Thursday, Ocrober 1, 2026 |
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| "Blessed by the Animals" with Rev. Holly Brown: Today is the Feast Day of Saint Francis and many denominations have honored this day by holding Animal Blessings. Rather than bringing animals in for a blessing which limits those that can participate, we recognize and consider how we are blessed by the animals in our lives and in the wider world.
Join us in Clemson at 10:30am.
This service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. |
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| FROM OUR MINISTER Hello Beloveds,
Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a worship associate or a guest speaker? The first step is talking to me. I'm happy to answer questions about the role and the ways in which individuals elect the level they are most comfortable with to be involved. You might also ask someone that is already a worship associate about why they do it and what their experience has been.
If you are interested in learning more or signing up to be a worship associate please reach out to me at minister@uufc.org.
May you be well,
Rev. Holly |
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| STEWARDSHIP It is Stewardship Season at UUFC. Without your donations, UUFC simply doesn't exist. Anyone is welcome to make a pledge of financial support to UUFC. Please consider making your pledge today.
Learn more about Stewardship Submit a Pledge to UUFC |
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| 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.
- Paula request prayers and thoughts for Liz Bransted who is dealing with a new appearance of cancer.
- Louis & Yasemin share, "This is our last Sunday before going to Turkey. See you next year!"
- Elaine Fredendall has hip replacement this week.
- Mike Kohl is having surgery to replace his collar bone, which has been a source of chronic pain. He'll be in a sling & incapacitated for a number of weeks.
- Carol Ann “Mandy” Guyon, 90, died in peace on September 30, 2026 following a short illness.
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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. |
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| UUFC ANNOUNCEMENTS Want to advertise your upcoming UUFC event or share some UUFC news? Let us know! Please keep in mind this newsletter is specifically for UUFC news, UU news, and member updates. Email newsletter submissions to newsletter@uufc.org no later than Tuesday for inclusion in that week's Weekly Connection. |
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| SCAM ALERT: Scam emails are prolific and we have been alerted to another incidence. No doubt this particular scam will ask you to purchase a gift card for someone in need. Don't fall for it. Please note the following red flags:
- Rev. Holly's ACTUAL email is minister@uufc.org.
- Scams always want to keep the conversation in email, and often ask you NOT to call.
- Rev. Holly does not typically sign off with "Many Blessings".
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| NEWS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Please check the Hospitality Table for cards to sign for members of our beloved community who are currently not able to attend in person. The group card lets them know they are not forgotten and are still an important part of UUFC. You may not yet know them personally, they have helped build the community we have now.
Our New Member Recognition will be on Sunday, November 15th. If you have been thinking of becoming a member, please let Karen York, Sarah McNeill, Cindy Lee, or Rev. Holly Brown know. Or talk with whoever is at the Welcome Table in the atrium. |
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| SOCIAL ACTION UPDATE: Thanks to all the volunteers who wrote postcards to black voters in our three county area to encourage voting. There is ONE remaining packet of postcards if someone wants to take it on. If your voter list doesn't have street numbers, contact Holley Ulbrich and she can provide them. Please mail postcards no later than the 15th.
VOTING IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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FROM THE UUFC BOARD: The Board still needs to fill the following positions: President-Elect and Program Council Chair, as well as a position with Finance Council. 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. |
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CAMPOUT OCTOBER 1ST - 4TH: Be OUTSIDE with UUFC at Oconee State Park. Camp the entire long weekend and/or hike, explore, visit the fish hatchery, join the Saturday potluck, attend Sunday morning Vespers. The flyer with more info is also posted on the hallway bulletin board. Please speak with Kathy for more information.
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LEARN WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING: Join us in the UUFC Social Hall where Bon Findley (mistycamo@proton.me), a certified drum instructor, will teach two 3-class series of drumming techniques & rhythm. We have several loaner drums available; let Renee Mendola (rdmendola@gmail.com) know ASAP if you need one. Cost is $60/student per series
- First series 9/27, 10/4, & 10/11, 1:30-3:00. We'll learn basic handing techniques, terminology, and listening for playing cues, followed by our first rhythm, Moribayassa.
- Second series 11/8, 111/5, 11/22, 1:30-3:00. We'll build on the basics with a new rhythm, Kuku.
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MAKING NEW UU CONNECTIONS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH AT NOON: Are you new(ish) and interested in having more connection with the community? We hope to mingle our “old” members and those who have joined recently or who are just wanting to know people more. Join us for lunch at Red Bowl restaurant. A reservation would be helpful but we can be spontaneous, too! Email Barbara (Barbara.Stroup@comcast.net) to reserve your spot! Hope to see you there.
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| RECURRING UUFC EVENTS Weekly on Mondays
- UUFC Choir at 6:00pm: We always welcomes new members -- join us! Singing experience not required, we welcome singers of all abilities! If you're interested or if you have any questions, please text Elaine Fredendall (864-650-6824) or Sara Summers-Hoskin.
Weekly on Tuesdays
- Tuesday Evening Buddhist Meditation Group Join us Tuesdays at 7:00 starting with a 40-minute sitting meditation, followed by a short break, and then discussion. Appropriate for beginners or experienced meditators, come 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.
- Common Read Book Club 3rd Sundays, following service: Love is at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies by Sofia Betancourt is the UUA Common Read this year. We will explore 1-2 essays and discussion questions. Please email Rev. Holly at minister@uufc.org to sign up or for more information.
- Socratic Café 2nd Mondays, at 10:30 - 11:45am: Join us in the Founders' House conference room on October 12th for a guided discussion on the topic: “Based on your own personal experience, why is it so hard to love other human beings? What are the payoffs in being a loving person or not being one, and what would help you to become more of the former?” Please contact Alan Goldsmith for more information.
- 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.
- October 7th: The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford
- November 4th: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
- December 2nd: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
- January 6th: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
- Habitat for Humanity UUFC works with the Pickens County Habitat for Humanity Anyone who would like to join in on this fun is welcome--reach out to Michael Elder.
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Friday October 2nd: TWO WATERFALLS and the CHATTOOGA RIVER (& Camping?): Hike with the Foothills Group of the Sierra Club, Friday, Oct. 2. Membership is not required. See this website for registration and more information. |
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Monday, October 5, 6:00-8:00 Immigration Workshop at University Lutheran Church. Indivisible, Clemson Area is organizing this workshop specifically focused on the closing of US borders to new refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the ongoing targeting of all undocumented immigrants for detention and deportation. The workshop will include informational talks from local experts (including the ACLU), as well as action items organized by local groups. |
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BANNED BOOKS FROM SCUUJA: There are 22 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! |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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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. 10/4: Charlotte Sherman 10/11: 10/18: Ally Driver 10/25: Elaine Faithful 11/1: Charlotte Sherman |
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