March 26, 2026

THIS SUNDAY AT CHURCH
 
Sunday Service, March 29

11:00am in the Sanctuary


Power vs. Force 


with Rev. Candace Chellew

 

Being Peacemakers in a World at War. When we see the powerful in the world moving to make war on one another, we can feel helpless. The good news is, we, as a community, have far more power than we believe. While governments rely on force, we -- both personally and collectively -- have what Gandhi called "satayagra" or the "force of truth" which may not stop the devastation of a bomb, but can ultimately rid the world of any thought of ever using them again. We cannot bomb our way to peace, but we can, through the power of Love, create true peace from the inside out.

Priscilla Shumway will be our Worship Associate,
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
with music provided by Amy Pharr, Travis Jackson, and Bill Gesin.


Stream this Sunday's Service and Forum here 

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 (and now livestreaming on YouTube!) 
Harlan Greene on Dorothy Heyward – Porgy’s Ghost
A presentation about the significant, often overlooked contributions of playwright Dorothy Heyward to the classic American story, Porgy, she co-created with her husband, DuBose Heyward, and the Gershwins. Greene’s recent biography of Dorothy Heyward details her life, struggles with health and gender bias in her field, and her crucial role in adapting the novel into the play and opera, giving the story its enduring, transcendent ending.  
Harlan Greene is an author and archivist and one of the most knowledgeable historians of Charleston and Jewish history in the Charleston region.  In addition to his latest book on Heyward, he has written about Charleston’s gay history in The Real Rainbow Row.
Sign up to be a Sunday Fellowship Facilitator!

Greeter  Flowers  Coffee Hour
COMMUNITY UPDATES
THE PLEDGE DRIVE ENDS NEXT WEDNESDAY
and we are $50,000 away from our goal!

 
We have received over 190 pledges, but have yet to hear from 46 households. Have we heard from you? We know life can get busy, but it's not too late! 

Pledge online
HERE, put your pledge form in the Sunday Offering or email Lily at Lily@charlestonuu.org.

Thank you to everyone who has already pledged. We have raised $376,253 with 83% of our members participating.

 
Pledge Now

A Night to Shine Celebration
March 28; 6:00 - 8:00pm
Churchyard

 
Thank you to everyone who RSVPed to our Night to Shine Party on March 28. We still need Saturday volunteers for 1:00pm decoration, 5:00pm kitchen help, and post-party cleanup. Please sign up to volunteer HERE!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Easter Celebration April 5🐣 
9:15am Kids' Worship Service
10am Egg Hunt and other outdoor family fun
10:10am-11:00am - Family Portraits with Kate Timber. Signup for a photo slot HERE

10:00am and 12:00pm - The Alliance Lavish Coffee Hour: Sign Up to Volunteer and Bring food to share HERE


Unhushed Program
Sundays, 10:00am April 19 - May 17

Unhushed is a comprehensive, values-based sexuality education program for middle school youth (ages 12-15). Register Here. During the weeks of Unhushed (April 19-May 17), this will be the only Youth programming available.
Last day of RE classes: Sunday, May 17
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH

TONIGHT: SCUUJA Relational Organizing Training
March 26; 6:00 pm
Zoom


SCUUJA is excited to offer our first Relational Organizing Training! Together, we will learn and practice skills that will help us build strong, grassroots power in our congregations and communities. We will also learn how to apply these same skills to conversations and negotiations with public officials. Register for the training and get the Zoom link HERE!

Millennial-Z April Social: BBQ Potluck
Thursday April 2, 6:00-8:00pm
4550 Mixson Ave, North Charleston

 
This month we are gathering for a Potluck at Lily's apartment complex. Join us for conversation and community, just bring a dish, drinks, or game to share! RSVP HERE

If you would like to be added to the Millennial-Z email group, just email office@charlestonuu.org to stay up to date on the group events.
Social Justice Endowment Grants for 2026:
 
You can help our Church to financially support worthy non-profit causes that YOU believe in - in our local community! The Social Justice Council is seeking nominations for the 2026 Social Justice Endowment grant. Every few years we disperse endowment fund earnings in the form of grants to non-profit organizations.

You may have a relationship with or knowledge of a worthy non-profit organization that supports our UU values. By all means, let us know about it by completing the nomination form. Don’t know where to star? Here’s a way to do so! The list below has a sample of various categories of non-profit organizations.

Addiction prevention, Affordable housing, Animal rights, Child welfare/education, Criminal justice, Disability rights, Domestic violence, Racial Justice/Equality Environment, Food security, Gender equality, Healthcare, Immigration rights, LGBTQ rights, Mental health, and Voting rights

Which ones interest you most? Do an internet search for Charleston County non-profits that fit that category and see if you find one or more that may be worth your investigation. Then, let us know why you think they are worthy by completing the nomination form
HERE and submitting it to Maureen Porter at mlpmaureen@gmail.com.

Eden Keepers
Saturday, April 4; 9:00am - 12:00pm
Churchyard

Come join our monthly volunteer gardening group and help prepare the Churchyard for Easter Sunday! All experience levels welcome. Bring your own gloves if you have them!
SAVE THE DATE
There will be no Forum or Meditation on Easter Sunday

Easter Volunteers and Food Items Needed!
Sunday, April 5
Gage Hall, Churchyard

We are seeking volunteers for Easter Sunday to bring food for the lavish coffee hour, decorate gage hall, prepare RE games, hide eggs, and so much more! Please review the signup genius here and contact the office with any questions!

The Alliance Spring Rummage Sale
Saturday, April 11; 9:00 - 11:30am
Gage Hall
 

Coffeehouse Concert featuring Ryan Pagels
Saturday, April 18th; 3pm
Gage Hall

From Ragtime to Radiohead, Ryan plays some of his favorite piano works during April's Coffeehouse Concert! Reserve your tickets HERE. ($20 suggested donation due at the door)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sign up to fill our Blessing Box
NEW Blessing Box Storage Cabinet Location! Due to some exciting A/V upgrades in Gage Hall we have had to move the overflow / storage cabinet for the blessing box. It is now located in the storage area to the side of Gage Hall where the folding chairs are stored. 
Please consider signing up to bring donations on an upcoming Sunday: 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 back storage area of Gage Hall (where the folding chairs are stored.) 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
Check Out the Full Church Calendar Online

You can view our full calendar of events here: https://www.charlestonuu.org/eventscalendar

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.
Join our Private Facebook Group for Members Only and 
“like” our
main page on Facebook for more news and updates!
The Gateway is sent weekly on Thursdays.
The weekly deadline is Wednesdays at 12 p.m.

Send inquiries to lily@charlestonuu.org
View previous issues here.
The Unitarian Church in Charleston
4 Archdale Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-4617
www.charlestonuu.org

Church Services Sundays, 11:00 a.m.


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