Marcus McDonald is a community organizer and is the lead organizer for Black Lives Matter Charleston. Join him and Rev. Rebecca this Sunday as they discuss the work of Black Lives Matter Charleston and others in our community. Following the service, Marcus will share with us ways to get involved in racial justice work and advocacy this fall.
Maureen Porter will be our Worship Associate,
Rev. Rebecca will give the Time for All Ages,
with music provided by Gail Schiffer, Bob Egeleson, Connie Hayes on Hammered Dulcimer, Richard Hayes on Guitar, and Ryan Pagels.
9:45 AM - Meditation, Upper Gage Hall Participants gather for an hour to practice insight meditation and discuss various aspects of the meditative path and its interplay with our lives. 9:30 AM - Nursery Opens, Annex - Children ages 7 and under are welcome in the nursery 9:30am - 12:15pm
10:00 AM - RE Parent Registration & Orientation Day, Upper Gage Hall - Parents will hear about the year ahead and take care of required registration forms. Kids are welcome to join us as well. We'll have something fun planned for them while their grown-ups are meeting.
11:00 AM - Worship Service, Gage Hall (see more information below)
12:00 PM - Coffee Hour, Gage Hall Immediately following the service you are invited to stay in Gage Hall and join us for coffee and light refreshments.
Sunday Services in Gage Hall Until Further Notice
We ask for and appreciate everyone's help putting up chairs immediately following service to allow space for coffee hour.
TONIGHT: Third Thursday Happy Hour Thursday, August 20; 5:00pm Taco Boy - 217 Huger St, Charleston
All are invited to our monthly churchwide happy hour! Join us for this intergenerational event to spend time with new and longtime church friends. This month is hosted by Rev. Rebecca and Lily Colburn!
Voter Registration Drives Aug 21, and 28; 10:30am - 3:30pm at NAACP Office, 91 Hannover St
September 4; 10am - 12pm at James Lewis Apartments
Our congregation is proud to be partnering with the NAACP this fall to Get Out the Vote! Please join us this month to help register voters. And watch for further opportunities in the weeks ahead as we continue to support the NAACP in their efforts to knock on doors, send postcards, and so much more!
Minister's Book Club Saturday, August 22; 10:00am Lower Gage Hall
Join Rev. Rebecca this Saturday for discussion of her August read: "How Western Christianity Got it Wrong: Replacing the God of fear with a spirituality of healing" by Randy Woodley
Family Circle Saturday, August 22; 5:00pm West Ashley
Join others who are raising children in the church for a time of friendship, good food, and thoughtful conversation (plus an hour of child-free adult interaction). Please RSVP at this link: Family Circle Monthly Sign Up (Navigate to the August tab. Location details will be shared by email on the Friday before the event.)
Join our Music Program!
First Choir Practice Wednesday August 26 at 6:45pm in Lower Gage Hall
Now is the perfect time to get involved with our music program! The two primary ways to be involved are our Chancel Choir, which meets Wednesdays at 6:45pm, and our House Band which typically meets once a month. Professional training/experience not needed! For any questions, please reach out to our music director at ryan@charlestonuu.org
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
🌿 Upcoming Sunday Activities🌿
August 30 →Bubble Ceremony, 10:00am in the churchyard
The whole congregation is invited and encouraged to come celebrate with us, or to help make the magic happen by volunteering. We'll speak our prayers, blessings, and intentions for the new year, and then blow them into bubbles. A kid-friendly way to welcome our new RE year together. Followed by lawn games and popsicles.
Volunteers needed: set-up, run activities, cleanup, taking pictures Sign Up Here *If it’s too hot to be outside, we’ll be upstairs in Gage Hall.
September 6 →Kids' Table at the Welcome Back Breakfast
Join us in Lower Gage for food and something fun with the whole congregation! Nursery care available.
Afterwards: join us for a Blessing of the Classroom, Upper Gage Hall.
Decorating and house-warming party for our elementary classroom. Join in if you love decorating!
September 13 → First day of RE classes! 10:00-11am
Elementary class and Youth Sample days begin
Teach & Support our RE Program This Year!
Thank you to those who joined us for our Volunteer Orientation this past Sunday. Looking forward to another special, joyful, beautiful year.
One area of need we still have is people to teach or support the elementary class. You’d be organizing activities, reading stories, assisting kids, and being a supportive presence. Please email Emily if you can lend a hand in RE this year.
SAVE THE DATE
Welcome Back Breakfast Sunday September 6; 11:00am
Lower Gage Hall
It is time for our annual Welcome Back Breakfast! Join us Labor Day Weekend for this breakfast and preview our fall programs, events, and opportunities to get involved in our church community. You can bring your food items beginning at 10:00am. The breakfast itself along with a short welcome and update from Rev. Rebecca and staff will kick us off at 11:00am. All children and youth are invited to join the breakfast though childcare for children 6 and under will be available in the nursery.
For the month of September we are hosting a Pancake Drive to benefit James Island County Outreach food pantry. Bring a box of pancake mix and syrup to Gage Hall anytime in September and we will deliver it to JICO at the end of the month!
9/11 Day Volunteer Opportunity September 10 and 11
Gaillard Center
9/11 Day is the nonprofit that founded and leads the National September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance. As we prepare to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, 50,000 volunteers in 50 cities will come together to pack 20 million meals for people experiencing food insecurity. We are organizing the largest day of service in American history and we need your help!
Event Support Volunteers do not pack individual meals but instead are the support and backbone to the event's success, helping welcome participants, lead meal-packing teams, keep supplies moving, and ensure the event runs smoothly. Volunteers must be 18+, and all positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event Support Volunteer Opportunities (Assigned as needed) Table Captains – Lead and energize meal-packing teams Heavy Lifters / Runners – Keep supplies moving and meal-packing stations stocked Hospitality & Registration – Welcome, check in, and assist volunteers Set-Up & Break-Down Crew – Help prepare and reset the event space Learn more about the event and register for Charleston directly HERE
Together, let's honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through compassion, unity, and service. We hope you'll join us for what will be our most meaningful and ambitious year yet.
SCUUJA Fall Festival Saturday, September 26; 9:30am - 4:15pm UU Columbia
Join our social justice team in Columbia to connect with other SC UUs and prepare for an entire year of Social Justice work. If you are planning to go, email office@charlestonuu.org and we can connect folks to carpool! Register HERE View Agenda and Speaker Info HERE
Blessing box donations can be placed directly in the box, if there is room, or in the storage cabinet in the storage area of Gage Hall (where the folding chairs are stored.) Throughout the week, staff refill the box outside as space and supply allows.
To share a significant life event (births, deaths, celebrations, transitions and other joys and sorrows) send to Marcia Castano at BookOfLife@CharlestonUU.org by Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. or write them in person on Sunday morning.
The physical book is kept at the front of the church near the pulpit.
Interested in joining our wonderful church community?
Click here to learn more about membership.
