Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled at noon this Sunday, May 3; potluck canceled
The Board of Trustees has scheduled the 2026 Annual Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary and via Zoom after worship at noon on Sunday, May 3, 2026. As a result, there will be no First Sunday Potluck in May.
Vote on borrowing up to $60,000 from the Endowment Fund for exterior siding replacement – details
Church bylaws provide that members must have joined at least 60 days before a congregational meeting to be eligible to vote. Thus, members who joined on or before March 4, 2026 will be eligible to vote at the May 3 meeting. The quorum requirement for the meeting will be 43 members present in person, via Zoom or by proxy. Voting members unable to attend in person or via Zoom may submit a Proxy Voting Appointment.Please do not submit the proxy form unless you will be unable to attend in person or via Zoom.
There will be a Zoom meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow, April 30, for advance presentation and discussion of the proposed 2026-27 operating budget at this Zoom link – Meeting ID: 817 8383 9148 • Passcode: 017749.
A majority vote will be required to approve each matter voted on at the annual meeting. Members will be informed of the voting results by email as soon as possible after the votes have been counted. The annual meeting will be accessible online at this Zoom link – Meeting ID: 881 8100 0377 • Passcode: 890037.
Learn about our upcoming exterior siding replacement project
Last fall it was discovered that our exterior siding, original to the more than 30-year-old parts of our building, is suffering from dry rot decay and needs to be replaced.
The proposed new siding is an innovative product that is made of recycled carpet fibers, is rot-resistant, mimics the look of wood, and can last up to 50 years. The new siding is available in a color and style similar to our current siding, enabling us to maintain the appearance and charm of our beloved building.
Church President Kim Wade has provided an in-depth explanation of the project and how it will be funded. There will be a vote at the May 3 Annual Congregational Meeting on whether to authorize borrowing up to $60,000 from the church’s endowment fund for the project, to be repaid with interest.
Gentle Yoga temporarily suspended
Gentle Yoga with Karen Dwyer will not be held from Friday, May 1 through Friday, May 8. The sessions will resume the second full week of May.
For more information email Karen Dwyer or contact the church office.
Rev. Molly’s sabbatical details announced
Rev. Molly will be away from all UUCC work for her sabbatical from May 4 through Aug. 2, and Intern Minister Monica Clark-Robinson will help keep everything running smoothly as Sabbatical Minister.
Rev. Molly’s plan is to spend the first two months of sabbatical working on a writing project that has been tugging at her spirit. The third month she and her family will travel to Ireland to visit some thin places, including the garden of Brigid, Celtic saint of blacksmithing, midwifery and poetry.
In August Rev. Molly will return – bringing the inspiration she has found – to launch another church year of blossoming and creating together.
Rev. Molly notes that a ministerial sabbatical is not only for a minister – it is also a time for a congregation to reflect on its own work and creativity, which exists tangled up with, but also separately from, that of its minister. This summer there will be so much creative work unfolding at UUCC, as some of those participating in Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long’s research with us carry forward the questions, ideas and skills that she has shared. Be on the lookout for opportunities for book studies, mapping exercises and relationship-building as we continue to map our congregation as a site of mutual aid, resilience and community creativity – a thriving garden of seeds rooting and blossoming.
Monica is delighted to have the opportunity to fill in as Sabbatical Minister. She will be working part-time, preaching two Sundays a month, and doing meetings, pastoral care, and staff supervision both in-person and virtually. She will have time for hospital and pastoral care visits during her in-person weeks. She will also be available for phone or Zoom call pastoral care during the weeks she is back in Arkansas.
Here are dates the Monica will be present in Columbia:
May 9-17 (and her ordination is on May 16 – she hopes you can come!)
June 13-21
July 4-12
Monica’s office hours will be on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. She will hold them at church when she is in Columbia and on Zoom when she is back home. And on Fridays when she is in Columbia, she will hold community office hours from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – more info about location to come.
Feel free to reach out to Monica at any time by email if you have questions or even if you simply want to chat.
Rev. Molly delivered lecture at Columbia College on April 7
Rev. Molly delivered the 2026 Schiffman Lecture in Religious Studies at Columbia College on April 7. The lecture was well attended, and the audience included numerous UUCC members and friends.
The text of the lecture, titled “Progressive Faith and the Public Square,” is available here.
Intern Minister will be ordained at UUCC on Saturday, May 16
Click to enlarge
We have the rare and joyful opportunity to ordain a minister this spring as our beloved Intern Minister, Monica Clark-Robinson, completes her internship and enters the ministry. The ordination service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16 in the Sanctuary and online at our usual Sunday worship link.
In Unitarian Universalism, the sacred right and responsibility of ordaining ministers rests in the body of the congregation. It is a beautiful affirmation of all that congregations and ministers do and create together. This may be the first time a minister has been ordained at UUCC.
At the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 3, one of the agenda items will be a vote to ordain Monica.
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. most Sundays from September through May except holiday weekends. On May 3 Mel West will present on his ministry in southeast Missouri in the 1960s and 1970s. Jim Crow laws and vigilante violence severely restricted the lives of Black Missourians. Much of Mel’s work took place in Hayti Heights, Mo.
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
“Joy Is Not Made to Be a Crumb” – Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon
Join Rev. Molly for her last sermon before sabbatical. Mary Oliver tells us that in the presence of life’s beauty and possibility, we must not hesitate, we must give ourselves over to it. And this month’s worship theme reminds us that survival is not a wasteland. It is a dance party. How can we spend these summer months giving ourselves over to the dance? The worship service will include the induction of new church members.
There will be no potluck. Instead, join us after worship for the Annual Congregational Meeting, where refreshments will be served.
Enjoy beverages and conversation in the Greeting Area after worship.
Noon – Annual Congregational Meeting – Sanctuary
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held in the Sanctuary after worship. Refreshments will be provided. All members who joined on or before March 4 will be eligible to vote. Agenda items will be recognitions, Minister’s Annual Report, Mission/Vision Update, vote on approval to ordain Intern Minister Monica Clark-Robinson, election of Board of Trustees members, vote on approval of the 2026-27 operating budget, and vote on borrowing up to $60,000 from the Endowment Fund for exterior siding replacement. Details here.
Noon – YRUU – Lower Level-YRUU Room
Members of YRUU, our high school youth group, will gather for their regular weekly meeting.
The Disability Justice and Inclusion Team (DJIT), which usually meets on the 4th Sunday of each month in person at church and via Zoom, will instead meet on May 3 because team members participated in the Volunteer Fair on April 26. DJIT contacts are Gretchen Maune and Marcie Brennan.
1:30 p.m. – Social Action Team – online
The Social Action Team will hold its regular monthly meeting via Zoom. All are welcome to participate. For information email the team’s chair, Fred Young.
Have you noticed the Little Free Pantry yet? It sits on some pavers are located in the grass near the entrance to our parking lot.
Our pantry is for anyone who needs to use it. We will have a special focus on items that school-age kids can grab and use, but anyone is welcome to fill and use items from the pantry any time. You may begin donating or using items now.
Please leave only unexpired food donations in the pantry.
Questions or comments should be directed to April Rodeghero, Church Administrator — 573-442-5764
Living Earth Meditation resumed April 4
Weekly Living Earth Meditation sessions – silent meditation outdoors with an opportunity to share insights and reflections – resumed on April 4 and will be held at 9 a.m. every Saturday at 1400 Gary Street, the home of Peter and Casey Holmes. The sessions will be facilitated by Jared Belden, M.A., Peter Holmes, Ph.D., and Tricia Straub.
The focus of the sessions is to be at home in nature while building a connection between spiritual practice and ecological awareness. The intentions are:
To seek deep, embodied, joyful relationship with ourselves, each other, and all the rich diversity of beings that comprise our Living Earth.
To awaken to the realization that we are all connected, that we are all part of a constantly changing Mother Earth. To become aware that to consider humans as separate and independent is a dangerous illusion that causes immense suffering in this world.
To live into the awareness and the mystery of constantly changing, complex life system (Gaia) that sustains us and is one of the wonders of this Universe.
To realize that all we love arises inseparable from Earth and from the living Earth community in ways endless and unfathomable. To pay respects to the lands, waters, creatures, and rooted ones of each place. To be grateful for the rich life that we share with all earthly beings.
This is a collaborative program of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show Me Dharma.
The UUCC Choir rehearses at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sanctuary. If you are interested in joining the choir, go here to learn more and to sign up.
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.
Note: Yoga is canceled on May 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Sessions will resume the second full week of May.
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 (resuming May 14 through June 25)
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.
Living Earth Meditation – 9 a.m. Saturdays
Weekly Living Earth Meditation – silent meditation outdoors with an opportunity to share insights and reflections – resumed on April 4 and will be held at 9 a.m. every Saturday at 1400 Gary Street. The sessions will be facilitated by Jared Belden, M.A., Peter Holmes, Ph.D., and Tricia Straub. The focus of the sessions is to be at home in nature while building a connection between spiritual practice and ecological awareness. This is a collaborative program of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show Me Dharma.
Scheduled events coming soon
Kaleidoscope Pagan Gathering – 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2
Join Kaleidoscope as we celebrate Beltane, better known to most of you as May Day. We used to weave paper baskets, fill them with dandelions, and hang them on peoples’ doors. Do you remember? Celebrate fertility, joy, and (at last) fresh greens to eat. Gather with us at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the church. We will join in ritual, followed by a potluck and friendship. All are welcome, no matter what their personal paths.
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.
