Soul Matters Groups
Small groups of 8-9 people who meet regularly to practice deep listening and support one another’s spiritual journeys. They meet October-June and are led by a trained facilitator.
Types of Groups
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- Soul Matters – explore the monthly theme through dialogue
- Creativity Matters – explore the monthly theme through the arts
- UU Writers – explore the monthly theme through writing
- Practice Matters – explore spiritual practices related to the themes
Meeting times vary by group.
Contact: Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
Legacy Covenant Groups
Small groups of 8 to 10 people who meet regularly to practice deep listening in support of one another’s spiritual journeys. After being part of a Soul Matters Group, there is an opportunity to join.
UU Sangha
The sangha is a covenantal UU Asheville Faith spiritual deepening group for those interested in developing and strengthening their UU-Buddhism connection in the context of everyday life.
Meets: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30-8:00 PM, Sanctuary
Contact: Duane Bigelow*
Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS
This chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans is dedicated to educating people about Paganism and developing and conducting Pagan liturgies and rituals for the congregation.
Adult Faith Formation
We believe faith formation is a lifelong process that is nurtured in community.
Wildlife Support
Migrating Monarchs are endangered! To assist in their recovery, the UUAM AVL Chapter created a Monarch Habitat on the UU Asheville Campus in October 2023. Children from the RE program added the plant names with colorful painted rocks. Monarchs have been sighted resting on the milkweed. The habitat is currently maintained by the chapter. To continue our support of wildlife, a Bat Basics handout is available and a bat house was added to the campus in spring 2026.
One of the key tenets of Unitarian Universalism is that all of us are responsible for our own spiritual development. Our congregation’s mission statement includes the phrase, “we nurture individual search for meaning.” As a direct response to that mission, we provide faith formation opportunities for members of our congregation of all ages.
We believe faith formation is a lifelong process that is nurtured in community. We support all ages in that process by:
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- Developing Unitarian Universalist identity
- Offering opportunities for spiritual growth and religious education
- Creating congregational experiences that include and value all ages
- Equipping families to continue faith development at home and in family life
- Encouraging all to practice UU faith values in daily life and in the wider world
Below are some of the opportunities offered for continued spiritual deepening for adults. If you would like more information about Faith Formation for Children & Families, click here.
Small Group Ministry
Adult Faith Formation Classes
In addition to recurring groups, UU Asheville provides several programs a year to provide experiences that challenge and transform us spiritually and personally. Â These course offerings span a broad spectrum of spiritual development issues. Previous programs include:
Haunting Church: Owning Your Religious Past – An invitation to explore your religious journey in a way that promotes greater self-understanding and personal peace. What do you leave behind? What do you bring to the present? What do you redefine?
Programs are organized and promoted by the Adult Faith Formation Team with support from our Minister of Faith Formation. The team meets monthly and welcomes new members as well as proposals for programs. Suggestions can be shared here:
Other opportunities for community
Outside of our small group ministry, we have social groups and justice groups.
Latest News from Faith Formation
December: The Month of Stillness
Welcome to the month of Stillness. Here's a poem from this month’s Soul Matters packet being used by our covenant groups. Check out this month’s calendar and join us for Vespers or one of the other programs offered this month. Keeping QuietPablo Neruda Now we will...
A Truthful Thanksgiving
Consider taking some time with your family this year to discuss the roots of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Here are some resources to get you started!
Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators (an OWL adjacent Small Group Experience)
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.