Welcome! The Soul Matters September theme is “the gift of welcome.” As we launch the new congregational year and continue to welcome guests each Sunday it is timely to explore what we mean by welcome.
How do we welcome ourselves, our beloveds and strangers in our midst?
How do we “widen the circle of welcome?
A few more questions to consider:
Who welcomed you in when you needed it most? How has that gift changed you? What would you say to the person if you had the chance?
What part of yourself is hardest to welcome in and embrace with compassion: Your vulnerable self? Your flawed self? Your easily frightened self? Your angry self?
What do you know now about welcoming in the present moment that you didn’t know when you were younger?
Theologian Joan D. Chittister said, “Hospitality is simply love on the loose.” Does that ring true for you?
Has welcoming change gotten easier or harder as you’ve grown older?
If you were asked to name 2 ways you could help make your church more welcoming, what would they be?
Opportunities for Connection: Soul matters groups are recruiting participants. We launch this month. Interested? Sign up here.
Faith Development Calendar
Sept 28 Curious Conversations: Reparations; noon-1PM; SH; bring a bagged lunch
SAVE THE DATE
Oct 1 UU Sangha Launches 1st Sunday Meditation Circle; 10-10:30AM; 23 Edwin, Parlor
Oct 4 1st Wednesday Dinner 6:00PM & Vespers 7PM
Oct. 22, 1-3 PM – A two hour introductory class on the serious and persistent mental illnesses, treatments, resources and support for the caregivers. Details here. Register here.
Dec 3 Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH
May 5 Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH
Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; Contact: Sequoyah Rich sequoyahrich333@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June. Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org