A liberal and inclusive pathway to finding community Vol. 17, No. 10 June 2017

Sunday, June 4 “For What It’s Worth,” Rev. Danny Reed

“To worship…” means many things across many traditions. We convene a worship each week at the same time other congregations convene theirs. Are we all having the same experience? What’s the worth of worship?

Sunday, June 11 “Sources of Strength,” Rev. Danny Reed

Whence comes our strength? We close the church year with a sermon on what keeps us going when it’s hard to keep on going.

Sunday, June 18 “Exploring Native American Spirituality”

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., James Island County Park’s Stono Shelter

Would you enjoy hearing the Cherokee creation story told by one of our own tribal chiefs? Or learning a Cherokee chant? Afterwards, participate in a drum circle led by Healing Hearts of Charleston. There will also be a craft table for the kids. This year’s church picnic promises to be both unique and fun. Bring a dish to share, a lawn chair and any percussion instrument you may own. If you don’t own one, feel free to create one.

Beginning of Summer Service Series

Please note that services in the summer will begin at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Sunday, June 25 “An Atheist Stranger in a Strange Religious Land,” Herb Silverman Have you experienced any culture shocks living in the Bible Belt, and are your shocks similar to mine? What are the good shocks and the bad shocks? I will pose questions from my recent book, which include my personal experiences and thoughts about Charleston, my introduction to Unitarians, and my interactions with them. Beware, because I name names.

Forums at 10 a.m. in Gage Hall

Sunday, June 4 “Safe Streets for People,” Katie Zimmerman, Charleston Moves

Charleston Moves is a nonprofit organization working toward safer and connected walking and biking in Charleston County. They provide advocacy and community leadership to transform Charleston into a bike-

friendly and pedestrian-friendly region. A Green Sanctuary Forum.

No Forums during the Sumer Series.

The Rev. Danny R. Reed,

Minister

Published monthly from September to June, and

once during the summer, by the Unitarian Church

in Charleston

Sandra Selvitelli,

Compositor (843) 723-4617

office@charlestonuu.org

Summer Deadline: June 18

Services at 11 am in the Sanctuary

The Minister’s Missive

As swallows turning backward

When half-way o’er the sea,

At one word’s trumpet summons

They came again to me—

The hopes I had forgotten

Came back again to me.

I know not which to credit,

O lady of my heart!

Your eyes that bade me linger,

Your words that bade us part—

I know not which to credit,

My reason or my heart.

But be my hopes rewarded,

Or be they but in vain,

I have dreamed a golden vision,

I have gathered in the grain—

I have dreamed a golden vision,

I have not lived in vain.

St. Martin’s Summer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

“I know not which to credit, My reason or my heart.” I know the feeling, perhaps you do too. Let’s hope the

summer gives option and opportunity to find out. Following our usual practice, church activities and meetings

take a break, but Sunday worship continues and a rich Summer Series has been planned. We mark the

transition into summer with our annual Picnic Service at James Island County Park over the Father’s Day

weekend—Sunday, June 18. Please plan to arrive at 10:00 a.m. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. The

interactive service—for all ages—will celebrate Native American traditions. As in the past, we will enjoy

Cosmic Dogs from Jack Hurley. Please see additional information in this Gateway, and also on the church

website. Sanctuary services resume June 26. Please note that Summer Services begin at 10:00 a.m.

I am grateful for the summer break to make the shift from one church year to another. I will be in and out of

the office. My schedule is intentionally open, but the office will always know where I am and how you might

reach me.

Thanks to the congregation for what we’ve accomplished and experienced this year. Church life calls us

forward, but let us pause a bit in the summer months to learn if it’s true—that we have dreamed a golden

vision, and have not lived in vain.

Vestry Visions

The Annual Meeting is now in the rearview mirror. The transition between the “old” and the “new”

Vestry will occur at the June Vestry meeting. The three newly elected members, Zachariah Conover,

Mark Madden, and Diane Narkunas, will attend and participate in the election of officers for the 2017

-18 Vestry. If you were not able to attend the Annual Meeting, here are the remarks I made as

outgoing chair:

It’s customary for the Vestry to begin the new church year with a planning meeting. Last August,

we began our meeting by watching a sermon from a 2016 General Assembly worship service given

by Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd of the River Road UU church in Bethesda, MD. There are two

highlights from the sermon that stayed with me throughout this year and provided me with inspiration

and guidance as Vestry chair.

The first is that our faith requires us to do the “holy work of showing up.” Rev. Ladd illustrated this

point by telling the story of being the first altar girl in her Catholic church. On her first day, the

cranky old priest whose Mass she was assigned to serve would not acknowledge her, but she

persisted, and by showing up and staying in relationship with the priest, he eventually changed his

mind. She became a small cog in the wheel of change that was much larger than her. She went on to

emphasize how important it is to stick with a commitment to our faith and our community even if it is

sometimes difficult.

I believe that all the activities and accomplishments by the people mentioned in the Annual Report IS

the evidence of the “holy work of showing up.” Showing up for the Annual Meeting is evidence of

your commitment to our community and meets my personal definition of holiness.

The second phrase from the sermon that has remained with me is “don’t be distracted by fake fights

like what color to paint the church bathroom as others struggle against injustice.” Speaking for the

Vestry, I don’t think we were distracted by any fake fights this year. The job of the Vestry is to lay

out vision, make policies and mind the store, so that all of us can focus on the important work of

living out our mission. A more detailed description of our activities is included in the Annual Report.

Because of service on the Vestry, I’ve gained many new relationships and deepened others. I’m

grateful for that opportunity. I want to thank Sandra Selvitelli, Rev. Danny and my fellow Vestry

members for being so dedicated and generous in spirit, as together we did the holy work of showing

up this year.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Porter, Vestry Chair

Intern Insights

Good beginnings deserve good endings.

What a great beginning you gave me. My path to parish ministry has been shaped in so many ways by this

congregation. Borrowing the language of my professors, Unitarian Church in Charleston has become my most

valuable text. Yet somehow that metaphor barely begins to capture the depth of so many relationships and

understandings and opportunities for growth I have experienced.

Last month, Meadville Lombard Theological School awarded me a Masters of Divinity. In the coming year, I

pursue official affiliations with the UUA, and continue to ready myself for a pulpit search. Meanwhile, the

time has come for your Intern Minister to separate officially from our church.

As called ministers do, so intern ministers must do. The reasons are many, wise, and difficult for some of us,

but here are two to remember. Just as the congregation does not belong to any single congregant, ministry

does not belong to any single minister (or intern!). Fellowshipped clergy serve the congregation’s joy, health,

heart, and mission. During transitions, the priority is protecting both the congregation and the established

ministry of the church.

I invite those of you who, like me, have difficulty saying goodbye to keep your eye on the prize, and

remember that our church is in it for the long haul. Also, as with any parting that brings mixed emotions and

perhaps grief, ending does not necessarily mean the end of a relationship.

So what will change? Firstly, except for activities on June 11, including a celebration at coffee hour, I will be

mostly absent from pulpit, chancel, pew, office, and Gage Hall. Secondly, Sandra will begin to forward my

church email, but only for a few weeks. Thirdly, by the end of the month, I will be placing all my church

Facebook friends into a Holding Group. I will not be able to accept new Friend requests from congregants,

nor to use Facebook or other social media to continue established connections. After a year, we can decide if

we want to be back in touch.

Finally, so long as my family and I remain in Charleston, we will no doubt cross paths at events of mutual

interest. It will be a delight to see you. But know that I cannot accept invitations to conversation about the

church, and will instead invite you to seek the same from Revs. Danny and Nancy, with whom I covenant for

the greater good of the church.

Good endings are new beginnings.

May your June then feel whole and hopeful, abundant and alive, a wish I have for you always.

Thank you, friends. May you find the peace inside and joy in that sticky, beautiful web of life.

-- William Epes, internminister@charlestonuu.org

Music

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me and my family feel so welcomed and

supported in this community for these past four years. Leaving my position as the Music Director at

this fine church was not an easy decision to make. Graciously I have been offered to resume my

position after my sabbatical year in Finland; however, since none of us knows what the future holds I

want to take the opportunity now to tell you how much I have enjoyed my time in your midst. I am

forever grateful for having had the opportunity to work in such a magnificent space (surrounded by

the coolest churchyard in town) but what I have enjoyed most of all is your presence as you filled the

church every Sunday morning. I will miss you all very much and hope our paths will cross in the

future.

The upside: Now you have a good reason to think about visiting Finland in the next 12 months!

Gratefully,

Johanna Evenson

anjasmamma@gmail.com

2017 Martha Welch Music Award

Congratulations to

Bryn Landis

Each year, a deserving student member of the church

auditions before an independent judge for a $500

scholarship with which they may pursue further

musical goals.

Congratulations to Bryn!

From Pat Jontos comes the sad news of the recent death of her brother, Robert Harpool, in Florida. She and Bob

were by his side. Pat says he was a sweet and gentle soul and she will miss him.

Jeff Evers, a former UC-CHS member and former husband of Cam Mitchum (Evers) died unexpectedly

following heart surgery. Their two children, Katie and Patrick, were in our RE program years ago and both live

locally. Jeff was a retired Coast Guard Officer and worked in port security here in Charleston.

Dottie Klintworth was in the hospital for a few days recently. She is home and sounds good on the phone -

like her old self. She wants her friends in the church to know how grateful she is for all the notes and cards and

calls she has received. They are good medicine.

Peggy Bird wr ites: We are celebrating the bir th of our fir st grandchild, Samuel Jacob Frankel, in New

York on May 10th. From proud grandparents Nancy and Vin Pellegrini and great grandmother Peggy Bird.

Alex Hild writes: Next week Nancy and I will have been mar r ied 45 years. Twice that wouldn’t be half

enough. What a lovely sentiment, A lex.

And, Will and Maryam Moredock have been married three years. Wonderful and congratulations.

Ralph Haller wr ites: I admit that this week I will reach either 87 or 78 years old. Happy Birthday, Ralph,

whichever it turns out to be!

Bryn Landis has been awarded the Mar tha Welch Music Scholarship this year . She wr ites: Thank you

for this scholarship – I am going to use the money for music lessons and to pay off my clarinet. Thanks, Bryn,

for your nice note.

Congratulations to Susan Earp and husband Damon who are celebrating their first year together.

Janet tells me we are losing well-liked RE helper Nicholas Lavergne. Janet describes Nic as a small-town boy

from Sumter, SC who graduated not long ago from the College of Charleston. It turned out he was good with

little kids and has been helping in the nursery for some time. Nic will be moving to Taiwan where he will teach

English and we wish him our very best.

And from Kathy Hale: After a year, my house finally sold. I’ve decided to try Tiny House living outside

Hendersonville, NC near my only sibling, Ron. I’ll be only 4 hours away and will be coming back to Charleston

often – so I’m not saying good-bye. I love this church; the people here mean so much to me! I’ll always be a

proud member of the UU Church in Charleston. Kathy’s phone number and email address will remain as they

have been: 843-693-1893 and halehalek@outlook.com. We look forward to your visits, Kathy, and to hearing

about your Tiny House!

Submitted by Judy Bruce

Among Our Family & Friends

Our High School Graduates This Year

Lainey Davidson, daughter of Lesly Davidson, will be major ing in computer animation at Ringling College of Arts and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Lainey has spent the last two years in Greenville at the residential Governor’s School for the Arts.

Alex Hutton, son of Karna and Steve Hutton, will be joining his older brother Max at USC to major in exercise science at the Arnold School of Public Health in Columbia.

Dara Madden, daughter of Leslie and Mark, is off to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina to study wildlife biology.

Ethan Marshall, son of Ashley Brown and Wayne Marshall, will be playing soccer for Wofford, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and majoring in biology.

Garrison Prestwood, son of Susan Garr ison and Nolan Prestwood, will be staying in Char leston to attend The Citadel in the fall.

Harrison Reed, son of Anita Harr ison and Danny Reed, will be attending USC Upstate in Spar tanburg, and continuing his work in the theatre department.

Kate Sherman, daughter of Beth Warner and Elden Sherman, will be major ing in biology at Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina.

Compiled and submitted by Janet Watts

Among Our Family & Friends

The temperature was moderate—a bit cool for May, more like March or April. A few of the ground bees were still buzzing around, enjoying their time in our garden.

The Eden Keepers did an amazing amount of work, despite fewer than usual volunteers. Our workers that day were Bob and Pat Jontos, Suzi DeMerell, Laura Moses, Tom Hartry, Karen Ruef, Stan Boyer, Deb Casavant, and Fran Ennis.

Once again we lunched in the Annex, due to a meeting in Gage Hall, and once again our ever helpful sexton set up adult-size tables and chairs for us. And, as always, lunch was varied, balanced and delicious. Pat again opted for K.P. duty over attending the Churchyard Committee meeting, so the Eden Keepers only had to eat, meet, and go home.

The next work party will be on June 3rd, from 8 to 11, followed by our covered dish lunch and then the committee meeting. Please note the summer hours with which we hope to avoid the worst of the midday heat. If you can’t be there at 8, come when you can.

Newcomers are always welcome. Bring garden tools if you have them, gloves, bug repellant, water to drink while working, and a dish to share at lunch. See you in June.

Submitted by Fran Ennis

The Eden Keepers “Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps.”

-- Amos Bronson Alcott

Docent Doings

It’s been a busy Spring for the Docents. We added new signage to the courtyard which has

enhanced tour attendance and donations, paid for new locks for the sanctuary with the increased

donations, and won Charleston’s religious food wars. The final boon is online and is a wonderful

story about the history of Fran Ennis’ okra rollup and her quest for perfection, Charleston

Culture, and her never revealed recipe. We had 180 visitors to the sanctuary that afternoon.

On Saturday, June 3, in Gage Hall, Morgan Granger, a recent MS Candidate in Historical

Preservation, will share her thesis findings on the construction of our sanctuary ceiling. The

lecture will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Our program shuts down on June 17th and reopens

on September 1st. If you have an interest in joining our team, please email me at

abbyhimmelein@comcast.net.

Submitted by Abby Himmelein

Rummage Sale Set-Up, Friday, June 9

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Please bring any gently used clothing, toys, shoes, linens, books, games, household items, electronic equipment etc. to Gage Hall for the sale.

Volunteers needed for set-up and pricing. (Bring a lunch/snack if you like.)

If you make a list of the items you contribute and their approximate resale value, any member of the Alliance can sign your list that can then be used for tax purposes.

Rummage Sale, Saturday, June 10

9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Gage Hall

Volunteers, please arrive by 8:45 a.m., as we are especially busy when we first open.

We could also use some help from 11:30 until noon to take down what has not sold.

*We sincerely could use some extra help as several of our Alliance members will be out of

town on the 9th and 10th.

Contact Susan Hartry at hartry.susan@gmail.com.

Let’s Do Lunch

Tuesday, June 13, 12:30 p.m.

Wasabi Restaurant, 194 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island 843-388-8828

Let’s Do Lunch is a monthly luncheon that is open to women and men in our church. It’s a

time for socializing and catching up with our fellow members and friends. Please let me know

if you are going to join us no later than Wednesday, June 7 so I can confirm our reservation.

Susan Hartry 843-302-1779 or at hartry.susan@gmail.com.

Submitted by Susan Hartry

Piccolo Spoleto Events

The Lily Project Presented as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival

Sunday, June 4 at 4:00 p.m. in Gage Hall Tickets: at the door or

https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10168297

Lily Roberts, folk dance teacher and protégé of colorful folklorist Cecil

Sharp, immigrated to the US during World War I. Her granddaughter,

Susan Conant, will tell her story through music, readings and multi-media.

Sophia Zimmerman (vocals) and Tom Noren (guitar) will join Conant

(flute, recorder) to perform a diverse mix of Baroque, pre-jazz, traditional

ballads, and original music.

A’Musing

Monday, June 5

& Wednesday, June 7

7:30 p.m. Sanctuary

Tickets: at the door

As we wrap up the traditional Sunday school year and head into the summer programming,

please keep the following Religious Education dates in mind:

~Friday, June 2 Special thank-you evening for teachers and RE Committee members

~Saturday, June 3 OWL graduates and Youth Group Pool Party

~Sunday, June 11 Church-wide end of year party at playground

~Sunday, June 18 Father’s Day Service and Picnic at James Island County Park

~June 20-26 High School students and chaperones in New Orleans at UUA General

Assembly

~Sunday, June 25 First Sunday of Summer Worship services in the church. Children are

asked to go directly to church. After the Story for all Ages, we will walk over to the

Annex. Childcare and summer classes will be offered every Sunday for families.

For the past two years, the high school Youth Group has been

raising funds to attend the UUA’s General Assembly in New

Orleans this summer. Their most popular fundraiser has been

to “flock” members’ homes with plastic flamingos in the

quiet of night. The first “flocking” was with our own Rev.

Reed and the final was last Sunday in the Churchyard.

Thank you to everyone who added a contribution towards

their efforts. Because of your generosity, they were able to

raise almost $600 in additional funds. Thank you!

Submitted by Janet Watts, Director of Religious Education

Children & Youth Religious Education

Membership Happenings

Recently during the Vestry announcements in a Sunday service, the congregation was reminded and

encouraged to speak with someone they did not know at coffee hour, especially paying attention to those

with red visitor mugs. I appreciate this kind of reminder, an encouragement to do a relatively small thing to

build beloved community within our congregation.

For those of you who know me and my husband, Richard Moss, I bet you would tag me as the more

outgoing one, and Richard the quiet one. And we would mostly agree with you. However, here’s a little

secret. When in a crowd of people whom we do not generally know, Richard is the one who is more likely to

initiate a conversation with a stranger. He has a lovely way of approaching someone and finding some small

commonality. “I see we have the same bumper sticker.” “How long have you had that bike?” “I heard you

say you’re from Tennessee…do you know the town where my brother lives?”

People tell me that they find talking with those they don’t know at coffee hour awkward because they “don’t

like small talk.” It can feel superficial, trivial. It can be difficult to approach a total stranger and strike up a

conversation. What do you say? But what if we forget about the content for a minute. I want to suggest that

it doesn’t really matter if you begin with, “Boy, it’s a hot one today” or “What did you think of the sermon?”

or “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Carol.” The fact that you noticed, that you inquired, that you

risked reaching out is the important part. That is what visitors are appreciating when they tell me that our

congregation feels warm and friendly to them. Relationships have to start somewhere. What may feel like a

trivial comment or question could very well be the tiny seed that starts the growth of a deeply rooted

friendship.

Classes Pathfinders: July 23, 11:30 – 12:30

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, membership@charlestonuu.org.

Summer Pathways to Membership: August 13 & 20, 11:15 – 1:30

Charleston Day School Pathways is a 2-session class for people who have attended Pathfinders 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,

membership@charlestonuu.org.

Submitted by Carol Oates, Membership Coordinator

Caroline Gilman and the Unitarian Church in Charleston

In 1810 when she was sixteen, Caroline Howard met Samuel Gilman, then a Harvard

undergraduate. Caroline and Samuel were married in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on September 25,

1819, and then moved to Charleston where Samuel was to serve for almost forty years as the minister

of the Unitarian Church. Having previously spent winters with her brother in Savannah, Georgia,

Caroline adjusted rapidly to Charleston society. She and her husband conformed to local custom and

owned house slaves, and the couple quickly became central figures in the city’s social and literary

life. Samuel was supportive of Caroline’s writing but nonetheless had reservations about women who

chose “to move on the agitating theatre of public life.” He expected his wife to perform her domestic

duties and to assist with his ministerial responsibilities.

Caroline Gilman accepted this role, organizing women in the church to help raise money for an

organ and new hymnals in 1825. Later she was the force behind the creation of the Ladies’ Working

Society (later the Ladies’ Social Sewing Society), from which today’s Alliance traces its roots. In

1832 the ladies held their first bazaar, which netted about $1,000 ($27,000 today). Inspired by

America's first landscaped cemetery, Mt. Auburn in Massachusetts, Caroline designed the natural

churchyard that we enjoy today.

In 1818 Caroline published a poem, “Jarius's Daughter,” in the prestigious North American

Review. Later, in 1832, she founded The Rose Bud (renamed The Southern Rose Bud in 1833 and The

Southern Rose in 1835), one of the first juvenile weeklies published in the United States and widely

read throughout the country. She herself produced most of its content, including three serialized

novels later published in book form (Recollections of a Housekeeper, 1834; Recollections of a

Southern Matron, 1838; and Love's Progress, 1840).

Her strong support of slavery, an institution she defined as “the strength and almost the very

life-blood of this Southern Region of the Confederacy,” was based upon her view of the natural

hierarchy of society—a hierarchy visible in male-female relationships as well—and her belief that

slaves provided a more stable and efficient work-force than free white servants, liberating women like

herself from household drudgery. Caroline Gilman remained in South Carolina through the Civil War,

vehemently supporting the Southern cause to the very end. She outlived all but one of her children

and died in Washington on September 15, 1888, at the age of 94.

Submitted by John Newell for the Bicentennial Committee

Drawn from: Dictionary of Unitarian & Universalist Biography and John Allen Macaulay,

Unitarianism in the Antebellum South.

Sunday Service Satisfaction Study Results

Thanks to all 133 who responded to the survey. You are well qualified to give feedback to the church as 66%

of you have been members for more than 5 years and 70% of you attend Sunday Services 2 to 4 times a

month. You are the majority of the people we see on Sunday.

Two important groups were well represented in this survey: older (74% of respondents were 51 and up) and

parents/grandparents of children in Religious Education (28% of respondents). Only 7% of respondents were

50 and under and not RE parents. If you are 50 and under and not an RE parent, we want to hear from you.

Please email or call Frank Hardie at fwhardie@yahoo.com or 843-327-4785.

It is important to start by noting that 84% of respondents were completely or very satisfied with the church

and 72% of respondents were completely or very satisfied with the Sunday Services. So most of the

comments can be considered as ways to make “good even better.”

Suggestions for improvements to the church were mostly on making the Sunday Service and sermons more

interesting, more life-relevant and more uplifting. Smaller numbers of suggestions were about needing further

improvements to the sound system in the back of the Sanctuary, wondering if the service has gotten too

uniformly Christian, and dealing with the noise and crowding of coffee hour.

Favorable influences on attending Sunday services were the minister, sermons, music/choir, RE, and how

well the service is meeting one’s personal needs. Personal needs given were: a feeling of community and

belonging, a time to see friends, a weekly spiritual time, a retreat, or an opportunity to serve the church on

that day.

Unfavorable influences on attending Sunday services included wanting sermons to be less intellectually

dense, more interesting, more memorable and more inspirational. Unfavorables on the order of service

included wanting it to be smoother, less halting and choppy and not being so much the same each time.

Many suggestions for increasing attendance involved the desire for more variety: varying the style and

arrangement of the service, having more member participation and having more guest speakers who have

different styles and topics. There were also suggestions for having sermons that are more diverse in

perspective and more positive and celebratory. One person wrote, “We already feel the call to action. On

Sunday, build us back up.”

A rich trove of loves, ideas and concerns are in this survey. The minister, staff, church leadership and

Worship Committee have read this and are committed to act upon it in considered, thoughtful ways. We

thank all Friends and Members of the church for your participation in and support of the church. You do not

need to wait for another survey to share your hopes, dreams and concerns for the church with us.

Respectfully submitted by Frank Hardie, Vestry Member

CAJM Update

I was disappointed, but not surprised, that the recent church survey showed that just over 50% of the

congregation is mostly or completely satisfied with CAJM.

We have not done a good job of communication.

Some have expressed concern about tension in CAJM negotiations. The negotiation with the mayor at the

2016 Nehemiah was poorly done, and it has become the defining moment in some people’s minds about

CAJM, never to be forgiven or forgotten.

The 2017 Nehemiah Action was improved using constructive comments from many, and went very smoothly,

an almost unanimous assessment. We continue to evolve our methods and clarify our message to gain

officials’ support. However, in the future, given the institutional inertia against change, some tension is still

likely to occur.

The Nehemiah Action “Asks” represent only a few minutes after many hours of research into best practices,

and many meetings with public officials to present the findings. In these meetings we are committed to being

respectful, and so are the public officials. (Attend a Town Hall meeting for comparison.) CAJM does not

always get agreement. It usually takes several attempts with different groups of officials.

Nehemiah controversies cause CAJM’s significant accomplishments to be overlooked:

• Charleston County School District (CCSD) funded 280 new pre-K slots (2014).

• CCSD agreed to implement new discipline policies (PBIS- Positive Behavioral

Interventions and Support) (2016).

• CCSD agreed to fund more support for PBIS, and adopt Restorative Practices (2017);

School Board members and the Superintendent’s representative all said, “It was a pleasure

working with CAJM and we look forward to a continuation.”

• County Council funded Legal Services of SC to recover stolen wages (2015); over $38,000

has been recovered.

• After loss of funding for Wage Recovery, CC has renewed the grant (2017).

• North Charleston Mayor Summey’s request for a Justice Department audit may have been

influenced by CAJM’s requests (2016).

• A Risk Assessment tool was adopted by some police departments (2015) and resulted in

somewhat fewer juveniles jailed. More work is needed.

CAJM’s many sister organizations, part of DART, use their methodology. Most have been operating longer

than CAJM, and have many successes of great significance, too numerous to list here.

CAJM members and associates have to reach down deep inside and decide whether efforts to fix social

injustices are important enough that you can live with some short-term tension. If you agree that the issues

CAJM has focused on are important, hopefully we can count on your continued support in the future to make

Charleston a just place to live for everyone.

Submitted by Michael Griffith

Endowment Investment Board

Our church members are concerned that our endowment funds are invested so that they can grow in a

responsible manner. At the same time, many members would like to see our money invested in socially

responsible funds that reflect our values as a congregation. The EIB has studied the guidelines of the UUA on

this topic. Since we invest in mutual funds, we cannot directly select stocks. After reviewing the portfolios

of our mutual funds, however, we have found that a great majority of our holdings fit into the socially

responsible category. The use of a portion of endowment fund earnings for social justice projects also fits

well with guidelines.

When the Endowment reaches one million dollars, the cost of investing will be significantly reduced. At that

time, we propose to take a portion of incoming funds or earnings and purchase individual socially responsible

stocks or mutual funds. (We have decided against using the UUA combined endowment fund which has had

a very poor 1% rate of return over the past three years as that choice would not be in line with our fiduciary

responsibility.) We will then track our progress and if the socially responsible earmarked funds produce at

the same or near levels as our other investments, we will continue to move more of our investments into that

category.

Submitted by Ellie Setser, Chair, Endowment Investment

Hospitality Update

Thank you to all of our wonderful members who contributed to coffee hour this year. We are so fortunate for

your willingness to contribute your time and food. Church leadership has discussed coffee hour at large and

feels that the amount of food has blossomed to a point that it is considered stressful to many participants.

Starting this summer, we will not be asking people to contribute food items. Next year, we will have a

number of special Sundays where we have food, but otherwise we will enjoy fellowship over coffee and tea.

Hopefully this will alleviate some pressure on volunteers and free up space in Gage Hall for our ever-

growing number of members and visitors.

Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.

Submitted by Sandra Selvitelli, Administrator

Refugee Assistance Needed

Our church-sponsored Afghani refugees Sabir and Mustafa, are enthusiastically embracing their new

lives in Charleston. Sabir is studying hard for GED prep and would like a math tutor. Church members

who are qualified and would like to work with Sabir can contact Nina Fair at 843-345-4930 or

ninafair@bellsouth.net.

Submitted by Nina Fair

Green Sanctuary Summer Events

Please join us at 10 am on June 4 for a green forum by Katie Zimmerman, the new Executive Director

of Charleston Moves: “Safe Streets for People.” The presentation will cover Charleston Moves

initiatives and advocacy for biking and walking in Charleston County.

Mark your calendars for the 10 am Sunday service on July 2, when Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive will

be our guest speaker. In honor of our nation’s birthday, Rev. Gail will share insights from her book

Nature’s Calling, the Grace of Place, a narrative of the interim ministries she served in landscapes all

across the country. Fair warning: her Charleston year turned her into a climate activist.

There will also be a special workshop with Rev. Gail and Milt

Hetrick following the service, in upper Gage Hall or the Annex if

handicapped access if required from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m., on how you

can respond to the challenge of climate change on a personal and

political level. Bring a brown bag lunch if you would like.

The workshop is free to attend; please rsvp to Laura Moses at

lauramoses@yahoo.com or 843-364-1976 to reserve your spot.

Copies of Rev. Gail’s book are available for loan by the Green

Sanctuary committee. Please sign one out at the welcome table, and

bring it back when you are finished so someone else can read it.

Workshop info: We know how to prevent further climate change

and leave a habitable planet for our children and their children. This

workshop will identify today’s choices and help participants develop

a personal plan that will respond effectively to climate change. We CAN live full and rewarding lives

without compromising the habitability of our planet. Future generations and our interdependent web

of all existence will thank you.

Gail Collins-Ranadive is a retired Unitarian Universalist minster and author of seven books of non-

fiction. Milt Hetrick is a retired aerospace engineer/physicist. Together they do worship services and

workshops in Unitarian Universalist congregations on responding to climate change.

Submitted by Laura Moses

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

10 Caring Comm. (LR) 10 Docent Tours (S) 12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

7 COSM (GH4)

2

10 Docent Tours (S)

6 RE Teacher Event (LR)

3

8 Eden Keepers (CH) 9 Morgan Grainger Presentation (LR) 10 Docent Tours (S) 1 OWL Celebration (OS)

4

9:45 Meditation (AU) 10 Forum (LR) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (LR) 12:15 Music Comm. (GH4) 12:30 Worship Comm. (GH3) 12:30 Docent Tours (S)

4 Susan Conant Piccolo Spoleto Event (LR)

5

10 Docent Tours (S)

7:30 Piccolo Spoleto Event (S)

6

10 Docent Tours (S) 12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

5 Exec. Comm. (OS)

7

Docent Tours (S)

7:30 Piccolo Spoleto Event (S)

8

Docent Tours (S)

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

9

10 Docent Tours (S) 10 Rummage Sale Setup (LR)

10

9 Rummage Sale (LR) 10 Docent Tours (S)

4 Jung Society (LR)

11

9:45 Meditation (AU) 11 Service (S) 12 Coffee Hour (LR) 12:30 Docent Tours (S) 12:30 UUA GA Youth and Parent Mtg. (GH4)

12 13

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR) 12:30 Let’s Do Lunch (OS)

14 15

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

5:15 Vestry Mtg. (GH4)

16

10 Docent Tours (S)

6 Wedding Rehearsal (S)

17

10 Docent Tours (S)

6 Wedding (S)

18

Annual Picnic at James Island County Park

19 20

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

21 22

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

23 24

25

10 Service (S)*

*Note 10 am start time

26 27

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

28 29

12 Sophia Institute Yoga (LR)

30

June 2017

S-Sanctuary; GH-lower Gage Hall (ground floor Gage Hall); GH #1-4-individual classrooms upstairs in GH;

A-Annex; AU-Annex upstairs; C-churchyard; CDS-Charleston Day School

The Unitarian Church

4 Archdale Street Charleston, SC 29401

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

Minister, Rev. Danny Reed minister@charlestonuu.org

Assistant Minister, Rev. Nancy Bird Pellegrini communityminister@charlestonuu.org

Intern Minister, William Epes internminister@charlestonuu.org

Office Administrator, Sandra Selvitelli office@charlestonuu.org

Religious Education Director, J anet Watts dre@charlestonuu.org

Music Director, Johanna Evenson

musicdirector@charlestonuu.org

Membership Coordinator, Carol Oates membership@charlestonuu.org

Sexton, Joe McCormack

sexton@charlestonuu.org

Vestry: vestry@char lestonuu.org

Vestry Chair, Maureen Porter (‘17) 1st Vice Chair, Sue Weller (‘18) 2nd Vice Chair, Tommy Hughston (‘19) Secretary, Gail Schiffer (‘19) Treasurer, Nolan Prestwood

Vestry Members

Frank Hardie (‘17) John Klintworth (‘17) Erica Hattings (‘18) Jonathan Lamb (‘18) John Hyatt (‘19)

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 pm

Sunday 8 am - 1:00 pm

Gateway Walk

Archdale

Unitarian UniversalismUnitarian UniversalismUnitarian UniversalismUnitarian Universalism———— open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.open faith, open hearts, open minds.

King

Queen St.

Sanctuary

Churchyard

Jacob’s Alley

Weekend &

Evening Parking Only

Weekend &

Evening Parking Only

1st 6 spaces Church

Business Gage

Annex

Charleston Day School

DO NOT PARK IN AREAS BLOCKED WITH TRAFFIC CONES

FREE Parking is also available at the garages on Queen Street and behind Forever 21 if you show the current bulletin and leave by 1 p.m.

The Gateway is printed on recycled paper and is also available online.

A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation A Green Sanctuary Congregation