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.

Justice 360 promotes fairness, reliability and transparency in the criminal justice system for individuals facing the death penalty and juveniles facing lengthy sentences in South Carolina. They accomplish this by using resources and support for lawyers tasked with representing capital and juvenile defendants and representing individual clients. They advocate for policy change to address systemic flaws in the criminal justice system and educate the public to raise awareness about the administration of capital and juvenile sentencing in South Carolina. https://justice360sc.org

Sunday Services
In Person or live on YouTube

July 20, 2025 “Bridging Hearts: A Unitarian Odyssey Across Continents” by Rev. Zsolt Solymosi

11:00am Service Music: TBA

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).

July 20th, 2025 Forum Topic: ‘The Religious Patriarchy and Women’s Role in Society VS Feminism’

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!

This week we will continue with our series of movies that honor and educate us about the animals we take for granted in our daily lives. While our first movie The Elephant Whisperer featured a unique relationship of a man and the Indian elephant he trained, we now will zigzag back to the ordinary house pet in our next couple of features. This Thursday we will show Inside the Mind of a Cat. For those of you who ever questioned how amazing these creatures are, this film is a must-see. The superb photography and narration allows us to have a closeness, with a primary understanding of “why he/she acts that way!” The film lasts a little over an hour during which we will enjoy our dinner. By cleaning up as soon as it is over, It should be an early evening.

Check out the trailer for tonight’s movie by clicking this link.

Although originally we had planned skipping a month with our film series it only seems right to follow up in July with a movie which features canines. Inside the Mind of a Dog will be shown at our July Vegan Potluck. (Don’t worry, following this film we will return to the wild – I promise!).

As always if you should have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me!

Peace,

Anita Grossman () 803-960-2206

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 

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.

TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA PARTNER CHURCH EVENTS IN JULY

Rev. Zsolt Solymosi and companion Katinka Fulop will visit UUCC from July 16 – 23, 2025. Please save the dates and watch for more news updates. Zsolt is the part time minister of the Beszterce Unitarian congregation with which we have partnered since 1991. We are indebted to Jean Capalbo and Craig Chattin for opening their home to them. This unforgettable experience is possible thanks to your support of our annual cabaret fundraiser!

Event planning is still underway, but here’s a start.

Thursday, 7/17: UUCC Women’s lunch at the church with Zsolt and Katinka. Discussion about the lives of women and families in Romania.

• Friday, 7/18: Zsolt presentation at Still Hopes Retirement Community.
• Saturday, 7/19: All church picnic at UUCC 4:00 – 8:30 p.m. RE and the Partner Church are collaborating on children’s activities.
  • About food: BBQ and vegan entrée to be provided; also wine for the 5 p.m. happy hour.
  • Guests are asked to bring a vegetable or dessert. Please RSVP by clicking the link in the Events section above.
  • Volunteers are also needed to help with set up, serving, and clean up.
• Sunday, 7/20: Rev. Zsolt will be in the pulpit for the weekly service. After the service, Transylvania pilgrims from 2024 will provide a video presentation. Possible future pilgrimages will be discussed.

Ladies’ LUUnch, Thursday, July 17, 11:30am, Social Hall

Lunch begins at 11:30am with a social hour and we eat at 12pm

The UUCC Ladies’ LUUnch is held on the third Thursday of every month in the Social Hall. Please bring food or drink to share and let Joan Watterson ( or 803-381-7208) know if you have any questions. Also let us know if you would like a ride or are able to help clean up.

Columbia Mutual Aid Fair, June 26th, 1-5pm, Milk Park Community Center, 2300 Greene Street

This fair will allow you to attend skillshares, educational workshops, meet your neighbors and learn more about mutual aid in the midlands. Come for free stuff, stay for the community!

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

Monday, August 11, 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.

Join The Gathering: Second Monday of every month | Online | Register now

UUCC Book Club, Sunday, August 17, 7pm, Zoom

The UUCC Book Club meets every other month via Zoom. In August, Karen Brown will facilitate a discussion of the book by Social Justice Fallacies by Thomas Sowell. The UUCC Book Club is open to all members and friends of the UUCC. We welcome new and returning participants! Please contact Phil Turner if you have questions or would like more information: .

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.