As part of my work here at UU Asheville, I am compelled to contemplate “What is community?” Often in progressive spaces, and especially in progressive faith spaces, a common refrain is “It doesn’t matter who you are, you are welcome here!” I don’t like that sentiment. Yes, we need to create an inclusive space and third spaces need to be fully accessible, but… it does matter who you are! Who we are matters and should matter in community. We should reckon with the joy and rawness of each other’s lives. Details, identities, disabilities, and the very stories of our lives should inform how our co ..read more

Spring is a time of new beginnings, but also a time of planning and preparation for the future. While many of us are itching to get out into the garden and the dirt and plant all the things, we must first plan our gardens and prepare the soil. Right now in Religious Exploration, we are planning our garden for next year! We are looking at things like registration and attendance numbers and figuring out how to group grades, which spaces to use for what, what curriculums we’ll use etc. We are talking to our volunteers, parents, and children and youth about what worked this year and what didn’t, j ..read more

Last night Sandburg Hall was buzzing with conversation during a speed dating exercise. Participants were asked to share about their experiences engaging in justice work to support voting rights and democracy. As we debriefed the exercise there was a common thread of seeking others with similar values and diverse ways to work towards a massive voter turnout November 2024. Comments were made about moving away from fear and despair through collective efforts to get out the vote and build relationships with those outside our circles. That is what was happening at our gathering organized in partne ..read more

Rev. Claudia invites us to celebrate our accomplishments in this final Vespers of the congregational year.  Join in for food & fellowship at 6:00 PM; Vespers 7:00 PM – Guest Musician Steve Lapointe.  And, wear your dancing shoes!  There will be a short salsa dance class at 7:40PM in the sanctuary so you are prepared to dance during Vespers. And of course just enjoying the music and dancers is fine, too. Please RSVP https://forms.gle/gRdFxQDFTH4nM9Ep8  The post Celebrating Our Work Together! Dinner 6PM, Vespers 7PM appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Congregatio ..read more

Every few years about this time, I have to sit myself down and remind myself of something Socrates said: “Better to do a little well, than a great deal badly.”  As an over-functioning Southern woman and minister, this is a lesson I have learned slowly. I’ve learned it well, but I haven’t learned it so thoroughly that I don’t need reminding.  One of the truly great teachers of systems thinking in UU ministry, the Rev. Jake Morrill, led the workshops at our SEUUMA retreat this past week. This same idea came up, only the reminders Rev. Jake set in front of us sounded more like this: in ..read more

UU Avl & UU Justice EventsApril 5 – UU Justice NC’s Friday Action Hour –  11:00 AM. Previewing the Upcoming State Legislative Session. The 2024 NC Legislative Session will be kicking off in a few short weeks. This Friday, we will receive a briefing on all the bills that we will be advocating for, and those that we’ll be fighting against during this year’s “short session.” Key issues will include Education, Healthcare and Immigration / ICE Policies. Sign up for the Zoom link & weekly Friday Action Hour promo email here. April 10 -Interfaith Organizing to Get Out the Vote – Uni ..read more

The Board of Trustees issues a Great Big THANK YOU to the families and youth who put on such an incredible Big Event in February. (So sorry that this statement of gratitude is a bit late to be published.) We recommend that everyone look forward to next year’s Big Event because they never fail to nurture our playful spirits and our tummies. Good food! Good times! Our families are the best, as are our Religious Exploration staff. Dr. Mary Alm & The UU Asheville Board The post A Big Thank You to our Youth appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville ..read more

Minnesota’s Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for over 20 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet–songs about interconnectedness and the human journey–songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, Claudia Schmidt, Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, Darryl Purpose, Billy Jonas, and Ronny Cox, to name a few. His work has bee ..read more

Minnesota’s Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for over 20 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet–songs about interconnectedness and the human journey–songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, Claudia Schmidt, Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, Darryl Purpose, Billy Jonas, and Ronny Cox, to name a few. His work has been ..read more

Spring is a time of new beginnings, but also a time of planning and preparation for the future. While many of us are itching to get out into the garden and the dirt and plant all the things, we must first plan our gardens and prepare the soil. Right now in Religious Exploration, we are planning our garden for next year! We are looking at things like registration and attendance numbers and figuring out how to group grades, which spaces to use for what, what curriculums we’ll use etc. We are talking to our volunteers, parents, and children and youth about what worked this year and what didn’t ..read more