverse Economies Workshop – Part B Part B on Feb 8 from noon to 2 p.m. after worship (lunch provided).
- Mapping Session – March 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. after Potluck.
- Mapping Session Follow-Up – March 15 from noon to 2 p.m. after worship (lunch provided).

We’ll get you more information as dates draw closer, but we know schedules are busy and we definitely want to mark this time with you if you are interested and able.

I am also happy to be in touch between now and my return if you have questions or comments about our research together. You can reach me at jnelsonlong@mun.ca. I’m also on Signal and am happy to connect there as well; Molly can help if you have questions about setting up your free account (it’s like WhatsApp, but more secure).

Wishing you a beautiful holiday, and looking forward to seeing you soon.

With care,
Jordinn

Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Check us out on the UUCC Facebook Group Page

Coming up Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025

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

9 a.m. – Forum Discussion Group – No Meeting

The Forum Discussion Group meets at 9 a.m. most Sundays from September through May except holiday weekends. There will be no meeting on Dec. 28 because of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

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

“Burning of the Grudges” – All-Ages New Year Celebration
Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon

Join us shortly before New Year’s Eve to share our beloved annual New Year ritual. In this all-ages service, we will dramatically burn away all we want to leave behind and create touchstones for the coming year.

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. Children will be with us during worship – please welcome them and their families. 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 Ben Schulz, 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.

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 Dec. 28 Milestones Circle will be reflecting on this topic: “What does spirituality mean to you? How did you come to your current beliefs?” 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

Chalice Circles signups still 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

“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.

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

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

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services – 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 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. Order of Service

Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Dec. 27 – 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.

Philosophy Club – 11:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28

Milestones Circle – Noon Sunday, Dec. 28

Disability Justice and Inclusion Team – 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28

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.

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