Rooted & Reaching

Sit down with UUCC Member Ken Rock as he shares how he turns his frustration into action through UU the Vote — a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on strengthening democracy and organizing for justice, accountability, and healing. UU the Vote brings together Unitarian Universalists from across the country to take action in their local communities.    Getting out the vote is a generational initiative: the work never ends, as Ken describes it, and he hopes to foster UUCC the Vote so that it can sustain itself even during the “off-season.” “There are elections [somewhere] every year,” Ken reminds us. “If the rest of us aren't paying attention, somebody else is and they're going to use [these] institutions to their advantage.”   So hit play on this episode to find out how you can support this UUCC the Vote right now, even without joining a team or leaving your house. And as a bonus, you'll also hear how Ken takes that same passion for action by braving the frigid winter waters of the Chesapeake Bay as a participant in the annual Sandy Point State Park Polar Bear Plunge!  If you would like to get involved, contact Ken at krockster@yahoo.com   Organizations referenced in this episode:  UU the Vote  Vote Forward — write letters to voters!   Swing Left  Side With Love Action Center  People Acting Together in Howard County (PATH)  Polar Plunge MD  Special Olympics  Other episode references:  2020 UUCC the Vote final report   2022 UUCC the Vote latest update  Supreme Court votes to overturn abortion rights  “Better start to give a sh*t” pie chart   Learn about local elections:  2022 Midterm Elections  Howard County elections: Howard County 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Local Candidates List  Statewide 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Candidate Listings   

Rooted & Reaching is back, this time to highlight the work of Karuna, UUCC's team of lay pastoral caregivers, through the memories and stories of longtime member Linda Linton.  Years ago, Linda was one of the visionaries who saw the need for a team of trained UUCC congregants who could provide care, counsel, and presence for those who need it. That's how Karuna began.  In today's episode, Linda shares her memories of the early days of Karuna, how Karuna found its name, and when she first began to see herself as a caregiver. Linda also reads a portion of the Karuna Prayer, a beautiful text that captures the essence of what UUCC's pastoral caregiving team strives to do and become: May you shed the foolishness in myself, Transforming me into a conduit of Love. May I be a medicine for the sick and weary, Nursing their afflictions until they are cured. May I become food and drink during time of famine, May I protect the helpless and the poor, May I be a lamp for those who need your Light, May I be a bed for those who need rest, and guide all seekers to the Other Shore. May all find happiness through my actions, and let no one suffer because of me. P.S. If you've ever wondered about the difference between Karuna and the Caring Committee, this conversation is for you. 

In today's episode, we hear from Alex Cauthen-Zach, UUCC member and a coordinator with Turning Circle, an eclectic Pagan community within the UUCC congregation. Two Sundays ago, Alex and other leaders from Turning Circle led UUCC's Sunday morning worship service, sharing reflections and rituals for Samhain. For Alex, the service was a chance to connect Turning Circle to the larger UUCC community, and to introduce UUCC congregants to what Turning Circle is all about.  “People flip out when I tell them I am Pagan,” Alex says. That's why she sees herself as an envoy for Paganism in the world, challenging preconceived notions, stereotypes, and assumptions about what it means to be Pagan. According to Alex, the Neopaganism of Turning Circle draws from ancient roots, but it's a modern religion that is about peace, the earth, and making things better for all of us. Today, she and Sara chat about Alex's favorite season, the challenges of walking a Pagan path, and why she identifies as both Pagan and Unitarian Universalist.

Lauren Haywood is a longtime UUCC member who has made an indelible mark on the community. Twenty-two years ago, Lauren had an idea: what if UUCC hosted a coffeehouse concert series to support local musicians and to bring people together from the congregation and beyond? Since then, the series has been going strong, with a team of faithful stewards who manage the entire thing: from setup to social media, from contracts to concessions, this team of volunteers does it all. Today, Lauren chats with Sara about what it takes to run the UUCC One World Coffeehouse, ways you can plug into the volunteer team, and how UUCC's program offerings like the series are always evolving. Lauren also shares about her upcoming move to Albuquerque, a move that will fulfill her husband Carlton's lifelong dream to retire in the Southwest. We will miss Lauren and Carlton here at UUCC, but as she says in today's podcast, they are only a phone call or email away! The volunteer team model that she developed through the One World Coffeehouse is an example for all of our ministries, a legacy left by Lauren for our congregation.

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. 

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  

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

In this final episode of Rooted & Reaching before we take a summer break, Tim Lattimer reflects on his term as congregational president that concludes at the end of this month. Tim and Sara discuss the ways UUCC interacts with and reflects the political dynamics of its local and national contexts, the work of the Board this past year, and advice Tim has for future Board members.  Thank you for listening to Rooted & Reaching week after week. We hope the stories and conversations you heard here made you feel more connected to the UUCC community, taught you something new, and inspired you to be curious about your fellow congregants. With love, Hannah, Sara, and Valerie

Save the date! UUCC's annual auction is returning this fall on Saturday, November 13. The auction is UUCC's flagship fundraising event, bringing together community members for an evening of fun, food, and competitive bidding wars. After a successful virtual auction this February, the auction team is back and already planning the next chapter of this much-loved and highly-anticipated tradition. This year, the auction team is led by Zach Nelson. Zach is an elementary school band teacher who is no stranger to fundraising for his students, and he's ready to contribute his skills and expertise to fundraising for UUCC. In this episode, Zach tells Sara a bit about what to expect for this year's auction and shares his reflections on teaching music virtually over the past year. Want to get in on the auction action? Joining the auction team is a great way to get to know congregants and the community! Email auction@uucolumbia.net to learn more.

On Sunday, May 23, UUCC's Quest class of 2021 presented their credo statements during an inspiring worship service. After a year of discussion, questions, and reflection alongside each other and their mentors, the youth of Quest shared with the congregation what they've learned about themselves, what they believe, and who they are in this moment. Today's Rooted & Reaching episode is a special one: tune in to hear from the Quest students themselves, their fearless teacher KP McLaughlin, and Quest mentor Amber Guthrie. Congratulations, Questers! Thank you for the wisdom, wit, and grace you share with this community every day.

Last week, the agenda for UUCC's upcoming annual meeting scheduled for June 6 was published, and you may have noticed this “New Business” item: a congregational vote on the ordination of Jen Raffensperger. What does this mean? Why is Jen's ordination dependent on our congregational vote? Well, it's all part of the intense and involved process for becoming a minister in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and you can learn more about it in today's conversation with Karyn Marsh. Karyn is a friend of UUCC, and the spouse of UUCC member Barry Marsh. Karyn was recently granted preliminary fellowship by the Unitarian Universalist Association's Ministerial Fellowship Committee — that's a lot of words to say that Karyn is so close to becoming a UU minister! Karyn graciously sat down with Rooted & Reaching for a conversation about the process for becoming a minister, her ministerial internship at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, and her own theology.

Today's episode of Rooted & Reaching is a special message from members of the UUCC congregation. Enjoy!

UUCC's One World Coffeehouse music series was founded by Lauren Haywood in 1999 and operated continuously for 20 years as a showcase of regional talent in the community—until the pandemic put a pause on the 2020-2021 season. Today, Sara chats with Ross Martin, a member of the One World Coffeehouse planning team, about plans for the return of the One World Coffeehouse this fall. Ross also shares about his own creative practice and inspiration as a musician and songwriter, and grants a peak behind the curtain on those Stay-at-Home Choir recording sessions. And as a special treat, Ross closes the episode with a brand new song!

Kelli Danaker is UUCC's Religious Education Assistant, and this past Sunday, she designed, led, and performed in our spring music service titled “Essential Labor.” In the days leading up to the service, Kelli spoke with Sara about the inspiration behind the service and why it was important for UUCC to dedicate a service to considering the rights of blue collar workers to live and work in dignity. Kelli also chats with Sara about the process and experience of leading a worship service and her journey in singing.

Cradlerock Children's Center located in the Owen Brown Interfaith Center is one of UUCC's closest community partners. The non-profit preschool and daycare began many years ago as a ministry of UUCC, and Amanda Ayoola-Morton, Cradlerock's Executive Director, continues to view the center as an extension of UUCC's vision and an expression of the congregation's values. Cradlerock Children's Center is founded on a commitment to developing the social and emotional well-being of children and making quality childcare affordable for all families. Today, Amanda talks with Sara about her journey to Cradlerock, her love for the center, and the culture she strives to cultivate among the parents and teachers of Cradlerock.  Content warning: domestic violence

Phil Webster and Mary Rodgers have been at UUCC since 1994. They thought they'd raise their kids in the congregation then move on. Instead, Phil and Mary have devoted 27 years—and counting!—to serve the UUCC community in a myriad of capacities. These days, they lead UUCC's Environmental Justice team, and Phil serves as the Climate Task Force chair for the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland where he mobilizes UUs across the state to advocate for climate-friendly legislation in Annapolis. Today, Phil talks to Sara about his many years of service and how “the more you put into something like UUCC, the more you get back from it.”  Organizations Phil mentions in the conversation UUCC Environmental Justice Team Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD) Maryland Legislative Coalition Central Maryland Transit Alliance Citizens Concerned for the Environment

This year, we've missed being in the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, the building UUCC operates out of during non-pandemic times. It's so much more than just a building, though. The Owen Brown Interfaith Center represents gathering and connection, and is the site of countless memories and life transformations. OBIC, as we fondly call it, is an anchor in Columbia that brings together multiple faith communities under the same roof, united under a common vision for a more equitable and inclusive world.  Today, we take a peek behind the curtain of OBIC and get to know Monica Hilliard, OBIC's Assistant Building Manager. Monica, along with the rest of her wonderful team, keeps things running at the interfaith center around the clock. What happens at OBIC during the hours when UUCC isn't there? A whole lot, it turns out. Sara also asks Monica a series of fun get-to-know-you questions, so don't be a stranger the next time you run into Monica at OBIC! 

Longtime UUCC members Gail Thompson-Guy and John Guy know a few things about congregational crisis and recovery. As Gail observes, “It's hard to take a large group of people and get them to pull together all the time.” Years ago, in response to a period of financial uncertainty, Gail & John led the charge to establish UUCC's endowment fund as a way of declaring that “we are a congregation in perpetuity. We have a past, a present, and we're going to keep working so we have a future.”  Tune into today's episode to learn more about UUCC's endowment fund, what keeps Gail & John hopeful for the future of the congregation, and their favorite memories from their decades of service to this community.

The love and lives of UUCC members Gail Thompson-Guy and John Guy are testaments to the ways community supports, sustains, and sparks new chapters for us. In this episode, they chat with Sara about how they discovered Unitarian Universalism and UUCC and share their thoughts about giving and pledging as UUs. These lovebirds also tell the story of how they fell in love at UUCC. As John recalls, “I started chasing her, and one day, I managed to get a kiss out of her. And I went home the happiest I've been in ages.”

It was bound to happen: We've reached the final installment of our conversation with UUCC's beloved former Assistant Minister Rev. Anthony Jenkins, who is now serving as a military chaplain in Texas.  In today's episode, Rev. Anthony answers your questions about spiritual themes emerging in his life and how soldiers are processing January's Capitol insurrection. We close with Rev. Anthony's thoughts on truth and how to listen for it.  This is the third of three episodes in which Rev. Anthony answers questions submitted by UUCC members. Check out parts 1 and 2 in your favorite podcast feed, and be sure to subscribe and review us while you're there!

Former Assistant Minister Rev. Anthony Jenkins continues his conversation with Sara! Today, Rev. Anthony answers your questions about how his family is doing, his work as an Air Force chaplain on an Army base, music he's listening to these days, and what he learned during his time with us at UUCC. This is the second of three episodes in which Rev. Anthony answers questions submitted by UUCC members. Check out part 1 in your favorite podcast feed, and be sure to subscribe and review us while you're there!

UUCC's beloved former Assistant Minister Rev. Anthony Jenkins moved to Texas last fall to become a military chaplain. Today, Rev. Anthony answers YOUR questions about life in Texas and gives us an update on how his family fared in last month's snow storm and ensuing crisis. This is the first of three episodes in which Rev. Anthony answers questions submitted by UUCC members.

Margaret Hegmann helps lead UUCC's efforts to address food insecurity in our local community, where 1 in 4 children live in households with food insecurity. Most people first think of our brightly-colored Little Free Pantry when they think of UUCC's food insecurity ministry. While the Little Free Pantry may be the most visible part of its work, the food insecurity team has been working for over 20 years on initiatives throughout Howard County to address this problem. Margaret and Sara discuss a few of those initiatives, what it takes to keep the Little Free Pantry stocked for our neighbors, how volunteering in this capacity has expanded Margaret's understanding of the world as it is, and how YOU can help today! Donate to the Little Free Pantry

In February 2020, right before COVID lockdowns began, Chase Farmer celebrated Carnival in Rio de Janeiro where he met Nicole Guimarães. Fast forward a year, and Nicole and Chase are finally in the same place and navigating the ins-and-outs of their cross-cultural relationship in person. In between tuning in to UUCC's virtual services every Sunday morning, Nicole and Chase are trying out Baltimore restaurants and learning each other's languages. They chat with Sara about differences and similarities they've observed between American and Brazilian culture and what they've learned from each other during their time together.  Bonus: Tune in to hear Nicole's recommendations for authentic Brazilian food in the area!

Michael Adcock, UUCC's Director of Music, is gearing up for a long-awaited sabbatical, and we made sure to catch him before he leaves in March. Last month, Michael designed and presented a service on the psychological and musical resonance of the life and work of Ludwig van Beethoven; today, Valerie and Michael discuss the life and work of Michael Adcock! Michael chats with Valerie about how Beethoven speaks to him personally and considers how his own life, like Beethoven's, might be broken into three periods with distinctive characteristics and themes. Michael also begrudgingly shares his Beethoven favorites — you'll want to listen to these!

Rev. Louise Green is a long-time friend of UUCC, and Sara catches up with her on where her ministry has taken her in recent months, from congregational ministry at All Souls in DC to movement chaplaincy with change makers around the country. Sara and Rev. Louise then discuss a different type of movement—dance. Rev. Louise shares about her past experiences as a professional dancer and reflects on how movement and art are fully integrated into her spiritual life, work, and world. Referenced in this episode Faith Matters Network UUCC service in which Rev. Louise shared about her past life as a dancer Choreographer Agnes de Mille

You may know Jenny Afkinich as an auction team member, Karuna team member, and mama to Margot and Violet. She juggled all these roles (and many more!) while pursuing her social work Ph.D., which she completed this summer. Celebrate Jenny's accomplishment and listen as she tells Sara about her call to social work, what it was like defending her dissertation* mid-pandemic, and how the principles of Unitarian Universalism resonate with the values and vision of social work.  * = Jenny's dissertation received the 2021 Society for Social Work and Research Outstanding Social Work Doctoral Dissertation Award this month. Go Jenny! Referenced in this episode Institute for Innovation and Implementation Bidding is live for UUCC's first-ever online auction until Saturday, February 6!

UUCC member, former UUCC staff member, and current seminarian Jen Raffensperger tells Sara about her first encounters with Unitarian Universalism after navigating away from the Catholicism of her youth. “I had been so dismissive of religions … none of them being the ‘correct' one, that I didn't think there would be a correct one for me,” Jen says. In this conversation, Jen reflects on awaking to her call to ministry during her first visit to UUCC, shares her process for writing sermons, and discusses the hardest parts of the road to ministry and of being human. Referenced in this episode Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum Meadville Lombard Theological School where Jen is currently studying

“In this wonderful endeavor, nobody is perfect, and everybody is grateful,” says UUCC member Laurie Coltri of singing in the Chalice Choir. Laurie tells Sara of the joys and insights she receives from being part of something bigger than herself as a choir member, the process of producing a Stay-at-Home Choir video, why she chose to join UUCC's Trust and Reconciliation Committee, and what the listening sessions hosted by the committee are all about.  Sign up for a listening session here Referenced in this episode Laurie's favorite choir memory is when they performed Quam pulchri sunt gressus tui by Palestrina. Listen to a recording of this piece (not from the UUCC choir) Laurie's recent blogpost about the process of creating these choir videos Conflict Diagnosis and Alternative Dispute Resolution by Laurie S. Coltri Learn more about UUCC's Trust & Reconciliation Committee and sign up for a listening session

Catch a “glimpse” of Sean Griffin's life (and hair) in his college days, when he saturated the soundwaves with anything but the top 40 during the heady hours of midnight-3AM daily. Sean is not only UUCC's Executive Director, he's also a devoted aficionado of indie, punk, and opera music. In this conversation, he shares memories from his college radio days with Sara and reflects on how music and the arts have connected and nourished him.  What Sean listened to back then Left Front Tire (leftfronttire.com) GWAR (gwar.net) Poi Dog Pondering (platetectonicmusic.com/poidogpondering) R.E.M. (remhq.com) Hootie & the Blowfish (hootie.com) Motörhead (imotorhead.com)    What Sean's listened to recently Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (nickcave.com) David Byrne (davidbyrne.com) Ray LaMontagne (raylamontagne.com) Madame Butterfly (metopera.org/discover/synopses/madama-butterfly) Turandot (metopera.org/discover/synopses/turandot)   Referenced in this episode Yes, David Byrne is really from Baltimore County! (baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-10-11-1997284003-story.html)  Sean's college radio station still exists, and you can still call the studio today (wusc.sc.edu) “Don't Give Up” (youtu.be/8LMB6K4rTGU) and “Let the Day Begin” (youtu.be/to2KasivROc) are great songs for cheering up late night callers who are having a tough time, according to Sean (trust him… he knows from experience

Nell Quinn-Gibney and Ali Mark take a break from packing (and procrastinating) for their BIG MOVE to NYC to chat with Hannah and Sara about their favorite memories from working in theater and how their childhood faith experiences shaped their current career interests. Most of you know Nell and Ali from their participation in the UU the Vote service on October 4, 2020. Hear how they got involved with UU the Vote and the inspiration behind Ali's unforgettable Seuss-esque poem, “O the Votes You Will Vote!”  Bonus story: Have you ever wondered how Hannah ended up at UUCC? Get the scoop when you tune into this conversation! Referenced in this episode: "O the Votes You Will Vote!" by Ali Mark: uucolumbia.net/o-the-votes-you-will-vote  Agnes of God play: johnpielmeier.com/theater/plays/agnes-of-god/ Urinetown https://www.mtishows.com/urinetown 

The one-and-only Inge Hyder regales us with tales from her skydiving experiences through the years, including her 90th birthday skydive celebration in October this year. Inge closes this conversation by singing a song celebrating the life and character of her mother that Inge wrote on an Elderhostel trip. A longtime Gilbert & Sullivan fan and performer, it is only fitting that Inge's tribute song be set to a Gilbert & Sullivan tune.  Referenced in this episode: Baltimore Sun article about Inge's birthday skydive: https://bit.ly/38r5PQr Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel): https://bit.ly/3axWWHp Princess Ida from the Gilbert & Sullivan archive: https://bit.ly/3mJT2xk