Garden Spot with Kate Jerome-Tree Removal

Nov 2, 2022 | Scoop

We had to remove a tree on the UU Asheville campus (near the ramp). As much as I hate to remove any tree, this one had to go. The tree, a hemlock, was declining severely without any possibility of being brought back to health. And it was near the power lines along Charlotte Street. We had Duke Energy come to assess the danger of it falling and they determined it needed to be removed. Graciously they cut it down even though it was on our campus (and didn’t charge us!). 

The decision is hard, but sometimes it’s necessary to remove a plant that is not thriving. Even though it’s a living thing, if there is a danger, if it is declining health, or even if it just makes observers grimace because it looks so bad, it may be necessary to take it away. 

The happy result of this is that we now have another sunny spot for a garden! And, the wood is still there so if anyone wants to take it away for firewood or other use, please feel free to help yourself. If no one wants it, we will have it hauled away eventually. 

Please don’t hesitate to send an email or text if you have questions about your garden.  

Katejerome2020@gmail.com

https://katesgardenkitchen.com/

262-945-6623

 

Pride in Diversity

Nov 2, 2022 | Weekly Message

This past Sunday a group of RE children began the planting of our new Pride in Diversity garden. With the help of Kate Jerome, landscape committee chair, and RE parent volunteers, Anna Martin and Sandra Goodson, the children planted a variety of bulbs that will provide color next spring. The landscape committee conceived the idea of a Pride garden for UU Asheville and is being supported by our LGBTQ+ group, Universal Rainbow Unity (URU). The Pride garden is designed to celebrate the support for diversity within UU Asheville and our community at-large with a variety of native flowering perennials with the flower colors representing the LGBTQ+ flag. Our new garden is prominently located by our main sidewalk and when completed will provide a rainbow of color throughout the seasons. In addition to the flowering plants, the garden will also be identified with a sign calling attention to Pride in Diversity.

The landscape committee has been very active this past summer and fall identifying and labeling our gardens, weeding, planting, and cleaning out the beds. We have been blessed to have a dedicated core group of volunteers taking ownership in the maintenance and appearance of our grounds and because of these volunteers we are able to landscape some of the grounds that have remained empty with new plantings, including the new Pride Garden. If you have not noticed the grounds lately, take a walk around our main campus and observe the Pollinator garden in the courtyard and the grasses planted under the wall facing Edwin Place. We also have a wonderful blueberry patch by the playground and a sensory garden in the playground. If you are a gardener or just like to dig in the dirt with other folks, consider joining the landscape committee in the spring when we will start digging again. The committee welcomes all levels of gardening abilities.

Venny Zachritz, Connections Coordinator

Embracing Discomfort Book Study

Nov 2, 2022 | Featured

Join Revs. Cathy and Claudia for an opportunity to discuss novels (and an anthology) that invite us into covenanted, deep listening conversations about challenging issues. When? 1st Thursday NOON Bagged Lunch (Sandburg Hall) and 7PM Zoom (link in the e-News)

Dec 1               There There by Tommy Orange

Jan 5                Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, edited by Saraciea J. Fennell

March 2           Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

May 4              On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel by Ocean Vuong (tentative book)

Justice Ministry Opportunities for Action, November 1

Nov 1, 2022 | Justice Ministry

8th Principal Reflection Circle, November 9
Join members of the 8th Principal Team and Rev. Claudia for a conversation about the 8th Principle. Zoom link in the e-News or contact Rev. Claudia. We will address the following questions:
What is it?
Why now?
What is exciting about the 8th Principle?
What fears arise about adopting the Principle?
How will we be changed in 5 or 10 years because we have adopted it?

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

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

BeLoved Pantry Needs YOUR Support
http://uuashevillecom.revaudettefulbright.com/uu-beloved-pantry-project/


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Vespers & Program: Nov 2

Nov 1, 2022 | Vespers & Wednesday Program

NOVEMBER 2
1st Wed. Dinner, 6:00 PM & Vespers, 7:00 PM. 
Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia; Musician:  Cellist, Quetzal Jordan
There is no fee for dinner. Click here 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!

NEXT WEEK  we are on Zoom!
Vespers 6:30 PM  Vespers Leader: Bernise Lynch
Program 7:00 PM Liberation Conversations – Join us for an 8th Principle Reflection Circle facilitated by members of the 8th Principle Team and Rev. Claudia