The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Phil Webster and Mary Rodgers have been at UUCC since 1994. They thought they’d raise their kids in the congregation then move on. Instead, Phil and Mary have devoted 27 years—and counting!—to serve the UUCC community in a myriad of capacities. These days, they lead UUCC’s Environmental Justice team, and Phil serves as the Climate Task Force chair for the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland where he mobilizes UUs across the state to advocate for climate-friendly legislation in Annapolis. Today, Phil talks to Sara about his many years of service and how “the more you put into something like UUCC, the more you get back from it.” 

Organizations Phil mentions in the conversation

• UUCC Environmental Justice Team
• Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD)
• Maryland Legislative Coalition
• Central Maryland Transit Alliance
• Citizens Concerned for the Environment

Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with stating that “change is the only constant in life”. As we age, those changes more often feel like losses—loved ones die, careers end, our bodies become more painful and less functional. In this service, we will explore some of the realities of later-life changes… and of coping with those changes.

 

Speakers:

• Barbara & Scotty Scott, Bruce Fulton, Inge Hyder, Jeremy Rea, Jim Johnston, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sarah Baseheart

This year, we’ve missed being in the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, the building UUCC operates out of during non-pandemic times. It’s so much more than just a building, though. The Owen Brown Interfaith Center represents gathering and connection, and is the site of countless memories and life transformations. OBIC, as we fondly call it, is an anchor in Columbia that brings together multiple faith communities under the same roof, united under a common vision for a more equitable and inclusive world. 

Today, we take a peek behind the curtain of OBIC and get to know Monica Hilliard, OBIC’s Assistant Building Manager. Monica, along with the rest of her wonderful team, keeps things running at the interfaith center around the clock. What happens at OBIC during the hours when UUCC isn’t there? A whole lot, it turns out. Sara also asks Monica a series of fun get-to-know-you questions, so don’t be a stranger the next time you run into Monica at OBIC! 

Today we celebrate Easter themes of new life and resurrection with a traditional—albeit virtual—UU flower ceremony. Please bring flowers from your garden or crafted with your own hands.

 

Speakers:

• Chalice Rebels, Kelli Danaker, Kristin Parrish, Lisa Tribe, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Tom Monroe, UUCC Chalice Choir

Longtime UUCC members Gail Thompson-Guy and John Guy know a few things about congregational crisis and recovery. As Gail observes, “It’s hard to take a large group of people and get them to pull together all the time.” Years ago, in response to a period of financial uncertainty, Gail & John led the charge to establish UUCC’s endowment fund as a way of declaring that “we are a congregation in perpetuity. We have a past, a present, and we’re going to keep working so we have a future.” 

Tune into today’s episode to learn more about UUCC’s endowment fund, what keeps Gail & John hopeful for the future of the congregation, and their favorite memories from their decades of service to this community.

In honor of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31, this worship service will celebrate gender diversity—and especially the beauty and power of those who are transgender and genderqueer.

 

Speakers:

• Ariel Vitali, Cameron Rice, Herb Hartnett, Regina Verow, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Suzi Gerb, Tim Lattimer, Valerie Hsu

The love and lives of UUCC members Gail Thompson-Guy and John Guy are testaments to the ways community supports, sustains, and sparks new chapters for us. In this episode, they chat with Sara about how they discovered Unitarian Universalism and UUCC and share their thoughts about giving and pledging as UUs. These lovebirds also tell the story of how they fell in love at UUCC. As John recalls, “I started chasing her, and one day, I managed to get a kiss out of her. And I went home the happiest I’ve been in ages.”

UUCC high schoolers lead a service challenging us to reflect on the limitations of our own perspectives and consider the value of youth voices in leadership. This service is designed and led entirely by our youth.

 

Speakers:

• Lisa Schlossnagle, Valerie Hsu, YRUU (Young Religious UUs)

It was bound to happen: We’ve reached the final installment of our conversation with UUCC’s beloved former Assistant Minister Rev. Anthony Jenkins, who is now serving as a military chaplain in Texas. 

In today’s episode, Rev. Anthony answers your questions about spiritual themes emerging in his life and how soldiers are processing January’s Capitol insurrection. We close with Rev. Anthony’s thoughts on truth and how to listen for it. 

This is the third of three episodes in which Rev. Anthony answers questions submitted by UUCC members. Check out parts 1 and 2 in your favorite podcast feed, and be sure to subscribe and review us while you're there!

Humans depend on water, and yet access to clean water is a privilege that too many humans—in the U.S. and around the world—do not enjoy. As with so many privileges, the lack of clean water disproportionately affects persons of color and/or those who live in poverty. In honor of World Water Day (March 22), Rev. Paige Getty and UUCC’s Climate Team explore the importance of clean water as an issue of environmental justice.

 

Speakers:

• Amber Guthrie, Doug Ross, Jim Reiser, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sarah Baseheart, The Brown Family, Tom Monroe