The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Last month, ten UUCC youth traveled to McDowell County, West Virginia to support the work of Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA). Through volunteering with BCPIA’s housing rehab projects and conversations with local residents, the youth encountered new perspectives and insights on what is meant by community. This Sunday, hear the teens share stories and reflections of their experiences living, working, and learning together.

 

Speakers:

• Alena Von Schlag, Hallie Getty, Jonathan Ganel-Constant, Khylei Shelor, Leah Ricafort, Lucas Eaton, Marc Harshman, Raleigh Martin, Rose Spezio, Teaghan Verow McLaughlin, Tom Monroe, Valerie Hsu

As Howard County students and educators are returning to public school classrooms, we celebrate education both within and beyond the walls of UUCC. Rev. Paige Getty will focus especially on our commitment to comprehensive, faith-based, values-driven sexuality education as offered in the lifespan Our Whole Lives program. And bring your backpack / book bag / briefcase for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks!

 

Speakers:

• Amelia Sorenson, MaryAnn Evangelista, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sarah Baseheart

In April 2022, UUCC launched an initiative to collect reparations for the performance of Negro Spirituals. Join Music Director Michael Adcock, the UUCC Spirituals Reparations Committee and the Chalice Choir for additional examples highlighting the historical significance of spirituals, with special attention to the choral preservation and dissemination of the genre — and exploration of coded language and messages contained within.

 

Speakers:

• Glennor Shirley, Jenny Afkinich, Laurie Coltri, Michael Adcock, Regina Verow, Tom Monroe, UUCC Chalice Choir

While the emotion of joy is often posited as an essential component of spirituality, physical pleasure is at best ignored and at worst, vilified. Theologian Matthew Fox, however, asserts, “Pleasure is one of the deepest spiritual experiences of our lives.” In this service, Rev. Karyn Marsh will explore the place of physical pleasure as a spiritual practice in Unitarian Universalism.

 

Speakers:

• Colette Gelwicks, Rev. Karyn Marsh, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe

Join UUCC member and UU historian Kathy Parker and Worship Associate Melissa Affolter for a service entitled “Finding Who We Are in Unitarian Universalism.” 

 

Speakers:

• Cindi Wood, Kathy Parker, Melissa Affolter, Regina Verow, Robin Slaw

Much has been lost—and not only to death—in the past two+ years. We’ve endured the global Covid-19 pandemic, personal crises, violent and traumatic events … and just this week, devastating decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court that threaten our safety, liberty, and bodily autonomy.

In this service, through music, poetry, and a time of open sharing, we will express and honor our grief, our sadness, and our rage. 

 

Speakers:

• Jim Johnston, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Veronica Grissom

 

On June 19, 1865—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed—enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed that slavery had ended. In worship, we will both celebrate this historic moment and remind ourselves of its relevance still today. 

 

Speakers:

• Brooke Abercrombie, Katja Fort Rhoden, Laurie Alderman, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe

Today we explore why, if we are sincerely invested in dismantling oppression and building Beloved Community, it is critical to understand intersections of injustice. We cannot adequately address sexism or ableism or racism or homophobia if we do not address the ways that these oppressions affect and intersect with one another. As Audre Lorde—Black feminist lesbian poet, writer, and activist—said in a 1982 speech, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”

 

Speakers:

• Colette Gelwicks, Pat Heidel, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Hessey, Robin Slaw, Valerie Hsu

At a time when so much seems broken and in need of healing, today we choose to celebrate blessings. As the Soul Matters team reminds us, “For us [UUs], blessings are not so much about giving something to each other as they are about helping each other notice all that’s already been given.”

 

Speakers:

• Jenny Afkinich, Jerry Rescigno, Michael Adcock, Rev. Mr. Barb Greve, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw

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