Reflection on Change

Feb 22, 2023 | Weekly Message

laurel amabileI have been reflecting on change as 2023 gets rolling. Not only the changes in my life, family and work, but in the life of our congregation.

Change is always at work in healthy and thriving congregations. Newcomers visit and many join as new members. Some people move away—from the congregation or Western North Carolina—for their own reasons. Ministers, Religious Educators, and other members of the staff change over time. Board members serve their terms and are replaced. Babies are born, youth come of age, and people dear to us pass away. Rites of passage help us to mark these changes in meaningful ways.

As we all are aware, the COVID pandemic forced sudden change upon all of us, with disruptions and concerns causing many layers of change in our society and lingering effects in our work, school, medical and faith communities. In the midst of this context, we experienced the retirement then sudden loss of our lead minister, Rev. Mark Ward—challenging us to adapt and be open to a changing congregational landscape.

We have spent the last year re-opening our programs and services and to learning more about ourselves during this period of Interim Ministry with Rev. Cathy’s reassuring presence and skillful leadership. The Racial Justice Advisory Council and Rev. Claudia have guided us through a process of self-assessment and learning about racial justice and our role in creating the changes we want to see in the world. Our Ministerial Search Committee has been dedicating a great deal of time and energy in the search for our next settled minister.  Your Board has been committed to supporting all of these efforts as positive developments.

Wow! So much has been happening and will be happening for us here at UUCA. Ours is a healthy and thriving and changing congregation. Let us rise to the challenges and celebrate our accomplishments as we move forward in 2023 together in this Beloved Community.

Laurel Amabile, UU Asheville Board of Trustees

Early Spring Tasks

Feb 22, 2023 | Scoop

Yes, I’m getting antsy to start gardening. This has been a strange winter, but with the pleasant weather we keep getting tempted with, I’m warming up the spading fork and thought I’d organize my tasks so I’m ready. And, I’ll share my list with you so you can get antsy, too!

Cut back ornamental grasses as early as you can. Leaving them standing will delay the onset of new growth and will also make the grass look ragged when it does emerge because it’s impossible to avoid cutting off the tips when you do finally cut it back. I like to let mine fall where they are to provide a nice mulch.

If you need a soil test, wait until the soil temperature is above 50 degrees. Temperatures below this may give you false readings. You can test your own soil with a home test kit or send it to a soil lab for more consistent results. Soils labs will also give you recommendations on what you might need to add.

Be ready to spray dormant oil on fruit trees, shrubs and shade trees. Oil should be sprayed when the temperature is at least forty degrees with no chance for rain or frost for twenty-four hours. Oil can help control aphids, scales and mites. Follow label directions carefully.

Wait until soil has begun to dry out before walking in the garden or working the soil. Take a handful of soil and squeeze. If the ball holds together, wait a few days. If the clump is easy to break apart, the soil is probably ready. Working when too wet compacts the soil and ruins its structure.

Put away the rototiller. Tilling the same spot every year breaks down the soil structure and will make your soil actually worse than if you left it alone. Plant roots are amazing structures that will take care of any soil cultivation that is necessary.

Seed into the cold frame cool season leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and other greens.

When it’s finally time to select transplants from a garden center, make your choices carefully. Try to avoid plants that already have blossoms on them. Plants need to put out sturdy roots before using energy to push flowers. Ask if the plants have been hardened off yet so you’ll know if you must do this yourself.

Kate Jerome