Thermal Belt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship September 2018 Services at 10:30 a.m. on the 1 st & 3 rd Sunday of each month at 835 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC www.tbuuf.org; Like/follow us on Facebook @ TBUUF Mailing Address: P.O. Box 653, Tryon, NC 28782 Upcoming Services September 2, 2018 Justice: Drawing Lines The Rev. Ernie Mills Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins. Notions of justice have to do with drawing lines as shown in the previous quote that draws the line between your fist and my nose. Unfortunately, it s not always so simple. You may have an oversized fist and I may have a long nose that I stick it into your business. In this reflection, we will explore where we draw lines in shaping justice. September 16, 2018 Psychology and Religion The Rev. Ernie Mills What can psychology teach us about religion? The answer to that question depends on which psychology/psychologist. Freud and Jung had contrasting theories when it came to religion. In this reflection we will focus on Jungian psychology and what it teaches us about religion, specifically the Christian religion. Rev. Mills completed a BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a Master of Religious Education from Duke Divinity School, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He previously served as minister to the Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County.
TBUUF services are held at 10:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 835 N. Trade St., Tryon Coffee, light refreshments and fellowship follow our services. September 2 volunteers needed for both greeter and hospitality* September 16 volunteers: Greeter needed*; Hospitality: Jane Diggett *as of 8/20/18 Sign-up sheets to volunteer for hospitality and to greet are on the back table at each service. From Minister Ernie Mills Unitarian Universalism has evolved into a big umbrella that is inclusive of all faiths and yes, even non-faith. Somewhere along the way, and not that long ago, Unitarian Universalism opened its doors to those from all religious faiths and even those who professed to be agnostic or even atheist. How can this be? How can Unitarian Universalism be so inclusive and open? What is the common ground that all UUs stand upon under that huge umbrella? It can be summed up in one word, freedom. We believe that freedom is the foundation of the spiritual life; whether by spirit we mean the holy or the human. Our fourth principle says that we covenant to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What is more important than where the search for truth and meaning may eventually lead us is the question of how we got there. The how must be grounded in the freedom to choose. If we are not free to say no to something then our yes is not free either. Unitarian Universalists come from a long line of heretics. The word, heretic comes from a word meaning to choose. This is who we are. This is the faith we stand by a faith in ourselves and in one another.
TBUUF WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Although not new to the Fellowship, TBUUF welcomes Robin and David Edgar as members. TBUUF also welcomes Jane and Whit Diggett as members. The Diggetts came to Rutherfordton about a year ago from Central Florida where they attended the Unitarian Fellowship of Marion County. Jane is a retired educator and enjoys painting and reading. Whit was a Navy journalist and sales professional whose interests include golf, sailing, and sports cars (including racing.) Jane and Whit have one daughter, four grandchildren, and 2 dogs. Welcome! Thermal Belt Outreach shares this message. ANNOUNCEMENTS September is Hunger Action Month Did you know 1 in 7 families and 1 in 4 children in Polk County suffer from food insecurity? September is Hunger Action Month. Next month, help Outreach raise awareness of our Polk County neighbors who go to sleep each night with an empty stomach:
Organize a food drive for your church, neighborhood or club. Donations can be dropped off at 134 White Drive Columbus NC anytime throughout the month of September. Buy a ticket and attend our Empty Bowls Fundraiser at Parker-Binns Vineyard on Saturday, 10/6. Visit our website to purchase tickets. Wear orange on September 6, Hunger Action Day and tell people why. Become an Outreach Volunteer in the Food Pantry or volunteer to pack and deliver Feed-a- Kid bags to Polk County schools. Stop by Outreach on September 5 anytime from 11AM-1PM and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the new GRO Mobile Farmer's Market. Come to Outreach on Monday, Sept. 17 for free fruits and vegetables, brought to us by MANNA Express. This Vegetable Distribution is free and open to all Polk County residents. Upcoming Programs of Interest Non-Violent Communication Workshop with Rev. Jeff Jones Do you want more compassion in your life and in our world? Rev. Jones, a twenty-year parish minister who has spoken at TBUUF will be conducting a 6-week workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Hendersonville from Sept. 14 through Oct. 19, 6:30 P.M.-8:00 P.M in the Fellowship Hall. All too often in stressful situations we have habitual ways of speaking, thinking and acting that disconnect us from others as well as ourselves. Participants will learn to practice compassionate communication skills in pairs and in the group. To register for this workshop visit the Hendersonville UU website at uufhnc.org or contact Amy Landers at amy.h.landers@gmail.com (or text 505-453-4068). If you would like to discuss the possibility of a workshop in our area please contact Sheila Nungesser at BarNun315@gmail.com or 625-3060. Deeper Than Skin, Sat., Oct. 22 at 7pm, UU Fellowship Hendersonville Deeper Than Skin is a musical presentation by Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway on Race in America. This event will take place on Saturday, October 27 th at 7:00 P.M. at the UU Fellowship at 2021 Kanuga Road in Hendersonville. Both international singers/songwriters and performers, they will tell the quintessential American story and our ability to overcome.
Reggie Harris is a Woodrow Wilson Scholar and Music Education Director of the Living Legacy Project of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He co-leads tours through the historic sites of the Civil Rights movement in the South and has led hundreds of programs on Race and Social Justice. Greg Greenway, part of the Folk Trio Brother Sun, has been heard on NPR s All Things Considered, Mountain Stage and Car Talk. He has also played at Carnegie Hall. Reggie and Greg have brought the issue of Race to audiences all across North America. Born three days apart in Richmond, Virginia, they are on a pilgrimage together that began three decades ago. Harris and Greenway conducted workshops at SUUSI this summer and participated in worship services and concert hour performances. Their events were inspiring and enlightening. For those interested in attending and/or carpooling, please contact Robbie ter Kuile at 817-0382 or Phil and Sheila Nungesser at 625-3060.