Oct 6, 2023 | Weekly Message
Have you ever had that moment? The one where, with someone you deeply care about, you suddenly catch your breath and think – they don’t get me. They aren’t hearing me. They’re just not seeing the real me right now. That is an awful moment; one of the most painful we feel as human beings.
Since January of this year, over 496 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures. Many of them, as you may know, target our kids – trans youth. But by no means are trans kids the only targets in a reinvigorated and cynical (not to mention cruel) culture war; all our LGBTQIA+ beloveds are being targeted, and the attacks are designed to hit other targets, too – how we teach our kids, what we can read, how we can dress. The worst kinds of religious bigotry are back out in force. (Not that they ever really went away.)
But back here at home, we have things to tend to. Some of our LGBTQIA+ beloveds right here in our congregation are telling us they feel invisible, or as though the issues that affect lives so deeply are not ones we’re paying attention to. As I joined you for our family’s first Blue Ridge Pride, it looked to me like this congregation cares. I was so touched and grateful to see the strength of our Yellow Shirt Brigade, marching with, yes, Pride in the parade. From the energy, enthusiasm, and presence of members and friends, it seems to me that even if it’s imperfect at times, the UU Congregation of Asheville, NC does “get it,” and are willing to show up to make the world a little bit better for all of us.
So please: stay with us in this learning, loving journey. If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up for our Everything You Wanted to Know about Trans, Non-Binary, Intersex and Gender Expansive Folx – but Were Afraid to Ask webinar on Oct. 11. I can promise you you will learn something new – and hopefully, you’ll feel a little better equipped to navigate in a world where we strive to treat everyone with respect for their inherent worth. A world where none of our beloveds ever feels unseen.
Register HERE for the webinar! For more information, see this CALENDAR LINK
– Rev. Audette
Oct 3, 2023 | Faith Development
Welcome! The Soul Matters September theme is “the gift of heritage.” Our Soul Matters Groups will be exploring this theme through conversation, art and writing.
A few questions to consider:
If you could talk to one of your ancestors, who would you choose? And what would you ask them?
What story told by (or about) your ancestors has shaped you the most?
What story do you want to be remembered by?
What is your favorite family memento? And why does it have such a hold on you?
Opportunities for Connection: Soul matters groups are recruiting participants. We launch this month. Interested? Sign up here.
Faith Development Calendar
Oct 1 UU Sangha Launches 1st Sunday Meditation Circle; 10-10:30AM; 23 Edwin, Parlor
Oct 4 1st Wednesday Dinner 6:00PM & Vespers 7PM
Oct. 10 – Facilitator Bagged Lunch & Meet Up, Noon-1PM, SH
Oct. 22 – A two hour (1-3 PM) introductory class on the serious and persistent mental illnesses, treatments, resources and support for the caregivers. Details here. Register here.
SAVE THE DATE
Nov 1
Dinner 6PM & Vespers 7PM: Celebrating Gratitude & Generosity. Details here.
Nov 5
UU Sangha, 1st Sunday Meditation Circle; 10-10:30AM; 23 Edwin, Parlor
Dec 3 Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH
May 5 Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH
Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; Contact: Sequoyah Rich sequoyahrich333@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June. Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
Oct 3, 2023 | Justice Ministry
UU Avl Events
Oct. 30 – Fall Book Study: A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu, which was inspired by a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg. 7:00-8:15 PM, via Zoom. Contact sunitapatterson@gmail.com for Zoom link. To read: Part 1, Knowledge
Looking Ahead
Nov. 2 – Curious Conversations: Bagged lunch series to explore justice themes related to collective liberation and opportunities for action.. Join us in Sandburg Hall from noon- 1PM. Topic: Indigenous land acknowledgements: What is the purpose? What are the goals? Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Nov 3 – Justice Ministry Film Night: TOWN DESTROYER; 7 PM, In person & via Zoom. This film explores the ways we look at art and history at a time of racial reckoning. The story focuses on a dispute over historic murals depicting the life of George Washington: slaveowner, general, land speculator, President, and a man Seneca leaders called “Town Destroyer” after he ordered their villages destroyed during the Revolutionary War. The film addresses current debates over trauma, student safety, and cancel culture. More details here
Nov. 13– Fall Book Study: A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu, which was inspired by a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg, 7:00-8:15 PM. Via Zoom. Contact sunitapatterson@gmail.com for Zoom link. To read: Part 2, Capacity
Nov. 27– Fall Book Study: A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu, which was inspired by a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg. 7:00-8:15 PM. Via Zoom. Contact sunitapatterson@gmail.com for Zoom link. To read: Part 3, Will
Nov. 30 – Curious Conversations: Bagged lunch series to explore justice themes related to collective liberation and opportunities for action.. Join us in Sandburg Hall from noon- 1PM. Topic: Reparations: What is happening in Asheville? Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Dec 11– Fall Book Study: A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu, which was inspired by a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg. 7:00-8:15 PM. Via Zoom. Contact sunitapatterson@gmail.com for Zoom link. To read: Part 4, Action
Community Events & Beyond
Learn about & get involved with local Reparations efforts!
Reparations Summit – 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 7 at the UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive, Asheville. Parking and admission are free, but attendance is limited and registration is required. Click here to register.
October 11 – 6:30-8PM #UniteNC Tour: Accountability Town Halls hosted by Common Cause NC. Details and RSVP.
Oct. 17 – Pisgah Legal Services’ 13th Annual Justice Forum with Mathew Desmond.
Oct. 21 – Join Indivisible Asheville at Bottle Riot in the River Arts District, 2 – 4 pm, for good food, activist friends old and new, and a look at plans for the coming year. Jake Quinn, Board of Elections Chair, will be featured speaker. Get details and a way to register here.
Oct. 24 – “Tools to Fight Fake News”, is offered by the League of Women Voters Henderson County, 4 pm. Get details and register here for this webinar.
Oct. 26 – “Fighting Voter Suppression Bills: Going on the Record”, 3 pm. Join the League of Women Voters US for this webinar about voter suppression bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session nationwide, and hear stories of successful fights that kept them from becoming law. Get details and register here.
Oct. 25 – Jerry Sternberg offers “Tales of Asheville from an ol’ Jewish country boy”, 7 pm, at the Reuter Center on the UNCA Campus. Get details and register here.
Oct 26 – The NC Council of Churches offers “Grant Writing 101”, online, 7 pm. Get details and register here.
Oct. 26 – Domestic Violence Vigil offered by Moms4Action Asheville, 5:30 pm, at the Wesley Grant Center. Get details from this flyer.
Nov. 1 – “Solidarity Events Opposing the Vance Monument”. The NC Supreme Court is hearing an appeal of the decision to remove the Vance Monument at 9:30 am in Raleigh. If people are interested in traveling for the hearing or to attend an event in Asheville at 5:30 pm, go here for details.
Nov. 1 – Equity Over Everything offers an in-person event at Lenoir Rhyne University, “Using Your Racial Equity Lens to Implement DEIB Strategies”, 3:30 pm. Get details here.
