Sep 20, 2023 | Featured
URGENT: Stop the NCGA from Stripping Local Governments of Authority to Fight Plastic Pollution
Breaking News: A draft conference report of the state budget released to the media includes language that would prohibit counties (§ 153A-145.11) and cities (§ 160A-205.6) from passing ordinances, resolutions, or rules that would restrict, tax, or charge a fee on auxiliary containers — the definition of which includes bags, cups, bottles, and other packaging.
This language would preempt local control and undermine existing provisions of the NC Solid Waste Management Act that give counties and cities the authority to ban single-use plastic bags and other forms of packaging and the use of plastic foam (e.g., styrofoam) in foodware.
Plastic pollution is a threat to our environment and to the health of North Carolina residents. Email your legislators and let them know that our right to protect ourselves from dangerous pollutants is too important to be traded away to fossil fuel and retail industry lobbyists in backroom deals.
Sep 7, 2023 | Vespers & Wednesday Program
Dinner at 6:00 PM ·Vespers at 7:00 PM
Join us for a special evening of Vespers and decision-making. Our vespers will consider, in story, how we offer back to the world the love that makes us whole, and the work of our hands which makes this possible.
After our dinner and a time of story and sharing, we’ll generate a list of justice areas we think that we, as a community, should focus on together. Over the evening, and the following few weeks, we’ll vote to determine our top four communal justice priorities. This will help guide Revs. Audette and Claudia in their efforts and focus over the next year or two.
Because we are Stronger, Together! · Please RSVP here.
Sep 5, 2023 | Faith Development
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
Sep 3, 2023 | Justice Ministry
UU Avl Events
UU Justice NC’s Friday Action Hour – Public School Strong Training. This Friday, September 15th at 11:00am, DownHome North Carolina organizer Isabell Moore will speak with us about Public School Strong – the fast-growing state-wide movement that is equipping local communities to fight for adequate funding, and against racist and anti-LGBTQ policies in our schools. Join via this Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91029655107 and sign up for the weekly Friday Action Hour promo email here.
Sept. 15 – 7 p.m. In partnership with the Justice Film Ministry screening of “Eating Our Way To Extinction” the UU Animal Ministry Asheville Chapter will provide planet and animal friendly snacks. Click here for details.
Sept 25 – 9AM-5PM Registration still open for “Beyond Land Acknowledgement: Towards Reparations and Healing” UU Avl is co-sponsoring this event.
Sept 30 – This year’s Blue Ridge Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 30. The theme is ADVOCATE. URU is hoping for great UUCA participation again this year. URU (Universal Rainbow Unity) invites all UUCA members and friends to join the “yellow brigade” by wearing the yellow “Side with Love” t-shirt to the Pride Festival.
Community Events & Beyond
Sept. 14 – OLLI Inclusion Committee offers a Just Conversation on “Reaching Across the Racial Divide”, 2 pm, both in person and via zoom. Details, register here
Sept 17 – An Invitation from the Environmental Justice Committee
Rally for a climate justice: UN Secretary General António Guterres recently called for a meeting of nations to put an end to fossil fuels. Join us for a rally in support, 1 pm to 2:30 pm; Pack Square.
Sept. 19 – NC Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson-Bell will be offering a lecture at UNCA titled “What’s Ahead for NC Elections in 2023 and 2024, 7 pm. Get details about the event and where to park here. A flyer to share is here.
Sept. 21 – Reject Raytheon AVL is celebrating International Day of Peace and Day of Nonviolence together with a march, 5:30 pm, starting at the corner of Haywood Rd and Louisiana.
Sept. 23 –’90s Movie Night @ Gravelo benefiting MAADCo!!(Mountain Area Abortion Doula Collective) Time: 7-10 pm; Details here.
Sept. 24 – Save the Date for this year’s Hunger Walk. Get details from this eblast sent out recently.
SAVE THE DATE:
Oct. 7 – UU Justice NC’s State-Wide Annual Gathering – UU Fellowship of Raleigh. Join UUs from across the state for this celebration of our work in 2023 and a look ahead to 2024. The day will include music, panel discussions with justice partners, opportunities to connect with fellow UUs. Registration Coming Soon!
Learn about & get involved with local Reparations efforts!
Reparations Summit – 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 7 at the UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive, Asheville. Parking and admission are free, but attendance is limited and registration is required. Click here to register. Leading up to the Summit, UNC Asheville will host two free movie nights:
“Black in Asheville” on Monday Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. followed by a discussion with filmmaker Todd Gragg
“The Big Payback” on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Details here.
October 11 – 6:30-8PM #UniteNC Tour: Accountability Town Halls hosted by Common Cause NC. Details and RSVP.
Oct. 17 – Pisgah Legal Services’ 13th Annual Justice Forum with Mathew Desmond.
Aug 30, 2023 | Justice Ministry
UU Avl Events
UU Justice NC Zoom Action Hour: Two Part Anti-Semitism Workshop. Abby Lublin, Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice will offer a two-part antisemitism training.
Sept 1 – 11AM An introduction to antisemitism, white nationalism and how they intersect in our culture today.
Sept 8 – 11AM Training to help us learn how to talk about different forms of oppression.
Both workshops will frame our learning in the context of ongoing violent antisemitic attacks, and how antisemitism is emerging as a central narrative in the 2024 NC election cycle. Join via this Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91029655107 and sign up for the weekly Friday Action Hour promo email here. NOTE: Every Friday, 11AM join our partner UU Justice Ministry NC: Zoom Action Hour
Sept. 15 – 7 p.m. In partnership with the Justice Film Ministry screening of “Eating Our Way To Extinction” the UU Animal Ministry Asheville Chapter will provide planet and animal friendly snacks. Click here for details.
Sept 25 – 9AM-5PM Registration still open for “Beyond Land Acknowledgement: Towards Reparations and Healing” UU Avl is co-sponsoring this event.
Community Events & Beyond
Sept.5 – 11:30am-1:00pm, virtual panel of Reparations Commission Facilitators moderated by Racial Justice Council Executive Director, Rob Thomas. View on the RJC YouTube Channel by clicking this link
Sept. 14 – OLLI Inclusion Committee offers a Just Conversation on “Reaching Across the Racial Divide”, 2 pm, both in person and via zoom. Details, register here
Sept. 14 – An advocate training titled “How to Achieve Racial Justice in Housing”, 2 pm, offered by YIMBY Action. Get details and register here.
Sept. 24 – Save the Date for this year’s Hunger Walk. Get details from this eblast sent out recently.
SAVE THE DATE:
Oct. 7 – UU Justice NC’s State-Wide Annual Gathering – UU Fellowship of Raleigh. Join UUs from across the state for this celebration of our work in 2023 and a look ahead to 2024. The day will include music, panel discussions with justice partners, opportunities to connect with fellow UUs. Registration Coming Soon!
October 11 – 6:30-8PM #UniteNC Tour: Accountability Town Halls hosted by Common Cause NC. Details and RSVP.
Oct. 17 – Pisgah Legal Services’ 13th Annual Justice Forum with Mathew Desmond.
