Vespers this Wed., Sept 30 at 6:30 PM: Will it matter? Join Rev Claudia in an exploration of building community amidst the challenges of ideological divides. The after Vespers Program “Beyond the Partisan Divide, Part I” begins at 7PM. The session is “Will it Matter? Considering Partisan Bias in Congregational Life.”
October Calendar Soul Matters Theme: Deep Listening
7 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia Program: Beyond the Partisan Divide II, Bob Gingrich
14 Vespers Leader: Joy McConnell Program: You Are How You’ve Lived: Exploring Individual & Group Identity, Carol Buffum
Join CUUPS, the Covenant of UU Pagans on Wed., Sept 23 at 6:30 PM as they co-lead Vespers with a focus on the autumn equinox which happens the day before. Join in a celebration of the harvest with a focus on balance.
The 7PM after Vespers program continues with the UUA anti-racism program Building the World We Dream About. Joyce Hooley Gingrich will facilitate Session II- Our Stories: Multiple Truths, Multiple Realities. Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org if you would like the materials from the first session.
Join Rev. Jeff Jones and co-host John Bloomer for Vespers at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept 16. This multigenerational vespers service, we will use the book, V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Kindness, for our reflection together.
After Vespers program, 7PM: Spiritual Practices – Exploration and Practice Challenge, every third Wed. Join Nancy Bragg for Contemplative Stillness Practices.
Join Rev Claudia and co-host John Bloomer for Vespers at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept 9. The theme is “Renewing Our Commitments”. The join us for the launch of a…
NEW Adult Faith Development: Building the World We Dream About; 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7pm
“We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree.” -Ruth Alatorre in Bringing Gifts
This UUA curriculum invites us to learn how to develop anti-racist habits and skills that will show us a path to building the beloved community we dream about. We’ll use our own personal histories and UU beliefs and values to understand anti-racism work through frank conversation and reflection about race. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, although drop-ins are OK, too. Questions? Contact Rev.Claudia
This month through dialogue and reflective exercises we explore mattering (inclusion) and marginality (exclusion) through story: case studies and reflection on personal experiences. We will explore the connections between these stories and “welcoming” in our congregation. Facilitators: Joyce-Hooley Gingrich, Rev. Claudia
It’s LIVE Zoom Vespers for All Ages at 6:30. Vespers leader Joyce Hooley-Gingrich invites us to reflect on this month’s theme of Renewal. The children’s picture book, Peppe the Lamplighter, by Elisa Bartone will set the tone for a reflection about “how to encourage each other.”
After Vespers Program at 7:00pm: Rev. Claudia will lead a discussion on this month’s Soul Matters question: What does it mean to be a people of renewal?
Next Week: Vespers theme: Reflecting on Economic Justice, Rev. Claudia After Vespers Program: 7:00pm Launch of the anti-racism UUA curriculum, “Building the World We Dream About” Session I: Telling Our Story- Multiple Truths and Realities I
Vespers co-leader John Bloomer invites you to consider the joy of rituals this Wednesday, August Aug 26 during Vespers at 6:30 PM. If you have a theme for Vespers or would like to co-lead Vespers please contact Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org.
Next week: Vespers for All Ages: Don’t Let the Light Go Out Vespers leader Joyce Hooley-Gingrich invites us to reflect on this month’s theme of Renewal. The children’s picture book “Pepe the Lamplighter” by Elisa Bartone will set the tone for a reflection about “how to encourage each other.” After Vespers at 7:00 PM Rev. Claudia will lead a discussion on this month’s Soul Matters question: What does it mean to be a people of renewal?
Join us for Vespers, Wed., Aug 19 at 6:30 PM. Vespers leader Nancy Bragg invites us to nourish ourselves by exploring a variety of spiritual practices as we launch an Adult Faith Development series on spiritual practices. Afterwards, join Rev. Claudia in an exploration of what the words “spiritual” and “faith” mean to us as Unitarian Universalists.
Join us for Vespers this Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 PM hosted by Universal Rainbow Unity or URU. URU seeks to promote love, acceptance, compassion, justice, and equality in all areas of sexual and gender identity while providing education, encouraging awareness and nurturing full inclusion in a spiritually diverse community.
The Vespers theme will be “Spirituality & Sexuality” followed by a 7PM program on Sexual Identity and Expression featuring the Gender Unicorn, and a very special guest. Video presentation by Erin Shadle and discussion co-facilitated by Rev. Claudia (correction to previous announcement that it would be Margaret McAllister) and Kim Collins. See you – virtually- there!
Our Vespers service will be hosted by Universal Rainbow Unity or URU. The theme will be “Spirituality & Sexuality” followed by a 7PM program on Sexual Identity and Expression featuring the Gender Unicorn, and a very special guest. There will be brief presentation by Erin Shadle, followed by a discussion co-facilitated by Margaret McAllister and Kim Collins. See you – virtually- there!
Your Vespers Planning Team took a two week break at the end of July. Wednesday Thing Vespers resumes August 5 at 6:30 PM and will be hosted by Holly Demuth and Orion. They will be sharing a favorite story “Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A Story from Africa.”
Vespers Calendar:
Aug 12 Vespers leaders: Universal Rainbow Unity Theme: Spirituality & Sexuality. Program, 7PM: Exploring Sexual Identity
Aug 26 Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia Theme: Lessons From Water Program, 7PM: TED Talk/Discussion- “Be Humble” and Other Lessons from the Philosophy of Water by Raymond Tang
Wednesday Thing Vespers, July 15 at 6:30 PM will be hosted by the Anti -Racism Immigration Justice Action Group. They will reflect on our summer theme “Beauty that moves you” and how we can find beauty in the call to racial justice.
The Anti-Racist Immigration Justice Action Group(A-RIJAG) will facilitate an After Vespers Program: TED Talk How Racial Bias works and How to Disrupt it at 7:00pm. This 11 minute video will be followed by open discussion (break out groups if needed).
About the talk: Psychologist Jennifer L. Eberhardt explores how our biases unfairly target Black people at all levels of society — from schools and social media to policing and criminal justice — and discusses we can create points of friction to help us actively interrupt and address this troubling problem.
Join us for Summer Vespers, July 1st at 6:30 PM led by Michelle and Steve Reines. Our summer theme is “Art that moves you.” They will share poetry and music that inspires them and grounds them during this time of physical distancing. Watch for your Vespers email for the zoom link. Contact Rev. Claudia if you would like to share art that moves you at a future Vespers.
There will be no Vespers June 24. Go to uua.org/ga to see what’s happening at General Assembly this week. General Assembly invites UUs from all over the country and abroad to gather virtually to learn and do the work of the association. Join us for vespers again on July 1 as we continue with our summer theme “Beauty that Moves Me.” Michelle Reines will be our Vespers leader. See you then!
Vespers & Program next week, June 17: Join us June 17 at 6:30 PM as Vespers leader John Bloomer shares a poetry reflection as part of our summer Vespers focus “ Beauty that moves you.” The summer Vespers theme is an invitation to share art, music, poetry or dance that inspires you or makes you smile. Contact Rev. Claudia if you would like to share art that moves you at a future Vespers.
Mindfulness for All Ages Our first Summer Vespers will be hosted by the Martin family: Anna, Langdon, Eliza, and Lucille. We will be thinking about mindfulness. How do you stay grounded and present in these challenging times? Look for the ZOOM link in the Worship eNews, Monday, June 1. Vespers will continue into the summer. Please contact Rev. Claudia if you would like to facilitate a future Vespers.
Our first Animal Blessings ZOOM Vespers will be at 6:30 PM, May 27. Mary Ann Somervill.
will be our Vespers leader in partnership with co-host Rev Claudia. We look forward to meeting your pets. We are aware that new pets have been welcomed into some UUCA homes, and we look froward to meeting them. If you would like to remember a beloved pet that has died, you are welcome to share a picture with the group. See you at Vespers!
Vespers will continue during the summer.Yeah! Our focus will be “Art & Spirituality.” Vespers leaders will be invited to share and reflect on art that inspires them. It may be original or not, and can include music, poetry, painting, dance or other artistic expression. Contact Rev Claudia if you are interested in participating at faithdev@uuasheville.org
Earth Community Circle will host Vespers inviting us to reflect on our 7th principal and the call to care for our planet and each other. Vespers will be followed by a forum at 7:00 pm with Climate Citizens Lobby and Sierra Club discussing EICDA- Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Join us! Zoom link will be available in the Worship e-News, Monday May 18.
An Animal Blessings ZOOM Vespers will be offered May 27, 6:30pm co-hosted by Mary Ann Somerville.
And, contact Rev. Claudia if you would like to facilitate a future Vespers or have ideas for Summer Vespers…what can that be like?
This week’s Vespers will be hosted by Lead Minister Rev. Mark Ward. Join us at 6:30 PM, May 13. We will be exploring further our monthly theme of Thresholds. What thresholds have you crossed, and how have they changed you? Zoom link available in the e-News.
Mark your calendars…
May 20 Earth Community Circle hosts Vespers followed by a forum with Climate Citizens Lobby and Sierra Club discussing EICDA- Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
May 27 Animal Blessing Service… we look forward to meeting your furry friends (or feathery, etc.)
And, we welcome your ideas for what Summer Vespers could be like. Share your thoughts with Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
Zoom Vespers Wednesday May 6 at 6:30 will be hosted by Rev. Claudia. Our May theme is Thresholds. We will be using a beautiful children’s book “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson to explore life’s transitions. All ages welcome.
Mark your calendars, an Animal Blessings Vespers will be offered May 27 co-hosted by Mary Ann Somerville.
Join Vespers hosts, the Reines Family on April 29 at 6:30 pm. This week’s theme is “Resilience.” The meeting link will be provided in the Worship e-News.
Vespers on April 22, Earth Day, will be hosted by Rev Claudia and John Bloomer. All Ages Welcome. Meeting link will be provided in the Worship e-News. Be on the lookout! And, contact Rev Claudia if you would like to facilitate a future Vespers. We have openings for the month of May. One of the Vespers will be an Animal Blessing Vespers so we can meet your beloved pets. We know some of you have taken in new pets during this time. We’d love to meet them!
Wednesday Thing Vespers, April 8, 6:30 pm will be hosted by Nancy Bragg and EJ Haack. Participants of all ages will explore spring as a time of liberation, being free, hopeful, and nurturing new life. It is especially self-nurturing to do this now, within the current context of our collective struggle. Be ready to move your body and draw – so have a blank piece of paper and pencils, markers or crayons ready! We will interact in small groups of 4 or 5. Zoom link will be in the Worship e-news.
Join Rev. Claudia and MaryAnn Sommervill for a midweek time of reflection and connection during a live Wednesday Thing Zoom Vespers at 6:30 PM. There will be a time for breakout groups and conversation. If you have a chalice have it with you so we can light our chalices together. If you are interested in being a reader, helping craft future Vespers, or have questions about using Zoom, please contact Rev. Claudia.
No meal will be provided, but we still have great programming!
Vespers: Begins at 6:30pm and programming begins at 7 pm. Programs: Multigen – Fibre Friends (Sandburg Hall); General Assembly Information with Kim Collins (RE4); Creating Your Own Memorial with Rev. Mark Ward (Sanctuary).
Please Note: We will not be offering dinner as part of The Wednesday Thing in the month of March but folks are welcome to bring their own food and share a meal together in Sandburg Hall. Vespers will still begin at 6:30 and programs at 7:00.
Coming Soon at The Wednesday Thing March 4: Create Your Own Memorial w/ Rev. Mark Ward How we hope to be remembered at our deaths is not the first thing on most of our minds. But for those left behind, it can be a great comfort to know what our wishes are. Lead Minister Rev. Mark Ward and Pastoral Visitors will lead a workshop on how to plan for a memorial service and other arrangements at or near our deaths.
March 4: General Assembly Information Session w/ Kim Collins Come find out more about the UUA General Assembly happening this year in Providence, Rhode Island in June. Have questions about GA? Interested in serving as a UUCA delegate? Join us!
March 11: Cultural Competency Talk w/ Members of the UUCA Board Come talk with members of the board about the Intercultural Development Inventory, the continuum of cultural competence, and ways we can use these big words to ponder the possibilities of widening our welcome to those who step through our doors!
March 25: Hidden History of Asheville Some of Asheville’s racial history is hidden away, and some of it is hidden in plain sight. Patton, Vance, Merrimon, and Dickson. Who were the people behind the names? Join local educator, Betts Conti, in a discussion about how we as a community are affected by who and what we choose to remember. Middle school youth, high school youth, and adults will find this program fascinating and informative.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, February 25 Dinner is at 5:45pm Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able. Vespers by The Reines Family, begins at 6:30pm and programming begins at 7 pm. Programs: Multigen – Black History Month Trivia with Brett Johnson (SH); Minister Transition Talk with the Board (S). Childcare will be provided in RE Commons. Dinner is pizza and salad from Del Vecchios.
Black History Trivia! Come celebrate Black History Month with a fun, interactive, and educational multimedia trivia challenge! Don’t worry if you don’t know much…we’ll divide into teams, learn, and have fun. Led by Brett Johnson in Sandburg Hall.
Please Note: We will not be offering dinner as part of The Wednesday Thing in the month of March. Folks are still welcome to bring their own food and share a meal together in Sandburg Hall. Vespers will still begin at 6:30.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, February 18 Dinner is at 5:45pm Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able.
Vespers with Rev. Claudia begins at 6:30pm. Programs begin at 7pm: Multigen –Drumming with Will Jernigan; Cultural Competencies Conversations with UUCA board Pres. Ryan Williams; WWII and the Flaming Chalice-Learn how WWII gave birth to the Unitarian Service Committee (USC), Sharps’ War and the flaming chalice logo. Dinner is soup and salad from Loretta’s Cafe.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, February 4 Dinner is at 5:45pm
Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able. Vespers with Elizabeth Schell begins at 6:30pm. Programs begin at 7pm: Storytelling with David Novak (SH), Green Sanctuary Re-accreditation Kick Off (Sanctuary) Dinner is soup and salad from Loretta’s Cafe.
Master Storyteller David Novak Presents: String Stories Join UU storyteller, David Novak, for a telling experience. We will tell stories with shoestrings and string figures inspired by oral traditions. David is a remarkable speaker who brings stories to life and engages audiences of all ages. You won’t want to miss this! And you have to pay a lot of money to see him anywhere else!
Green Sanctuary Re-Accreditation Kick-Off Program Come learn about the 5 Action Plans we have identified (Earth Awareness Landscape, Religious Education, Net Zero Campus, Alternative forms of Transportation to reduce our carbon footprint, & Environmental Justice). Help us brainstorm and fine-tune our plan! Where can your talents fit in to help? FMI contact Wink Zachritz.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, January 28 Dinner is at 5:45pm Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able. Vespers begins at 6:30pm. Programs begin at 7pm: Multigen Fibre Friends (SH), Odyssey (Sanctuary), UU the Vote (RE 4) Dinner is soup and salad from Loretta’s Cafe.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, January 14
January 15 Dinner is at 5:45pm. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able. Vespers: Led by Elizabeth Schell, begins at 6:30pm. Programs begin at 7pm: Multigen Dance with Lisa Zahiya (SH), TED Talks with Noel Yovovich (Sanctuary) Dinner is pizza and salad from Delvecchios. RSVP for dinner here.
Dinner–Vespers–Great Programs! Be Sure to RSVP by 10am Tuesday Morning, January 14
January 15 Dinner is at 5:45pm. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person, $20 per family or pay as you are able. Vespers: Led by Rev. Mark, begins at 6:30pm. Programs begin at 7pm: Multigen Banner Making for MLK Jr. March (SH), Intercultural Development Inventory with Ryan Williams (Sanctuary) Dinner is soup and salad from Loretta’s Cafe. RSVP for dinner here.
