Editor’s note: This post was created by request because of the number of our members who are experiencing difficulties with phishers, hackers, and other ne’er-do-wells. It’s difficult to deal with spiritual growth when you’re worried out of your mind. Dave has given us a gift of clarity on Things We Can Do to navigate these times. — RK “I’ve Been Hacked!” A common refrain in this digital age. Let’s look at what it means, how it happens, and how to avoid it happening. “I’ve been hacked!” A common refrain in this digital age. Let’s look at what it means, how it happens, and how to avoid it happ ..read more

Rev. Bob Renjilian led this program on Tuesday, October 26th. It was an evening discussion of environmentalism sustained and guided by religion. As Terry Tempest Williams was quoted in the book All We Can Save : “Soul and soil are not separate. Neither are wind and spirit nor water and tears. We are eroding and evolving, at once, like the red rock landscape before me.” Our Unitarian Universalist values call us to spiritual growth, the wisdom of Earth-based traditions, and respect for the interdependent web. Rev. Bob starts off by grounding us with a rich meditation that made the entire evening ..read more

They are everywhere around here. Bikes on the back of cars. Bikes on trails. Bikes on roads. Bikes in shops. The local tourism board promotes Brevard as a biking destination. Ads in major bicycle magazines tout the community’s amazing biking, both on and off roads. I moved to Brevard in large part due to the amazing mountain biking this area has to offer. However, this vision of Brevard as a bicycle mecca is only partly true. We do indeed have amazing trails and roads with a lot of elevation for avid cyclists to enjoy. GIF by Power Meter City “Breaking the habit of driving to reduce carbon em ..read more

Vanessa Cowie, Ian Cowie, Mae Peterson During this year’s virtual annual gathering of UU’s, better known as General Assembly, we were the delegates from UUTC. There were 2,025 delegates representing 622 congregations from 49 states, Canada, and Mexico. As delegates, we experienced the democratic process at each of five business sessions. We voted on by-law changes and resolutions. If interested in business details, follow this link:  https://www.uua.org/ga/program/business-agenda. Below are short articles highlighting our experiences. Vanessa Cowie The Unitarian Universalist Association o ..read more

7th Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of All Existence of Which We Are a Part American Goldfinch eating coneflower seeds in a locust snag. “Our seventh Principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence, is a glorious statement. Yet we make a profound mistake when we limit it to merely an environmental idea. It is so much more. It is our response to the great dangers of both individualism and oppression. It is our solution to the seeming conflict between the individual and the group. “Our seventh Principle may be our Unitarian Universalist way of coming to fully embrac ..read more

Gardening for the Future Spring is around the corner; at least that is what the robins have whispered in my ear on these chilly, drizzly February mornings! Some people that are ready to meet the new season are the students at Davidson River School (DRS). In partnership with UUTC, led by the Social Action Team and aided by UUTC members and Cooperative Extension Director Bart Renner, the students are embarking on a journey toward a community garden in their school community. Healthy foods will be grown and used in meals as as snacks for the students. Ideas like a healthy, yum ..read more

If you subscribe to the Transylvania Times, you probably received an envelope last week encouraging you to Buy a Brick to support the Rosenwald Revitalization Plan. Hold that thought. Rev. Bob and RK attended a meeting of the Mary C. Jenkins Task Force, held at the city Chambers, in which architectural drawings were receiving the final approvals, and the playground was discussed. Many donors have already come forward to help get this playground moving, and the City of Brevard is funding the construction of the new Mary C. Jenkins Community Center. This project will help to make the neighborho ..read more

Power Up was power-full!  Full of enthusiasm, full of generosity and full of gratitude.  On Nov. 8th, members of UUTC joined with members from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and the Jewish community to deliver meals to raise funds to aide in assisting Sharing House in the coming winter months.  Sharing House used the monies raised to help those who need help in paying their heating bills.  Over $21,000 has been raised! Thanks to the great planning by Polly Averette and UUTC Friend Luanne Allgood, the event evolved smoothly from an inside sit-down meal to a completely Covid s ..read more

Power Up! Returns for 2020 Bobby King 2020 is different in just about every way. But the fact that our neighbors need help paying their heating bills remains the same. In fact, the need is greater than ever. Did you know that in 2018, Sharing House’s biggest client expense was heating assistance, and that 80% of those receiving assistance were employed? UUTC is again partnering with St. Philip's, and the Brevard Jewish Community, to sponsor a COVID-acceptable event to raise needed funds for Sharing  House to assist local families with fuel assistance this winter. On Sunday, Nov. 8, f ..read more

Photo by Sarah Rogine A recent collaboration between Pisgah Labs and our Dignity Project is aimed at helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Transylvania County. The Dignity Project has been distributing products not covered by the Food Stamp (SNAP) program to area human service organizations for the past three years. These items include soap, condoms, shampoo, diapers, toothpaste, and other personal care items. Until recently, we also distributed feminine hygiene products. Since the UUTC Dignity Project budget has been stretched, we recently coordinated with Project Dignity of WNC, Inc. (f ..read more