In this issue:

 

 

"The Universality of the Madonna and Child" 
 
During the season of Christmas in many art galleries, in countless homes and churches, and on myriad Christmas cards, there will be scenes picturing the Madonna and Child. There is a sense in which the Madonna and Child experience is not the exclusive possession of any faith or any race. This is not to gainsay, to underestimate, or to speak irreverently of the far-reaching significance of the Madonna in Christianity, particularly in Roman Catholicism. But it is to point out the fact that the Madonna and Child both in art and religion is a recognition of the universality of the experience of motherhood as an expression of the creative and redemptive principle of life. It affirms the constancy of the idea that life is dynamic and alive — that death as the final consummation of life is an illusion.
 
The limitless resources of life are at the disposal of the creative impulse that fulfills itself most intimately and profoundly in the experience of the birth of a child. Here the mother becomes one with the moving energy of existence — in the experience of birth there is neither time, nor space, nor individuality, nor private personal existence — she is absorbed in a vast creative moment upon which the continuity of the race is dependent. The experience itself knows no race, no culture, no language — it is the trysting place of woman and the Eternal.
 
The Madonna and Child in Christianity is profoundly rooted in this background of universality. Specifically, it dramatizes the birth of a Jewish baby, under unique circumstances, calling attention to a destiny in which the whole human race is involved. For many to whom he is the Savior of mankind, no claim as to his origin is too great or too lofty. Here is the culmination of a vast expectancy and the fulfillment of a desperate need. Through the ages the message of him whose coming is celebrated at Christmastime says again and again through artists, through liturgy, through music, through the written and spoken word, through great devotion and heroic sacrifice, that the destiny of man on earth is a good and common destiny — that however dark the moment or the days may be, the redemptive impulse of God is ever present in human life.
 
But there is something more. The Madonna and Child conception suggests that the growing edge of human life, the hope of every generation, is in the birth of the child. The stirring of the child in the womb is the perennial sign of man's attack on bigotry, blindness, prejudice, greed, hate, and all the host of diseases that make of man's life a nightmare and a holocaust.
 
The Birth of the Child in China, Japan, the Philippines, Russia, India, America, and all over the world, is the breathless moment like the stillness of absolute motion, when something new, fresh, whole, may be ushered into the nations that will be the rallying point for the whole human race to move in solid phalanx into the city of God, into the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth.

"On the inclusive symbol of Christmas"
 
The symbol of Christmas—what is it? It is the rainbow arched over the roof of the sky when the clouds are heavy with foreboding. It is the cry of life in the newborn babe when, forced from its mother’s nest, it claims its right to live. It is the brooding Presence of the Eternal Spirit making crooked paths straight, rough places smooth, tired hearts refreshed, dead hopes stir with newness of life. It is the promise of tomorrow at the close of every day, the movement of life in defiance of death, and the assurance that love is sturdier than hate, that right is more confident than wrong, that good is more permanent than evil.
 
"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 the agreement I attested. It is curious how much difference can be marked between the two dates - December 31 and January one. 
 
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 by the calendar, even though they may be 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.
 
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 Him, 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 with gratitude.

What does it mean to be a good neighbor in the modern age?

Until recently I thought it was enough to simply not inconvenience my neighbors (ie not playing crazy loud music,  parking my car inconsiderately on the street or running outdoor power tools at 6 AM), but I’ve been rethinking this idea.

 

As a kid I knew most of the neighbors on our street by name, and there were a couple my parents were friendly with in the cliché “borrow a cup of sugar” sense, but we didn’t have them over often and were rarely invited over. 

 

A few months ago my children and I were walking through our neighborhood and happened to see a neighbor (a few streets over from our home) out in his lovely garden. We complimented his flowers and he insisted we stop and visit, and then take home a small vase of zinnias. My children were delighted with this exchange. I was more guarded than I care to admit. I was vaguely suspicious of this effusive neighborliness, but when I saw that same man out the next week I paused in my car to chat for a moment, and he invited me to a neighborhood potluck that very night! I was non-committal, I threw out (the very real) conflicts of soccer practice and early bed times. He insisted I think about it. In the end I convinced my husband we should maybe go (and convinced myself in the process). We went, we brought pasta salad, we drank wine in the front yard and met more neighbors in that one night than I’ve met in 8 years at our current address. We had a great time (despite being bad at small talk). We’ve since brought that neighbor & his husband some apple cake, and made plans for a board games and pizza night. We have the beginnings of a friendship forming because he was just too sincerely hospitable to refuse (and because I decided to try to be open to it). I truly believe my life will be richer for having this couple in our lives, and it's making me want to be more hospitable too (I’m thinking about hosting a front yard cocoa party or something). 

 

I read an article about how lonely we are as a society not too long ago and how being a better neighbor was one way to combat it (but then Covid put a damper on that). I’ve refound it recently and decided to spread it wide like gospel. You can find it here:

 

 

By Susan Enwright Hicks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan Evelyn Grace Adams and big brother Cylis.

 

 

Joni was born to Alison Tynes Adams and Drew Adams on November 12, 2022 at Mission Hospital. She weighed 6lbs. 7 oz and arrived at 2:05 am. Her family is so excited to meet her! Grandparents Robert Tynes and Bette Bates are overjoyed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am  so glad that today we meet
Share huggs and laughter as we greet.
It's been a while since last we met,
If it was today we all would get wet.

The voting is over!
Not yet I am afraid,
but some of my leaders, thank goodness,
have stayed.
And here comes Thanksgiving,
then Christmas
arrives.
Too much I say
It's the way of our lives.

Now finally the voting is done

the Senate I am glad has actually won.
But counting the House votes goes on and on
By the end of the year, I hope they'l be done.

By then I hope we'll know who's won 

and we can rest and look for the sun.
  To keep our democratic way,
seems harder every single day.

Now many will try to make us sway,

but Democracy will truely stay.

Thank goodness for our USA,

So now I shout "Have a wonderfull day!"


By Ann Sillman
November 13 2022 

 

The Beauty of the Dark            

 

The Sun, far away, yearns to embrace us in Her warmth once again.

 

But this is our time to journey into the depths of the darkness.

 

Coming together here, we warm each other’s hearts in the darkness.

 

This is the time to surrender and listen deep to our souls.

 

This is the time to close our eyes, slow down and be lulled by the darkness.

 

Our blessed Mother Gaia dwells within the darkness.

 

Inhale the song of Her soul, Her soil, Her dark caves, Her rich dark humus.

 

Mother Earth welcomes you into the darkness.

 

Walk with confidence, all people, walk safely into the darkness.

 

Let us love the night, the moon, the stars, the planets, the Seven Sisters high above.

 

Revel in this other half of our lives, the darkness.

 

The beauty of the dark earth, the darkness of skin, the dark curves of mountain roads,

 

The Seven Sister Mountains in their powerful darkness, presiding over Black Mountain,

 

Our dark blood, our Earth, our deepest selves, the darkness.

 

By Annelinde Metzner

November 16, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tall and thin, but growing buds on each branch, Charlie's Tree.

 

 
"To Honor Charlie Chilton, Charter Member of UUCSV, for his many generous contributions. The grateful congregation of UUCSV, October 28 2005."
 
 

 

I'm so grateful for all the great energy at UCUSV, whenever I am part of any of the groups. These are smart, dedicated, thoughtful, hilarious, loving, and extraordinary people!

 

This month I want to especially thank Tina Rosato and Sue and Ken Stone who have done a great job proof-reading Tidings for the last couple of years. Welcome to Susan Moore and Alan Maddox who are joining the crew. This will give each proof-reader more breaks to meet their own schedules.

 

And considering the January Tidings newsletter...let's try again to have an "Open Topic."

By Barbara Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Note: The next Regular Board meeting is December 1st @ 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. The minutes will be approved as submitted, and an abridged version will be posted on the bulletin board by the office.  The following Board meeting will be in person (weather permitting) January 26, 2023 at 6: p.m.
 
Here are the Board Retreat Minutes. Each subsection is given as a separate topic.
 
 

The September board meeting discussed feedback received from Congregants regarding political statements made from the pulpit.  There was concern voiced that some of the messaging from guest speakers may not be in alignment with our 8 Principles, as it focused too much on individual political figures as opposed to political ideas and ideals.  There was much discussion regarding the need to ensure that all speakers understand that the messages we desire espoused from the pulpit should primarily focus on the message, and not contain language that would denigrate named individuals.  Therefore, sermons should contain no personal or Party bashing.  Our goal as a congregation is to allow free thought and speech, understanding that all messages will not always resonate with all Congregants.  It is not our desire to censor the message, but to ensure that the message is always stated in a respectful manner.

Action Item:

The Sunday Service Associates Committee will be tasked with crafting messaging around this topic.  Once reviewed and adopted by the BOT, this messaging will be shared with all potential guest speakers.  In this way, they will be aware of our stance on tolerance of diversity in thought, but that the messaging needs to continue to be respectful to all, and in alignment with our 8 principles.

This topic will be revisited on an annual basis during the BOT retreat.

 

The current Organizational Chart is out of date, so the BOT reviewed edits submitted by the current Chair of the Communications Committee. There was also significant discussion about Committee chair leadership (how chairs are selected, and whether there should be term limits on the chair position).   After review, the following recommendations were made by the BOT:

Action Items:

1. The Safety Committee will be a freestanding Operational Committee of UUCSV

2. The Music Director will directly report to the Minister and not to the BOT

3. It is preferable that both the Secretary and Treasurer officers be voting members of the BOT.  However, if there is no voting member who is willing to serve in either of those 2 roles, and if either of those two roles are filled by a congregant other than the 7 voting members of the BOT, then either of those two roles could be non-voting during that term.

4. Currently there is some misalignment between the By Laws, the Board of Trustees Orientation Manual and the Governance document that delineates Board of Trustees functions.  An ad hoc committee of BOT members will convene to review all 3 documents and propose appropriate changes within each to create appropriate alignment between the three documents.  

5. There will be a re-designation of the Nominating Committee as an “Ad Hoc” committee on the Organizational Chart.  This Committee will be made up of a subcommittee of members from the BOT and will convene when there is a need to fill either a Committee Chair or anticipated BOT vacancy due to expiration of term.

6. Committee chairs will be nominated by the Nominating Committee and final selection made by the BOT.  The initial term of a Committee Chair will be 2 years, with the option of extension.

7. The Governance Committee will be a subcommittee of members of the BOT.  This subcommittee will ensure that actions taken by the BOT are in alignment with our Bylaws and Governance documents.

8. The Open Table Group from the “Groups” designation on the Operational Committees Org Chart will be removed.

9. The Stewardship Committee will be added as a Standing Committee

10. The Auction Committee will be removed from Ad Hoc Committees on the Operational Committees Chart.

11. Auction/Fundraising will be added as bullets beneath the Stewardship Committee.

This segment of the BOT retreat focused on differentiating the true work of the BOT and how that work differs from what should take place at the committee level.  The BOT should serve as the governing body for the Congregation, with responsibility for ensuring that our work is in alignment with our Mission Statement and the 8 Principles, and also ensuring that UUCSV is perceived in a positive manner within our community.  This includes ensuring we remain fiscally sound as an organization, and growth oriented, so that longevity of our Congregation is assured. It was also determined that the BOT is responsible for ensuring that all Committees have appropriate leadership, and Committee Chairs don’t feel that they have accepted the role of Committee Chair indefinitely. The Committee’s work is to focus on all grassroots work that needs to occur to supports the Congregation.  They are responsible for receiving requests from either congregants or the BOT, thoroughly vetting those requests, and then presenting their analysis to the BOT on whether the committee believes that it is in our best interest to move forward with the request.  That analysis should include an analysis of potential positives and negatives to enacting an initiative, as well as resources necessary to support moving forward with the initiative (initial and potential ongoing fiscal costs or human resource investment necessary). An analysis document was put forward for review and accepted by the BOT (see attachment, found at the end of this report).

The BOT fFocused on ways to utilize our 90-minute monthly meetings to best advantage, including streamlining the monthly Committee reports.  A standardized Committee report document was submitted for approval and was accepted (see attachment, found at the end of this report).  

The BOT also discussed the fact that ideas and proposals  come to the BOT through inconsistent channels, and therefore may not be fully investigated and vetted prior to BOT discussion regarding acceptance of the proposal.  This lack of process has contributed to the BOT making decisions regarding asks from Committees that have not been fully vetted regarding the possible Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities or Threats of said proposal.  Recent decisions on a proposal from the Social Action Committee, and a proposal impacting the Building and Grounds Committee, are 2 good examples of where more complete study of the presented proposal may have resulted in a request for more information prior to making an affirmative decision.  

Action Items:

1. All proposals will be thoroughly vetted by the appropriate UUCSV Committee utilizing the SWOT analysis process prior to bringing to the BOT for review and approval.  This process will allow the Committee to perform the first pass at identifying whether the proposed action is something that would benefit our Congregation. All proposals must be presented to the BOT during a monthly BOT meeting by either the Committee Chair or a designee.  See the UUCSV Project Proposal form and the SWOT Power Point slides attachment at the end of this report.  Both the Project Proposal form and the output from the SWOT analysis must be completed for presentation to the BOT.

2. Committee Chair responsibilities will be defined to include::

a. Holding/Chairing meetings at a routine cadence (monthly, quarterly, or ad hoc based upon needs of the Congregation)

b. Preparating and submitting the monthly meeting report form no later than 1 week prior to the BOT monthly meeting.

c. Recruiting and orientingnew committee members, as well as creating of a description of the roles and responsibilities of committee members.

d. Completing an analysis regarding any activities engaged in by a UUCSV committee that either a) requires fiscal resources, or b) could potential affect how UUCSV is perceived by the greater community,

e. Acknowledging that all proposals must first be approved by the BOT. 

An overarching goal of the BOT is to recruit and retain skilled and accountable leaders for the Committees that support UUCSV.  However, it is also important to ensure that these willing leaders do not experience burnout in their leadership roles.  Some of the challenges to recruitment of leaders is thought to have arisen due to multiple issues:

1. Small to moderately sized congregation

2. Aging congregation

3. #1 and 2 leading to the same people having volunteered multiple times or for prolonged tenure, and subsequently experiencing burnout

4. Prolonged shutdown of in-person services due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, leading to new members feeling too unfamiliar to volunteer for leadership positions

5. Lack of clearcut guidelines around chair tenure, leading to congregants being unwilling to volunteer to lead a committee (the perception that you can’t give up your chair unless you find someone to fill it is very prevalent in our organization).

Therefore, the following action items were proposed and agreed upon by the BOT:

Action Items:

1. The BOT discussed and agreed to set term limits on the Committee Chair Role

a. Initial term of the Committee Chair will be 2 years

i. There is an option for renewal of a second 2-year term, based upon the successful completion of the first term as chair.

ii. 6 months prior to expiration of the first 2-year term, the Chairperson must give notice to the BOT of their desire to either continue as chair for an additional term, or to declare their intention to conclude their term as chair at the end of their 2-year commitment.

b. The Nominating Committee will publicize the upcoming Chair vacancy and will institute a call for nominations from our current membership.  This request for nominations will utilize all UUCSV communication vehicles currently in use:

i. The Current

ii. The weekly Board Member Welcome performed at the beginning of Sunday Service each week.

1. Messaging will include

a. 2-year commitment

b. Contact person(s) for parties interested in the role

c. Once a slate of candidates is formed, the Nominating Committee will engage in discussion with all candidates to ensure that they are familiar with the role and responsibilities and feel comfortable with their ability to lead that particular committee.  

d. If more than one candidate presents for a Committee Chair position, the Nominating Committee will evaluate the qualifications of all candidates and present the candidate(s) they feel will best fill the role.  The BOT will make the final decision on candidates ultimately offered for the Chair position. 

The UUCSV Annual Auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year for UUCSV, second only to the Pledge Drive.  Board members had questions about the inception of the Auction and how decisions were made regarding how the funds are used.  The following includes information shared by Larry Pearlman, Auction Chairman and decisions made:

1. Each year, the BOT determines the percentage split of final proceeds (after expenses) between UUCSV and another worthy organization.  The BOT will also determine if the Auction proceeds will be earmarked for a UUCSV special project or the General Operating budget.

2. The Congregation is polled each year to garner nominations for a worthy organization within our community to share the proceeds with us. Requests for submissions will be published in the Current in the weeks prior to the Annual Membership meeting in early summer. If the Congregation does not come forth with nominations, then the BOT will be presented a slate of possible recipients from the Auction Committee and the BOTwill make the final selection from that list.  Current community needs will more than likely be a major factor in choosing the final recipient.

3. The BOT will announce the community recipient of Auction proceeds at the Annual Congregational Meeting.

 

The BOT discussed our Membership Committee’s current processes for reconciling membership termination, and agree that their processes are in alignment with UUA standards.  We also were educated that keeping accurate active member metrics for reporting to UUA helps to determine our yearly dues allocation to UUA.  These standards are delineated in our congregational Bylaws.  

We also discussed ideas for member retention, including the institution of 2 new member engagement strategies:

1. The Minister will reach out to anyone who fills out a white card indicating that they would like to know more about our community.  Reverend Carter has already commenced this strategy.

2. The Membership Committee will do an outreach to new members within the first 90 days of membership to determine if we are meeting their needs, and to solicit feedback regarding their experience with UUCSV thus far

 

Discussion regarding current membership numbers and congregational growth illuminated the following realizations:

1. Since we have reopened to in-person services, attendance at UUCSV has been robust, with many visitors attending our services

2. Parking is at a premium on most Sundays that Reverend Carter is in the pulpit.  On those days, we know that some people do not stay for the service if they cannot secure adequate parking.

3. So far, we have not run out of seating space in the Sanctuary and have not had to resort to overflow seating in the Foyer.

4. To-date, new member growth and member attrition have been close to equal, so there has not been a significant net gain in new members.  However, with the significant number of visitors we are attracting each week, we are hoping that we will begin to see a net gain in our membership.

With those points in mind, the following suggestions were made by the BOT:

1. We will need to keep a keen eye on Parking issues on a weekly basis, to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in live services is able to secure parking.

2. If Parking does become a consistent problem, we will message in the Current and during the weekly announcements that when weather permits, attendees who are physically able might want to park at the 5/3 Bank a couple blocks South of UUCSV and walk to services.  This would provide close-in parking for our less physically abled membership.

3. If we begin to have consistent overflow into the Foyer for seating due to increased attendees at services, we will need to consider possibly having 2 services on Sunday.  The associated increased hours and employment costs of all UUCSV employees would also need to be considered in a determination of institution of a second Sunday service.

(not included with these minutes)

1. Organizational Charts

2. UUCSV Monthly Committee Report Form

3. Project Proposal Form (with completed SWOT Analysis) 

 

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley

500 Montreat Road

Black Mountain, NC 28711

(828) 669-8050 (email preferred during pandemic)