The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Almost Heaven, West Virginia

In July, our 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, our 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.

This Sunday’s youth-led service will be a multigenerational service. We welcome the sounds, movements, and energy of our youngest congregants for the entirety of worship. There will be a special activity planned for children so they can follow along and engage in the worship service. There will also be coloring sheets, fidget toys, pillows, and special materials available in Sanctuary C and the Chapel so everyone can feel at home wherever they choose to sit.

Speakers: Aden Saunier, Amelia Sorenson, Colette Gelwicks, Fynn Sorenson, Linnea Tarr, Mitchell Eaton, Sam Spezio, Sebastian Bonilla and Valeria Hsu.

 

Gathering the Waters

Plan to join us for our annual Water Ceremony as well as a Blessing of the Backpacks ritual. UUCC’s new interim minister, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, will lead us in worship.

The water ceremony is an end-of-the-summer tradition in many Unitarian Universalist congregations as we prepare for the beginning of the new church year. All ages are included in this multigenerational ritual honoring journeys of the mind, body, and heart. Bring a little bit of water with you, or we’ll have enough to share.

The backpack blessing is a beginning-of-the-school-year tradition. We’ll be blessing backpacks, messenger bags, briefcases – or even your slippers if you work remotely!

Speakers - Becky Reese, Betsy Osterman, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock and the Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper

 

 

 

Bless All Who Serve

Being UU, being you, being human. This disability pride month, the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee would like to invite congregants to delve into how individual experiences shape us and our perspectives — and how different they are for everyone.

Speakers: Amber Stone, Becky Reese, Fynn Sorensen, Hannah Nelson, Jen Siegal, Kelli Danaker, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Mikayla Kurkjian, Pamela Henry, Reginald Nettles, Sherry Peruzzi, Suzi Gerb and Tom Monroe

• Amber Stone, Becky Reese, Fynn Sorensen, Hannah Nelson, Jen Siegal, Kelli Danaker, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Mikayla Kurkjian, Pamela Henry, Reginald Nettles, Sherry Peruzzi, Suzi Gerb, Tom Monroe

Camping as a Spiritual Practice

The Rocky Gap CAMP (Creating Awesome Memories Planning) Committee recently organized the annual UUCC Rocky Gap Camping Trip, which happens every year over Memorial Day weekend. For those who were unable (or unwilling!) to attend, we’re bringing some of the highlights back to you. Immerse yourself in the camping experience without the bugs, rain, or burned marshmallows and learn why camping can be a spiritual experience that brings people back to the great outdoors year after year.

Speakers: Christiana Rigby, Colette Gelwicks, Jill Cairns, Kelli Danaker, Lee Gelwicks, Lukas Bonilla, Michael Adcock, Prabas Pokharel, Sebastian Bonilla, The Pokharel Family and Zach Nelson

• Christiana Rigby, Colette Gelwicks, Jill Cairns, Kelli Danaker, Lee Gelwicks, Lukas Bonilla​, Michael Adcock, Prabhas Pokharel, Sebastian Bonilla, The Pokharel Family, Zach Nelson

I Am - A Worship Service by UUCC Kids

Please join staff member Kelli Danaker and the children of UUCC as we celebrate all of the ways in which our kids enrich our faith community and how their presence reminds us of why the work we seek to do in the world is so vital. Through poetry and art, our children will tell us about who they are, how they see themselves in the world, what concerns them and what they dream about. This will be fully multigenerational service. Please note that there will be no Sunday morning children’s classes.

Speakers: Amerlia Sorenson, Clare VanHouten, Declan VanHouten, Helena Gelwicks, John Huh, Kelli Danaker, Margot Afkinich-Daniels, Mathew Huh, Stacy Huh, Tom Monrow and Violet Afkinich-Daniels

• Amelia Sorenson, Clare VanHouten, Declan VanHouten, Helena Gelwicks, John Huh, Kelli Danaker, Margot Afkinich-Daniels, Matthew Huh, Stacy Huh, Tom Monroe, Violet Afkinich-Daniels

 

 

 

Is Democracy Worth Saving?

Our political divisions have reached the point where we can no longer even agree if democracy is a good thing. Join Ken Rock for an exploration of what it means to live in a democracy, some of its flaws, and what we can do to make it better.

Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Ken Rock, Laurie Alderman, Laurie Coltri, Tom Monroe and Valerie Hsu

 

 

So Long, Farewell

On her last Sunday at UUCC, Rev. Paige Getty reflects on 21 years of shared ministry, expresses her sense of hope for the congregation’s future, and says farewell. Please note that there will be no religious education class during service for children, and also that this service will run longer than usual.

Speakers: Beth Yocum, the Chalice Rebels, Colette Gelwicks, Gail Thompson Guy, Kelli Danaker, Lisa Marini, Meagan Lopes, Melissa Affolter, Michael Adcock, Rev. Amanda Poppei, Rev. Paige Getty, the UU Chalice Choir and Valerie Hsu

 

So Long, Farewell

On her last Sunday at UUCC, Rev. Paige Getty reflects on 21 years of shared ministry, expresses her sense of hope for the congregation’s future, and says farewell. Please note that there will be no religious education class during service for children, and also that this service will run longer than usual.

Speakers: Beth Yocum, the Chalice Rebels, Colette Gelwicks, Gail Thompson Guy, Kelli Danaker, Lisa Marini, Meagan Lopes, Melissa Affolter, Michael Adcock, Rev. Amanda Poppei, Rev. Paige Getty, the UU Chalice Choir and Valerie Hsu

 

Summer Solstice - We are Grateful

Join the Turning Circle as we celebrate the longest day of the year with joy and reverence for the world around us.

Primary Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach with the UUCC Turning Circle

Higher Intelligence?

Chaplain Anthony Jenkins will lead a service exploring the concept of intelligence — how we define it, who we define as intelligent (or not), why we define ‘smart’ the way we do, and what that says about humanity’s highest values.

Speakers: Aaron Hill, Ama Chandra, Anthony Jenkins, Howard County Lynching Truth and Reconciliation, Jing Wang, Melisa Affolter, Roger Stewart and Tom Monroe.