Mar 29, 2023 | Weekly Message
Dear ones,
With heavy hearts we watched yet another school shooting unfold that resulted in the slaughter of six people, three were 9-year-old children. Once again, cowardly lawmakers refuse to do the right thing and pass laws that will protect our nation’s children. Guns are the number one cause of death for children in our country, but gun laws are stalled in the divided Congress. We have had 130 mass shootings in less than three months.
“More guns do not stop crime. Guns kill more children each year than auto accidents. More children die by gunfire in a year than on-duty police officers and active military members. Guns are a public health crisis, just like COVID, and in this, we are failing our children, over and over again.” Read the article by Scientific American, “The Science is Clear: Gun Control Saves Lives. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-is-clear-gun-control-saves-lives/.
And, as the grandmother of a transgender grandchild, I am deeply concerned at the weaponization of gender-affirming care by some lawmakers to avoid doing the right thing.
We can’t let them compound the tragedy and we join Side With Love in solidarity with their statement in response to the Nashville School Shooting.
Here’s how we can take action and fight back:
Fight against anti-LGBTQ+Bills.
https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-working-to-defeat-340-anti-lgbtq-bills-at-state-level-already-150-of-which-target-transgender-people-highest-number-on-record
Demand a ban on assault weapons.
https://www.bradyunited.org/act/ban-assault-weapons
Support Universal background checks.
https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/issues/gun-safety/universal-background-checks/
Here is a link to the Wear Orange event that is being organized by the local Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence group. https://uuasheville.org/calls-to-action/
Join me next Wednesday, April 5 for a Peace Vespers service for music, candles, lament, reflection, prayers, and brainstorming ways we can make a difference. Vegetarian Soup and bread at 6 PM, Vespers begins at 7 PM.
In faith,
Rev. Cathy Harrington, Interim Lead Minister
Mar 29, 2023 | Sermons
Sunday, April 2, 2023 11am
Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Minister of Faith Development
Join Rev. Claudia Jiménez and Religious Educator Kim Collins for all ages worship reflecting on this year’s General Assembly (GA) theme: Faithfully Becoming. Meet our UU Asheville delegates and join us during the second half of the service to explore spiritual practices: a labyrinth walk, zentangles , or a sing along with our guest musicians, local acoustic duo Friction Farm. Come ready to try something new!
Mar 29, 2023 | Sermons
Sunday, March 26, 2023, 11am
Rev. Cathy Harrington, Interim Lead Minister
This Sunday marks the formal conclusion of the Annual Giving Drive. We will welcome new members as we celebrate with gratitude UU Asheville’s “being and becoming” with lots of music, a skit, and fun. Following the service, there will be food, games, more music, and fellowship!
Mar 28, 2023 | Justice Ministry
March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility. In this time when our state legislature (and legislatures across the country) are working to pass harmful laws against Trans people, we are called to powerfully affirm our belief as Unitarian Universalists that every body is sacred. And within and beyond the walls of our congregations, we must remind our transgender/nonbinary families that they are not alone. Check out this Love and Solidarity with Trans and Nonbinary People video blessing for all our siblings being targeted by transphobia and hate, and for everyone living out our faith by organizing, advocating, and mobilizing for justice. The video is a collaboration between the UUA and Foothills UU in Colorado.
What is the connection between the 8th Principle & Article II?
One important question that has emerged in the conversation about the Article II revision is connected to the 8th Principle Project and what the hundreds of congregations who have adopted the 8th Principle should do if Article II is revised. We share a response from a foundational leader of the 8th Principle Project, Dr. Paula Cole Jones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYTsrGvExaw
CALENDAR
April 1st – 1-3 PM; Pack Square; Protect Trans Youth: Rally and Potluck
April 1st – A coalition of community groups are launching a neighborhood canvass and petition campaign to demand TDA Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) funds be used for affordable housing for service workers and for worker representation on the new LIFT committee. The campaign, slated to run through April and May, seeks to collect 2,000+ signatures of support to take back to the TDA (Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority) in June. It begins with a launch party and presentation at Different Wrld (701 Haywood Road) on Saturday, April 1st at 1 pm. To RSVP, go here. More details on the campaign, the coalition, canvass dates and times can be found here.
April 11th – Pisgah Legal Services offers an “Immigration Lunch and Learn,”noon, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Get details here.
April 11th – 14th – “Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo Festival” at UNCA. Get details here.
April 14 – UU Asheville Justice Movie Night via Zoom “8 BILLION ANGELS” explores the conflict between the size of the global population and the sustainability of our planet. Immersive, emotional and inspiring.
April 14th – 23rd – “Faith Climate Week” sponsored by the NC Council of Churches. Get details here.
April 22nd – 23rd – Racial Equity Institute training. Registration is now open for those interested. Complete this form to express interest.
May 6th – BeLoved Auction
May 11th – “Private Plunder of Public Goods: The Threat of Medicare Privatization and the Need for Single Payer”, a presentation of Dr. Susan Rogers, 7 pm, at First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak Street. Get details from this flyer.
