General Church News
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Featured this week
Coming up Sunday
Announcements
What’s happening soon?
Joys and sorrows
More activities
Featured this week
First Sunday Potluck after worship this Sunday, April 2
In the wake of the last two+ years of pandemic life, we see a pressing need to re-build a palpable sense of community… and what better way than to share potlucks together!
So, we have resumed a tradition that ended several years back because of logistical challenges – First Sunday Potlucks!
Please bring a side dish, main dish or dessert if you are able – and please stay even if you can’t bring food because there’s always plenty to go around. Also, please help set up tables and chairs in the Sanctuary, and stay after the potluck when you’re able to help clean up and return the Sanctuary to normal order.
April Searchlight now available
In case you missed yesterday’s email announcement, the April issue edition of our monthly newsletter, The Searchlight, is now available on the Current Newsletter page. It is also linked on the Newsletter Download page along with past issues.
Living Earth Meditation starts this Saturday, April 1
A new weekly meditation program, “Living Earth Meditation,” starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, April 1, at 1400 Gary St. in Columbia. It will be led by UUCC member Peter Holmes and Tricia Straub and will include silent meditation outdoors with an opportunity to share insights and reflections. This is a collaborative program of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show Me Dharma.
Ministry Reboot Breakfast scheduled on Saturday, April 15
RSVP
Over the last three years we have endured global pandemic and undertaken an important construction and access project. Now it is time to turn our attention back to our ministry team structures and institutional health.
What work feels most important to us now? What do we want to rebuild, and what should it look like in today’s landscape?
These are the questions we’d like to begin to ponder together as we convene the first in a series of Ministry Reboot Breakfasts in anticipation of planning for the 2023-2024 Program year. Please mark your calendar to join us from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15 at the church, and RSVP using the link above.
This invitation is 100% open to the congregation, so please do invite your fellow UU Churchers who are interested in leadership and the health of our congregation.
Please take the Communication and Connection Survey
What is your spirit seeking? How do you want to be involved at UUCC? And, who is your emergency contact? Let us know these things and more in our Communication & Connection Survey!
This survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete and will help us shape our 2023-2024 program year around the needs of the congregation!
Take the survey
Annual Easter Brunch scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8
Our Easter Brunch fundraiser for our amazing high school youths in our YRUU program will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the church. Tickets are $7/person or $25/family and will be available at the door.
Enjoy a wonderful meal, an egg hunt, and the opportunity to vote on the all important question – who will wear (and dance in) the bunny costume this year?
Please let us know if you plan to attend so we know how much food to make. RSVP by email to DRE Jamila Batchelder.
And we appreciate any food you would like to donate to the cause. You can sign up here and drop food off at the church by 10 a.m. Friday, April 7.
NOTE: Some previous communications erroneously said the brunch will start at 11 a.m. The correct time is 10 a.m.
Please vote in local elections scheduled on Tuesday, April 4
Local elections for the Columbia City Council and Columbia Board of Education will take place this coming Tuesday, April 4. Also on the ballot will be proposals by the City of Columbia and Boone County to impose an additional 3% sales tax on retail sales of adult use marijuana – city residents are also county residents and can vote on both propositions.
UUCC will be among the polling places for the election. Election setup at the church will take place on April 3, and cleanup from the election is scheduled on April 5.
Check us out on the UUCC Facebook Group Page
Coming up Sunday – April 2, 2023
9 a.m. – Forum Discussion Group – Lower Level-Forum/Library
The Forum Discussion Group is a weekly conversation about current events, civic engagement, religion, emerging thought and more. On April 2, Intern Minister George Grimm-Howell will present “Spirituality of Aging, Part II.” He will share additional poems from his “Found in Wilderness” project. The themes discussed will center on how we process regret and other forms of unfinished business. Participants, based on an example of the final poem in the collection, will be invited to think about the overall arc of meaning of their lives.
9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meditation – Lower Level-Centering Room
Mindfulness Meditation takes place at 9 a.m. every Sunday in the Centering Room. Beginners and experienced meditators welcome. For more information, email Anna Lingo or Susan Pereira.
10:30 a.m. – Worship Service – in person and live-streamed
“Risking Theological Openness” – George Grimm-Howell, Intern Minister
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Christian holy week, a time to contemplate cycles of destruction and renewal, death and resurrection. Unitarian Universalists have seen the temple of our faith deconstructed and rebuilt time and again as we risk theological openness and trust in our shared future.
Masks are now optional but welcome and celebrated at our worship services. We will continue to provide KN-95 masks of all sizes for those who need or prefer them and to maintain a culture that welcomes masking. In order to continue to protect our community, we ask you to ensure that you are up to date on Covid vaccination and boosters and to stay home with our online worship offering if you feel sick at all.
See the Home Page for the April 2 Order of Service when it becomes available
Remember to find yourself a chalice for home – Digital Chalice (click to light it).
If you have trouble using the technology to join us, please send an email to our tech team with your contact information, and someone will reach out to help you.
Visitors participating in our online worship services are invited to fill out our Visitor Connection Card.
10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – All-Ages Worship Service
The children will attend the first portion of the service before going to a “Spring Cleaning Service Sunday.”
11:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour – in person and via Zoom
Noon – First Sunday Potluck – Greeting Area and Sanctuary
On the first Sunday each month, we share a potluck luncheon together. Please bring a side dish, main dish or dessert if you are able – and please stay even if you can’t bring food because there’s always plenty to go around. Also, please help set up tables and chairs in the Sanctuary, and stay after the potluck when you’re able to help clean up and return the Sanctuary to normal order. Many hands make light work!
1 p.m. – Social Action Team – Lower Level-Centering Room
Our Social Action Team will hold its regular monthly meeting. All are welcome to participate. For more information, email Team Chair Fred Young.
Announcements
Worship Associates seek volunteers for lay-led summer services
What is your spiritual practice?
What do you do to feed your spirit? Do you use prayer or meditation? Does music or art fill your soul? Do you find inspiration in writing or reading poetry?
Continuing our long-standing tradition, we will have a number of lay-led services over the summer. We want to make this the summer of spiritual practice and are looking for volunteers to assist us with presenting services exploring the many ways we keep ourselves grounded, inspired and at peace.
You may have an idea for a whole service, or you may just have a practice you would like to share as part of a larger service. Maybe there is a song that you play, sing or listen to. Perhaps you have a favorite poem or prose piece that you turn to. Or maybe you can describe how working in your garden or walking in the woods connects you to our world. We welcome whatever you are willing to share to help us explore the full range of spiritual experience.
The Worship Associates and ministers will work with all volunteers to assist in structuring a whole service, if that is your choice, or to help you integrate your contribution into a service involving multiple volunteers.
Every contribution is necessary if we are going to fairly reflect the diversity of practice we know lives at UUCC. Please contact any of the Worship Associates (Tim Dickerson, Todd Iveson, Iyesatu Kamara-Bush, Gretchen Maune, Jeff Ordway, or Sam Otten), Rev. Molly, or Intern Minister George Grimm-Howell if you are interested in participating.
Next UUCC membership classes set on April 13 and 16
All who plan to become church members are strongly encouraged to attend the two membership classes offered by our Membership Team. Classes are held four times a year, and each class lasts 60-90 minutes. For more information, see our How to Join page.
Spring Cycle 2023
• 7 p.m. April 13 on Zoom – Membership 101 – History of Unitarian-Universalism
• Noon April 16 at church – Membership 102 – A tour of our building and grounds and information about getting connected within the church, financial stewardship, and privileges and responsibilities of membership.
• 10:30 a.m. May 7 at church – New Member Ingathering during worship
Intern Minister plans life milestones conversations
Intern minister George Grimm-Howell is working on a project that would provide spiritual support and ritual to mark major life passages.
For example, if you are retiring from paid work, or if you’re facing “an empty nest” or other large life transitions, please consider reaching out to George to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Email your thoughts to internminister@uucomo.org or schedule a talk on Calendly at https://calendly.com/grimm-howell.
Gentle Yoga schedule
10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays • 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.
Additional information is available from Karen Dwyer or email the church office
Choir rehearsals are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Weekly choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All ages and ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join. Sunday performance dates are still to be arranged. Contact Violet Vonder Haar.
Rev. Molly’s office hours
- 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Uprise Bakery
- Other meetings available by appointment
Rev. Molly has found that folks wanting to meet with her prefer to make an appointment, which makes it hard to hold a lot of open hours. This year she will be holding her Community Office Hours on Tuesdays as the only open hours and offering appointments every day except Monday (day off ) and Wednesday (sermon-writing day) for those who wish to meet with her online, by phone, or in person at the indoor or outdoor location of choice.
The easiest way to make an appointment is by using Rev. Molly’s scheduling app, but if you can’t find a time there, email Rev. Molly as she can sometimes work you in at a slightly different time.
What’s happening soon?
Living Earth Meditation – 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1
A new weekly meditation program, “Living Earth Meditation,” starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, April 1, at 1400 Gary St. in Columbia. It will be led by UUCC member Peter Holmes and Tricia Straub and will include silent meditation outdoors with an opportunity to share insights and reflections. This is a collaborative program of UUCC, the Columbia Friends Meeting and Show Me Dharma.
Social Action Team – 1 p.m. Sunday, April 2
Our Social Action Team will hold its regular monthly meeting. All are welcome to participate. For more information, email Team Chair Fred Young.
Non-Toxic Masculinity Men’s Group – 7 p.m. Monday, April 3
The Non-Toxic Masculinity Group, meets the first and third Monday of the month. For information email Kevin Fritsche.
Local elections – Tuesday, April 4
Local elections for the Columbia City Council and Columbia Board of Education will take place this coming Tuesday, April 4. Also on the ballot will be proposals by the City of Columbia and Boone County to impose an additional 3% sales tax on retail sales of adult use marijuana – city residents are also county residents and can vote on both propositions.
UUCC will be among the polling places for the election. Election setup at the church will take place on April 3, and cleanup from the election is scheduled on April 5.
YRUU Lock-in – Friday, April 7
Our YRUU youth will have an overnight lock-in at the church on Friday, April 7 as they prepare for the annual Easter Brunch on April 8.
Easter Brunch – 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8
Our Easter Brunch YRUU fundraiser for our amazing high school youths will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the church. Tickets are $7/person or $25/family and will be available at the door. Enjoy a wonderful meal, an egg hunt, and the opportunity to vote on the all important question: who will wear (and dance in) the bunny costume this year? Please let us know if you plan to attend so we know how much food to make. RSVP by email to DRE Jamila Batchelder. And we appreciate any food you would like to donate to the cause. You can sign up here and drop food off at the church by 10 a.m. Friday, April 7.
NOTE: Some previous communications erroneously said the brunch will start at 11 a.m. The correct time is 10 a.m.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8
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 millerwi@missouri.edu.
Book Discussion Group – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8
The Book Discussion Group will meet online and by phone to briefly discuss books each has read. Email Pam Springsteel for more information.
Conversations, Etc. – 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12
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, email Pam Springsteel.
Church facilities status for gatherings
Small group meetings may take place inside and outside the church but need to be scheduled with the Church Administrator. Masks are now optional at indoor meetings. Worship services, programs and ministries continue through the many technologies available to help us stay connected – phone, email, Facebook, and Zoom video conferencing. Staff continue to work at the church, so please feel free to call us at 573-442-5764 or send an email if you have questions or want to schedule a meeting.
Many upcoming meetings are featured on the Upcoming Events page. You can also find information about events on our online Calendar.
For more information about particular groups, see the Church Groups page.
Joys and sorrows
You can read the Joys and sorrows shared with the congregation by clicking the link 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.
You can submit joys and sorrows online by clicking this button: