IN THE SANCTUARY

Sunday, March 30, 2025

“The Mother's Holy Well”

Jewelsong

In these challenging times, it's comforting and inspiring to turn to the Divine Feminine for solace and transformation. In "The Mother's Holy Well" are a multitude of gifts for us ~ courage, guidance, strength, hope, wisdom, love, healing, and more. Jewelsong will share some of our favorite songs and quotes connecting us with the Great Mother and Her Well of Abundant Blessings.

Biography:

The members of Jewelsong (Betsy Bickel, Marilyn Grubbs, Farrunnissa Rosa, and Sofianna Sue-Anne Solem) have been creating music together since 2002. They compose and/or arrange most of their music, and they delight in exploring rich vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumentation. They are inspired by different spiritual traditions, the beauty of Nature, and the sacred trust of caring for the Earth.

Music: Jewelsong (Betsy Bickel, Marilyn Grubbs, Farrunnissa Rosa & Sofianna Sue-Anne Solem) voice, harp, piano, guitar & drums; Linda Metzner, piano

Can't make it? Live stream our service, or watch anytime at 

https://www.youtube.com/@uucsvproductions/streams

Religious Education

This week R.E. will be led by Anna Marcel de Hermanas. Anna will lead another lesson on this month's theme of climate change and the environment. 

Sunday, April 6, 2025

“The Power of Surrender”

Forrest Rivers

Surrendering our own egos to God (the Higher Power, Universe, Creator or whatever name we might wish to call the One that Is) can be incredibly difficult. And it can be especially so when we suddenly find ourselves in moments of profound suffering. But over time we discover through our own experiences with suffering, that surrender is our guiding light through all the pain, confusion and sadness that we encounter on our journeys. What is the meaning of true surrender? How can we more skillfully learn to surrender in the moment to what is? And where do we find God's grace in our surrender during moments of suffering? Forrest will address these questions through the lens of his own personal struggles and the wisdom traditions of both east and west.

Biography

Forrest is a meditation teacher, inspirational speaker and spiritual writer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He is the author of two books: The Hippie Revival and Collected Writings and Humanity’s Spiritual Rebirth: Lessons Lived and Learned from a Pandemic. When he isn’t teaching, writing or speaking he can be found hiking in the woods with his beloved dog Abbie.

What is a Sabbatical?

You may have heard that Rev. Carter will be “on sabbatical” from June 16 till his return to UUCSV on Homecoming Sunday, September 21, 2025. Many people are wondering what, exactly, is a sabbatical in this modern day and age? Does it have something to do with the Sabbath, medieval times, or do you have to be in academia to be granted one?

Well… not really. Did you know that many Fortune 500 companies and organizations offer their employees paid sabbaticals? The list is long and includes companies like Apple, McDonald’s, Bank of America and organizations such as AARP.

Sabbaticals can be seen as a trip to a Time Spa. They offer professionals time to retreat, relax, refresh, reprioritize and reevaluate. As Harvard Business Review states, “a sabbatical can be a transformative experience. Research suggests people come back rejuvenated, with a sharper sense of their priorities, a heightened awareness of their place in the world, and improved confidence, creativity and overall well-being.” The UUA offers a sabbatical of six months for every 5 years worked, and Rev. Carter has offered to help us out by taking his over the course of two years instead of all at once.

We wish Rev. Carter a wonderful sabbatical and we look forward to his return in September. We have some exciting guest ministers and speakers filling in, and it will be an opportune time for us to become acquainted with new topics and people. Stay tuned for more information.

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Building & Grounds Committee Update

Many things are happening at the UU with Spring and Summer around the corner:

• We will have a sign-up table starting after Sunday Service on March 30, 2025, where you can sign up for the season’s mowing
• We have a spring clean-up day planned on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9 - 11 a.m. All are welcome to help as we collect and mulch leftover leaves from the fall, trim some bushes and trees, remove weeds, etc.

Also, please shout out a thank you to Walt and Bill, who built benches in the Gazebo in the Memorial Garden area. You will also see some stone walkways have been added, as well as a bird house. More to come…

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Climate Justice Event

How, What & Why of Recycling in Black Mountain

April 6, 2025

After our Sunday service on April 6, 2025, Rechelle Ray will be giving a short presentation on the how, what and why of recycling in Black Mountain.

Rechelle has worked for the town for a little over two years as a Waste Reduction Specialist. A lot of her work is community outreach, as she helps organizations develop sustainable practices. She is happy to answer questions, and if you are wondering if you can recycle a certain item, bring it with you! Please plan to join us that day.

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Membership Committee Update

March 30, 2025

10-10:40 a.m. and 12-1:00 p.m.

THIS SUNDAY we will complete taking pictures to update our member roster for distribution this Spring/Summer. Look for balloons, Gracie, Michelle and Ruth in the portico. Please help us create our often requested Photo Directory by stopping by for a photo.

Everyone who poses for a picture gets one raffle ticket for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Louise's Kitchen.

The winner of the raffle will be notified by email.

email questions to: membership@uusv.org

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Breast Cancer Journeys

Reception: April 4, 2025 - 5 - 7:00 p.m.

1st Congregational United Church of Christ - 20 Oak St, Asheville

Women's Stories will be at the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ gallery during the month of April. A reception will be held on April 4, 2025, from 5 - 7:00 p.m. The installation features a collage of women's torsos who have had breast cancer and their stories from diagnosis to now. Most of the participants are from UUCSV as well as Black Mountain. Please come and celebrate their journeys with these women.

Please email Suzanne Ziglar at suzenaz@swcp.com with any questions.

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Contact Information:

Church office: (828) 669-8050

Michael Donnan:

Office Manager Hours: Tuesday & Thursday

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Rev. Michael J. S. Carter:

(Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Rev. Carter is available for pastoral care in the church office or virtually via Zoom or Skype. Please email Rev. Michael J. S. Carter to schedule an appointment.

The deadline for submissions to The Current is Tuesday at 12:00 p.m., please send yours to admin@uusv.org. For more information and guidelines on submissions for our newsletters, website, online calendar, social media, Order of Service, and member news, please see our Publishing Guidelines.

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UUCSV

500 Montreat Road

Black Mountain, NC 28711