Vespers 6:30 PM (in person & YouTube) will be oriented to Samhain and include a ritual. Vespers Leaders: Blue Ridge CUUPS Program 7:00 PM (in person only) Drumming Circle with Nanette Manhart. Bring your drum. We will have a few available.
NEXT WEEK
November 2nd is the 1st Wed. Dinner & Vespers. Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia; Musician: Cellist, Quetzal Jordan There is no fee for dinner. We are recruiting volunteers to bring soup and/or bread for 10 people, and volunteers to help set up and clean up afterward. Click below to support this mid-week opportunity for fellowship and worship. Let us know if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly. Thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548ada92ba2f85-november
Sunday, October 23, 2022 11am In Person and YouTube
Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Minister of Faith Development
Courage or coraje en español, contain the root word “cor” which means heart in Latin. When we are courageous, I believe we are engaging from a place of love, from our hearts. It is often that which “breaks our hearts” that moves us to act despite our fear. When have there been moments of courage in your life? Join us to explore how courage shows up in our lives and our engagement with the world. Will adopting the 8th Principle ground our engagement?
After service (and coffee or tea), join Rev. Claudia and members of the 8th Principle Team for a Reflection Circle in the Sanctuary at 12:30PM.
The Proposed 8th Principle:
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
WHAT IS BELOVED COMMUNITY?
Beloved Community happens when people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, class, gender, abilities, sexual orientation backgrounds/identities come together in an interdependent relationship of love, mutual respect, and care that seeks to realize justice within the community and in the broader world.
Vespers 6:30 PM (in person and YouTube); Vespers Leader: Neal Jones Café, Cultura y Conversación, 7 PM; (in person and Zoom link available in the Wed. e-News)on Co-facilitators: Michele Gregory & Rev. Claudia “Café, Cultura Y Conversación” is 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.
Next week: Vespers 6:30 PM(in person & YouTube) will be oriented to Samhain and include a ritual. Vespers Leaders: Blue Ridge CUUPS Program 7:00 PM(in person only) Drumming Circle with Nanette Manhart. Bring your drum. We will have a few available.
Racial Justice Advisory Council (RJAC) Report: What’s that? We strive to become a radically inclusive and welcoming congregation as we are called to do if UUism is to be the liberatory faith it can be. This work started with an internal assessment led by a small team of congregants and our Minister of Faith Development, Rev. Claudia Jiménez. Their learnings and recommendations known as the RJAC Report were shared with the congregation and the board. One of the top recommendations was to engage the congregation in learning about the proposed 8th Principal which aligns with the work of liberation. An 8th Principle Team is actively hosting Learning Circles, tabling on Sundays and exploring other ways to prepare the congregation to vote in the June congregational meeting to adopt the 8th Principle. They are creating space for all to discuss hope, fears and dreams as we consider this important vote.
The Proposed 8th Principle:
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
WHAT IS BELOVED COMMUNITY?
Beloved Community happens when people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, class, gender, abilities, sexual orientation backgrounds/identities come together in an interdependent relationship of love, mutual respect, and care that seeks to realize justice within the community and in the broader world.
Reaching Out to Those Affected by Hurricane Ian: Donate to the UUA’s Disaster Relief Fund Reminders & Opportunities for Action Reminder #1: 20 Days until the election ONE day to the start of Early Voting. Make sure all your post cards are in the process of being ready for mailing. THANK YOU to all who are helping us reach our 2000 postcard goal!
Reminder #2: As we get closer to the election here is some language about staying non-partisan in our faith spaces. “We live into our UU values as prophetic, but not partisan advocates for issues and specific legislation that creates more equity, and affirms the worth and dignity of all people. (Example – advocating for Medicaid Expansion, fighting voter suppression, etc.). We work to hold elected officials accountable but never endorse political candidates. This is consistent with the work of our larger denomination. For more information see: https://www.uuthevote.org/prophetic-not-partisan-irs-rules-for-non-profits/
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION from our partner UU Justice Ministry NC How will you contribute to safety, joy and fairness at the polls?
Become a Vote Protector with Democracy NC Vote Protectors serve as our “eyes and ears on the ground” at voting sites across North Carolina. They help voters who encounter problems at the polls and ensure that every polling place is running as it should — sounding the alarm when something isn’t right. On November 4th and November 5th (Last days of early voting) and November 8th (Election Day) Vote Protectors will monitor polling places in their communities flagging: long lines, problems with curbside voting or accessibility, voter confusion, misinformation and voter suppression. And as a vote protector, you will attend an online training, and receive a vote protector t-shirt, sign, and other materials. Sign up to become a Vote Protector Today
Become a Voting Rights Ambassador with You Can Vote! Voting Rights Ambassadors will assist You Can Vote staff with vote tripling and voter education at early voting sites around the state. Once you complete a VRA volunteer training, you can sign up for volunteer shifts at a You Can Vote Help Desk at an early voting site near you. Trainings will take place on October 22 from 10-11am and October 27 from 6-7pm and you can register here.
Carolina Jews & UUs Faith in Action Phonebank in Partnership with the New North Carolina Project Foundation. Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:30 from now through November 3rd. UU Justice NC is teaming up with Carolina Jews for Justice to co-host this weekly Get Out the Vote phonebank in the run up to the midterm elections. We’ll be calling voters of color across North Carolina empowering and equipping them to vote their values this fall! Register Here
OTHER EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES: Concerned about education in NC? Watch this timely video produced August 29, and consider if this is an area of advocacy and engagement for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ihL90I5GE
Sunday, October 16, 2022 11amIn-person and YouTube
Rev. Jeff Jones, Affiliate Minister
I have found Unitarian Universalism to be a profound way to be religious. It can transform us, provide comfort in times of struggle, and challenge us to live out our values. Drawing on my experience serving at the El Paso border for a year, I will explore more deeply how we engage with our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Next week: