Please join us for beverages and snacks after the
service
Sunday, 5 February 2012, 11 a.m.
Trust Me
Jeff Hutchins
Jeff Hutchins will speak on the issue of trust. “Trust Me” examines trust as the foundation of relationships and faith and the ways in which people trust and mistrust each other.
Children will be in the first part of the service for another of Jeff's original children's stories.
Sunday, 12 February 2012, 11 a.m.
Roots of Racism
Rev. Dr. Marc Mullinax and Tyrone Greenlee
How does racism get defined? Is it a skin color thing, or is it also bound up with entitlements, power, social privilege AND skin color? How may we view this constellation of power arrangements through spiritual lenses? Tyrone Greenlee and Marc Mullinax will "team preach" on these issues, taking as their cues the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:31-34.
Rev Dr. Marc Mullinax is professor of Religion and Philosophy at Mars Hill College. He is UUCSV's enthusiastic monthly pulpit supply minister through June 2012.
Tyrone Greenlee is one of this region's "Go-To" voices on how to creatively and spiritually address racism. He is Executive Director of Christians for a United Community, a multi-denominational, multi-racial coalition of churches and civic groups that address the root causes of racism in our communities. He helps formulate responses to hate crimes, and can be seen on the front lines when race matters need addressing. His voice, while quiet, is nevertheless persistent and passionate. Recently he was ordained a deacon in his home church, New Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Sunday, 19 February 2012, 11 a.m.
The Buddha and the Surgeon General
Rev. Michael Carter
One of the teachings attributed to the Buddha goes something like this:
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
What if Buddha's teachings were applied to our society? What if Sunday morning in America came with a message from the Surgeon General: "Warning – Believing what other people tell you can be hazardous to your health."
Michael Carter will ask that you believe absolutely nothing he will say during his visit with us in February. In fact, he will suggest that most of the suffering in the world comes from someone believing someone else's truth instead of struggling to live their own.
Michael is a graduate of the Emory University Chandler School of Theology. He served in the United Methodist Church for eight years working in parishes in Georgia and Kentucky as well as serving on the staff of one of the oldest statewide peace organizations in the United States. He spent many years in the corporate world and now is a starving entrepreneur living near Brevard.
Sunday, 26 February 2012, 11 a.m.
Does Community Still Equal God?
Scott Conklin
Twelve years ago Scott Conklin delivered a "This I Believe" at the UU Church of Asheville. He told of his personal search for a source of spiritual uplift, for a Higher Power. Call it God, if you like. He concluded that spiritual uplift can be found only through full participation in community. Or simply put, Community equals God.
Then Scott became President of UUCA...
Then the minister resigned under pressure...
Then the community broke...
Then the community moved on...
Then Scott fled UUCA and joined UUCSV...
Then Emily died...
Is it wise to place one's Faith in a human community? Can that kind of "theology" survive church politics? Can it survive the sudden death of a beloved child? Does Community still equal God?