Current Events

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Contact Administrator  () if you have questions.

Sunday Services begins at 11:00 a.m.   We will be live-streaming the service in addition to the in-person meeting.  See News Tab/Meeting Info (above) for connectivity details.  Sunday sermons are recorded and available from the Service Archives found on the Home Page.

Sunday Service Pre- and Post-Zooms
These provide an opportunity for those viewing the service to be together virtually starting at 10:30 am and continuing for approximately 30 minutes after the service ends.  The links to access these events can be found here or on the “Meeting Info” page which can be found under “News” above.

Sunday Services
In Person or live on YouTube

June 1st, 2025 “Free to Me and You” Richard Mcleod

11:00am Service Music: Featuring UUCC youth singer Lucille

Forum Discussions
The UUCC Forum meets every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:45 in the Library.  We start with a brief catch-up and social time (about 15 minutes), so if you are a little late (15 min),  it’s OK.  Our topics are mostly about current items and issues. We have an email list where some suggested links are sent prior to the meeting -If you are on the Forum email list, please check your email for documents to read ahead of time.  If you would like to be included on the Forum email list,or have questions, contact Jeanette Walton (please text and include your name (803)466-0594).

June 1st, 2025 Forum Topic: Pros and Cons of Lobbying

Children and Youth Religious Exploration
See the Learning tab above for information about our Children and Youth Religious Explorations, or how to register.  The CYRE Calendar will tell you about the latest activities.

Extended Childcare on Sunday Mornings
Childcare for infants through elementary will be available from 9:30am-10:30am. Parents are invited to join the choir, volunteer in our kitchen, or enjoy a quiet moment in your own way. Please pick up your children at 10:30am; but, infants and toddlers may remain in the nursery. Questions? call/text Bethany at 803-873-7455.

Social Action Activities
Our church keeps busy making a difference in our world.  Check out what we’re doing now here.

Music at UUCC

Chalice Voices on Summer Break
Chalice Voices will take a summer break from rehearsals and performances for the summer months and meet again in August to kick-off the fall season! UUCC Music Director Anna Hamilton sends a special thank you to each and every singer that was part of the group this year. Thank you so much for sharing yourself, your time, your talents, and contributing to the vibrant musical life and community of the UUCC!

NOTICE OF UUCC 2025 ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, June 8, 12:15pm, Sanctuary

The UUCC will hold its Annual meeting, in person after the service on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 12:15 pm. All members will be asked to sign-in at tables located in the foyer to confirm a quorum and have a complete record of attendance.

A list of members eligible to vote is posted on the bulletin board in the Social Hall. Please verify your voting status in advance. If you believe your name needs to be added to the list, contact Annette Flavel or Donald Cooper, Membership Committee Co-Chairs ().

We want to remind everyone that while the meeting will be available via Zoom, voting must be done in person at the meeting. A copy of the agenda and documentation for the meeting is listed below. Please review these meeting documents in advance.

ITEMS REQUIRING APPROVAL

Agenda

(Linda Brennison, Chair of Leadership Development Committee)

Board of Trustees:

Connie Quirk, President Elect (2025-2028)

Michele Currie, Treasurer (2025-2027)

Laura Culler, Trustee (2025-2027)

Caroline Eastman, Trustee (2025-2027)*

Kevin McKinney, Trustee (2025-2026)*

*Kevin McKinney will be serving out the balance of Robin Scherer’s term, and Caroline Eastman will vacate Robin’s seat and begin a new term on the Board.

Endowment Fund Committee:

Tim VanDenBerg (2025-2028)

Michael Sullivan (2025-2028)

John Farley (2025-2027) **

Angie Dodd Rabon (2025-2026)**

**John Farley is serving out the balance of Janae Walton’s term, and Angie Dodd Rabon is serving out the balance of Sandra Merritt’s term. Tim VanDenBerg will serve a second three year term as authorized in the Bylaws Amendment of the Endowment Fund Committee.

Leadership Development Committee

Richard McLeod (2025-2027)

Bob Gillespie (2025-2027)

Please notify Cyndi Alexandre (u), Annette Flavel or Donald Cooper () in advance if you require accommodations such as audio assistance.

UUA Virtual Event: The Gathering – Rooted in Love, Rising for Justice

Monday, June 9, 8pm, Online

People of faith have always come together to resist injustice and build a better world. Now, it’s our time. Join The Gathering, a new monthly virtual event from Side With Love, to strengthen your spirit, understand the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others.

Morning mUUsic, Monday, June 9, 10:00-10:30 AM
Join us for a free fun Music Play class for 0-5 year olds and their families at the UUCC, 10:00-10:30 AM. Bring a comfy blanket to sit on. We’ll sing, move, use our imaginations, and have fun making music together! Classes will be led by UUCC Music Director and Music Educator, Dr. Anna Hamilton. Questions? Contact: 

Free Medical Clinic provides quality healthcare, at no cost, to residents of the community who cannot pay for such services and who have no health insurance. This clinic is their only option to have access to health care. The staff and volunteers operate six examination rooms, a pharmacy, a small laboratory, a classroom for patient education and meetings, a waiting room, and offices. Community partnerships are key to the clinic’s success in providing comprehensive medical services and the continuous evolution of their programs. These partnerships also allow them to connect their patients with services currently beyond the clinic’s scope. freemedclinic.org 

Bob Sargent Art in the Social Hall, through June

Bud and Chuck Ashley are pleased to announce “The ART of BOB SARGENT” an exclusive show and sale of art created by Chuck’s father, Bob Sargent. The UUCC is hosting this premier showing of stained glass and cross stitch art. This is the first public showing of these unique items that are suitable for display on tables, windows and walls. Prices range from $10-$300. The show will be up through June. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Jesse Sargent, Bob’s widow, and the UUCC. For purchasing please see Jean Capalbo (928) 202-0286, Bud or Chuck Ashley, or our administrator Cyndi Alexandre during her working hours ().

SAVE THE DATES for upcoming Partner Church events:
July 16 – 23 Rev. Zsolt Solymosi and Beszterce congregant Katinka Fulop will visit Columbia.
Tentative plans include an all-church picnic on Saturday, July 19th. Zsolt and Stephen Robinson will conduct a service together on July 20.

BTW, Rev. Zsolt is bringing his 45 member youth choir on a “Dream Tour,” April 11-28 up the east coast from April 13 in Arlington, VA to Concord, MA. This is the John Sigismund Unitarian Academy Choir, performing mainly at UU churches. Rev. Zsolt is their Assistant Principal.

In Partner Church News
Our Easter card, written in Hungarian and signed by UUCC members and friends arrived in Transylvania on time!
In other news three Transylvanian past pilgrims, Lee Minghi, Joan Watterson, & Susan Robinson, traveled to Washington DC for a short visit with Rev. Zsolt Solymosi on April 13. We attended the first concert of the Unitarian Academy of Cluj/Kolosvar choir at the Arlington, VA Unitarian Church. Zsolt’s full time job is Assistant Principal of the school. On behalf of UUCC we presented a large Easter basket to the 40 member choir and the 5 adults traveling with them. As Zsolt exclaimed, it was a typical American basket, complete with “peeps.”

The PC Committee is planning now for a visit from Zsolt and Katinka Fulop from July 16-23. SAVE THE DATES!

Our UUCC Pledge Drive in 2025
Your pledges make up the largest part of our annual income with plate collections, building rental, fundraising and investment income constituting about 10%.
Since our Pledge Drive kickoff on March 2, we have received 43% (about $98,000) of all member pledges. Our highest pledge year yet was in 2022/2023 when pledges of $199,436 covered much of our $208,111 in expenses that fiscal year. Last year we adopted a pledge budget of $230,000, more than a 9% increase over the previous year. The budget requests from committees for 2025/2026 currently stands at $318,973, a 38% increase over last year. The majority of the increased categories this year relate to personnel wages, with a proposed and much-deserved 2.5% increase in wages as well as increased wages in youth-related functions, a priority of UUCC.
We look forward to receiving your pledge cards so we can avoid budget cuts. We will update you weekly, then discuss the draft budget with you on April 27th following the service. The congregation will vote on the final budget on June 8th following the service.

Thank you for your gifts and pledges that make possible all the good work we do.

Joan Watterson: Text 803-381-7208
Emilio Jorge-Perez: Text 803-553-2212
Marleen Trader: Text 803-394-6666
Jeanette Walton: Text 803-466-0594

UUCC Will Accept Contributions Electronically. Make a donation now. 

See some of our past Fun Activities.