Current Events
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia
Contact Administrator (uucc@uucolumbia.org) if you have questions.
Our COVID 19 precaution advice stays up-to-date. Click here for the latest advice.
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 under the “Reopening” link or the “Meeting Info” page which can be found under “News.”
Sunday Services
September 24, 2023 Topic: Yom Kippur, Giving and Receiving Forgiveness Speaker: Rev. Stephen Robinson
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).
September 24, 2023 Topic: What is the ‘Overton Window’ and how is it affecting us in politics today?
October 1, 2023 Topic: Where does America’s government fall on spectrum of political ideologies?
Please Note: The Play Reading that was scheduled for September 21 has been cancelled out of a concern for COVID transmission rates that are on the rise.
CYRE
See the Learning tab above for information about our Children and Youth Religious Explorations. The CYRE Calendar will tell you about the latest activities.
Children’s Music Class, Sunday, September 24, 11am During Service
All youth are invited to join in a special Morning of Music event on Sunday September 24! Participants will be invited to attend the beginning of the service in the sanctuary at 11:00 AM and head to the CYRE Classrooms at 11:20 AM for music with UUCC Music Director Anna Hamilton. We’ll sing songs from our UU Tradition and beyond and have fun making music and moving together! Questions? Contact Anna at: music@uucolumbia.org
Social Action Activities
Our church keeps busy making a difference in our world. Check out what we’re doing now here.
September Share the Plate Recipient: Harriet Hancock LGBT Center
Harriet Hancock LGBT Center, located in the heart of Columbia, is the hub of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activity in the Midlands of South Carolina. Our facility offers a variety of resources including a free lending library, meeting spaces for LGBT-supportive groups, and a directory of LGBT-friendly businesses, organizations, and counselors while also serving as the headquarters for the South Carolina Pride Movement. lgbtcentersc.org
If sending a check please write “Share the Plate” in the memo line or you can give by clicking on the ‘donate’ bar at the top of the page, or entering “abundant.co/uucc/give” in your browser. Please be sure to select “Share the Plate.”
Update from Denominational Connections Committee!
We have revised our page on the UUCC website (Denominational Connections). Now you can find annotated links to videos, web sites, and articles, as well as books about the Article II rewrite proposed by the UUA. We invite your engagement and feedback about these significant changes to our religion. Questions? Comments? Contact denomconn@uucolumbia.org
Visitor Orientation, Sunday, September 24, 12:30pm, Room 8
Are you a sometime visitor at UUCC and wondering about becoming a member? Are you curious about what it takes and how to do it? Come along and see a video about Unitarianism, receive a membership package and chat with members of the membership committee. Please contact membership committee co-chair Donald Cooper with any questions at dnldcooper@gmail.com.
UUCC Adult Choir Fall Season begins October 1
Let’s Sing! Our UUCC Adult Choir welcomes teen and adult singers. All levels are welcome, please join us in song! Rehearsals will resume on Sunday October 1, 9:30-10:30 AM in the UUCC sanctuary, and we will sing in the Oct. 1 service. For more information about choral events and scheduling, please contact Music Director Anna Hamilton to be added to the choral email list: music@uucolumbia.org
SCUUJA Fall Festival, Saturday, October 7, 10am-4pm, UUCC
Buzz is building for SCUUJA Fall Festival, right here at UUCC on Saturday, October 7. To register, please use this convenient link
And if you’d like to help offer the ‘inspiration, information, and connection,’ well, we do need volunteers. You can indicate your interest with the sign-up form linked above, or speak to Kevin or Connie. But whether helping or attending, we’re excited to see you there!
Learn more about SCUUJA here
UUCC July 2024 Transylvania Pilgrimage Meeting, Sunday, October 8th, 12:30pm
A message from Julian Minghi:
On Sunday, October 8th following the service at 12:30pm, let us meet to plan details of preparation for the Pilgrimage next July. Susan Robinson, our main liaison with Zsolt, will be in town and, as Treasurer, I would like us to agree to several essential deadlines for the next 9-10 months. I acted as Treasurer for the 2016 and 2019 Pilgrimages and hope to use that experience for success in 2024! I shall be circulating several items to assist our discussion on October 8th prior to our meeting.
Classical Piano Concert
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), pianist Matthew Ganong will perform a program entitled Iberian Inspirations on Saturday, September 23, at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The program will feature works by Domenico Scarlatti, Moritz Mozkowski, Claude Debussy, Enrique Granados, Ernesto Lecuona, Manuel de Falla and Octávio Pinto. This concert is part of a new monthly series of piano recitals at UUCC by Mr. Ganong. Future dates are October 14, November 18, and December 16. Admission is free; donations will be accepted. A portion of the donations will benefit the UUCC. Thanks to the Caring Committee for sponsoring this performance. For further information, call 803-787-9585.
ESTATE SALE, Friday September 29 and Saturday September 30, 8am to 4pm each day
6419 Macon Road, Columbia, SC 29209 (off of Old Woodlands Rd. Behind VA Hospital)
The relatives of Sandy Chubon have generously donated the contents of Sandy’s house for an estate sale to benefit the UUCC. If you have usable, workable, clean items to donate to this sale, they will be accepted at 6419 Macon Rd. on Friday, 9/22 and Saturday 9/23, from 10am to 4pm. Please price items you bring.
Help is needed! If you can help set up and/or help during and after the sale, you can sign up after services on Sundays, or call Jean Capalbo @ (928)202-0286.
Annual Blessing of the Animals
Mark your calendar for October 1 for our annual Blessing of the Animals. The next planning meeting will be after the service next Sunday, September 10 at 12:15 pm. this is only three weeks before the event, so please have the contributions you have volunteers to make or bring, settled and ready for our final approval. Contact Anita (anitaj48@aol.com) immediately if you are running into problems or need to make modifications.
Annual UUCC Retreat at the MOUNTAIN
October 27-29
Mark your calendar today!!
Our weekend retreat offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know others in our congregation while enjoying the beauty and serenity of an incredible mountaintop venue. We offer a variety of group activities, or if you prefer you may spend your time alone enjoying the view of the valley (in all its fall glory) from the lodge deck, a cabin porch, Meditation Rock, or high atop the fire tower.
Thanks to the generosity of the UUCC Congregation, any parents bringing children ti the annual retreat will have the children’s fees paid. A new offering this year will be partial scholarships to assist adults who wish to attend but who need financial assistance (amount TBD). Put your contact information on paper and place it in the box in the foyer.
Sunday Morning Childcare Help Needed
On behalf of the Personnel Committee and CYRE, we are seeking individuals who love working with children under six years old and want to earn $40 for each Sunday assisting with child care. If you are interested, please contact the Personnel Committee Chair at personnelchair@uucolumbia.org or Jonathan White, CYRE Chair: rechair@uucolumbia.org.
Please be aware that UUCC members have recently received scam text messages purporting to be from Rev. Robinson. Please be on the lookout and report these as spam.Please be cautious of any solicitations that come via email, text, or phone. Rev. Robinson will never ask you to send gift cards or money. If you have any questions about a message please reach out to the Administrator at uucc@uucolumbia.org.
UUCC now has their own social media accounts. This is a great way to stay connected when we can’t be together. Submit your posts to Emilia Gunning at publicity@uucolumbia.org. Follow us: Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter