In this worship service we will tell eight stories from our Unitarian, Universalist, and UU histories: stories about how ordinary people showed up, in very different ways and in particular contexts, to side with love and show up for justice.
This Sunday we will also welcome new members as they sign the membership book and join the Unitarian Church in Charleston!
Rachel Feher will be our Worship Associate,
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
with music provided by Ryan Pagels, Bill Gesin, and the choir.
9:30 AM - Nursery Opens, Annex - 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.
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 - RE Classes, Annex and Upper Gage Hall - 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.
10:00 AM - Forum, Gage Hall Ana Zimmerman – Nobel Physiology/Medicine Prize-winners
Anastasia Zimmerman is an associate professor of Biology at the College of Charleston. Her research interests are in molecular evolution of the vertebrate immune system. Using the zebrafish as an immunological model system, her research produces genome-wide analyses of innate and adaptive immune loci in fishes.
12:30 PM - Immigration Justice Meeting, Lower Gage Hall The Social Justice team is holding a meeting to discuss what our Church can do to support Immigration Justice. As you know the UUA has been strongly involved at the national level supporting Immigration Justice. The UUA affirm immigration as a moral issue and have long spoken out in support of immigrant justice. Our state UU team SCUUJA has been working on Immigration at the state level. Are you concerned and believe UCC should be doing something to support Immigration Justice locally? It has been announced ICE is coming to Columbia and Charleston now. Charleston has an Immigration Hotline we could support. If you are concerned, if you have a passion to support justice, come to the meeting on Sunday!
On the first Sunday of each month, we Share the Plate with a non-profit organization that reflects our UU Principles. Last church year we were able to give a total of over $8,000 to eleven organizations.
Use the Nomination form here to make your nomination. Send the form to mlpmaureen@gmail.com.
Nominations will be accepted until February 28.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
UNHUSHED Middle School Program
April 19 - May 17
🌱 This Spring!
We’re excited to offer Unhushed, a comprehensive, values-based sexuality education program for middle school youth (ages 12-15).
Unhushed creates a safe, respectful space for young people to explore topics like identity, relationships, consent, and decision-making with accurate information and thoughtful discussion.
Dates:
Sundays 10am-12pm Onsite
April 19 & 26
May 3, 10, 17 Register Here Online Parent Orientation is Monday, March 23, 6:30-7:30pm.
Please see the flyer for more details about the program.
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH
TONIGHT: Rise Up and Sing Protest Singalong Thursday, February 12; 7:00pm
Gage Hall
Inspired by Singing Resistance of Minneapolis, come sing your hearts out for justice, love, and peace. Learn songs you can take to the frontlines to lift our voices together. RSVP HERE
$10 Suggested Donation at the Door. Dress joyfully! Joy is an act of resistance. Bring 1 canned good for the Blessing Box. Visit our Hope in Action Station and learn what more you can do to meet the immediate needs of our community!
Proceeds benefit the Unitarian Church in Charleston and Meet Us On The Frontlines.
Women's Group Saturday February 14, 10:00am Lower Gage Hall
Join us in Gage Hall this Saturday to discus the Soul Matters packet, "Embodying Resilience". As always, this is a starting point for our discussion; it is not mandatory to read this but may be helpful to guide your thinking. Please know you are welcome whether you preview the packet or not.
A REMINDER to all - This weekend is the SEWE Festival in downtown Charleston. So be prepared that there may be increased traffic heading in to town. Hopefully, as we are meeting at Gage Hall this month, parking in the church lot behind Gage Hall should make things a bit easier.
Family Circle Saturday, February 14; 5:00 - 7:00pm
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). This month's meeting is in West Ashley. Please RSVP in the Signup Genius. Location details will be shared by email on Friday.
Rhineland Treat: Monday, Feb. 23 at 6:15pm, $200
Dave & Karen are delighted to share with you the country’s finest cuisine. Anticipated menu items: Pickled Herring, Bratwurst Sausage, Bavarian Pretzel , Cucumber Soup with Smoked Trout, Pumpernickel Bread, Weiner (veal) Schnitzel, Spaetzle with grilled onion and cheese, Red Cabbage with Apple, and German Chocolate Cake. Paired with Ren Manning’s exquisite wine and beer selections. Held at the Ruef’s downtown apartment building’s lovely event space. Progressive Uruguayan Dinner: Saturday, April 25 at 6pm, $200. Hosted by the Fines, Mannings, and Himmeleins in Mount Pleasant. A Midsummer Brunch: Saturday, June 13th at 11am, $75. Hosted by Rev. Rebecca in Park Circle featuring Swedish Quiche and Cardamom Cake. Kansas City Barbecue Cookout: Sep. 26, 6:00pm, $50. Hosted by Lily Colburn in Gage Hall featuring KC Brisket Burnt Ends, Cheesy Corn, and Kansas Dirt! Sumptuous Vegetarian Dinner: Oct. 17 at 6pm, $90. Hosted by Janet Fine in Mount Pleasant featuring Bulgarian Stew straight from the Moosewood Cookbook!
Books and Coffee Sunday, February 15; 4:30pm
Mount Pleasant
Our next selection is SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE by John Fugelsang. "A sane person's guide to taking back the Bible from fundamentalists, fascists, and flock-fleecing frauds."
We will meet at the home of Ron and Judy Bruce at Franke in Mount Pleasant
Death Cafe Monday, February 16; 7:00pm
Lower Gage Hall
The Unitarian Church in Charleston is pleased to host a monthly Death Cafe. At a Death Cafe people gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Our objective is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." A Death Cafe is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Death Cafe is an international social franchise.
CAJM Network Meeting Thursday, February 19; 6:30pm
Gage Hall - Register Here
Come out to build relationships with folks from other congregations, hear updates from CAJM committees, and prepare for the Nehemiah Action!
The Church offices will be closed Monday February 16 in observance of Presidents' Day
COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT
Annual Acoustic Showcase Saturday February 21, 3:00pm Lower Gage Hall
One of our most important Social Justice projects each year is supporting Mitchell Elementary School in Downtown Charleston, and Title 1 School that is now a Science school magnate!!! We yearly provide the funds for them to go on Science Field Trips in the area - around $4000/year. The primary source of these funds for the Church is the GAGE HALL COFFEEHOUSE. It is fun! Great Music! And YOUR donations ($20 suggested) go to this Social Justice Program supporting our UU values!!
Come support all your Church Friends playing in the Showcase!!! Support your Social Justice program, support your friends singing and playing, and attend the Coffeehouse on February 21 at Gage Hall at 3 pm!!
2 Weeks Left to Buy Dinner Anywhere in the World Raffle Tickets on Sale Now until March 1
The winner will choose either:
One dinner for two anywhere in the world (including airfare for two and two nights lodging), or
Two dinners for two anywhere in the continental US, airfare for two, and four nights lodging.
Raffle tickets cost $20 are on sale now!No more than 1000 tickets will be sold. There is no limit on how many tickets an individual may buy and the buyer does NOT need to be a member or friend of the Church.
Ticket sales run through March 1 when we will draw the winner at our annual Chili Kick-Off. You can purchase tickets via credit card, check, or cash.
Proceeds from the raffle not used to pay for the Grand Prize will support our congregation as we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive community that promotes justice and brings more love and light into the world.
The January Share the Plate raised $557 for the Boon Project! Thank you for your continued support of our local partners and the church.
SAVE THE DATE
Meal Train Sign Up to Support the Hanchucks
Our friends and members Emil and Stacey need our support in February. Please review the Signup Genius to volunteer to bring a frozen meal to the UU freezer or drop off a hot meal at their home. Contact Danica Todd with any questions.
Women's Book Group February 24; 6:00pm
Main Library Branch and Zoom
Join us downtown or over Zoom on the last Tuesday of the month. This month we are reading "A Council of Dolls" by Mona Susan Power".
SCUUJA Banned Book Club New Dates: February 24 & March 3; 7:00pm Zoom
This month SCUU Justice Association is reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Join a discussion via Zoom to connect and discuss with UUs across the state. Register online HERE.
Minister's Book Club February 28; 10:00am
Lower Gage Hall
Join Rev. Rebecca on the last Saturday of the month for her book club. This month will feature How Jesus became God by Bart Ehrman
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NEEDS YOU!
The Nominating Committee invites you to nominate yourself or another church member to serve by being on the Vestry Board starting in the new church year. Guided by a close connection to our members, you will be part of a team that works with the Minister in determining the direction of our beloved church at a challenging time in our history. Explore the roles of the Vestry Board and Endowment Investment Board (no EIB vacancy this year) by visiting https://www.charlestonuu.org/governance and picking up Fact Sheets and a Nomination Form in Gage Hall.
Let any member of the Nominating Committee know who you're nominating before the March 22, 2026, deadline or email Lisa Hajjar at hajjarlm@gmail.com. Members of the Nominating Committee are Lisa Hajjar (Chair), Ginny Morgan, Amy Hudock, Susan Garrison, and George Tempel.
Sign up to fill our Blessing Box
With the cold weather, we have seen an increase in use of the blessing box and it is emptied almost daily. Please consider signing up to bring donations on an upcomingSunday: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EAAA82EAAF49-57940404-fall#/ Blessing box donations can be placed directly in the box, if there is room, or in the storage cabinet in the southwest corner of Gage Hall. Throughout the week, staff will refill the box outside as space allows.
Join the Music Program! Now is the perfect time to get involved with our music program at UCC! 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
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.
