As many of you know, I often turn to the words of my spiritual mentor, Dr. Howard Thurman, when pondering the mystery of life. This writing will be no exception. I hope that his words below will bring you comfort and solace for the beginning of this new year.
 
This Is a New Year. The calendar says so. I note the fact by marking it so when I wish to designate the day and the year as distinguished from some other day and year. It may be that my contract says so. It is indicated clearly in the lease I signed or agreement I attested. It is curious how much difference can be marked between the two dates—December 31 and January 1. Yet there are many things that move unchanged, paying no attention to a device like the calendar or arrangements such as contracts or leases. There is the habit pattern of an individual life. Changes in that are not noted on the calendar. Such changes are noted by events that make for radical shifts in values or the basic rearrangement of purposes. There are desires of the heart or moods of the spirit that may flow continuously  for me whatever year the calendar indicates. The lonely heart, the joyful spirit, the churning anxiety may remain unrelieved, though the days come and go without end.
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But for many, this will be a New Year. It may mark the end of relationships of many years’ accumulation. it may mean the first encounter with stark tragedy or radical illness or the first quaffing of the cup of bitterness. It may mean the great discovery of the riches of another human heart and the revelation of the secret beauty of one’s own. It may mean the beginning of a new kind of living because of marriage, of graduation, of one’s first job. It may mean an encounter with God on the lonely road or the hearing of one’s name called by God, high above the noise and din of the surrounding traffic. And when the call is answered, the life becomes invaded by smiling energies never before released, felt or experienced. In whatever sense this year is a New Year for you, may the moment find you eager and unafraid, ready to take it by the hand with joy and gratitude.
 
The wisdom and grace of Dr. Howard Thurman. ( From his book, For The Inward Journey).
 
Happy New Year To All

Sunday, 3 January 2016, 11 am
Jeff Hutchins
“A New Year to Love”

Returning to our pulpit, our own Jeff Hutchins  says “I will  talk about how we can look ahead to 2016 with optimism, and we will cast a cautious eye back over the year just ended.  Let’s get revved up for 2016.”

 

Sunday, 10 January 2015 11 am
Rev. Michael Carter
“Know Thyself”

The words “Know Thyself,” were inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi according to the Greek writer Pausanias. This maxim or aphorism has a few meanings attached to it. The Suda, a 10th century Greek encyclopedia, says the proverb is applied to those whose boasts exceed what they are. It is also said that the “know thyself” is a warning to pay no attention to the opinion of the multitudes.  Whatever the phrase means to you or to me, the notion of “knowing oneself" is considered by many civilizations a sign of the wisdom and maturity of the individual. As we begin this new year, let’s explore how this age old maxim can enable us to not just be better Unitarian Universalists, but even more importantly, to become more evolved and more loving human beings respecting the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part .

Sunday, 17 January 2016 11 am
Sarah Vikasi
Eco-Chaplaincy: Spiritual Support for the Great Turning

This talk will address the great potential of our time – a Great Turning toward a life sustaining society, and strategies for support we can give ourselves and one another to face this mess with courage, without losing hope, to prevent and recover from burnout, and build a more resilient community in the face of hard times. Sarah will bring stories from her work throughout Appalachia within the movement to end mountaintop removal coal mining, and apply strategies that we can all use here in Black Mountain in our collective work for racial equity, and social and climate justice for a livable future in the Swannanoa Valley.
 
Sunday, 24 January 2016, 11 am
Rev. Michael Carter
“Angels”
In a change from more of my usual topics, I wanted to discuss the subject of Angels. There is a resurgence of interest in some circles on the existence and the influence of angels in our lives. The word “angel” is derived from the Greek word “angelos,” meaning messenger. Our holy books talk about them. What does the word mean to you? Have you ever encountered an angel? Do they always have to be in celestial form?  Are you or can you be one of them? However, the most important question seems to be, is our world in desperate need of angels on a planet seemingly in chaos and on the brink of self destruction?  Let’s talk about it.

Sunday, 31 January 2016, 11 am
Rev. Amy Brooks
“As We Age”

Aging is a process that can be one of graceful letting go or full of clinging and regret.  At times it may be some of both, but let go we must.  How do we approach these important life lessons and how does our faith community support us in this process?
 
We are pleased to offer this service which was previously scheduled in November.  Amy Brooks is the consulting minister for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lake Norman.  She served for fifteen years in AIDS Ministry work in the Charlotte area.  She holds a M. Div from Harvard University. 

Our teenagers will soon be with us again with the beginning of the Our Whole Lives curriculum at the end of the month. Our 8th & 9th graders will be meeting 3 times each month through the spring.

As of January 2016, UUCSV will be carbon neutral in our use of electricity! We have become customers of Arcadia Power, a company that offers consumers a way to offset the energy they buy from local utilities. We will continue to get our power through Duke Energy, but for a small premium, Arcadia purchases Renewable Energy Certificates for clean wind power to offset our use.