The 2018 song “A Reminder” by Trever Hall has been on repeat during my Uber driving sessions. “My love is just a reminder, find your center” begins the chorus. It’s a reminder that even the deepest love from another person is simply a call for us to connect with our own center. No amount of love, even from a beloved, will make up for a disconnection from our own individual, inherent worth and dignity.
Attending the April 5th protest in Pack Square, and organizing a sign making party the night before in our own 23 Edwin, I was musing on this lyric. We are living through a moment that feels unreal for many of the people I talk through. Still recovering from a devastating natural disaster, brought on by years of inaction on climate change, we are now trying to weather fully man-made disasters daily as many of the basic agreements that have held our country together across decades of shifts in leadership between political parties are being dismantled in rapid succession.
Each sign, each protest is a great act of love for our country. We had something like 7,500 acts of love this past weekend as we filled the heart of our city demanding a different approach from our leadership. I think a lot of people, as I did, walked away feeling hopeful in a way we have not in several months. But I think I am also not alone in walking away in awe of the work that is before us.
No, even the best, most sustained protest will not heal the heart of our country. I believe that it is of vital importance that we remember that protests, as large and loud and lovely as they are, still are just a reminder. While no act of love is wasted (and I truly believe that) no perfectly organized sunny Saturday rally is going to affect the change we so desperately need to center civility, compassion and character at the heart of this country. The soul of this nation is centered in the daily relationships we cultivate, in the energy we invest in our communities, in the sustained organizing work that occurs in the walls of our congregation and beyond.
I left Saturday’s protest feeling more ready to do that work and I hope that you feel the same.
How is it with your spirit? As the incredible beauty of a Western North Carolina spring blooms around us and Easter approaches, it is a powerful spiritual tonic to look to the re-awakening world, bursting in beauty around us, and remember that there are hopeful signs everywhere. Mass protests growing. A vegan-strong Black Senator breaking the evil record of an anti-civil rights filibuster. Wisconsinites making it clear their judiciary cannot be bought. The strength of “voluntourism” in Asheville, as our congregation hosts multiple sets of volunteers from around the country. And our own congregation, filled to the rafters each Sunday with people of all ages, singing joyfully and leaning into the work of creating a better world, and a safe community for all our beloveds.
Even as we face the significant challenges of the world and our own budget strains, we are seeing signs of growth everywhere. In March, our new member class had 34 people! A majority of them signed the book – and our New Member Sunday, along with a family/child dedication and our bridging ceremony for our youth – is coming up in May. You don’t have to look far to be nurtured by the beauty of the world and the hope that a healthy, thriving community can bring.
Even though it’s crowded, keep coming, week after week. Help us build and grow. We need each other and places like UU Asheville now more than ever. And love is waiting for you, right here.
Vibrant Sunday services, lots of visitors and new members, a wealth of small groups to choose from, a bustling Faith Formation program. The positive energy around UU Asheville is palpable. Yet our congregation finds itself at a critical turning point in our financial health. After three years of deficit budgets covered by funds from our contingency fund, it is time to broaden our base of support. Here are two ways you can join us in making this happen.
First, make sure you have filled out your commitment form for the Annual Budget Drive. Each Sunday in March we have heard from our own members about the positive impact of this congregation on their lives. Each and every commitment is critical. By widening our circle of stewards or increasing your annual pledge, no matter the size, together we can reach our goal of a sustainable budget. It is as easy as clicking on this link: https://uuasheville.org/annual-giving-drive/
Second, support the work of our new FUNraising Team. These stellar folks are working to create social events open to the wider community. Each ticket sold for their events goes toward our operating budget and broadens our base of financial support.
The Bunny Breakfast on April 5th and the Asheville’s Got Talent Showcase on May 31st are right around the corner. The team would appreciate your help in spreading the word around town or on social media. They also need volunteers to support the events which is a great way to give back to the congregation with a short-term commitment.
Now more than ever UU Asheville provides shelter for the storm. Let’s all work together to make sure this shelter has a strong foundation.
The theme among the Soul Matters groups, the Faith Formation classes, and our congregation this month is Trust, which I am having a hard time with these days. I’m having a hard time trusting elected representatives when they host town halls full of angry people and their take away is that they are doing a great job. I have a hard time trusting elected representatives when they don’t stick up for the people they represent, agreeing to bills that have no place being passed by our legislature. I have a hard time trusting that there are still good people in our immigration system when green-card holders are being deported for their free speech. I have a hard time trusting that the moral arc of the universe is still bending towards justice.
And I have been having a hard time trusting myself to do the work I know needs to be done to resist. While I was preparing to go to the town hall last week, I was stressing over what questions I was going to take with me to ask (someone had told me that printing them out ahead of time would be a good idea). And yet… When I arrived on the AB Tech campus, I saw the thousands of people that showed up and I saw the organizers walking up and down the line passing out fliers about more ways to act up and speak out. One organizer passed out a thoroughly researched and lengthy list of questions to ask our representative. The stress about making sure that I, on my own, was enough was understandable if I was actually standing alone. But… I wasn’t. There were so many who were acting together, and I didn’t have to be enough. We all had to play our part in the movement to hold our representative accountable on that Thursday afternoon. Did it work? Probably not, but THE WORK CONTINUES nonetheless. So now we go back to organizing in midst of our myriad lives, in small meetings and Signal threads, working to push back and to protect one another. But we do it now knowing that we aren’t alone in the work.
Maybe you have seen these posters hanging in our lobby and social hall since the election in November. I picked those up from an artist in Colorado Springs after the election in 2016, and brought them in. They’ve hung in our home for years. THE WORK CONTINUES, they affirm, in strong black type. STAY TRUE. STAY STRONG. STAY IN LOVE. They cajole us in red type. I might add, TRUST EACH OTHER and TRUST THAT THERE IS A FORCE OF LOVE MOVING AMONG US because those are messages I need to be reminded of on a daily basis.
This month our Soul Matters Theme is “living love through the practice of trust.” When reality and the news headlines seem surreal it is often difficult to trust that all will be well. And yet history reminds us that perseverance and hope (hope that fuels collective action) move us in the direction of justice. We engage with focus because we can’t do it all. We rest because we need to recharge our spirits with beauty and delight in nature, in each other, in art and that which brings joy. Then we engage again because we are faithful people. A people whose values and UU tradition call us to co-create a world in which all can thrive. As you consider your role in the work, I offer this spiritual practice Planting the Seeds of the Future shared by Rev. Cameron Trimble.
“When everything feels like it’s unraveling, it can be easy to focus only on what is lost. But even in collapse, we have the power to plant seeds for what will come next.
Today, take a small, intentional action that reflects the world you long to see. Maybe it’s offering help to a neighbor, showing up for a community event, writing a letter to someone in power, or supporting an organization doing good work. Maybe it’s as simple as pausing to remind yourself: I will not let fear dictate who I become.
Whatever it is, do it as an act of faith. Trust that even in the breaking, new life is taking root. Keep planting. The future is not yet written.”
Take good care, Beloveds. I look forward to seeing you in June when I return from my sabbatical. Here is my pre- sabbatical blog in case this is a surprise. Nos vemos en junio. See you in June.
These are the days when the news is JUST TOO MUCH. I know, I know – I can’t count how many times someone has told me they can’t follow the news because….it’s too much.
We also need to know and love ourselves and each other enough to know when the storm signals are up. In times like these, it’s pretty easy to fall into some hurting places without even realizing it. High stress is much closer to hand. You might discover you’re crispy and need some real rest and practices of restoration. It helps to know what it might look like if your body is trying to signal the need for a break or some extra care and rest.
YOU MIGHT BE TOO CRISPY IF…
…you find yourself irritated by dozens of small things every day.
…you are arguing with loved ones or friends or colleagues more often.
…you find your heart races when the news comes on.
…things you usually enjoy have lost some of their savor.
…your sleep is disrupted.
…you insist on your way more often than is usual.
…you find yourself trying to exert control over your environment, or your circumstances.
In trying times, it’s pretty easy to become trying people. This is normal stuff. But what helps is slowing down; making more conscious choices about where to put your attention. Watch comedies; laughing helps a lot. So does dancing and singing. Get outside, even when it’s cold. Make sure you have good sleep hygiene.
Checking out isn’t a long-term sustainable strategy for our communal survival; we do need you aware and involved with a few key areas of our communal life, so we can make our way to a better world. And taking action can do a lot to relieve stress! But you can tap out for a day or a week or a while – that’s why we have community, so we can tag team the challenges.
So if you’re finding yourself a little more cranky or feeling stressed, just remember: it’s normal, and take care of yourself so we can take care of each other. And don’t forget – joining us each Sunday is highly healing! “All of us need all of us to survive.”
Love to each and every one of you – see you in church
Dazed, devastated, demoralized…and that’s before my morning coffee. It’s going to be a long four years.
As Rev. Audette noted in a recent sermon, UU Asheville can be our sanctuary, a place that reminds us we are not alone in our turmoil. For me, a sense of connection is more important now than ever, keeping me from feeling swallowed up by the chaos around us.
Of course, if you trend toward introversion as I do, it’s not easy to establish those relationships at Sunday services – even if you do your best to follow Rev. Audette’s advice to talk with three new people each week. Sure, some of us walk into Sandburg Hall with eyes peeled, on the lookout for anyone appearing lonely or uncomfortable. Others of us – too often, me – are on the lookout for familiar faces, eager to glom on as long as they’ll have us.
But we are so much more than Sunday services. If you haven’t yet found a niche here (e.g., social justice involvement, an interest group, volunteering in Children and Youth Faith Formation) – or perhaps you have room for more than one – I want to encourage you to consider the Soul Matters program. Soul Matters groups are small, monthly gatherings of 7-10 people who follow a year-long program focused on UU themes and values (e.g., justice, generosity, inclusion). The format allows for highly meaningful listening and discussion, as well as the development of deep trust and connection among participants.
Despite being a member of this congregation for more than 20 years, I joined my first Soul Matters group just 18 months ago, after I retired. It was such a rewarding experience that this year I opted to co-facilitate a group. Ours is a writing-focused type; members share a short piece of personal writing each month that relates to the theme. I am amazed at how quickly this practice has facilitated deep bonds and empathy among us. When I see another group member on Sundays, even if across the sanctuary, I feel an instant spark of connection.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, there is a Soul Matters group launching this month, Taste of Soul, for folks who want to get involved mid-year. Or look for the call for participants that will come out this summer for the 2025-2026 program. In addition to the writing-focused variety, there are also groups that are fully conversational, including one conducted in Spanish, as well as those that are oriented around art and creativity.
In the meantime, I will keep working on my “greet three” resolution on Sundays. If you see me first,please say hello!
I’m sure a lot of you have been having some of the same feelings that I have since the new administration took over the White House a month ago. Horror and shock, even though they are doing exactly the things they said they would. Anger and helplessness, even as we have to keep doing the normal and mundane things that keep our lives going. Especially here in Asheville, where life is still so much harder in the wake of a major natural disaster. We are all worried for our loved ones, near and far, as Americans are under attack by our own government. A lot of us are wondering – what can I do?
Here’s the thing though – you’re already doing the work. You’re coming to church on Sundays to be in community with us. Every time you walk through our doors, it’s an act of resistance. You’re taking some time out of the grind to be intentionally loving to yourself and others. Maybe you’re on the board, or part of a committee, or maybe you help put away tables and chairs or open the door and greet people on Sunday mornings. You are engaging with this intentional community that seeks to make the world a better place. You are also doing one more really important thing, you are showing up for our children and youth.
Every Sunday morning, dozens of children and youth come into this place and they bring their worries, hopes, and dreams. Over the last 10 years I have watched this congregation transform from a place where children and adults were routinely separated and siloed into a truly multigenerational community. You can see it when our Sanctuary is overflowing and our children are right up front, the best seats in the house, so they can see and engage with our sacred rituals. Our kids bring their whole authentic selves to us and they are surrounded by loving adults who are fighting for them. One of the most important things we are doing is raising the next generation of Unitarian Universalists. When you show up to eat pancakes and support our youth on their journey to General Assembly this year, when you smile at a little kid who may be here for the first time, and when you use a youth’s new pronouns without batting an eye, you are telling our children and youth that they are important and their voices are important and that we are here to listen to them and protect them to best of our abilities. This Sunday is our annual YRUU worship service – show up for our youth and hear what they have to say!
After seven years of ministry with UU Avl, I will be embarking on a three-month sabbatical. I’ve been putting it off for a while. There was Rev. Ward’s retirement, the arrival of an interim minister, COVID, and welcoming a new minister. This year it could have been “the world is on fire!” I thought , “How can I take a sabbatical?” And then I thought of the importance of rest after seven years of an engaging, joyful, productive, and at times, challenging ministry with this Beloved Community. We have done good work together in Faith Formation and Justice Ministry and, spoiler alert, there is so much more to do to meet the challenges ahead of us! However, as Wayne Muller writes in “Sabbath; Finding Rest and Delight in Our Busy Lives” “Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do not stop when we are finished…Sabbath dissolves the artificial urgency of our days, because it liberates us from the need to be finished.” My ministry with you is not finished, but it is time for rest, reflection and rededication of my energies. I imagine my sabbatical as time to listen to the longings of my soul, time for mindfulness and healing practices, time to witness the beauty of places and people I will encounter on my sabbatical journey without having a to do list or urgent deadlines. I’ve been preparing for this sabbatical by reading and reflecting on the art of pilgrimage. One journey I will be making is a walk on the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. I look forward to days of walking with all I need on my back accompanied by my beloved partner, Steve, and to meeting fellow pilgrims along the way. The thought of focusing on the trail, at times along the shore, and being with my thoughts and open to serendipity is exciting. It will allow me to go inward to revisit my priorities, explore my longings and fears as well as experience the joy of engaging in a different way with the world. It will prepare me to return to our community re-energized and rested, ready to support the amazing ministry that is happening in this community. You can be sure to hear a sermon from me about my journeys physical and existential when I return. I also intend to spend time with friends and family, and (no surprise) I have a stack of books I want to read during this time. My sabbatical will begin March 17, so I will still be here for a while. I am finalizing my sabbatical plan to make sure my areas of responsibility are all covered. I look forward to returning June 17 ready to resume our work together. With love & gratitude, Rev. Claudia Jiménez, Minister of Faith Formation
Since Hurricane Helene, Rev. Claudia, congregational leaders and I have had many conversations about how our plans for the year have changed. This is, of course, only my second year here with you all as your Lead Minister. Last year was an “ok, so how do we do things here together?” year. We certainly all had high hopes, I think, that this year would feel like a “taking off” kind of year – we had had a chance to make plans, we weren’t starting everything from scratch.
Except we were, we just didn’t know it. That’s really the way life is. What’s the old saw? “Humans plan and God laughs.” While that’s not a theology I subscribe to, the point is taken.
So here we are, living in this reality – the one in which old Biff clearly stole the deLorean, or maybe George Bailey was never born. So ok. We’re doing this. Now what does this world ask of us?
From a ministry perspective, it asks two basic things. One is that we focus the majority of our institutional energy on taking care of each other. That does mean practical things, like we need a building to provide sanctuary to each other and all those whom we love and want to bring into our ever-widening circle. But from those conversations together with ministers, ministerial interns, staff and leaders, it means: we focus on pastoral care this year. We take care of each other. The second thing is, we nurture each other into action – we fill each other’s cups with love and courage so each of us can do something to make the world a little better.
Stick with me for a few more minutes. I want to offer some advice (!) for both things.
I’ve been asked by more than one person what I recommend for developing a daily spiritual practice from scratch. So assuming you’ve already considered the big ones: personal prayer, meditation, time in nature, gratitude practice, reading & studying various forms of scripture, perhaps using lectio divina. You can certainly consider the valuable advice in one of my favorite UU books on the subject, Everyday Spiritual Practice. But if you’re asking me personally, beyond these suggestions, I gently offer the following ideas:
A morning or evening practice of reading a few pages from a spiritual author you love. For my spirit, Anne Lamott is my go-to. Funny, vulnerable as hell, deeply spiritually wise and an amazing writer, she helps me stay in the world when it gets really tough. Right now I am reading Help, Thanks, Wow and Hallelujah Anyway. But ask your friends and neighbors for their suggestions, too.
“Morning Pages.” This practice, from The Artist’s Way, is a tried and true way to flush the crud out from your mind and spirit. You just start the day, preferably before you do anything else, by writing three full pages of…whatever. It could just start with “I don’t have anything to say, I don’t know what to write, why the heck am I doing this…” but you stick with writing WHATever comes to mind for three pages, and it tends to work. It shifts the landscape, both mental and emotional. Frees you for better, more creative thinking. I’m geek enough that I could tell you the neurobiology of why it works, but just – trust me and the millions for whom it has.
Love on something. A person. A pet. A kid. A friend, near or far. Send some love to a politician or leader who did something you appreciate. Send some to a politician or leader that’s driving you nuts. “I would love for you to experience love in such a way that it stops you from being such a <insert preferred colorful expression.>” That’s fair. It’s still wishing for more love in this old world.
Last but not least, try some somatic practices. I have a big variety here on my changecrafting.org website page.
I know this is long, but the other thing we really all have to do is TAKE SOME DANG ACTION. The world is on fire, so we need all hands on deck. Just briefly, here are some things I highly recommend.
One, you can join me and other UUs for my On Freedomclasses in Feb & March
Sign up for https://5calls.org/ They will keep you informed on the most critical things and make it easy to make calls or contact your reps about things that matter. WE REALLY NEED TO DO THIS.
I’m writing to you as a recently minted trustee for UUCA, on the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day — the same day the chief justice will swear in the next president of the United States. It strikes me as a strange and dissonant moral coincidence, a day scheduled to honor two such vastly different public figures.
The forecast is calling for bitterly cold weather, and I believe a lot of us are feeling the chill. We know we stand on the side of love, no matter where you come from, no matter your history or your heritage; we’ve stood together in the Sanctuary and lifted every voice and sang: Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around…turn me around…. Yet many of us also expect some frank challenges to our values in the months ahead. The incoming president has told us what he wants to accomplish, and the mind races. State ownership of the media? Mass deportation of the undocumented? Reproductive choice curtailed still further? Armed men called to arrest those who gather in protest when citizens’ civil and constitutional rights are violated?
If all this sounds like hyperbole: it was only a generation ago that the Commissioner of Public Safety of Birmingham, Alabama — white supremacist Bull Connor — ordered fire hoses and police attack dogs against civil rights activists, and jailed hundreds including scores of minors (ages 6-17) who were charged as vagrants so they could be denied access to attorneys and family members for three days. Connor later led the Alabama delegation to the Democratic National Committee, where they walked out over the committee’s move to include a plank for civil rights in the national platform. American leaders are fully capable of supreme acts of injustice and cowardice dressed up as “toughness.” Too many of our fellow citizens would participate in similar acts, or look the other way. Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are being dismantled everywhere. And so for me tonight, Dr. King’s words in his final public speech the evening before his assasination ring louder than before. “I don’t know what will happen now,” he said. “We’ve got some difficult days ahead.”
Personally, I can’t bear to let blatant injustice stand. If (for example) we allow U.S. agencies to separate families at the southern border, losing hundreds of children in the process, and lock people up without due process into the huge new detention facilities that will be needed for mass deportation — I will stand up and work to stop it. Any of us may arrive at a moment or a situation where we have to put down our regular activities and take up something new and urgent for brothers and sisters threatened with extreme mistreatment. Until then — on the eve of a discouraging inauguration — I take inspiration from some less well-known words of King’s from that same speech delivered his last night on Earth:
“Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness. Let us rise up with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”
Let us push back along the moral arc of the universe with the weight of history, truth, justice for all — standing on the side of love.
My family is not a storytelling family. No, we are a story repeating family. We will tell the same stories over and over when we are together, often using the same words and the same inflection and the same jokes. I do this too. My wife Allison will roll her eyes and settle in whenever I get started. I definitely get it from parents, and they come by it honestly themselves. My mom’s family will tell the same stories about my grandfather’s fight with that one ram (the ram got the last word) and the year their house burned down. We could tell different stories, and we do, but there is something that ties together our identity as a family when we repeat those stories to each other.
In my work at this congregation, I am always listening for the stories that people are telling about themselves and about their history. The stories of those of us, myself included, that became exiles of other religious traditions often resonate with each other in ways that are hard to explain. To then join another tradition or congregation, to take a leap into a new community and join in the telling of a new collective story, is not insignificant. I know I have been hesitant in the past to toss my lot in with new communities, fearing a collective story that hurts rather than heals. However, for the 27 folks who became members of our congregation since last April, they were brave enough and hopefully welcomed by us enough to toss their lots anyway. I’m grateful for them and look forward to celebrating with them this Sunday at service.
When I think about collective stories and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I am reminded of one of my professors, a Rabbi, who taught us how vital the stories behind holidays are to the identities of diasporic peoples, whether they be Jewish or Black Americans. Holidays like MLK Day and Juneteenth are a collection of opportunities for Black Americans to tell stories of survival and triumph over oppression, creating a new collective identity. And while I think White Americans are beginning to understand that, I think we too often forget that Black Americans need those new stories because their old ones were excised during the middle passage and the years of slavery.
The power of collective stories is important to identity but it’s also important to future action. My mother and her siblings all still make sure to put all their coat-hangers facing the same direction because it’s easier to grab an armload of clothes and run out of a burning house that way. UUs share in rituals in order to remind ourselves of the kind of lives we wish to lead. We as a country need to be reminded that 60 years ago, we lived in a world where the Black population of this country had far fewer rights, and it took mass actions of disruption to change that. Not just one march on Washington, but decades of strategic actions. These stories of a country struggling toward collective liberation should encourage us to vigilance and awareness in our own time of struggle. May they also rally us to action to ensure that we continue bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice, toward liberation, toward love.
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.
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 Churchor my On Freedomclasses. 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 –
Hurricane Helene’s impact on Asheville was devastating, leaving behind a trail of destruction that seemed insurmountable. Yet, amidst the fallen trees, flooded streets, and damaged homes, a remarkable spirit of resilience emerged. Our community, known for its vibrant culture and strong sense of togetherness, found itself tested in ways we never imagined.
The storm’s fury knocked us down, but it couldn’t break us. We emerged from the wreckage, battered but unbowed, ready to face the challenges ahead. The road to recovery would be long and arduous, but we knew that we would not walk it alone.
In the days and weeks following the hurricane, our community came together like never before. Neighbors helped neighbors, strangers became friends, and acts of kindness blossomed everywhere. Community centers transformed into shelters, churches opened their doors to those in need, and volunteers mobilized to clear debris and provide essential supplies.
The spirit of giving and compassion was palpable. Local businesses donated food and supplies, restaurants cooked hot meals for those without power, and individuals opened their homes to those who had lost theirs. We learned that in the face of adversity, the human spirit can shine brighter than ever.
As the days have turned into months, the initial shock and awe give way to a determination to rebuild. We roll up our sleeves and get to work, clearing debris, repairing homes, repairing our spirits, and restoring our community. We face each challenge with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that every step is a step forward.
The journey to recovery has been arduous, but it has also been a transformative experience. We have learned the true meaning of resilience, the power of community, and the importance of human connection. We have discovered that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
As we reflect on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we are filled with gratitude for the countless individuals who stepped up to help. Their selfless acts of kindness have left an indelible mark on our community. We are also grateful for our UU Asheville community, a source of strength and inspiration.
Maya Angelou says, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Hurricane Helene may have knocked us down, but it cannot break our spirit. We will rise stronger, we will flood back love.
Since the election there have been many conversations about how we move forward in justice engagement in the face of rising fascism in our country. As a minister convening our Justice Ministry Council this has been on my mind. In conversations with some of you I hear the frustration, anger, and fear that the coming administration elicits. And I ask myself, how are we going to be called to live into our values in these times? It is important we grieve and acknowledge our dismay with the outcome of the election. And we also are called to explore what our engagement will be moving forward.
I have been avoiding news and doomscrolling. Hearing about cabinet nominations from friends and the occasional perusal of the newspaper are deeply disturbing. Since the election, I have been focusing on being in community, meeting with justice partners and being open to joy and gratitude as I move through my day. Activist Brian McClaren recently shared an Advent reflection about joy as defiance, not denial. He said being constantly angry and enraged leads to exhaustion. We do not want to be exhausted when the calls to action arise.
Embracing joy alongside the harsh realities we face can support us in being defiant and not defeated. When I get caught up in the overwhelming predicament our country (and the world) face with the rise of fascism, the climate crisis, war and so on, I feel like we have no agency. And yet, we do have agency. We are all part of communities and institutions that have ideological power, relational power and tangible resources that can be a force for defiance when facing leadership that promises to enact policies that contradict basic values of equity, equality, democracy and human rights we embrace as UUs.
During these long dark, cold nights may we find ways to heal and gather strength surrounded by our loved ones, to find joy in our daily routines and to carefully ponder the commitments we will make and honor when the new administration is installed. I invite you to consider these frameworks as you explore your bandwidth and capacity for engagement. Rev. Audette and I will host conversations about our justice priorities and congregational engagement moving forward. Details will be shared in the e-news after the winter holidays. I look forward to figuring out how to live into our UU values together.
Until then, may the holiday season find you surrounded by loving community and moments of joy and delight.
With love, Rev Claudia Minister of Faith Formation
Over the years, I’ve had to wrestle with some difficult newsletter articles. Times of war, or heartbreaking gun violence; natural disasters and distressing political events. I’m not sure I’ve ever had to wrangle my heart and ministry quite in this way before – at least, that’s how it feels. Still, the way to begin remains the same: facing the future, together. As a community. As a family of the heart.
I am big on the power of liminal times. In the days before my birthday, or here at the end of one year, as we pause on the cusp of the turning of the calendar, I believe in the value of taking some quiet time to reflect, alone and within spiritual community. It’s a chance to remember who we are. To ask if we are living our deepest values, and if not, where to adjust. It’s that opportunity to look ahead and decide how we intend to show up: what do we need to prepare, so that we are not overtaken by habit or circumstance, easily thrown off our best intentions or unable to hear clear direction from the small, still voice within. This is a time that invites introspection, and encourages thoughtful, grounded planning for living lives of meaning and purpose.
I know, from my own experience and from conversations with many people both in and outside the congregation, that these days feel especially fraught. It’s difficult to judge how to prepare for what’s coming. Here’s the thing: our forebrains are basically prediction machines. And in times as unclear and uncertain as these, they have a really hard time predicting what’s coming next, which creates a tension that ratchets anxiety right up – which we then deal with in a variety of ways. Some people are more easily moved to tears. Some find themselves short-tempered and cranky. Others check out hard – or worse, default to addictive behaviors. In general, it’s harder to be our best selves when we are overwhelmed with uncertainty. So if you find yourself having a harder time than usual, know that you’re not alone.
There is no magic cure for what ails us. And yet, here at the end of one year, on the precipice of what feels like a seachange in our democratic experiment, we still have all the same things we did last year: a community, built on enduring values. The beauty of the world, even when it’s been transformed by climate change. The salvific power of neighbors helping neighbors, and mutual aid. Our own hearts, minds, and hands, magnified when we turn them to common purpose.
Now more than ever, please remember: you are not alone, and we, together, have the power to create sanctuary for those we love. In the days ahead, we will make manifest the power of sanctuary, as we UUs engage with Pink Haven (https://www.pinkhaven.org/) and pay close attention to what sanctuary means within the context of a hostile state, determined to inflict as much harm on those who have fled disaster in their home countries, dreaming of a safer harbor here in the US. We will contemplate sanctuary as the place of rest and recommitment that we build together each time we gather, bravely navigating the world to come – just as we have always done.
So here at the close of the year, we hope you will join us – for music, laughter at the Reader’s Theatre evening, as parents having a Night Out thanks to our youth, for grieving together at the When the Holidays Hurt service, to celebrate with joy at our family and all-ages services, and for our Christmas Eve concert and candlelight service. We will nurture our spirits, hold each other close, and holding hands, face the future together.
As this is written, Asheville just had its first Code Purple event of the season, meaning that due to cold temperatures, emergency overflow shelters are open for our unhoused neighbors.
Our congregation has what I like to think of as a “ministry of warmth”—Fiber Friends! We gather monthly to craft in community, and part of our mission is creating warm products for cold weather: hats, scarves, wrist warmers, mittens, etc.
We create for all ages and gender identities, with a variety of sizes and colors. Our “adult” sizes are distributed through the BeLoved pantry box beginning with a donation (sometimes wrapped) in December, and a second batch of items given later in the winter. Children and youth sizes are given to Children First for distribution through their programs. At our November meeting, we set aside 38 items for BeLoved and 42 for Children First.
The warmth we share is not only physical. We provide emotional warmth through donations of handmade dishcloths/washcloths to seniors through the Santa for Seniors program of Meals on Wheels. Sixty-seven cloths were sent to MoW in November.
We also create warmth within our community as we talk while crafting. We share stories and events from our lives—family, work, health, whatever is on our minds or in our hearts. Join us with your personal project(s) or work on one of ours; any craft that can be comfortably done in your lap is welcome. We meet the first Saturday of each month—the weekly Enews will have details. Contact Mara (mara_sprain@yahoo.com) to get on the reminder email list.
I had the opportunity to attend a UUA youth summit with a few of our amazing high schoolers and YRUU Advisor Jim Gamble last weekend in Oak Ridge, TN. What an uplifting experience that was! I’ve got to tell you, folx, I love our youth. They are kind, inclusive, curious, thoughtful, fun, and mature teens. Uniquely themselves and beautiful in their own right, they also have a synergy that creates a positive, respectful, bright light together. I am inspired by our young UUs!
At the youth summit, our Asheville group gathered in person with other teens (and a sprinkling of adults) in tandem with four other host sites across the southern region. We connected with each other and peers new to us; we talked about who we are as a youth group; we dreamed together about what UU youth culture could be; we worshiped, sang, danced a little, ate, and played. It was heartwarming to hear from our articulate Asheville youth that UU youth group is a place where “I can be myself unapologetically,” that “makes me happy, and I am loved for who I am,” and where “I want to explore our diverse lives in the group” (paraphrasing a little as I wasn’t recording during the youth summit). This echoes what I heard recently when I spent time with our middle graders (5th-8th) on a Sunday morning; a common refrain from that set was, “I like being here because I get to spend time with friends I don’t normally get to see during the week and do different things.” (Now weeks ago, I can’t remember all of what they said but do recall having a full heart that day as well.)
This place, the space and time and resources we commit to one another – those who we know and befriend, those younger and older who we don’t know well yet – is not magic (a lot of it is definable math). But its effect is almost magical. Our congregation coming together weekly and more often nurtures the spiritual seeds planted in all of us, and together, we are a bountiful garden. This month and always, I am thankful for our Asheville congregation and wider UU family.
P.s. I also want to share some other good news from our high school youth group, a.k.a., YRUU = Young Religious Unitarian Universalists. Beyond the youth summit, they have had an active fall season together, despite a short hiatus after the storm. They recently completed painting the new street pantry box that is now in place on Charlotte Street (see photos of that weeks-long project below and hear about it from them during worship in December); they processed at PrideFest with our congregation; they prepped postcards for UU the Vote; they made care packages for our recent YRUU graduates; they explored Tarot as spirituality with Rev. Audette; youth families gifted a Soup Sunday to our congregation last month and have another (trip fundraiser) “Soup to Go” this Sunday during the craft fair; they have plans for a wisdom story and Parents Night Out, both in December; and they’ll be leading worship in February. Our congregation is fortunate to have engaged families of all ages, shapes, and sizes. We hope you join us in honoring and supporting them.
And a special shout out to YRUU Advisors Margaret McAlister, Joanne Fox, Jim Gamble, and Sarah Kirkpatrick. Also to Anita Feldman for collaborating on the pantry project with our youth.
In a time of trauma and shock – and Asheville has been through almost unimaginable trauma and shock over the last month and a half – it’s important to focus on first principles: food. Water. Shelter. Securing the safety and wellbeing of those you love. Breathing in. Breathing out. Deep practices of self-care and mutual aid.
In times of turbulent and uncertain, unwanted change, the first principles are the same, with one more element – finding and keeping our eyes on our own North Star, that inner compass which points true to our deepest values and most enduring commitments to Love.
We have always lived in dangerous days; sometimes we are very aware of it, and sometimes, less so. The calls to liberation always are sounding, and our most vulnerable have always needed us to be brave. That hasn’t changed. There may come times in the days ahead when living into your most deeply held values and answering the call of Love will be harder than ever before. We need to be prepared for that. That is why we need each other: to create sanctuary, and practice Love that transforms, even when to do so is to risk everything.
We are still here. We still love what we love, and we will persist, and Love more. And please remember that rest is resistance, joy is essential, and being able to laugh and love even in difficult times is how we make a life. Don’t be afraid of the beauty that still is everywhere in this world.
For now, let the day be enough unto itself, and please – join us here at UU Asheville. To see the faces of those who understand, who are working to build that same better world you dream of, is salvific. We need each other more than ever.
Here for you – Revs. Audette & Claudia Matt Farris & TKay Browning, interns David McKaig, Jen Johnson, Trevor Johson, & Kim Collins – UU Avl Staff
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
Like many of you, I’ve been spending a good bit of time in recent months writing postcards, making phone calls, and participating in door-to-door canvassing. These are activities I had no time for before I retired a year ago. Yet, at every event, I spot other UUs. Each glimpse of a bright “Side with Love” tee-shirt or creative campaign button reminds me how proud I am to be part of this congregation. I don’t always love the campaign activities. For every person who enthusiastically reports favoring pro- reproductive justice candidates (my social justice focus in particular), there are those who shut the door in my face, metaphorically or literally. But from both the 20-somethings and the long-timers with whom I’ve worked, I’ve learned to shrug off negativity.
And here’s what I do love: the community that is built through social justice work. The late psychologist Chris Peterson summarized the field of positive psychology in three words: “Other people matter.” This is not only my motivation for involvement in social justice, but also my reward. Our reproductive justice ministry began a year ago, a group of ten women studying a UU curriculum together. Despite the depressing news of increasingly restrictive abortion rulings around the country (legislation that has caused serious physical harm to women in many states, including the recent death of a woman in Georgia), I left each session comforted by our shared commitment and desire to act. I wasn’t alone in my outrage any longer.
When our congregation voted to make reproductive justice one of our top three justice priorities, along with voting rights and climate justice, our group was ready. We’ve organized and/or participated in a variety of events since January, including fundraising for Planned Parenthood, assembling of abortion care kits, and collaborating with Congregation Beth HaTephila members to show two different documentaries (Plan C and North Carolina’s Abortion Story). As the election nears, our efforts are increasingly directed toward supporting UU values at the polls; for example, with UU the Vote, we co-sponsored a workshop on defusing the antisemitism that is being used as a weapon in local and statewide political campaigns.
I’m proud of our efforts and hopeful we are serving a greater good, but let me be clear: My own contributions are far from selfless. I’ve discovered that the best antidote to my worry or despair is action. If the morning news is grim, I can turn to Rev. Claudia’s Voting Engagement document (updated weekly) and sign up for a new activity. Even better, I am finding connection everywhere I turn while learning about the amazing work of our many diverse justice ministry groups. As goes the title of a song Chris Rosser performed in one Sunday service, “We are each other’s angels.” I am grateful to all of you for supporting the values and work of social justice.
This past Sunday was the kick off for our 2024-25 Children and Youth Faith Formation program! There was a palpable energy in the building when I arrived around 10:30 am. There was a newcomer meeting in the Commons, a Mountain Retreat Committee meeting in the art room, and Faith Formation collaborators were arriving to prep their rooms, pick up their attendance folders, and get ready for Worship. I got to answer questions from the retreat committee, stop by the newcomer gathering to introduce myself and our program, all while on the hunt for the air dry clay that I knew we had somewhere. This all happened before I even made it upstairs! It was my favorite kind of Sunday morning, one where the Congregation is alive and buzzing on the campus.
We all began together in our beautiful Sanctuary for the first part of Worship. We did some of our sacred rituals together; the welcome, the chalice lighting, lifting up our voices together in song, and then our Minister of Faith Formation, Rev. Claudia, sat down on the floor in the front of the Sanctuary to be on the same level as our youngest members. I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember any of my childhood ministers plopping themselves down on the floor to have a conversation and tell a story with the children. After the story, our children and youth went with some of their trusted adults to their new groups; where they
played ice breaker games, made new name tags for the new year, and created covenants with each other.
When Worship was over, people filled up Sandburg Hall, drinking coffee and tea, laughing together while eating cookies, and welcoming newcomers and visitors. Our YRUU youth group met on the lower patio to continue painting the new free pantry that our congregation sponsors with Beloved Asheville. Downstairs in the Commons, we had an orientation for the K-2nd grade Our Whole Lives class that launches next week. Parents and caregivers shared about their families and some of their own experiences, while their kiddos got to meet their OWL teachers, get to know each other, and make some art together.
If you’re wondering what Faith Formation is, it’s this. In the words of Religious Educator Connie Goodbread, “Everything we do is Faith Formation, everything we teach is Unitarian Universalism, the Congregation is the curriculum.” Whenever we are together, it is Faith Formation. When you light a chalice at home with your family, it is Faith Formation. When you march, canvass, and write postcards to get out the vote and fight for equal rights for all, that is Faith Formation. When our children and youth see you out there living your UU values all week long, that is Faith Formation.
Last month my blog focused on the name change from Faith Development to Faith Formation. This month, another name change, the Anti-Racism Immigration Justice Action Group or A-RIJAG is now the Liberation Collective. Group members discussed the importance of collective action in disrupting white supremacy culture and how it is liberatory for people of all identities. The name Liberation Collective made sense (and is shorter).
UU Asheville began the journey of disrupting white supremacy culture with the goal of becoming an anti-racist congregation. Our efforts led us to widen the circle of concern for the freedom of all people recognizing that oppression is intersectional. Multiple oppressions exist simultaneously. We all have a stake in ending them and engaging for collective liberation, freedom for all to thrive. Sometimes we lose focus comparing whose suffering is more significant (often described as the “oppression olympics”). It is a distraction from finding common ground and acting in solidarity. We can use our collective power to disrupt racism and oppression, and contribute to co-creating the Beloved Community we dream about. Moving toward collective liberation is relational, challenging, messy and joyous. The following quote embodies the concept of collective liberation:
“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time.
But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine,
Then let us work together.”
-Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder
The Liberation Collective invites the entire congregation to join in their efforts . It will involve both learning and reflection, as well as collective action in solidarity with siblings who have marginalized identities.. At our monthly meetings we are discussing our congregational read “How We Ended Racism,” by Justin Michael William & Shelly Tielgiski. It has led to rich and vulnerable conversations. We hope other teams and committees will explore ways to reflect on the book together. There will be copies in the UU Avl library for you to borrow.
Rev. Audette and I will be launching a 3rd Wednesday series October 16 “Collective Liberation in Action” to discuss the book, share opportunities for further learning and connect it to our UU theology and values. We will also explore actions we can take to build relationships and connect in solidarity with groups seeking justice in our community. Stay tuned for more information in the e-News.
A few quotes from members of our team:
“Being part of the Liberation Collective means a commitment to work on myself and share my journey, its successes and failures. It also means taking action to dismantle racism and other oppressions, to support healing and reconnection in our community.” -Jensen
Here I can learn and take action in a myriad of ways and join with others who have a similar bent… – Bernise they/them/theirs
“For me, being a part of the Liberation Collective is a responsibility I feel deep within my soul. As a white woman, who has led a privileged life, I must work within my community to undo oppressions and bring justice, in all its forms, for everyone.” – Fredda
Our music program is off to a great start this fall. The UU Asheville Choir has gained some new members and they are looking forward to singing in upcoming 11:15 services. Also, some of our wonderful guest artists, including Chris Rosser and Saro Lynch-Thomason, are scheduled to provide music for some of the 11:15 services over the next few months.
During the past year, our 9:15 services have included mostly pre-recorded music. We would now like to add in some live music to these services, but we need your help! If you play the guitar, the violin or another instrument or sing and would be interested in providing music for the early service, please email Dr. Les at music@uuasheville.org.
As we navigate the landscape of our shared mission, we find ourselves at an exciting juncture. Our congregation has always thrived on the collective strength and creativity of its members, and now we have a unique opportunity to channel that energy into something truly transformative. We’re thrilled to announce a new initiative that invites you to be a part of something special: the UU Asheville Fundraising Team.
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our fundraising team as we embark on a pilot project aimed at energizing and expanding our outreach efforts. This is your chance to contribute to the future of UU Asheville by helping to craft and manage innovative fundraising activities that will support our beloved congregation and increase our visibility in the wider community.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Creative and Strategic Thinkers: If you have a knack for brainstorming fresh ideas and developing strategic plans, we want you!
Strong Communicators: Your ability to articulate our vision and engage others will be key.
Fundraising Experience a Bonus: While a background in fundraising is helpful, it’s not a requirement. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are just as valuable.
Team Players: We need at least four individuals who can collaborate effectively, lead initiatives, and manage execution.
The mission of this team will be to spearhead at least two fundraising events over the next year. These events are not just about raising funds—they are about enhancing our community presence and fostering connections within and beyond our congregation. You will work alongside UU Asheville Interns and will play a crucial role in soliciting volunteers, making strategic decisions, and ensuring the success of each initiative.
At the end of the year, the Board and team will evaluate the impact of these efforts and determine the future direction. Your involvement will not only contribute to our immediate goals but also shape the long-term vision of our fundraising activities.
If this opportunity resonates with you, we encourage you to reach out to Nancy Bragg (njbragg1@gmail.com) of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) at your earliest convenience. Your participation can make a significant difference, and we believe that with your help, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.
Join us in this exciting endeavor and be a driving force behind our community’s growth and success. Together, let’s make a lasting impact!
It’s summer now, but our November annual auction is right around the corner!
The date is Saturday, November 16, 2024. Our theme this year is WELCOME TO THE UU CIRCUS! Mark your calendars! Get your thinking caps on to decide what you might want to offer – lead a hike, host a dinner, teach juggling lessons, provide a face-painting event, donate some home-baked yummies – the possibilities are endless!
Once again this year, we will have an online auction as well as a gala with dinner, a live auction, and a silent auction.
Our auction serves many purposes for the congregation. It’s the largest fundraiser outside of the annual giving drive. Last year we contributed over $32,000 to support the congregation’s work toward connection, inspiration, compassion, and justice. It’s an opportunity to connect and have fun at the gala. And it’s a means for connection and inspiration throughout the year, through such events as dinners, parties, lessons, and hikes.
So, think about it!
What can YOU donate?
How can YOU help with the best and most fun committee ever?
Contact one of our co-chairs, Margaret McAlister or Marta Reese, for more information or with any suggestions or questions.
Summertime has been a wonderful opportunity for downtime and family time. Our youngest daughter was married in NY and a few weeks later I was able to visit familia in Colombia. It had been ten years! It was an amazing trip. Here is a photo from one of the towns we visited, Guatapé. The murals were amazing!
In between trips and throughout this month planning continues at UU Asheville for adult, children and youth Faith Formation. Yes, Faith Formation, a new name to remind us that spiritual deepening, developing UU identity, exploring spiritual practices and living into our UU values are an individual and collective process for all ages. Whew! Faith Formation occurs not only during programs for all ages. It also occurs during worship, vespers, and as we strive to live into our UU values. Next month, Religious Educator, Kim Collins will blog about our plans for Children and Youth Faith Formation. She and Jen Johnson are looking forward to launching our programs for children and youth.
This month I share my excitement for the launch of Adult Faith Formation this congregational year! First, a shout out to our Adult Faith Formation Team: Cathy Gabe, Abby Holmes, Bernise Lynch, Wilma Oman, Kim Collins and Sue Williams – our newest member. We meet monthly and welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program). I am also sharing our tentativecalendar for the fall. Two highlights for you to consider:
An online course focusing on UU views of Jesus discussing the book from “Christ for Unitarian Universalists” facilitated by Amy Glenn Wright. Details here.
An onsite book conversation: “Not the End of The World” by data scientist Hannah Ritchie, meeting between the two Sunday services, 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, & 11/10. The co-facilitators ask, “Are you looking for a fresh perspective on environmental issues? We invite you to join our reading and discussion group starting this September! Our goal is to reframe our views to a historic and data-backed perspective, moving away from the doomsday approach that often dominates conversations. Guided by UU values, we believe that we can take action and create positive change in the world. Now, more than ever, we need optimism over pessimism and cynicism. For the next few months, let’s support one another as we explore these ideas.” Co-facilitators: Kelly McEnany and Olivia Martin
Looking forward to ongoing faith formation at UU Asheville this year that supports our living into our values in this community and beyond.
With gratitude, Rev. Claudia Jiménez Minister of Faith Formation
This Sunday, your energetic and growing Pride + LGBTQIA+ Gender and Sexuality Justice team is offering a free Big Gay Ice Cream Social to our members, friends, and visitors. It’s just one of the ways that we’re working to make sure there’s a big-welcome feeling about our congregation – and to let folx know how we work together to remain one of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s official Welcoming Congregations. We hope you’ll make time for your friends and UUAvl family this coming Sunday, and join us!
One thing I know about UU Avl is that it’s invested in being a warm and welcoming congregation. It’s one of the (many) things that drew me to you, and also one of the descriptors we hear often from people who know us. But being welcoming is a big and never-ending job. Communities of friends and folx who know each other can quickly fall into “insider” behavior before they know, and create barriers to a genuinely inclusive atmosphere. Sometimes we use lingo, like saying “UUA” or “23” around newcomers. Sometimes we gather with our friends in coffee hour without making sure to “say hello to three” – taking a look around and saying hello to three people we don’t know or haven’t had a chance to speak to personally as yet. As an introvert, I get that this can be tough for some folx – but also as an introvert, I know how wonderful it feels when someone takes the time to break the ice, so when it comes to the communities I am a part of, I push past any discomfort – because I want to be sure others feel safe and included when they enter in. We are ALL on the welcome team.
Welcome means other things, too, of course. It’s always wearing your name tag. It’s using and asking for pronouns. It’s making sure the path to the accessible bathroom remains open and untrammeled during coffee hour, so anyone with mobility issues can access it easily. It means parking a little further away, so visitors or newcomers can find a parking spot. It’s volunteering to make coffee or staff our welcome table. It’s offering childcare for activities that are adults-only. It’s paying attention to our practices of accessibility in worship and everyday activities. And more.
We will always be about the work of learning, growing, and doing more. I am just grateful to be able to serve a community where this is an active practice and an ongoing conversation. So tell me: how will you help build our Big-Welcome this week?
August finds us deep in the throes of summer. The solstice has passed but the weather has stayed warm and sticky. It’s the season of days by the pool, hikes to swimming holes, or maybe a road trip to visit family or a national park. All of these outdoor activities get me thinking about my introduction to The Church of the Blue Dome.
As young parents at the turn of the millennium, we felt it was time to seek a new spiritual home. We were living in Tallahassee, Florida, a pocket of blue in a conservative part of the state much like Asheville. We found the small UU fellowship and decided to give it a try. After a few visits we were ready to pursue membership and signed up for their newcomer class, ‘UU 101’.
Trudee, the facilitator of the class, was a long-time member and trustee. She kicked off with a round of introductions asking that we describe our spiritual path that had brought us to Unitarian Universalism. Trudee led off by describing her upbringing in a mainline Protestant denomination but drifting away as a young adult. For many years she and her husband considered themselves members of The Church of the Blue Dome. They found their spiritual connection through being out in nature.
This story really resonated with me. I had a similar experience as a young adult. My mom even gave me a shirt with a quote from Steve McQueen, “I’d rather sleep in the middle of nowhere than any city on Earth.”
While Trudee still spent plenty of time in nature, it was the community that she found at the UU Fellowship in Tallahassee that led her to a deeper spirituality. This is another parallel in our paths. Our experience in Tallahassee, then Raleigh, and now Asheville has been one of community.
Summer is a season that our family packs in as many outdoor adventures as we can. There are lots of days in The Church of the Blue Dome. We can rest and recharge in the dark days of winter. It feels good to reconnect with the natural world but it also makes me look forward to reconnecting with our UU community in the fall.
I wish you long summer days with family and friends and look forward to seeing you back at UU Asheville in the fall.
Today, set aside time to hold space for the grief caused by this tragedy and so many others we have lived through.
Big Gay Ice Cream Social to our members, friends, and visitors. It’s just one of the ways that we’re working to make sure there’s a big-welcome feeling about our congregation – and to let folx know how we work together to remain one of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s official 
rm and sticky. It’s the season of days by the pool, hikes to swimming holes, or maybe a road trip to visit family or a national park. All of these outdoor activities get me thinking about my introduction to The Church of the Blue Dome.