The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

Join us for our annual Ingathering worship service featuring a sermon from Rev. Lisa about James Luther Adams. 

In July, our UUCC youth traveled to McDowell County, West Virginia to support the work of Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA). Join them for a worship service hear about the meaning of their experiences there.

Rev. Amy Williams Clark leads us in this year’s water ceremony. We invite all to bring a small amount of water from a sacred source, your summer travels, or your kitchen sink for the water ceremony. And bring your backpack and work bags to be blessed for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks! 

Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Michael Adcock, Regina Verow and Affiliated Minister Rev. Amy Williams Clark

It is common for human beings to seek out safety – safe places can be essential to our development and healing. At the same time, not all spaces can or should be designated as safe. We’ll consider the differences between safe and brave spaces as well as tools and strategies for inhabiting them. Religious education will be available for children ages 4-12 during worship as usual following our Time for All Ages.

Speakers: Kelli Danaker, Linda Adcox-Kimmel, Lorien Haavick, Michael Adcock, Interim Minister Rev. Lisa Bove Kemper, Tom Benjamin and the UUCC Chalice Choir

Join in welcoming guest preacher Ryan McCray Ely, who will speak about using spiritual practice and Internal Family Systems theory to create greater spiritual alignment. For the past year, Ryan has been the Intern Minister at the UU Congregation in Annapolis. He is a native of Southeast Michigan and current resident of Northeast Washington, DC. Ryan served in several positions within the federal government before leaving government service to attend seminary at the Iliff School of Theology, Denver, full time. Ryan is a newly minted US Naval officer and chaplain candidate. Ryan and his wife Barbara, share their home with a no-nonsense cat.

Speakers ~ Alex Cauthen-Zach, Kelli Danaker, Lorien Haavik, Michael Adcock and Ryan McCray Ely

Don’t Miss the Message OR the Irony! It’s a Binary Sermon Series All About Destroying the Binary!

As attacks on basic rights and protections for queer and trans folks continue unabated, now more than ever we must understand the essential roles that gender expansiveness and queer culture play in making spaces for EVERYONE to get free. Gender shapes the spaces – social, conversational, professional, as well as literal – that we are given to occupy. Come into a place of curiosity and consider your own experience of self expression as we celebrate pride month.

This Sunday, please bring a flower – from your garden, one you found growing wild, or store-bought 🌺 – to share as part of our communal bouquet. The Flower Communion was originally created by Rev. Norbert Čapek. On June 4, 1923, Rev. Čapek created this ritual and shared it with his burgeoning Unitarian congregation in what was then the brand-new country of Czechoslovakia as a reminder of the hope found in community after the devastation of war. We will also honor the service of UUCC’s many dedicated volunteers.

Speakers ~ Amy Williams Clark, Jaxon O'Mara, Jim Stivers, Kelli Danaker, Meagan Lopes, Rev Lisa Bove Kemper, Roxana Segovia-Beltran and Stacy Huh

Wisdom is more than just a cute quote to print on a t-shirt. If you listen carefully, you can benefit from the wisdom of your ancestors. Let us explore the wisdom of our UU spiritual ancestors and how their words and deeds can be a guiding force.

Speakers ~ Betsy Osterman, Kelli Danaker, Lorien Haavik, Michael Adcock and Rev. JeKaren Bell

Science has long been a source of inspiration and understanding for Unitarian Universalists, who hold that science and religion are not in opposition to one another, but compatible and complementary. What does it mean to “believe” in science in a time when propaganda and misinformation are a powerful force. This Sunday’s sermon is inspired by Alan Coltri, who won the sermon topic raffle at the 2024 auction.

Speakers: Alex Cauthen-Zach, Cynthia Marshall, Kelli Danaker, Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper and Steve Parr

When we reach the end of our lives, deep emotions and physical suffering can combine to create a difficult time for both individuals and families. We tend to prefer to avoid talking about our potential end, and yet, no matter what our age, talking about it and making plans can be an important process in our spiritual lives. Join us for a joint service with Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC).

Speakers ~ Rev. Angela Wells, Rev. Lisa Bove Kemper and Steve Parr