Pastoral Letter, October 17,2024 UUAvl

Oct 17, 2024 | Featured, Weekly Message

The past three weeks have been a time of unprecedented disaster in Asheville. But even as our beloved places and people have faced almost unimaginable upheaval and loss, we have seen an outpouring of love, support, and community care that speaks so deeply to our better angels. 

Recovery will be a long process. As the immediacy of the crisis passes, we have the opportunity to consider the longer path we are on. How can we maintain high levels of mutual aid and support for all our community members? How can we grow even more resilient, as we know that our warming climate will continue to present challenges? Can we invest in places and people that help us grow compassionate, stronger, wiser?

At UU Asheville, once we made sure our team was safe, we have worked diligently to reach out to you and to see how our members and friends are, and to provide information regularly and robustly about where to get basic needs met. We have not learned of anyone who died as a result of the storm, though many of our members and friends have experienced significant personal loss – up to and including those who lost almost everything. With the help of our larger UU community, we are providing direct care and support to those who need it. 

This is what beloved community is for – to help and support each other and to strengthen the larger community in which we make our home. We hope that as we provide respite, sanctuary, and spiritual care, you are our ambassadors of love, doing what you can to support others. 

There are still long days ahead, but we can face them together. If you haven’t yet, come home to us soon if you can. And remember: we are here if you need us.

With love,

Revs. Audette & Claudia, and your UU Asheville team