So this is a good thing.

Life at the UU Congregation of Asheville has been robust, joyful, engaged and – overflowing! Our Christmas Eve concert and candlelight service had folx sitting in the aisles, and there have been Sundays when people had to view the service from the social hall because the pews were filled. 

One thing we know about congregational growth and vitality is this: when the sanctuary is 80% full, newcomers feel crowded out (and thus, don’t return after a visit) and long-time members and friends feel like their absence won’t be noticed – and may come less often. All of it works against being able to welcome and include all who want to be a part of our dynamic, multi-generational community. 

So this February, we are moving to two services. It’s a big step for us, but after conversations with staff and leaders, we’re ready to give it a try. Here’s the plan:

At 9:15 am, we’ll have a 40-45 minute Contemplative Service. This service will invite participants into a reflective, more meditative space, and will include silence, beautiful recorded music and videos, and opportunities for sharing. It will also feature the sermon & theme which will be the focus in the second service at 11:15 am. This service will not be livestreamed, and it will include childcare but not a full religious education program. This service will be particularly good if you need quiet in order to hear well or focus, would prefer a little more space around you, or seek a more contemplative communal experience.

Between services, at 10 am we will have coffee hour and special programs. Whether you come to the early service or the later service, we encourage you to consider arriving at 10 am for coffee, conversation, and special programs including conversations with the Board, or Minister & lay-led justice or adult education offerings. 

At 11:15 am, we will have our “Traditional” Service, in the format you’ve come to know and love. This service will include our choir, Wisdom story, our regular children’s religious education classes, and will be livestreamed. 

After the 11:15 service, folx are welcome to remain for a social time, enjoying coffee (if coffee remains after the 10 am coffee hour!) and conversation. Groups and teams who meet after our 11 am service time are still welcome to schedule and meet – though space permitting, 10 am will be a good time to consider meeting, as well. 

We hope that this new Sunday schedule will help us creating much need capacity in worship, satisfy a wider range of worship needs, increase our opportunities for connection and Sunday adult ed., and continue to grow our vibrant community. Consider giving the new earlier service a try, and please do join us at 10 am for our new programs and conversations/time for coffee and connection. 

– Rev. Audette Fulbright Fulson, Lead Minister