FIRE DRILL: February 23 At the end of the church hour we will have our annual fire drill. Rev. Rebecca will give directions for exiting the sanctuary in the event of an emergency.
This annual safety training is important to us and it is a safety policy we as a congregation agree to implement. Please feel free to reach out to the office if you have any questions or concerns regarding the fire drill.
9:45 AM
Meditation
Upper Gage Hall, Room 1
Participants gather for an hour to practice insight meditation and discuss various aspects of the meditative path and its interplay with our lives.
Joel Caldwell will be joined by architect and executive director of the Root Down Building Collective, April Magill
The biggest strides in hempcrete construction are going down on one of the smallest Native American reservations.
Joel Caldwell is a photographer, writer, filmmaker and co-founder of the Charleston-based grassroots environmental organization The M.A.R.S.H. Project. For the past ten years he has focused on telling conservation and environmental justice stories from around the world. In recent years, his focus has shifted to uplifting stories of ecosystem restoration and humanity’s connection and place within nature.
April Magill is a leading voice in the advancement of alternative, climate-smart & healthy building methods and has been a pioneer in the southeast. She is an Architect, small business owner, Executive Director, and Adjunct Professor; April has been a keynote speaker and presenter to many organizations and universities over the past decade. Some of April's current Charleston-based work includes a hempcrete pilot project and a federally-funded initiative for healthy housing.
COMMUNITY & CHURCH NEWS
To You, With Love,
Your love and support as I mourned the loss of my daughter Lorel Morris were powerful gifts during the past two weeks. I thank our Caring Committee and several individuals for glorious blossoms arriving at my door! Many of you sent cards of understanding and good cheer. Many came to our Farewell Service in Summerville on a sunny afternoon of tears and laughter. Love abounds among our congregation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of this kindness, my dear friends. My cup indeed runneth over.
With great affection, Kay Haun
It’s BACK! Not only is it one of our favorite events of the year, it’s the start of our annual Stewardship drive - Be The Spark! Come on down to win the coveted best chili award! Winners have their name engraved on our hand made chili trophy!!
Late Model Children will provide great music while we eat and have fun!
The Nominating Committee invites you to nominate yourself or another member of the church to serve by being a leader on the Vestry Board or the Endowment Investment Board (EIB). You will work closely with the Minister, Staff, respective Board members, and others to help determine the direction of our beloved church at a challenging time in our history. Explore the roles of the Vestry Board and EIB HERE and picking up FAQ sheets from Committee members. Let any member of the Nominating Committee know who you're nominating before the March 23, 2025, deadline or email Lisa Hajjar at hajjarlm@gmail.com. Members of the Nominating Committee are Lisa Hajjar (Chair), Abby Himmelein, Ginny Morgan, and Amy Hudock.
In this current political climate, with democracy under threat and resistance efforts rising across the country, many of us are wondering what we can do to help. As we figure it out, it will be important for each of us to be educated and grounded. Join Rev. Rebecca in a 4-part book series on Civil Resistance. We will meet one Saturday a month at 10 am in Gage Hall (March 22, April 26, May 31, and June 28). Read as many or as few of the books as you like - come to one session or come to them all!
* March 22:
* Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know by Erica Chenoweth
* 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
Calling for Share the Plate nominations
Our Share the Plate program not only raises funds, but raises awareness about local non-profits. Donations given to Share the Plate are split 50/50 with the church and the organization for one month.
Use the nomination formhereto submit your nomination for a local non-profit organization to receive Share the Plate donations.
Volunteer opportunities at
Lowcountry Food Bank and James Island Outreach
Our church has a long history of volunteering with the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB), primarily the Backpack Buddies program or other activities sorting/packing food for distribution to folks with food insecurity throughout coastal SC. Due to scheduling issues last spring, we are on a different schedule than we’d had for years. From January to May, we will volunteer on the 2nd Thursday of each month and starting in June, we go back to our 3rd Saturday schedule.
The LCFB is located at 2864 Azalea Drive, North Charleston. You may watch a volunteer orientation HERE. Close-toes shoes required.
For those who work weekdays, we have a current Saturday volunteer opportunity to help at James Island Outreach (JIO) on the 1st Saturday of each month. This is primarily outdoor work at the produce tent assisting people gather produce in bags, help carry food to their cars, and cleaning up.
JIO is located at 1872 Camp Rd, James Island. To learn more go HERE. Children 12 and older may volunteer with their parents.
We are asking for up to 4 volunteers to work at JIO on the 1 st Saturday of each month from 8:30-11:30 through May 2025.
We are asking for at least 10 volunteers to work at the LCFB on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9-12.
SUNDAY, February 23; 5 PM
at the home of Ron and Judy Bruce
Franke at Seaside, Mount Pleasant
We will review Call it Grace by Serene Jones
TUESDAY, February 25; 6 PM
Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Meeting Room A Women come together to have a thoughtful, guided conversation about a chosen book and the reading experience.
February's Book: The Island of the Missing Trees by Elif Shafak Contact Danielle Lopez if you have any questions.
WEDNESDAY, February 26; 6:45 PM
Gage Hall
Choir meets on Wednesdays from 6:45 PM-8:15 PM,
and Sundays at 10am (when Choir is present). If you're interested in singing in the choir, please contact Ryan at ryan@charlestonuu.org.
Everyone is welcome to join!
THURSDAY, February 27; 6:30 PM
Vestry Board Meeting
Zoom Church members are always welcome to attend our Board meetings. If you plan to attend, please contact Connie Hayes at crhayeshps@gmail.com for link information.
SAVE THE DATE
Book of Life
Our Book of Life is a shared journal in which we record the significant events of our lives, (births, deaths, celebrations, transitions and other joys and sorrows). Entries are read aloud during the Meditation portion of the service. All are welcome to participate.
The physical book is kept at the front of the church near the pulpit, and entries can be written in there as well. If you cannot attend service, any Book of Life entries that you would like our minister to share should be sent to Marcia Castano at marciapate5@gmail.com by Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Marcia will then pass them along to be read on Sunday morning.
Here For You Please don't hesitate to reach out to your church in times of need.
Minister's Discretionary Fund
For assistance with your expenses, contact Rev. Rebecca Hinds at rebecca@charlestonuu.org
Last Week's Livestream
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Members, please participate in our private members-only group on Facebook! Also, remember to “like” our main pageon Facebook for more news and updates there.
Interested in joining our wonderful church community?
Click here to learn more about membership.
Membership in the Unitarian Church in Charleston is open to all who choose to walk with us in the spirit of love and in the search for truth. We have no creedal requirements for membership. To become a member, one completes the New to UU Charleston and Pathways Classes and signs the Membership Book in the presence of the Minister and an officer of the church. We know schedules are very busy in this season and we are looking at ways to bring you in and learn more about what you are seeking in the community. If you are interested in learning more about Membership, please reach out to Danielle Lopez at danielle@charlestonuu.org
The Gateway E-Newsletter is sent weekly on Thursdays.
The weekly deadline is Wednesdays at 12 p.m. Send inquiries to erika@charlestonuu.org
Please don't hesitate to reach out to your church in times of need.
