With the holidays right around the corner, we are heading into the time of year most devoted to consumerism. But what if we already have enough? What if we don't need to buy things to be happy or fulfilled? Come practice gratitude with us as we embrace abundance and loosen the grip of consumerism.
Janet Watts will give the Time for All Ages and will be our Worship Associate,
with music provided by the House Band - James Degen, Sue Findlay, Tom Ross, Regina Ruopoli, Frank Ruopoli, & Sheila Russell, 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.
9:45AM - Meditation Group, 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, Upper Gage Hall & Annex (please meet in the Churchyard just before 10:00am)
- 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.
10:00 AM - Forum, Lower Gage Hall Psychological Distress in the Family with Lisa Ross: We know there is a genetic component to mental illness, but what other family factors might contribute to offspring mental illness? We examined whether growing up with family chaos and current hassles might help explain why parent mental illness contributes to anxiety and depression among emerging adults. Come learn more about the fascinating and complicated role of family chaos for understanding psychological health.
11/7 - New to UU Happy Hour,5:30pm, West Ashley 11/8 - Family Circle, 5:00pm, James Island 11/9 - New Member Lunch and Learn, 12:30pm, Upper Gage Hall 11/9 - Books and Coffee, 4:30pm, Mount Pleasant 11/11 - Coffee with the Minister, 9:00am, Summerville 11/15 - Lowcountry Food Bank Volunteering, 9:00am, LCFB 11/15 - Music Trivia FUNdraiser, 7:00pm, Lower Gage Hall 11/17 - CAJM Community Problems Assembly, 6:30pm, West Ashley 11/17 - Death Cafe, 7:00pm, Lower Gage Hall 11/18 - Women's Book Club, 6:00pm, Main Library Branch + Zoom 11/20 - Trans Day of Remembrance Service, 7:00pm, Sanctuary 11/22 - Minister's Book Club, 10:00am, Lower Gage Hall 11/22 - Messiah Sing-A- Long, 1:00pm, Sanctuary 11/23 - Friendsgiving Service and Potluck, 11:00am, James Island County Park 11/27 & 11/28 - Church Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
For more information on events listed here keep reading the Gateway, click the blue links (if applicable), reference the church calendar: https://www.charlestonuu.org/eventscalendar, or contact lily@charlestonuu.org
Whether you're a first time visitor, longtime friend, new member looking to get more involved in our church community, or just want to meet new people, you are invited to join us for this happy hour in West Ashley. Snacks will be provided but attendees are invited to purchase their own drinks.
Family Circle
Saturday, November 8; 5:00 PM
James Island, Exact location upon RSVP
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 James Island. Please RSVP in the Signup Genius. Location details will be shared by email on Friday.
New Member Lunch and Learn
Sunday, November 9; 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Gage Hall
Thinking about becoming a member of the church? Come learn more about Unitarian Universalism! During lunch, you will have the opportunity to explore church history, learn more about theology, and ask questions about how we can help you along your spiritual path. Contact julie@charlestonuu.org for more information.
Books and Coffee
Sunday, November 9; 4:30 PM
Franke at Seaside, RSVP for specific address
Our November book selection is SUPER AGERS by Eric Topol. SUPER AGERS is a detailed guide to a revolution transforming human longevity. This is a breakthrough moment in the history of human health care. RSVP to office@charlestonuu.org
Coffee with the Minister Tuesday, November 11; 9:00 AM
Coastal Coffee Roasters, Summerville
Calling all Summerville residents! Join Rev. Rebecca for coffee and conversation at 9:00am on Tuesday at Coastal Coffee Roasters.
CAJM Community Problems Assembly Monday, November 17; 6:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 1157 Sam Rittenberg Blvd
The CPA is the first major event of our 2025-2026 Justice Cycle! Please attend to hear testimonies about the problems that we and our neighbors are experiencing in our day-to-day lives. From these stories, CAJM members will collectively vote on what our new focus area should be! You can register in advance HERE.
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. (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!
SAVE THE DATE
The Fabulous Pop Music Trivia Contest! Church FUNdraiser
Saturday, November 15; 7:00-9:00pm
Gage Hall
We raised $1000 last year and it’s more fun than ever! ALL AGES enjoy connecting with new and older music as you compete in teams. It’s OK if you haven’t followed pop music for awhile. Your hosts Dave & Karen Ruef will get you singing and dancing along with your friends.
Invite your friends and reserve your place now for $20. Purchase tickets online here OR come to our table at coffee hour Sunday.
There will be raffle tix for cool prizes plus Jack Hurley’s tasty mocktails,
desserts and snacks. (If you’d like to help out or provide a dish – it IS a
fundraiser after all! – please let Dave Ruef know or email office@charlestonuu.org
Women's Book Group Tuesday, November 18; 6:00pm
Main Library Branch + Zoom
This month we will be reading Audition by Katie Kitamura. Contact Diane Hopkins or email office@charlestonuu.org with questions or if you would like the Zoom link to join virtually.
Trans Day of Remembrance
Thursday, 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.
Sign up to fill our Blessing Box
With the threats to SNAP and ongoing government shutdown, food insecurity will drastically increase in both our church community and the broader Charleston community. 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, Willart 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
Ren Manning will be in Gage Hall 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.
