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Show your fellowship spirit by wearing your UUFB t-shirt
to service on the last Sunday of the month!
THIS SUNDAY...
Rev. Lori G. Hlaban, Minister
Chris Raskind, Director of Music
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort
178 Sams Point Road, Lady's Island
https://uubeaufort.org
Upcoming Sundays
May Theme: Thresholds
May 17 – Betwixt & Between – Rev. Lori
May 24 – Ending the Fast: Ramadan – Rev. Lori
Scheduling Meetings - REMINDER!
PLEASE submit your meetings to the UUFB calendar, including ZOOM meetings! This will help us make everyone aware of them and avoid overlap as much as possible! Thank you for your cooperation.
UUFB Virtual Worship!
Worship is scheduled to happen via Zoom going forward. At 10:00 a.m. as usual, click on the link below and follow the instructions.
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/927079175
You must have downloaded Zoom first. (Instructions)
See you then!
Rev. Lori
Opening Our Doors?
In case you were wondering… we’re not reopening our buildings to in-person worship and meetings any time soon. Given that our congregation is primarily people who have one or more risk factors, the longer we wait the better the prospects for our members’ and friends’ health and safety. And when we do reopen, we will need to maintain, or create, some safety protocols.
Rev. Lori and three members with medical backgrounds are reviewing the information available from reputable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control, South Carolina DHEC, and others. They’re also looking at various models and phased reopening plans, and will be making recommendations on when and how we reopen. At this point, we don’t see reopening before September, at the earliest.
Remember though – our buildings may be closed, but the Fellowship is still operating and active! Worship services still happen on Sunday morning via Zoom, and our committees have been meeting via Zoom as well. To adapt what many Christian churches say: The fellowship is not the building, the people are the fellowship in the world!
UUFB Virtual (and Actual) Office Hours
In this time, we’re adjusting office hours and schedules drastically! As we’ve noted elsewhere, for the time being Rev. Lori and Nick are working from home. They will both be in the UUFB office on Wednesday mornings. This allows us to process mail received at our P.O. Box and do anything else that needs to happen on our campus. If you send your pledge payment via the post office, please send it to the P.O. Box! We do NOT receive mail sent to our street address.
UUFB
P.O. Box 593
Beaufort, SC 29901
Rev. Lori will still take Monday as her Sabbath day. She will be generally available for phone calls Tuesday through Friday, except when participating in Zoom meetings for UUFB or her continuing education classes. She will be checking in with members via phone and email as her schedule permits, as well as continuing the spiritual practices that help keep her grounded. You can reach her at her cell number, which is in the directory (in the Members Only section of the UUFB website: uubeaufort.org).
Nick will be generally available to UUFB members from noon to 5pm on Monday through Thursday, and will check email daily. He can be reached at his cell number, which has been listed in the directory for the duration of these changes.
Book Discussion Group: When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron
At the women's breakfast on zoom this month, a group of us decided we would like to participate in a zoom book group to discuss Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart. This particular choice seems especially appropriate for our strange times. We also decided to open this up to everyone at UUFB.
American Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron, is known for her compassionate and accessible Buddhist teachings. We will not only discuss her ideas, we will also try out the practices and meditations she introduces. We will meet three or more times via zoom, depending on the needs of the group, to discuss our experiences with her words and practices, and we will share the role of facilitator among those who are interested and willing. We will choose meeting times based on the interests and needs of all.
Available: On Amazon, Alibris, Thriftbooks, Audible, and more. Used and New. Also check your local library and local bookstore.
Contact: Email Kate Hudson if you want to participate, no later than Thursday, May 21st!
We look forward to getting started!
Kate Hudson
Citizens' Climate Lobby of Beaufort
Membership Coffee Hour Is Back!
Need a Virtual Adventure While You're Social - Distancing?
Come Canal Cruising With The Folsoms
On Sunday, May 24 (After service)
From 11:15-11:45
Christ for Unitarian Universalists
"As a prophet, Jesus radically critiqued the social and political order... He stood on the side of the dispossessed and protested the ancient domination system that surrounded him, characterized by patriarchy, hierarchy, and an economics of exploitation," says Scotty McLennan in “Christ for Unitarian Universalist – A New Dialogue with Traditional Christianity.” The final Christian Affinity Group book discussion of the program year will be on this book! The discussion, led by Rev. Lori, will take place after the service on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The meeting will take place via the Zoom platform. Please click on the link below to participate. For questions contact Barbara James, chair of the Christian Affinity Group.
Link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/91992925570
Social & Environmental Justice Committee
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our community, many of our neighbors are still unemployed and unable to feed their families. The SEJ Committee is please to share that Second Helpings, is accepting donations of non-perishable food, which can be dropped off at the Grayco parking lot on Lady’s Island in Beaufort. The Second Helping truck is in their parking lot.
You can leave the non-perishable food inside the back of the Second Helpings truck. The back of the truck will be open (unlocked). Second Helpings will then deliver this food to food distribution centers across Beaufort County, such as the one at Penn Center. Second Helpings' commitment is that all food placed in the Greyco trucks will be distributed within Beaufort County.
Monetary donations are also being accepted by Second Helpings. For more information visit secondhelpingslc.org. Let’s help feed our neighbors and their families! Thank you.
Chair Yoga ZOOMING To You!
It is beautiful here in the Lowcountry. One of the best things you can do to support your physical and emotional health is to get outside! Be still and watch the trees, birds, listen carefully to the birdsong, feel the sun and wind on your skin. Walk, maybe several times a day. It doesn’t need to be a long walk just a time to move, breathe and connect with the power of the natural world. Listen, breathe and be present in this positive and affirming environment.
Our Chair Yoga class continues on ZOOM every Tuesday at 10:30am. I hope you will plan to be there. Once again, please share this link with friends and family who might benefit from our class during this time of uncertainty. Even though we aren’t in the same room, we continue to benefit from connecting, breathing and moving together.
Please bring a tennis ball or some other small ball and something you can use as a block, either a book or a folded towel.
We will meet at our regular time: 10:30-11:45 Tuesdays
Here is your link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/630127948
As you know, this class is a service and available to all, without obligation! However, several people have asked how to make a donation. You may do so via our Paypal link or, if you prefer to mail a check, our mailing address is:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort
P.O. Box 593
Beaufort, SC 29901
Looking forward to seeing you then.
Kathy Folsom
Opportunities to Meet Virtually via ZOOM
We can still stay connected, even as we’re not meeting in person for now. In addition to virtual worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM, here are some regular options and links for connection:
Sundays: Weekly Worship Service @ 10:00 AM:
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/927079175?_ga=2.111028930.636837041.1585662296-346745744.1578589167
Wednesdays: “Keep Calm & Carry On” Vespers & Check In Meeting @ 7:00 PM:
Rev. Lori hosts these evening gatherings with an opening reading, chalice lighting, time for check in, and a closing reading or music.
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/951823436?_ga=2.12985072.636837041.1585662296-346745744.1578589167
Fridays: “Keep Calm & Carry On” Check In Meeting @ 10:30 AM:
Rev. Lori hosts these mid-morning gatherings with an opening reading, and time for check in.
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/970166911?_ga=2.13042288.636837041.1585662296-346745744.1578589167
Sundays: Morning Discussion Group @ 8:30 AM:
William “Griff” Griffith hosts this group with a topic focus each Sunday morning before worship.
https://zoom.us/j/254603803
Virtual Committee Meetings: Committee or Team Chairs can contact Rev. Lori or Nick for information about using the UUFB Zoom account! Yes, you can continue to meet virtually while we practice good social distancing.
Do you have an idea for a virtual group meeting? Let us know!
Coronavirus Prevention!
Your UUFB Care Committee reminds you of the basics:
There is still no vaccine to prevent corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
• If you or a loved one develop symptoms, follow the advice of local health officials regarding when to seek care.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. (And for now, stay home except for necessary trips.)
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
• The CDC now DOES recommend that people who are well (appear well) wear a facemask to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Here’s a link for updates on facemasks.
• Follow local health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures. For additional information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or call 1-800-232-4636.
To Be Continued…
a column by Rev. Lori G. Hlaban