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A liberal and inclusive pathway to finding community
Vol. 20, No. 1 August 2019
Sunday, August 4 “When a Stranger Appears at Your Door,”
Rev. Jennifer Ryu
In the spring of 2007, the Unitarian Universalist Association joined the “New Sanctuary Movement.” Since then we have been deepening our public commitment to immigration justice, including opening church doors to undocumented families facing deportation. How does a congregation make such a decision? What values and beliefs guide the conversations? What would the Unitarian Church in Charleston do when a stranger appears at your door?
Rev. Jennifer Ryu is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. She received her Masters of Divinity from the Starr King School of Ministry in Berkeley, CA. She served the Williamsburg (VA) UU Church as a settled minister for 10 years through 2016. Since then she has done hospital chaplaincy work, currently serving the Roper/St. Francis hospital system in Charleston, SC. Rev. Jen was born in South Korea, raised in Toledo, Ohio and discovered Unitarian Universalism in Baltimore, Maryland.
Sunday, August 11 “Constellated Ministry in an Era of Fluid Spirituality,”
Rev. Holli Emore
Multiple religious identities characterize an increasing number of individuals and families, including Unitarian Universalists, who have always held essential contradictions between belief, practice and daily living in a primarily monotheistic mainstream culture. Spiritual fluidity and multiplicity may also reflect the times in which we live, times in which migration is frequent and extensive, blending cultures in ways unforeseen by most of our ancestors. Westerners are accustomed to models of ministry in a defined geographic space for a mono-religious population. Such models leave us unprepared for the reality of the “spiritual but not religious SBNR’s,” the “nones,” multifaith and interfaith families, and individuals who themselves claim multiple religious identities. Traditional models imply an “in” or “out” status of religious membership; one either follows the defined religion of the group and its minister or one no longer belongs to the group. Constellated ministry does not concern itself with belonging so much as with caring for those who seek the sanctuary of compassion in its myriad forms.
Rev. Holli Emore is the founder and priestess of Osireio and Executive Director of Cherry Hill Seminary, where she previously served as Chair for the Board of Directors. Committed to building interfaith relationships, Holli is a member of the board of directors for the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina. Holli often teaches public groups about the rapidly-growing NeoPagan religions, and has served as a regional resource for law enforcement and victim services since 2004. Holli is the co-founder of the original Pagan Round Table.
Published by the Unitarian Church
in Charleston*
Regina Ruopoli, Compositor
(843) 723-4617 [email protected]
Next Deadline: Aug. 7*
*For the next few months we will publish the weekly
e-blast “Gateway Update” each Thursday as usual, but will not publish a monthly
newsletter. This is on a trial basis in an effort to be more
efficient and effective in sharing the most current
information. We will continue mailing printed copies to our
members without email.
The weekly deadline is Wednesdays at 12 noon.
Services at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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Sunday, August 18 “Boundaried Sanctuary,” by Jen Bennett This will be an opportunity for us to reflect upon our institutional boundaries as a church. We have the ability, and possibly a duty, to chose boundaries for ourselves as individuals and as a collective. What our institutional boundaries become is in our hands and the boundaries we put in place and chose to enforce will significantly shape who we are and what we become. The healthier the boundaries within our church, the healthier our church becomes. Within these clarified emotional, spiritual and religious expectations, we have the opportunity to create sanctuary within ourselves and our congregation as a whole.
Sunday, August 25 Welcome Back Breakfast & Religious Education Open House
Join us from 9 –11 a.m. (floating) for a potluck breakfast as we kick off the church year! Breakfast and fellowship will be enjoyed in Gage Hall, and the RE Open House will be in our newly spruced up spaces upstairs in Gage Hall and in the Annex. Learn about the exciting new curriculum we will be implementing this year. All ages are encouraged to participate in a Church Yard Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win prizes, and Melissa Norwood, an amazing face painting artist, will share her talents with everyone. Don’t miss this fun event to kick off our church year!
Join us this month as we explore the theme of Sanctuary
Please note church will be closed on Sunday, September 1.
Forums will resume in September.
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From the Vestry
Vestry Visions
by Priscilla Shumway, Vestry Chair
Our theme for August is Sanctuary; the practice of finding sacred space within and ensuring welcoming space for all. Our historic Sanctuary has been a “sanctuary” for liberal-minded religious seekers. As the UUA states on their home page, “Live your values aloud, not alone. Our open minded, open hearted spiritual communities help people lead lives of justice, love, learning and hope.”
The Unitarian Church in Charleston has been a stalwart in the greater Charleston community for social justice through our commitment to the Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM). Our commitment to love is borne out by our ongoing certification as a Welcoming Congregation. We serve as a sanctuary for our LBGTQ+ neighbors who are often marginalized. Our commitment to learning and hope is manifested in our growing Religious Education Program. We have hope that the children of our church families will grow in love and learn in wisdom.
We will be continuing our work of leading lives of justice, love, learning and hope as we welcome Rev. David Messner in August as he works with our staff and Vestry to get to know our church family. As he stated in the previous newsletter, “I derive a lot of my joy in work from the joy of being part of a trusting team, and all my experiences of real success have taken place in such settings.”
The staff and the Vestry are looking forward to working with Rev. David to reimagine our mission, vision and 4 Bold Steps. We will be calling on you, the members of the congregation, to help us shape our future.
Rev. David’s first day in the pulpit will be September 8 at 11:00 a.m. I hope you will join us to welcome him in to our sacred Sanctuary.
Vestry meetings are the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are in Upper Gage Hall and are open for any member to attend. The minutes from each meeting may be found on our web site.
Among Family and Friends
Former longtime member Jerry Cassidy is recovering from pneumonia, and currently staying with her daughter, Karen. A churchwide card was sent. Others are welcome. Address: 8202 Luling Lane, Austin, TX 78729
Will Moredock is back home after a hospital stay. A churchwide card was sent. Others are welcome. Address: 137 Hester St., Charleston, SC 29403
Julia Moss, daughter of Richard Moss & Carol Oates, had hip surgery last week & would enjoy receiving cards. Address: 100 Lewis Dr., #7B, Greenville SC 29605
Rosemary Repeta is in rehab following knee surgery last week. Her brother will be staying with her, but a member of our Caring Committee will check with her again when she returns home. Address: 878 Regatta Rd., Charleston, SC 29412
Gale Simmons is still hampered by leg problems & will be having Achilles Heel surgery September 7. She has family help right now, but will be in touch with our Caring Committee after surgery in case she needs help with rides & meals. Address: 218 Appleton Dr., Goose Creek, SC 29445
Submitted by Marcia Castano on behalf of the Caring Committee
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Happenings
Eden Keepers Work Party
When: August 3 (Saturday) at 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Where: The Churchyard
Contact: Laura Moses at [email protected]
Newcomers are always welcome. Bring garden tools if you have them, gloves, water to drink and a dish to share for the potluck lunch afterward. Dress for the heat! Let’s Do Lunch
When: August 6 (Tuesday) at 12 p.m. Where: Stella’s (Greek/Mediterranean), 114 St. Phillip St., Charleston, 29403
Contact: Bob Graham at 703-915-1694 or [email protected]
Let’s Do Lunch is a monthly luncheon that is open to all Unitarians and their friends. It’s a time for socializing and catching up with our fellow Unitarians. RSVP to Bob Graham no later than August 5. Stella’s is an excellent Greek restaurant downtown serving authentic Greek and Mediterranean dishes. It has a 4.6 Google rating. There is some available parking behind the restaurant that you access from St. Philip. There’s 2 hour street parking and nearby parking in the St. Philip garage. Ground level and easy access. Full menu includes vegetarian dishes. Beer and wine is available. Prices are reasonable. www.stellascharleston.com
Books & Coffee
When: September 8 (Sunday) at 5:30 p.m. Where: TBD
Contact: Ray Setser at [email protected]
Newcomers welcome! Our fiction book for the summer is Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, which is high on the NYT best seller list. The first look at a book for our October meeting is The Pioneers, by David McCullough, which is also getting rave reviews! Joanne's book was just super and full of great knowledge and advice on how to approach your health care. We will miss her as she moves on to Nashville. Thanks for many years in the Books and Coffee group Joanne, you added so much! 2019 Silent Auction - A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet When: November 3 (Sunday) from 10-10:45 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Lunch provided) Where: Gage Hall Contact: Susan Garrison at [email protected] This year’s auction theme is a tribute to Nat King Cole, born in 1919. The song, A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet, was released by him on January 1, 1955. We will feature household, jewelry, tools, children’s items, art, plants, food, fixed priced dinners, services (like a ride to the airport), themed baskets, and many other items too numerous to name. WE NEED DONATIONS FROM YOU TO FILL OUR TABLES. Donation forms will be available soon! Now is the time to go through your home to look for fabulous donations to contribute. One of our most popular and top dollar sellers is our variety of dinners at each other’s homes, where even the newest friends soon become old friends. So think about auctioning off your famous chicken dinner or using recipes from the last country you visited. Get creative so that we have lots to offer. All proceeds go to the general fund to keep Charleston’s only Unitarian Church open for all people!
2019 Live Auction - A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet When: November 9 (Saturday) at 6:30 p.m. Where: Gage Hall Contact: Susan Garrison at [email protected] Our exciting Live Auction will include dinner, wine for only $10.00 per person in advance ($15.00 at the door). This will be an entertaining time with opportunities to bid on lots of wonderful items. Our Live Auction features unique and one-of-a-kind items, vacation homes, concert and theatre tickets, and exotic dinners. All proceeds go to general fund to keep Charleston’s only Unitarian Church open for all people!
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From the Staff
Executive Director - Sandra Selvitelli On behalf of the staff, I would like to sincerely thank some folks for putting in extra time volunteering this summer. Richard Moss has spent hours in the churchyard, eradicated an entire wall of corkboard that had been super-glued to the wall (not sure when that was done but it was NOT easy to undo), and worked with Ron Updike to dismantle and rebuild the railing outside of the nursery. This had been in disrepair for a number of years and was posing a dangerous risk – so THANK YOU to Richard and Ron!
Tyler Roberts has found a volunteer home helping Joe on Sunday mornings. Tyler joined as a member last year and has dived fully in to helping in the kitchen and any other tasks needed Sunday mornings. Thank YOU, Tyler!
Last and certainly not least, a big shout out to Priscilla Shumway for helping to paint Upper Gage Hall. It looks great!
Thank you to all others who continue to help in so many ways! We will also be posting other volunteer opportunities in the Gateway and in the Orders of Service. We love having your help! Please contact Danielle Lopez if you are available to help: [email protected].
We are pleased to have a new Little Free Library for children’s books on our campus. It’s located just inside the back gate behind Gage Hall. Feel free to take a book or leave a book that is appropriate for children of any age. This beautiful structure was installed by Joe McCormack. The decorative painting was done by Amelia, the former resident of the apartment.
In our efforts this summer to improve our collective space, the staff has created a Wish List of items that would complete the full picture. Items like matching rocking chairs for our porches and a new clean picnic table outside the Annex. Hopefully this will aid in aesthetics and also give us more shared community space! Please copy/paste the link below, take a look and see if you are interested/able to help. And thank you to those that have already purchased items from this list!
www.myregistry.com/wishlist/Unitarian-Church-Charleston-Charleston-SC/2027569
Communications - Regina Ruopoli As mentioned on the front page, for the next several months we will be solely publishing the weekly e-blast “Gateway Update” every Thursday as usual, but will not publish a monthly newsletter. This is a trial basis in an effort to be more current and efficient with sharing information. Printed copies will still be mailed weekly to those members without email. The weekly deadline is every Wednesday at 12 noon. The next deadline is Aug. 7. Send submissions to [email protected].
Advertising opportunities in The Gateway are still available. For rates and specifications please email Regina Ruopoli at [email protected]. Have you “liked” us on Facebook? Follow us there at: www.facebook.com/charlestonuu/
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Membership - Carol Oates
I am starting to get excited about the coming church year, and I hope you are, too! I am looking forward to a season of growth and change, as we welcome Rev. Messner and begin, in earnest, our interim journey together.
Pronoun stickers are here! This coming Sunday, you will see sheets of stickers which say, “My pronouns are she/her” or “he/him,” “they/them,” “ze/zir.” These stickers will be available on the name tag boards, in the sanctuary vestibule, the table at the top of the accessibility ramp and at the Welcome Table in Gage Hall. All are invited to take a sticker that shows your preferred pronouns and affix it to your name tag. By displaying our pronouns it creates an atmosphere of inclusivity for everyone to be referred to in the way they want to be.
For our Connecting Circles program, we will, as last year, be using Soul Matters to provide structure and substance to our small group ministry. Soul Matters publishes materials for use in creating theme based ministry in our congregations. Their materials will also be used by our Worship Committee and in Religious Education. Monthly themes will, then, be experienced in the sanctuary, in our RE classrooms, and in our Connecting Circles. This will encourage cohesion and depth as we explore what it means to embrace and live out our Unitarian Universalist values.
Over the next month I will be contacting our Connecting Circles leaders to see where their groups stand. There are Connecting Circles which have been meeting for over a decade and some which started just this past year. Some Circles may be looking for new members, or there may be the opportunity to start a new Circle in a particular geographic area.
I encourage all Members and Friends who are interested to let me know of your interest in Connecting Circles. Many experience our Circles as an opportunity to know others in our congregation more intimately and to explore one’s spiritual life with others in an environment that encourages openness and trust. If you are interested in either joining or starting a new Circle, I would love to hear from you! Please sign up for Connecting Circles at the Welcome table in Gage Hall, or contact me at [email protected]. See you at church!
MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
New to UU Charleston: September 22, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Gage Hall, Upstairs 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, at [email protected].
Fall Pathways to Membership: October 13 & 20, 12:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Charleston Day School Pathways is a 2-session class for people who have attended New to UU Charleston and are ready to explore what it means to be a Member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston. Lunch served, childcare provided. Sign up at the Membership Table in Gage Hall, or contact Carol Oates, Membership Coordinator, at [email protected].
Music - Susan Conant Thank you to those volunteers who have been managing our summer music. Our regular music program will begin again in late August. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.
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Religious Education & Nursery - Danielle Lopez
It has been a quiet yet productive summer here in Gage Hall! The staff has been busy moving around offices, freshening up paint, and making the most out of each space. I have been busy organizing classrooms to best fit our needs. I am looking forward to seeing the spaces being used by everyone this church year!
In addition to organizing and moving, I have been busy researching and planning curriculum. I am thrilled to share more about our curriculum throughout the month of August and during the RE Open House on the August 25. Keep an eye out for special inserts in our Order of Service each week!
In July, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a week-long Religious Educators Retreat at the Mountain Retreat Center in Highlands, North Carolina. While there, I made sure to listen and learn as much as I could from other Unitarian Universalist RE leaders. I am excited to take everything I learned and use it as I grow in this position. My biggest take away from the retreat was how to make our space a welcoming and brave space for all who enter. I will actively make sure ALL children and youth feel welcome in our community.
Curriculum for 2019-20
Preschool - Chalice Children and Soul Matters
Kindergarten-2nd Grade - Soul Matters
3rd-5th Grade - Harry Potter and UU
Middle School - Crossing Paths/Neighboring Faiths
High School Youth Group - Teaching Tolerance and Coming of Age
*** Interested in teaching? Contact Danielle Lopez at [email protected] ***
Upcoming Events:
RE Open House Join us on August 25 for our annual Welcome Back Breakfast and a special RE Open House to showcase our new spaces and learn more about new curriculum and events. All ages are encouraged to participate in a Churchyard Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win prizes. Also, Melissa Norwood, an amazing face painting artist, will share her talents with everyone. Don’t miss this fun event to kick off our church year!
Our children (and many of our adults) will be excited to know
that this year’s RE Curriculum
is based on Harry Potter!
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Committee & Team Updates
Eden Keepers
June 1 was warm but, thank goodness, not like Memorial Day the previous weekend which was scorching. Stan Boyer, Sarah Cothran, Karen Del Porto, Jessica Ervin, Tom Hartry, Bob and Pat Jontos, Laura Moses and Matthew Stallings assembled to tend our garden. Fran Ennis also came, but was too late to do any gardening so she took names and helped set up for lunch.
Sarah made it her mission to remove the dead plants and weeds from the two decorative planters above the gate to the parking lot. Other workers attacked some the many overgrown plots in the churchyard.
Hope everyone, especially the Eden Keepers, saw the June 9, article in the Post and Courier on "Grave Gardeners." It had a very nice writeup about our churchyard and its volunteers. In addition, of the article's six pictures, four of them were of our garden. Many thanks to Laura who gave the reporter and photographer a tour of the garden and told them about our Eden Keepers program.
The July work party was held on the 15th, to avoid the long 4th of July weekend. Despite the seasonable heat, 7 stalwart EK's came out: Stan Boyer, Sarah Cothran, Karen Del Porto, Julia Hall, Scott Morgan, Richard Moss, Karen Ruef and Scott Morgan. Their focus was on areas near Archdale Street, especially removing grass from between the bricks around the sundial. It seems that Sarah had an interesting conversation with a UU couple from Boston. Ask her about it.
The lunches following both of the work parties were again delicious and varied. In July, Karen Ruef's salad was a standout.
The Eden Keepers invite you to join them in the Churchyard for a gardening work party and lunch the first Saturday of each month. The August work party will be August 3, from 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Newcomers are always welcome. Bring garden tools if you have them, gloves, water to drink and a dish to share for the potluck lunch afterward. Contact Laura Moses at [email protected]. Submitted by Fran Innes. Fine Arts Committee
The current art show in Gage Hall features works by Cisco Lindsey and James Innes. Their contact information is in the Church Directory. This show runs though the month of August. Please direct any questions for future shows to Abby Himmelein, the new chair of the Fine Arts Committee, at [email protected]
Welcoming Congregation Committee
Be a part of our work of welcoming and affirming the LGBTQ+ community! Our Welcoming Congregation activities support causes that will bring equal rights to our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters such as supporting the annual Charleston Pride Parade and hosting Charleston’s Transgender Remembrance Service. Contact Neil Duffy or Jeffrey Fleming at [email protected].
Submit your Committee / Team updates to Regina Ruopoli
by Wednesdays at 12 noon to: [email protected]
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Story of Belonging
by Betsy Grund
I appreciate the chance to share this. When I wrote this, I was pretty much “up in my head” but when I read it out loud I was quite moved by my story of belonging!
I visited a variety of churches as a kid, but my family never belonged to one, so I was ‘unchurched’ before moving here and joining this church 25 years ago.
It’s not something that is encouraged now, but we signed the book that first Sunday we attended! Yeah, boundaries … that is just one of the important tools that both the church and I have sharpened over the years!
Early on, I was excited that my unstructured, disorganized sense of spirituality had ideas to “rub up against.” That helped me to clarify my beliefs and find that I do “belong in a church.” My skepticism and my faith were encouraged. I am a freedom-loving dreamer who loves practical solutions for human problems. I can never get bored at this church.
I found, and still find, new friends here with widely varying belief systems and we share lots of common ground. The emphasis on social justice was a natural fit for me and later I knew this would be the only church that could serve as a “village” for my kids. Our congregation’s role in CAJM, even while my personal role is small, is hugely gratifying to me and is another reason I belong here.
Having been a member of the Vestry and various other committees, I have worked closely with others to solve some tough problems, while honoring our principles. Those experiences transformed me.
This community anticipates the flow (and chaos) of change and so do I. We both have often taken two steps forward and one back, experiencing mistakes, learning and grace along the way. We are both working on the evolution of human consciousness.
I belong here because I am challenged and inspired to uncover and put to use my unique skills and presence. I belong here because the inspiration and the love I find reminds me that I am enough and still, encourages me to be more whole.
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S-Sanctuary; GH-Lower Gage Hall (ground floor Gage Hall); GH #1-5-individual classrooms upstairs in GH; A-Annex; C-Churchyard; CDS-Charleston Day School
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8 Eden Keepers
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9:15 Meditation (GH4) 10 Service (S) 11 Coffee Hour (GH) 11:30 Worship Service Committee (GH4)
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12 Let’s Do Lunch (OS)
7 Support Group (GH)
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2nd Sunday on King St.
9:15 Meditation (GH4) 10 Service (S) 11 Coffee Hour (GH) 11:30 Green Sanctuary Committee (GH5)
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10 Staff Mtg. (GH4)
11 Interreligious Thanksgiving Mtg (GH)
7 Support Group (GH)
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1 Worship Retreat (OS)
6 Vestry Meeting (GH4)
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9:15 Meditation (GH4) 10 Service (S) 11 Coffee Hour (GH)
4 Secular Humanists (GH)
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10 Staff Mtg. (GH4)
7 Support Group (GH)
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8 Private (GH)
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9-11 Welcome Back Breakfast (GH)
9-11 RE Open House (GH 1-4 & A)
9:15 Meditation (GH4)
11:30 Social Justice Committee Mtg. (GH4)
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10 Staff Mtg. (GH4)
7 Support Group (GH)
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9 Staff Retreat (OS)
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10 Docent Tours (S)
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10 Docent Tours (S)
3 Private (S)
AUGUST 2019
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
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The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion
in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search
for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use
of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web
of all existence of which we are a part.
The “Principles and Purposes” were written in 1984 as bylaws to direct the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Since then, the statement has become a source of inspiration for individuals as well. They are one attempt, among many, to describe the religious freedom we aspire to practice and preserve.
“Building a welcoming home for spiritual freedom
that enriches our lives and serves our world”
The Unitarian Church in Charleston
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The Unitarian Church
4 Archdale Street Charleston, SC 29401
RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED
Executive Director, Sandra Selvitelli [email protected]
Music Director, Susan Conant [email protected]
Membership Coordinator, Carol Oates
Communications Manager, Regina Ruopoli [email protected]
Director of Religious Education, Danielle Lopez
Sexton, Joe McCormack
Vestry Chair, Priscilla Shumway
1st Vice Chair, Al Finch
2nd Vice Chair, Mark Madden
Secretary, Mary Ellen Giess
Treasurer, Zachariah Conover Assistant Treasurer, Ren Manning
Vestry Members
Jeffrey Fleming Diane Narkunas
Joe Krause
Vestry meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.
Office Hours: Monday 8-4
Tuesday 8-2
Wednesday - Hours vary/staff may work from home/available by email Thursday 8 - 4 Sunday 8 - 2
Phone: (843) 723-4617 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.charlestonuu.org
The Gateway is printed on recycled paper and is also available online.
Unitarian Universalism— open faith, open hearts, open minds.
A Green Sanctuary Congregation
and a Welcoming Congregation
