The Unfinished Promise of Freedom
(1776, 1865, and 2026)
with Rev. Rebecca Hinds
In honor of Juneteenth we will explore the relationship between truth and freedom. Together, we will reflect on the gap between America's highest ideals and its lived realities, celebrate the resilience of those who carried the dream of liberty forward, and consider what it means to help fulfill the unfinished promise of freedom in 2026.
Scott Morgan and Rachel Feher will be our Worship Associates,
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
with music provided by 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. 10:00 AM - Nursery Opens, Annex - For the summer, children ages 7 and under are welcome in the nursery until 12:15pm or the conclusion of worship.
- If you need childcare to be able to attend meditation or morning choir rehearsals this summer, please email office@charlestonuu.org and emily@charlestonuu.org to let us know.
12:00 PM - Coffee Hour, Gage Hall Immediately following the service you are invited next door to join us for coffee and light refreshments in our fellowship hall.
Family Circle Saturday, June 13; 5:00pm North. Charleston (RSVP for Address)
Join others who are raising children in the church for a time of friendship, good food, and thoughtful conversation. Sign up here!Childcare is available from 6-7. Address is shared with participants the Friday before the gathering.
🚀 Youth RE Planning Meeting this Sunday, Upper Gage Hall, 10:00 - 11:00am For parents, youth, and volunteers. If you want to be involved this year, please join us! Childcare for kids under 7 is available in the nursery.
🌷Call for RE Volunteers Be part of the fun, wisdom, and connection of our RE program! We are looking for volunteers to teach or support our Elementary and Youth RE programs next year. Previous teaching experience is not required.
Lesson plans and materials are provided. Just show up, facilitate, and be a supportive presence. 🙏
Flexible schedules and different levels of involvement are welcome. Email Emily, emily@charlestonuu.org if you're interested or have any questions.
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH
Death Cafe Monday, June 15; 7:00pm Lower Gage Hall
A group lead discussion of death with no agenda, objective, or theme. Come as you are.
Drink tea. Eat cake. Talk about death.
Third Thursday Happy Hour Thursday, June 18; 5:00 - 7:00pm The Garden by Charles Towne Fermentory
This new, monthly happy hour is open to everyone in our community! Maybe you have been a member for a few years but want to reconnect with our community, or you’re new and looking to connect for the first time. Or maybe you’re just looking to spend time with your favorite people outside of our church building! This monthly event is for everyone! Join us for drinks, food, and connection every third Thursday at a rotating local business! Contact Jules@charlestonuu.org with questions.
The Kitchen Renovation is Complete!
This renovation would not have been possible without the generous gift from Dottie Klintworth. Dottie was a long time active member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston serving on various committees and as an officer in The Alliance.
Thank you as well to Ginny and Scott Morgan, Priscilla Shumway, and Jack Hurley for donating a new stove and their assistance in managing the project. Thank you to The Alliance and Diane and Stan Boyer who also contributed to this project. We could not have completed this beautiful renovation without everyone's support.
Over the next couple of weeks we will continue organizing and labelling the new cabinets and look forward putting it to good use during upcoming potlucks and community dinners. We ask for your help in keeping our new kitchen clean! Please see posted signs about how best to care for the new countertops and cabinets.
Happyland Musical June 2026, various dates Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Our friends at KKBE have shared a promo code to their upcoming production of Happyland running June 4 - 14. You can purchase tickets here and use the code HISTORY for a discount. The performance will featuring our very own, Ryan Pagels on the organ!
SAVE THE DATE
Celebrating 250 Years of Revolutionary History Sunday, June 21
11:00am Worship Service with John Newell
12:00pm Reception in Gage Hall with Circular Church, celebrating our shared history
1:00pm Concert Presented by Charleston Chamber Music in the Sanctuary
Join us for this special Sunday as we look back at Charleston in the American Revolution and the role our spiritual forefathers at the First Independent Church in Charleston (Circular) played.
Lowcountry Foodbank Volunteering Saturday, June 20; 9:00am - 12:00pm
LCFB: 2864 Azalea Drive, North Charleston.
This is a great opportunity to put our values into action and serve our community. Please join us to volunteer at the LCFB. We meet at 9:00 a.m. and usually finish by 11:30. Closed-toe shoes required. Children 12 and older with an adult and 16 and older are welcome to participate; LCFB staff will sign for school volunteer hours. SIGN UP HERE
Books and Coffee Sunday, June 21; 4:30pm Mt. Pleasant
We have one more meeting, in June, when we will discuss the non-fiction book, “Careless People” by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a bestselling 2025 memoir by former Facebook (Meta) executive Sarah Wynn-Williams. W will be at the Goldberg’s in the Franke retirement campus in Mt. Pleasant.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
UUSC: Haiti Rising - Resilience Beyond the Headlines
UUSC is continually investing in long-term partnerships that strengthen human rights movements and nurture the people leading them.
Recently, UUSC supporters’ generosity helped fund “Haiti Rising” — a wellness retreat that brought together leaders from a number of UUSC’s grassroots partner organizations in Haiti. At a time when many Haitian advocates, journalists, and organizers are working under extraordinary and oftentimes life-threatening pressure, UUSC’s retreat created space for rest, reflection, and renewed connection.
Among the participants was our partner, AyiboPost, an independent media collective dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories too often ignored by mainstream narratives about Haiti. Their work challenges harmful stereotypes and centers the resilience, creativity, and dignity of Haitian communities.
Mike Hala Joly of AyiboPost reflected on what the experience meant to him:
“Living in Haiti is a constant challenge, and working in media adds a layer of relentless stress. As an administrator, I see the toll it takes on our young team ... This is where UUSC became a lifesaver. At the retreat in Cap-Haitien, I found a stillness I had forgotten existed ... I left the Haiti Rising retreat not just rested, but restored.” To read Mike’s full reflection, please visit this blogpost.
Blessing box donations can be placed directly in the box, if there is room, or in the storage cabinet in the back storage area of Gage Hall (where the folding chairs are stored.) Throughout the week, staff will refill the box outside as space allows.
SCUUJA Fall Festival Saturday, September 26
UU Congregation of Columbia
BOOK OF LIFE
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.
