Join Vespers leader Kelly Wedell in exploring our collective commitment to our messy humanity using a different interpretation of the starfish story.
Our program will be “Aging as A Spiritual Practice: The Five Fears” facilitated by Jim Steffe.
March 3 Vespers Leader: James Cassara Program: Theme Talk – Rev. Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Anti-Racism Conversation: The Gardener’s Tale Facilitator: Kay Aler-Maida
17 Vespers Leader: Kelly W Program: Spiritual Practices – Aging II; Jim Steffe, Rev. Claudia
24 Vespers Leader: Joyce-Hooley Gingrich Program: Creation Theology, Joyce-Hooley Gingrich31 Vespers Leader: Jeff Jones Program: Do Animals have Rights? Jeff Jones
This Wednesday, join Vespers leader Rev. Mark Ward to reflect on the 56th Anniversary of Jim Reeb’s death which is March 11.
Program: This month we launch the “Anti-Racism Conversation” series. Every 2nd Wed. there will be a facilitated invitation to explore racism and white supremacy as part of the work UUCA is doing to become an anti-racist congregation. This month Kay Aler-Maida will lead with an exploration of the levels of racism using the allegory of a garden. The TED talk by Dr.Camara Jones will be the basis for the session. (begin at 6 min 55 sec)
10 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Anti-Racism Conversation: The Gardener’s Tale Facilitator: Kay Aler-Maida Please watch Dr. Camara Jones’ TED Talk, start at 6’55. Text here.
17 Vespers Leader: Kelly W Program: Spiritual Practices – Aging II; Jim Steffe, Rev. Claudia
Join Vespers leader Rev. Claudia to explore knitting and meaning-making. Service to include a video reflection shared by UUCA member Elizabeth Schell.
The 7PM Program will be led by Rev. Terry Davis. “UU Theology Series: Unitarianism — Boldly Claiming the Pejorative” When the Boston-based Rev. William Ellery Channing laid out an unorthodox Christian theology in a sermon in 1819, he did something unimaginable: he proudly called it “Unitarianism,” a label that his fellow liberal ministers had shunned. What did Channing preach? How was he able to create respectability for a distinctly different brand of Christianity? Join Rev. Terry Davis as we explore the events that led to Channing’s breakthrough sermon, and what it offered liberal religion then and offers our faith today.
Join us for Vespers this Wed. at 6:30. Vespers leader Kelly Wedell and Rev. Claudia invite us to continue exploring Beloved Community inspired by the work of Ruby Sales, civil rights leader and public theologian.
The 7PM program launches a 3 month series on Aging as a Spiritual Practice based on the work of Lewis Richmond. Facilitators: Jim Steffe, Rev. Claudia
FEBRUARY 3 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Mary Alm Program: Power at Work in Our Congregation, Anna Martin
17 Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell &Rev. Claudia Program: Spiritual Practices – Aging I; Jim Steffe, Rev. Claudia
24 Vespers Leader: TBA Program: The Theology William Ellery Channing, Rev. Terry Davis
Vespers leader Mary Alm invites us to consider the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (found in our hymnal) as we continue exploring this month’s theme of Beloved Community.
The 7PM program will explore “Power at Work in Your Congregation” Facilitator: Anna Martin
FEBRUARY 3 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Mary Alm Program: Power at Work in Our Congregation, Anna Martin
When we talk about imagination, most of the time we seem to be imagining on a large scale. How do we imagine “church” will look after COVID? How do we imagine a non-racist world? But we can also imagine at the personal level. What if we imagined ALL the possibilities for our lives in the next 5 or 10 or 20 years, not just the logical, rational ones? Who could we be?
7PM Program: What is Theology? We describe ourselves as a non-creedal religious community or faith tradition. Join us as we begin a series that explores the theological anchors of UUism. Facilitator: Rev Claudia
Vespers 6:30pm: Joyce Hooley will lead us in considering some insights from Black American voices regarding this month’s theme, Imagination, as related to racial justice.
Program 7pm: “Discerning Race/Discerning Power” continues our anti-racism work using the UUA curriculum “Building the World We Dream About” Facilitator: Mary Alm
Join Vespers leader Rev. Claudia for a meditative holiday Vespers. Come prepared to share a favorite holiday memory during breakout groups.
7 PM Program: Everyday Life Spiritual Practices Featuring Living Compassionately – Jeff Jones will be sharing his everyday life spiritual practice of living compassionately. Participants in breakout rooms will be sharing what spiritual practices we each will carry forward and integrate into our everyday lives.
Vespers resumes January 6 welcoming the New Year and the monthly theme of imagination.
Our Wednesday Thing 2021 Programs will focus on:
1st Wednesdays, the Soul Matters Theme (or a congregant suggested topic)
2nd Wednesdays, Anti-racism work
3rd Wednesdays, Spiritual Practices
4th Wednesdays, UU Theology
During February through April, Jim Steffe and Rev. Claudia will offer a series on “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” based on the book by Lewis Richmond.
The ancient spiritual tool of the labyrinth can be a welcome invitation to go deeper within and find a hidden stillness. Join Rev. Claudia Jiménez and UUCA member Rev. Terry Davis as we take this journey together.
Print out a labyrinth or download a labyrinth app to use for this evening’s service:
Join us December 2 as Rev Mark leads a Vespers on the Dec theme of stillness.
In observation of Human Rights Day, Dec 10 our after Vespers program invites us to explore cross cultural engagement and privilege in activism work. Co facilitators Deb Holden and Rev Claudia will share case studies for discussion from the Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program established to be in solidarity with India’s struggle for social justice and human rights.
December – Theme: Stillness
2 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Human Rights Day Discussion, Deb Holden, Rev Claudia
9 Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis Program: Navigating the Landscapes of Power, Joy McConnell
Join Rev. Claudia for a meditative vespers Wed., Nov 25 6:30 PM using the story “Giving Thanks” based on words from the Peoples of the Six Nations. It has been a complicated, challenging year and we are invited to consider the everyday gifts around us despite the challenges we face. Below is prompt to share with a young person in your life and, that you can draw or journal about. Enjoy!
Draw something that makes you happy.
Draw something you couldn’t live without.
Draw someone who helps you.
Draw something that makes you smile.
Draw something you love to do.
Draw something you are thankful for.
Draw someone you love.
Draw something you think is fun.
Draw something that makes you feel good.
Draw something that makes you laugh.
December – Theme: Stillness
2 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Human Rights Day Discussion, Deb Holden, Rev Claudia
9 Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis Program: Navigating the Landscapes of Power, Joy McConnell
Join us this Wednesday for Vespers at 6:30 PM. Our theme:Truth and Reconciliation In keeping with this month’s theme of “Healing,” Joyce Hooley Gingrich invites us to explore role of acknowledging hard truths in the kind of “healing” that brings about reconciliation. Our ‘Time for All Ages’ will include a shadow play, titled Mother, Mother, I Feel Sick! Send for the Doctor Quick, Quick Quick! We will also be observing Transgender Day of Remembrance.”
The 7 PM Program will be Exploring Heart and Creativity practices.
PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM:
2nd & 4th Wed.; Building the World We Dream About; Contact: Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
3rd Wed.; Spiritual Practices: Exploration and Practice Challenge Contact: Nancy Bragg njbragg1@gmail.com November – Soul Matters Theme: Healing
4 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Theme Talk – Healing
11 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Problems and Promises of Unearned Privilege, Anna M
Join Vespers Leader Anna Martin at 6:30 PM this Wednesday for a meditative Vespers on this month’s theme of healing. Vespers will include the telling of the story “The Shattering of the Vessels” by Amy Petrie Shaw.
7 PM Program: Building the World We Dream About will explore the problems and promises of unearned privilege. Facilitator: Anna Martin
PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM:
2nd & 4th Wed.; Building the World We Dream About; Contact: Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
3rd Wed.; Spiritual Practices: Exploration and Practice Challenge Contact: Nancy Bragg njbragg1@gmail.com November – Soul Matters Theme: Healing
4 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Theme Talk – Healing
11 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Problems and Promises of Unearned Privilege, Anna M
Vespers 6:30 PM. Vespers Leader, Rev Claudia, invites us to consider the purpose of the church. Is our ecclesiology individual, collective or both? Program 7PM. Program Leader Bob Gingrich, continues the conversation about the bipartisan divide and congregational bias: can we disagree in love?
October Calendar Soul Matters Theme: Deep Listening
7 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia Program: Beyond the Partisan Divide II, Bob Gingrich
14 Vespers Leader: Joy McConnell Program: You Are How You’ve Lived: Exploring Individual & Group Identity, Carol Buffum
Vespers this Wed., Sept 30 at 6:30 PM: Will it matter? Join Rev Claudia in an exploration of building community amidst the challenges of ideological divides. The after Vespers Program “Beyond the Partisan Divide, Part I” begins at 7PM. The session is “Will it Matter? Considering Partisan Bias in Congregational Life.”
October Calendar Soul Matters Theme: Deep Listening
7 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia Program: Beyond the Partisan Divide II, Bob Gingrich
14 Vespers Leader: Joy McConnell Program: You Are How You’ve Lived: Exploring Individual & Group Identity, Carol Buffum
Join CUUPS, the Covenant of UU Pagans on Wed., Sept 23 at 6:30 PM as they co-lead Vespers with a focus on the autumn equinox which happens the day before. Join in a celebration of the harvest with a focus on balance.
The 7PM after Vespers program continues with the UUA anti-racism program Building the World We Dream About. Joyce Hooley Gingrich will facilitate Session II- Our Stories: Multiple Truths, Multiple Realities. Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org if you would like the materials from the first session.
Join Rev. Jeff Jones and co-host John Bloomer for Vespers at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept 16. This multigenerational vespers service, we will use the book, V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Kindness, for our reflection together.
After Vespers program, 7PM: Spiritual Practices – Exploration and Practice Challenge, every third Wed. Join Nancy Bragg for Contemplative Stillness Practices.
Join Rev Claudia and co-host John Bloomer for Vespers at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept 9. The theme is “Renewing Our Commitments”. The join us for the launch of a…
NEW Adult Faith Development: Building the World We Dream About; 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7pm
“We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree.” -Ruth Alatorre in Bringing Gifts
This UUA curriculum invites us to learn how to develop anti-racist habits and skills that will show us a path to building the beloved community we dream about. We’ll use our own personal histories and UU beliefs and values to understand anti-racism work through frank conversation and reflection about race. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, although drop-ins are OK, too. Questions? Contact Rev.Claudia
This month through dialogue and reflective exercises we explore mattering (inclusion) and marginality (exclusion) through story: case studies and reflection on personal experiences. We will explore the connections between these stories and “welcoming” in our congregation. Facilitators: Joyce-Hooley Gingrich, Rev. Claudia
It’s LIVE Zoom Vespers for All Ages at 6:30. Vespers leader Joyce Hooley-Gingrich invites us to reflect on this month’s theme of Renewal. The children’s picture book, Peppe the Lamplighter, by Elisa Bartone will set the tone for a reflection about “how to encourage each other.”
After Vespers Program at 7:00pm: Rev. Claudia will lead a discussion on this month’s Soul Matters question: What does it mean to be a people of renewal?
Next Week: Vespers theme: Reflecting on Economic Justice, Rev. Claudia After Vespers Program: 7:00pm Launch of the anti-racism UUA curriculum, “Building the World We Dream About” Session I: Telling Our Story- Multiple Truths and Realities I
Vespers co-leader John Bloomer invites you to consider the joy of rituals this Wednesday, August Aug 26 during Vespers at 6:30 PM. If you have a theme for Vespers or would like to co-lead Vespers please contact Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org.
Next week: Vespers for All Ages: Don’t Let the Light Go Out Vespers leader Joyce Hooley-Gingrich invites us to reflect on this month’s theme of Renewal. The children’s picture book “Pepe the Lamplighter” by Elisa Bartone will set the tone for a reflection about “how to encourage each other.” After Vespers at 7:00 PM Rev. Claudia will lead a discussion on this month’s Soul Matters question: What does it mean to be a people of renewal?
Join us for Vespers, Wed., Aug 19 at 6:30 PM. Vespers leader Nancy Bragg invites us to nourish ourselves by exploring a variety of spiritual practices as we launch an Adult Faith Development series on spiritual practices. Afterwards, join Rev. Claudia in an exploration of what the words “spiritual” and “faith” mean to us as Unitarian Universalists.
Join us for Vespers this Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 PM hosted by Universal Rainbow Unity or URU. URU seeks to promote love, acceptance, compassion, justice, and equality in all areas of sexual and gender identity while providing education, encouraging awareness and nurturing full inclusion in a spiritually diverse community.
The Vespers theme will be “Spirituality & Sexuality” followed by a 7PM program on Sexual Identity and Expression featuring the Gender Unicorn, and a very special guest. Video presentation by Erin Shadle and discussion co-facilitated by Rev. Claudia (correction to previous announcement that it would be Margaret McAllister) and Kim Collins. See you – virtually- there!
Our Vespers service will be hosted by Universal Rainbow Unity or URU. The theme will be “Spirituality & Sexuality” followed by a 7PM program on Sexual Identity and Expression featuring the Gender Unicorn, and a very special guest. There will be brief presentation by Erin Shadle, followed by a discussion co-facilitated by Margaret McAllister and Kim Collins. See you – virtually- there!
Your Vespers Planning Team took a two week break at the end of July. Wednesday Thing Vespers resumes August 5 at 6:30 PM and will be hosted by Holly Demuth and Orion. They will be sharing a favorite story “Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A Story from Africa.”
Vespers Calendar:
Aug 12 Vespers leaders: Universal Rainbow Unity Theme: Spirituality & Sexuality. Program, 7PM: Exploring Sexual Identity
Aug 26 Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia Theme: Lessons From Water Program, 7PM: TED Talk/Discussion- “Be Humble” and Other Lessons from the Philosophy of Water by Raymond Tang
Wednesday Thing Vespers, July 15 at 6:30 PM will be hosted by the Anti -Racism Immigration Justice Action Group. They will reflect on our summer theme “Beauty that moves you” and how we can find beauty in the call to racial justice.
The Anti-Racist Immigration Justice Action Group(A-RIJAG) will facilitate an After Vespers Program: TED Talk How Racial Bias works and How to Disrupt it at 7:00pm. This 11 minute video will be followed by open discussion (break out groups if needed).
About the talk: Psychologist Jennifer L. Eberhardt explores how our biases unfairly target Black people at all levels of society — from schools and social media to policing and criminal justice — and discusses we can create points of friction to help us actively interrupt and address this troubling problem.
Join us for Summer Vespers, July 1st at 6:30 PM led by Michelle and Steve Reines. Our summer theme is “Art that moves you.” They will share poetry and music that inspires them and grounds them during this time of physical distancing. Watch for your Vespers email for the zoom link. Contact Rev. Claudia if you would like to share art that moves you at a future Vespers.
