| "Censorship, Memory & Imagination" with Karen Hiebel: In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in attempts at state-sponsored censorship, particularly of books and our national history. These efforts seek to reshape not just our past, but also our understanding of who we are and where we are going. How do our Unitarian Universalist values call us to respond to these efforts?
Join us in Clemson at 10:30am.
This service won't be streamed live, but will be posted to our YouTube channel after-the-fact. |
|
| FROM OUR MINISTER Hello Beloveds,
Would you consider participating in services as a Worship Associate, reader, or offering a reflection? There are many different ways that people can be involved in a service from leading a service or sharing a reading or reflection or a one-time part. You may have noticed that the number of Worship Associates change over time. This stems from the need for changes in the lives of those that serve in the volunteer roles. The amount that a worship associate assists with depends greatly on what they are comfortable with and that can change over time. Some prefer to offer reflections on the same topic as the sermon while others rather just have a reading provided.
Hopefully you notice that we try not to have the same service week after week. It takes work to put each service together and there is a team of folks that make it possible. The more voices we have as worship associates the greater the opportunity for hearing a variety of perspectives. As the minister, I do a lot of the behind the scenes work and it makes me all the more grateful for each and every person that helps make our services possible in both the obvious and less obvious roles.
This is an opportunity for more voices to share through reflections and leading services. If you are interested in learning more reach out to me at minister@uufc.org or 864-623-7917.
May you be well, Rev. Holly |
|
| JOYS, CONCERNS, & MILESTONES: Do you have something you are celebrating? Or maybe something you are struggling with? Let us know! Significant personal accomplishments and hardships may be shared below, with permission. Please submit Celebrations and Concerns on one of the cards (green) at Sunday service or use this simple form. On Sunday's paper submissions, you must check the "I give permission to share. . ." box for your submission to be considered for publication. Personal items will not be shared without express permission to do so from the parties involved.
- Meg W. enjoyed "a wonderful trip to Poland & Slovakia with my brother and his family. We managed to track down my mother's first cousin in Slovakia!"
- Longtime UUFC member, Mandy Guyon, celebrates her 90th birthday with friends. . . and chocolate!
|
|
Care Request Form: Request extra care (eg: meals, rides, cards, texts, calls, visits, etc.) for yourself or another congregant during a difficult time.
Care Response Form: Let us know if you are willing and able to provide various kinds of care to congregants in need. |
|
| UUFC ANNOUNCEMENTS Want to advertise your upcoming UUFC event or share some UUFC news? Let us know! Email newsletter submissions to newsletter@uufc.org no later than Tuesday for inclusion in that week's Weekly Connection. |
|
FOUNDERS' HOUSE: Is open and ready for use! Contact Becky (admin@uufc.org) to schedule. |
|
BANNED BOOKS FROM SCUUJA: There are 21 titles gifted to UUFC from the South Carolina UU Justice Alliance (SCUUJA) from the list of books banned by the state of SC in 2025. They are available to borrow from our Adult Faith Library. Contact Karen (dlff@uufc.org) for more info! |
|
|
LOOKING FOR LEADERS: The Board is recruiting for several leadership positions, including two board positions (President-Elect, Program Council Chair), as well as Finance Council, Planned Giving, and Stewardship. Please contact any member of the Board or the Nominating Committee (Leslie Vissage, Jon Hoskin, Elaine Faithful) if you are interested or want to learn more. |
|
|
UU & YOU WORKSHOP JULY 19TH AT 11:45: If you've ever considered becoming a member of our congregation, please join us after service in the library. Together, we will talk about the faith of Unitarian Universalism and about what it means to be a member at the UU Fellowship of Clemson. |
|
|
CIRCLE DINNERS are a wonderful way to get to know members and friends of our Fellowship. We encourage your participation. Dinners begin in September and continue for 5 months, skipping November & December. The host provides the entree; others bring the food designated on the rotation chart: salad/bread, appetizer, or dessert. Deadline for signing up is Sunday, August 10th. Contact Jackie (jcrenzi@aol.com or 864-888-2276) |
|
|
UUFC CAMPOUT OCTOBER 1ST - 4TH: Save the Date! The group campsite at Oconee State Park has been reserved for UUFC campers, hikers and pot-luckers This is a fund-raiser activity for UUFC; all are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.
|
|
| RECURRING UUFC EVENTS Weekly on Mondays
- UUFC Choir at 7:00pm: Currently on hiatus; if you're interested or if you have any questions, please text Elaine Fredendall (864-650-6824).
Weekly on Tuesdays
- Tuesday Evening Meditation at 7:00pm: Everyone is welcome to join us! For more info, contact Darrell Yardley.
Weekly on Thursdays
Monthly
- Sunday Sangha 2nd Sundays at Noon: This Buddhist study group meets monthly on Sundays. We will begin at 12 noon in the sanctuary. Join us! Contact Renee Mendola for more information.
- Socratic Café 3rd Monday, this month only, at 10:30 - 11:45am: Join us in the Social Room on July 20th for a guided discussion, led by Adam Gies, on the topic: “How does a longer life span change the way we think about the value of our lives and about death and dying?” Please contact Alan Goldsmith for more information.
- Sounds Like Fun! 1st Tuesdays at 10:30am - 12:00pm: When the going gets tough, go for the jocular! August 4th is our next morning of improv comedy, new and old party games, and creative arts exploration in the Social Room. Please RSVPlay to Alan Goldsmith if you plan to attend.
- Plate Pals - UU Women's Lunch Group 2nd Tuesdays of each month. Join us for camaraderie, fun, support, and fellowship. To join us, email UUPlatePals@gmail.com.
- Novel Circle Book Club 1st Wednesdays at 7:30pm. All are welcome at this UUFC Book Club which meets in person (social hall) and online (Zoom) every 1st Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Please contact Gail Brownlee or Cindy Lee for more information.
- August 5th: The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
- September 2nd: This Other Eden by Paul Harding
- October 7th: The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford
- Habitat for Humanity UUFC works with the Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, usually on the 4th Saturday morning of each month to work on a home-build. Anyone who would like to join in on this fun is welcome--reach out to Michael Elder.
|
|
SUUSI (Southeast UU Summer Institute) July 19th-25th at Radford University. Each year hundreds of UUs gather to connect in a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and Unitarian Universalist values. It's a summer camp for all UUs. Please ask Jon Hoskin, a participant for 15 years, if you have 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 receipt at the UUFC office. Columbo's gives us a percentage of the receipt totals.
LITTLE RED WAGON Every Sunday during service, the children collect donations for Clemson Community Care and place them into our little red wagon. They need donations of food to help meet the needs of the community. Current needs are as follows: green beans, corn, canned meats, pork and beans, soap, toiletries, and diapers (size 4, 5 & 6).
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!
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.
UUFC PHOTOS Photos of UUFC folks doing UUFC things are always welcome! Please send photos to newsletter@uufc.org for our archives. All submitted photos may be chosen for publication and/or display unless specifically requested NOT to publish. |
|
|
SHARED VALUES At the Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly in the summer of 2024, UUs voted to amend our by-laws to describe our Shared Values instead of Principles. Don't worry--the Principles did not vanish entirely; much of the sentiment can be found in the Values and now they're easier to share in graphic form. This helps frame our UU message in 21st century language. Our shared values are: Interdependence, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Generosity, and Justice. These are centered around Love at the core. |
|
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES: The number of calls on each topic are recorded and if enough people express their dismay, they might just respond favorably. Emails carry less weight, since they can be copied, pasted and mass-mailed; constituents who take the time to pick up the phone sends a message. So pick up the phone and make the calls! Let your representatives know that you're watching, that you're engaged, and what you want them to do. If you don't know who to call, you can call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 and they'll help you connect, or you can visit usa.gov/elected-officials. For additional information, ideas and call scripts, you can visit 5calls.org. Call your reps daily, if you can. This is faith in action. |
| FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY: Each week, volunteers provide flowers for Sunday service. If you'd like to volunteer to bring flowers, please sign up on the sheet on the Opportunity Table in the Social Room. 7/12: Teresa Lanford 7/19: Elaine Faithful |
|
|
|
|
