REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Beyond UUCAvl….
The Asheville “Freedom for All: Rally for Reproductive Justice and Abortion Access” rally that was postponed in August due to inclement weather has been rescheduled to Mon., October 3.
Where? The Orange Peel; 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville Doors open at 5:30pm; Program 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Why? To hear from candidates, abortion providers, and activists on how you can get involved to protect our rights in this midterm election. We are one bad election from losing access to abortion in NC and this is going to take an all-hands-on-deck effort to get out the vote this November.
Another Opportunity Support the Carolina Abortion Fund which offers a confidential, toll free hotline providing financial, practical, and emotional support to callers in North and South Carolina trying to access abortion care.
At UUCAvl Program – Reproductive Justice: Expanding Our Social Justice Calling. Facilitators: Jane Bramham, Neal Jones, Rev. Claudia Initially scheduled for the Fall, we decided encouraging engagement with UU the Vote this fall is the best way to support reproductive justice and access to abortion healthcare in NC for women and our trans and nonbinary siblings. The RJ program will be offered in January 2023. UU the Vote: We are part of a network of 22 UU congregations across the state who have come together to write 27,000 postcards to voters of the Global Majority in Cabarrus County in partnership with Reclaim our Vote. Cabarrus is one the three counties whose vote for candidates supporting access to abortion healthcare will be crucial in maintaining access to abortion in NC. On Sunday,October 9 at 9:30am we will have another big post carding push! Join us! And as a reminder for those who already have post card packets, please make sure that all postcards are completed and put in the mail no sooner than October 14th and within a few days after that date.
MIDTERM ELECTIONS – OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
Carolina Jews & UUs Faith in Action Phonebank in Partnership with the New North Carolina Project Foundation.Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:30 from September 15th through November 3rd. UU Justice NC is teaming up with Carolina Jews for Justice to co-host this weekly Get Out the Vote phone bank in the run up to the midterm elections. We’ll be calling voters of the Global Majority across North Carolina empowering and equipping them to Vote Love and Defeat Hate. Register Here
Concerned about education in NC? Watch this timely video produced August 29, and consider if this is an area of advocacy and engagement for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ihL90I5GE
Many of you shared your frustrations with receiving too many regular emails from UU Asheville, and that’s a fair frustration. I know when I receive too many emails from any organization, I tend to skip reading all of them. I also find myself aggravated when I want to go back and reread something and can’t remember which of the multiple emails I found the information. We’ve heard you, and we understand.
We also want to keep you informed of what’s happening at UU Asheville. One of the joys about a community rich with programs and offerings is that it’s challenging to communicate it all effectively. So, we’re trying something new. This week we’re launching our reimagined Weekly eNews! Instead of receiving an email on Monday morning about worship, Tuesday afternoon with TLC news, Thursday’s eNews, and then Sunday’s worship link, you’ll now receive one regular email on Wednesdays (special topic emails will still happen periodically in addition to this weekly email). This Wednesday email will still be called our Weekly eNews and will include: worship information for Sundays and Wednesday Vespers, This Loving Community (TLC) news, the weekly blog (now called the weekly message), and all the information you’ve come to expect from the Weekly eNews.
While we’ve combined all the information into one email, it also means that it will be longer than usual. However, it will be a one-stop-shop which means you’ll know where to go when you are looking for information. We know not everyone will have the time to read it all, but we encourage you to scan through it each week to stay informed. We’ve broken the email into subject headers such as “Wednesday Vespers,” “Sunday Worship,” “This Loving Community,” and “News & Events.” Our hope is that you’ll be able to digest the information with a bit more ease. Of course, we still encourage you to submit your eNews items! Our deadline is now on Wednesdays at 10am, 150 words or less, and please use standard capitalization practices and a 12-point font.
Lastly, we’re changing how we share our virtual Sunday services. Instead of receiving a unique link each Sunday morning, you can now watch on our website. You can also subscribe toour YouTube Channel. (and click the red “Subscribe” button).
As with all new communications practices, we ask for your patience as we roll out the new format (and work out the problems). We’ve listened to your feedback, and we hope our response meets our shared need for effective communications.
Our UU Congregation adopted the 14th BeLoved Pantry on December 5, 2021, the first that has been adopted by an outside organization. BeLoved is a local nonprofit focused on lifting up fellow community members most in need. The Street Pantries placed throughout Buncombe County in boxes donated by Mountain Xpress, provide easy 24/7 access to supplies near where people in need live or gather. UU congregants and friends have been supplying and filling our pantry on Charlotte Street every day since December. We know it is well appreciated by our neighbors because it empties every day. We can use your help!! Sustainers donate items once a month to the bin that is outdoors at the back entrance of the UU building. Adopters get donations from the bin and fill the pantry with them once a month. For information on how to get involved email Anita Feldman at anitasfeldman@gmail.com .
As part of our congregation’s ongoing support of BeLoved Asheville we are providing UU volunteer opportunities to help BeLoved build small homes for our neighbors who otherwise cannot afford “affordable housing.” The BeLoved Village project is an innovative way to enable people earning approximately 30% of area median income (AMI) afford a home while building equity and community—so needed here in the Asheville area where rental rates are the highest in the state. Regardless of skills or experience, there are ways for everyone—adults and youth—to contribute their time and energy to this vital community project. For more information and to sign up as a volunteer, contact Jim Gamble at jamesgamble89@gmail.com
Sunday, August 28, 2022, 11am In-person and YouTube
Rev. Cathy Harrington, Interim Lead Minister and Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Minister of Faith Development
Bring a vial of water from a place (real or symbolic) that holds meaning to you so that we might mingle the waters of memories and hope in a shared communion of solidarity and peace.
In 1980, Carolyn McDade and Lucile Shuck Longview were asked to create a ritual for the Women and Religion Conference. They both shared “a vision for justice and the environment. The water symbolized the birth waters, the cycles of moon, tides and women, and all the waters of this small blue planet. The ceremony was also designed to demonstrate solidarity with women globally, as women the world over traditionally draw and carry water. Forty-two years after its creation, this meaningful ritual speaks to a deepening awareness of our solidarity with our siblings globally who lack the most basic and precious resources. It also speaks eloquently of our interdependence.
Sunday, September 4, 2022 In-person and YouTube
Rev. Cathy Harrington Interim Lead Minister
As we move into this exciting year of searching for your new minister, it is important to reflect on who you have been, who you are now, and who you hope to become as a beloved community. What lies ahead? What is UU Asheville being called to be in today’s world?
Many of you shared your frustrations with receiving too many regular emails from UU Asheville, and that’s a fair frustration. I know when I receive too many emails from any organization, I tend to skip reading all of them. I also find myself aggravated when I want to go back and reread something and can’t remember which of the multiple emails I found the information. We’ve heard you, and we understand.