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The Beautiful Enemy: Emerson, Thoreau, and the Friction of Fellowship
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Service Leader: Rev. Mandy
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We often treat friendship as a soft harbor—a place of comfort and shared opinion. But for Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, a friend was a "beautiful enemy," a soul-mirror that challenged them to be more than their isolated selves. Drawing on the Transcendentalist tradition and the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, we explore the sacred tension between our "rugged individualism" and the urgent call to build a "Beloved Community."
As we look at the cosmic partnership of Krishna and Arjuna alongside the prickly, profound bond of Emerson and Thoreau, we ask: How do we keep our "Divine Spark" alive while surrendering to the collaborative work of justice? Join us as we navigate the "middle path" between the solitude of Walden Pond and the bustling community we create together every Sunday morning.
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This Sunday, May 17, 2026
9:15 AM - Singing Circle Rehearsal
9:30 AM - Forum: Yuchi History and Culture
11 AM - Sunday Service
5 PM - Sacred Hearth Circle
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4:30 PM Standing Out Chattanooga
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7:00 PM Eating Disorders Anonymous
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6:30 PM Church Band Practice
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6:00 PM Narcotics Anonymous Meditation Meeting
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9:00 AM 12 Step Group (Forum Room)
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Sixty years after civil rights organizers marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge demanding the freedom to vote, we are being called back to that same ground, because the same forces are at work again.
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The Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision to gut the Voting Rights Act did not happen in isolation. It was a signal. Within weeks, Republican-controlled legislatures across the South moved swiftly to gerrymander congressional and judicial maps, strip away the protections and representation of all voters in these districts, and attempt to restore a power structure that this country has long rejected.
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This Saturday, May 16, thousands of people — faith leaders, organizers, and everyday people from across the country — are converging on Montgomery and Selma as part of All Roads Lead to the South, an emergency national mobilization against these attacks on voting rights. Alabama has always been sacred ground in this fight. This moment is no different.
But a gathering of this magnitude does not hold itself together. It takes people who are willing to do the less visible, essential work — so that everyone who makes the journey feels the full power of what we are building together.
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We are asking UUs in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee — ministers, lay leaders, and those of you who have already shown up for this work — to volunteer. To staff the infrastructure that makes transformation possible. Registration, accessibility, crowd support, voter activation — these roles are not secondary. They are the spine of the day.
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If you need a ride, there is a limited number of free buses leaving from Anniston, Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro (Mississippi), Huntsville, Jackson, Memphis, Mobile, Nashville, and Selma to Montgomery. Go to “Need a Ride” to get a seat on the bus. Otherwise, we are encouraging teams from congregations to organize their own travel and lodging.
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A note: they are not currently mobilizing our Louisiana community, who are in the middle of their own critical election fight. But the rest of the South is answering this call, and we want you with us.
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UUCC's Searching for Justice Trip Update
Can't go to the rally Saturday, May 16? UUCC is going to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama on October 16-17 to visit the civil rights history trail.
We have a small bus reserved with a maximum of 28 seats. About 20 people signed the interest form. They will have first dibs!
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If you're interested in being on the bus (whether you signed the interest form or not), please come to our meeting after the service on Sunday, June 7! We'll update you on the accommodations, sample (though not finalized) itinerary, costs and deadlines for deposit and balance; and some sample reading materials you can consider perusing to help you get more from our trip.
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Stewardship update for 5/14/26
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Thanks again to all who have pledged funds and/or time and effort to UUCC this year, and thanks to all who have helped with our Stewardship efforts! Our current pledge total is just a bit over $140K for 2026-'27, leaving us short about 10% compared with last year, and well short of our admittedly aspirational goal of $172k. The fiscal year budget for '26-'27 is being prepared as we speak, and it will need to reflect the reality of UUCC's expected income for next year. UUCC will of course continue to accept new pledges throughout the year, but it would be great to know now about funding that will occur in the future. Please contact the office (office@UUCC.org), or fill out a pledge card at church if you wish to pledge. Thanks!
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Gary Beale, Stewardship Chair.
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Rev. Mandy's upcoming spring schedule is as follows:
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Tuesday: Writing, Reading, and Creativity Day.(evening virtual & phone availability)
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Wednesday: Work from home with evening availability
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Thursday: 11ish-4 Office Hours, evening availability
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Friday: 11ish-4 Office Hours, evening off
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Sunday: 10ish-1:30, afternoon and evening off
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To set up an appointment with her to chat, paint a chalice or just hangout. Reach out to the office at office@uucc.org to set up a time.
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April 26 - The Minister of Loneliness
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Facilitated by Gale Audier
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Japan is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and suicide that has prompted the real position of Minister of Loneliness. What can we do in our own community to help those experiencing loneliness?
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May 17 - Yuchi History and Culture
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Facilitated by Charles Redwine
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Explore the history and culture of the Yuchi people.
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Included in our land acknowledgment, the Yuchi are an Indigenous nation with a rich and enduring story. This session traces their history from the late 1600s to today and touches on their continuing pursuit of federal recognition as a distinct tribe, separate from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
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FORUM WILL BE ON “SUMMER VACATION”
FOR JUNE AND JULY.
FORUM WILL RETURN IN AUGUST.
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SUN: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
MON: CLOSED
TUE: CLOSED
WED: 10:00AM-4:30PM
THU: 10:00AM-4:30PM
FRI: 11:00AM-2:00PM
SAT: CLOSED
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