In recognition of Earth Day, join us at 11:00 am for Indigenous teaching and worship lead by Richard Guess. His talk, “Growing the Sacred” is based on the writings of Richard Charleston, Native American Elder and former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska. Nancy Simpson and Scott Morgan serve as worship associates. What better way to become grounded and celebrate the Earth’s abundance.
Richard Guess
Richard Guess is the former director of the Santee-Wateree Community Mental Health Center. For over thirty years, he has worked with children, adolescents and adults in different settings, including jails, emergency rooms and the community mental health system. Richard currently works part-time as the trail technician and environmental educator at “Nature as Teacher” an 800-acre Nature Preserve along the Wateree River in Camden, South Carolina, owned and managed by Clemson University. He conducts weekend workshops and speaks to groups on the topic of Native American spirituality.
Like so many South Carolinians, Richard is of Cherokee decent. This has led him to focus his religious studies on Native American spirituality. Richard’s many passions include beekeeping, naturalist training, and decades of exploration of comparative religions.
He is the father of two adult children, and the grandfather of two young boys.
Music will be provided by Ryan Pagels.
As always, the Annex is open to ages 5 and under
from 10 AM-12:15 PM.
Participants gather for an hour to practice insight meditation and discuss various aspects of the meditative path and its interplay with our lives.
10 AM - Forum - Lower Gage Hall Conrad Wells - How we built the James Webb Space Telescope.
How does the JWST telescope work, and how did we put it together? We will discuss the integration and test of the telescope and look at some of the amazing images.
Conrad Wells is an optical engineer who specializes in the integration and test of space telescopes.
The chalice flame is the symbol of our UU faith. Our worship service begins with the sacred ritual of lighting the chalice. If you would like to light the chalice, contact Mary Ann Terry at 843-364-6612 or Maryannterry813@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, April 26th
The Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe is looking for some help with their upcoming powwow on Saturday, April 26th. Specifically, we are in need of 6–10 volunteers to help direct parking throughout the day. We’re hoping to organize two shifts of 3–5 volunteers each, with the first shift running from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the second from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
If anyone in the congregation is able to offer a few hours of their time, it would be a great service to our tribal community. I also believe it would be a fun and meaningful day for those who volunteer—a chance to experience Native culture firsthand and support an event that means a great deal to us. Contact Rev. Rebecca or church member Clint Tawes
Volunteer opportunities at
Lowcountry Food Bank & James Island Outreach
We need 4 volunteers to work at JIO on the 1st Saturday of each month from 8:30-11:30 and at least 10 volunteers to work at the LCFB on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9-12.
Read as many or as few of the books as you like - come to one session
or come to them all!
We meet on the fourth Saturday
at 10am in Gage Hall.
* April 26: History Teaches Us to Resist: How Progressive Movements Have Succeeded in Challenging Times by Mary Frances Berry
* May 31: Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing by The Rev. Dr. William Barber II
* June 28: No Straight Road Takes You There by Rebecca Solnit
WEDNESDAY, April 30; 6:45 PM
Choir meets on Wednesdays
from 6:45 PM-8:15 PM (7 PM on New & Good nights),
and Sundays at 10am
(when Choir is present).
If you're interested in singing in the choir, please contact Ryan at ryan@charlestonuu.org
SATURDAY, May 3; 9 AM
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, followed by a potluck lunch in Gage Hall. For more information, please contact Laura Moses at 843-364-1976 or lauramoses@yahoo.com.
SAVE THE DATE
Books and Coffee Sunday, May 4, 2025;5 PM
Ron and Judy Bruce's Home
Franke in Mt. Pleasant
We will review Noam Chomsky's
THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM
A book about American foreign policy and how capitalistic interests often override all other concerns including humanitarian concerns.
Tuesday, May 6; 6:30 PM
For thoughtful men to come together on a regular basis and share their life concerns, interests, and hopes for the future. Specifically, to provide emotional support, foster bonding, social interaction. Contact Frank Hardie at fwhardie@yahoo.com.
Free concert! May 10
Music Director Ryan Pagels and Steinway Artist Dr. Michael Rickman present a 2 piano concert.
Featuring the works of Mozart, Poulenc, Milhaud, and Lutoslawski.
SCUUJA invites you to sign up for the Zoom workshop, "Speaking the Language of Our Faith for Justice: Faith in Action!" with the Rev. Deanna Vandiver, Director of the UU College of Social Justice. It will be held on May 17 from 11 am to 3:30 pm. It's a spiritually grounded justice education event designed to equip you for faithful action in this political moment. You will deepen your faith and bring justice to life through your own participation and practice.
About the presenter: Rev. Deanna Vandiver (she/they) is a called auntie, a collaborator, an artist, an affiliated community minister for love and liberation with the Church of the Larger Fellowship, the Director of our Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice (www.uucsj.org), and the founder of Ever Unfolding. Deanna lives with her partner on the land of the Suquamish nation, “people of the clear salt water,” in Washington state, still being shaped by deep and faithful justice education in Bulbancha, Louisiana.
There's no cost to the workshop, but we do suggest that you donate $10.00 or more if you can to the UU College of Social Justice. SCUUJA will collect the donations and send them to the UU College of Social Justice. Donate at www.scuuja.org/donate.
Book of Life
To share a significant life event (births, deaths, celebrations, transitions and other joys and sorrows) send to Marcia Castano at marciapate5@gmail.com 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 or reach out
to Danielle Lopez at danielle@charlestonuu.org
