Recent Fun Activities
March 31, 2019
New Member Joining Ceremony and Reception
We introduced eight new members to our congregation on March 31, 2019. 
A wonderful spread of food was enjoyed by the congregation, thanks to the contributions of Committee Chairs, the Kitchen Committee, the Membership Committee, and other generous souls. It is always a joyful time when we welcome new members, but this time was especially fun as we changed our format and made it a daytime affair, thus affording the entire congregation the opportunity to personally welcome the new members,
March 17. 2019
Pledge Drive kick-off
It’s that time of year again; time to dig deep into our pockets and find enough cash to up our pledges a bit to cover our annual expenses and have some left over for exciting programming and activities. With the luck of the Irish, it will happen. 
We partied 
after the service with delicious food and cake. Caroline Eastman, our finance chair, gave a rousing (and very funny) speech to inspire us and door prizes were given out to the lucky winners. Look for the rainbow poster to watch our progress toward our goal.
As always, special thanks to Linda McLeod and her kitchen committee for making it all come together seamlessly!
March 14, 2019
The UUCC Men’s Group met for the second time on Thursday, March 14th with eight in attendance. We were given our own private room and there was lots of good conversation!
February 14, 2019
The women of the UUCC meet for lunch every other month and this time our date fell on Valentine’s Day. Patty Drews surprised us all with special Valentine favors, much to the delight of all attending. We met at the Magnolia 
Buffet at 10052 Two Notch Rd. and enjoyed the food selection almost as much as the camaraderie. They could not provide us with a private room, however, so our next luncheon, on April 11, will be at a location yet to be determined. Mark your calendars now as it is always a lot of fun!
February 9, 2019
Many thanks to Mary and Morgan Maclachlan for hosting a fun walk along a newly opened stretch of the Riverwalk located near the Riverbanks Zoo. We met at their home at 10:00 a.m. and car pooled to the area where we walked for a couple of hours. We re-convened at the Maclachlan home for a delicious pot luck lunch. The weather was a little cool, but the sun was shining and the day was perfect. This was an Outdoor Group activity and we hope to have many more!
February 3, 2019
The 5th Partner Church Cabaret, held February 3, 2019, was a fun, well attended event. The P.C. Committee dedicated the evening in memory of Gertrude Edge, who died in 2018. Gertrude was a founding P.C. Committee member, 28 years ago.
In the sanctuary, transformed for one night into a magical, twinkling night club, the performers took us to Broadway, Germany, a Pacific island, Africa, Yellowstone Park, and Paris. Performers ranged in age from 16 to 90! And remarkably, on his 90th birthday, the 90 year-old was Gertrude’s husband, Ron Edge. Ron performed “Plaisir d’Amour” on his accordian and sang with Sara Williams.
Guest Star Spotlight was on Stefano Placidi and his partner Lee Minghi. They danced to “Wunderbar.” Stefano is a former Italian ballroom Champion and currently Dance Instructor at Elite Ballroom Academy.
Also performing were Rod Brown, Dee McFarland, Kevin McKinney, Andrew Strebkov, Elizabeth Harris, Prism, Glenn Farr, J.P. Flood, Deb Matherly, Janet Swigler, Richard McLeod, McKenzie Scott, Maggie O’Toole, Drew Johnson, Susan Robinson, Mercedes and Nancie Shillington-Perez.
Richard McLeod directed and produced the entire cabaret, rehearsing, printing the program, and coordinating with Karl McCollester, lights and sound technician, and Donald Griggs, videographer. Gail Dawson was extraordinary as stage manager and Regina Moody attentive to every detail as wardrobe manager.
The P.C. Committee thanks everyone who performed, donated auction and raffle items, hors d’oevres and decadent desserts. An event like this requires a lot of willing hands!
Jean Capalbo and Craig Chattin deserve much credit for masterminding so many details. Carita Barr helped with decorations. Leadership in the kitchen was provided by Yolanda Ganong and Joan Watterson. Jane Lawther and Ceren Farr assisted them.
Record proceeds of over $2,000 will be sent, over time, to our Beszterce, Romania congregation to help Rev. Zsolt with his gasoline expenses and to meet other needs.
Please patronize and thank these donors of raffle and auction items: Nickelodeon, Workshop, and Town Theatres Nonnah’s, Il Giorgione’s, and Arabesque Restaurants EdVenture Children’s Museum, Salon Bella, Rosewood Market and the Elite Ballroom.
December 13, 2018
for their second meeting. There were about 20 in attendance and an opportunity for renewing old friendships and making new ones. It was agreed by all that this is an event that we want to see become a tradition as we get together for lunch on the second Thursday of every other month. Our next opportunity will be Thursday, February 14, 2019, and we are hoping to try a different venue. We are checking into the Magnolia Buffet, a Chinese restaurant located at 10052 Two Notch Road in N.E. Columbia. They offer a varied menu of foods to include vegan and vegetarian options as well as the usual Asian delights. They have a very large private dining room to allow us our own space. Mark your calendars for another good time and be watching the January Unigram and Order of Service for more information.November 18, 2018
The Annual UUCC Chili Cook-off was held on Sunday, November 18th following the church service. Twelve pots of homemade chilis from our membership were donated and devoured. The three 
competition categories included six with meat, three vegetarian, and two vegan. The twelfth pot was donated by a good soul who wanted to help feed the crowd, but not compete. The winners were Linda McLeod for Best with Meat, Richard Culler for Best Vegetarian/Vegan, and there was a tie for Kid’s Favorite between Quentin & Sabine McGrievy and Deb Matherly. Proceeds from the Cook-off support the Boston Heritage Trip. This year’s event raised $730. Many thanks go to all the volunteers who made this such a fun event.
November 30, 2018
We always have fun when we get together, even when we are working hard. And working hard we did! It is impossible to put up sparkly things without cleaning up the area first, so we started with the windows. Phil Turner got out ladders, a pole, buckets, rags, a squeegee, and various scrubbies and rags, to tackle the sanctuary windows. 
Linda Fennell started cleaning the lower windows in the sanctuary and then carried that talent and energy to the foyer and social hall, cleaning all windows inside and out. Regina Moody spent two days working on the woodwork in the pulpit area, getting it to be as good as it can be. Wreaths were our primary decoration vehicle, and it took many hands to create them Special thanks to Ruthie Saunders, who created the prototype for the wreaths in the sanctuary and then made one more in addition to writing up detailed directions so that Susie 
Garland could replicate two more (as well as a stunning boxwood tree decoration) (apologies to both for the glitter all over the place and to Shelly for the glitter sliver in his foot). Exterior wreaths were made by Jane Gillespie, Lis Turner, Patty Drews, and Gail Dawson. The latter two also put up all five wreaths, learning that thumb tacks are not always as sturdy as one would hope. Inside, Carolyn West, Nancie Shillington-Perez, Joan Watterson, and Patty Drews decorated the foyer with a curtain of ornaments that just shout “holiday fun”! Jean Capalbo and her husband, Craig Chattin, worked on hanging a tree banner to decorate our art wall.
Clearly, it takes a village to Deck our Halls. Thanks to all!
Lis Turner
November 22, 2018
Another successful UUCC traditional Thanksgiving Dinner was held this year on Thanksgiving Day. 
There were 56 pilgrims in attendance and a wonderful variety of delicious foods. Turkey and ham of course, but several vegan and vegetarian options and even a watermelon gazpacho that made a big hit. It 
wouldn’t have been Thanksgiving without mac and cheese and lots of nummy cranberry sauces. The dessert table was heavy with pies, cakes and cookies and we still had food for take home plates. It was a great day was and enjoyed by all.
October 27, 2018
What a fun time we had as John Logue lead his motley crew through the Congaree National Forest. John proved to us once again that nobody knows more about the flora and fauna in South Carolina than he! There wasn’t a question posed that he couldn’t answer. 
We learned a lot of new information while enjoying each other’s company and getting in some good exercise in the bargain. 
Thanks to the Membership Committee for re-starting our Outdoor Group, and a special thanks to John for kicking off the re-boot with such style!
October 17, 2018
We were twenty strong for our inaugural LUUnch BUUnch luncheon at Arabesque. We had our own private room so we could be as raucous as we liked while bothering no one. It was fun to get together and have more time for visiting with one another. Mark your calendar for December 13th for our next get-together.
October 14, 2018
What are the odds? Three of our favorite members born on the very same day (okay, not the same year, but still… )! Only thing missing was the cake!
Birthday Beauties: Sandy Chubon, Joan Watterson, and Linda McLeod
October 13, 2018
Red Letter Day! The RE Wing is completely covered in a new coat of paint. We have been working on this for nearly a year with numerous “painting parties” that lead to slow progress.
Thanks to Phil Turner, who rented and operated a professional paint sprayer, and John Logue, who was there every step of the way, helping to move the ladder and equipment, the job is now complete! Their lovely wives, Lis and Carolyn (Building and Grounds Chair) worked on the window trim. Windows were slower going and there are many left to be done…anyone?…anyone?
October 5-7, 2018
Fun at the Mountain
A great time was had by all 25 people who went to our annual Mountain weekend. The weather could not have been better and the folks at The Mountain were wonderful hosts. Our thanks to the great musical talents of Rod Brown and Kevin McKinney…
and to Ann Cargill for sharing her artistic talents in teaching us origami. A most inspiring service on Sunday morning by Rod was the perfect way to end the weekend.
August 19, 2018
Rev. Dr. Neal Jones Returns!
Our former minister of ten years recently returned to our pulpit for a day of inspiration, festivities, and suggestions for a path toward healing. His sermon was up to his usual standards, and if you missed it, or want to see it again, it can be found here.
Pot Luck luncheon following the sermon:
It was a nostalgic day for all of us.
August 8, 2018
New Kitchen Sink Installed
What a journey! We began this project in early April 2018. One quarter of a year later…we had an amazing sink.
It all started with Julie and Quillen Davis, who generously donated an extra $1,000. beyond their Capital Campaign Pledge to give us our badly-needed kitchen sink. Then Peck Drennan, Linda McLeod, and Lis Turner stepped up to figure out which sink and faucet would work for the size opening the old sink would leave. When we found that this dollar amount would not quite cover the sink/faucet/plumber expenses, Regina Moody offered to cover the extra costs. She was determined to be sure that the sink, faucet, AND installation were covered.
Once the old sink was removed, it was discovered that the old countertop was too rotten to handle a new sink. At this point, Phil Turner, working with the Building and Grounds Committee, priced out the cost of various counter options. Cost and weight
considerations for granite or quartzite, as well as Pat Mohr mentioning that she and Don had put the old counter in over 30 years ago, resulted in the decision that laminate counters would be the way to go. So, Phil and his band of Merry Men (a.k.a. John Logue, Glen White, Bill Dolley, and Quentin McGrievy) spent two long days installing the countertops. Despite the many challenges along the way, like holes and gashes in the drywall backsplash, a sink that was 6 inches too wide, and many structural defects in the cabinets including the fact that some were higher than others, the finished results are amazing.
The members of the kitchen committee (Jeanette Walton, Connie Quirk, Joan Watterson, Regina Moody, Patty Drews and Linda McLeod) pitched in to empty and refill the cabinets. It truly takes a village!
April 21. 2018
We enjoyed our third annual picnic this year, but had so much fun that none of us remembered to take pictures! We ended up with only one and share it with you here. You’ll just have to believe that we had a big crowd (over 50 people!), games were played, there was fishing in the lake, and we had lots of wonderful food!
April 14/15, 2018
We welcomed our new members with a Saturday night Dinner and an official ceremony during the service on Sunday. We were still in the midst of our renovation, but that didn’t dampen our spirits or diminish our decor. A group met early Saturday to decorate the social hall.
With a little extra prep, we were ready for a fun evening.
On Sunday, we all enjoyed cake after the ceremony to celebrate the addition of the New Members!
April 8, 2018
Rev. Zsolt visits us from our sister church in Transylvania, Romania
Our Partner Church Committee did a great job in bringing Rev. Zsolt to us and organizing a week of celebrations. Rev. Zsolt is the minister of the Beszterce Unitarian Church in Romania, is fun to be around, and delivers informative, thought-provoking, entertaining sermons. Thanks to the Committee for all of their fund-raising activities to make this happen, and for putting together such a fun week!
April 1, 2018
Easter Bonnet Parade and Egg Hunt
Our elementary school aged children decorated Easter bonnets while the high school students prepared and hid the eggs.
After the service, those of us with bonnets followed the children around
the church for our Easter parade. This terminated in a contest for the best bonnets and an Easter egg hunt.
Thanks to the hard work of the CYRE team, baskets overflowed and the children had a wonderful time.