| MINISTER'S COLUMN Dear Ones, This coming Sunday, we will celebrate our shared ministry together for the last three years at UUFC. What a time it has been – surviving a pandemic, worship services outside under a tent, learning how to streamline into hybrid services, rebuilding the children’s religious education after years apart, coming together to support local social justice efforts, putting up a Pride flag on the oak tree out front, welcoming so many new members, calling a new minister, etc. UUFC is strong, vibrant, and moving forward! I am so proud to have been a part of these important years in the story of UUFC.
I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday as we say our farewells. I hope to convey my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to be your Interim Minister. It has been an honor.
With faith and compassion,
~Rev. Christina |
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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].
- Martha Alexander celebrates last weekend's Homecoming at The Mountain. It was great to see old friends and Martha wore her 42-year-old staff shirt from her work with kids there in 1980-1981. There was a tribute to Larry Wheeler for his long years of service including founding The Mountain in 1978.
- Elizabeth Branstead celebrates her grandson, James', high school graduation.
- Kathy Crain shares: Our small Habitat Team was happy to work on a build last weekend with the future homeowner. Our Habitat Team builds every 4th Saturday. Talk to Gordon Crain to join the team.
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| May congregations are adopting an 8th Principle and UUFC invites you to consider this possibility. The 8th Principle is being integrated into the revision of Article II of the UUA Bylaws which will be voted on at General Assembly later this month. The proposed 8th Principle was featured in a recent article in UUWorld, and you can learn more about this on the 8th Principle Movement website.
The Proposed 8th Principle States: "We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
We will vote on adopting the 8th principle at the above Congregational Meeting on June 18. Please plan to attend at least one of the below Proposed 8th Principle Discussion Groups so you can make an informed decision at the congregational meeting.
- Monday, June 5th, 5-6:30pm, in the Social Room and on Zoom (Join the Meeting)
- Tuesday, June 6th, 11:30am-1pm, in the Social Room and on Zoom (Join the Meeting)
- Monday, June 12th, 5pm, at UUFC social room – feel free to bring your dinner! (Join the Meeting)
- Tuesday, June 13th, 11:30am, at UUFC social room– feel free to bring your lunch! (Join the Meeting)
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| WE ARE HIRING! We are looking for an AV/Tech Assistant, preferably with experience doing this work, for Sunday mornings -- talk to Del or Rev. Christina for more information. And we are looking for childcare workers for Sunday mornings. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age. Tell your friends and neighbors! Job postings will be going up on Indeed soon. |
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| TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to show Del Kimbler's video in service on Sunday. Please take a moment to watch it now. Offered with apologies to Del and those attending service Sunday! |
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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. There is currently a need for the following items: fruit,, flour, oatmeal, grits, cereal, cooking oil, jelly, soup, peanut butter, pork and beans, shelf stable milk, canned tomatoes and vegetables, canned meats (tuna salmon and chicken. Also we are very low on diapers (sizes 5 & 6) shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, soap, laundry and dish detergent. |
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Friday, June 9 - Monday June 12 - UUFC Annual Camping Trip: Please consider attending some or all of UUFC's campout, at Oconee State Park. We have optional activities scheduled, including Saturday morning's service activity at the park (a new tradition) and Saturday evening's campfire potluck. Staying over Sunday evening gives us an opportunity to explore the Walhalla Fish Hatchery that afternoon, after Vespers that morning. Check out the flier for more information! |
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Wednesday, June 14, meet at 9:30 to carpool - HUULA Hike to Big Rock Trail at Nine Times Preserve: This 4.4 mile loop hike contains a bit of single track UP the mountain then across the ridge to explore the boulder outcropping, then back down the other side of the mountain on a forest service road. It is rated moderate. We will meet at UUFC at 9:30 to carpool. Contact Sara Summers-Hoskin for more details. |
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Friday, June 16, at 5:45 - Movie with a Message: Pride Realizing that they share common foes in Margaret Thatcher, the police and the conservative press, London-based gays and lesbians lend their support to striking coal miners in 1984 Wales. This film is rated R. Come for the pot luck supper, starting at 5:45. The movie will begin at 6:15. Conversation will follow the movie. $5 suggested building use donation is appreciated. |
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Sunday, June 18, Following Service: Congregational Meeting. Please attend one or more of our 8th Principle Discussion groups to prepare for this voting opportunity: Monday, June 5th, 5-6:30pm, in the Social Room and on Zoom (Join the Meeting) Tuesday, June 6th, 11:30am-1pm, in the Social Room and on Zoom (Join the Meeting) Monday, June 12th, 5pm, at UUFC social room – feel free to bring your dinner! Tuesday, June 13th, 11:30am, at UUFC social room– feel free to bring your lunch! |
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Wednesday, June 21 - Sunday, June 25 - UUA General Assembly (GA) in Pittsburgh: All UUs are encouraged to attend the annual General Assembly (in person or online) where connections are made and UUA business is done! If you're interested in attending, don't hesitate to register--prices increase mid-May! |
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Saturday, June 24 at 8:00 - 12:00 - UUFC Parking Lot Yard Sale: Have you been thinking about lightening your load? Here is your chance; start sorting now! Space is limited, so REGISTER HERE TODAY to ensure yourself a premium space. 25% of all sales will be donated to UUFC. NOTICE: In preparation for the yard sale, we will be cleaning out the kitchens in both buildings. Unclaimed items may be sold in the yard sale. If you have been meaning to bring home your dish, now is the time! For more information, contact Elaine Faithful ([email protected]) |
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Sunday, June 25 - Brunch Potluck: Service this morning will be live-streamed from the UUA General Assembly (GA) in Pittsburgh. Since the service will begin at 11:30, join us at UUFC for a potluck brunch at 10:30, followed by the livestream of service in the sanctuary. |
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Sunday, August 13 - Deadline to sign up for Circle Dinners: All adults are encouraged to participate regardless of culinary skills or house-space (you can schedule your meal at Founder's house instead of your home). Rotating hosts provide entrée & vegetable for 5-8 people. Others in your assigned group round out the meal. Dinners begin in September and continue once-a-month for 5 months. Contact Jackie Renzi (864-888-2276) to sign up. Those who can't host can sign up as substitutes! |
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| RECURRING EVENTS
- Buck-a-Book Sale: June is busting out all over with good reads! See Busted out at Buck a Book table. New books welcome the first Sunday of every month!
- 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
- Coffee with Christina -- Wednesdays at 2:00 on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/97820102517) Join Rev. Christina for an online break.
- Novel Circle (UUFC Book Club) meets in person (social hall) and online (Zoom) every 1st Wednesday at 7:30. In June we will discuss The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Upcoming books: Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo (July), and We Are the Light by Matthew Quick (August). Contact Gail Brownlee or Cindy Lee for more information.
- 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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| IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
- The Foothills Sierra Club will be doing maintenance at ChauRam County Park on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 3, 9:00-noon. Register online here or take a look at the flyer.
- Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUUSI) 2023 will be held from July 16-22, 2023 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Housing on campus consists of various configurations of dorm rooms so for some of us it might bring back memories of our college days. Paula, Jorge, and Jon Hoskin have been long time workshop leaders and participants -- they can probably answer most of your questions.
- SCUUJA Fall Festival October 7 at the UU Congregation of Columbia. Contact Jean ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to volunteer talents, skills, help with planning, and the like.
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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.
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 (January 2023) 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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