One of the losses we are feeling this year is not being able to offer OWL for children and youth at UUCA. The OWL program administrators at both the UUA and UCC have asked that we not try to adapt the program for an online setting for a variety of reasons. We still want to be able to support parents and caregivers in their roles as the primary sexuality educators in their families, so we are offering this new program from the UUA. While this is not OWL, it is based on the same principles and values. Some of you may remember that we field tested this program for the UUA several years ago. We are delighted that it has been fully released and we are able to offer it this year.
This program invites adults to ask themselves: How can I embody my role as my child’s primary sexuality educator in a way that expresses my UU values and faith?
Of course, children pick up information and attitudes from sources beyond the home: peers, popular culture, social media, other adults. Many Unitarian Universalist children will participate in Our Whole Lives (OWL), the lifespan, holistic, values-based sexuality education program provided by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, and they may also receive sexuality education in school. However, OWL encourages, and this program aims to nurture, parents and caregivers in their role as their children’s primary sexuality educators. Trusted adults carry extraordinary power to influence their children’s attitudes and values around sexuality. Many adults struggle to wield that power with intentionality, grace, and confidence. These sessions invite parents and caregivers to find support, insight, and courage with one another.
While the small group ministry format provides a spiritually grounded space, the program’s approach to sexuality is secular and grounded in science, in tune with the OWL lifespan sexuality education programs on which it is based.
This program will be ten sessions and we will meet bi weekly via Zoom on Tuesday evenings 8:00-9:30 pm, beginning on November 17th.
Sessions and Dates
Hopes and Concerns for Kids’ Sexual Health 11/17
Communication: How Do We Talk about Sex? 12/1
Gender Identity: Exploring Emotions around Gender 12/15
Sexual Orientation: Supporting Self-Discovery 1/12
Please register ASAP as we are limiting this opportunity to 12 families. UUCA members will be given priority. For questions or more information, please email Kim at lrec@uuasheville.org.
Fear not. Here’s a rundown on what you need to know. If you’re still unclear, contact Ann McLellan, Tory Schmitz, or Margaret McAlister. (And thank them for the enormous time they’ve devoted to this project along with Deb Holden and Marta Reese.)
How will I get a catalog? Hmmm, “get” is a funny word here. You can VIEW the catalog at rsabid.com using the code 28801. Look in the upper right corner for “Check Out the Catalog!” There are various sortings of the items and search is available. If you are desperate for a print version, here is a link to a version of the catalog as it was on October 28. For any updates, check rsabid.com (code 28801).
Hey, I want to bid on something. Now what? Go back to the upper right corner of rsabid.com. Select Sign In. On the page you land on, go to Request Account. Fill out the form to request an account. Keep following directions as they come….. When you place your first bid you will be required to enter a credit card number. If you want your credit card on file early, or you don’t bid on anything in the silent auction but want to bid at the LIVE auction, call Ann McLellan at (828) 350-9005 and give her your card number over the phone. We don’t keep cards on file year to year. Silent Auction bidding opens on November 11 at 7am.
Is there anything else I need to know about bidding during the silent auction? There are several features you can access to automate your bidding if you’d like. Also, when you signed up you indicated whether you want emails or texts when someone outbids you on an item. If you don’t like the settings you chose, just go back and change them (My Account/My Settings).
What happens if I win something? You’ll know immediately at the Live Auction. Once the Silent Auction closes on November 18 at 8pm you will be able to look at your account (My Account/Checkout) on rsabid.com to see exactly what you won. At that point you will be able to complete the purchase by charging to the credit card on file or by sending a check written to UUCA to Ann McLellan. Once we receive your payment, we’ll send you a certificate via email that either IS the won item (such as a gift certificate) or tells you how to claim it. If you’ve won a “thing,” you and the item donor will negotiate the exchange.
How will I get invited to the LIVE Zoom AUCTION? If you get our emails, you’ll get an email invitation. In order to get the Zoom link you will have to register through the invitation. That link is not shareable so don’t forward it.
How are we going to have a dinner and drinks at the Auction? Glad you asked. Mariposa’s (Maria’s) Food Truck will be at UUCA in the late afternoon of LIVE Zoom Auction Day (November 14) so that you can pick up items you have pre-ordered through the Auction Catalog. You will be assigned a pickup time to guarantee a safe and timely pick up. Once you get your food, you can eat it when you get home or save it to re-heat and eat “at” the auction.
And did we say “drinks?” Any time from now until LIVE Zoom Auction Day (November 14), you can visit Metro Wines on Charlotte Street to purchase your special UU Auction cocktail aperitif or special “UUCA Auction Wines” selected and discounted just for us! Lillet Blanc aperitif will come with a choice of Beatles-themed cocktail recipes. The wine will be ready to drink 😊. Sip while you trip with the Beatles at the LIVE Zoom Auction! If you do buy something from Metro Wines, call (828) 575-9525 from your car for pickup (it’s better to order ahead but you can order from the parking lot if you need to).
Will the LIVE Zoom Auction be family-friendly? We’re sure trying for that. Some of the entertainments sprinkled throughout will definitely be kid-friendly, but as we’ve all learned, full kid-attention on Zoom is not a thing. It’s barely a thing with adults. That’s why we’re trying to keep the whole thing to about an hour or a little more.
Sunday, October 25, 2020 Live ZOOM Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Minister of Faith Development
In this time when our highly polarized nation prepares to vote, what does love call us to do? Join us for a service inspired by the work of Valerie Kaur, author of See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. Kaur asks us to reclaim love as a revolutionary act so we will explore Kaur’s mission of fighting for justice through the ethic of love — love for others, our opponents, and ourselves. (Yes, she means love for those with whom we deeply disagree. What does that even LOOK like?)
Some of you may have heard about our new mascot, UUny the Unicorn (them, theirs). UUny is delivered to a member or friend’s home to recognize a celebration, milestone or challenge in the life of our community. During this time of physical distancing, delivering a UUny is one way we are staying connected as a UUCA family. A minister or pastoral visitor will arrange a visit to check-in and deliver UUny as a gift reminding the recipient they are held in care and love by the UUCA community. UUny may remain in that home or be delivered to another member or friend who may appreciate a reminder that despite our physical separation, we are still here for each other. I have had numerous opportunities to deliver UUnies since our mascot was introduced at the Ingathering Service in September. It is a treat to be able to say hello and see some of you in person.
A disclaimer: this was not my idea. I attended a webinar a few months ago where a participant shared that their youth had a traveling mascot that made the rounds to different homes and kept the youth connected. I wondered if we could have a mascot that would serve a similar purpose at UUCA. I brainstormed with Linda and Mark and we decided on a unicorn. I later heard the story of a group of UUCA parents who years ago formed a friendship and support group calling themselves “The Unicorns.” Some of them are still members of the congregation. That spirit of support and companionship is perpetuated in our new mascot, UUny. We have a stash of UUnies, so if you know of someone who would welcome one, reach out to Mark or me, and we will make sure it is delivered.
Looking for other ways to stay connected?
“Mid-Week Meet-up with the Minister or Minions” occurs Thursdays at noon. It is an opportunity to share conversation with one of the ministers or a board or a staff member. Mask use and physical distancing will be observed. We will gather on the patio as weather allows.
The Religious Education Council is organizing “Halloween Fest” on Saturday, October 31 from 4-6pm with a costume parade at 4:30. Maria and Esteban’s food truck will be there (cash only). Mask use and physical distancing observed.
Families and youth will have opportunities for small masked gatherings as weather permits. The RE staff will keep you informed.
Live Zoom Vespers continue every Wednesday providing a mid-week break for reflection, music, and virtual connection.
Please continue to reach out to each other through phone calls, snail mail, social media, and porch visits. This is a challenging time for all of us. We need each other more than ever. We are tired of the pandemic but still must be careful, for the benefit of ourselves, family, and community.
Early voting has begun. This is a pivotal election for our nation. I know many of you are working to get out the vote and support fair elections. We anxiously and cautiously hope that leadership striving to be on the side of love prevails. So, friends, stay connected… and make sure you and your friends have a voting plan. Vote!
Fear not. Here’s a rundown on what you need to know. If you’re still unclear, contact Ann McLellan, Tory Schmitz, or Margaret McAlister. (And thank them for the enormous time they’ve devoted to this project along with Deb Holden and Marta Reese.)
Some of you may have heard about our new mascot, UUny the Unicorn (them, theirs). UUny is delivered to a member or friend’s home to recognize a celebration, milestone or challenge in the life of our community. During this time of physical distancing, delivering a UUny is one way we are staying connected as a UUCA family. A minister or pastoral visitor will arrange a visit to check-in and deliver UUny as a gift reminding the recipient they are held in care and love by the UUCA community. UUny may remain in that home or be delivered to another member or friend who may appreciate a reminder that despite our physical separation, we are still here for each other. I have had numerous opportunities to deliver UUnies since our mascot was introduced at the Ingathering Service in September. It is a treat to be able to say hello and see some of you in person.
of the ministers or a board or a staff member. Mask use and physical distancing will be observed. We will gather on the patio as weather allows.
