Sep 24, 2020 | Faith Development
SPIRITUAL DEEPENING GROUPS
Peacemakers: 2nd & 4th Wed. 7 PM; Contact: Bruce Larson brucedeanlarson@gmail.com
Buddhist Fellowship: 2nd & 4th Tues.; 7 PM; Contact: Jim Steffe jf.steffe@gmail.com
Covenant Groups: Groups set meeting time; Contact: Iris Hardin irisphardin@gmail.com
Covenant of UU Pagans -CUUPS: Contact: MaryAnn Somervill maspro1@yahoo.com
White People Wondering: 2nd Thurs.; 7 PM Begins October 8;
Contact: Rev. Ward minister@uuasheville.org
Drop-ins welcome in all our programs.
AND DON’T FORGET THE WEDNESDAY THING – VESPERS STARTS AT 6:30
Oct-Wed-Thing-Schedule-2020
Aug 27, 2020 | Faith Development
This year Adult Faith Development will focus on connection, spirituality, and deepening anti-racism work using the UUA curriculum “Building the World We Dream About.” Programs will be offered after Vespers and throughout the week. The calendar lists all our spiritual deepening groups including a new group led by Rev. Ward “White People Wondering,” which provides a brave space for reflecting with others on where you are on the journey of recognizing and disrupting racism in your life. Questions? Requests? Contact Rev Claudia.
And, Children and Youth Religious Education is still a thing! We already have 53 kids/youth registered for the 2020-21 year. We are excited to offer religious education and family ministry in a different way this year. Due to the pandemic that must not be named (for you Harry Potter fans), we have made an effort to simplify our programs but still have fun connecting with the faith development you want from your UU congregation!
“What will RE look like this year?” you ask. Religious education for children and youth has been divided into four groups. Groups will typically meet two Sundays/month via Zoom: PreK-3rd & 10th-12th grades will meet on the first and third Sundays of the month and 4th-6th & 7th-9th grades will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.
In addition to classic (mostly virtual) RE, we will have other opportunities as well, some online and possibly some occasional small, safer in person gatherings for youth or adults. A few ideas: Family Fun Nights for fellowship and fun; “UU in a box” for at home fun and faith development; and physically distant youth group “masked meet-ups.”
Faith Development is thriving at UUCA! Vespers + Programs were offered during the summer months. Now we look forward to gathering with you to learn, to worship, to connect, and to explore ways to put our faith in action. See you on Zoom (don’t forget you can call in, too!)
Rev Claudia Jiménez, Minister of Faith Development
Jen Johnson and Kim Collins, Religious Educators
John Bloomer, Joyce Hooley-Gingrich, Linda Topp, Wednesday Thing Planning Team
Aug 20, 2020 | Faith Development
First Program: September 16 – Contemplative Stillness Practices
Spiritual practices enliven us as we intentionally focus and experience presence. Participants will explore spiritual practices; then each will select one primary and one secondary opportunity to actually practice. Monthly sessions will open with a contemplative practice. We will then share our past month’s experiences with spiritual practices. Each month we’ll focus on a different group of spiritual practices and a volunteer will lead us in an example. If you are interested in participating in this spiritual practices opportunity, contact Nancy Bragg. Along with the committed core of initial participants, the sessions will be open to new participants.
Highly recommended text: Everyday Spiritual Practice: Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life Edited by Scott W. Alexander – available from the UUA Bookstore, InSpirit.
Jun 16, 2020 | Faith Development, Featured
This is a virtual program sponsored by The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. It starts Wednesday, July 1 at noon and continues for eight Wednesdays thereafter.
“Adaptive Living: From Fear to Love – Pathways to Progress” is free – – with donations to The Mountain welcomed. It’s designed to open our minds and hearts so we are more adaptable, productive, and committed to a higher level of personal development in this rapidly changing world.
This program is offered to help The Mountain recover from its $500,000 loss in COVID-19 program cancellations. The coordinator and presenters are doing this pro bono. Every dollar goes to The Mountain. Our OLLI-recognized keynote speakers (Drs. Rita Brodnax and Dudley Tower) will introduce content, facilitate discussion, and encourage new practices during the nine sessions.
May 5, 2020 | Faith Development
Buddhist Fellowship
Meets Tuesday, June 9, 7-8:15pm via Zoom. We start with a 30-minute (unguided) meditation followed by dharma/UU sharing, and end with 10 minutes of social interaction.
Contact Jim Steffe for Zoom code.
Peacemakers
Our June practice is being for peace: Today take five minutes to meditate for peace. Put your attention on your heart and inwardly repeat these four words: Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love.
Peacemaking at a Distance will take place on Wednesday, June 10 via Zoom. After check participants will explore Guatemalan-born RMT received the Peace Prize “in recognition of her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.” Please join Peacemakers as we broaden our discussion of the 2020 UUA Common Read. In so doing, we will be draw upon her lecture, which you can read here. To deepen your familiarity with RMT, you may wish to view a 59-minute lecture she gave in 2008 on “Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples.” Contact Bruce Larson for Zoom code.
Covenant Groups continue to meet. Some groups are using conference calls others are meeting via Zoom. Contact covenant group co-coordinators if if you are interested in joining a group.
Iris Hardin irisphardin@gmail.com
Let us know what UUCA programs you have been attending, what programs we can offer again…UU History? Haunting Church? etc. and what kinds of programs you would like to see in the future. Share your thoughts with Rev Claudia.
Mar 24, 2020 | Faith Development
Join a covenant group. Participate in “Haunting Church” or “UU History 101”
Explore spiritual deepening groups such as the Buddhist Fellowship or Peacemakers.
Haunting Church: Owning Your Religous Past provides an opportunity to explore your religous journey through discussion, art and journaling. What do you leave behind? What do you bring ot the present? What do you redefine?
Dates: Monday, April 13, 20, 27 & May 4
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM
Who: 8-12 participants
Facilitator: Rev Claudia; email faithdev@uuasheville.org to register
Peacemakers continue their book study via Zoom on the second Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15 PM. They are currently discussing: An Indigenous People’s History of the United States. Contact Bruce Larson for details brucedeanlarson@gmail.com
UUCA Buddhist Fellowship is maintaining its regular meeting schedule: 7:00 to 8:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month via ZOOM. Contact: Jim Steffe for details and meeting ID jf.steffe@gmail.com
UU History Class …Drop-ins Welcome
You are invited to take a 12-week class on Unitarian Universalist History. The class will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. starting Thursday, April 2. It will be facilitated by Rev. Jeff Jones, Affiliated Community Minister with UUCA. We will be using the video series Long Strange Trip by Ron Cordes.The class will cover 2000 years of Unitarian Universalist history. Each class will have 30 minutes of video followed by discussion. You are welcome to join us for all classes or you can drop in as your schedule permits. Questions? Contact Rev. Jones jeffjonesuu@aol.com
Covenant Groups continue to meet. Some groups are using conference calls others are meeting via Zoom. Contact covenant group co-coordinators if your group would like to use Zoom or if you are interested in joining a group.
Iris Hardin irisphardin@gmail.com
or Paula Massey massey.paula@gmail.com
Mar 22, 2020 | Faith Development
Meditation for Beginners via Zoom, Mon., March 23, 7:00-8:30PM
This might be a good time to establish a daily meditation practice. As we all hunker down and engage in social distancing there may be an opportunity to set time aside to practice. The goals of the class are to practice simple Buddhist techniques that can be used to establish your own meditation practice and develop the confidence needed to continue your practice. Contact Jim Steffe if you are interested jfsteffe@gmail.com
Covenant Groups continue to meet. Some groups are doing conference calls others are meeting via Zoom. Contact covenant group co-coordinators if your group would like to use Zoom or if you are interested in joining a group.
Iris Hardin irisphardin@gmail.com
or Paula Massey massey.paula@gmail.com
Feb 6, 2020 | Faith Development
Thank you to those of you who were able to participate in our RE Town Hall last Sunday. If you didn’t get the chance to participate, we would still love to have your input. Please help us hear you by filling out this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6po5lLF8x5ETAl28KmcDzfM-pc4flo47Amfb7bGTRXeO7EQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Jan 12, 2020 | Faith Development
Friday, February 7, 7:30pm to Sunday, February 9, 2020, 9:00am
This exciting and youth-led CON is the 28th annual event presented by the high school youth of UU Church of Charlotte. 9th-12th graders from UU congregations in NC, SC, TN, VA, and GA are invited to attend this gathering of Unitarian Universalist youth and advisors for a weekend with a program filled with a variety of workshops, activities, good food, and a safer environment. Youth participate in all the activities, share with new friends in small get-to-know-you groups, bond during free time, contribute to times of fun and reflection, and grow spiritually through worship.
Dec 15, 2019 | Faith Development
Saturday, January 11, 2020, 10am-2pm
Are you/ Have you been/ Do you want to be… a Spirit Play volunteer? This workshop is for you! Spirit Play offers a foundation in religious education, introducing our young children to Unitarian Universalism through stories and activities. Our kids LOVE it! You are invited to join us for this volunteer learning and workday with some very special things planned:
- Come hear our Spirit Play origin story from two of our founding mothers, Anna Olsen and Ann McLellan, and the philosophy behind this enriching program!
- Spirit Play storyteller training with Will Jernigan!
- Share and hear the wisdom and experience of the whole group!
- Center leaders, be inspired and share ideas, resources, materials!
- Work with your center team to rejuvenate your space and story baskets!
There are many ways to be involved — we need all sorts of skills to run this special program: storytellers, center leaders (art, drama/movement, music, maker), those who like to organize and tidy spaces or make bulletin boards… there is a place for you. We will have breakout sessions for all roles.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
10:00am-2:00pm
Note: even if you cannot attend for the whole time, we would love to have you there.
Contact Jen Johnson with questions.
Dec 14, 2019 | Faith Development
UU Journeys
Thursdays, Feb. 20, 27; March 5, 12,
23 Edwin Parlor,
Registration required,
Facilitators: Rev. Ward, Rev. Jiménez, Joy McConnell, Venny Zachritz.
Peacemaker’s Book Study:
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz the 2019-2020 UU Common Read (during Wednesday Thing)
February 12 Introduction- Chapter 3
March 11 Chapters 4-6
April 8 Chapters 7-9
May 13* Chapters 10- Conclusion
*Location TBA
Haunting Church
March 6, 6-8 PM23 Edwin, Parlor
March 7, 9am-3pm, RE Commons
Registration required
Facilitators: Rev. Jiménez, Rev. Sapp
