I love the theme of Cultivating Relationships for this month. It is exactly what we need to be doing and exactly what we are trying to do at UU Asheville right now. We are coming back together in ways that used to be so familiar and can now be a little scary for some of us. Luckily, we have the chance to take it slow, and to work on our relationships with each other. As RE groups are beginning to meet again, both online and in person, we are thinking and talking about our covenants with each other. We are reviewing and renewing, and changing them when needed. After all, covenants can provide structure and meaning to all of our relationships. It is not work that we do one time and then declare that we are done. It is work that we need to be constantly thinking about and working on. I would encourage your family to do some covenanting work together at home, especially if you have kids.
It is also important to take some time to cultivate a better relationship with yourself! Check out this suggestions from this month’s Soulful Home Packet.
Cultivating Better Relationships with Self
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, fully 25% of 13- to 18-year-olds will experience an anxiety disorder. As caregivers, we have only so much control over the environmental and broader cultural stressors they will encounter. But we can influence the ways they do–or don’t–internalize the most damaging of the messages they are receiving.
Meditation and movement coach Kimberly Campbell guides us toward kinder self-talk in this 12-minute video. Watch it together with some combination of your loved ones, and afterward, talk about what you noticed. Did anything shift inside you, or click into place? Did you find yourself resisting any part of it? Name one phrase or practice that you’ll be carrying forward from this exercise.
There are several opportunities this month to join together in person – especially for those of you who have joined us during the time of the pandemic, we’d love for you to come get to know us better!
Make a plan to attend on of these upcoming Soup fundraiser dates for Coming of Age!
UU Asheville’s Coming of Age youth invite you to join us for a twist on beloved tradition: Soup-er events! Choose from a variety of delicious homemade soups and pre-order using this form (order early for the best selection). Each quart of soup comes with 2 generous pieces of garlic bread AND the joy of supporting the youth of our congregation! Pay for and pick up your order at UU Asheville on Thursday, October 21st, between 5:30 and 6:30pm. Take home to enjoy!
**Orders close on Tuesday, October 19, to allow time for the chefs to prepare.
And save the dates for all of the Soup-er events, including one on October 31 that has on-campus dining option! Come that day to enjoy fellowship with your UU friends (new and old, young and less young), have a delicious meal, and stay for the Halloween parade!
Thursday, October 21Sunday, October 31 – on-site dining or drive thru — you decide what works for you!Saturday, November 6Thursday, November 18
Finally, don’t miss our Remembrance Service on Sunday, October 31st! Come in costume for worship, candle lighting, music, and of course Soup! We’ll have goodies for for everyone, including your furry friends (pets also encouraged to come in costume)!
