The Jewish High Holy Days invite us to pause, reflect on the year behind us, and consider who we want to become. Drawing on the Jewish practice of teshuvah—turning, returning, and making amends—we’ll explore what it takes to acknowledge our mistakes, repair what we can, forgive ourselves and others, and find the courage to begin again.
Dave Ruef and Rachel Feher will be our Worship Associates,
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
with music provided by Hillary Hutchinson and Ryan Pagels
Stream this Sunday's Service and Forum HERE Please note, last week's stream failed due to internet issues in the Sanctuary. We believe this to be related to the heat in the Sanctuary and will do what we can to cool the necessary equipment. If it fails again, the recorded service will be uploaded Sunday afternoon.
9:30am - Nursery Opens, Annex - Children ages 5 and under are welcome in the nursery 9:30am - 12:15pm
- Children ages 6 and under are welcome after RE classes until 12:15pm
9:45am - Meditation, Upper Gage Hall
10:00am - Forum, Lower Gage Hall
- Resiliency: Challenges and Opportunities for Our Church's Future Come hear all about the progress of the Resiliency Task Force from Taskforce members Rick, Rachel, Jacob, and Polly as they explain their charge, more information on the current City of Charleston flood imitation tactics, and other related resiliency topics. Before Sunday, please complete the Resilience Taskforce Survey Future progress updates will happen on the third Sunday of the month.
You can stream the forum on our YouTube channel, or watch the forum later if you aren't able to attend!
10:00 - 10:55am, Religious Education Classes - Elementary aged students (K - 6th grade) will meet in Upper Gage Hall.
- Youth (7th - 12th grade) will meet in the Annex.
- Following RE classes, children will join the service in the Sanctuary.
12:00pm - Coffee Hour, Gage Hall Join us in Gage Hall following the service for coffee and conversation. Connect with staff and members and make new friends!
12:30pm New Member Class, Upper Gage Hall - Lunch provided! More information below
SANCTUARY AIR CONDITIONING UPDATE
Two of the compressors in our HVAC system need to be replaced. The parts have been ordered and will arrive next week. In the meantime, we have rented 4 temporary spot coolers. The Sanctuary has cooled down to 76 degrees and the humidity has reduced significantly. Thanks for bearing with us through the hot service last week - we hope you will join us for a cooler service this Sunday!
TONIGHT: Third Thursday Happy Hour Thursday, September 17; 8:30am Charleston Crab House - 145 Wappoo Creek Dr
We’re going to JAMES ISLAND for our All Church Happy Hour. This is a great intergenerational event where newer and longtime members get the opportunity to mingle. If you don’t live there, take the opportunity to stay-cation with the rest of us and enjoy some late summer Lowcountry water views. Rev. Rebecca and Jules will both be hosting, so this is also a great opportunity to connect with them about membership.
Taize Service Sunday, September 20; 6:00pm Sanctuary
The Taizé (pronounced tay-zay) style of worship is defined by its contemplative rhythm. It invites participants to enter a "common prayer" that requires no hymnal or sermon to understand, only a willingness to join one’s voice with others in a chant that becomes, over time, a resting place for the presence of God.
The Taizé Community was founded in 1940. During World War II, Brother Roger Schütz hid Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation. To avoid detection, he asked that they pray in silence so as not to alert the authorities. This necessity of silence, combined with a deep desire for reconciliation between divided Christians (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox), became the seed of the community. Today, the Taizé Community is made up of over 100 brothers from diverse denominations and nationalities. Their unique style of worship was developed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of language or theology.
Lowcountry Food Bank Volunteering Saturday, September 19; 9:00am Lowcountry Food Bank, 2864 Azalea Dr N. Charleston
Come volunteer with us! 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 and contact Leslie Gergen or office@charlestonuu.org if you have questions.
September Book Clubs
Minister's Book Club - Sat. Sept, 19, 10am Gage Hall
Reading: The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking by Shannon Vallor Women’s Book Club - Tues., Sept. 22, 6pm in Gage Hall
Reading: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
Books and Coffee - Sun., Sept. 27, 4:30pm in W. Ashley
Reading: Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
New Member Class Sunday, September 20; 12:30pm Upper Gage Hall - Conference Room
The New Member Class is an introduction to the Unitarian Church in Charleston. It's designed for anyone interested in Membership or exploring their place in our community. We gather for 90 minutes, share a light lunch and get to know you! Bring your questions, appetite and curiosity. Get ready to learn all about life on campus, church programs, social justice initiatives, and the many ways we gather in groups.
If you're unsure of Membership this is a great time to ask questions and let us know how to help support your unique spiritual path.
Whether you're starting here or getting ready to pick up where you left off, you're not alone. We're so excited to meet you! Email: jules@charlestonuu.org to RSVP today!
September Pancake and Syrup Drive
Last Call! 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!
In July and August we raised $468.63 for We Are Family through Share the Plate
Keep the momentum going and support LGBTQ+ rights with our our Social Justice team Welcoming Congregation 2030 initiative. Contact office@charlestonuu.org or Richard Hayes for more information.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
The Kids’ Space in the Sanctuary We love having our youngest members worship with us! The Wiggle Space is a spot for kids to sit, read, draw, and play with toys or fidgets quietly while staying connected to worship. A gentle reminder for caregivers: kids should choose an independent quiet activity and stay settled in the Wiggle Space, with voices at a whisper. This helps keep the sanctuary peaceful while giving our littlest members a way to participate in worship that works for them. Thanks for helping make our sanctuary a place where kids belong!
AWARDED: UUA Youth Ministry Grant! We are excited to announce that our Youth programming has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the UUA to support developing a youth planned and centered space in our annex. Great work Emily and our youth on your work to get this competitive grant!
SAVE THE DATE
The 3rd Annual Pop Music Trivia Contest! A Church FUNdraiser Saturday, September 26, 6:30-8:30pm (doors open 6:15)
Lower Gage Hall
We raised $1000 last year and it’s more fun than ever! ALL AGES will enjoy connecting with both newer and older music as you good-naturedly compete with your friends in teams. It’s OK if you haven’t followed pop music for awhile. Your hosts Dave & Karen Ruef will get you singing and dancing along with your friends in any case.
Invite your friends - whether UUs or not - and reserve your place now for $20. Buy your ticket online NOW or come to our ticket table at coffee hour each Sunday up to the event.
There will be Raffle tix for cool prizes plus delish food and drink for only $3. (If you’d like to help out at the event or donate a snack or dessert to be sold – it IS a fundraiser! – please let Dave know or email office@charlestonuu.org
NAACP - Protect and Respect the Bodies Rally Saturday, September 26; 6:30pm Burke High School Auditorium
Join the NAACP in partnership with Protect and Respect the Bodies, Asalh, and Black Lives Matter for an evening of unity, education, and action as we stand together to honor lives, demand justice, and protect our communities.
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.
