Sunday, November 23 - 11:00am at James Island County Park
Friendsgiving
with Rev. Rebecca Hinds
Join us for our 5th annual Friendsgiving Service and potluck lunch at James Island County Park, the day every year when we give thanks for what we have, celebrate our UU community, and welcome new members. Come for the good company and stay for the good food after the service!
In the spirit of gratitude we will also host a food drive, so as you are able, please bring non-perishable food item donations to the park.
Please note there is a $2 entry fee per person for the park. Bring a lawn chair, your own drink and a dish to share for a potluck lunch which will immediately follow the service.
There will be no programming at the church on Sunday November 23. All other regular Sunday activities (RE classes, meditation group, and Forum) are cancelled.
Emily White will give the Time for All Ages,
Maureen Porter and Janet Watts will be our Worship Associates,
with music provided by the Regina Ruopoli, Sue Findlay, Skyler Waddell, and Ryan Pagels.
This Sunday Service is NOT Available for Streaming
ALL OTHER REGULAR SUNDAY PROGRAMMING AT THE CHURCH IS CANCELLED. THE SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT JAMES ISLAND COUNTY PARK.
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH
Trans Day of Remembrance
TONIGHT, November 20; 7:00 PM
Sanctuary
Join us as remember those, both known and unknown, who lost their lives in the past year for daring to live their truth.
Minister's Book Club Saturday, November 22; 10:00am
Lower Gage Hall
This month we will read What Makes you Come Alive by Lerita Coleman Brown. Known as the godfather of the civil rights movement, Howard Thurman served as a spiritual adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders and activists in the 1960s. Thurman championed silence, contemplation, common unity, and nonviolence as powerful dimensions of social change. We will explore how this book on Thurman offers spiritual kinship and guidance for contemporary life and authentic action today.
Messiah Sing-Along Saturday, November 22; 3:00pm
Sanctuary
Choral Singers! Come jump start your holiday spirit with the Messiah Sing-Along!
This unique sing-along is for choral singers and enthusiasts and anyone who wants an immersive musical experience. With Handel’s iconic oratorio: Messiah, and featuring Sea Island Symphony Orchestra, local soloists, and led by music director Ryan Pagels, this is the perfect event to set the tone for your holiday season. Tickets are only $11 and you can pre-purchase a score to pick up at the event for $3.50.
The Church Offices and Campus will be closed Thursday Nov. 27 - Friday Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday
RELIGOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Please note there will be no RE classes on November 23. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the service held at James Island County Park.
Calling all kids and adults! Our annual Christmas pageant will take place during the worship service on Sunday, December 7. Email Emily to get involved. Emily@charlestonuu.org
JUST ANNOUNCED
Holiday Party Friday, December 5; 6:30pm
Lower Gage Hall
Bring a dish to share to this celebration featuring our favorite band the Late Model Children. Don’t forget to wear your festive attire and dancing shoes!
Alliance Holiday Bake and Gift Sale Sunday, December 7; 12:00pm
Lower Gage Hall
Please join The Alliance after the Children's Pageant service for the holiday cookie and gift sale. There will be delicious goodies and holiday wrapped gifts!
UU Millennials! Thursday, December 11; 6:00pm
Freehouse Brewing, 2895 Pringle St. B North Charleston
Calling all UU Millennials (aka Millennial-ish members and friends) mark your calendar for our next social event at Freehouse Brewing.
Books and Coffee Sunday, December 14; 4:00pm
Location Upon RSVP
Join us for our December gathering where we will review the book, The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays On a Human Centered Planet by John Green. For questions or the address email julie@charlestonuu.org.
SAVE THE DATE
Thanksgiving with UU Friends November 27
No one needs to be alone on Thanksgiving Day! Here's how it works:
1. If you have an open seat or two at your table let us know by emailing julie@charlestonuu.org. (For instance, Rev. Rebecca has plenty of room at her table this year!)
2. If you are looking for a place to go on Thanksgiving, let us know.
3. We will connect you with one another!
Last call! Email Julie by Friday afternoon!
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.
Call for Auction Donations
The 2026 Church auction is right around the bend, and submissions are already rolling in for dinners, vacation stays, gift cards, and more! If you have an auction item to donate, please click here for the form to use for such submissions and email office@charlestonuu.org
Auction volunteers will be in Gage Hall on Sundays during coffee hour to collect completed forms and answer any questions you have. The Auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year so thank you for your early support! More information regarding the auction itself, volunteer opportunities, and donations will be published here over the coming weeks.
Interested in joining our vibrant Music Program?
For the singers, our Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday! Interested singers are welcome to attend. For other musicians, we have a house band that plays in the Sunday service monthly and rehearses 1-2 times prior to that service. Please email our music director at ryan@charlestonuu.org for more details about our music program.
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.
