Check out this month’s Soulful Home packet on the theme of Story for ideas on exploring the theme with your family and friends: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1crphETbRfG3ziZulQEC3WhQMUmk6jOuN/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108695119908519377783&rtpof=true&sd=true
Join in fellowship and dinner at 6pm, followed by a short service on Exploring the Practice of Inclusion with Rev. Claudia at 7pm. Please RSVP here.
Vespers are held on the first Wednesday of every month, August – May.
As we begin 2025 I hold deep gratitude for the gift of a week off that all our staff is given at the end of the year. It was a joyful and relaxing to be with family and friends in Florida where I moved from to serve this congregation. I recall during my interview one of your search committee members began her question with “I’ve been looking at your Facebook page…” I thought, “Uh,oh…is there something inappropriate. What could it be?” Instead, she said, “I notice you post pictures of your morning beach walks almost every day. Are you willing to give that up to come to Asheville?” My answer was yes. As much as I loved living by the ocean, I wanted to work at UU Avl. Steve and I were ready for a new adventure. Seven years later, I still feel we made the right choice. Being able to spend the holidays by the ocean every year is a beautiful gift from the board and the congregation. Thank you!
We launched the new year with sadness knowing that a senseless, tragic crime has in New Orleans on the early morning of Jan 1st. Lives were lost and people were injured. We hold in our hearts the families and communities facing loss at this time. Below is a spiritual practice adapted from a newsletter by Rev. Cameron Trimble to support us in processing this tragedy and many other losses (big or small) in our lives. May this practice bring you peace.
Holding Space for Grief
Today, set aside time to hold space for the grief caused by this tragedy and so many others we have lived through.
Begin by lighting a candle as a symbol of light in the darkness. Sit quietly and allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise—sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Now that these feelings matter and acknowledging them is an act of self-compassion.
Next, hold in love and care those affected by the tragedy—families grieving, victims recovering, and first responders who carry the weight of what they’ve witnessed. Name their needs as best you can, and visualize comfort and healing for them.
Finally, reflect on one small act of care or kindness you can offer in response—whether it’s donating to a relief fund, checking in on someone who is struggling, or simply being more present to the people around you.
Let this practice remind you that even in times of sorrow,
love can still move through us and bring light to the world.
Con amor y gratitud,
Rev. Claudia Jiménez
Minister of Faith Formation
EVERY FRIDAY– 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.
Let’s Unite and DO NOT SHOP! From our friends at Faith4Justice: Each of us can use our buying power to hit companies who refuse to commit to fairness and equity where it hurts—in their wallets. So, join us and others across the country.
Community Events
River cleanups with MountainTrue
Rivers and Roads – AVL GreenWorks
Other opportunities to volunteer in the continuing Helene recovery
https://www.handsonasheville.org/
Here we are, at the start of another calendar year. For those of you who read my December blog, you have a sense of where I feel we are heading, and the gentle reminder that wherever we are going, we are going there together, so we must be brave, be prepared, and hold hands as we go forward.
As I begin a new year’s journey, it often helps me to slow down and try to think through what I hope to accomplish. In ministry, the temptation is always to do too much, to try to be everything to everyone – a losing proposition. One of our best congregational consultants reminds us constantly: “leadership is the art of disappointing people at a sustainable pace.” The best path to a sustainable ministry is to set your goals and do your utmost to keep focused on them, while in conversation with your community. There will always be more work, more things that can be done, people who compare you or the congregation to the other good works being done in other communities by other people. We can’t do everything, so we should strive to do our best at the work we do turn our hands to.
The same will be true of us as individuals in the coming days. The first thing we are likely to experience is an intentional flood of outrage and disinformation – unsuitable cabinet nominees; norm and yes, law-breaking; nepotism and a constant barrage of insults and hostile rhetoric, usually directed at the most vulnerable. It is a proven strategy: to overwhelm and demoralize those who would try to stop you from achieving your most destructive goals.
The only way to stay centered in such a flood is to train your attention on a few key personal issues. What do you most care about in our fragile democracy? Which vulnerable people or institutions are you most committed to protecting? Choose two or three, and keep your attention on those, intentionally allowing other news and outrages to pass you by. Choose 2-3 trusted news sources, voices, or journalists, and support them – with your money and attention. Make sure it is accurate and be aware of its bias. Set aside only a certain amount of time each day or week to be informed and up to date with how to take action on things that matter to you.
The rest of the time, work to expand your connections in your community. Remember that if we focus on Asheville and on North Carolina, and what we can accomplish here, it will have the most profound effects. Seek joy, make new friends, get lots of rest, so when the hardest things come, you are prepared.
This year, like every year, will be a full one. We are preparing now for things like our auction on Jan. 25th, and beyond that, for Rev. Claudia’s upcoming sabbatical, which will begin in March. We will have beautiful worship, and faith formation opportunities such as Rev. Claudia’s Haunting Church or my On Freedom classes. We’ll eat together, welcome new members, have meaningful conversations, try to keep our beautiful UUAvl sanctuary beacon burning bright. It’s the same work as always: we will show up, put Love at the center, and learn how to human, together – come good days or bad.
Remember that we return to two services this week: 9:15 contemplative service, 10:15 coffee & occasional programs, and 11:15 “traditional” service with a full children and youth faith formation program. We’re making room for all the wonderful folx who want to build with us here. And so, with love and gratitude in my heart, I’ll –
See you in church!
Love,
Rev. Audette
See you in Church
Will Jernigan
UU Asheville Board