Sunday, January 25 - 11:00am in the Sanctuary, Sunday Service
This is Me with Rev. Rebecca Hinds and special musical guests Clyde Moser and Madelyn Knigh
Join us for our Second Annual Showtunes Sunday! Our choir, joined by a few special soloists, will lead us in a musical celebration of overcoming adversity and being yourself. After all, being true to yourself is a powerful act of resistance and a wellspring of joy.
Please note there will be no Forum this Sunday due to set up for the Auction Party.
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
Priscilla Shumway will be our Worship Associate,
with music provided by Clyde Moser, Madelyn Knigh, Bill Gesin, Choir, and Ryan Pagels.
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 - 5th 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.
There will be No Forum this Sunday
12:00 PM - Auction Party, Gage HallSunday January 25
Join us during coffee hour for treats and to pay any remaining auction balance. Sign up to bring items here. Whether you participated in the auction or not, we invite you to come and enjoy treats with everyone as we celebrate the conclusion of our biggest annual fundriaser. PLUS any unsold item will be available for purchase, so it will be a great time to snag a last minute deal!
Many great items to discover await! Items starting bids and final sale range from $10 - $500. There is something for everyone! Check out the catalog, get ready, and log in now:HERE
Attend a Mystic Arts Luncheon with Rune and Tarot Card readings
Buy a homemade key lime pie
Join one of our famous 8 person gourmet dinners featuring curated cuisines from around the world
Select from a wide variety of donated gift cards and experiences. You can support the church without spending any extra than you already would at your favorite local restaurants or Amazon!
Many items are a fixed price will be sold in the first hour of the event!
So head to the website now to preparea list for your top dinner choices, items, and gift cards. Biddable items will stay open for bids over the next 2 days. Sales and bidding go live at 5:00pm on TODAY Thursday January 22. Sales close at 5:00pm on Saturday January 24.
Our goal is to raise over $40,000 toward our church operating fund. Thank you for your generous donations and participation. We cannot do this without you!
Auctria Instructions:
Login or Register as a bidder on Auctria (upper right hand corner of the web page)
If you have not already done so, download the ‘Auctria Mobile Bidding’ app. Instructions below.
Review the catalog of items in advance to know your priority items. Many dinners will sell out right away!
Make sure you have your device ready for bidding by signing into the Auctria app or on your computer’s web browser
Payment Instructions:
It is not required that you pay online via credit card. Auctria gives you the option to pay later via check or cash. You must pay in full by Sunday January 25. If you are not able to attend the auction party in person on Sunday, but have elected to pay your balance via cash or check, please contact lily@charlestonuu.org to set up a time to pay.
Low Country Foodbank Volunteering Saturday, January 24; 9:00am
2864 Azalea Drive, North Charleston
We meet at 9:00 a.m. and usually finish by 11:30am. 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 online here and contact Lisa Hajjar at if you have questions.
Minister's Book Club Saturday, January 24; 10:00am
Lower Gage Hall
Join Rev. Rebecca to discuss Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans.
Women's Book Club Tuesday, January 27; 6:00pm
Main Library Branch + Zoom
Our January book is Redwood Court by DeLana R.A. Dameron. Join us in person or on Zoom!
SCUUJA Banned Book Club January 20 & 27; 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.
Green Sanctuary 2030 Wednesday, January 28; 6:30pm
Upper Gage Hall
The Green Sanctuary team is starting back up on January 28th at 6:30 pm in Upper Gage Hall with a Vegetarian Potluck Dinner, followed by the UUA presentation on the status of "Green Sanctuary 2030".
Our church congregation has long been fully committed to Environmental Justice. We are strong supporters of the CAJM initiative on Gadsden Creek and now the Marsh Project, and the church, through Connie Hayes' leadership, has strongly supported the SCUUJA efforts at the state level, with several significant victories!
Come learn more about how we and other UUs are transforming our congregations through climate justice!
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.
January Vestry Meeting Thursday, January 29; 6:30pm
Zoom
If you would like to attend the monthly vestry meeting please reach out to office@charlestonuu.org for a link.
SAVE THE DATE
UU Millennial-Z Happy Hour Thursday February 5, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Edmund's Oast 1505 King St
Join us for our regular monthly gathering on the first Thursday of the month! In February we will meet at the Edmund's Oast on Upper King. We will get a few tables together and you are encouraged to stop by any time between 6 and 8pm.
SCUUJA Banned Book Club Febraury 5 & 12; 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.
Lunch and Learn Sunday, February 8; 12:30pm
Upper Gage Hall
Thinking about becoming a member of the Unitarian Church of Charleston? Join us for lunch to learn more! During this event, you will have the opportunity to explore church history, discuss theology, and ask questions about how we can help you along your spiritual path.
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
COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT: Annual Acoustic Showcase Saturday February 21; 3:00pm
Lower Gage Hall
SAVE THE DATE!! Enjoy live acoustic music in our beautiful and historic listening room. The Annual SHOWCASE is February 21 at 3 pm in Gage Hall!! This Social Justice event supports our efforts with the underserved children at the Title One Mitchell Elementary School. All profits go directly to supporting the Mitchell Elementary Science program. This month’s lineup features some of our own incredible home-grown talent from the Unitarian Church, including Sam Cogdell, Susan Conant, Mark Farnham, Sue Findlay, Tom and Lisa Ross, Gregory Krause, Mark Madden, Regina Ruopoli, Niki Van Aller and a special guest star!!. This concert is dedicated to Bill Morris, one of the founders of this long-standing concert series. Suggested donation at the door is $20. This is a great family friendly event. Kids, guests, members new and old, and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be concessions for sale.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Social Justice Update
Thank you to everyone who took a moment to write a postcard to our South Carolina State Senators to demand a statewide hate crimes law. It has been a busy month for our social justice programming kicking off with the Emancipation parade new years day, the MLK Day parade Monday, CAJM listening sessions, and dropping of your donations to Mitchell Elementary School.
If you are ready to get more involved in social justice work and support in your community we have two upcoming events that everyone is encouraged to attend! First is the Green Sanctuary 2030 Potluck next Wednesday and the second is the Coffeehouse Concert: Acoustic Showcase on February 21.
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.
Join the Music Program this New Year! 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
Announcing the Dinner Anywhere in the World Raffle Tickets on Sale Now until March 1
In keeping with our auction theme of “Around the World”, our Auction Team is excited to offer our members and friends an opportunity will boost revenue to support the Church’s mission and its ongoing programs through a raffle with a fabulous Grand Prize worth up to $5,000.
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.
They will make great gifts for everyone in your life. So stop by the Auction HQ table to buy some for stocking stuffers before the holidays or to learn more!
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.
Welcome visitors and help newcomers make connections.
Equip Sunday volunteer teams for success.
Guide people along the pathway from visitor to new member, established member, and church leader.
Build community by supporting established small groups and helping to launch new ones.
For more information or to submit your resume, contact rebecca@charlestonuu.org
Sign up to fill our Blessing Box
Please consider signing up to bring donations on an upcoming Sunday: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EAAA82EAAF49-57940404-fall#/ We have increased the number of slots available in the sign up genius, but please know, even if the signup is "full" our pantry always has more space.
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.
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.
