The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Ken Rock wants YOU to UU the Vote!

Sit down with UUCC Member Ken Rock as he shares how he turns his frustration into action through UU the Vote — a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on strengthening democracy and organizing for justice, accountability, and healing. UU the Vote brings together Unitarian Universalists from across the country to take action in their local communities.  

 Getting out the vote is a generational initiative: the work never ends, as Ken describes it, and he hopes to foster UUCC the Vote so that it can sustain itself even during the “off-season.” “There are elections [somewhere] every year,” Ken reminds us. “If the rest of us aren’t paying attention, somebody else is and they're going to use [these] institutions to their advantage.”  

So hit play on this episode to find out how you can support this UUCC the Vote right now, even without joining a team or leaving your house. And as a bonus, you’ll also hear how Ken takes that same passion for action by braving the frigid winter waters of the Chesapeake Bay as a participant in the annual Sandy Point State Park Polar Bear Plunge! 

If you would like to get involved, contact Ken at krockster@yahoo.com

 

Organizations referenced in this episode: 

• UU the Vote 
• Vote Forward — write letters to voters!  
• Swing Left 
• Side With Love Action Center 
• People Acting Together in Howard County (PATH) 
• Polar Plunge MD 
• Special Olympics 

Other episode references: 

• 2020 UUCC the Vote final report  
• 2022 UUCC the Vote latest update 
• Supreme Court votes to overturn abortion rights 
• “Better start to give a sh*t” pie chart  

Learn about local elections: 

• 2022 Midterm Elections 
• Howard County elections:
  • Howard County 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Local Candidates List 

• Statewide 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Candidate Listings 

 

[Sanctuary] C is for Camping | Rev. Paige Getty

After a two-year, pandemic-driven hiatus, the UUCC Memorial Day Camping Trip at Rocky Gap State Park has resumed. Those of us who are not gathered on the campground in western Maryland will share our own campfire-inspired worship experience with stories, camaraderie, and folk songs.  

 

Speakers:

• Colette Gelwicks, Kelli Danaker, Rev. Paige Getty, Tom Monroe

Grounded in Community | Rev. Paige Getty

During this weekend when UUCC congregants are engaged in the healing and visionary work of the Group Relations Workshop, we will share a worship experience designed to ground us in the loving ideals of this faith community. (NOTE: This service will begin as usual at 10am and will end by 10:45am.)

 

Speakers:

• Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sarah Baseheart

Flower Communion | Rev. Paige Getty

In an annual Unitarian Universalist tradition, we will celebrate the beauty and diversity of this UUCC community with a multi-generational flower communion. Remember to bring your own flowers to contribute to the ceremony! Learn more about bringing flowers here.

 

Speakers:

• Erin Cutts, Kelli Danaker, Kevin Mercer, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, UUCC Chalice Choir

Mothering the Earth | Jennie Afkinich, et. al.

On Mother’s Day, we will explore how women and girls, while the most adversely affected by climate change, are also at the forefront of finding solutions. These solutions challenge everyone to employ “feminine” values to nurture and heal our planet.

 

Speakers:

• Andrea David, Colette Gelwicks, Dorothy Hutchins, Gail Holm, Jenny Afkinich, Margaret LaFon, Robin Hessey, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe, Trish Steinhilber, Valerie Hsu

Being Human Together | Rev. Paige Getty

In our ongoing exploration of how UUCC is a place where we practice being human together—and in anticipation of our congregation-wide Group Relations Workshop, May 21-22 — Rev. Paige Getty and others will consider the tension between rights and needs of an individual and the health and well-being of a congregation.

 

Speakers:

• Brian Bloch, Colette Gelwicks, Jennie Fitzpatrick, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, UUCC Chalice Choir, Will Tansey

30+ Years of UUCC Choral Music | Michael Adcock

Join the UUCC Chalice Choir for their annual Spring Music Service and long-awaited return to the Chancel for morning worship! Through live performances, audio recordings and virtual videos, UUCC’s Music Director will take us on a reflective journey through three decades of historic UUCC choral music offerings.

 

Speakers:

• Carol Zika, David Hegmann, Inge Hyder, Kay Baker, Kelli Danaker, Laurie Coltri, Michael Adcock, Sarah Baseheart, UUCC Chalice Choir

Alive Again | Rev. Paige Getty

We celebrate the timeless Easter themes of rebirth, resurrection, and new life!

 

Speakers:

• Jenny Afkinich, Kelli Danaker, Lisa Marini, Michael Adcock, Nelson Family, Rev. Paige Getty, Zach Nelson

We Are What We Do | Rev. Paige Getty

On this day, Rev. Paige Getty and members of UUCC’s Covenant of Right Relations Committee explore what it means to be in “right relationship” and what is the value of formalizing such an expectation in a written covenant.

 

Speakers:

• Charles Scott, Jill Christianson, Kelli Danaker, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Hessey, Tom Benjamin, Tom Monroe

Our Immigrant Neighbors | Rev. Paige Getty

Often in conversation about immigrants and refugees, we place distance between “them” and “us,” while truly “we” live together here in suburban Maryland. In this service, we will hear personal stories from several recent immigrants to the United States who are making lives for themselves right here in Howard County.

 

Speakers:

• Don Weimer, Jim Johnston, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe, Valerie Hsu