It's time to celebrate Mother's Day, Flower Sunday, and the Alliance. A lovely coffee hour in honor of the Alliance will follow the service.
Maureen Porter will be our Worship Associate, Emily White will give the Time for All Ages, and Music will be provided by the UU Chancel Choir, Bill Gesin, and Ryan Pagels.
We will share the plate with Charleston Immigrant Community Hotline.
- Children ages 5 and under are welcome in the nursery 9:30am - 12:15pm
- Children ages 7 and under are welcome after RE classes until 12:15pm.
No Meditation on May 10th
10:00 AM - Forum, Lower Gage Hall (and now live-streaming on YouTube!)
Chad Gibbs -- “Burning it Down: Means and Methods of
Jewish Resistance at Treblinka”
On August 2, 1943, Jewish prisoners trapped in the Nazi extermination camp Treblinka rose up, attacked their guards, and set fire to the facility as they ran for the fields and forests beyond the wire. This talk provides a short explanation of how they accomplished this feat and why some parts of this astounding resistance story have remained hidden for so long.
Chad S.A. Gibbs is in his fifth year as assistant professor of Jewish Studies and director of the Zucker/Goldberg Center for Holocaust Studies at the College of Charleston. His first book, Survival at Treblinka: Geography, Gender, and Social Networks in Jewish Resistance, comes out this spring with the University of Wisconsin Press.
12:00 PM - Coffee Hour, Lower Gage Hall
Everyone is invited to our fellowship hall following the Sunday service for coffee and conversation.
NEXT SUNDAY AT CHURCH
RE Recognition and Bridging Ceremony Sunday May 17th, 11:00
A special moment in our congregation when we honor our graduating high school seniors as they transition into young adulthood. Please let Emily know if you have a senior who would like to participate, emily@charlestonuu.org
Our Annual Congregational Meeting is on Sunday, May 17 directly following the 11 AM church service (live and via Zoom). All church members received an email containing the Annual Meeting Packet. If you did not receive the packet, please contact Christine at christine@charlestonuu.org. We will vote on next year’s budget and nominations for the Vestry Board, Endowment Investment Board, and the Nominating Committee. We will also hear updates from Church leadership.
Please remember that in order to vote, you must have a recorded contribution within 12 months of the day of the meeting and have been a member for no less than 90 days. If you have any questions about your status, please email Christine Magnarella Ray at christine@charlestonuu.org.
2026-27 Operating Budget Info Session
Monday, May 11 at 6:30 pm
Christine Magnarella Ray, Director of Finance and HR, is offering a zoom session to review the 2026-27 budget and answer questions before the annual meeting.
To attend, register here:Zoom Budget Meeting 2026-27
Elementary kids, make sure to come to RE class this Sunday morning, and stay for the service as well. We’re making something very nice you can bring home to Mom that day. Kids who want to can participate in a fun skit during the service as well
Meditation Group No meditation on Mother's Day, 5/10
Family Circle Saturday 5/16 For people raising children in our church community. Potluck dinner and pareent connection time with childcare during the second hour. At a member's home in Summerville, 5:00 -7:00pm (Navigate to "May" in the spreadsheet. Sign up here.
Last Day of RE celebration Sunday 5/17 Parents, kids, and volunteers who were part of RE this year: join us as we celebrate together! Meet at 10:00am in the churchyard behind Gage Hall. We will have a collaborative art project for all ages to enjoy.
Bridging Ceremony Sunday 5/17 A special moment in our congratation when we honor our graduating high school seniors as they transition into young adulthood. Please let Emily know if you have a senior who would like to participate.
Unhushed Pick Up Parents and caregivers, please come to the classroom in Upper GAge Hall to pick up youth when class ends.
Call for Volunteers We're looking for volunteers to teach and support our Youth program in the coming church year. No teaching experience necessary, just a willingness to show up and connect. If your're intereste, please contact Emily.
Lily Out of Office April 28 - May 10
Adjusted Campus Hours for May
Beginning Tuesday April 28, our Church Administrator, Lily Colburn, will be out of office recovering from surgery. She will be off on sick leave April 28 - May 10. She will work a hybrid, partially remote schedule May 11 - June 5. During this time, the church offices will have adjusted hours as other staff cover the office and her responsibilities.
While Lily is out you can connect with other staff for urgent needs. If you have a finance or pledge question, emailChristine@charlestonuu.org
If you have a questions about upcoming events or have other member related questions email,Jules@charlestonuu.org
Every month the Eden Keepers gathers to maintain our beautiful and historic churchyard. All are welcome and no gardening experience is required – simply a love of plants and an appreciation of this wonderful green space. Bring gardening tools if you have them, gloves, water to drink while working and bug spray. We will work from 9-12, weather permitting. If you can't get there at 9, come when you can. There will be a committee meeting and potluck lunch afterward.
For more information, please contact Casey Shearing, Scott Morgan or email office@charlestonuu.org.
Coffee with the Minister
Attention all North Charleston, Summerville, Ladson, and Goose Creek members and friends!
Tuesday, May 12 at 9am
Ra Coffee Company
110 S Goose Creek Blvd.
Coffee with the Minister this month will be at Ra Coffee Company in Goose Creek at 110 S Goose Creek Blvd.
Join Rev. Rebecca for coffee and a chat. Hope to see you there!
UCC Women's Group
Saturday
May 9, 10:00 am Main Library at Calhoun Street
Women's Retreat
Saturday
May 16, 9:00am- 12:00pm Lower Gage Hall
How can we nourish the soul in these times? Retreat is listed as one of the ways of prayer. Explore 13 ways of prayer and add your own. Engage in silence meditation, liturgical dance, song, journaling, blessing of the hands and honey communion. If desired, bring a small token representing your spirituality to decorate our prayer altar.
Cost: $20 to Lily at the church office. Early registration is encouraged as participation will be limited to 15 people. Journals and light snacks will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a blanket or cushion. Register HERE
Thank you to all of our Docents for running another successful Spirited Brunchthis year!
On Sunday, May 3 while many of us were at the park, our Docents were welcoming 292 visitors into the church! Well done!
Special thanks to Abby H and Ginny M for their hard work organizing the food and all the volunteers! Bravo!
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.
Social Justice Endowment Grants for 2026
You can help our Church to financially support worthy non-profit causes that YOU believe in - in our local community! The Social Justice Council is seeking nominations for the 2026 Social Justice Endowment grant. Every few years we disperse endowment fund earnings in the form of grants to non-profit organizations.
You may have a relationship with or knowledge of a worthy non-profit organization that supports our UU values. By all means, let us know about it by completing the nomination form. Don’t know where to star? Here’s a way to do so! The list below has a sample of various categories of non-profit organizations.
Which ones interest you most? Do an internet search for Charleston County non-profits that fit that category and see if you find one or more that may be worth your investigation. Then, let us know why you think they are worthy by completing the nomination form HERE and submitting it to Maureen Porter at mlpmaureen@gmail.com.
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.
SAVE THE DATE
Books and Coffee Sunday, May 24, 4:30
Ellie and Ray Setser's home
Our chosen book is The NY Times Bestseller “Breath” by James Nestor. Please bring a snack to share. Contact Lily@charlestonuu.org more information.
Women's Book Group Tuesday May 26, 6:00pm
Charleston Main Library
This will be the last for this season, we will be reading and discussing "The Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali. We will meet at the Main Library on Calhoun Street.
Minister's Book Club Saturday, May 30, 2026 10am - Lower Gage Hall
We will be discussing Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church by Kevin Sack.
Sunday, May 31st, 4:0
Sanctuary
Men's group meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 in lower Gage Hall.There is also a men's luncheon the third Tuesday of the month at 11:30 at various restaurants in the Charleston area.
