We maybe got a little out of potluck practice with the First Sunday Potluck being canceled in May and then having a “Brunch Church” potluck in June – but on July 5 we’ll be back on track!
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 provide a complete ingredient list for your food contribution and indicate whether it is dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and/or vegetarian. Go here for a fillable PDF form for your contribution.
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!
Tiny Gardens Everywhere book study – next session July 8
This summer, join UUCC leaders Kim Wade and Pack Mathews for a deep-dive book study of environmental historian Kate Brown’s groundbreaking new book, Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present, and Future of the Self-Provisioning City.
Meetings are planned from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 17, July 8 and 22, and Aug. 5.
When crisis hits, our cultural narrative often tells us to hunker down, build walls, and protect what is ours. As UUers, we know that real security doesn’t come from isolation, but from radical welcome and deep connection. What if the most effective thing we can do to protect one another is to reclaim our commons and plant a garden?
The study group will explore the history of urban gardening not as a middle-class hobby, but as a vital strategy of resistance, mutual aid and self-empowerment. The group will plan accessible field trips, site visits and guest speakers to celebrate the wonderful initiatives right here in our community.
Copies of the book can be ordered from Skylark Bookshop at a 10% discount (mention the UUCC book study) and elsewhere.
To Participate: Email Pack or Kim to let them know you’re interested, and they will email you a link to a signup sheet. Or sign up directly at https://tinyurl.com/TinyGardensStudy.
UUJME seeks donations for July 25 Gaza silent auction fundraiser
Our Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) group is seeking donations for a silent auction on Saturday, July 25, that will be a fundraiser for people in Gaza.
The auction will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. July 25 at church. Proceeds will be donated to MedGlobal, an international organization that provides medical care (featured in the True/False film “American Doctor”).
Donations can be artwork, books, household items, services (meals, cleaning, yardwork, childcare, errands, transportation, etc.), or desserts (with ingredients listed). Please, no clothing unless it is something spectacular.
If you have questions or items to donate, please email Maha Libdeh. There will be a drop-off location at church for donations starting in July, but UUJME would like to know in advance what donations are planned.
Faith-to-Action nominations for 2026-27 close today
Our Social Action Team is requesting nominations for the Faith-to-Action collection recipients for September 2026 through August 2027. The team is requesting that nominations be submitted by today. If a full set of nominations has not been received, the team will continue to consider nominations that come in later, but nominations made by today will be given priority.
Any member or friend of UUCC may submit a nomination. “Friend” is defined as a person who attends UUCC, participates in church activities, and supports the church financially. Click this button to make a nomination:
The siding replacement project at UUCC is set to begin Aug. 5 and is expected to be finished by Aug. 24. All the work will take place outside, and the building will remain accessible. However, on Aug. 10 and 11, the building will have no power.
Siding replacement is necessary because last fall it was discovered that the existing siding, original to the more than 30-year old parts of our building, is suffering from dry rot decay.
The Board of Trustees has approved a contract for about $105,000 with TAPS Exteriors to perform the work.
At the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 3, the congregation approved borrowing up to $60,000 from the church’s Endowment Fund for the project. Other funding will come from donations and building maintenance funds set aside in our annual budgeting process.
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 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.
Sabbatical Minister has reported for duty
Rev. Molly will be away from all UUCC work for her sabbatical from May 4 through Aug. 3, and Intern Minister Monica Clark-Robinson has stepped up to keep everything running smoothly as Sabbatical Minister.
Rev. Molly’s email address will not be monitored during her sabbatical. An auto-responder will provide information about how to reach appropriate people, and all messages sent to her email address during sabbatical will be deleted upon her return. Rev. Molly asks that any messages just for her be sent after she returns.
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 the dates Monica will be present in Columbia:
May 9-17
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. at Nourish Café.
After Monica completes her time as Sabbatical Minister, she will head to Wilmington, Del. where she has been called as the next Settled Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington.
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 takes a break from June through August. Forum meets at 9 a.m. Sundays from September through May except holiday weekends.
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
“Whole Church R.E. – Rev. Monica Clark-Robinson
In a “Freaky Friday” kind of twist, the kids will lead most of the first part of this service. Then, after Joys and Sorrows, we’ll all adjourn to fun R.E. classes downstairs! Come see what it’s like to be a lucky kid in our R.E. program!
We’ll also have an ice cream social as part of our First Sunday Potluck after the service.
10:30 a.m. – Youth Religious Education – No Classes – All-Ages Worship
Children will be with us in the Sanctuary and then downstairs as we observe “Whole Church R.E.” (see worship description). 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.
Noon – First Sunday Potluck – Greeting Area and Sanctuary
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 provide a complete ingredient list for your food contribution and indicate whether it is dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and/or vegetarian. Go here for a fillable PDF form for your contribution.
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!
1:30 p.m. – Social Action Team – online
Our 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.
The 2026 Annual Congregational Meeting was held in the Sanctuary and via Zoom after worship at noon on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
After preliminaries including recognitions, presentation of the Minister’s Annual Report and an update on the process of revising our Mission/Vision statements, the members present voted to approve:
The ordination of Intern Minister Monica Clark-Robinson
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
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 Thursdays (except first Thursdays)
Additional information is available from Karen Dwyer, or contact the church office.
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
First Sunday Potluck – Noon Sunday, July 5
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 provide a complete ingredient list for your food contribution and indicate whether it is dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and/or vegetarian. Go here for a fillable PDF form for your contribution.
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!
Social Action Team – 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5
Our 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.
UUJME – 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) usually meets at church after worship on second Sundays, but the July meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Nancy Browning’s home. The group is planning a silent auction to benefit Gazans from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at church. Also being planned is a chili supper fundraiser at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. For information about the team and its work, email the chair, Margaret Tyler.
Tiny Gardens Everywhere book study – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8
This will be the second of four sessions of a summer book study of environmental historian Kate Brown’s new book, Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning City. The first session was held on June 17. The last two sessions are scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 22 and Aug. 5. Copies of the book can be purchased at Skylark Bookshop at a 10% discount (mention the UUCC book study). To participate, email Pack Matthews or Kim Wade, and they will email you a signup link. Or, sign up directly at https://tinyurl.com/TinyGardensStudy/.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 – 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.
Life Writer’s Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11
Because July 4 is the first Saturday, the UU Life Writers’ Group will meet on the second and fourth Saturdays in July at 10:30 a.m., a change from the usual first and third Saturday schedule. The group meets to write and share at the church. For Information email Mary Herde.
Writing (and Reading) for Spiritual Sustenance – 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11
Join us monthly to listen to the “still small voice within” and to write in response. We are a group of writers of all genres (journaling totally counts), levels of experience, and interests. We set aside time to read poetry together, share writing prompts related to the spiritual theme of the month or work on our own projects — and also share with one another in affirmation. Please join us!
Book Discussion Group – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11 – online
The 20s-30s Group meets on the second Sunday each month in the Sanctuary after worship for a potluck lunch and activities. All UUs and visitors in their 20s and 30s are warmly welcomed.
Philosophy Club – 11:45 a.m Sunday, July 12
Philosophy Club 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 meets from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays. For more information, email Wade Schuette, leader on second Sundays, or Ben Schulz, leader on fourth Sundays.
Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice Team – noon Sunday, July 12
Our Board of Trustees hold its regular monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday each month. Per church bylaws, church members are welcome to attend and observe board meetings.
UUCC Care Team – noon Sunday, July 19
Our Care Team holds its regular monthly meetings at noon on third Sundays. All are welcome to participate. For more information, email the Care Team.
LGBTQ Collective – noon Sunday, July 19
The LGBTQ Collective meets on the third Sunday each month after worship. The group will make plans for Columbia Pride Sept. 26-27. Snacks and childcare will be provided. For information email Heidi Shearer.
Loaves and Fishes – 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Our Social Action Team needs volunteers to prepare servings of various dishes and other volunteers to serve the meal and clean up afterward. The location of Loaves and Fishes is the Ashley Street Center, 1509 Ashley St., behind the city power plant (view map). The meal time is 4:30 p.m. Both the volunteers providing food and those who will serve and clean up are asked to be at the Ashley Street Center between 4 and 4:15 p.m. Cleanup is expected to be complete by about 6:15 p.m. Please sign up here. You can also support this effort by making a donation to the church specifying “Loaves and Fishes Fund.” For more information, email Fred Young or Gregg Suhler.
Tiny Gardens Everywhere book study – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22
This will be the third of four sessions of a summer book study of environmental historian Kate Brown’s new book, Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning City. The first two sessions were held on June 17 and July 8. The final session is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5. Copies of the book can be purchased at Skylark Bookshop at a 10% discount (mention the UUCC book study). To participate, email Pack Matthews or Kim Wade, and they will email you a signup link. Or, sign up directly at https://tinyurl.com/TinyGardensStudy/.
Men’s Group – 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25
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.
Life Writer’s Group – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25
Because July 4 is the first Saturday, the UU Life Writers’ Group will meet on the second and fourth Saturdays in July at 10:30 a.m., a change from the usual first and third Saturday schedule. The group meets to write and share at the church. For Information email Mary Herde.
UUJME Silent Auction – 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25
UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) will host a silent auction from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at church to benefit Gazans. Proceeds will be donated to MedGlobal, an international organization that provides medical care (featured in the True/False film “American Doctor”). For more information about the silent auction, or if you have items to donate now, please email our auction point person, Maha Libdeh. For general information about UUJME, email the chair, Margaret Tyler.
Philosophy Club – 11:45 a.m. Sunday, July 26
Philosophy Club 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 meets from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays. For more information, email Wade Schuette, leader on second Sundays, or Ben Schulz, leader on fourth Sundays.
Milestones Circle – Noon Sunday, July 26
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. For more information, contact Kathie Bergman by email.
Finding Our Way Forward Team – Noon Sunday, July 26
The Finding Our Way Forward (FOWF) Team, consisting of James Gordon, Dottie Mathews, Lindsey Saunders, Mark Price and Kim Wade, meets on the fourth Sunday of each month after worship. The team is working on a plan for where its efforts will be focused going forward. All are welcome to participate.
Disability Justice and Inclusion Team – 12:15 p.m. Sunday, July 26
Kaleidoscope Pagan Gathering – 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
Lughnassad, the Feast of the First Harvest. Juicy ripe tomatoes, and zucchini everywhere. The Earth once again gives of Her bounty. We join to celebrate Her gifts. Gather with Kaleidoscope at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug 1 at the church. We will join in ritual, followed by a finger food (i.e. simple snacks) 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.
