The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

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

Ritual Renewal | Rev. Paige Getty

Jewish communities have recently observed their High Holy Days. Through reflection and special music, we honor the tradition of ritualized repentance that prepares us for spiritual renewal.

 

Speakers:

• Bryan Barrett, Cynthia Marshall, Inge Hyder, Jenny Afkinich, Laurie Coltri, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sally Ann Cooper, Sherry Peruzzi

Colette Gelwicks signs on as Congregational President

To get the new season going following the summer break, Sara chats with Colette Gelwicks, this year’s Congregational President. Listen in for a conversation on leadership styles: how there is no one style that works best, how collective effort is ultimately more important than individual effort, and how we might challenge ourselves to stay open to shifting our ways of thinking about how leadership looks and feels.
Colette also tells us what the Board is up to so far coming out of this summer’s Board Retreat, and about how moving back and forth between the U.S. and Germany has taught her to be flexible and open in life, even when it’s difficult. 
Interested in the current work of the Board? Stay up-to-date by checking out our Good Governance posts: https://uucolumbia.net/category/governance/ 

 

Referenced in this episode:
This summer the Board drafted and adopted a new covenant this summer. Check it out: https://uucolumbia.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/UUCC-Board-Covenant.pdf

Working for a Living | Rev. Paige Getty

A Labor Day service, led by Rev. Paige Getty.

 

Speakers:

• Afkinich-Daniels Family, Jim Johnston, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty

Getting Grounded | Rev. Paige Getty

Rev. Paige Getty returns from her summer break with thoughts and questions about how to survive—and even thrive—amidst all the chaos in our world. From the events unfolding in Afghanistan, to the devastation in Haiti, to the UN climate report, to the ongoing threat of Covid-19, it’s understandable that so many of us feel overwhelmed and untethered. So, what grounds, nourishes, and strengthens us through it all?

 

Speakers:

• Kevin Mercer, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, The Brown Family

Circle Round for Human Rights | Rev. Ned Wight

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has been working to advance human rights in troubled places around the globe for over 75 years. It grew out of the heroic efforts of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, who left their comfortable Unitarian parish and children in Wellesley, MA, to help refugees escape from Nazi occupation in Europe.  Its history is steeped in taking note of threats to human life and dignity, partnering with others to counter those threats, and advocating for government action that will protect and further advance rights for all people. Defending human rights can seem like abstract, distant, and remote business. UUSC Board Chair the Rev. Ned Wight joins us to remind us why it’s anything but abstract, distant, or remote.

 

Speakers:

• Katja Fort Rhoden, Michael Adcock, Phil Webster, Rev. Ned Wight, Robin Slaw

The Spirit of Play | Rev. Karyn Marsh

In the Hindu family of faith traditions, the concept of “Lila” (pronounced “Leela”) refers to divine play.  For some Hindus, all of creation is the product of divine play; for others, all of the activities of God are play and the aim of spirituality is to make all of life play.  The dominant culture of the United States tends to separate out play from work and spirituality from everyday life.  In today’s service, Karyn Marsh, M.Div., will explore the spirituality of play and offer thoughts on integrating it into our lives.

 

Speakers:

• Barry Marsh, David Hegmann, Karyn Marsh, Kelli Danaker, Kristin Parrish, Michael Adcock, Sarah Baseheart

Thy Neighbor, Thy Self | Rev. Jen Raffensperger et. al.

Are we loving our neighbors as ourselves? Arguably, we are doing that. Arguably, we have no idea how to care for ourselves. Arguably, we are terrified that loving ourselves is only centered in ego and self-glorification. But if we learn to love our every lump and scar, if we start to forgive ourselves for all the things we get wrong (we get so many things wrong!), then our hearts may settle into a deeper understanding of what that love is. Join former UUCC staff member, current UUCC member, and new seminary graduate Jen Raffensperger for worship! 

 

Speakers:

• Colette Gelwicks, Jen Raffensperger, Jenny Afkinich, Michael Adcock, Robin Slaw, Roy Appletree, Stephanie Rice, The Cutts Family

This is What Makes Us Worlds: Towards a Queer Ecotheology | Rev. Laura Solomon

It is powerful to see oneself reflected in the world around us: to see our identities reflected in the natural world and in the language we use is a powerful affirmation of self.  Join Laura Solomon to explore the queerness inherent in nature, and how exploring this can support our collective liberation.

 

Speakers:

• Jen Hayashi, Jim Johnston, Kelli Danaker, Laura Solomon, Michael Adcock