Patience
Patience is not an easy thing for me to practice. But I am intentional about practicing it, knowing that I will never be perfect at it. I am only human. I am reminded of the quote from Kahlil Gibran that says, our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from trying to control it. If you want a lesson in patience, go stand in a long line in a small bank on a Friday afternoon! It is here that you come face to face with the realization that you cannot make your life move any faster than it is moving. No matter how urgent your situation may seem to be, things are going to happen when they happen and not a minute sooner.
It does not matter how many times you huff and puff, it does not matter how many times you roll your eyes or suck your teeth. You cannot make your life happen any faster than it is happening right now. In a long line, in a small bank, when it appears that people are not moving fast enough, remember that the process is in motion and that things will get done when they get done.
Like many things in life, patience is a choice. It is a conscious choice to be reliant on the consistent movement or flow of life. Patience is an ability. It is the cognitive ability to remember that once the wheels start turning and the movement or process has begun, the destination will most surely be reached---eventually. Patience is a skill. It is the emotional skill of knowing that what you expect to manifest (meaning "intending" and "desiring") will happen when it needs to happen. Patience is a science. It is the spiritual science of using your mental and emotional skills of creation to such an exacting degree, that the outcome is assured at the beginning. It is the science of knowing that what you set in motion with your mind and with all of your your heart will happen at just the right time in just the right way.
It may be challenging to practice patience while on a long line in a small bank, on a Friday at noon. However, if you can master patience there, at least some of the time, you can practice patience everywhere. Just for today try it. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with others. Be patient with Life. It will pay off.
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Sunday, 4 March 2018, 11 am
Rev. Rob Morris
“Permaculture Prophets: Hipsters in the Scriptures Digging up Dirt on the Divine.”
Rob Morris serves as the Executive Director of Christmount, a retreat, camp and conference center located in Black Mountain. Growing up in the Disciples of Christ denomination and having served as an associate pastor in Raleigh and as the principal pastor in Fort Worth, Texas, his faith has evolved to the point where he views the center of his calling as “compassion for all people and all creatures as a Christian/ Buddhist/ Humanist."
 Sunday, 11 March 2018, 11 am
Anne Murray
"A Poem as Lovely as a Tree"
Do you perceive the energy of trees when you walk in the woods? Are you interested in connecting with various earth-centered traditions? Anne Murray shares her reverence for trees in this service that includes a story for all ages and the words of many sources of wisdom through the ages. Anne Murray has been a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem for over 20 years. Raised, Episcopalian, she sought a liberal religious education for her then 7-year-old daughter. “Came for the daughter; stayed for personal fulfillment.” She has served as member or chair of several committees, served on the Board, and has otherwise been active in Fellowship life. She also holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and is a former college professor. She enjoys combining her passion for teaching with her interest in delving deeply into spiritual matters by speaking from the pulpit periodically. Now retired from academia, she is a full-time bookbinder and paper artist. www.annespaperandbooks.com
Sunday, 18 March 2018, 11 am
Rev. Michael J.S. Carter
"The Sermon on the Amount"
When we as UUs talk about supporting our churches, we are no different from other churches. Any congregation, from the largest Cathedral to the smallest chapel, is always supported by the gifts of those common people who love it and who work for it and who support it as they are able. It is the love of its congregation that ultimately sanctifies a church, or a temple, a mosque, or a meetinghouse and makes of it a sanctuary, a holy place, a community that transcends time. As a clergy person, I am always humbled by the loving loyalty and the stunning generosity of spirit in which people hold their churches and this congregation is no exception. Let's talk about money.
 Sunday, 25 March 2018, 11 am|
Rev. Michael J.S. Carter
"Your Inner Landscape"
UUCSV Choir will perform
On many occasions you have heard me stress to you the importance of cultivating an inner or interior life; to take the time to self-reflect, to not be so “other aided” where everything is focused on what is happening or going on outside of you. Otherwise you become a mere victim of outer circumstances and the inner life or inner consciousness will produce the outer experience and not the other way around. By cultivating our way of thinking and feeling about life circumstances we develop and cultivate our inner landscape.
Now, one of the challenges of doing this type of work is to decide just how much of the cultivated self one wants to reveal. Which one of these landscapes do you want to clean up so to speak? Which one of these so called landscapes is the real and authentic you? These landscapes may vary in appearance depending on who you are, where you stand in life and how you choose to present yourself. Choice is very important in life, for life is a series of choices made (or not made), and not realizing this can be extremely deleterious to the life you are trying to lead whether you are ignorant of this fact or not. All is choice. Even not making a choice is a choice.
Sunday, 1 April 2018, 11 am
Joe Jencks
"What is Redemption?"
As UUs we often find ourselves pondering what exactly redemption means, especially on Easter Sunday. Internationally acclaimed musician and guest speaker Joe Jencks, will explore in narrative and song, why redemption is such a vital and integral spiritual concept for liberal religious traditions. This is no April Fools joke!
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Greetings to you from Children's Religious Education.
March is here! Spring, daylight savings time, and the surprise weather are just some of the wonders of this month. This year it will also include the big reveal for our Mystery Buddy program.
The Mystery Buddies have been busy the last few weeks exchanging notes and wondering who their buddy is. The Big Reveal will be on March 11 when we all get together during potluck to have lunch with our Mystery Buddy.
Here's what else we've being doing "across the hall":
- Preschool has been learning about the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Guiding Principles as well as practicing their cooperative play skills through The Rainbow Connection.
- Elementary students have been traveling the globe visiting Vatican City, Ireland & North America learning about Catholicism, Wicca, and Native American spiritual practices in their Passport to Spirituality curriculum.
- The Principled Music curriculum has enabled our youth to continue exploring social justice issues such as income inequality.
And now, meet Children's Religious Education!
 March is the actually the month of June! One of our faithful elementary students, June brings her sunny nature and quiet charm into our class each week. She loves animals (rodents are her favorite) and ice cream. She is active in her Girl Scout Brownie troop where she recently attended her first World Thinking Day event with Girl Scouts from all over Buncombe County, and is also running with her school's running club. She likes to read (we haven't had many storybooks in class she hasn't read already) and has learned to ride her bike!
I hope you will take a minute one Sunday to talk with this young lady and discover for yourself her sparkling personality!
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The Social Action Committee is sponsoring an Introduction to Compassionate (Nonviolent) Communication led by Rev. Jeff Jones on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 PM at our church. Compassionate (Nonviolent) Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, is built on four key principles any one of which can change a conversation drastically. They are expressing observations that aren't judgements, feelings that aren’t thoughts, needs that aren’t strategies, and requests that aren't demands.
In the Introduction, Rev. Jones, a former Unitarian Universalist Parish Minister, will talk about the four key skills, and will conclude with a discussion of empathy for oneself and others. Rev. Jones will offer 5 additional practice sessions. There will be no charge.
For more information, contact Suzanne Ziglar
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A Heartfelt Thank You From Room in the Inn 2018
It is hard to believe this year has come and gone already. Serving such an amazing program is beyond a rewarding opportunity. What a wonderful and profound statement we made with our UU Congregation's love, support and contributions to Room In The Inn this year. Our lasting impression as a team player within the 4 church partnership confirms we are loving, responsible and above all generous. Our spreads of home cooked food, plentiful breakfasts and lunches let all know we are committed by heart.
Our place within the church partnership spoke highly for itself as we parted with numerous smiles, thank you's and hugs while wishing the women happiness and success in their positive journey forward.
 Thank you again for all you continue to do for the program. Your kindness and selflessness is appreciated more then you know.
Janice and crew, Kathi and Helen |
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Notes from your Board of Trustees Meeting on February 22nd
Our volunteer Treasurer, Lee Reading, reported that we have a very clean balance sheet with minor liabilities and approximately $132,000 in liquid assets. Year to date, the plate collection is well ahead of projections and pledges are on track.
The results of the congregational survey, which was created and administered by Jim Carillon, Tina Rosato, and David Wells, were discussed by the BoT. The results will be posted on the bulletin board and on the church website. The Board would like to form a strategic planning group comprised of church members to use the results from the survey to develop a new five-year plan.
Carolyn Shorkey, as Chair of the Memorial Garden Committee, reported that there have been donations for the construction of the Memorial Garden from 27 members to date amounting to approximately $3,700. After a discussion, the BoT asked for more information about how the garden would be funded and for a couple of quotes for construction costs. The BoT will revisit the issue of funding the garden at its March Meeting. The issue of our AV system has also been deferred to the next meeting.
From March 18th through April 15th the Board will seek financial commitments from members and friends for the 2018-19 operating budget.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of hymnals to be placed on the new chairs which are located behind the pulpit.
We are very grateful to new member, Rhea (pronounced Ray) Bockhorst, who has taken on the Chairmanship of the Building and Grounds Committee. When you see Rhea, please introduce yourself and thank him!
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The Social Action Committee (SAC) will collect new warm socks for AHope on Sundays, March 11 and 18. AHope, part of Homeward Bound, runs programs for the homeless, such as Room at the Inn. Their goal is to help the homeless move toward jobs and permanent housing, by providing phones and help with job applications. They also help with applications for food stamps and health services. One ongoing  need is for new warm socks for men and women who live on the streets. There will be a box for your donations on 3/11 and 3/18.
The next SAC meeting will be March 21.
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The Sunday Service Associates are thrilled to be able to bring Joe Jencks to our pulpit on April 1st. Though he's based near Chicago and tours constantly, we are lucky to catch him on his way to Music Week at the Mountain, You don't want to miss this service!
Some of you may know Joe from his solo folk music career, and others may know him as one third of the harmony trio Brother Sun.
Joe is a musician and songwriter with a strong social conscience as well as deep human and spiritual insights. He is a regular at SUUSI, and for some years organized all the music for worship services at SUUSI. Learn more at http://joejencks.com.
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Meets March 6th at noon at UUCSV.
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In March, the choir will sing on the 25th. We will rehearse on March 18th at 12:15, then on Wednesday the 21st at 7 PM, and on the day of performance, the 25th at 10 AM. Come and join us! Most songs are in four parts, soprano, alto, tenor and bass. You can sing wherever your voice fits in! Linda Metzner, choir director
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The women's group will meet on March 9 at 1:00 pm at the Lynx community room to explore peace of mind through non-attachment with Barbara Brady.
Barbara will present a 7 step process to freedom, peace and empowerment for women who want to feel relaxed, free and happy regardless of whether they get a certain outcome - e.g. related to home, child, partner, money, work etc.
Barbara is a spiritual & transformational coach who guides people to live from their heart and soul, and apply universal principles and real world skills to their lives for greater peace, freedom, joy and success. She is an ordained interfaith Minister with James Twyman's Beloved Community and is a licensed Practitioner with the Centers for Spiritual Living.
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The PSI group will meet on March 27 at 1:30 pm to consider and discuss reincarnation.
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March’s Friday Fling, a fun party for grown-ups, usually every third Friday of the month, will be held on 16 March at the UUCSV church. This month we are taking a sentimental journey to the beginning of UUCSV's Friday Fling twelve and a half years ago, with two of the first movies we have shown. Red and white refreshments will be provided; please bring a potluck dish to share. First movie choice: Sordid Lives (2001; Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges, Delta Burke; hilarious black comedy about white trash, and the consequences when Grandma Peggy dies after tripping over her lover's wooden legs). Second movie choice: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994; Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce; outrageous comedy about three flamboyant drag queens journeying across the Australian desert to a lip-sync gig; ABBA music). Potluck begins at 6:30. For further information call Norm Kowal (458-4537).
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The catalog for SUUSI is now online! The Southeastern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute will again be held at Western Carolina University. Registration opens on April 1st. Don't know what this is? Ask around church and visit:
https://www.suusi.org/
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The deadline for the April Newsletter is March 25th. Please submit items to this address. The best format is simply in the body of an email.
Thanks,
Ginny
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Board of Trustees:
Jim Carillon
Kathryn Coyle
Susan Culler, Vice-Pres.
Bob Falanga
Pam Sain
Carol Sheeler
David Wells, President
Minister,
Rev. Michael Carter,
ex-officio, non-voting
Board Member
Treasurer:
Lee Reading
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