Candles of Community
If you have a significant personal joy, sorrow or concern you would like to share, please phone (803) 799-0845 or email the Administrator (uucc@uucolumbia.org) by noon Friday. You may also share your joy or concern personally. We will have 7 candles (representing our seven principles) in a basket on the table in the foyer. When you arrive, take a candle and light it when invited to do so.  Because of time constraints, we ask you to be brief.

Forum
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).

Sunday Flowers Program
Would you like to share your flowers for our Sunday service in recognition of a birthday, anniversary, or a special memory?  You will now provide your own floral arrangement. Just let us know the date you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary by sending an email to the Worship Committee  (worshipchair@uucolumbia.org). Please include your name, phone number, and the date you want. You will be contacted to confirm the date and details.

Kitchen Announcement
Want a way to get involved in Social Hour tasks that does not require an extended commitment?

Participate by giving an hour of your time to help with refreshments on a Sunday. You may be spontaneous or sign up for a future date. We need help Preparing (10:00-11:00 am), Monitoring (Last song-12:30 pm), or Cleaning (12:15-1:15 pm).

Signup sheets are posted on the kitchen door. Each Sunday is divided by time periods. The current month as well as the next two will be posted. There will always be 1 to 2 kitchen committee members covering the entire day. At most on any given Sunday two to three hourly helpers are needed – one of these could be YOU! Come join the fun.

Knit or Knot, Tuesdays, 3 pm
Do you knit or have other needle-craft you would like to share? If so, you are invited to join us for our weekly Knit or Knot meetings on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. in Room 10.

Story Circles
Fun & fellowship Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (note, this group is currently filled to capacity),or 7:00 to 8:00 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays via Zoom.  The meeting links can be found under the News/Meeting Info  link found on the Home Page.  In addition, think about joining us on Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00 pm for our in-person meetings in the UUCC Library.  Newcomers welcome.  Contact Phil Turner (connection@uucolumbia.org) for information about the meeting connection.

Gaia’s Rising CUUPS, Thursday Nights, 7:30pm
Join the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) Thursday nights at 7:30pm in the UUCC library. Contact Katy Long at katylong25@gmail.com

Exploring Spirituality Group
Come with questions rather than answers.  It will be both faith-friendly and no-faith friendly. All are invited to join us with open minds and hearts. We only ask that participants come with a spirit of curiosity, wisdom, and compassion….and sense of humor too. Every other Wednesday, 7-8:30pm in the UUCC Library.  For answers to your questions, or to check on the next meeting date, text Rebecca Drennan at 415-377-1791.

Vegan Potluck
The Animal Ministry will be hosting a monthly Vegan Potluck in collaboration with Columbia Veg, a local community group for vegans, vegetarians, and people exploring a plant-based lifestyle.  The vegan potlucks will be on the second Thursday of the month, beginning at 6:00 in the Social Hall with two exceptions – Tuesday, December 12 and Thursday, April 18 (the third Thursdays).  Everyone is invited to bring a vegan dish to share.
If you have any questions or would like ideas for items to bring, please contact Patty Drews, the Animal Ministry’s liaison for these events, at paddrews@gmail.com.

Science and Religion Discussion Group
The Science and Religion Discussion Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 8 pm in Room 8 in the RE wing..  Join us and enjoy spirited discussions about subjects where science and religion overlap.  Books are selected by consensus.  Contact Dean Smith (deanjaysmith@yahoo.com) with questions.

UUCC Men’s Breakfast Group, Second Thursday of Each Month
The UUCC men’s breakfast group will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month.  We usually meet at some local restaurant.  If you are interested, please contact Phil Turner (connection@uucolumbia.org) to get on the mailing list or if you have any questions..

UUCC Women’s Lunch, 3rd Thursdays, 12pm, Social Hall
The UUCC Women’s Lunch is held at noon on the third Thursday of every month in the Social Hall.  Please bring food or drink to share and let either

Joan Watterson (joan.l.watterson@icloud.com or 803-381-7208) or
Mary Maclachlan (drmarymaclachlan@gmail.com or 803-348-4370)

know that you are coming, so that we have an idea of how many people to set up for. Also let one of us know if you would like a ride or are able to help clean up.

UU Humanist Group
Join us on the last Thursday of each month in classroom 8.  Discussions cover a wide range of topics of interest to humanists.  Contact Dean Smith (deanjaysmith@yahoo.com) with questions.

Support Transgender Youth
Following up on Athena Shier’s visit on June 25, the Social Action Committee has established a donation station for those backpack items needed by The Safe Space Dinners program. This program is sponsored by the Reformation Lutheran Church. They prepare these backpacks for transgender youths and all LGBTQ, and homeless youth that find these items helpful in their day-to-day life. Many transgender youth are asked to leave their home with nothing when they reveal their true gender identity. Your donations will help to fill these backpacks with necessities.

If you missed Athena’s presentation you can listen to it on our website link by going directly to minute 51:00 of that service.

For questions about UUCC’s partnership with this project please contact Linda McLeod at bonneylass44@bellsouth.net or check the Safe Space Dinners website link for more information about their program.

Tai Chi – Limited Building Access Requested for Weekly Rental
Please refrain from entering the Social Hall, Sanctuary, Foyer and Kitchen to honor the privacy of the Tai Chi classes that will take place every Tuesday morning from 10:20am to 11:40am and Wednesday evenings from 5:20pm to 6:40pm. Access is available via the coded double doors on the Heyward side.

Please Donate to the Winter Shelter
The Social Action Committee is again soliciting donations of new or lightly used clothing – especially under garments, hats, gloves, sweaters and winter coats – current magazines, unused personal-sized toiletries, backpacks and luggage for the seasonal homeless shelter. The facility is now being called the “Rapid Shelter Columbia Overflow” as small, longer-term sleeping units have been set up outside the larger shelter building. The city-funded shelter, managed by Transitions (https://transitionssc.org), is open for adults from November 1 to April 1 when the temperature falls below 40F. Place donations in the basket in the social hall but pick up of a sizable donation can be arranged. There are volunteering opportunities, including helping with our UUCC clothing table, during client check in (5:30-7:30 p.m.). Contact Tom Clements, tomclements329@cs.com, cell 803-240-7268.

Harvest Hope Food Donations Needed 
Please bring your donations, such as canned soups, vegetables, fruits, juices, peanut butter, and pastas for Harvest Hope Food Bank and leave them in our shopping cart in the social hall. Another item always needed is disposable diapers – NO adult sizes. Harvest Hope does not accept glass containers or expired food.

Virtual Buddhist Meditation
The Buddhist Insight Meditation Community of Columbia, which had met in the UUCC Library, now meets on Zoom, Mondays 7:00-8:15pm. All are welcome. Please contact Jessica Kross, (jkross943@gmail.com) for access information.