Chris will be working through the winter months to gather input and information about the church and translate what he finds into designs with a goal of producing a scaled, three dimensional model in late February. Once the church approves the final design, fabrication and installation is expected to begin in the Spring. We hope to have the sign ready as a a welcome to our new settled minister.

The project began last May when the Board of Trustees approved a motion by Marian Hjelmfelt to allocate funds for a new sign reflective of UU values. The amount in the reserve fund for the sign is $11,020.87.

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Main Level

Upon entering the church, you find yourself in a large greeting area. After Sunday services, this room bustles with people sharing coffee and conversation. Before the service, you are greeted by the minister and a member of the board. The room is ringed with the visitors table, the book table, and tables for activities sign-up, fundraising, or information about upcoming activities of the church's many active ministries.

With the ringing of a bell, the congregants who have not already done so enter the sanctuary from the greeting area.

Almost a full house in the sanctuary at our worship service on December 11, 2011.

At the front of the sanctuary hangs one of a number of textile wall hangings celebrating our Unitarian Universalist Association and the seasons, all created by a member of the congregation.

One of our wall hangings.

At the rear of the sanctuary, you can look through the floor to ceiling windows at the native prairie and wildflowers immediately behind the building, which are maintained by volunteers from the congregation. The sanctuary has flexible seating that can accommodate up to 200 people. It also serves as the dining area for the monthly potluck and other food-centric activities, as a dance floor for the annual Valentine's Day dance sponsored by the high school group for the whole church, and numerous other church activities and social events. It is also a popular choice of the local music community for recitals and concerts.

Concert in our sanctuary in October 2010.

On the opposite side of the greeting area from the sanctuary is a large, modern, well-equipped kitchen. This is home base for the Sunday coffee hour and monthly potluck, our annual Harvest Supper featuring locally grown products, Easter brunch, and many learning opportunities for the children and youth of the church.

Our kitchen.

Just down the hall from the kitchen is the spacious minister's office, which provides a place for quiet consultation or even small group meetings. Next to the minister's office is the church administrator's office. Across the hall is the work/copy room.

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Lower Level

The downstairs area was added in an expansion completed in 1998. The Religious Education office is at the bottom of the stairs, next to and with a window overlooking the nursery. The Centering Room, where the younger children gather at the beginning of Sunday School, doubles as a space for choir rehearsals, training, and large group meetings. See the Potter Class (Pre-School) page for a photo of the Centering Room.

The Adult Forum Room/Library also can accommodate large groups. Five additional class rooms provide adequate space for Sunday morning activities, and an auxiliary kitchen allows the Forum and religious education programs to provide food service without having to deal with the stairs.

Those with small children appreciate our well supplied nursery located downstairs. The nursery is staffed during regular services and for other events as needed.

Our nursery room.

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Accessibility

Four parking spaces are marked for handicap use on the south side of the building. Two are located east of the main entrance, one is on the southwest corner of the main lot, and one is just outside the office entrance on the building's west side.

There is also one handicap-designated spot on the building's north side.

While the church has a space earmarked for an elevator, it has not been added at this time. The lower level may be accessed by entering the building's north side.

Entryways have thresholds, but no steps.

The upper level restrooms are large, single-person unisex facilities. The restrooms on the lower level are designated for men and women and feature multiple stalls, including one intended for handicap use.

Accessibility to kitchens on the upper and lower levels and most classrooms on the lower level is limited due to space constraints.

Seating in the sanctuary is in portable chairs. Both stairs and a ramp lead up to the chancel (stage).

Paved access to the church playground and the Memorial Garden is not available at this time.

Please contact our Church Administrator at 573-442-5764 or by email with questions or suggestions about the church's accessibility.

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Memorial Garden

Our tranquil Memorial Garden, located in the wooded area behind our church, is shown in the two photographs below.

Completed in 2004, the Memorial Garden was created as a place of contemplation, reflection and prayer. The garden is not only a place of interment and memorial but also serves our congregation and their loved ones in other significant ways – memorial services for family and friends, blessings for the newborn, weddings, receptions, prayer services and other events may be held there. The garden can be a restful and beautiful haven for all who enter its space.

Those eligible for burial, scattering of cremated remains, or remembrance in the garden include: (a) any past or present member of the Columbia Unitarian Universalist Church; (b) a partner, significant other or family member of a church member; (c) a friend of the church, as designated by the Minister, Board of Trustees, and Memorial Garden Committee.

The names of those memorialized may be engraved on the granite tablet in the garden. Other memorials, including granite benches, bronze plaques, wind chimes, or special plantings also may be placed in the garden. Speak with the Minister, Church Administrator, or a member of the Memorial Garden Committee to arrange a service, interment or a special memorial in the garden.

A donation of $400 is requested from each applicant for a memorial service, interment or scattering of remains, and name engraving on the granite tablet. For those desiring only name engraving, a donation of $300 is requested. There is no charge to church members for use of the Memorial Garden for services alone, or for other events.

Contributions of any size to the Memorial Garden Fund are always appreciated. Donations are our Memorial Garden's only source of funds and are used to cover ongoing maintenance and plantings in the garden.

The Minister, Board of Trustees, and Memorial Garden Committee will review and approve requests for services and other group activities in the garden. Fees and policies are reviewed at least annually.

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Other Features of our Grounds

Our grounds also feature a playground (pictured below), a basketball goal, a trail through the wooded area behind the church, and a growth of wildflowers.

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Our Solar Energy Dream

Some members of our church, including engineer Larry Lile, are exploring the possibility of mounting solar panels on the roof of our building to generate a substantial portion of the electricity we use. Larry says, "We hope to make the solar panels a reality someday, but there is a lot of sharp pencil work remaining to be done to prove that it can actually work."

The edited photo below shows how solar panels might look on the church roof.

At its December 2011 meeting, the Board of Trustees took a first step toward greater energy efficiency by approving a plan proposed by Larry to install programmable thermostats throughout the church and monitor our energy usage to achieve a less expensive electricity rate. Larry had already secured the Columbia Water & Light Department's commitment to decrease the rate immediately, which will result in a quick return on the investment in new new thermostats. The board also discussed and was enthusiastic about the more costly solar panels option, but deferred a decision on that proposal pending development of a comprehensive plan for facilities and grounds improvements, which will lead to a vision-based fundraising plan.

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Use of Building by Members and Non-Members

Our building and property are available for weddings, unions, memorial services, receptions, recitals, and many other uses for members and non-members regardless of race, religion, or sexual/gender orientation. Those wishing to use our building should speak with Kathie Bergman, our Church Administrator, at 573-442-5764, and submit a completed building use application.

Building Use Application in Word format
Building Use Application in PDF format

Among groups and programs using our building have been: The Audubon Society, Girl Scout Troup 30328, La Leche League, the Native Plant Society, the Shepard School Buddy Pack Program through the Central Missouri Food Bank, Open Borders Music Series, The Center Project, National Alliance for Mental Illness: Family-to-Family Program, and Neighborhood Watch meetings.

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