The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the ability to ordain lies solely with the congregation. The act of ordination allows congregations to acknowledge and affirm the minister’s call to live their life in service of this faith, and it also confers the title of Reverend. By the vote and affirmation of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, MD and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, MD, Jen Raffensperger will be ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry at 4 pm on Sunday, October 17, 2021.

This is one of the most joyous and affirming rituals in Unitarian Universalism, because it is a celebration of the continuance of our faith, and not just of an individual. Please plan to join this wonderful celebration via Zoom, featuring pre-recorded and live music, welcomes from both the Frederick and Columbia congregations, and a sermon preached by Anthony Jenkins– Chaplain, 59th Medical Wing, USAF.

 

Speakers:

Anthony Jenkins, Caleb Stine, Elizabeth Mount, Jen Raffensperger, Julia Jones, Kären Rasmussen, Kathryn Adams, Kelli Danaker, Laura Solomon, Lisa Bromfield, Lora Powell-Haney, Michael Adcock, Nichole Hodges-Abbasi, Nick Int Veldt, Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg, Rev. Friederike Kaufel, Rev. Paige Getty, Rev. Scot Hull, Robin Slaw, Verow-McLaughlin Family

Olivia Buckley is a community organizer with PATH (People Acting Together in Howard County), a people-powered organization whose goal is to train local leaders to transform their Howard County communities. In her conversation with Sara Davidson, Olivia explains what that means and what she loves about her work. Olivia also shares how to use the tool of a one-to-one relational meeting to create relational culture wherever you are, a radical challenge to the status quo.

Rev. Paige Getty and other UUCC leaders honor Indigenous Peoples Day, which “reimagines Columbus Day and changes a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about the genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples in the Americas, to organize against current injustices, and to celebrate indigenous resistance.” (from UUA – Indigenous Peoples Day)

To learn more about Indian Residential Schools, you can find an excellent reading list for all ages here:https://www.cbc.ca/books/48-books-by-indigenous-writers-to-read-to-understand-residential-schools-1.6056204

 

Speakers:

Jim Johnston, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Valerie Hsu

National Coming Out Day (October 11) celebrates coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+). In honor of NCOD, we celebrate the right, the privilege, and the power of having the choice to come out—whether about one’s sexual orientation, gender, or other identities that are hidden and marginalized.

 

Speakers:

Ace Sorensen, Ashley Brizzo, Kelli Danaker, Kristin Parrish, Lisa Marini, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Sarah Baseheart, Suzi Gerb

This week Sara sits down with longtime member Mary Rodgers to take a look at UUCC’s Green Sanctuary accreditation process. Listen in to hear more about what being a Green Sanctuary congregation entails, what the scope of the process looks like, and where we are currently in the process. Mary also reflects on why she feels personally connected to this work, digging into her nature loving roots which include reading Silent Spring and participating in the first Earth Day in 1970. Interested in joining in this important and rewarding work? Want to shape UUCC’s climate justice focus areas and work? Save the date for the Climate Team’s Annual Meeting happening Sunday, November 7 at 4pm! The Climate Team also invites you to attend the October 24 service on climate entitled “All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity & Sustainability.” Referenced in this episode: 

“Five Feet High and Rising” October 2018 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/five-feet-high-and-rising-2   

“Remember the Earth” April 2019 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/remember-the-earth   

“Clean Water is Just” August 2020 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/clean-water-is-just 

“Environmental Justice: Living our UU Values” April 2021 service: uucolumbia.net/sermons/environmental-justice-living-our-uu-principles

In honor of Banned Books Week (Sept 26 – Oct 2) — “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” — Rev. Paige Getty explores the value of books and stories that expose us to realities unlike our own, challenging us to broaden our understanding of the world in which we live, connecting us across perceived and real differences.

 

Speakers:

Colette Gelwicks, Eileen McIntire, Hope Vasholz, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Tom Monroe, Valerie Hsu

Jewish communities have recently observed their High Holy Days. Through reflection and special music, we honor the tradition of ritualized repentance that prepares us for spiritual renewal.

 

Speakers:

Bryan Barrett, Cynthia Marshall, Inge Hyder, Jenny Afkinich, Laurie Coltri, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, Sally Ann Cooper, Sherry Peruzzi

To get the new season going following the summer break, Sara chats with Colette Gelwicks, this year’s Congregational President. Listen in for a conversation on leadership styles: how there is no one style that works best, how collective effort is ultimately more important than individual effort, and how we might challenge ourselves to stay open to shifting our ways of thinking about how leadership looks and feels.Colette also tells us what the Board is up to so far coming out of this summer’s Board Retreat, and about how moving back and forth between the U.S. and Germany has taught her to be flexible and open in life, even when it’s difficult. Interested in the current work of the Board? Stay up-to-date by checking out our Good Governance posts: https://uucolumbia.net/category/governance/ 

 

Referenced in this episode:This summer the Board drafted and adopted a new covenant this summer. Check it out: https://uucolumbia.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/UUCC-Board-Covenant.pdf

A Labor Day service, led by Rev. Paige Getty.

 

Speakers:

Afkinich-Daniels Family, Jim Johnston, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Rev. Paige Getty

Rev. Paige Getty returns from her summer break with thoughts and questions about how to survive—and even thrive—amidst all the chaos in our world. From the events unfolding in Afghanistan, to the devastation in Haiti, to the UN climate report, to the ongoing threat of Covid-19, it’s understandable that so many of us feel overwhelmed and untethered. So, what grounds, nourishes, and strengthens us through it all?

 

Speakers:

Kevin Mercer, Rev. Paige Getty, Robin Slaw, The Brown Family