Adult Faith Formation – December

Soul Matters groups provide an opportunity for practicing deep listening, spiritual deepening and being in community. A new group launches Mon., Jan 13, 2-5 PM. To register contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

Soul Matters Families Group meets January 12 at 1pm! Families with children are invited to join our new Soul Matters Group for Parents/Caregivers. The group will meet after the second service at 1 pm, in the Lower Level Commons. Adults will engage in the Soul Matters discussions while children play/craft (supervised by the adults in the group – separate childcare is not provided). Families are welcome to bring snacks/packed lunch; however, please do not bring peanut or tree nut products, as we have some kiddos in our congregation with allergies to these. 
Dates: Jan. 12; Feb.9; Mar. 9; Apr.6; May 11.
Attend as many as you can.
Contact Victoria Hoyland at vlwheaton@gmail.com to register.

SAVE THE DATE: Haunting Church – Exploring Your Religious Past
Thurs., Jan 9,16,23,30, On-line class. Details here.

Soul Matters/ Asuntos del Alma in Español A NEW offering
For those of you who are fluent in Español Rev Claudia will lead a 1st Thurs. 1PM-2PM “Asuntos del Alma.” You’ll receive the packet in English and the discussion will be in Spanish. Dates: Dec 5, Jan 2, Feb 6, March 6.
Contact Rev Claudia to register. faithdev@uuasheville.org

Faith Formation – December
1st Wednesday Dinner & Vespers – Dec 4
Next Vespers: JAN 8. Please RSVP here.

Buddhist SanghaMeets 2nd &4th Tuesdays,7:30 pm in Sanctuary
NOTE: No meeting Dec. 24
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com

Please join Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS for a celebration of Yule on Sunday, December 22, at 5pm. We will honor the return of the light on the winter solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year. As the days grow longer, we emerge from the darkness we have been engulfed in after Hurricane Helene and look forward to more light and warmth, as well as the promise of spring. Father Christmas will make an early appearance and bring gifts for all. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck afterward.

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. All are welcome! Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org for Zoom link. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program).

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sanctuary
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com

Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.
Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org


Justice Ministry Calendar – December

UU Avl & UU Justice Events

UU Justice NC’s Friday Action Hour –  11:00 AM every Friday Sign up for the Zoom link & weekly Friday Action Hour promo email here.
TOPIC: TBA

Dec 22- PANTRY HOLIDAY WRAPPING, CAN DRIVE AND CELEBRATION!! We have been supplying and filling the BeLoved Charlotte Street Pantry for three years!! Hope you will join us in Sandburg Hall for a celebration after the service on December 22nd. We will also be wrapping gifts to put in the pantry and there will be a pop-top can drive.

Save the Date
Reproductive Justice
Book Study 

When: Tuesday, January 28: potluck at 6 pm, book discussion 6:45-8:00 pm, Sandburg Hall
What: Rev. and Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters is the author of Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice (2018). A Presbyterian minister and professor of religious studies at Elon University, Rev. Peters is able to connect faith and reproductive justice in her outstanding book, which members of the RJM Team will be reading in December. Join in!
Where/How do I sign up?
Registration will take place closer to the event. In the meantime, purchase your copy of Trust Women at local independent bookstores (e.g., Malaprop’s, Firestorm)

Community Events
If you are looking for ways to get involved with our local environment please check out these opportunities to serve and help clean up some of the Helene aftermath. 
River cleanups with MountainTrue
Rivers and Roads – AVL GreenWorks

Other opportunities to volunteer in the continuing Helene recovery
https://www.handsonasheville.org/