Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Member Activities
(And Opportunities for Involvement!)
[email protected] For contact information, please email
Youth Religious Education Program
This group is directed and organized by our UU youth members with the goal of exploring and discussing topics of interest to young people in our community. Please see the Youth RE brochure for more information.
Adult Religious Education Program
Do you want to learn new spiritual practices? Deepen your faith? Explore the arts, dance, recreation and spirituality? Our minister, Rev. Judy Zimmerman, would like to hear from you! Become part of the team that guides our Adult Religious Education Program.
Membership Engagement Team
The members of the Membership Engagement Team (MET) explore ways to assist visitors, friends and new members at becoming actively engaged in the activities of the Fellowship. This will be a focus for the coming year, along with member retention and leadership development.
Care Team
The MCUUF Care Team has been in place for a number of years. The team's goal is to assist members of the congregation experiencing illness, bereavement, or other related difficulty. We honor the person's needs regarding confidentiality and privacy, as well as their limitations and expectations for assistance. We send flowers, cards, make calls, and serve in accordance with the Care Team’s established guidelines. We follow up to ensure that a person’s needs have been met and we encourage congregational participation.
Sunday Morning Setup
The Sunday morning set-up team has functioned smoothly for several years. The team sets up the entire “church in the box” with the help of the greeters prior to the service every Sunday. The alter-table is set with flowers and the seasonal altar cloths. The chairs are arranged to meet the needs of the particular service format for that Sunday service. Sound equipment and piano are set up. Hymnals are set out.
The 3rd Sunday set-up team consists of some newer members and friends and some long-time members. It provides an easy way for new members and friends to get involved and acquainted with a few of the long-time members.
Worship Committee
MCUUF gathers for worship every Sunday morning at the Rockford Grange Hall. We enjoy listening to Rev. Judy Zimmerman at the pulpit half-time. During the other Sunday services, speakers include fellowship members, visitors from the community, and other UU ministers. The Worship Committee provides a celebrant to coordinate with each person leading the service. Our children participate in the first 15-20 minutes of the service, which includes a story or talk designed just for them.
Most of our services follow a standard order of service. On occasion, however, we have a service of a different type. In addition to traditional UU Flower Communion and Water Communion services, recent examples have included a Coming of Age ceremony for our youth, solstice observances, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve sharing services, discussion services, and “taize” services based on music and meditation. The Worship Committee is open to feedback from members of the congregation and works to schedule services that meet a variety of needs and preferences.
Music Committee
For the past several years, we have enjoyed professional accompanists nearly every week at worship leading us in singing from our hymnals. In addition, every few months we have a service focused on music, which will feature local and touring musicians playing and discussing their creative process. On occasion, members of our congregation provide instrumental accompaniment. The Music Committee endeavors to ensure that the Sunday Service includes live music and is always interested in hearing from members of the congregation who either play instruments or sing themselves, or who know members of the community who sing or play music.
Hospitality
The UU Hospitality team hosts refreshments after Sunday services. The team includes individuals who help provide refreshments on one Sunday during the month. Refreshments include coffee, hot tea, homemade treats and seasonal fruits. On the first Sunday of the month, one of the team members often prepares a delicious soup for a designated “SUUp” Sunday.
Flowers / Aesthetics
Each Sunday the altar is set with flowers, cloths, and other accoutrements to transform the Rockford Grange Hall into a sacred space. If you’d like to bring flowers, please use the sign-up sheet on the whiteboard near the stairs going to the kitchen. If you’d like to help decorate for Sunday service, please contact Rev. Judy Zimmerman.
Greeters and Membership Committee
The primary activities of the Committee are associated with welcoming visitors. Greeters welcome visitors and friends each Sunday morning. They are there to answer questions about our Fellowship activities and to introduce newcomers to members of the Fellowship who might have common interests. Our Membership Chair follows up with a postcard or personal welcoming phone call to each visitor who fills out an information card. New friends who become interested in joining the Fellowship are invited to participate in a membership class held approximately quarterly.
The Chair of the Membership Committee participates as a member of the Membership Engagement Team (MET).
Annual Retreat
Many years our Fellowship holds a retreat to celebrate our community and to strengthen new friendships. Often, these are held at group campsites in local or state parks. Inspirational talks, games, picnics, singing, and hikes have all been included.
The Annual Retreat team is not a standing committee. Instead, it is formed each year from volunteers. If you are interested in assisting with the annual retreat, please contact Steve C.
Circle Suppers
Circle Suppers are small potluck dinners, held in members’ homes, giving members and friends of our fellowship an opportunity to socialize and converse in a relaxing setting. Most dinners consist of 8-12 people. Some are intended for adults only, while others are designated as “family friendly.” These gatherings are generally held every other month. Circle Suppers have proven to be quite popular among our congregation, with 30-35 people signing up to attend one of the three to five dinners held on an average month. They are an excellent way to introduce newcomers to our congregation.
Adult Religious Education Book Group
The group, now in its sixth year, is a book discussion group. The group meets every other week at the Rockford Grange to discuss several chapters from a book chosen by the group. The books have had an eclectic, wide focus of authors and content focused on religion. The group is currently full, but is open to new members when an opening arises.
UU Meetup
The UU Meetup and Hiking Group is a group of people who like to share events with others. Examples of events that have been shared are musical and theatrical events at the Columbia Center of the Arts in Hood River, movies, school performances, charitable events and, of course, hikes. Sometimes we meet up for dinner before evening events. Anyone can initiate a UU Meetup by sending an email announcing the Meetup opportunity to the UU Meetup email list.
Women’s Awareness Circle
The monthly meetings of the Women’s Awareness Circle are held in the homes of members. Recent themes for the meetings have focused on healthy living: sharing ideas about maintaining our physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health. The Women's Awareness Circle is open to all MCUUF women.
Warming Shelter
From late November 2014 through March 2015, men and women from our UU fellowship volunteer to staff the Hood River warming shelter every other Thursday night and occasionally other nights as well. This requires six volunteers each night -- two persons for the evening (7:45-10:00 p.m.) shift, two persons for the night (10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.) shift, and two persons for the morning (5:00-7:30 a.m.) shift. A total of 19 members of our Fellowship have formed the team in 2014/2015.
Andy Wade, overall volunteer coordinator for the shelter, has greatly appreciated our efforts. Our UU team has been the only organized team for the past two years, and we have made Andy's job, and the job of the site coordinators, much easier for those nights. As Andy puts it, he and his colleagues always know they can sleep easily on the UU nights.
Fish Food Bank
FISH food bank is the local food pantry, providing groceries at four locations in Hood River County. It has about 175 volunteers giving of their time to keep FISH operating each month, and it provides assistance to more than 400 families a month.
Over the past eight years MCUUF volunteers have given of their time every 10 weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to the FISH food bank. Almost 40 MCUUF members, friends and children served as volunteers setting up and distributing food in 2012; MCUUF usually has at least one Spanish speaker each day. In addition, several members help with unloading the truck on a regular basis.
Columbia Gorge Peace Village
August 3-7, 2015
The Columbia Gorge Peace Village is an interfaith, multicultural day camp where kids ages 6-13 learn the messages and practices of nonviolence and peacemaking from various world traditions. Youth ages 14 and up serve as counselors. It is a week-long day camp held at the Mosier Community School.
UU members have been actively involved on all levels of the camp, including grant writing/fund raising committees, teaching yoga, art, sustainable gardening, storytelling, drama, music, making meals for all campers and staff. The Dream Team is the main planning team and oversees camp as well as new year-round activities. Special planning groups work on Programming, Food, Fundraising and People. Adults share their talents at camp as teachers, activity leaders, and as volunteers. 2015 will be an exciting year, as CGPV works to become a non-profit organization.
Last year 150 campers experienced camp along with 40 youth leaders, 80 adults and 30 younger children in the childcare program available to adult staff and volunteers. 60% of all campers received financial subsidy or full scholarship to make it possible to attend camp. For more information: columbiagorgepeacevillage.com
To get involved: [email protected]
Gorge Ecumenical Ministries
Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM) is an interfaith association of mostly liberal churches in the Gorge that meets together monthly. Current projects of GEM include the Hood River warming shelter, the emergency housing voucher program, and a group (“Building Community Connections”) focusing on immigration issues. One or more representatives from MCUUF’s Community Action committee, as well as the UU minister, represent MCUUF at the monthly meetings and are responsible for reporting back to the fellowship and involving it in GEM actions/projects.
Community Action Task Force
MCUUF’s Community Action Committee (“CommAx”), works to create, support, and promote community activities that further social and economic justice.
CommAx supports numerous ongoing projects including:
The CommAx committee works primarily by email, and has occasional meetings as needed. It comprises 4 members, and welcomes new ones.
Softball
Church adult coed summer Softball league is for one and all. It's a fairly low key league with no strikes outs, 1 homerun/game limit, designed for healthy fun/competition. The League meets almost every week and games are on weeknights at 6:30 pm, from mid-June through July at Westside elementary school just west of Hood River. Our UU team is open to all comers so bring your friends, too.
(And Opportunities for Involvement!)
[email protected] For contact information, please email
Youth Religious Education Program
This group is directed and organized by our UU youth members with the goal of exploring and discussing topics of interest to young people in our community. Please see the Youth RE brochure for more information.
Adult Religious Education Program
Do you want to learn new spiritual practices? Deepen your faith? Explore the arts, dance, recreation and spirituality? Our minister, Rev. Judy Zimmerman, would like to hear from you! Become part of the team that guides our Adult Religious Education Program.
Membership Engagement Team
The members of the Membership Engagement Team (MET) explore ways to assist visitors, friends and new members at becoming actively engaged in the activities of the Fellowship. This will be a focus for the coming year, along with member retention and leadership development.
Care Team
The MCUUF Care Team has been in place for a number of years. The team's goal is to assist members of the congregation experiencing illness, bereavement, or other related difficulty. We honor the person's needs regarding confidentiality and privacy, as well as their limitations and expectations for assistance. We send flowers, cards, make calls, and serve in accordance with the Care Team’s established guidelines. We follow up to ensure that a person’s needs have been met and we encourage congregational participation.
Sunday Morning Setup
The Sunday morning set-up team has functioned smoothly for several years. The team sets up the entire “church in the box” with the help of the greeters prior to the service every Sunday. The alter-table is set with flowers and the seasonal altar cloths. The chairs are arranged to meet the needs of the particular service format for that Sunday service. Sound equipment and piano are set up. Hymnals are set out.
The 3rd Sunday set-up team consists of some newer members and friends and some long-time members. It provides an easy way for new members and friends to get involved and acquainted with a few of the long-time members.
Worship Committee
MCUUF gathers for worship every Sunday morning at the Rockford Grange Hall. We enjoy listening to Rev. Judy Zimmerman at the pulpit half-time. During the other Sunday services, speakers include fellowship members, visitors from the community, and other UU ministers. The Worship Committee provides a celebrant to coordinate with each person leading the service. Our children participate in the first 15-20 minutes of the service, which includes a story or talk designed just for them.
Most of our services follow a standard order of service. On occasion, however, we have a service of a different type. In addition to traditional UU Flower Communion and Water Communion services, recent examples have included a Coming of Age ceremony for our youth, solstice observances, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve sharing services, discussion services, and “taize” services based on music and meditation. The Worship Committee is open to feedback from members of the congregation and works to schedule services that meet a variety of needs and preferences.
Music Committee
For the past several years, we have enjoyed professional accompanists nearly every week at worship leading us in singing from our hymnals. In addition, every few months we have a service focused on music, which will feature local and touring musicians playing and discussing their creative process. On occasion, members of our congregation provide instrumental accompaniment. The Music Committee endeavors to ensure that the Sunday Service includes live music and is always interested in hearing from members of the congregation who either play instruments or sing themselves, or who know members of the community who sing or play music.
Hospitality
The UU Hospitality team hosts refreshments after Sunday services. The team includes individuals who help provide refreshments on one Sunday during the month. Refreshments include coffee, hot tea, homemade treats and seasonal fruits. On the first Sunday of the month, one of the team members often prepares a delicious soup for a designated “SUUp” Sunday.
Flowers / Aesthetics
Each Sunday the altar is set with flowers, cloths, and other accoutrements to transform the Rockford Grange Hall into a sacred space. If you’d like to bring flowers, please use the sign-up sheet on the whiteboard near the stairs going to the kitchen. If you’d like to help decorate for Sunday service, please contact Rev. Judy Zimmerman.
Greeters and Membership Committee
The primary activities of the Committee are associated with welcoming visitors. Greeters welcome visitors and friends each Sunday morning. They are there to answer questions about our Fellowship activities and to introduce newcomers to members of the Fellowship who might have common interests. Our Membership Chair follows up with a postcard or personal welcoming phone call to each visitor who fills out an information card. New friends who become interested in joining the Fellowship are invited to participate in a membership class held approximately quarterly.
The Chair of the Membership Committee participates as a member of the Membership Engagement Team (MET).
Annual Retreat
Many years our Fellowship holds a retreat to celebrate our community and to strengthen new friendships. Often, these are held at group campsites in local or state parks. Inspirational talks, games, picnics, singing, and hikes have all been included.
The Annual Retreat team is not a standing committee. Instead, it is formed each year from volunteers. If you are interested in assisting with the annual retreat, please contact Steve C.
Circle Suppers
Circle Suppers are small potluck dinners, held in members’ homes, giving members and friends of our fellowship an opportunity to socialize and converse in a relaxing setting. Most dinners consist of 8-12 people. Some are intended for adults only, while others are designated as “family friendly.” These gatherings are generally held every other month. Circle Suppers have proven to be quite popular among our congregation, with 30-35 people signing up to attend one of the three to five dinners held on an average month. They are an excellent way to introduce newcomers to our congregation.
Adult Religious Education Book Group
The group, now in its sixth year, is a book discussion group. The group meets every other week at the Rockford Grange to discuss several chapters from a book chosen by the group. The books have had an eclectic, wide focus of authors and content focused on religion. The group is currently full, but is open to new members when an opening arises.
UU Meetup
The UU Meetup and Hiking Group is a group of people who like to share events with others. Examples of events that have been shared are musical and theatrical events at the Columbia Center of the Arts in Hood River, movies, school performances, charitable events and, of course, hikes. Sometimes we meet up for dinner before evening events. Anyone can initiate a UU Meetup by sending an email announcing the Meetup opportunity to the UU Meetup email list.
Women’s Awareness Circle
The monthly meetings of the Women’s Awareness Circle are held in the homes of members. Recent themes for the meetings have focused on healthy living: sharing ideas about maintaining our physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health. The Women's Awareness Circle is open to all MCUUF women.
Warming Shelter
From late November 2014 through March 2015, men and women from our UU fellowship volunteer to staff the Hood River warming shelter every other Thursday night and occasionally other nights as well. This requires six volunteers each night -- two persons for the evening (7:45-10:00 p.m.) shift, two persons for the night (10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.) shift, and two persons for the morning (5:00-7:30 a.m.) shift. A total of 19 members of our Fellowship have formed the team in 2014/2015.
Andy Wade, overall volunteer coordinator for the shelter, has greatly appreciated our efforts. Our UU team has been the only organized team for the past two years, and we have made Andy's job, and the job of the site coordinators, much easier for those nights. As Andy puts it, he and his colleagues always know they can sleep easily on the UU nights.
Fish Food Bank
FISH food bank is the local food pantry, providing groceries at four locations in Hood River County. It has about 175 volunteers giving of their time to keep FISH operating each month, and it provides assistance to more than 400 families a month.
Over the past eight years MCUUF volunteers have given of their time every 10 weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to the FISH food bank. Almost 40 MCUUF members, friends and children served as volunteers setting up and distributing food in 2012; MCUUF usually has at least one Spanish speaker each day. In addition, several members help with unloading the truck on a regular basis.
Columbia Gorge Peace Village
August 3-7, 2015
The Columbia Gorge Peace Village is an interfaith, multicultural day camp where kids ages 6-13 learn the messages and practices of nonviolence and peacemaking from various world traditions. Youth ages 14 and up serve as counselors. It is a week-long day camp held at the Mosier Community School.
UU members have been actively involved on all levels of the camp, including grant writing/fund raising committees, teaching yoga, art, sustainable gardening, storytelling, drama, music, making meals for all campers and staff. The Dream Team is the main planning team and oversees camp as well as new year-round activities. Special planning groups work on Programming, Food, Fundraising and People. Adults share their talents at camp as teachers, activity leaders, and as volunteers. 2015 will be an exciting year, as CGPV works to become a non-profit organization.
Last year 150 campers experienced camp along with 40 youth leaders, 80 adults and 30 younger children in the childcare program available to adult staff and volunteers. 60% of all campers received financial subsidy or full scholarship to make it possible to attend camp. For more information: columbiagorgepeacevillage.com
To get involved: [email protected]
Gorge Ecumenical Ministries
Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM) is an interfaith association of mostly liberal churches in the Gorge that meets together monthly. Current projects of GEM include the Hood River warming shelter, the emergency housing voucher program, and a group (“Building Community Connections”) focusing on immigration issues. One or more representatives from MCUUF’s Community Action committee, as well as the UU minister, represent MCUUF at the monthly meetings and are responsible for reporting back to the fellowship and involving it in GEM actions/projects.
Community Action Task Force
MCUUF’s Community Action Committee (“CommAx”), works to create, support, and promote community activities that further social and economic justice.
CommAx supports numerous ongoing projects including:
- FISH Food Bank
- Hood River County’s annual Christmas Project
- Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM)
- Building Community Connections - a GEM project to support the area Hispanic community and promote its integration with non-Hispanics
- Mentor For Success – a mentoring program for at-risk teens
- Distribution of plate receipts (“pass-it-on money”) to area nonprofits selected by MCUUF members
- Peace Village – a values-based summer day camp for children
- Our Whole Lives (OWL) – sexuality education for young teens
- Hood River Warming Shelter
- Marriage equality
- Healthcare – access, and social determinants of health
- Fossil fuel industry divestment
- Climate change
- CommAx seeks to involve MCUUF members and friends in the social justice activities of the Fellowship, and to support them in bringing new social justice projects to the Fellowship.
The CommAx committee works primarily by email, and has occasional meetings as needed. It comprises 4 members, and welcomes new ones.
Softball
Church adult coed summer Softball league is for one and all. It's a fairly low key league with no strikes outs, 1 homerun/game limit, designed for healthy fun/competition. The League meets almost every week and games are on weeknights at 6:30 pm, from mid-June through July at Westside elementary school just west of Hood River. Our UU team is open to all comers so bring your friends, too.