Upcoming Services
Sunday, December 6
“You Gotta Own It”
My daughter shared that insight in the middle of our raft trip of 24 days through the Grand Canyon last December. It was cold. I was suffering and the Canyon is the ultimate "no way out only through" experience. "You gotta own it, Dad," where "own" is embrace and love and "it" is me, who I am here and now. That "a-hah" moment and phrase have become my guide, touchstone and koan in more adventure, study, personal growth and now the solitude, isolation, limitations and disruption of navigating this pandemic. My hope is that our reflections together reveal a helpful touchstone or two for you as we enter this Holiday season.
Guest Minister,: Rev. Jim McKinley
Worship Associate - Karen Hiebel
Rev. Jim McKinley. Jim retired from the UU Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC a year and a half ago after serving 22 years as their minister. Before ministry he did graduate work in Ecology and conservation biology and worked for The Nature Conservancy as the Director of Protection Planning and Stewardship for the Florida Office. After Divinity School he returned to conservation work before going into full time ministry. During the pandemic, Jim enjoys paddleboarding and kayaking, studying guitar and Spanish, and learning his way into what he hopes will be a meaningful third act. He adds that he is glad that his daughter Hannah and her partner, Jack, live in Hendersonville for the remainder of this school year and that he gets to share regular, socially distanced time with them.
Sunday, December 13
"A Holiday Tale for All”
Today we share a fun reading of a holiday story, "The Screaming Latke" by Lemony Snickett, and joyful music.
Worship Leaders: Karen Hiebel and Rev. Christina Branum-Martin
Sunday, December 20
“The Winter Solstice"
The moment of the Winter Solstice is rich in layers of meaning and tradition. Of all of the gifts we can receive by observing the Winter Solstice, this year we focus on Reflection, Resilience, and Rejoicing.
Led by Rev. Christina Branum-Martin
Worship Associate: Sarah McNeil
Sunday, December 24
Christmas Eve Service and Sing-A-Long
Grab your cookies and hot chocolate and join in for a Christmas Eve service with sing-a-long tunes and community lighting of candles. This service will be held on Zoom at 5pm.
Recent Services
Sunday, November 29
“No Feeling Is Final: Holding On in Hard Times”
Pandemic life can be a rollercoaster. Some days we feel almost normal, while other days bring us to our knees. Drawing upon the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke and her own spiritual practice of music-making, Unitarian Universalist Rev. Erin Walter will reflect on how we may endure painful uncertainty while also embracing moments of joy and gratitude where we find them.
Worship Leader: Rev. Erin Walter
Rev. Erin J. Walter is a UU minister and musician based in Austin, Texas. Her pronouns are (she/her/hers). Rev. Erin leads the group Parker Woodland, whose music you’ll hear in the service, and plays bass in the queer rock band Butch County. A former YMCA director, she serves as a board member for the Texas UU Justice Ministry and as the Affiliated Community Minister of Wildflower (Unitarian Universalist) Church in Austin. You can find more about Rev. Erin’s music and ministry at ErinWalter.com.
Sunday, November 22
"Gratitude”
This week we express our gratitude for the many ways leaders and volunteers bring the UUFC community together in shared ministry.
Worship Leader: Rev. Christina Branum-Martin
Worship Associate: Karen Hiebel
Sunday, November 15
“Rebuilding Trust"
UUFC has been invited to participate in a joint Zoom worship this coming Sunday by the UU Congregation of Columbia, SC. The LIVE service begins at 11am. A Zoom link to the Service will be sent on Sunday morning.
Our culture has been rendered paranoid. This spiritual illness is a threat to human decency and community. What will it take to rebuild trust, both within ourselves and in science, society, and our politics? Could the physical challenge of pandemic illness actually help us realize more deeply our interdependence and our need for basic trust?
Worship Leader: The Rev. Dr. John A. Buehrens
In the aftermath of failed leadership and a contentious election, our pulpit guest is former UUA President John Buehrens, author or co-author of seven books on liberal religion, most recently of Conflagration: How the Transcendentalists Sparked the American Struggle for Racial, Gender, and Social Justice. He will speak to us via Zoom from his home in San Francisco. Please feel free to invite others to join in welcoming back a long-time spiritual friend of UUCC.