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.

-OR-

Do you like fresh flowers for Sunday services? If so, the Worship Committee needs your help. Could you bring or buy flowers for a designated Sunday each month? If you can do this for even a few months, please contact us at worship@uucolumbia.org. A small subsidy will be provided.

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 Fridays from 11:00-noon.  In addition, we have a group meeting Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00 pm for our in-person meetings in the UUCC Library.  At this time, both of thesecircles are closed to new participants.  The formation of a new and additional Story Circle is in process to accommodate recent interest in joining a Story Circle. Information will be forthcoming when details are finalized for this new Story Circle. Contact Phil Turner (connection@uucolumbia.org) for more information.

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 for more information.

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.
Everyone is invited to bring a vegan dish to share. Future meetups will take place on the second Thursday of each month.
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.

UUCC Book Club
The UUCC Book Club is open to all members and friends.  We meet every other month to discuss nonfiction and fiction books that inspire, challenge, entertain and educate.  The next meeting, via Zoom, will be on October 20, 2024 at 6:30 pm.    Our next book will be Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical  Right's Stealth
Plan for America by Nancy MacLean.

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.

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.

Harvest Hope Food Bank Needs Volunteers Over the Summer

Historically, we see a decrease in volunteers throughout the summer. In 2023, we distributed over 25 million pounds of food that provided roughly 21 million meals to people in our communities. It required more than 10,000 unique volunteers across our 3 locations to efficiently sort and distribute all of that food. Even sacrificing a few hours makes you part of our essential volunteer force that enables us to feed our neighbors.  Learn More

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.