| Thursday, September 7, 2023 To stay on top of what's happening, you can see our Online Calendar. |
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When we say we are welcoming, who all and what does that include? Are there requirements for belonging that are either spoken or unspoken that either help or prevent people from feeling included? |
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| Religious exploration classes resume this week! If you are new to UUFC, or if you did not register your child(ren) for the 2022-2023 Religious Exploration year (even if they attended classes), please fill out our brief registration form. Previously registered families will receive a link to a pre-filled registration form to update as necessary.
This year we will learn about world religions and how Unitarian Universalism draws wisdom and inspiration from many sources with the curriculum Holidays and Holy Days. We will explore through stories, games, crafts and yummy snacks from around the world. Come join us! |
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| FROM OUR MINISTER, REV. HOLLY BROWN Hello Beloveds,
Do you know about the various resources and opportunities there are to connect to our denomination? There are several great ways to connect to our larger faith through justice ministries, regional newsletters, worship and spiritual development, and support groups/spaces for various identity groups. There are too many to name all of them in one article, but I want to highlight three of them.
The Southern Region of the UUA has a monthly newsletter that anyone can sign up to receive or you can find past issues on their website. Some months the newsletters are quite lengthy, but you can scroll through it to see what they are offering each month to get a sense of what is happening. You may find opportunities that you as an individual or as group from the Fellowship might be interested in participating. I invite you to check out the September Southern Region Newsletter to get a sense of the content and determine if you would like to register to receive it on a monthly basis. You can also follow the Southern Region Facebook Page to learn about ongoing opportunities.
There is an app for Worship Web that you can download if you have a smartphone or tablet. The app provides quick access to readings, quotes, chalice lightings that are convenient if you need to find something for a meeting or class. There is also a virtual chalice that you can light if you do not have a physical chalice to light where you are meeting. Beyond the app, you can find Worship Web on the UUA website in a searchable format on a particular topic.
You may also find a variety of resources and activities of interest on the Side With Love website. There is training, learning opportunities, and action resources that focus on both national and local levels. You can subscribe to receive updates on areas of interest. Many of these offerings help connect UUs across the country and create an avenue to learn from other congregations that are doing similar things.
Finally, it is helpful to have someone that endeavors to share upcoming opportunities with the congregation through the weekly newsletter, announcements, or posts in the Facebook group. Please email me if you would be interested in assisting in this area.
Rev. Holly [email protected] |
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| FROM THE WELCOMING CONGREGATION COMMITTEE
The video below features Sandy Goodwick as a guest speaker on the topic of Disability Justice. Ms. Goodwick is a retired teacher, an active advocate, a Many Faces of Moebius spokesperson, and a certified WRAP facilitator. She's an 'at-large member' of UU Mental Health Net, has served as a Social Media Editor at Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for more than 5 years, and has been a guest on the Rick Smith Show ("Sandy Goodwick talks Standing Up for Disabled Kids" aired on February 22, 2016).
In the spirit of welcoming others who may differ from ourselves, we offer the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's August 13th Service, "From the Inside Out - From Shame to Disability Justice, Pride - Belonging". The hour-long recording has Sandy Goodwick's participation from beginning to end, and is an excellent offering for pondering the hardships faced by those deemed 'deformed' and 'disabled'. Click the image below to watch the service. |
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| CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS Do you have something you are celebrating? Or maybe something you are struggling with? Send us your celebrations and concerns so we can share them here in the newsletter. You can submit Celebrations and Concerns using this simple form or send an email to [email protected].
- Dae shares: "It has been a joy for me in getting acquainted with the UUFC office person. She's so responsive, has helped me with various little matters, and shows me appreciation for the amateur art I scrawl on the 'giving envelopes'."
- Ellen Few shares that she is "recovering from a viral respiratory infection."
- Renee Mendola shares, "Please send good energy to my mom -- she is in the hospital and has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and COPD."
- Kathy Crain shares her sadness that she and Gordon are "grieving a tragic car accident last Saturday in Virginia. Our dear friend of 40 years, Lionel, was killed. our friend, Nancy, his wife, remains in critical condition."
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| LITTLE RED WAGON Every Sunday during service, the children collect donations for Clemson Community Care and place them into our little red wagon. Clemson Community Care has had a 59% increase in food requests in the first six months of 2023. They need donations of food to help meet the needs of the community. There is currently a need for the following items: juice, soup, canned beans, green beans, corn, pork and beans, canned meat, canned tuna or salmon, dry pasta, fruit, sugar (2-lb bag), spaghetti, diapers size 5 & 6, wipes, toiletries, laundry detergent, bathroom tissue. |
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| COVENANT GROUPS September is open enrollment time for all adults (members, friends, and newcomers) in the UUFC community to join a Covenant Group. Covenant groups are small groups of 8-10 people who agree to meet regularly for spiritual, intellectual, and social dialogue and nurturing. Complete the Interest Form, if you'd like to join a Covenant Group at UUFC. See Karen Hiebel or Sara Summers-Hoskin for more information.
At the present, we have three groups:
- The Sojourners meets in person on the 2nd Thursdays at 5:15
- The Butterfly Group meets in person on the 4th Thursdays at 10:00 am
- The Soul Matters Group meets online on the 4th Wednesdays at 6:30pm
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THIS SUNDAY, September 10, at 9:00am Socratic Cafe: Adult Faith Exploration offers this guided dialogue experience exploring ethical and philosophical considerations that inform our personal attitudes, behavior, and socio/political/spiritual concerns. The Socratic method of examining and discussing topics selected by participants, using honest, disciplined and inquisitive dialogue will be embraced in each session. This group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month in the Founder's House. All adults are welcome to attend. Coffee will be served. |
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Sunday, October 1 at Noon Giving with Intention Lunch & Learn: The UUFC Planning Committee brings this seminar to UUFC. A light lunch will be served ($5 requested donation). RSVP 864-654-5959 or [email protected] by September 23. Dan Wiseman with Gift & Estate Planning at Clemson University will present about not just estate planning, but a broad palette of giving options and approaches. We will hear about tools and resources available to help us all give with intention and purpose. Join us! |
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| RECURRING EVENTS
- Buck-a-Book Sale: New books welcome the first Sunday of every month! There’s a wide selection waiting for you at Buck a Book. The buck goes to UUFC general expenses, so read up and know its for a good cause – you and UUFC!
- UUFC Choir always welcomes new members -- we'd love for you to join us! Singing experience not required, we welcome singers of all abilities! If you're interested or if you have any questions, please contact Elaine Fredendall. Text 864-650-6824. Practice is Mondays at 7:00 pm at UUFC
- Bingo Group meets online every Thursday at 6:30pm. Email UUFC administrator, for a bingo card. Email Karen with any questions. Join the game here: https://meet.google.com/yqu-mgci-bme
- Tuesday Evening Meditation Everyone is welcome to join us for forty minutes of silent meditation, followed by tea and conversation every Tuesday at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Contact Bob Hiott for more information.
- Habitat for Humanity UUFC works with the Pickens County Habitat for Humanity on the 4th Saturday morning monthly. Anyone who would like to join in on this fun is welcome. No tools or experience necessary. Contact Gordon Crain (864 247-6003).
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| From Holley Ulbrich, Social Action Chair: Some of us old-timers have fond memories of attending district and cluster meetings where we met with neighboring congregations and shared ideas, experiences, worship, and challenges. Alas, the districts and clusters are no more, replaced by humongous faraway regions. But the South Carolina Unitarian Universalist Justice Alliance (SCUUJA) and similar networks in other states are trying to restore that sense of being part of something larger than our local congregation, working together to make the world a better place.
SCUUJA has planned a statewide gathering in Columbia on Saturday, October 7th. It will include activities for children and workshops for everyone. Registration is $10 for adults. We can carpool; I can take three passengers. Let me (Holley Ulbrich) know if you plan to attend and are interested in sharing rides. SCUUJA Fall Festival Registration |
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| LISTENING DEVICES AVAILABLE We have small radio receivers that pick up the sound from our AV system and transmit it to your ears, via headphones or telecoil. These are on display in the back left corner of the sanctuary, beside the AV systems. If you have hearing aids with telecoil, all you have to do is turn it on and use one of our T-coil necklaces. Otherwise, you can use one of our new headphones. Stop by before the next service and try it out! Contact [email protected] with any questions.
COLUMBO'S RECEIPTS BRING MONEY TO UUFC Having a pizza night? When you check out at Columbo's Pizza, ask to have your receipt stamped and then drop that receipts at the UUFC office. Columbo's gives us a percentage of the receipt totals.
WEEKLY CONNECTION SUBMISSIONS Want to advertise your upcoming UUFC event or share some UUFC news? Let us know! Email newsletter submissions to [email protected] no later than Tuesday for inclusion in that week's Weekly Connection.
UUFC DIRECTORY Our congregational directory is not available online. If you'd like the most recent version (updated monthly) emailed to you, please contact Becky, our office administrator: [email protected]
UUFC PHOTOS Photos of UUFC folks doing UUFC things are always welcome! Please send photos to [email protected] for our archives. All submitted photos may be chosen for publication and/or display unless specifically requested NOT to publish. |
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