Saturday, January 24th
The Big Event (the UU Youth/YRUU fundraiser scheduled for Sandburg Hall starting at 5:30 PM)
has been POSTPONED.
New date to be chosen soon; details to follow.
Questions? Reach out to Jen Johnson. 

Sunday, January 25th 

BOTH IN-PERSON SERVICES ARE CANCELED.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL TO THE CHURCH.
There will be one service *online only* at 11:15 AM on Zoom, not our typical YouTube Livestream link. More details to follow. *Please note, power and/or internet outages may force full cancelation of the Zoom service. Questions? Reach out to Lauren in the office.

Associated Sunday church/worship/after church events are canceled on 1/25: Faith Formation, Coffee Hour, *Long-Range Planning Town Hall, Soul Collage. Questions about these events? Click the event name, and you can email the respective organizer.

This weekend’s forecast is projecting a serious winter storm with heavy snow and ice headed to our area as well as many other parts of the country. To keep our members, friends, visitors, and staff safe, we have preemptively made some changes to the schedule for congregational events and worship this weekend. 

Saturday, January 24th
The Big Event (the UU Youth/YRUU fundraiser scheduled for Sandburg Hall starting at 5:30 PM)
has been POSTPONED.
New date to be chosen soon; details to follow.
Questions? Reach out to Jen Johnson. 

Sunday, January 25th 

BOTH IN-PERSON SERVICES ARE CANCELED.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL TO THE CHURCH.
There will be one service *online only* at 11:15 AM on Zoom, not our typical YouTube Livestream link. More details to follow. *Please note, power and/or internet outages may force full cancelation of the Zoom service. Questions? Reach out to Lauren in the office.

Associated Sunday church/worship/after church events are canceled on 1/25: Faith Formation, Coffee Hour, *Long-Range Planning Town Hall, Soul Collage. Questions about these events? Click the event name, and you can email the respective organizer.

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Soul Matters Families Group Meets Monthly!
Families with children are invited to join our new Soul Matters Group for Parents/Caregivers. The group will meet after the second service at 1 pm, in the Lower Level Commons. Adults will engage in the Soul Matters discussions while children play/craft (supervised by the adults in the group – separate childcare is not provided). Families are welcome to bring snacks/packed lunch; however, please do not bring peanut or tree nut products, as we have some kiddos in our congregation with allergies to these. 
Dates: Jan. 12; Feb.9; Mar. 9; Apr.6; May 11 – attend as many as you can.
Contact Victoria Hoyland at vlwheaton@gmail.com to register.

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program).

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30-8:30 pm in Sanctuary. Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.
NEW in 2025: Asuntos del Alma – Soul Matters conversations en Español.
Coming Fall 2025 – Practice Matters.
Contact: Kim Collins lrec@uuasheville.org

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Soul Matters

Soul Matters Families Group meets January 12 at 1pm! Families with children are invited to join our new Soul Matters Group for Parents/Caregivers. The group will meet after the second service at 1 pm, in the Lower Level Commons. Adults will engage in the Soul Matters discussions while children play/craft (supervised by the adults in the group – separate childcare is not provided). Families are welcome to bring snacks/packed lunch; however, please do not bring peanut or tree nut products, as we have some kiddos in our congregation with allergies to these. 
Dates: Jan. 12; Feb.9; Mar. 9; Apr.6; May 11.
Attend as many as you can.
Contact Victoria Hoyland at vlwheaton@gmail.com to register.

SAVE THE DATE: Haunting Church – Exploring Your Religious Past
Thurs., Jan 9,16,23,30, On-line class. Details here.

Soul Matters/ Asuntos del Alma in Español – A NEW offering
For those of you who are fluent in Español Rev Claudia will lead a 1^st Thurs. 1PM-2PM “Asuntos del Alma.” You’ll receive the packet in English and the discussion will be in Spanish. Dates: Dec 5, Jan 2, Feb 6, March 6.
Contact Rev Claudia to register. faithdev@uuasheville.org

Faith Formation – December
1st Wednesday Dinner & Vespers – Dec 4
Next Vespers: JAN 8. Please RSVP here.

Buddhist Sangha – Meets 2nd &4th Tuesdays,7:30 pm in Sanctuary
NOTE: No meeting Dec. 24
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com

Please join Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS for a celebration of Yule on Sunday, December 22, at 5pm. We will honor the return of the light on the winter solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year. As the days grow longer, we emerge from the darkness we have been engulfed in after Hurricane Helene and look forward to more light and warmth, as well as the promise of spring. Father Christmas will make an early appearance and bring gifts for all. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck afterward.

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. All are welcome! Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org for Zoom link. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program).

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sanctuary
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.
Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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Soul Matters/ Asuntos del Alma in Español – A NEW offering
For those of you who are fluent in Español Rev Claudia will lead a 1^st Thurs. 1PM-2PM “Asuntos del Alma.” You’ll receive the packet in English and the discussion will be in Spanish. Dates: Dec 5, Jan 2, Feb 6, March 6. Contact Rev Claudia to register. faithdev@uuasheville.org

Faith Formation – November
1st Wednesday Dinner & Vespers next Vespers, DEC 4. 

Buddhist Sangha – Meets 2nd &4th Tuesdays,7:30 pm in Sanctuary
NOTE: The December 10 meeting will be a Holiday Gathering at 23 Edwin.
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. All are welcome! Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org for Zoom link. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program).

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sanctuary
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.
Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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NOTE: Soul Matters groups resume in November. If you are interested in joining a group let us know here.

We launched the new congregational year with the goal of living love through the practice of invitation.
“Come, come whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
Ours is no caravan of despair.
Come, yet again come.” – Hymn #188
There is an additional sentence in the original poem by Sufi poet Jamal al-Din Rumi that inspired this hymn:
“Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times.”
Perfection is not expected in our welcome. We do hold each other accountable for the covenants we make to each other as UUs. And, when we miss the mark, because we are human and we will make mistakes, we strive to stay in relationship with grace and curiosity as we explore how to mend our relationships. We invite you to explore how we are human together in the search for meaning and the co-creation of communities where all will thrive. Faith Formation at UU Avl supports us on this journey. Join in!

Faith Formation – November
1st Wednesday Dinner & Vespers next Vespers, Nov 6. 

Buddhist Sangha: regular meetings resume in Nov.

Registration open! Unitarian Universalist Views on Jesus
We gather on-line one Sunday each month for group reflection/discussion. Each month, participants will discuss a selection from “Christ for Unitarian Universalists.”
More details here.
Meeting Dates: Nov. 17; Dec. 15; Jan. 26; Feb. 9, March 23, 4-5 PM
Facilitator: Amy Wright Glenn

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. All are welcome! Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org for Zoom link. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program).

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; 1st Sunday Meditation Circle, 10:15AM
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.  New groups launch in October. Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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The Soul Matters June (and our summer) theme is “the gift of renewal.” Soul Matters Groups explored the theme through conversation, art and writing. Below are a few questions from the packet for you to consider during the summer months. Our groups disband during the summer and resume in October. If you are interested in joining a group in the fall let us know here.

1. Whose way of being in the world renews your faith in humanity?
2. How does your body tell you it is in need of renewal? What is it telling you now?
3. If one were to propose that you make room for a day in which you produce nothing, don’t check a single thing off your to-do list, confront no problems and search for no solutions, what would your first reaction be?  
4. How would your life change if you saw rest as “a form of resistance”?
5. How would your life be renewed if you put presence before productivity?
6. Have you ever been renewed by failure?
7. Renewal often happens through becoming lighter. So, what might your inner wisdom be nudging you to shed, let go of, or give up this summer?

Summer Calendar
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall
Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com

Adult Faith Formation Team meets monthly to plan programs and learn together, 2nd Mon., 4PM, online. We welcome your proposals for programs (use this form to propose a program). Tentative fall calendar Questions? Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

Save the Dates! Launching this fall:
First Wednesday Dinner & Vespers returns Sept 4.

Unitarian Universalist Views on Jesus
We gather on-line one Sunday each month for group reflection/discussion. Each month, participants will discuss a selection from “Christ for Unitarian Universalists.”
More details here.
Meeting Dates: Nov. 17; Dec. 15; Jan. 26; Feb. 9, March 23, 4-5 PM
Facilitator: Amy Wright Glenn

Onsite book study – “Not The End of The World ” by data scientist Hannah Ritchie
Are you looking for a fresh perspective on environmental issues? We invite you to join our reading and discussion group starting this September! Our goal is to reframe our views to a historic and data-backed perspective, moving away from the doomsday approach that often dominates conversations.
Guided by UU values, we believe that we can take action and create positive change in the world. Now, more than ever, we need optimism over pessimism and cynicism. For the next few months, let’s support one another as we explore these ideas. Let’s come together to inspire hope and action!
Meeting dates: Every two weeks between services; 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10; Board room, 23 Edwin.
Facilitators & Details: Contact Olivia <Olivia.themartins@gmail.com>  and/or Kelly <kellyqmcenany@gmail.com>

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Life Abundant – Resumes in the Fall.
Join Rev. Audette any Thursday at 10 am via Zoom for Life, Abundant – a weekly exploration of spirituality, science, poetry, biology & more. Zoom access information on our UUAvl website calendar. 
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sangha –  Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; 1st Sunday Meditation Circle, 10:15AM (Resumes in the Fall). Contact: Duane Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Oct.- June.  New groups launch in October. Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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The Soul Matters May theme is “the gift of pluralism.” Our Soul Matters Groups will be exploring this theme through conversation, art and writing. Below is a reading to consider as you explore this month’s theme.

This place would be less beautiful without you,
Curious, inquisitive, asking questions, 
seeking transformations emerging from within.

This place would be less beautiful without you,
Striving to resist a world that tells us
We are so much less than we can truly be.

This place would be less beautiful without each of us,
Borne here in this morning to seek heaven’s fire
in each other’s souls, our own flames rising to meet.

Faith Development Calendar
May 1 – Dinner, 6:00PM & Vespers, 7:00PM – Celebrating Our Work Together! Final Vespers of the Congregational Year RSVP
May 5 – Buddhist Sangha, meditation, 10:15 AM RE 6
May 14 – Buddhist Sangha, 7:30-9:00 PM, Sanctuary
May 28 – Buddhist Sangha, 7:30-9:00 PM, Sanctuary
NOTE: 1st Sunday meditation resumes in Sept.

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Life Abundant – Join Rev. Audette any Thursday at 10 am via Zoom forLife, Abundant – a weekly exploration of spirituality, science, poetry, biology & more. Zoom access information on our UUAvl website calendar. Last session May 30, resumes in the fall.
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; 1st Sunday Mediation Circle, 10:15AM.
Contact: Duanne Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June.  New groups launch in Sept. Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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The Soul Matters April theme is “the gift of interdependence.” Our Soul Matters Groups will be exploring this theme through conversation, art and writing. Below are a few questions to consider from this month’s packet.

What aspect of nature did you connect with most meaningfully as a child? A dog? A horse? A tree? The ocean? Lightning bugs? The rain? A path in the woods?

Do you think age impacts the way we care for the interdependent web?
Do you think age impacts the way we connect with the interdependent web?

Has a beloved young person ever altered the way you think about your relationship with nature or the planet?
Do you feel that “sacrifice” has a central role to play in addressing the climate crisis?
When was the last time you became thoroughly absorbed in the curiosity of understanding another creature’s life?
How has the place where you live shaped the way you understand and approach life? And yourself?

Faith Development Calendar
April 7 –  Meditation Circle; Buddhist Sangha; 10:15 AM, RE 6
April 9 –  Buddhist Sangha; 7:30-9:00PM; Sanctuary
April 23 –  Buddhist Sangha; 7:30-9:00PM; Sanctuary
April 25 – An Opportunity for Connection: A Taste of Soul. Curious about the Soul Matters Groups here at UU Avl? Join Rev. Claudia to learn about these groups as you explore this month’s theme: the gifts of equity and justice. In person, April 25, noon-1PM. To register contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org
April 28 – Small Group Ministries Facilitator Meet-Up, 10:15 AM, 23 Edwin, Parlor
April 28– Please join Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS for a high-spirited celebration of Beltane, or May Day, on Sun, April 28, 5:00 pm, UU Asheville sanctuary. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck afterward.
May 1 Dinner, 6:00PM & Vespers, 7:00PM – Celebrating Our Work Together! Final Vespers of the Congregational Year) RSVP

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Life Abundant – Join Rev. Audette any Thursday at 10 am via Zoom forLife, Abundant – a weekly exploration of spirituality, science, poetry, biology & more. Zoom access information on our UUAvl website calendar.
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; 1st Sunday Mediation Circle, 10:15AM.
Contact: Duanne Bigelow duanelbigelow@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June.  Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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The Soul Matters January theme is “the gifts of Equity & Justice.” Our Soul Matters Groups will be exploring this theme through conversation, art and writing. 

Below are a few questions from this month’s packet for you to consider:

What did “fighting injustice” look like in your family of origin?
Were you a child that wanted everything to be fair? Either way, how has that childhood relationship fairness played out in your adult life?
How do you differentiate between justice and equity? Does that distinction matter?
What personal or societal injustice has most shaped your life?
What have you learned about the relationship between anger and justice work?
When the enormity of injustice looms, what enables you to hold onto hope?What have you learned about balancing the competing desires to save and savor the world?

Registration Open!
Power for the Peaceful: A Class on Taoism
Are there Original Instructions on how to live the most responsible life? Yes! While you may have heard about such Instructions before, Marc Mullinax will invite us to explore how Taoism, a 2500-year-old set of “original instructions” – a “theory of everything” spirituality, still speaks to us today. Marc is a retired Mars Hill professor, author of a new translation of Tao Te Ching and frequent speaker in UU congregations in the area.We will meet Wed. evenings, 6:00 -7:30 PM in the Sanctuary,  March 13, 27, April 10, 24.
To register contact Jane Bramham janebramham@gmail.com 

Faith Development Calendar

Feb 24 – The Big Event, 5:30-8:30 PM, Sandburg Hall; Contact lrec@uuasheville.org for details
Feb 27 – Buddhist Sangha, 7:30- 9:00PM, Sanctuary
March 3-  Meditation Circle; Buddhist Sangha; 10:15 AM, RE 6

March 6 – Reproductive Justice Vespers, Dinner 6PM, Vespers 7PM. Please RSVP.
March 17 – Let’s Celebrate the Coming of Spring! Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS celebration of spring equinox, also known as Ostara, on Sunday, March 17, at 5:00 pm. Join in! This holiday marks a point of equilibrium, when dark and light,masculine and feminine, and inner and outer are in perfect balance. Ostara celebrates surviving the long, dark winter and honors the Goddess Ostara, or Eostre, after whom Easter is named. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck afterwards.

March 20 – Blood Drive @UUAvl. Details here.

March 28 –An Opportunity for Connection: A Taste of Soul
Curious about the Soul Matters Groups here at UU Avl? Join Rev. Claudia to learn about these groups as you explore this month’s theme: the gifts of equity and justice. In person, March 28, noon-1PM.
To register contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

May 5  Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Life Abundant – Join Rev. Audette any Thursday at 10 am via Zoom forLife, Abundant – a weekly exploration of spirituality, science, poetry, biology & more. Zoom access information on our UUAvl website calendar.
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; 1st Sunday Mediation Circle, 10:15AM.
Contact: Sequoyah Rich sequoyahrich333@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June.  Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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The Soul Matters January theme is “the gift of liberating love.”Our Soul Matters Groups will be exploring this theme through conversation, art and writing. 

Opportunities for Connection:  A new Soul Matters group launches in February; 2nd Monday 1:30-3:30 PM. Interested? Contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org 

Faith Development Calendar
Jan 7 – Small Group Facilitator Meet-Up; 10AM; Sandburg Hall
Jan 25  – Curious Conversations: What is happening in Justice Ministry at UU Avl? Sandburg Hall, noon-1PM; bring a bagged lunch. Facilitators:
Rev. Audette & Rev. Claudia
Feb 7- Dinner 6PM & Vespers 7PM

Registration Still Open!
World Religions: Sacred Texts Beginning January 28, 2024, UU Asheville member, Amy Wright Glenn, the founder and director of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death and a long-time Unitarian Universalist will facilitate a 5-month study of Sacred Texts. Participants will meet once a month (via Zoom) and draw from Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The aim is to carefully read and consider a foundational text for each of these five wisdom traditions with the intention of deepening an understanding of the central tenets, debates/discussions, and practices/rituals affirmed in each tradition. All are welcome! 
Dates: Jan 28, Feb 11, March 10,April 7, May 5
Registration information and details here.

Save the Date
May 5  Small Groups Facilitator Meet-Up, 12:30-1:30 PM, SH

Taoism 101 Readings and discussion based on the translation of Tao te Ching: Power for the Peaceful by Dr. Marc Mullinax, Mars Hill University
When? March 13, 27 and April 10, 24 ; 6:00-7:30 PM, Sanctuary
Facilitator: Dr. Mullinax
Registration TBA

Spiritual Deepening Groups
Life Abundant – Join Rev. Audette any Thursday at 10 am via Zoom forLife, Abundant – a weekly exploration of spirituality, science, poetry, biology & more. Zoom access information on our UUAvl website calendar.
Covenant of UU Pagans – CUUPS. Contact: Sherry Lundquist sherry_lundquist@yahoo.com
Buddhist Sanhga – meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Sandburg Hall; Contact: Sequoyah Rich sequoyahrich333@gmail.com, or Stef Garvin stef@giftsintogold.com.
Soul Matters Groups – Conversation Groups, UU Writers Group and Creativity Matters group explore monthly themes Sept.- June.  Contact: Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org

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