Vespers: One of this month’s Soul Matters spiritual practices on the theme of Renewing Faith is, “Tell It.” Other peoples’ commitment to justice renews our own faith that a better world is possible. Their compassion and kindness renews our faith in humanity. Their bravery reignites our faith in ourselves. Whose faithfulness renews your own? And most importantly, have you told them?! Vespers Leader: Bob Wilson
Program: Join Rev. Claudia for an exploration on forgiveness.
Is it an opportunity or an obligation?
What are the obstacles to forgiveness?
We will begin with these opening words: “Forgiveness is not forgetting- it is healing; it is freedom; it is being restored to wholeness; it is reopening our hearts to love.” – Rev. Wells Borg, Editor of “The Forgiveness Handbook”
6:30 PM Vespers: Join us as we launch this month’s theme: Renewing Faith using the story “The Magical Yet” by Angela DiTerlizzi. Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia
7:00 PM Program will explore the concept faith. We begin exploring what faith means to us. How has our faith been strengthened, renewed or weakened during this pandemic time? Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Vespers at 6:30pm: Widening the Circle led by Sharon LeDuc Program at 7pm: Widening the Circle Theme Talk, led by Rev Claudia. Matters theme: Widening the Circle. We will explore what it means to “widen the circle” in our search for meaning. A few questions to consider for our time together: Are you a circle maker, circle joiner or circle avoider? When has someone “widening the circle” made a difference in your life? Who needs you to “widen the circle” for them?
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
6:30 Vespers: Join Vespers leader Kelly Wedell in honoring Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet and teacher Thich Nhat Hahn.
7 PM Program – Listening Circle: come prepared to share your feedback on the draft report shared by the Racial Justice Advisory Council. If reading time is limited, focus on Sections 2 & 3. Facilitators: Ed Prestamon, Eleanor Lane
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
Join Rev. Claudia for 6:30 Vespers as we launch this month’s theme: Widening the Circle
7 PM Program – Listening Circle: come prepared to share your feedback on the draft report shared by the Racial Justice Advisory Council. If reading time is limited, focus on Sections 2 & 3. Facilitators: Ed Prestamon, Eleanor Lane
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
6:30pm Vespers -Sherry Lundquist- As the wheel of the year turns and we move into the new year, let’s explore the idea of opening to Joy. How do we find and hold the joy in our lives when we live in a broken and wounded world? 7pm Program will provide and update on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and invite us to engage in Liberation Conversations.
6:30pm Vespers – Join Rev. Claudia to welcome the new year with a meditative service exploring goals vs intentions as we welcome a new year. 7:00 pm Program – We will explore this month’s theme: Living With Intention using the Soul Matters Packet.
In the bleak and cold winter, We gather ourselves in To light the fire to warm our spirits, To kindle the flame of love and hope. ~ by Cynthia Landrum.
Join Rev. Cathy for reflection and music to warm your spirits during our last Vespers service of the year.
Program – 7 p.m. Centering Love: “Loving-Those-We-Don’t-Yet-Know.” All are welcome to join with Nancy Bragg to center our action-oriented spiritual practice of “loving-those-we-don’t-yet-know.” As UUs, justice is our love-in-action spiritual practice in our wider community.
There will be no Vespers & Program Dec 22 & 29. We welcome 2022 with Vespers & the monthly Theme Talk Program focused on “Living with Intention” on January 5th. Join us.
6:30pm Vespers-“It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.”~David Steindi-Rost. Join Rev. Claudia for a meditative, music Vespers exploring the connection between joy and gratitude.
7pm Program –We are not offering our own program at 7pm. Instead we are inviting you to register for an important talk by Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika offering a powerful opportunity to revisit UU history from the perspective of Black UUs. We invite you to attend the talk. The Zoom link for the Vespers service will be in Monday’s Worship eNews.
Then, the following day, Rev. Claudia will open a Zoom Room at 8pm (12/9) for those of you interested in discussing what you learned (Zoom link will be shared that Thursday in the Weekly eNews). Click here to learn more about Dr. Sanyika.
In the Disney Pixar movie Up, the end is the beginning for Carl Fredrickson, a balloon salesman who loses his beloved wife Ellie and discovers what author and Franciscan priest Richard Rohr calls “the second half of life” – one that is characterized by necessary suffering or “falling upward” to enter a deeper spirituality and a more mature understanding of the essence of living. Join Rev. Terry Davis as we explore what is meant by Rohr when he says that “the way down is the way up.”
7 PM Program: Exploring this month’s theme – Opening to Joy. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Join Rev. Claudia for a Vespers that invites us to reflect in virtual community on the joys and challenges of this past year. There will be no 7 PM program.
Join Vespers leader Nancy Bragg for reflection on the month’s theme: Holding History Program – Centering Love: “Loving-Those-We-Know.” All are welcome to join with Nancy Bragg to center our action-oriented spiritual practice of “loving- those-we-know,” including our inherently worthy relatives, friends, and neighbors – not always easy!
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join Rev. Cathy for a meditative service exploring the theme: Holding History.
7PM Liberation Conversations with Noah Hall and Rev. Claudia will continue to keep us informed about the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council. This will be a time of listening, reflecting and learning.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join Rev. Claudia for Vespers at 6:30 as we reflect on what it means to “hold history”. The 7PM theme talk will continue with the theme as we explore what happens when the history we have learned is incomplete. It may have been written by “the victors” and it is not the final word.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join Bernise Lynch for 6:30 Vespers exploring this month’s theme: cultivating relationship. Learn how one Zulu word could change our world
At 7:00 PM join Rev. Claudia in the launch of our second year exploring theology. This first session will offer an introduction to theology and explore its role in our non-creedal faith. Is it true that “UUs don’t do theology?”
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join us for a meditative Vespers led by Rev. Cathy.
Our 7PM Program launches our Spiritual Practice series focusing on Centering Love because LOVE is a core value of our UU faith. We will begin the series by centering our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join us for Vespers led by Anna Martin exploring this month’s theme Cultivating Relationship.
Our 7PM program will be “Liberation Conversations.” Join Eleanor Lane and Jensen Gelfond to discuss what is happening with the Racial Justice Advisory Council and discuss your thoughts on the anti-racism work that is happening or could happen at UUCAvl. We are calling our conversations “Liberation Conversations” to uplift what we are for and move beyond focusing only on what we are against.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
Join us for Vespers Oct 6, 6:30 to celebrate re-gathering after a summer hiatus. Our theme will be “Cultivating Relationship” inspired by the work of Priya Parker recently interviewed by Krista Tippett. Listen here https://onbeing.org.
After Vespers Rev. Claudia will lead a 7PM “Theme Talk: Cultivating Relationships” exploring healing and re-connecting during this COVID time. We will begin our time together reflecting on the words of bell hooks
“”Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
We’re almost back. Can’t wait! If you’re on our email list you’ll get the Zoom link on October 6. On this return to Wednesday Thing programming we will explore October’s Soul Matters theme, Cultivating Relationship. Here’s how our Wednesdays will be structured at least through December.
1st Wed (Oct 6) – Soul Matters Theme Conversation – October is Cultivating Relationship – see the full year’s themes below.
2nd Wed (Oct 13) – Liberation Conversations (Anti-racism defines us by what we are against; liberation defines us by what we are for. Let me know what you think of making a name change)
3rd Wed (Oct 20) – Spiritual Practices
4th Wed (Oct 27) – Theology: Exploring Core Theological Themes (During the first session, “Theology 101,” we will discuss which themes we will explore in future months. Beauty, Evil, God, Peace & Non-Violence, Suffering, Joy, Prayer, Forgiveness & Reconciliation, are just some examples. Our resource will be Theology Ablaze by UU minister, Rev. Tom Owen-Towle.
Contact Rev. Claudia if you have questions or would like to lead Vespers. An outline and support are provided for Vespers leaders.
The Soul Matters Themes for 2021-22:
Oct. – Cultivating Relationship
Nov. – Holding History
Dec. – Opening to Joy
Jan. – Living with Intention
Feb. – Widening the Circle
March – Renewing Faith
April – Awakening
May – Nurturing Beauty
June – Celebrating Blessings
Your Adult Faith Development Team (Jim Steffe, Kelly Wedell, Sherry Lundquist, John Bloomer, Linda Topp, Kim Collins and Rev. Claudia) will continue planning for the fall. Please reach out to Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org if you have ideas for programs and/or are interested in leading Vespers. Resources and support for Vespers are provided each month. Notice we will resume programs in October. Our Soul Matters themes for next year:
Oct. – Cultivating Relationship
Nov. – Holding History
Dec. – Opening to Joy
Jan. – Living with Intention
Feb. – Widening the Circle
March – Renewing Faith
April – Awakening
May – Nurturing Beauty
June – Celebrating Blessings
Join us for Vespers led by John Bloomer as we reflect on voyages and adventures in our lives.
The 7PM program will be the last in our Theology Series. Rev. Claudia will facilitate an exploration of Mujerista (Moo-her-ista) Theology. Don’t know what that is? Join us and find out!
This will be our last Wednesday Thing Program for this liturgical year. We will resume Vespers and Program in September. If you are interested in leading a Vespers service in the fall or have suggestions for a program contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org.
Join us for Vespers as we continue exploring the theme of Story. We will reflect on the Iroquis creation story of Skywoman and discuss how the stories we tell shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
The 7 PM Program will be the final session in the Spiritual Practices series. The topic will be prayer. Do UUs pray? Joins us for what will be a rich conversation. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Next week will be our final Vespers. Join Vespers Leader John Bloomer in a final reflection on journeys and voyage sagas. Our program will be an exploration of Mujerista Theology, the final session in this year’s Theology Series. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Vespers and Programs will resume in September. Have a wonderful summer!!!
Join Vespers leader Kelly Wedell exploring this month’s theme: Story.
The 7PM program Anti Racism Conversations facilitated by Ed Prestemon will create space to discuss the Racial Justice Advisory Council’s invitation to review the glossary and participate in the Racial Justice Assessment tool survey. This is important work that we will do together. Join us!
May – Theme: Story
5 Vespers Leader: James Cassara Program: Theme Talk – Being Shaped and Created by Stories; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
12 Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell Program: Anti-Racism Conversation; Facilitator: Ed Prestamon
This Wed. at 6:30 Vespers leaders Eliza and Anna Martin invite you to continue exploring this month’s theme: Becoming.
7PM Program: Join Lead Minister Rev. Mark Ward in a discussion of Religious Naturalism,a view of religion that welcomes science and all that the natural world teaches while celebrating awe, wonder, compassion and care. To explore ahead of time, click on this link: https://religiousnaturalism.org/
May – Theme: Story
5 Vespers Leader: James Cassara Program: Theme Talk – Being Shaped and Created by Stories; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
12 Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell Program: Anti-Racism Conversation; Facilitator: Ed Prestamon
This Wednesday Vespers Leaders Eliza and Anna Martin invite you to continue exploring this month’s theme: Becoming.
Rev. Mark Ward will lead a session on Religious Naturalism, a spiritual perspective grounded in the natural world. It’s a view of religion that welcomes science and all that the natural world teaches while celebrating awe, wonder, compassion, and care. To explore ahead of time, click on this link.
This Wednesday “Becoming Wise: Story and Verse” at 6:30 PM. Vespers leader Mary Alm. During National Poetry Month, while we consider our monthly theme of Becoming, Mary Alm invites us to explore the concept of wisdom through an exercise of crowdsourcing a poem.
The 7PM program “Elderhood, Gratitude and Beyond” will explore aging as a spiritual practice. Co-facilitators: Jim Steffe and Rev. Claudia
April – Becoming
7 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Earth Community Circle, Ed Prestamon, Wink Zachritz
14 Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia Program: Anti-Racism Conversations; Carol Buffum
21 Vespers Leader: Mary Alm Program: Spiritual Practices – Aging III; Jim Steffe, Rev. Claudia
28 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Religious Naturalism, Rev. Ward
This Wed. at 6:30 PM Join Rev. Mark Ward in “Looking Over the Edge.” As we enter this month with the theme of Becoming, Lead Minister Mark Ward will lead a vespers service focused on becoming toward the end of life. What is the work for us in the closing stages of life?
Stay after Vespers service, 7:00-8:00 PM to discover what UUCA and the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum have in common, and learn more about the climate crisis from a presentation by Ed Prestemon and Wink Zachritz of the Earth Community Circle. There will be time for discussion and Q&A after the presentation.
April – Becoming
7 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Earth Community Circle, Ed Prestamon, Wink Zachritz
6:30 Vespers will be led by Joyce Hooley Gingrich. March 24 will be the first Vespers after the First Day of Spring (The Spring Equinox, is on March 20 this year,) thus, we will be listening to selected readings from Aldo Leopold, and reflecting together on geese and on spring as a season for moving forward with commitment.
7:00 PM Program: We will be exploring Original Blessing Theology. Come help us identify some roots and commonalities with contemporary Unitarian Universalist understandings, and find out why Cardinal Ratzinger ordered an inquisition into Matthew Fox after he published his treatise, Original Blessing, A Primer in Creation Spirituality in 1983. Facilitator: Joyce Hooley Gingrich
Next Week: March 31 Vespers leader: Rev. Jeff Jones Program: Do Animals Have Rights? Facilitator: Rev. Jeff Jones
