Vespers 6:30 PM (in person and YouTube); Vespers Leader: Jeff Jones Justice Conversation, 7 PM; (in person and Zoom link available in the Wed. e-News) Serving at the El Paso Border -Speaker Jeff Jones For eleven and a half months beginning August 1, 2021, Jeff Jones served refugees and asylum seekers at the El Paso border. He will describe his experiences living in the shelters including daily activities serving the guests, their happy as well as heart-wrenching stories, and the intensity of the service.
NEXT WEEK Vespers Leader: Neal Jones (in person & YouTube) Program: “Café, Cultura y Conversación”; Facilitators: Rev. Claudia and Michele Gregory (in person only) If you are interested in joining us Wed. Oct 19 after Vespers for “Café, Cultura y Conversación” an opportunity for bilingual learning and conversation, we will be discussing the Asheville Art Museum exhibit “Border Cantos/Sonic Border.” If you have a chance to visit, use your cell to take a picture of what moves you in that exhibit. We will share in English and/or Español when we gather Oct 19.
Religious Exploration for adults is launched this month. Our lay team Jim Steffe, Kelly Weddell and Sherry Lundquist, supported by Kim Collins and me, has also been preparing for the new congregational year. A few highlights:
Soul Matters Groups. Facilitated by members of UU Asheville. Groups meet October-July. We have 8 groups that a ready to gather. There are three types of groups that gather to explore the monthly themes using the Soul Matters packets that include prompts and readings. Soul Matters Groups focus on dialogue; Creativity Matters groups focus on artistic expression; and UU Writers share written reflection. Questions? Contact Venny Zachritz
I will also be hosting a Bagged Lunch Dialogue on the bookSearchby Michelle Huneven, October 21 from noon-1PM in Sandburg Hall. Although the author broke covenant in writing the book and that is deeply troubling, it is a useful learning tool. I know some of you have read it and I think a conversation about it is important.
Y, tenemos un programa nuevo! And, we have a new offering to support spiritual deepening and the work of liberation. It is an opportunity to discuss novels (and an anthology) that invite us into covenanted, deep listening conversations that can be challenging. Rev. Cathy and I will be co-leading a 1st Thursday NOON Bagged Lunch and 7PM Zoom “Embracing Discomfort” Book Dialogue.
Nov 3 There There by Tommy Orange
Jan 5 Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, edited bu Saraciea J. Fennell
March 2 Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
May 4 On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel by Ocean Vuong
I look forward to seeing you at one of the many offerings at UU Asheville! Nos vemos!
Here are a few tips on fall care for perennials. Although I do encourage you to leave foliage and seedheads standing through the winter, some perennials do benefit from pruning back.
And don’t forget – we will have a congregation-wide Plant Exchange on October 30 after the service (12-2) in the gravel parking lot. As you begin to do fall clean-up, pot up any plants you wish to share. There are pots in the garage at 23 Ewin if you need them. Just remember to label the plants. And you may just come away with some new treasures!
Bearded Iris – the foliage has most likely begun to die back already, and it will be a haven for iris borers and fungal diseases. Cut back all the foliage completely after a killing frost and dispose of it instead of composting.
Beebalm – if you had mildew issues in summer, cut the plants back completely and dispose of the foliage. If there was no mildew, you can leave them on through winter.
Daylilies respond well to shearing. If you didn’t shear them back in late summer, mowing them down now will save messy cleanup in spring.
The perennial sunflower still looks great now and will until hard frost. Leave it up and the seedheads will feed the birds and catch snow beautifully.
Japanese Anemones are favorites of certain beetles and are often defoliated by fall. If not, the foliage of Japanese anemones turns black and unattractive with frost. Cut them back in the fall.
Peony foliage should be removed in the fall to prevent disease issues. Dispose of it instead of composting.
Phlox is prone to powdery mildew like beebalm. Prune and destroy all foliage and stems in the fall.
Perennial salvia benefits from several prunings during the growing season, and in fall, cut the whole plant back to the new leaves at the base.
Baptisia may split in the middle if not sheared back after blooming although the seed pods are beautiful in the snow. You can simply stake the pod stalks even though the foliage will turn black.
Please don’t hesitate to send an email or text if you have questions about your garden.
Beebalm