“ I am only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” ( Edward Everett Hale)
If your life were to end today, how would your obituary read? Now don’t get frightened! Thinking about your obituary will not kill you. It is actually a way to start living, to begin to become fully conscious of the moments you are alive. Every moment of your life writes a line for your obituary, every action or inaction provides memories for those you will leave behind. They are memories that the people you love will want to include in the telling of you life story. So you see, you are the author of your own obituary! Are you writing a tale of misery or tenacity? Were you up or uppity? Were you inclusive and supportive? Or were you exclusively out for yourself? Did you lift others up or did you allow them to knock you down? When you went down did you stay down or did you land on your back (because if you can look up you can get up). Did you stay down, complaining and whining?
What will you obituary say about the way you treated people and how you made them feel about themselves? Maya Angelou reminds us that folks may forget what we said to them; they may even forget what we did to them; but they will never forget the way we made them feel. What will your obituary say about the way you treated yourself? What will it say about your attitude? How well did you handle yourself in a crisis? It’s true that people can lie. They can say things to make you look good to all those who didn’t know you. But they will know and you know the truth. Perhaps now it is time to consider how you are living and what you want to be said about you when you are not here.
Minister's Column cont.
|
|
 Sunday, 4 June 2017, 11 am
Steve Brooks
"The Crack in Everything"
Of the great songwriters of our time, Leonard Cohen was perhaps the most spiritual. He spent five years in a Zen monastery. His songs are cryptic koans, about the contradictions of seeking light, love and justice in a dark and fallen world, while holding onto humor and hope. Songwriter Steve Brooks sings and unravels several of his favorites, while he explores their lessons for surviving the New Dark Age.
A longtime member and former board member of Austin's Wildflower Church, speaker and singer-songwriter Steve Brooks has performed at more than 30 UU churches around Texas and beyond. His services are an entertaining and thought-provoking blend of sermon and song, in which he integrates homilies, hymns and special music. A master of words as well as music, he was featured on TV's "I've Got a Secret" as six-time World Pun Champion. His seventh CD, "I'll Take You Home," was released January 29. http://www.stevebrooks.net/
 Sunday, 11 June 2017 11am
Rev. Michael S.J. Carter
“Your Spiritual Manners"
Do you have good manners? I'm not speaking of the etiquette of meeting and greeting people, or the way we conduct ourselves at the dinner table (knowing what knife, fork, and spoon to use at just the right time.) I'm asking about the etiquette we use in our day to day living while experiencing life on this wonderful planet of ours. We are merely guests on this planet while in this incarnation, and yet if we look closely enough, we have many of the tools we need to survive. Most of us have our health or have had it. Many, but not all, of us have or have had some sense of stability and support in our lives. With these tools at our disposal, are we minding our manners? I'm talking about spiritual manners; the manners that assist us in excavating and cultivating our inner lives.
 Sunday, 18 June 2017, 11 am
Rev. Chris Andrews
“The Gift”
The idea: On Father’s Day we honor our dads, obviously. Some of us do that with joy, others with misgiving, and others don’t have a dad around to connect with. But, good dad or not-so-good dad, this day is an opportunity to take stock, to reflect, to look around and realize that we are all blessed by the gift of life—everyone of us got started because a father connected with a mother and here we are. It is the gift of life that we have been given, the greatest gift there is or ever could be. In this sermon we will celebrate that gift and remember the fathers, good and bad, who gave it to us.
The Rev. Chris Andrews is a lifelong resident of Louisiana except for stints in graduate school and a work assignment in England. Formerly a minister in the United Methodist Church for 42 years, he served at 1st United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for many of those years. Chris now leads Jubilee Pioneers, an eclectic group of folks in Baton Rouge seeking ways to practice “good religion.” He is not a Christian, but instead calls himself a “follower of Jesus".
Sunday, 25 June 2017 11 am
Rev. Michael S. J. Carter
"Feelings"
We are often told to get in touch with them. We are often told to keep them in check. We are often told and taught to repress them. In certain schools of Eastern thought we are taught to just be aware of and to observe them as they are impermanent and ever changing. There is truth to all of this, yet however one looks at it, we cannot really become a healthy human being without them. Obviously, I am referring to our feelings. How do we get over this Western notion, this love affair with the intellect, to balance heart and mind, to become the whole, authentic, and integrated people we are meant to be? Let's explore this balancing act of what it means to be human; let's talk about feelings. The UUCSV Choir will perform.
 Sunday, 2 July 2017, 11 am
Rev. Ernest Mills
Topic: TBA
Ordained to the UU ministry in 2007, Ernie completed a BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a Master of Religious Education from Duke Divinity School, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He began his ministry in the United Methodist Church, serving as director of education, assistant pastor, and minister, and eventually Chaplain and Instructor at Brevard College.
In 2002 he resigned his position at Brevard College and became part-time minister to the small congregation of Unitarian Universalists who are now known as UUTC. This is Ernie's first visit to UUCSV.
|
|
June is the time for celebrating the joys of summer! What better way to do it at UUCSV than joining us for our Founder's Day celebration on June 18! The RE department is sponsoring this event to celebrate the founding of UUCSV which is now in its 16th year! Here are all the details:
Founders' Day
BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)
RE committee will provide drinks & desserts
Where - Our own church!
When - June 18 (Sunday), 2pm-4pm
In other news, Summer Sundays are here!! Don't miss a week of all the fun as we do lots of cool and exciting activities, maybe even a field trip! Along those lines, if you have a skill or hobby to share with our younger UUs, contact Beata Ball asap to choose your week.
Don't forget the RE "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on July 28. Tickets to this Asheville Tourist game are available. Adults=$7, Child/Senior=$5. This is a great event for members and friends alike so don't be shy about inviting friends! Carpooling will be organized closer to the event date.
|
|
A slate of new candidates for the 2017-18 UUCSV Board of Trustees was presented by Tina Rosato to the members for approval. This slate included:
David Wells (continuing member)
Carol Sheeler (continuing member)
Pam Sain
Bob Falanga
Susan Culler
Kathryn Coyle
Jim Carillon moved to accept the slate as presented, and Beata Ball seconded. The slate of candidates was unanimously approved. David Wells and Carol Sheeler will serve a 1 year, and the others will serve a 2 year term. Frank Pizzardi continues his 2 year term as elected last year. New Board members are invited to the June Board meeting on June 19th at 6pm. Board members rotating off (David Reid, Tina Rosato, Diane Graham, and Sarah Kirkpatrick) were thanked for their service, and new members were thanked for their willingness to serve.
The $115,000 2017-18 operating budget was presented for approval by David Reid, with assistance by Jim Carillon to explain breakdown of personnel expenses. This budget includes the resources to bring our minister, Rev. Michael Carter, to full time and meet UUA guidelines for salary and retirement contributions. Discussion also included questions about a new roof and previously approved plans for a memorial garden. Non-operating funds are set aside for a roof, and it was agreed to put the plans for a memorial garden on the next Board Meeting agenda to raise awareness.
Chuck Shimer moved to approve the budget and Ann Silman seconded. The budget was approved unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:57pm.
Appreciation to Jerry Pope for serving as meeting secretary.
|
|
Social Justice: Sanctuary
|
Our Social Justice Committee has invited Marisol Jimenez, a leader with NC Latino Justice Movement to speak to our Congregation on Sunday, June 11, 2017. Immediately following our pot-luck lunch, Marisol's talk is called “Immigration 101”. She will discuss what is happening in the immigration community, what the Sanctuary Movement is all about, and how we as a congregation can assist. Please mark your calendar for this important event. Sunday June 11 at 12:30 pm, Marisol will provide us with critical information we need to decide what role UUCSV can play in the local Sanctuary Movement.
Sanctuary: What Can We Do?
(Additional background provided by Bob Falanga)
The Asheville/Buncombe interfaith sanctuary movement is alive and well. Several weeks back an interfaith workshop on sanctuary was held at St. Eugene’s RC Church. The place was jammed. Over 500 people attended. The six break out groups were wall-to-wall people.
Many latino immigrants attended the sanctuary workshop. Several even spoke to us explaining their daily troubles in living without documentation. The current administration has gravely increased the threat level they suffer. Many immigrants have stories of immediate deportations that have occurred to friends and family. They risked threat of deportation simply by attending the sanctuary workshop.
Asheville/Buncombe has a substantial though largely invisible immigrant population. Many have been here for decades quietly working at all sorts or service jobs and raising their families. Within the Asheville interfaith community, these folks are our brothers and sisters. Faith and family are critical values in their community. Their service labor is essential to our local economy. These folks are our neighbors. They need our support.
Sanctuary is amazing! Collectively the interfaith community can thwart the deportation machine. Sanctuary provides the gift of time to those under threat of immediate deportation. Sadly we are living under a government that is willing to snatch up a mom of three at the local school and not even consider who will take the kids home. Who will make their dinner? Sanctuary can give this mom a hearing — a chance to be heard.
Our immigrant neighbors are living with constant threat. What can we at UUCSV do? The first step is education. We need to know more. Please attend the talk on Sunday, June 11h after the pot-luck!
|
|
....Until today, you may not have realized that your life provides the content of your obituary. Just for today, examine your life. Think about all the things you want to leave behind. Remember, the good thing about doing this today is that you still have time to rewrite your life’s content if necessary. You are not called on to save the world. You are called on to change your mind about the world. Dr. Howard Thurman reminds us that the time and place of a person’s life is the time and place of his or her body. But the significance of that life is
as powerful and important as a person wills it to be.
Be well. Strive to Be Happy.
Michael
|
|
|
|
Our beloved founding member Evelyn Carter died peacefully on May 18. Services will be held at the UU Congregation of Asheville on Friday, June 2 at 3:00pm and the family will receive visitors from 1:45-2:45. Gifts in her memory may be made to The Mountain, UUCSV, and Hospice of Asheville. Michael Carter will officiate the service and our choir will sing one song in honor of Evelyn. You may read the full obituary here.
|
|
Please join us on Sunday, June 4th, after the service, for a think-tank on communications work at UUCSV. (We'll meet at 12:15 in the small RE Room.)
Rebecca Williams and Ginny Moreland will share our current methods and seek ideas and energy to support and improve our efforts. If you are active in another committee, you have a vested interest in our communications program! Come share with your ideas and help us meet your needs. There is no standing committee on Communications, but it is important work that needs periodic review. All are welcome!
|
|
The next Luunch Buunch meeting will be Tuesday, June 5th at noon.
|
|
June's Friday Fling, a fun party for grown-ups, usually every third Friday of the month, will be held on 16 June at the UUCSV church. Red and white refreshments will be provided; please bring a potluck dish to share. First movie choice: Carol (2015; Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara; sweet shopgirl meets older confident woman, and love and problems ensue; great music). Second movie choice: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958; Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives; Tennessee Williams' classic study of mendacity, filled with fiery performances). Potluck begins at 6:30. For further information call Norm Kowal (458-4537).
|
|
The Intuitive Development group
The psychic development (PSI) group will meet on June 27 to visit Judaculla Rock near Sylva. This rock contains the largest collection of petroglyphs east of the Mississippi. The creators of the symbols predate the Cherokee who arrived here 1500 years ago.
We will meet to car pool at the UUSCV parking lot at 11:00 AM. Bring your camera, lunch and a beverage. We plan to return by approximately 3:00 pm. Contact Lois Heintz if you would like more information (petite.one@gmail.com).
|
|
The topic for the June 9 meeting of UU Women is Gardening and Mother Earth. The meeting will be at 1:00 pm in the Lynx Condominiums Club House. If you are not a gardener, what are your favorite garden spots to visit? Perhaps you like the gardens at Biltmore or the wild flower walk at the NC arboretum. Or you may want to describe a garden you grew at a previous time.
What are your favorite aspects of Mother Earth? Where are your favorite earth spots to visit? We enjoy living in the mountains; perhaps the ocean, or waterfalls in Brevard are places you like to visit.
|
|
Our choir was honored to be asked to perform for the memorial of Evelyn Carter, one of our oldest members, and someone with great vision for the UUCSV. We all miss her presence in choir and everywhere in our church life.
In June we will perform on the 25th, with our first rehearsal on June 18th at 12:15 after the service, then at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening June 21st, and then on the day of performance, June 25th at 10 AM. Come and sing with us! We really enjoy new members.
Linda Metzner, choir director
|
|
Community news:
Buncombe County Schools seeks volunteers to assist with their
summer hot-lunch program.
Dates: June 14 -- Aug 18
Days: Mon - Fri, but not July 4.
Times: Lunch time –
serve for one hour, plus time for set-up & cleanup.
Signups: Can sign up for one day, but better to sign up for a regular shift, like all Mondays at one site.
Site: In Swannanoa, Ridgeview Trailer Pk,
49 Allen Campo’s Circle
Program Description:
1. Buncombe City School System prepares and delivers hot lunches to designated high poverty neighborhood sites, for volunteers to distribute free to children ages 2-18 and to the disabled.
2. Online background checks are required of all volunteers. A training video of 40 minutes with 6 questions is required.
3. Two people can adequately cover the feeding site.
Contact: Judy Mattox, judymattox
@sbcglobal.net,
615-584-4570
|
|
Deb Vingle, recently returned long-time member of UUCSV, has assumed coordination of the Congregational Care Team. You can reach Deb at 828-674-4290 or at debrvingle@gmail.com
Thanks, Deb!
|
|
The deadline for the July Newsletter is June 25th. Please submit items to newsletter.uucsv@
gmail.com The best format is simply in the body of an email.
Thanks,
Ginny and Jackie
|
|
Board of Trustees:
Diane Graham
Sarah Kirkpatrick
Frank Pizzardi
David Reid, President
Tina Rosato
Carol Sheeler
Dave Wells, Vice-Pres.
Minister,
Rev. Michael Carter,
ex-officio, non-voting
Board Member
Treasurer:
Lee Reading
|
|
|
