In honor of All Souls Day, we will remember and honor our beloved ancestors. This will be a soulful, Multigenerational Service where the children will help us build an altar to honor loved ones and important people who have died and who continue to inspire us today. Come to worship and stay for the Planned Giving Luncheon after the service!
This Sunday we will share the plate with Lowcountry Orphan Relief.
Julie Standish will give the Time for All Ages,
Nancy Simpson will be our Worship Associate,
with music provided by the Choir, Bill Gesin, Ryan Pagels, and Sophia Zimmermann.
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 Death in the Rubble - The Serial-Killing Nurse Who Stalked the Cold War: Speaker Richard Bodek joins us to discuss Elisabeth Kusian. In 1949 this nurse, black marketeer, drug addict, and pathological liar dismembered two people in a mini crime spree. East and West Berlin detectives tried to use the investigation to demonstrate their distance from the Third Reich and build a brighter future. Investigating the true story raises issues of shifting identities, evolving gender expectations, post-fascist politics and norms, and the violence lurking beneath a city struggling to redefine itself.
Churches are often a target for scammers and we are no exception. If you ever receive a request for money, please call the Church to verify the request. We will never text or email you with an urgent request.
In an effort to further protect member security, moving forward we will no longer include personal member emails in the Gateway. Only staff and general church email addresses will be included. If you need help signing up for our church directory contact lily@charlestonuu.org
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH
Eden Keepers Saturday, November 1; 9:00am - 12:00pm
Churchyard
Every month the Eden Keepers gathers to maintain our beautiful and historic churchyard. All are welcome and no gardening experience is required – simply a love of plants and an appreciation of this wonderful green space. Bring gardening tools if you have them, gloves, water to drink while working and bug spray. We will work from 9-12, weather permitting. If you can't get there at 9, come when you can. There will be no committee meeting or organized lunch.
For more information, please contact Laura Moses or email office@charlestonuu.org.
Women's Group Saturday, November 1; 10:00am
Main Library Branch
We will discuss the November Soul Matters packet - "Nurturing Gratitude." Please know you are welcome whether you preview the packet or not. Please contact Diane Hopkins or office@charlestonuu.org with questions.
Planned Giving Luncheon Sunday, November 2; 12:30pm Lower Gage Hall
Please join us to celebrate the history of planned giving in our church and to learn more about how you can leave an enduring legacy beyond your yearly commitments. Your gift, no matter how large or small, helps ensure the future of this church with its mission of love, inspiration and service to create a better world as well as a vibrant liberal religious presence in the Lowcountry for generations to come. All are invited and encouraged to attend and you are under no obligation to give by attending this event.
Men's Group Tuesday, November 4; 6:30pm
Lower Gage Hall
For thoughtful men to come together on a regular basis and share their life concerns, interests, and hopes for the future. Specifically, to provide emotional support, foster bonding, social interaction. Contact Mark Farnham or email office@charlestonuu.org with questions.
Religious Education News
Sunday RE Volunteers Needed
This year is off to a fantastic start with our new RE class time. We are looking for a few more volunteers to help with Sunday classes to ensure we always have coverage planned in advance for our children and youth. Please reach out to Emily@charlestonuu.org if you are interested in volunteering for the first time. If you have already been trained or taught classes previously, please signup to teach on Sundays!
JUST ANNOUNCED
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
The UU Service Committee is working with partners impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Haiti and the Bahamas. You can support their efforts here through the Emergency Response Fund: https://www.uusc.org/ways-to-give/emergency-response-fund/
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.
