UU UPDATE Sunday JUNE 13, 2014

UU
UU
UPDATE
UPDATE
JUNE
13, 2014
OCTOBER
10, 2014
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS OF TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY
A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
Why? John Snodgrass — Sunday, October 12
Sunday
Sermon
In our time we are witnessing a great tug-of-war over theories of human origins and purposes. Should we take Biblical creation stories literally? Have
scriptural explanations been disproven by scientific theories? And what difference does the way we tell our origin story make? I will explore questions of
origin and meaning, assisted by Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire
and Mark Twain.
Sunday Children’s Programs
Nursery care will be provided during
both services. During the 11:00 service, Emily
Atkinson will conduct Spirit Play in the classroom for children Ages 4-8, and Heather Layton
will
conduct
Riddle
&
Mystery for Grades 4-9, starting out in the
Sanctuary and moving to the library.
“May your life preach more
loudly than your lips.”
– William Ellery Channing, Unitarian minister
UPCOMING EVENTS at UUTC
Christians in Exile – MON at 3:30 p.m.
Mindfulness Group – MON at 7:00 p.m.
Men’s Group – TUE at 9:00 a.m.
Highlights Inside
Mythology & Religion – TUE at 5:30 p.m.
Page 2 — Youth In Focus
Eclectics Jam – WED at 9:00 a.m.
Page 3 — Usher Schedule
Being Group – WED at 1:00 p.m.
Page 4 — Wonderful Wednesday
Page 5 — Crop Walk
Page 6 — Safe’s Designer House
Page 7 — UUTC Contact Information
Soup & Soul*– WED at 6:00 p.m.
*Soup & Soul will be on hiatus from October
22—November 19
Youth in Focus Heather Layton, Children’s Religious Exploration Lead Teacher
“Earth is so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest.”- Douglas Jerrold
Last month the Youth Group and Teen Group gathered together to
watch the documentary film “A Place at the Table.” This film follows
three families across the USA who deal with hunger on a daily basis.
The youth and I have been talking lots about this topic for several reasons. One, the September Social Action recipient was Backpack Buddies which helps feed youth in Transylvania over the weekends. Second, the annual CROP Walk is coming up in the next couple of weeks,
which is an interfaith, community-wide walk to help raise awareness of
hunger issues locally and abroad. Lastly, we have been feeling so
blessed with the autumn harvest and the change of seasons. Pumpkins, butternut squash, acorn
squash, apples, pears, greens are so apparently abundant. As one youth commented, “The earth
gives us everything we need to sustain our bodies, how can people be hungry?” Good question!
The documentary taught us about “food deserts”, pockets of places in our country where it is difficult to
find fresh fruits and vegetables. What is easy to find in these food deserts are cheap, processed food,
which correlates to obesity and hunger in our country. “So sad”, said another youth. There was lots of
talk of politics, specifically related to subsidizing farming, the Child Nutrition Act, cost of processed food
being low, veggies and fruits costs so high, due to changes in government through the 80’s and 90’s. I
like to believe they picked-up on some of these connections to hunger in our country but I also
know it was a lot of information. I highly recommend this film (it’s on Netflix:)
We played a game called Global Four Square the Sunday after we watched the film. You remember
playing four square as a child? Well, in our game the squares were very uneven. The number 1
square was huge as it represented humans living in poverty. The squares got smaller, square 4 being
tiny, representing the wealthiest in the world. The kids soon learned it was very difficult to de-throne the
person in square 4. The lucky few who made it into square 4 loved it! They got to play the whole game
and make all the rules! No one else got to make rules! After sometime, Ian F. made it into square 4. He
decided as the rule-maker he was going to even things out. He made rules that enabled those in the other squares to help themselves and better their personal square, which of course, put his own tenure in
square 4 at risk. If Ian ever runs for President, I will be the first person at the polls! What a lesson our
world leaders could learn from a 12 year-old boy playing 4 Square.
The youth and staff of the CRE at UUTC hope you are all enjoying the autumn harvest and all it has to
offer. Emily Bronte said "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." And as our
minister says, "It's great to be alive in Transylvania County", and I say, "especially in the fall."
Caring Corner
Sue Ziegler is recovering nicely after shoulder surgery and will be
in a sling for 6 weeks.
Please remember that Nick Craddock’s memorial service will be
on Friday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception with
light refreshments.
Keep David Warinner and Christine Schmidt in your thoughts and
prayers during this difficult time.
October Usher Schedule
Please e-mail Susan Freeman if
you can fill in the open slots
([email protected]).
9:30 a.m.
Oct 12
Oct 19
Oct 26
11:00 a.m.
Carol MacAllister Helga Balducci
Joan Bliss
Karla Maar
Marilynn Weber
OPEN
Lelia Graham
OPEN
Ed Carroll
Devonne Johnson
Nancy Carroll
OPEN
Western Carolinas Cluster
Fall Leadership Training CANCELLED
Due to very low registration for our Fall Leadership Training, scheduled for
Saturday, October 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, the Steering Committee has decided to cancel the event.
We are going to be focusing our energies on the spring gathering which
will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville. That date will be determined
shortly, and Save-the-Date notices will be going out in January, 2015.
—Rev. Dianna Ritola
Western Carolinas Cluster Steering Committee
Coffee Volunteers Sought
The Sunday Coffee Team is looking for a few new volunteers
for November, December and January. Taking a turn for
Sunday Coffee is a great way to meet UUTC friends and
members and it only requires one Sunday per quarter.
You are needed – and we'll help you the first time! Pease
contact Vicki Held at [email protected] or Jean Bullivant at [email protected] to serve UUTC in this way.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS: POETRY AND MUSIC TOGETHER
Poetry and Music have always been in harmony with each other. Many poems
have been set to music and most music includes poetry. This four-week series
will give everyone the opportunity to experience outstanding music and
favorite poems.
October 22 will start us off with a delightful music program entitled A SHOW TIME SING-ALONG.
Led by musicians Ed Hauschild, John Austin, Melody Richardson, and Jim Hardy, songs with a
common theme from Broadway shows will be featured. The themes to be explored include Hypothetical Love Songs, Current Events, and Creative Writing. The evening will close with a show tune
expressing Unitarian Universalist principles.
October 29 and November 5 will be a reprise of a favorite Wonderful Wednesday series from the
past: A FAVORITE POEM AND WHAT IT MEANS TO ME. This will give you a chance to shine and
share one of your favorite poems. The concept is simple— select a favorite poem, read it to the audience, and tell why this poem is special to you! Note: it must be a published poem, not a poem you
or a friend/family member has authored.
If you would like to share a poem on either evening, please send an email to
[email protected] with the following information: Your name, the poem title and author,
and, if you have a preference, which date (10/29 or 11/5) you would like to read your poem.
November 12 will feature John Austin and John Carter highlighting MUSIC OF THE WESTERN
CAROLINA MOUNTAINS..
Each evening will begin with dinner at 5:30, followed by the program at 6:30. There is no charge for
the dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted. Dinner Reservations are necessary and can be
made by contacting the church office or using the sign-up sheet at the office desk.
All are invited to enjoy this special series of Poetry and Music Together!
Social Action for October— Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Our Social Action funds this month will provide a Minister’s Discretionary
Fund. Ernie uses this fund to assist people who are facing an emergency
or crisis but are not eligible for other community services. Please place your
contribution in the offering basket in a specially-marked envelope. If you are
contributing by check, please make it payable to UUTC and write
“Minister’s Discretionary Fund” on the memo line.
“We’re realizing that we’re
more alike than we are different… That love is love
regardless of who feels it.”
– Zach Wahls, UU, author
of ‘My Two Moms’
Change the World
Relief Organization
(Backpack Buddies)
thanks UUTC for the
many kind folks who
donated $1626 to help
feed
Transylvania
County’s hungry children on the weekends.
You Rock!
Join the CROP WALK!
The community-wide, interfaith, annual CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) WALK is slated for Sunday, October 19. Walkers find sponsors to raise money to fund
community and worldwide hunger relief efforts. Last year about
ten UUTC walkers participated . UUTC raised $400, the fourth highest local amount! A total of $7,939.00 was raised, 25% of which
goes to local charities such as The Sharing House.
The CROP Walk will begin and end at the Church of the Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church, taking walkers on a three-mile supported walk through the downtown Brevard communities. Last year
Heather and her husband and son met lots of great folks from other churches.
To participate in the CROP WALK this year, contact Heather Layton via email or phone,
[email protected] or 553-3810. There will be more information in the foyer, including donation
envelopes and a sign-up sheet. So mark your calendars and start walking for a great cause.
“We are the certain and the seeking, the lifers and the newcomers, the beloved and the brokenhearted,
the insiders and the rejected, all of whom have found a home in the extraordinary, yet intimate, communities of Unitarian Universalism."
Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC host
UUTC Mission Statement
Join Us!
Our mission is to create a community that
Discover what it means to have a personal
encourages free spiritual discovery and
faith that is anchored by diversity and
growth, celebrates personal and religious
acceptance. Join in Sunday services with the
diversity, and promotes active, responsible
Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County.
involvement in the larger community.
Contact information is below.
K E E P U P W I T H W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G ! ! !
View our church calendar at this link. (Ctrl + click)
Access previous issues of UUpdate at this link. (Ctrl + click)
Send news for this newsletter by close of business on Wednesdays. Please include date(s),
a description, and the contact person’s name and telephone or email address. Send to
[email protected].
Schedule events on the UUTC calendar by sending an email to [email protected] with the date,
start and end times, space to be used, and contact person.
C O N TA C T U S
Our minister is the Rev. Ernest L. Mills, Jr.
Church office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The church telephone
number is 828-877-6121.
Our mailing address is UUTC, PO Box 918, Brevard, NC 28712.
Our email address is [email protected].
Our church is located at 24 Varsity Street, at the corner of South Broad Street, in Brevard. Come join
us for worship on Sundays at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m., and for coffee and fellowship between the services.