The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Equip and Empower | Rev Lisa Bovee Kemper

If a congregation is to be a truly mission-centered organization, what tools are needed to accomplish that goal? Let’s talk about how we can work together to equip and empower each other to live our values in our hearts and in our communities. Worship to be led by Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper.

Examining Our Faith | Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper

Join us for our annual Ingathering worship service featuring a sermon from Rev. Lisa about James Luther Adams. 

YRUU Goes to War | Worship Service led by the Youth of UUCC

In July, our UUCC youth traveled to McDowell County, West Virginia to support the work of Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA). Join them for a worship service hear about the meaning of their experiences there.

Water Ceremony and Blessing of the Backpacks

Rev. Amy Williams Clark leads us in this year’s water ceremony. We invite all to bring a small amount of water from a sacred source, your summer travels, or your kitchen sink for the water ceremony. And bring your backpack and work bags to be blessed for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks! 

Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Regina Verow and Affiliated Minister Rev. Amy Williams Clark

• Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Regina Verow, Rev. Amy Williams Clark, Affiliated Minister

Choosing Courage over Comfort

It is common for human beings to seek out safety – safe places can be essential to our development and healing. At the same time, not all spaces can or should be designated as safe. We’ll consider the differences between safe and brave spaces as well as tools and strategies for inhabiting them. Religious education will be available for children ages 4-12 during worship as usual following our Time for All Ages.

Speakers: Kelli Danaker, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Lorien Haavick, Michael Adcock, Interim Minister Rev. Lisa Bove Kemper, Tom Benjamin and the UUCC Chalice Choir

• Kelli Danaker, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Lorien Haavik, Michael Adcock, Interim Minister Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper , Tom Benjamin, UUCC Chalice Choir

Spiritual Alignment — Practice and the Sacred Constellation of Me

Join in welcoming guest preacher Ryan McCray Ely, who will speak about using spiritual practice and Internal Family Systems theory to create greater spiritual alignment. For the past year, Ryan has been the Intern Minister at the UU Congregation in Annapolis. He is a native of Southeast Michigan and current resident of Northeast Washington, DC. Ryan served in several positions within the federal government before leaving government service to attend seminary at the Iliff School of Theology, Denver, full time. Ryan is a newly minted US Naval officer and chaplain candidate. Ryan and his wife Barbara, share their home with a no-nonsense cat.

Speakers ~ Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Lorien Haavik, Michael Adcock and Ryan McCray Ely

 

Smashing Gender Staying Queer Feminine But Not Like That

Smashing Gender, Staying Queer

Don’t Miss the Message OR the Irony! It’s a Binary Sermon Series All About Destroying the Binary!

As attacks on basic rights and protections for queer and trans folks continue unabated, now more than ever we must understand the essential roles that gender expansiveness and queer culture play in making spaces for EVERYONE to get free. Gender shapes the spaces – social, conversational, professional, as well as literal – that we are given to occupy. Come into a place of curiosity and consider your own experience of self expression as we celebrate pride month.

On Sunday, June 8:  Feminine, But Not Like That

Misogyny and gender stereotyping are not just hetero things. Everyone deserves bodily autonomy and the ability to be who they are, but it is complicated and challenging to break out of the binary options we’ve been given. Femme erasure steals power and authenticity from women and softness and nurturing from men – while it leaves no space at all for folks who are genderqueer and nonbinary.

 

Speakers ~ Ariel Vitali, Kelly Danaker, Laurie Coltri, Lisa Marini, Rev. Lisa Bove Kemper and Tom Monroe.

Flowers in Our Garden

This Sunday, please bring a flower – from your garden, one you found growing wild, or store-bought 🌺 – to share as part of our communal bouquet. The Flower Communion was originally created by Rev. Norbert Čapek. On June 4, 1923, Rev. Čapek created this ritual and shared it with his burgeoning Unitarian congregation in what was then the brand-new country of Czechoslovakia as a reminder of the hope found in community after the devastation of war. We will also honor the service of UUCC’s many dedicated volunteers.

Speakers ~ Amy Williams Clark, Jaxon O'Mara, Jim Stivers, Kelli Danaker, Meagan Lopes, Rev Lisa Bove Kemper, Roxana Segovia-Beltran and Stacy Huh

 

The Ancestors Say So

Wisdom is more than just a cute quote to print on a t-shirt. If you listen carefully, you can benefit from the wisdom of your ancestors. Let us explore the wisdom of our UU spiritual ancestors and how their words and deeds can be a guiding force.

Speakers ~ Betsy Osterman, Kelli Danaker, Lorien Haavik, Michael Adcock and Rev. JeKaren Bell

 

Science is Real

Science has long been a source of inspiration and understanding for Unitarian Universalists, who hold that science and religion are not in opposition to one another, but compatible and complementary. What does it mean to “believe” in science in a time when propaganda and misinformation are a powerful force. This Sunday’s sermon is inspired by Alan Coltri, who won the sermon topic raffle at the 2024 auction.

Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach, Cynthia Marshall, Kelli Danaker, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper and Steve Parr

• Alex Cauthen-Zach, Cynthia Marshall, Kelli Danaker, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Steve Parr