Vespers 6:30pm: Joyce Hooley will lead us in considering some insights from Black American voices regarding this month’s theme, Imagination, as related to racial justice.
Program 7pm: “Discerning Race/Discerning Power” continues our anti-racism work using the UUA curriculum “Building the World We Dream About” Facilitator: Mary Alm
Join Vespers leader Rev. Claudia for a meditative holiday Vespers. Come prepared to share a favorite holiday memory during breakout groups.
7 PM Program: Everyday Life Spiritual Practices Featuring Living Compassionately – Jeff Jones will be sharing his everyday life spiritual practice of living compassionately. Participants in breakout rooms will be sharing what spiritual practices we each will carry forward and integrate into our everyday lives.
Vespers resumes January 6 welcoming the New Year and the monthly theme of imagination.
Our Wednesday Thing 2021 Programs will focus on:
1st Wednesdays, the Soul Matters Theme (or a congregant suggested topic)
2nd Wednesdays, Anti-racism work
3rd Wednesdays, Spiritual Practices
4th Wednesdays, UU Theology
During February through April, Jim Steffe and Rev. Claudia will offer a series on “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” based on the book by Lewis Richmond.
The ancient spiritual tool of the labyrinth can be a welcome invitation to go deeper within and find a hidden stillness. Join Rev. Claudia Jiménez and UUCA member Rev. Terry Davis as we take this journey together.
Print out a labyrinth or download a labyrinth app to use for this evening’s service:
Join us December 2 as Rev Mark leads a Vespers on the Dec theme of stillness.
In observation of Human Rights Day, Dec 10 our after Vespers program invites us to explore cross cultural engagement and privilege in activism work. Co facilitators Deb Holden and Rev Claudia will share case studies for discussion from the Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program established to be in solidarity with India’s struggle for social justice and human rights.
December – Theme: Stillness
2 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Human Rights Day Discussion, Deb Holden, Rev Claudia
9 Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis Program: Navigating the Landscapes of Power, Joy McConnell
Join Rev. Claudia for a meditative vespers Wed., Nov 25 6:30 PM using the story “Giving Thanks” based on words from the Peoples of the Six Nations. It has been a complicated, challenging year and we are invited to consider the everyday gifts around us despite the challenges we face. Below is prompt to share with a young person in your life and, that you can draw or journal about. Enjoy!
Draw something that makes you happy.
Draw something you couldn’t live without.
Draw someone who helps you.
Draw something that makes you smile.
Draw something you love to do.
Draw something you are thankful for.
Draw someone you love.
Draw something you think is fun.
Draw something that makes you feel good.
Draw something that makes you laugh.
December – Theme: Stillness
2 Vespers Leader: Rev. Mark Program: Human Rights Day Discussion, Deb Holden, Rev Claudia
9 Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis Program: Navigating the Landscapes of Power, Joy McConnell
Join us this Wednesday for Vespers at 6:30 PM. Our theme:Truth and Reconciliation In keeping with this month’s theme of “Healing,” Joyce Hooley Gingrich invites us to explore role of acknowledging hard truths in the kind of “healing” that brings about reconciliation. Our ‘Time for All Ages’ will include a shadow play, titled Mother, Mother, I Feel Sick! Send for the Doctor Quick, Quick Quick! We will also be observing Transgender Day of Remembrance.”
The 7 PM Program will be Exploring Heart and Creativity practices.
PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM:
2nd & 4th Wed.; Building the World We Dream About; Contact: Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
3rd Wed.; Spiritual Practices: Exploration and Practice Challenge Contact: Nancy Bragg njbragg1@gmail.com November – Soul Matters Theme: Healing
4 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Theme Talk – Healing
11 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Problems and Promises of Unearned Privilege, Anna M
Join Vespers Leader Anna Martin at 6:30 PM this Wednesday for a meditative Vespers on this month’s theme of healing. Vespers will include the telling of the story “The Shattering of the Vessels” by Amy Petrie Shaw.
7 PM Program: Building the World We Dream About will explore the problems and promises of unearned privilege. Facilitator: Anna Martin
PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM:
2nd & 4th Wed.; Building the World We Dream About; Contact: Rev Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
3rd Wed.; Spiritual Practices: Exploration and Practice Challenge Contact: Nancy Bragg njbragg1@gmail.com November – Soul Matters Theme: Healing
4 Vespers Leader: Rev Mark Program: Theme Talk – Healing
11 Vespers Leader: Anna Martin Program: Problems and Promises of Unearned Privilege, Anna M
Vespers 6:30 PM. Vespers Leader, Rev Claudia, invites us to consider the purpose of the church. Is our ecclesiology individual, collective or both? Program 7PM. Program Leader Bob Gingrich, continues the conversation about the bipartisan divide and congregational bias: can we disagree in love?
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
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.
