Sunday, October 16, 2022 - 11:00 a.m. 
“The Spirituality of The Atheist"
Rev. Michael J S Carter
Music: Linda Metzner, piano
It never ceases to amaze me the responses I hear from
people when they hear that someone self identifies as an atheist. It is as if the individual who was courageous enough to admit they were an atheist (or even an agnostic, which is someone who just doesn’t know if there is a God or not) has some sort of disease or virus that one surely does not want to catch; as if their morals and ethics were somehow beneath those who identify as theist or believers or perhaps a sense of ethics or morals is non-existent in the atheist.
At one time in my life, I even identified as an atheist and I must say that the UU denomination gave me the courage to do so because I could
explore my personal theology, having been in a “holding pattern” in my theological life, and I was not alienated because of my stance at the time. I was equally surprised when I first started attending UU services in New York at how many African Americans had identified as humanist or
atheist, and pleasantly so.
This was wonderful news to me at that time, because they had decided that they did not believe in a supreme deity, although I must admit I had not met many African Americans who publicly identified as atheist or even humanist. Let's explore what I refer to as The Spirituality of the Atheist.
Order of Service
Gathering Music: "As If I Could Reach Rainbows (David Benoit)”
Welcome & Announcements: Rose Levering
Opening Words & Chalice Lighting: Jon Braden & Diane Graham
Opening Hymn: #122 “Sound Over All Waters”
Responsive Reading: #650
Joys & Concerns
Meditation: Scott Conklin
Offertory: “With God on Our Side” (Bob Dylan)
Hymn: #34 “Though I Speak with Bravest Fire”
Sermon: The Spirituality of The Atheist – Rev. Michael J S Carter
Closing Hymn: #163 “For the Earth Forever Turning”
Closing Words: Jon Braden
Postlude: “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” (Bob Dylan)
Music: Linda Metzner, piano
Religious Education: Nursery/Pre-K caregivers: Childcare at this time is limited, and is performed as needed by either Susan Enwright Hicks, DRE, or one of our trusted childcare volunteers
Video: Evan Yanik
Sound Team: Marti Saltzman, Barbara Rogers, Rhea Bockhorst, Larry Pearlman & David Reid
The YouTube video of today's service will be available Sunday afternoon, as well as all previous Sunday Services at UUCSV Productions. Click to go to YouTube here.
Joys & Concerns:
We want to hear from you about your joys and concerns. If you cannot attend in person and would like to be heard, please send your message to Rev. Michael Carter by noon on Friday so he can read it during the Sunday service.
For online offertory and/or pledge donations:
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October 16, 2022
No Virtual RE this week
11:00 a.m. at UUCSV - RE Lesson with Susan
There is no virtual RE this week, however,
families can enjoy this message of self empowerment if they wish.
We need Nursery/Preschool Volunteers! In order to have a safe space for our youngest visitors we need volunteer helpers to watch young children. If you’re available to be a part of our Childcare Team (which means you would sign up to be available certain Sundays of your choice should childcare be needed) please contact Susan at 828 450-5319.
Parents, please fill out the RE registration form here to have your child
officially enrolled in RE this year. Thank you!
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 Sunday, October 23, 2022 - 11:00 a.m. "Atheism 2.0"
Rev. Michael J S Carter
Lately, I have been thinking about whether or not UUism is a religion. The ideas I am going to express are my own but it has been on my mind. I am not going to try to convince you one way or the other, that is up to you and it may not really be that important in the long run. How can a religion appeal to an atheist or humanist or an agnostic? I have come to the conclusion that it is both a blessing and a curse for us as UUs and by that, I mean it may be the reason we as UUs don’t have a so-called “elevator speech” when someone asks us what it is that we believe. We can’t do it in 10 seconds or less (or even thirty seconds or less). That is the curse.
The blessing on the other hand, is that in a world that is destroying itself over many things (religion being one of the many) our secular acceptance and stance with regards to having people in our congregations and
denomination who do not believe in a god, who are non-theistic, may be the wave of the future, at least in a world that appears to becoming less
religious, depending on the circumstances. Let's unpack this together.
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News from UUCSV Groups & Committees
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Leaf Mulching Season is Upon Us!
Saturday, October 22, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - ?
Saturday, November 5, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - ?
The Building and Grounds Committee is looking for volunteers to help mulch this season of leaves. Leaf mulching dates are Saturday, October 22, 2022, starting at 10:00 am and Saturday, November 5, 2022, starting at 10:00 am. If necessary, we will schedule an additional date.
Work involves picking up sticks, using the mulching mower, raking and
moving the mulched leaves to the compost bins or other areas.
Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Portico, or contact Rhea Bockhorst if you are available to help.
Nursery/Preschool Volunteers Needed!
We need Nursery/Preschool Volunteers! In order to have a safe space for our youngest visitors we need volunteer helpers each week to watch young
children. If you’re available to be a part of our Childcare Team (which means you would sign up to be available certain Sundays of your choice should childcare be needed), please contact Susan at 828 450-5319.
New American Baby Shower Announcement
Saturday, October 23, 2022 - 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Join our Circle in welcoming our newest New American, the infant daughter of Aziz and Ruhafza, Zainab. The shower will take place Sunday afternoon, October 23, 2022, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at UUCSV. We could use your help with the following:
- Decorating
- Provide refreshments
- Bring a baby gift for Zainab (a gift for her big sister, Hasanat, is also appreciated)
We missed having the shower last month due to an untimely visit to the
hospital, but now all family members are well and invite you to join-in on
Women's Group Meeting
Thursday, October 13, 2022 - 5:30-7:00 p.m. at UUCSV
The UUCSV Women's Group meeting for October is on Thursday, October 13, 2022, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at UUCSV. Given October weather, we will likely meet in the foyer instead of outdoors. The topic is a spinoff from last month's discussion of ancestors, this time focusing on women in our lives. Specifically, family, friends and "teachers " who were important role models and mentors. And because it's only a couple of weeks until Halloween, feel free to do a little "costuming". Anna Marcel de Hermanas will bring beverages and participants can bring snacks to share.
Tidings - November 2022
Tidings newsletter for November 2022 has an open topic. So anything that strikes your fancy (as long as it avoids politics), will be welcome...poems,
essays, opinions, photos, journals. You name it for November. Send your thought provoking or happiness-sharing items to tidings.uucsv@gmail.com.
 Volunteer Opportunities
We are always in need of Sunday Greeters. Please contact Andy Reed and sign-up and volunteer to be a Greeter! |
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Diane Graham's 80th Birthday
The flowers in the church on Sunday, October 16, 2022, are in honor of my friend, Diane Graham’s 80th birthday. Diane is a wonderful lady, fine friend, accomplished teacher and devoted Unitarian. Here’s to many more!
Thank you,
Karen Watts
Art by the Tracks
Fine Art & Master Craft Show
Saturday, October 29, 2022, 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Halloween Pet Parade
If you've ever attended Black Mountain's Halloween Pet Parade, you know how much fun they are. It's even more fun to help out. We need six
volunteers to help make this parade safe and fun. No experience necessary. Contact Larry Pearlman - larryRpearlman42@gmail.com or 602-501-8471.
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Church office: (828) 669-8050 (email preferred during social distancing)
Michael Donnan, Office Manager (Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Rev. Michael J S Carter, (Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)Rev. Carter is available for pastoral care in the church office or virtually via Zoom or Skype. For in-person meetings, protocols of social distancing and face masks are followed. Please email Rev. Michael J S Carter to schedule an appointment.
The deadline for submissions to The Current is Tuesday at 12:00 p.m., please send yours to admin@uusv.org. For more information and guidelines on submissions for our newsletters, website, online calendar, social media, Order of Service, and member news, please see our Publishing Guidelines.
UUCSV
500 Montreat Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
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