Sunday, February 7 “Ain’t Gone ‘n’ Give Up On Love,” Rev. Danny Reed

With a sermon borrowing the title of a Stevie Ray Vaughn tune, our fourth Blues Sunday will find us exploring love—especially when we’re tempted to question love’s value and cut and run. Bradford Station, an assembly of local musicians, some familiar to us, will provide the music.

Sunday, February 14 “Loves Me, Loves Me Not,” Rev. Danny Reed

We observe “Darwin Week” (2/4-14) by looking again at love, this time from an evolutionary perspective. How does human love set us apart from others in the kingdom? How did our kind learn to love and why do we forget?

Sunday, February 21 “Faith: Choice and Habit,” Tobias Van Buren

A sermon about the Un-side of Unitarian—the times we’re feeling unwanted, unhappy, or uninspired…about depression and its possible cures, about putting demons behind us, and finding a hum in the humdrum of life. Faith is not a popular UU concept, but perhaps we need to consider it in a new light. The light I want to tell you about comes from my personal religion of Is-ism. What in the world is that?

Sunday, February 28 “Gordian Knots of the Heart,” William Epes, Inern Minister

In legend, Alexander the Great used his sword to cut swiftly through an impossible problem, a knot with no ends. How many of our problems feel that “impossible”? Can we name our own knots? Can we say who tied them? A meditation on solving impossible problems alone, and together, outside of the box, and finding ways to cut ourselves free.

Forums at 10 am in Gage Hall

Sunday, February 7 “Muslims and the Media,” Dr. Kathy Foody, Assistant Professor of International Studies, College of Charleston A discussion about how American media (news, television, etc.) tends to portray Muslims and Islam and what those common portrayals miss.

Sunday, February 14 “The Arctic Council’s Work on Freshwater Ecosystem Assessment” Dr. Annette Watson, Associate Professor of Human-Environment Geography, College of Charleston This project is a workshop that will bring Indigenous community members from the Yukon (US/Canada), Tena (Norway/Finland) and Kamchatka (Russia) Rivers together to share knowledge and concerns of Indigenous communities across the Arctic about salmon, a key resource

for their food security, and a resource that is in crisis around the world.

Sunday, February 21 “William Howard Taft: The Last Unitarian President”

Alex Hild, Member & Retired US Administrative Law Judge

Taft is the only person who was been President of the U.S. and then a Supreme Court Justice (in fact, Chief Justice). He was also a life-long Unitarian and served for ten years as President of the Unitarian General Conference. He also had a Charleston, SC, connection – she-crab soup was designed especially for his visit.

Sunday, February 28 “Tiny Houses,” Moses Brunson

Discussion of the popular trend in tiny houses.

Services at 11 am in Sanctuary

The Rev. Danny R. Reed,

Minister

Published monthly from September to June, and

once during the summer, by the Unitarian Church

in Charleston

Sandra Selvitelli,

Compositor (843) 723-4617

office@charlestonuu.org

March Deadline:

February 21

A liberal and inclusive pathway to finding community Vol.16, No. 23 February 2016

Vestry Visions

In my Vestry Values article this month I raise up just a few of the many, many unsung heroes in this congregation who give of their time and talents to educate, activate and often entertain us. And last month I took a paragraph to describe the depth of caring, support and nurture that I felt from this congregation at my mother’s death. This Church community is also staggeringly generous with its treasures and I want to raise this generosity up this month because the Vestry is dealing with two budgets right now, the 2015-16 budget which the Congregation passed at the May 2015 Annual Meeting (sidebar: please make sure your pledge payment is up to date!) and also the upcoming budget which is right now being formulated by the Finance Committee, scrutinized by the Stewardship Committee and contemplated by the Vestry for presentation to the Congregation at our Annual Meeting May 15, 2016.

But what I would like to present to you today is what you have done as a congregation above and beyond our pledging to the Church, where we have stepped up to give to Social Justice actions that are not included in the yearly budget.

This past year, starting in April of 2015, we as a Congregation have given over $34,000 to deserving projects, mostly within Charleston and South Carolina but also around the world.

Here are just some of the groups who have benefitted from our largesse: Nepal Relief through the UU Service Committee, Barrier Island Free Clinic, Mitchell School, Music Battery, Central Carolina Flood Relief, CCSD Children in Crisis, 180Place, My Sister’s House and CAJM. We have also collected winter clothing for children, school supplies, and personal health and grooming products for the homeless as well as baby carriers for refugees.

There will be a thorough list of our generosity compiled for the Annual Report. This is a new initiative that I hope will continue in the future because it helps round out the picture of our Congregation and its great wealth of time, talent and treasure.

And here’s an amazing stat: whereas most churches consider themselves lucky to have 20% of the membership doing 80% of the work, Carol Oates has tracked our involvement this year and finds that 54% of our membership is involved in a church-related activity! Woohoo!!

I am not a great fan of Elizabeth Gilbert, I must confess, but she did say this well in “Eat, Pray, Love”: Maybe it is wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” And to this I say Amen.

Submitted by Judy Manning, Vestry Chair

Intern Insights Where is our intern minister?

Missing you! My January at Unitarian Church in Charleston was scheduled many months ago to include a necessary

absence, during which I would return to Chicago – and not just in spirit and mind, but also in body -- to join my fellow

seminarians, face-to-face, in class. January Intensives in my low residency M.Div. program require my full attention at

the seminar table 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, for several weeks each year. Thus my spiritual presence here turns ghostly.

What will you bring back to us from Chicago?

I packed for Chicago all that you have taught me so far, all that I have learned in this congregation through the fall and

early winter. With luck, I will bring back from Chicago new insights, sharpened thinking and improved ministerial

skills. As both my classes this January focus upon religious education, I also expect to bring an enriched understanding

of UU RE back to Charleston.

In the meantime?

Thank you to those who have taken up tasks in my absence. I invite you to stay in touch. At last check, the cold has not

slowed the fiber optic cable that connects us.

Keeping you all in heart and mind. Blessed be.

Submitted by William Epes, internminister@charlestonuu.org

Vestry Values

January 2016 may have set the tone for the rest of the year – busy and successful.

Our Coffeehouse on January 16 was SRO. Many members and friends pull this off time and again in seemingly effortless fashion. This is by no means an exhaustive list of those we need to thank for their ongoing work to raise money for one of our most important Social Justice projects at Mitchell School: Suanne Ansari, Kathy Arden, Susan Conant, Bob Egelson, Mark Farnham, Mike Giffith, Richard Hayes, Kathy Kaknes, John Klintworth, Marilyn and Wray Mattice, Jackie McGee, Bill Morris, Laura Moses, John Narkunas, Donna Reyburn, Kris Rife, Dan and Gail Schiffer, Steve Simon and Carol and George Tempel. Many others bring delicious treats to sell. It’s an impressive job well done!!! We all need to thank these stalwart souls for their faithful work month in and month out year after year…

Gary Smith has for years been appropriately quietly leading our Meditation Group on Sunday mornings and now, after the Emanuel AME shooting this past summer, has been a force in the formation of Gun Sense SC which, as of this printing, has already sponsored Stand Up Sunday at our church and 1,500+ other churches around the State in order to put our state legislators on notice that we will all be watching them and many of us will be in Columbia in person to look them in the eyes and demand the closing of all loopholes on the sale of guns in South Carolina. Thank you, Gary, for informing and activating us on this crucial safety issue!

And last, but far from least for this month, let’s please all thank Bill Finn and Tripp Banner for making our new nametag boards, a long-overdue and much appreciated job!!

Above are all exceptional examples of how members and friends of this church have found creative ways to use their time and talents to enrich not only our congregation but our community.

High Fives and gratitude all around!!

Submitted by Judy Manning, Vestry Chair

Among Our Family and Friends

First, the Good Stuff:

• Hilary and Richard Nelson announce the birth of second grandchild, Nora Caroline, born December 26th 2015. What a wonderful Christmas present!

• Sandra and Bob Jacobs announce the publication by their son, Owen Duffy, of his first book: Artichoke

Queen. What an interesting title – and proud time for the Jacobs.

• UCC member Gary Smith was recently elected to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed on ‘celebrated writers’ only and is considered to hold as much prestige as the Pulitzer Prize. What an honor. Congratulations Gary. Gary wrote for Sports Illustrated for 32 years.

• And during January, Jack Hurley celebrated “66 Cosmic Health Years!”

Several folks have struggled with their health in the last month. The few of those we know about are:

• Bill and Laura Morris’s daughter, Kathy, recently had surgery and is at home in Columbia recovering with Bill and Laura’s help. Our thoughts are with the Morris Family.

• Jerry Prazak has been home from his hospital and rehab experience for several weeks now and says he is glad to be back in church and seeing everyone. We’re glad to have you back, Jerry. And it’s good to see Sue as well.

• And, some weeks ago, Floy Work had some surgery (quietly) and says that she is very much on the road to recovery now. Floy wants to thank everyone for all the wonderful cards and emails.

• And Lilless Shilling also had surgery during December. She is now sporting a new hip.

Several families lost loved ones in December and January. Here are the few that we know. Please remember

their families in their mourning and memories:

• On January 14, Dan Schiffer’s journey with cancer came to an end. He was an avid fisherman, a lover of music, an inveterate reader, a long-time Unitarian, and a loving family man. Gail says they were so very grateful for all of the support they received over the past few years and for the many warm friendships they have found in our church community. Thank you for being there for us.

• Sadly Sue Findlay’s mother, Pat Reeder, died recently. Sue cared for her at home during most of her illness but recently Pat required more care. She died in hospice in January surrounded by her family. Pat was from Ohio where she was a faculty member at Youngstown State University and a member of the Youngstown Unitarian Church. She was a member of our Charleston church as well.

• Kathy Hale’s father, Thomas Hale, passed recently in Mt Pleasant where he was under hospice care. Kathy had been caring for him during his long illness. He was 94 years old and was from Washington, DC. Kathy describes him as “the best father ever.”

• Susan Conant’s mom, Greda Conant, also passed in January. Mrs. Conant was born in Germany and immigrated to the US with her family as a child. She was the mother of 5 children and several grands. Susan says she lived a modest but remarkably active and giving life. She is described as “a creative and fierce soul.” Although she was ill, her death came rather unexpectedly.

Submitted by Judy Bruce

Stewardship Committee

“TIS THE SEASON OF ADVENT, AGAIN”

The season of Advent is a joyous time of celebration that leads to Christmas. When Christmas passes there’s a letdown because we’ve moved past the season. Often looking forward to something is many times more fun, energizing and exciting than the actual event.

For our Church family there is great news — we have a second Advent. We look forward to the Stewardship Campaign with joy and excitement. I’m here to tell you from personal experience there is no greater joy and excitement than being generous with time, talents and treasures in support of our Church.

I believe we all care very deeply about our Church, or else we wouldn’t keep coming back Sunday after Sunday, supporting its mission to bring justice to our community and letting it enrich our souls, nurture our spiritual growth and provide fellowship to us all.

In the weeks ahead, we will talk about what our Church family could do with more resources. Your level of support will determine what we can accomplish. The UUA suggests the following levels of support: “Supporter”, “Sustainer”, “Visionary” or “Transformer.”

You are a “Supporter” if the congregation is a significant part of your spiritual and intellectual life if you want to support and see our Church thrive. If you are a Supporter, your fair share financial commitment may start at 2% of your income and rise to 6% as your income and capacity rise.

You are a “Sustainer” if the congregation is your central community, and you are committed to sustaining the programs and ministries of the congregation. If you define your connection to our Church this way, your fair share financial commitment may start at 3% of your income and rise to 7% as your income and capacity rise.

You are a “Visionary” if your commitment is a clear demonstration of the unique importance of this congregation and of your spiritual principles. Your fair share financial commitment may start at 5% of your income and rise to 9% as your income and capacity rise.

You are a “Transformer” if you are deeply committed to the congregation; your contribution provides fuel for transformation and is part of your spiritual practices in living out your UU Principles. Your fair share financial commitment may represent 10% of your income.

In the weeks before we launch the campaign, consider your connection to our Church family and the degree of your involvement, commitment and dedication. How deeply you regard your connection will go a long way toward suggesting the level of financial commitment with which you will be satisfied. Please think about your level of commitment in this Advent season for Stewardship!

Submitted by Ren Manning, Chair of the Stewardship Committee

Studies of congregational life from the UUA show that when worship attendance reaches 75 to 80 percent of seating capacity, a congregation should begin to plan for moving to 2 services. When a sanctuary is crowded, newcomers wonder if space even exists for them; when they do stay, others may leave, creating a revolving door phenomenon. Newcomers don’t know where they belong, and longtime members may feel they aren’t needed and thus stay home.

The same is true when other parts of the facilities are overcrowded. When lack of space in the social hall precludes conversation, members may be discouraged from joining in the hospitality. The list of areas of congregational life that are touched by the change is broad: religious education, music, choir, hospitality, membership, administrative, and custodial, to name just a few areas.

Our Sanctuary is permitted for 250 people, including the balcony and choir seats. 75% capacity is 185 people and we are often over that number. Here are some recent attendance numbers:

Nov 22 202

Nov 29 210

Dec 6 182

Dec 13 305

Dec 20 186

Jan 3 215

Jan 10 218

Our preliminary plan is to offer a trial 6-month period beginning in September of 2016. We will hold 2 identical services in the Sanctuary at 9:00 and 11:00 with a coffee hour offered after each service. Timing of Religious Education classes is still being discussed. A Task Force has been meeting this fall and winter to plan for this important change in our church life. We want and need to hear from you. To that end, in the next 8 weeks you will see additional information about this process and have an opportunity to ask questions and provide us with your comments. We are planning a Forum, a Q&A session after a service, opportunities to meet with Connecting Circles, and a congregational survey. If you have immediate questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Priscilla Shumway, chair of the Two Services Task Force. 843-425-1850 or priscilla.shumway@gmail.com.

Submitted by Priscilla Shumway

Two-Service Task Force

Adult Education Class

Discussion of the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, facilitated by Rev. Nancy Pellegrini

Thursday March 10, Lower Gage Hall, one 90-minute session

Please come at either 1:00 pm or at 7:00 pm

This book is the Unitarian Universalist Association Common Read for 2015-16. It describes Stevenson's experience representing poor people, people of color, women, and children incarcerated on death row or sentenced to die in prison. We will discuss the themes of justice, mercy, compassion, hope and forgiveness. To sign up please email dre@charlestonuu.org. with your preferred time.

You may purchase the book at http://www.uuabookstore.org/Just-Mercy-P17700.aspx or from Amazon.

Submitted by Reverend Nancy Pellegrini

In January, a rainy New Years day gave way to a dry and moderate Saturday. Eden Keepers started shedding layers of clothes early, especially those who were working in the sun. Workers that day were John Klintworth, Bob and Pat Jontos, Karen Del Porto, Karen Ruef, Mark Brodeur, Tom Hartry, Tamara Eberlein, Suzi DeMerell, Laura Moses, Richard Moss, Ed Stephens, Stan Boyer and Fran Ennis.

Following the work party, we enjoyed a tasty and varied lunch. Not being one to sit through the committee meeting, Pat became a cleanup crew of one as she cleared the table, washed, dried, and put away the lunch dishes. Thanks, Pat.

You might think that during February the garden would be devoid of flowers. Wrong! There are paper whites, snowbells and others from bulbs plus red berries on the pyracantha and holly. The Noisette roses seem to bloom all year, and the camellias will be blooming soon. So take a few minutes to wander through the churchyard and enjoy.

The next work party will be on February 6th, from 9 to noon, followed by our covered dish lunch and a meeting of the churchyard committee. Newcomers are always welcome (and no, you don’t have to stay for the meeting). Bring garden tools if you have them, gloves, water to drink while working, and a dish to share for lunch. Notice that there is no mention of bug repellent. Winter is our respite from the last of the summer mosquitoes and the onslaught of biting gnats in the spring. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Submitted by Fran Ennis

The Eden Keepers “Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps.”

-- Amos Bronson Alcott

Membership Happenings

Many thanks to Bill Finn and Trip Banner for building two new name tag boards for us! They look great, and it’s wonderful to have space to add name tags for our growing congregation.

Classes

Next Pathfinders for Newcomers: March 13, 12:30 – 1:30, Upstairs in Gage Hall This is a class geared toward those new to our congregation who would like to receive basic information about Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Church in Charleston. Bring your questions! Childcare available. Contact Carol Oates, Membership Coordinator, membership@charlestonuu.org.

Next Pathways to Membership: April 10, 17, 12:15 – 2:30, Charleston Day School Pathways is a 2-session class for people who are ready to explore what it means to be a Member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston. Lunch served, childcare provided.

The Winter Class (Jan.31, Feb. 7) is full. You may put your name on the waiting list for this class, or sign up

for the Spring Class (April 10, 17). Sign up at the Membership Table in Gage Hall, or contact Carol Oates,

Membership Coordinator, membership@charlestonuu.org.

Submitted by Carol Oates, Membership Coordinator

Nominating Committee Deliberations

The nominating committee’s charge is to select lay leaders for vestry service. Nominating committee members

are asked to serve a three-year term, they are nominated by the vestry, then the church membership votes on

the slate at the annual corporate meeting in May. Current members of the nominating committee are: Nancy

Simpson (chair), Mark Farnham, Nelson Ohl, Claudia Updike, and George Temple.

We are seeking interested candidates for vestry service. Self-nominations are always welcome. The

committee will be meeting in February and March. If interested, please contact any of the committee

members.

Submitted by Nancy Simpson

Docent Doings

Near-freezing temperatures, icy winds, overcast skies and new year’s hangovers couldn’t keep away over 150 visitors to our church on January 2 for tours. It may have been our biggest Saturday crowd yet and after awhile my thumb got sore clicking our counter so we don’t really know how many walked through our American treasure that day. It was a good omen for the year in general for the program. We are not only reopening Friday mornings for tours after a five-year hiatus but we have been selected by the Historic Charleston Foundation as part of their Spring Tour Program for April 22nd and 24th for this year. After seventeen years we’ll start a comprehensive revision of our Docent Handbook in February with the assistance of Joanne Milkereit, a founder of the program and one of the authors of the original handbook. We still need new Docents to help out on Fridays on a permanent basis so please let me know if you have any interest in the program. Have a happy and healthy New Year and stop by any Friday or Saturday morning for a visit.

Submitted by Abby Himmelein

Children & Youth Religious Education

Oyster Roast: Tickets for the RE Scholarship Oyster Roast on Bowen’s Island are now on sale in Gage Hall after church services. Please contact Henry Thomas at 843-693-8219 if you would like tickets but are unable to be here on Sunday. Adults are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and children are free at this annual event to raise funds for our teens to attend Youth conferences. We have live music, fresh oysters, chili, hot dogs, beverages and a bar. Please invite neighbors, friends and colleagues to experience this unique Lowcountry tradition and all-around family fun. Walk-ins are welcome on the day, Sunday,

February 21, 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Empty Bowls: The children’s annual fundraiser to benefit the local homeless shelter, One80 Place, will take place on Sunday, March 6 immediately after church in Gage Hall. The children and youth will paint the bowls and glasses on February 14, and the meal and fundraiser will take place 3 weeks later. We are looking for volunteers to bring in crockpots of soup, bread and crackers so the entire church can fill their newly purchased creations with warm and delicious soup. RE folks will be canvassing for chef helpers but you are welcome to contact Melissa at melissazahler@yahoo.com to volunteer.

Quaker Meeting: Our Middle schoolers are reminded that they have a field tr ip on 2/28 to the Friends Quaker Meeting. We will meet outside of our church at 9:00 a.m. to walk to the 9:30 a.m. meeting on the College of Charleston campus.

Red Tent Sunday, February 7

5:00 p.m. upper Gage Hall, Room 2

Red Tent Temple of Charleston is a secular space where all women, from all walks of life and all stages of womanhood, can come and be supported by their community. The goal is to be able to reach into different

communities and create a truly diverse and unique experience. Newcomers welcome.

Danica Todd - founding facilitator, danicaltodd@gmail.com, 843-826-0660

Marina Penna-Morrison - facilitator, 910-297-0392

https://www.facebook.com/RedTentTempleOfCharleston/events

http://www.danicatodd.com/red-tent-temple-of-charleston/

Submitted by Danica Todd

Kids enjoying Sunday School.

Gage Hall Coffeehouse

Presents

South Carolina Broadcasters

Saturday, February 20

7:30 p.m.

The South Carolina Broadcasters had their origins in Charleston S.C. when Ivy and David Shepard began playing to small audiences in local bars and restaurants. Gradually their unique style and eclectic repertoire of old time music, bluegrass and cajun numbers caught on, and gigs at increasingly larger venues became more frequent. These days The Broadcasters, now a trio with the addition of Andy Edmonds, can be seen all over the country from Washington, D.C. to Charleston Music Hall and perhaps most notably as regulars at Merle-fest. Their latest CD "Tell Me Truly" has now reached number 13 on the Bluegrass Charts ( http://

scbroadcaster.bandcamp.com/)

Andy Edmonds comes from a family of guitar and banjo players and gospel singers. He met the late, great Benton Flippen when he was a young man, and began playing guitar and banjo for his band, the Smokey Valley Boys. While playing with Benton for a over a decade, Andy learned a great deal about playing the fiddle. Though he is able to play a number of instruments, the fiddle has become his primary focus, and his fiddling has won numerous prizes at area fiddle contests. Andy also plays fiddle for the Buckstankle Boys, as well as singing harmony.

Ivy Sheppard expresses herself in this world with music. It is the sounds of a bygone era that resonate so clearly in her soul. She had the great fortune to learn her banjo and fiddle stylings while playing with the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers of east Tennessee. Through dedication and persistence she and The Broadcasters work tirelessly to bring the music of her home to a new generation. Ivy can typically be found hunting for old records, or searching for a new venue for the band. She’s an announcer at legendary radio station, WPAQ 740AM, and is on the air Monday and Tuesday from 2-6pm.

David Sheppard puts the drive in The Broadcasters sound. Like a freight train coming on down the line his style of playing gives The Broadcasters an unmistakable sound. He's got a great knack for songwriting and can be downright funny when he wants to. He is a world-renowned luthier and expert restorer of vintage acoustic instruments.

Home-baked desserts, coffee and sodas will be available. Parking available across the street and behind

Gage Hall.

Profits from Gage Hall Coffeehouses support enrichment activities in Charleston-area elementary

schools. We are currently sponsoring science-oriented field trips for all students at Mitchell Elementary

School.

Gage Hall is located at 4 Archdale Street.

Suggested donation of $15 for Adults; $5 for Students.

Call 224-4472 or 367-9663 for more information.

Denominational Affairs-Romanian Partner Church

The Romanian Partner church subcommittee of Denominational Affairs continues to work on connecting with Unitarians in Transylvania.

We are currently sponsoring two students through their high school studies, Anna Kiss and Markos Andor. You can read about Anna in the December 2015 Gateway; below is some information about Markos. You can friend him directly at: https://www.facebook.com/andor.markos

We recently received an email from Markos, reproduced below:

I am the boy you support [financially through] the partner church program. I am 17 years old. I live in

Küküllődombó. This is a small village next to Dicsőszentmárton. I am in the 11th grade of the high school. I

am Unitarian, I lead the Ferenc Dávid youth group in my village. I help to restart this group because for

many years it was not working. Now I have a solid core to work with: we organized youth sermons for our

Unitarian district, we participated on the annual Christmas fair, we would like to establish a partnership with

the Unitarian youth of Medgyes. So you can see, that my hopes are still up, I am dreaming of big things. I just

hope that I can manage to revive them. During the last couple of months I experienced good but also bad

things as a leader. I consider these lessons for growing and becoming a better member of my community. It is

a very hard job, because every activity starts by changing the attitude of people towards the church. I have

high hope because my friends, when they can, help me.

As I said I am a full time pupil in the high school. I have one more year left until graduation so you can

imagine how much I have and I need to learn if I want to continue my studies. Sometimes I feel, there is too

much to do, then I stop for a minute, meditate, go out with my friends, I recharge my batteries with joy,

happiness and hope, to continue with everything.

I would like to express my gratitude towards you for your support, you helped me restart the youth group by

founding many of our meetings. I bought tea and crackers for the group. This is a huge accomplishment.

Thank you again,

Markos Andor

Brief facts about Markos:

Born: June 10, 1998 (17 years old)

Works: at Mercedes-Benz and CASE agriculture

Studied at: Liceul Teoretic "Andrei Bârseanu" Târnãveni

Submitted by Hillary Hutchinson

Markos dressed to celebrate his high school’s anniversary.

Let’s Do Lunch!

Let’s do lunch is a monthly luncheon that is open to women and men in our church. It’s a time for socializing and catching up with our fellow UU’s. On Tuesday, February 9th, we will meet at 12:30 at The Mustard Seed, 1036 Chuck Dawley Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC (843) 849-0050. Please let me know if wish to join us no later than Thursday, February 4th so I can make our reservation. Susan Hartry 843-225-1439 or hartry.susan@gmail.com

Submitted by Susan Hartry

Dinners for Fun

Thanks to all our participants in the January edition of Dinners for Fun but especially to our hosts: George and Marcia Castano, Sheila Scarbrough, and John and Sally Preston. George and Marcia have covered every dinner this season as do Snowbirds John and Sally Preston on their yearly landing on King Street. Dinners at the Castanos’ and Prestons’ are always a treat, not

just for the delicious food, but the interesting conversation as well. Sheila Scarbrough is relatively new to the church but has stepped right up to open her home to hungry UU’s and did a masterful job of it. We saw many of the same faces in January and thank them for their support of the program and hope to see some new faces for our next dinner on March 26th. In case you missed it this is an election year and we’ve a lot to talk about over dinner besides the color scheme of the refurbished Gaillard. See you next time! Contact Abby at abbyhimmelein@comcast.net. Submitted by Abby Himmelein

Books & Coffee

The next get-together of the UU Books & Coffee group will be at 5:30 pm, Sunday, February 14, in the home of Ellie and Ray Setser, 5 Trail Hollow Dr. in West Ashley (29414). Their phone number is 843-571-

3417. The book to be discussed is A Fighting Chance, by Elizabeth Warren. Jo Anne Simson will lead the discussion-with help from Paul Nelson.

Submitted by Jo Anne Simson

Art on Our Walls

Barbara Lang's photography show opens in Gage Hall on February 12, following the Candlelight Concert and will remain on display until March 18. Contact Barbara at lang.barb@yahoo.com for purchases. To view more of her work, visit www.blangphotos.com.

Submitted by Joanna Innes

Member News

Kay Haun recently spoke with former member Janet Stevens. Janet asked that we publish her new contact information in case any old friends wanted to be in touch.

5996 N. Villard Ct, Parker, CO 80134

843-343-4259

Janstevens17@hotmail.com

Submitted by Kay Haun

Caring Committee 2016

Chair: Kay Haun: haukay@homesc.com or kayhaun@me.com; (843-819-7128) Co-Chair: Mary Ann Terry: mastterry@aol.com (843-364-6612)

The Caring Committee supports a healthy communication flow throughout the church to sustain the membership in times of physical and emotional need. Since our one church serves a wide geographic area, five separate leaders receive care concerns from numerous sources, including Rev Reed. The Area Leader living nearest to the home of the member needing help calls upon a network of area volunteers for such support as is called for, including transportation, meals, visits, cards, calls, respite care, and help with finding appropriate long-term solutions. We are an “equal opportunity committee.”

Area leaders: Downtown Charleston – Mary Ann Hughston (843-805-8177) James Island to Edisto – Marcia Castano (843-276-9325) Mt Pleasant – Myrtle Staples Bennett (843-693-3272) N Charleston, Daniel Isl, Summerville– Kay Haun (843-819-7128) West Ashley – Mela Khedouri (843-763-2306)

If you know of someone who needs a helping hand, please call one of us at any time.

Want to volunteer with us in a network? Call your own area’s leader (above) or Rev. Danny, Carol Oates, or Sandra Selvitelli.

Submitted by Kay Haun, with loving concern.

We are honored to have the talents of Rev. Pat Hoertdoefer as we step into our journey towards elderhood. Registration and details of the event will be in be Thursday email blasts. The cost is $60 for an

all day class. Lunch is included. Contact Janet Watts for more information dre@charlestonuu.org.

Want to be a force of nature?

The Green Sanctuary Committee is looking for a few good people who would like to address environmental issues within our UU community. We meet monthly for dinner at members' homes and work together on such projects as: -- making our church home more eco-friendly (developing sustainable policies and promoting green practices) -- environmental education and outreach (green forums and films, our annual Earth Day service, tours of places like the recycling center or wind turbine testing facility) -- opportunities for congregational involvement (vegetarian potlucks, participation in beach sweeps, Adult RE classes on sustainability). It's a way to seek a closer connection with the earth... without having to douse yourself in mosquito repellent. Would you like to get your green on? Contact committee chair Laura Moses (lauramoses@yahoo.com) for more information. Submitted by Sharon Strong

Many have asked about our compostable program. I am pleased to announce that we are nearly 100% compostable on Sundays and a great deal of our outside events have started purchasing compostable plates, cups and cutlery from us as well. Please remember that if you are hosting an event in Gage Hall you can purchase compostable items from the office at a very reasonable rate. If you would like to order compostable items for yourself, you may contact Wayne Koeckeritz at Food Waste Disposal http://www.wastefwd.com/company.html. Please help us keep the program successful and refrain from donating or using non-recyclable or compostable plates such as decorative paper plates, plastics or Styrofoam). Submitted by Sandra Selvitelli

Green Sanctuary & Religious Education Spring 2016 Class

The Green Sanctuary committee is pleased to offer another class in the popular Northwest Earth Institute series. Sharon Strong will facilitate a 5-session adult RE class in the spring called “Change Is our Choice: Creating Climate Solutions.” The readings are available only by e-book, which costs $28. Class meeting dates are Sundays 12:30 – 2 pm, April 10, 17, 24, and May 1, 8. Please let Sharon (sharonstrong2000@yahoo.com, 843.853.3976) know if you are interested. You can order the book

atChange Is Our Choice: Creating Climate Solutions | NWEI.

IN THIS FIVE-SESSION DISCUSSION COURSE YOU WILL: • Explore climate change from scientifi c, psychological and social

perspectives. • Consider how you can take action to build resilience in your own

community. • Make and implement a plan of action to respond to climate change’s effects in your community.

“Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up. In contrast to optimism or despair, hope requires that one actually do something to improve the

world. Authentic hope comes with an imperative to act.” — David Orr

Baby Carriers for Refugees Success

Lowcountry residents, including many from the Unitarian Church in Charleston, came together in

December and January to collect almost 200 new or used soft-structured baby carriers. The baby carrier

collection was a local effort of the national organization Carry the Future, which collects and distributes

these items to displaced refugees landing on European shores. The local effort was spearheaded by

Unitarian Church in Charleston member Amber Allen and Mount Pleasant resident Vanessa Gongora.

Together these two women included several local businesses and congregations to gather the baby carriers

and raise money to cover shipping costs. Twenty-six boxes filled with baby carriers were shipped

Monday, Jan. 25, to Carry the Future’s East Coast receiving center. There the baby carriers will be

repacked and flown to Greece, where they will be distributed by Carry the Future volunteers. “We are so

thankful to congregations such as the Unitarian Church and local businesses for showing such generosity

and support to our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world,” Allen and Gongora said in a

statement. “Charleston is a special place. And this collection’s success proves that we are able to look past

cultural differences and political divides and see the humanity in each other.” If you would still like to

contribute to Carry the Future or want to learn more, visit CTF’s website at www.carrythefuture.org.

Volunteers at the Central Mosque packing party.

Click here to see the news coverage!

Submitted by Amber Allen

Quilt Presentation

On Dec. 16 Vestry Chair Judy Manning and I presented a quilt from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York to Mother Emanuel AME Church at their Wednesday night Bible study. The quilt was made by the Caring Hearts Quilters at Shelter Rock to represent the caring connection between their congregation and those recovering from the tragedy at the AME Church. Their minister Rev. Natalie Fenimore asked me to deliver it for them.

On the back of the quilt, the names of the nine people who were killed are inscribed. There is also a description of the imagery used in the quilt and wishes for healing. The images include the AME and Unitarian Universalist symbols in the corners, a starburst, a dove of peace, a butterfly, a heart for love, a rainbow with nine black birds flying across it, a tree with nine bluebirds, and a depiction of the Emanuel Church building. The musical notes on the bottom are the tune of “Amazing Grace.”

Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff, Sr. accepted the gift on behalf of the congregation. Church members at the Bible study expressed their thanks for the caring gift. Judy and I felt honored to present such a beautiful quilt and to participate in the Wednesday night Bible study with those who have the courage to carry on in spite of everything. We were glad to help facilitate this connection between one of our UU churches and Mother Emanuel.

Respectfully submitted by Rev. Nancy Pellegrini

Oflag XVII A

The captivity of 5,000 officers during WWII

This is the story of French officers, prisoners of war in the Third Reich during World War II. The camp, Oflag XVIIA was located in a mountainous area northwest of Vienna in Austria. Oflags were camps specifically for Allied officers, who by international convention were not required to work. These men who had held

leading positions, either in the military or as civilians, were thrown at random in deplorable conditions with nothing to do, leaving them idle all day except for meals and roll calls. The curse of idle time became an opportunity. Despite the chaos following their arrival, within days they selected their leader and established a chain of command, which gave them the ability to utilize their wide-ranging knowledge and know-how, and

create a small town with its own university, library, newspaper, theater and orchestra.

Scale model of the camp

Photograph by Marcel Corre

The Unitarian Church in Charleston’s Minister Emerita, Rev. Jacqueline Collins is pleased to let you know that her book Five

Years Behind Hitler’s Barbed Wire, a diary with extensive commentaries, was published in November. (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble). This story of 5,000 officer POWs with the will to maintain their dignity despite miserable physical conditions organized and created a dynamic community: a university, theater groups, an orchestra, et al. One hundred thirty-two men escaped in 1943, making it the largest escape of the war. Jacqueline’s father was prisoner in that camp.

The diary engages the reader in the day-by-day life of the community’s activities and events, and portraying all aspects of the collective life of the officer POWs it captures the changing mood with candid musings, cries of despair, occasionally lyrical reflections, and mostly positive comments. With dry humor it describes the indignities of lengthy roll calls and the destruction of personal possessions during the searches of barracks by the Gestapo: documentation in real time of the life of the officer POWs and the community’s

remarkable achievements.

The diary, written in secret, was meant originally for the officers and their families. Its coded language, allusions and unusual statements needed some interpretations. Extensive commentaries accompany the diary, bringing to light the clandestine activities, behind- the-scene events, good humored pranks at the expense of the Germans, the essential role of the resistance group, as well as the cultural, historical and political context. A few memoirs recently published provided more insight into the

undercurrents in the camp.

Barbed wire on the left. Barbed wire on the right. Barbed wire in front.

Barbed wire behind.

Barbed wire everywhere at all times.

The only way to escape the obsession of this cursed grid,

When the earth is warm:

Lying down on one’s back, following the moving changes of a cloud,

The whirling of the larks, the migration of birds

In full flight, or plunging into the infinity of the blue sky.

For they have not yet thought of putting a grid on the sky.

Adaptation of diary, 12 June 1942

By the end of 1942, they had acquired over 20 clandestine radios, which connected them with the outside world and the progress of the war. In 1943, they executed the largest Allied POW escape of the war with 132 escapees, twice as many as the famed “Great Escape” from Colditz. After a 70-mile march through the backcountry in April and May 1945, they were flown back to France by the American Army Air Forces in B-17 Flying Fortresses. The diary and my research bear witness to their will to maintain as captives their honor and dignity.

Born and raised in Paris, Jacqueline Vautrain Collins experienced World War II as a young child living

with her mother, while her father, an officer in the reserve, was called to the front in 1939, and even though

taken prisoner days after the signing of the armistice, was sent to Oflag XVIIA. A publisher in civilian life, he

published upon his return a number of books about the camp, which Jacqueline took with her when she

immigrated to the U.S. in her early twenties. With the sixtieth anniversary of the landing in Normandy and her

approaching retirement, she turned to her original studies in languages and literatures and the opportunity to

share with an American audience the compelling never-before-told story of officer POWs in Germany.

Submitted by Rev. Jacqueline Collins

Backpack Buddies

at Lowcountry Food Bank

3rd Saturday of each month (Feb. 20)

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

We will pack food for low-income elementary schoolchildren. The bags we pack are put into the children’s

backpacks on Friday afternoon so they’ll have food to eat over the weekend.

Lowcountry Food Bank, 2864 Azalea Drive, North Charleston 29405; meet in the lobby.

We need at least 20 volunteers to get the job done.

New volunteers welcome – no experience needed. Bring a friend!

With question or to RSVP, please contact Kris Rife: 843-884-8808 work / 843-822-0597 cell

Remember the dress code: Closed-toe shoes and no tank tops.

Minimum age suggested: 14 with parental supervision but a bit younger have been very successful.

Submitted by Kris Rife

Youth Service Project

The YRUU (High School teens) of the church have decided to step up and help the organization Carry the Future/Operation Refugee Child and send aid to the Syrian refugee families that are crossing to Greece. This time of year the waters are now even more dangerous with higher seas and freezing water. These families risk losing everything, including their lives. Our teens are going to be holding a collection for the following items after church beginning February 14 and continuing until February 28:

wool socks, fleece hats & mittens, pacifiers, comfort items & small plush toys, hand warmers, high-protein

snacks, chamois towels, collapsible water bottles, inflatable pillow, gender neutral cotton underwear, PRE

MADE formula, and down (lightweight) jackets

Hats, gloves, mittens and scarves of ALL SIZES.

We are also specifically asking that all socks being sent are wool. When the children have all cotton socks

their little feet begin to rot because of the wetness.

We are asking for new items. Please consider helping our teens to do some good and help families in need.

Submitted by Marina Penna-Morrison

To Charleston, With Love

February 19

2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Gage Hall

Enjoy a swingin' serenade featuring the classic crooner hits of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin & Cole Porter. Single, starstruck or madly in love, don't miss the tight harmonies, tap dancing, comedy and power house vocals of national sister duo Gracie & Lacy in their variety show valentine to Charleston! Tickets range from $15-$25.

If you would like to help us bless Charleston, there will be receptacles on site for those wishing to assist domestic violence victims (via My Sister's House) by donating a gift card that will assist them in setting up new, safe homes (e.g. from Walmart, Target, Lowes, etc).

GracieAndLacy.com

1-800-838-3006

Martha Welch Music Award

Each year, the music committee gives a $500 Martha Welch Award to a young musician in our church. An outside judge will evaluate the contestants. This year, auditions will be held Thursday April 14, 2016 at 5:30 pm at the church. Eligibility requirements: ● Currently enrolled in Charleston UU RE program

● Have studied music formally for a minimum of one year

● Submit an application consisting of a thoughtful statement by the student explaining why they are interested in music and for what they might use the prize (music lessons, camp, instruments, etc.).

Applications are due by April 7 to Johanna Evenson musicdirector@charlestonuu.org or dropped off in person to the church office.

Applicants must audition in person. The most recent recipient of the award is not eligible to apply.

Submitted by Johanna Evenson, Director of Music

Saxophone Concert

February 18

7:00 p.m. Sanctuary

Enjoy a belated Valentine’s night out on the town. Your fun begins that night at 7:30pm at the Unitarian Church in Charleston for the sparkling and passionate presentation of All That Glitters, the bold third concert in the HELLO, SAXOPHONE! KAMMERMUSIK Concert Series. The fresh, sax-centric classical concert series has established with its first two shows that it is the “It” concert and the place to be on the nights it plays. The series founder and director Jonathan Kammer is reimagining what an evening of classical music can be in downtown Charleston, and continues to blend classical & popular music for a program that is as hip and casual as it is elegant and playful! Attendees of All That Glitters will get a kick out of being seduced by energetic and sensual Latin-influenced tangos and flamencos, elevated by polished and glimmering French Romantic and Neoclassical works, and made to “oooh” and “aaah” to the groove of some flashy and funky American contemporary classical music. All That Glitters will inspire and entertain, so get off your couch and out the door to hear Charleston Academy of Music pros Philip Lipton on clarinet and Patrick Boyle on keyboard as they join Kammer and Kindall Smith on the sanguine and soulful saxes.

Tickets for sale now. Call 1-800-838-3006 OR VISIT: www.brownpaper ckets.com

$20 General/ $12 Students/ $15 for 65+ & Groups of 6+/ $8 kids 5-12

The burning bowl was generously donated by the Simon/Child family in 2015.

Everyone is welcome to use it

Burning bowl supplies are located in the welcome table in Gage Hall and in the table in the Church vestibule. Please return the supplies when you are finished. Please do not use a candle in the bowl to light your paper as we have learned waxy residue is difficult to remove. Please watch your children closely. Please note that there is a water source on the right before you ascend the stairs to the burning bowl should it be needed.

A few notes on the burning bowl ceremony:

The Burning Bowl Ceremony offers us the opportunity to leave behind something that no longer serves our life. More precisely it is an act of letting go. The purpose is to release a pattern, belief, emotion or experience that impedes us. This ceremony is a request for transformation of something specific we individually wish to let go of and, in the process, making way for something to be returned to us renewed and in a form that serves and supports our lives in the present.

The ceremony:

Write on a slip of paper that which you wish to release for transformation. It might be one item or several items. Carefully light the paper on fire over the burning bowl. While it is burning note the transformation of your paper. Note the ascending smoke away from the earth and descending ash towards the earth. On another slip of paper you may want to write what it is that you wish to take its place. Write something helpful and positive that will serve you better now that you have taken steps to rid yourself of what was not working in your life. Take the new slip of paper with you and keep it in a place so that you will see it often. The burning bowl ceremony can be done alone, as a couple, as a family or as a group. Traditionally the burning bowl ceremony is done on New Year’s Eve, a birthday or an anniversary, however anytime; any day of the year anyone is willing to make a transformation in their lives is the right time to perform a burning bowl ceremony.

If you wish to share a burning bowl ceremony experience please feel free to write your thoughts in the

notebook provided with the burning bowl supplies.

Submitted by Bernadette Victor

The Unitarian Church Burning Bowl

Located in the churchyard at the end of the path directly behind the church at the top of the stairs.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

12 Serious Illness Support Group (GH)

2

11 Staff Mtg. (GH4)

6:30 Men’s Group (GH4)

3

11 Wu Tai Chi (GH)

5 Community Minister Mtg. (GH) 6:45 Choir (GH)

4

11 Caring Comm. (GH4)

5

RE Charlotte Con.

10 Docents (S)

7 Lisa Ross Comedy Night (GH)

6

RE Charlotte Con.

9 Eden Keepers, Luncheon and Comm. Mtg.

10 Docents (S)

7

RE Charlotte Con.

Blues Sunday

9:30 Meditation (AU) 10 Forum (GH) 10:30 Chalice Choir (S - North Room) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (GH) 12:15 Pathways (CDS)

5 Red Tent (GH2)

8

7 Membership Comm. (OS)

9

11 Staff Mtg. (GH4)

12:30 Let’s Do Lunch (OS)

10

10:30 Archives (GH4) 11 Wu Tai Chi (GH)

6:45 Choir (GH)

11 12

10 Docents (S)

7:30 Candlelight Concert & Reception (S&GH)

13

10 Docents (S)

14 2nd Sunday King Street No RE. Kids will paint bowls for Social Justice

project.

9:30 Meditation (AU) 10 Forum (GH) 10:30 Chalice Choir (S - North Room) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (GH) 12:30 Docents (S)

15

Presidents Day

16

11 Staff Mtg. (GH4)

12 Men’s Group Lunch (OS)

5 Executive Comm. Call (OS)

17

11 Wu Tai Chi (GH)

4 Planned Giving (GH4)

6:45 Choir (GH)

18

5 Vestry (GH4)

19

10 Docents (S)

20

9 Backpack Buddies (OS) 10 Docents (S)

7:30 Coffeehouse Concert

21

Gateway Submissions Due

New Member Sunday

Congregational & Budget

Meeting

9:30 Meditation (AU) 10 Forum (GH) 10:30 Chalice Choir (S - North Room) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (GH) 12:15 Finance Comm. (GH4) 12:30 Worship Comm. (GH3) 3 Oyster Roast—Bowens

22

23

11 Staff Mtg. (GH4)

24

11 Wu Tai Chi (GH)

2 Archives (GH4)

6:45 Choir (GH)

25 26

10 Docents (S)

27

10 Docents (S)

28

RE Quaker Visit

9:30 Meditation (AU) 10 Forum (GH) 10:30 Chalice Choir (S - North Room) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (GH)

29

February 2016

S-Sanctuary; GH-lower Gage Hall (ground floor Gage Hall); GH #1-4-individual classrooms upstairs in GH; A-Annex; AU-Annex upstairs; C-Churchyard; CDS-Charleston Day School

The Unitarian Church

4 Archdale Street Charleston, SC 29401

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

Minister, Rev. Danny Reed minister@charlestonuu.org

Intern Minister, William Epes

internminister@charlestonuu.org

Affiliated Community Minister, Rev. Nancy Bird Pellegrini communityminister@charlestonuu.org

Office Administrator, Sandra Selvitelli office@charlestonuu.org

Religious Education Director, J anet Watts

dre@charlestonuu.org

Music Director, Johanna Evenson

musicdirector@charlestonuu.org

Sexton, Joe McCormack

Vestry: vestry@char lestonuu.org

Vestry Chair, Judy Manning (‘16) 1st Vice Chair, Maureen Porter (‘17) 2nd Vice Chair, Sue Weller (‘18) Secretary, Frank Hardie(‘17)

Vestry Members

Nina Fair (‘16) Jonathan Lamb (‘18) Erica Hattings-Brodeur (‘18) Steve Simon (‘16) John Klintworth (‘17)

Treasurer, Nolan Prestwood

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m - 12:00 pm

Sunday 8 am - 1:00 pm

Phone: (843) 723-4617

Email: office@charlestonuu.org

Gateway Walk

Arc

hd

ale

Unitarian UniversalismUnitarian UniversalismUnitarian UniversalismUnitarian Universalism———— open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.

Kin

g

Queen St.

Sanctuary

Churchyard

Jacob’s Alley

Weekend &

Evening Parking Only

Weekend &

Evening Parking Only

1st 6 spaces Church

Business Gage

Annex

Charleston Day School

DO NOT PARK IN AREAS BLOCKED WITH TRAFFIC CONES

FREE Parking is also available at the garages on Queen Street and behind Forever 21 if you show the current bulletin and leave by 1 p.m.

The Gateway is printed on recycled paper and is also available online.

A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation