The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

As participants in a non-creedal faith, how do we know what to believe? Unitarian Universalists don’t all believe the same things, which means that we each have to engage in our own search. In this introduction to the Big Questions Series, we’ll explore some concrete tools and process for engaging your own answers.

Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Nicole Rumeau, Alex Dudkin,Alex, Cauthen-Zach, Lorien Haavik

The process of disremembering so-called “difficult knowledge”—history that makes some uncomfortable—started years ago and is now moving forward at breathtaking speed. As we observe the 200th anniversary of the Unitarian Universalist Association and are in our nation’s 250th year, what do we need to remember as citizens and as Unitarian Universalists? Service to be led by the Rev. Dr. Fred Muir, Minister Emeritus, UU Church of Annapolis.

Rev. Dr. Fred Muir, Kelli Danaker, Bailey Whiteman, The Chalice Choir, Tom Monroe, Jing Wang, Melissa Affolter

Atonement and repentance are big religious words that are easy to avoid because of their association with the judgment of a personified god(s). However, they are part of the ongoing practice of repairing relationships—with ourselves, with one another, and with the world–which is a core aspect of our covenantal faith.

Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Betsy Osterman, Kelli Danaker, Alex Dudkin, Chalice Messengers (Jim Stivers, guitar, Ken Koontz, bass, Tom Monroe, saxophone), Jen Siegal

Even in a community such as this one in which close friendships are common, we don’t always share our deepest hopes for connection and healing. Inspired by one of our youngest congregants, we’ll celebrate what we each have to offer to one another and consider our own longings and wishes.

Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Bailey Whiteman, The Chalice Choir, Alex Dudkin, Kelli Danaker, Delilah Nelson, Children of UUCC, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Jill Cairns, Dawn Popp, Sue Geckle

Building our beloved UU community has many elements. While listening, learning, talking and gathering together are important, at some point to be our fullest, best selves UUs know we have to show up and do some things.

Join with some of our amazing young people to experience how Acts of Service are a medium for personal and spiritual growth along with a mechanism for being together, building community.

Sebastian Bonilla, Fynn Sorensen, Celeste Bernasconi, Junniper Tarr, Linnea Tarr, Mitchell Eaton, Cedric Faust, Ash McConnell, Adelyn Crovo, Corwin Cairns, Sam Spezio, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Lorien Haavik

Join in gathering the waters as we get ready for the beginning of the new congregational year. Bring a little bit of water with you 💦 from your local stream/river/lake, your kitchen sink, or your summer meanderings, etc. to put into a communal bowl, symbolizing how our lives are interconnected and affect one another. All ages are invited to this ritual honoring journeys of the mind, body, and heart. We’ll have enough to share if you forget / can’t bring some water.

Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Kelli Danaker, Alex Dudkin, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Liam Estell

As the end of the summer approaches, bring your backpack, work / laptop bag, favorite work-from-home mug, tote bag, work boots, or other essential item for life / work / school for a Backpack Blessing 🎒. Together we will explore the principles of emergent strategy, the creative complexity of the natural world, and new ways to think about organizing and gathering in community.

Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Kelli Danaker, Bailey Whiteman, Jacquie Weinberg, Jill Cairns

We are not separate from nature, we are nature. Come share an earth-spirituality based service led by Turning Circle as we explore themes of deep ecology, and our place in the circles of life.

Steve Parr, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper, Interim Minister, Alex Cauthen-Zach, Caitlin Hendren​, Carletta Hickman, Christina Bird-Walker​, Dylan Zach, Indigo, Mav Vaughn​, Patti Kinlock​, Roxana M. Segovia Beltran​

Cultures around the world have marked multiple harvest celebrations throughout the year and down through time. We’ll gather to celebrate a modern harvest, create a gratitude altar, make a talisman to attract abundance, and break bread in a time-honored tradition of community and hospitality.

Lora Powell-Haney, MDiv, Kelli Danaker,Tom Monroe, Lorien Haavik, Michael Phillips

Help us kick off Plastic Free July as the Climate Justice team discusses ways we can respect the web of life, and be good citizens of Planet Earth.

Lorien Haavik, Alex Cauthen-Zach, Robin Hessey, Mary Rodgers, Lindsay Thompson, Dina Boogaard, Trish Steinhilber