The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Samhain |Spirituality Group

Turning Circle—UUCC’s earth-centered spirituality group—will lead a celebration of Samhain, a Celtic holiday, to honor our beloved dead, both those recently lost, and our ancestors from long ago.

 

Speakers:

• Alex Cauthen-Zach, Colette Gelwicks, Doug Beatty, Dylan Zach, Indigo Halo, Paul Duffy, Tara & Cameron Zach

Lauren Haywood on teamwork & transitions

Lauren Haywood is a longtime UUCC member who has made an indelible mark on the community. Twenty-two years ago, Lauren had an idea: what if UUCC hosted a coffeehouse concert series to support local musicians and to bring people together from the congregation and beyond? Since then, the series has been going strong, with a team of faithful stewards who manage the entire thing: from setup to social media, from contracts to concessions, this team of volunteers does it all.

Today, Lauren chats with Sara about what it takes to run the UUCC One World Coffeehouse, ways you can plug into the volunteer team, and how UUCC's program offerings like the series are always evolving. Lauren also shares about her upcoming move to Albuquerque, a move that will fulfill her husband Carlton's lifelong dream to retire in the Southwest.

We will miss Lauren and Carlton here at UUCC, but as she says in today's podcast, they are only a phone call or email away! The volunteer team model that she developed through the One World Coffeehouse is an example for all of our ministries, a legacy left by Lauren for our congregation.

All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity & Sustainability

In honor of United Nations Day, Rev. Paige Getty, members of the UUCC Climate Crisis (2U4C) Team, and others will explore the effort to to further the cause of Climate & Food Justice.

 

Speakers:

• Gail Thompson Guy, Katja Fort Rhoden, Kirstin Nelson, Krista Rand, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe, Trish Steinhilber

Of Evident Invisibles | Anthony Jenkins, Chaplain, 59th Medical Wing, USAF

Rev Anthony Jenkins, UUCC’s beloved former assistant minister, will invite us to shine some contemplative light on the shadows of some of our deepest inner struggles—which can often turn out to be our deepest strengths (and saving graces).

 

Speakers:

• Aaron Hill, Colette Gelwicks, Rev. Anthony Jenkins, Rev. Paige Getty, Roger Stewart, Tom Monroe, Vicki Golding

Ordination of Jen Raffensperger | Anthony Jenkins, Chaplain, 59th Medical Wing, USAF

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the ability to ordain lies solely with the congregation. The act of ordination allows congregations to acknowledge and affirm the minister’s call to live their life in service of this faith, and it also confers the title of Reverend. By the vote and affirmation of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, MD and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, MD, Jen Raffensperger will be ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry at 4 pm on Sunday, October 17, 2021.

This is one of the most joyous and affirming rituals in Unitarian Universalism, because it is a celebration of the continuance of our faith, and not just of an individual. Please plan to join this wonderful celebration via Zoom, featuring pre-recorded and live music, welcomes from both the Frederick and Columbia congregations, and a sermon preached by Anthony Jenkins– Chaplain, 59th Medical Wing, USAF.

 

Speakers:

• Anthony Jenkins, Caleb Stine, Elizabeth Mount, Jen Raffensperger, Julia Jones, Kären Rasmussen, Kathryn Adams, Kelli Danaker, Laura Solomon, Lisa Bromfield, Lora Powell-Haney, Michael Adcock, Nichole Hodges-Abbasi, Nick Int Veldt, Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg, Rev. Friederike Kaufel, Rev. Paige Getty, Rev. Scot Hull, Robin Slaw, Verow-McLaughlin Family

Olivia Buckley builds relationships to challenge the status quo

Olivia Buckley is a community organizer with PATH (People Acting Together in Howard County), a people-powered organization whose goal is to train local leaders to transform their Howard County communities. In her conversation with Sara Davidson, Olivia explains what that means and what she loves about her work. Olivia also shares how to use the tool of a one-to-one relational meeting to create relational culture wherever you are, a radical challenge to the status quo. 

Reimagining - a celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day | Rev. Paige Getty

Rev. Paige Getty and other UUCC leaders honor Indigenous Peoples Day, which “reimagines Columbus Day and changes a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about the genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples in the Americas, to organize against current injustices, and to celebrate indigenous resistance.” (from UUA – Indigenous Peoples Day)

To learn more about Indian Residential Schools, you can find an excellent reading list for all ages here:
https://www.cbc.ca/books/48-books-by-indigenous-writers-to-read-to-understand-residential-schools-1.6056204

 

Speakers:

• Jim Johnston, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Valerie Hsu

I’m Coming Out! | Rev. Paige Getty

National Coming Out Day (October 11) celebrates coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+). In honor of NCOD, we celebrate the right, the privilege, and the power of having the choice to come out—whether about one’s sexual orientation, gender, or other identities that are hidden and marginalized.

 

Speakers:

• Ace Sorensen, Ashley Brizzo, Kelli Danaker, Kristin Parrish, Lisa Marini, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Sarah Baseheart, Suzi Gerb

Mary Rodgers on UUCC‘s efforts to become a green sanctuary

This week Sara sits down with longtime member Mary Rodgers to take a look at UUCC’s Green Sanctuary accreditation process. Listen in to hear more about what being a Green Sanctuary congregation entails, what the scope of the process looks like, and where we are currently in the process. Mary also reflects on why she feels personally connected to this work, digging into her nature loving roots which include reading Silent Spring and participating in the first Earth Day in 1970. Interested in joining in this important and rewarding work? Want to shape UUCC’s climate justice focus areas and work? Save the date for the Climate Team’s Annual Meeting happening Sunday, November 7 at 4pm! The Climate Team also invites you to attend the October 24 service on climate entitled “All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity & Sustainability.” Referenced in this episode: 

• “Five Feet High and Rising” October 2018 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/five-feet-high-and-rising-2   
• “Remember the Earth” April 2019 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/remember-the-earth   
• “Clean Water is Just” August 2020 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/clean-water-is-just 
• “Environmental Justice: Living our UU Values” April 2021 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/environmental-justice-living-our-uu-principles  

Stories, Uniting | Rev. Paige Getty

In honor of Banned Books Week (Sept 26 – Oct 2) — “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” — Rev. Paige Getty explores the value of books and stories that expose us to realities unlike our own, challenging us to broaden our understanding of the world in which we live, connecting us across perceived and real differences.

 

Speakers:

• Colette Gelwicks, Eileen McIntire, Hope Vasholz, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe, Valerie Hsu