Gentle readers: due to the extraordinary amount of copy submitted for this issue, many articles have been edited for length. We are trying to avoid duplication with the Current and repetition over several months as much as possible. Thanks for understanding!
Ginny and Jackie
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 These are the suggestions of the late UU minister, The Rev. Lee Reid. Rev. Reid was the minister of the UU Congregation of the Palisades, in Englewood New Jersey, and when she died I had the pleasure of working there as their student minister under the supervision of retired UU minister, The Rev. Tom Chulak, back in 1996. I’m not sure if the congregation still exists but I have fond memories of my serving there. Anyway,here is a to-do list for the beginning of this New Year. If you have not already done so during the Holiday Season of 2016, it’s not too late. Rev. Reid suggests we do the following if we can.
"This New Year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Offer encouragement. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Listen some more. Apologize if you are wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands of others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again."
(Thank you Rev. Reid for these wonderful life filled words, whatever dimension you find yourself travelling in).
Happy New Year To All,
Michael
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Sunday, 1 January 2017
 Meg and Todd Hoke"The Art of Being"
We welcome back Meg and Todd Hoke, who presented a service entitled "Five Happy Things" a few years ago. This service builds on the themes Todd and Meg have spoken on before - paying attention to the world around, deciding how you will relate to it, and then sharing and connecting with it. In this presentation, Meg discusses her experiences in "BEING" through her work with inner city kids and hospice and how the experience of the very personal and profound connects us to the "Universe".
Meg and Todd met in the early 90's while serving as full-time volunteers at a residential hospice for people with AIDS in Baltimore. They have worked in health-care related fields ever since. Meg holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and currently works for Care Partners Hospice in Asheville. Todd is an RN working at a hospice house, and is also a singer-songwriter with 3 CDs under his belt. They live in Hendersonville, NC.
 Sunday, 8 January 2017, 11AM
Rev. Michael J.S. Carter
“Law and Order”
This Sunday I want to talk about law and order from the perspective of Universal Laws. As we enter this new year, perhaps an alternative view, a different perspective, may help us or at least remind us so as we can achieve a little less stress, a little less frustration, a little less suffering in our lives. In a cosmos which means “order” are the really random events? In a world of constant change and impermanence, we suffer because we want to hold on to things that by their very nature are subject to change. Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we learn to suffer correctly, we suffer less. If “death and taxes” are the only things in life we can count on, how do we live? A wise man once said we should learn something everyday. A Zen master once said, we should let go of something everyday. Happy New Year!
 Sunday, 15 January 2017, 11AM
Lyndon Harris“9/12: Moving From Victim to Victor through the Power of Forgiveness”
Lyndon Harris’ journey to forgiveness began while standing at the foot of the South Tower of the former World Trade Center as it exploded into an apocalyptic fireball on September 11, 2001. As the priest in charge of Saint Paul’s Chapel, directly across the street from the WTC site, for 8.5 months he coordinated the efforts of over 15,000 volunteers to provide over 500,000 meals to police officers, fire fighters and other rescue workers at “ground zero.” But like many traumatized first responders, Lyndon’s service came with a tremendous price. This is the story of his personal journey to forgiveness which began on September 12, 2001, and continued to the war-torn city of Beirut, Lebanon, to post-genocide Rwanda, to Jerusalem, and to a series of personal new beginnings, and why forgiveness is vital for us all.
Lyndon Harris is the Co-director of Tigg’s Pond Retreat Center in Zirconia, NC, where he is developing a Journey to Forgiveness Institute. He is a forgiveness coach, and an inspirational and motivational speaker. Harris is also the Executive Director of the Gardens of Forgiveness, an educational non-profit dedicated to teaching the way of forgiveness as a tool for conflict transformation and peace making.
 Sunday, 22 January 2017, 11AM
Rev. Michael J.S. Carter
“Uncivil War”
Whether you call it the Civil War, The War Between The States, or The War of Yankee Aggression, the American Southland is still fighting the Civil War. Since wars are never “civil” it is an interesting label. Americans were killing each other wholesale; father against son, brother against brother. When I first moved to Asheville from New York City, I was enamored by the natural beauty, the politeness of the people I met. “Yes sir”, and “no sir”. “Yes ma’am” and “no ma’am.” “Doin’ well, and yourself.” There was a flicker of hope as I too was raised this way by my parents. Yet beneath the natural beauty of the area, beneath the genteel civility, the overt politeness, I could feel the lingering, seething, unfinished business of race. In order to understand the current cultural and racial situation that we inhabit in our nation today, it is my belief that we must take a look again at this “uncivil war.” Our very democratic experiment depends on it!
Sunday, 29 January 17,11AM
Rev. Michael S. J. Carter
"The Church Volunteer"
Ministry could never happen without the faithful service of so many people. From those who teach, to those who set up coffee and those who participate in the worship service, all of the ministry you do is important. It is a shared ministry. When you consider how many people we need to be able to offer this gathering today, it takes more than several volunteers to make this service happen. So, based on that thought it would be easy to conclude that we ask you to volunteer so that we can function, and on the surface, that is true; however, there are some deeper reasons we ask for volunteers. Join us this Sunday as we talk about the church volunteer groups. Hopefully, this talk will inspire your attendance at the Volunteer Fair after the service. See you there!
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Would you like to know how to get more involved in the UUCSV community? Then plan to stay after the Sunday service on January 29 for the UUCSV Volunteer Fair. Each congregational committee and social group will have a booth where you can learn what each group does and what its needs are. You can even sign up to join a group, or else just visit all the booths to earn a chance at a prize! There will be a drawing for prizes once everyone has made their visits to the tables. The prizes include: working with Michael on a sermon topic of the winner's choice, a $25 Ingles Gift Card and a homemade carrot cake. All persons working at the table and all congregants who visit every table will be entered into the drawing. Questions? Contact Dave Wells (828-255-4583, dmw8@psu.edu) or Jim Carillon (828-628-1320, jim@jimaline.com)
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Covenant Groups were a part of UUCSV Ministry in the past, but not in the last few years. To advance the Covenant Groups Re-Start process, Bob Falanga — who is trained as a small group ministry facilitator — will offer Covenant Groups: Introduction and Discussion. This meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2017 at 12:15 after the service at the church.
Covenant Groups — or as more generically known — Small Group Ministry — is a program available at many UU churches. Covenant Groups are a form of lay ministry in which participants speak from the heart about important matters and intensely listen to one another. These groups follow a fairly rigorous format that accentuates "deep listening" to promote bonds among participants. Over time the process of small group ministry strengthens the understanding and respect among individuals. Ultimately Covenant Groups help strengthen the congregation.
If you have any interest in small groups as a practice or just want to learn more about the program — then mark your calendar and join us for this important meeting.
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As previously reported in the Current, Elizabeth Torres, her daughter and new son sent a heartfelt thank you to the members and volunteers of our congregation. This photo, taken on December 7, shows the 3-bedroom/1 1/2 bath 2016 Interfaith House. The Torres' move-in date has yet to be scheduled.
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Our 5th UU Principle is the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; Some members of our congregation will be acting on our 5th Principle by taking the trip to Washington D.C. for the Women's March. If you are not able to go to Washington but would like to participate locally, the Women's March on Asheville will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2017, organized in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington.
The march will commence at 11 AM at Pack Square and move through the heart of downtown Asheville. All who support the march’s goals are welcome to join the peaceful gathering. For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Facebook page: Women's March on Asheville, call/TXT 828-338-3028 or email WomensMarchAVL@gmail.com,
And after the March, that day, from 1 to 3 PM, there will be a healing gathering for all people at Jubilee in Asheville, where Sahara Peace Choir will be singing with Linda Metzner. There will be drumming, poetry and healing prayer.
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Michael reminds us of the following events at the Hendersonville UU Fellowship. Dialogue On The Subject of Race continues, meeting on selected Thursday evenings beginning in January 2017.:
Thursday, January 26th, 2017 6p-8p
Thursday, February 16, 2016 6p-8p
Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 6p-8p
Our talks will center on the DVDs entitled Back To Eden, Lee Mun Wah’s film about nine women and men who begin an honest and emotionally charged conversation about how racism and sexism has affected their lives and families. The format is still the same with conversations and insights to be shared before and after the film. The Rev. Jim Mckinley and The Rev. Michael J Carter will be facilitating. Looking forward to seeing you there in the New Year!
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Mark your Calendar! Your Board of Trustees and our UUCSV Treasurer invite you to attend a Town Hall Meeting to be held on Sunday, February 12th, after the service. We can load up our lunch plates with potluck food and eat during this informational meeting in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is to explore with the congregation our financial ability to employ a full-time minister.
At the meeting you’ll hear from a member of our congregation who will advocate for hiring Michael as a full time minister. We will get an update as to what our current membership count is and the number of pledging units currently contributing to our annual budget. Lee Reading will show us this year’s operating budget. Tina will present what the UUA recommends as the cost for a salary and benefit package for a full-time minister for a congregation of our size. There will be time for questions and answers, Board President David Reid will ask at the meeting for committee chairs and other interested members to serve on the 2017-18 Fiscal Year Budget Development Committee. Please plan to attend this Town Hall Meeting. Information is a very good thing, indeed!
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The Board of Trustees met on December 19, 2017. This is a summary of the meeting minutes.
~~Lee Reading reports that that we have spent 37% of our budget thus far and we are half way through the year.
~~Tina is coordinating the recruitment of volunteers for a Mardi Gras party for our congregation as a kickoff for the annual canvass. The Board approved a budget of $200 to put on the party.
~~Frank showed grey sound absorbing panels that could be put on the ceiling in the portico, which will cost about $100 including materials for installation. Geoff and Mary will install the panels.
~~The Board gave the go ahead for Carolyn to organize and advertise a Town Hall Meeting, for Feb. 12, 2017. See newsletter..
~~David Reid reported that Bob Falanga has offered to lead a small group ministry (such as covenant groups) beginning with the formation of at least one group.
~~David Reid has ordered a new and better audio mixer board.
~~Choir needs lighting to be fixed at the front of the Sanctuary. Frank will check on this.
~~Membership is holding at 100. The sanctuary frequently has 90 people in attendance for Sunday Services so we are filling the seats. ~~Sarah said that the children’s RE program has had good attendance, pre-school in particular.
~~Michael reported on his current activities: the official prayer person for Open Table on Wednesdays; a diversity education class at Highland Farms; a race dialog series at the Hendersonville church which is open to other churches in the area; and he will be an adjunct instructor at WCU next semester.
~~Carol suggested that we explore what we need to do to be considered a "safe congregation."
~~UUA has a new policy statement on the escalation of economic inequality, poverty, and injustice. Sarah agreed to work with Carol to create a survey for the congregation to vote on the UUA proposal.
~~Dr. Jane Carroll suggested that we need a church archivist.
~~Bill Altork has agreed to fix our entry doors for the material cost of $100 as well as work on sealing and improving the portico windows.
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Please welcome the following new members!
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Kathy Prosser grew up in Hyde Park, New York and has lived in Glen Mills, PA; Benicia, CA; Houston, TX; and Anchorage, AK. She has a BA in Art History. She has lived for the past year and half in Black Mountain with spouse Patrick Prosser and their cat. She has three adult children. Formally a Physical Therapy Assistant, Kathy now spends her time hiking, sewing, gardening and enjoying art. She has also volunteered for the literacy council, Habitat for Humanity, food pantries, and animal shelters. Kathy is new to UUism and we welcome her to our congregation.
Nancy Gavin grew up in Baltimore, MD and has lived in BelAir, MD; Cary, NC; and Apex, NC. She and spouse Michael have lived in Black Mountain for two years. She has three cats - Jake, Nicky and Ali - which she considered listing as her children. Her educational background includes a Masters of Education and a Masters in Church Ministries, Pastoral Care Track, Currently Nancy is Executive Director of Loving Food Resources, a self-serve food pantry serving those living with HIV/AIDS and anyone in Home Hospice Care. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening and reading. Nancy volunteers at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, on the Cat Care Team at Petsmart and occasionally on Sundays at the Light Center. Nancy is new to UUism. She feels she has been "called to this area for years before I was able to move here. I am looking forward to getting more involved with the UUCSV community!”
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Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a great holiday season.
2017 is getting off to a wonderful start. Our classes continue to see regular attendance and enthusiastic participation. We are learning about the Unitarian Universalist 7 Guiding Principles and how they are applied in our every day lives.
Thank you to all for the successful food drive sponsored by the RE department. We have donated over 200 pounds of food and personal care items to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries.
Beata Ball
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On Thursday, January 26, at 7:00, the social action committee with show the film, "Equal Means Equal" in preparation for an ERA bill to be introduced in the NC legislature. You will be shocked to hear Antonin Scalia describe what he thinks women's rights are under the constitution. Roberta Madden will lead the discussion.
Read full synopsis here!
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The Luunch Bunch will meet on January 3rd at noon in the church. The topic will be "New Beginnings."
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January’s Friday Fling, a fun party for grown-ups, will be held on 20 January at the UUCSV church. Red and white refreshments will be provided; please bring a potluck dish to share. First movie choice: A Late Quartet (2013; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken; “A shining gem of a movie.”---Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). Second movie choice: The Lobster (2015; Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz; a wickedly funny romance set in the near future). Potluck begins at 6:30. For further information call Norm Kowal (458-4537).
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The Women's Group will meet on Friday January 13 at 1:00 pm at the Lynx Condominium meeting room. Our topic will be "Mind Matters" - how do you keep you mind stimulated and growing? Are you energized by your talents and if so what are they? What gives you enthusiasm for daily life?
Also, we will collaborate with Helen in developing her trifold for the church activities display. Please bring your "This I Believe" for Helen if you presented yours at the service in 2016.
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Happy New Year, everyone! In January, our choir will perform on the 22nd. Our first rehearsal will be on the15th at 12:15 after the service. The Wednesday rehearsal will be at 7 PM on the 18th. This month we will sing in honor of two prospective moms in our congregation. Come and join us!
Linda Metzner
Choir Director
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Saturday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m.
On February 25, we’re kicking off our annual Pledge Drive with a Mardi Gras party. Fun, beads, music, zydeco dance lessons, food, and entertainment. Did I mention fun?
YOU are the essential ingredient in the evening’s success. We need YOU. Some jobs will need doing before the event; others, the day and evening of the party. What’s your specialty? Running the sound system? Decorating? Acting in a skit? Cooking? Lending us your CDs of lively music? Lending us your karaoke machine? Offering a few bottles of soda pop or juice? Cleaning up? What else can you think of?
We need folks in all these areas and more. Be a part of the fun. In the words of the 60s and 70s Be there or be square. To participate: contact Tina Rosato at grammyt10@att.net or 828-686-0530.
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The deadline for the February Newsletter is January 25th, please submit items to newsletter.uucsv@
gmail.com The best format is simply in the body of an email.
Thanks,
Ginny and Jackie
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Board of Trustees:
Diane Graham
Sarah Kirkpatrick
Frank Pizzardi
David Reid, President
Tina Rosato
Carol Sheeler
Dave Wells, Vice-Pres.
Minister,
Rev. Michael Carter,
ex-officio, non-voting
Board Member
Treasurer:
Lee Reading
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