We've have had some beautiful days as we head into the month of June. Although Memorial Day is oftentimes touted as the "official" beginning of the summer season, June 21, 2019 is the summer equinox. So technically, it's still Springtime. The weather has been glorious. Not too overbearingly warm, with lots of sunshine and blue skies. What a blessing the weather can be, as it can sometime take our minds off of the chaotic and sometimes disturbing events that surround us and our day to day living on planet earth. The weather can sometimes bring us back to ourselves and remind us what really matters, at least for the moment. The lush green color of the trees and the grass; the sound of the rivers, waterfalls, and lakes; the majesty of these Appalachian mountains; the bright golden sun that gives us warmth and energy, that give us life itself... the beauty of the natural world gives us a respite from the day's jarring and confusing headlines.
The month of June also brings us Father's Day. Another tough holiday for many ( just as Mother's Day can be) but we celebrate and acknowledge it, and this is as it should be. Whatever your relationship with your father, I hope with all my heart that you can find if not completely, at least a semblance of peace, forgiveness, transformation, healing---and love. Yes, Love. Whatever that word means to you, I wish it for you and your father this father's day. If time allows, in the silence of your days and/or evenings, let us remember our fathers, and say to them what our hearts have to say.
Happy Father's Day to All,
Michael
"Southern Living" by Kendra Hamilton ( Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry, p.344).
" I am cut and bruised, my nails broken. I have found love and my lover is ungentle. There's a many-hued bruise beside my left knee, three on my right leg at the ankle and the thigh, a new formed scar on my left shin where she cut me--- she didn't mean to. But I fear I grow obsessed, neglect my looks---my hair grows wild. This is what it is to love in middle life and I praise God that She has blessed me with a love like this before I die. I lavish this passion on my house and garden. I have never felt this for any man...
"To love a garden is to be in love with worlds: with potageries and racemes, corymbs, hispids, and corms. To love a garden is to be in love with possibility; for it can never, almost by definition be complete.
"To love a garden is to be in love with contradiction; ravished by order yet ever open to the wild. But more than all of these, to love a garden is to find your one true lover; for a garden can't survive its maker, will die with the one who loved it, with only a sudden spray of roses in June amid a derelict tangle of wood sorrel and sumac to tell an eye that can read the land that either of you was ever here.
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 Sunday, June 2, 2019, 11 am
The Memorial Garden Committee"Remembering Well"
Today we will recognize the establishment of a very special garden on our property. In addition to providing a place of remembrance for deceased members, friends, and loved ones of the UUCSV, The Garden is intended to provide a place for you to reflect upon the value of your relationship to and within our congregation. How does your memory of the loss of a loved one fit into your vision of the future? How does the loss of a member of our congregation fit into your vision for the future of our congregation?
We invite you to bring a photograph and/or momento of any of your loved ones who has passed away. We will have an altar at the front of the Sanctuary for the placement of your items.
 Sunday, June 9, 2019, 11 am
Rev. Michael Carter
“Cultivating Integrity”
What exactly is this thing called integrity? The word comes from the root word, integrate, which means to combine one thing with another so that they become whole. So, it can mean bringing awareness of our oneness with, God, The Tao, The Universe, humankind, The Whole, etc. into the many different aspects (the parts) of our lives. Another definition is that integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way. It means having “wholeness” of character, acting in an authentic way. I have also heard it said that integrity is the way one behaves when no one is watching. I like that one.
Sunday, June 16, 2019, 11 am Rev. Michael J.S. Carter“UUs, God, and Fatherhood”
For me personally, Father’s Day sermons are as difficult to write as Mother’s Day sermons. Why? Because so many of us have had complicated and unique relationships with our parents. Some idyllic and some quite tragic.
Our culture tries to tell us men what is women’s work, or mother’s work, and what is not. In our culture, women and mothers are supposed to be more aware of the needs of others; after all, it is women who can give birth, which seems the most intimate connection that one person can have with another person.
Perhaps there is some truth in what our society tells us, but the real point is that we men are also capable of deep sensitivity to the needs and interests of another person. We, too, are capable of treating other people as ends in themselves, rather than as means to our own ends; we, too, are capable of unselfish love toward others. And I believe this unselfish love is tied to two basic liberal religious principles: one found in Universalism and the other found in Unitarianism. This Father's Day I would like to explore the meaning of Fatherhood by referring to the writings of Unitarian Minister Rev. William Ellery Channing, a societal understanding of "God" as "Father," and my own personal experience of both having a father and being a father as well.
Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:00 am
Pana Columbus
"What Moves You?
Exploring Why Certain Social Justice Movements Worked"
What did successful social justice movements have in common? What strategies did they use that effectively changed the course of history? When have you participated in group action that was most meaningful to you? Join Pana Columbus as she explores the roadmaps of those who overcame seemingly impossible obstacles on the road to peace and prosperity for all.
Pana Columbus is an award-winning playwright, director and producer. She has been using the power of the arts to catalyze positive and demonstrable community transformations since 2000. She is proud member of Westwood Co-housing Community and the owner of a LEAF since 2017. Her third book, "The Initiation" is due out this summer.
Sunday, June 30, 2019 11:00 am Rev. Jeff Jones"The Wisdom Jesus"
As Unitarian Universalists, we know there are many interpretations of the life and death of Jesus. Drawing on the work of Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal Priest who draws on Christian scripture and the Wisdom tradition, we will look at the non-dual Jesus, the Jesus who urged us to be fully present with others, the Jesus who urged us to be free of ego and to not keep score of rights and wrongs. This Jesus advocates for the transformation of human consciousness.
In June 2017, Rev. Jeff Jones left full-time parish ministry (nine years in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and seven years in Marietta, Georgia) to pursue Community Ministry in Compassionate Living, a cornerstone of which is Nonviolent (Compassionate) Communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg. He and his wife now live in Asheville, and he is creating this new ministry as a student, aspiring practitioner, facilitator, and activist.
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For more information, visit: http://uusv.org/sundays/
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Annual Congregational Meeting, June 2, 2019
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June 2, 2019 Congregational Meeting Report
Carol Sheeler reported that 42 members were present and we needed 38 members to make a quorum, so we proceed with the meeting.
Out going Board of Trustees President, Susan Culler facilitated the meeting.
Our Treasurer, Lee Reading, reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2019-2020. He reported that our annual canvass was successful with $105,000 pledged by the Members and Friends of UUCSV. Lee reviewed other sources of income. Highlights of expenses include $86,000 in salary, wages, benefits and taxes. The Social Action Committee’s budget for donating to local non-profits and causes is 4% of the total budget. Additional money was allocated to the Religious Education budget to provide money for a paid assistant to teach children each Sunday. The Congregational Care Committee now has a small budget.
There was a question about the line for pledge shortfall. Lee explained that the budget assumes some people will not be able to fulfill their pledge, but the shortfall number is low because we are typically good about fulfilling our pledges. The budget proposal was passed unanimously.
Linda Tatsapaugh described her recent efforts to collect, organize and store past and present congregational policies and procedures.The Board has been reviewing policies and procedures and adopting them.
Linda then introduced the bylaw changes. Linda called for discussion but there were no questions. The proposed bylaw changes were approved unanimously.
Appreciation was expressed for the Trustees completing their terms: Susan Culler, Diane Graham, and Larry Pearlman.
Candidates for the 2019-20 UUCSV Board of Trustees introduced themselves and spoke briefly. The candidates were Kathryn Coyle (second term), Spence Foscue, Robert Tynes (Jim Carillon speaking for Robert who is out of town), and Evan Yanik.
The nominated Board of Trustees candidates were approved unanimously.
The meeting was then adjourned.
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Religious Education (RE) News
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Thank you everyone who has made this program year a great one!
Summer Sundays began with the June 2 class - “Pancakes and Pajamas”! It’s a pajama party with pancake making and some fun pajama party activities.
Our RE service on May 19th was part curriculum-end celebration, but also a rite of passage as Dorinda Ball bridged from the children's Religious Education program to a more sophisticated phase of her faith development. Her Bridge Crossing was led by Sybil Argentar, so that Beata could be "parent" rather then RE Director for this ceremony where parents Beata and Steven Ball proudly watched Dorinda be welcomed by the congregation's support.
The children and RE volunteer teachers shared what their curriculum had been teaching in the last year, how the 4 elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) teach us about power, and how each child is finding his/her own power.
There are still plenty of available Sundays for you to choose from to jump in with our wonderful kids and share your skills and talents. See Beata Ball to sign up!
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Board of Trustees minutes May 2019
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These are the abbreviated minutes from the Board of Trustees meeting held on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The complete minutes are posted in the foyer.
Our volunteer Treasurer, Lee Reading, reported that at the end of April our assets totaled $119,000. Looking at Expenses and income, income is at 100% for the 10 months while expenses are at about 92%.
The Board reviewed the policy document for the Memorial Garden. After discussing the merits of having a separate committee for the Memorial Garden, the Board will revise the policy accordingly.
The Board prepared for the Annual Meeting, to be held on June 2nd after the Sunday Service.
Fundraising: Auction and traveling UUs in-house stays. Larry updated the Board about the homestay program. We now have 6 rental places which are listed on our web site as well as UU’re Home.com. Larry has been working with Warren Wilson College, and they now have our list of places and Larry’s contact information. The Williamsburg congregation wants to work with us by publishing an article about our homestays in their newsletter if we publish an article about their home stays in our newsletter.
Larry presented a broad overview of what would be required to hold a successful auction for the church. The Board expressed interest and asked Larry to do more research and report back.
The Board supports the idea of a new “Welcoming Congregation” sign that includes a rainbow symbol to be posted in our front yard.
The June Board Meeting will be on June 20 @ 6 p.m.
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Come hear Mamie Davis Hilliard
Read from her new book of poetry
"and to see takes time"
and selected new poems.
Thursday June 27, 2019...5pm
UNCA's REUTER CENTER RM 206
1 University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
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An Evening with David Kheridan and Nonny Hogrogrian
Join the Black Mountain Friends of the Library for an inspirational evening with mystic poet, David Kheridan and his wife, Nonny Hogrogrian, writer and 2X Caldecott Award winning illustrator.
David will introduce his most recent poems, as well as read selections from The Road Home and other award winning collections. Readings will be followed by an informal gathering and book signing with the authors. As a special treat, Nonny has arranged for a private viewing of her illustrations from some of her favorite children's books and folk tales. Please join us for this remarkable evening.
Thursday, June 6. 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Black Mountain/Tyson Library. Free. |
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On Sunday, June 2, 2019, we had our UUCSV Annual Meeting. We delayed publishing this month's newsletter in order to give you the results of that meeting. The minutes are posted here in another column! |
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Ruth Pittard - June 2
Allen Brown - June 8
Dr. Jane Carroll - June 25
Heidi Blozan - June 26
Kathy Phillips - June 29
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Bring your lunch for a discussion time with UU's. Meets June 4, at noon.
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This e-zine (formerly known as the UUCSV Newsletter) will have a new format, and a new name soon.
We will be updating this publication starting July 1, 2019, reflecting our goal to provide more in-depth thought provoking journalism here.
The Current will still advise our members and friends of events and announcements in a weekly manner, while the monthly
e-zine will not cover these "timely-type" items. Our calendar is also avaiable at our web site UUCSV monthly Calendar
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In June the UUCSV Choir will sing on the 23rd. We will meet first on Sunday the 16th at 12:15 after the service, then on Wednesday the 19th at 7 PM, and at 9:45 AM on the day of performance, June 23rd. Please come sing with us! It's a beautiful thing to do each month. Linda Metzner, choir director |
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For the love of music in our Sunday services, we are happy to announce the start of "Second Sundays," an opportunity for YOU to perform, as a solo singer or small ensemble, vocalist or instrumentalist, once a month in addition to Choir Sundays. Please let Linda Metzner know if you are interested in offering a special talent. One or two songs or pieces are needed for "Second Sundays" each month.
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Come One. Come All
The
Social Action Committee and Board of Trustees
invite you to a
Rainbow Party Potluck
Sunday, June 9
12 PM
at our regular potluck lunch
In observance of
June Gay Pride Month,
we'll have games, music, cake walk for the kids
and surprises
for the whole family.
Please bring a folding chair, if you wish.
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June’s Friday Fling, a fun party for grown-ups, usually every third Friday of the month, will be held on 21 June at the UUCSV church. Red and white wine will be provided; please bring a potluck dish to share. First movie choice: Chariots of Fire(1981; the inspiring true story of the team that brought Britain one of its greatest sports victories at the 1924 Olympic Games). Second movie choice: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975; The film that brought coconut palms and killer rabbits to the British Isles---No, that was something completely different.). Potluck begins at 6:30. For further information call Norm Kowal (458-4537).
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The Psi group will meet on June 25th at 1:30 pm to discuss a topic to be announced in the Current.
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Board of Trustees:
Heidi Blozan
Kathryn Coyle
Spence Foscue
Linda Tatsapaugh, President
Robert Tynes
Deb Vingle
Evan Yanik
Minister,
Rev. Michael Carter,
ex-officio, non-voting
Board Member
Treasurer:
Lee Reading (non-voting)
Secretary:
Carolyn Shorkey (non-voting)
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For posting UUCSV items of interest for July, please send submissions to Barb Rogers, editor, at newsletter.uucsv@gmail.com by June 25, 2019.
"The Current" is our weekly updated news- published by Myra Shoen, our Administrator, at admin@uusv.org
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Starting with our new format, and new name, our e-zine will have a place for one poem to be shared among us each month. If you would like to share, please send your submission to Barb Rogers, Editor at newsletter.uucsv@gmail.com
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