News

We now have a large dedicated shed for all your donations!  They will not be collected in the Fellowship lobby any longer.

We are still NOT accepting donations at this time. This is just a temporary hold and we will begin collecting again soon. When we do, please do not put any loose items in there, they should all be bagged.

Our thanks go out to the Fellowship’s Social Action Council and Clothes Closet Team for making this happen!

Questions? Email clothescloset@uufws.org.

In January of 2025, we kept building the theological house that holds us together amidst our different beliefs, values, experiences and identities. We focused on our roof, the structure that give us protection. We asked, what do we need to be sheltered and protected from, and how are we protected?

We acknowledged that what we need protection from is what many would call evil, and some would call sin. We found meaning in a classical definition that this if found in separation. Separation from self, from others, and from whatever is ultimate for us (higher power, deeper power, truth).

We reflected that we are protected from this evil by connection, and by the connection that can happen under our roof. In the time we take for personal and communal spiritual practice. In the time we take to foster real relationships within our walls and outside of them.

We acknowledged that to be with others deeply and fully, we need to be brave enough to be with ourselves fully and deeply. We sang that we have the power to carry our presence and love into our hardest moments, and that we can do this with others too. We committed to fanning our flames of joy and fostering these in community, just as we kindle safety and warmth.

And we remembered the ways we can continue to lean on tools that help us to do this. That so often come from music, words, and the example of those who came before us and are among us:

We were moved by music:

And by words:

And by the example of other individual lives and the lives of organizations:

We were moved and grounded too, by all we’ve done and will do in community together.

I look forward to continuing this project of constructing the house of belief we can reside in together. I look forward to moving with you all in February, when we construct our Windows, how we view the world and interact with our neighbors.

Now more than ever, our communities needs us clearly rooted in who we are so we can stay rooted and clear in purpose as we offer our gifts to our world so deeply in need of them. 

In Faith and Love,

Rev. Kayla

There is no better way to meet new people and form deep connections than to share a meal together, and Dinner Circles are a great way to get to meet and bond with other UUs.

Winter is coming to an end, so now is the time to sign up for Spring Dinner Circles! Note that you are not automatically signed up for the spring circles if you were a participant last fall. You must opt in for each new round of circles to make it clear that you want to be a participant.

Dinner Circles are groups of 6-8 people that commit to having dinner together in one another’s homes (or at the Fellowship) approximately once a month. Dates, times, location, and menus are chosen by the group. We offer circle options for omnivores, vegetarians, couples and/or singles, and even lunch meeting times!

The deadline to sign up for Spring Dinner Circles is Sunday, 2/16/25. Please complete the online form.

If you are a family with children, instead of using this form, please email uufams@uufws.org to learn more about social opportunities at the Fellowship!

Once you’ve submitted your form, you will be contacted in mid-February with your assignment.

For questions, send an email to dinnercircles@uufws.org, call the Fellowship office at (336) 659-0331, or check out the Dinner Circle FAQ’s, below!

Let’s get the next round of Dinner Circles rolling at UUFWS!

Megan Foster
Dinner Circles Coordinator

Caron Armstrong
Dinner Circles Staff Liaison

The deadline to participate is Sunday, February 16.
Don’t delay. Click the button above now!

 

Dinner Circle FAQs

Must I have a partner/spouse to join a dinner circle? No, you don’t need to sign up with a partner or spouse. If you are solo, you can either sign up for the Singles Dinner Circle, or for a traditional circle where you’ll share responsibilities for your food/hosting assignment with another single person in your group.

I don’t like to cook! Do I have to make gourmet food as my contribution to a dinner circle? No, your contributions to a dinner circle meal don’t have to be fancy! The point of the circles is to get to know one another and enjoy time together, so if you roll with store-bought dishes that’s A-OK!

Will there be a vegetarian dinner circle? Possibly there will, but if there are not enough vegetarians to form a circle, you have the option to be assigned to a traditional omnivore circle. When you fill out your signup form, please indicate your willingness to join an omnivore circle if a vegetarian one is not available.

My objective is to meet new people, so what if I get assigned to a group with members I’ve been in a circle with before? We won’t assign you with folks you were with in the last two circles, but there’s no guarantee you won’t be assigned with folks from further back than that. With each upcoming round we’ll do our best to put you in a group that doesn’t include duplicates.

I was in one of the fall dinner circles. Am I automatically signed up for the next round of circles? No, there is no automatic sign up. You must sign up for each new round of circles. It only takes a minute so do it today!

The First Unitarian Church of Dallas is excited to offer an online session of their Biblical Literacy series for all congregations.

Wednesdays, February 12 to March 19, 7-8:30 pm Central on Zoom.

Participants will learn about the structure of the Bible and how it developed over time, explore some of its stories, and reflect on its connection to their own lives and to Unitarian Universalism historically and in our time.

This online offering is Part 1 of 2. Six sessions will be offered in February/March 2025 and the other six sessions will be offered in the Fall. Part 1 will not be a prerequisite for Part 2, but we encourage participants to attend both to get the fullest experience.

Cost: FREE for participants from Faith Forward congregations.

Contact Pam Lepley at pam@uufws.org for the registration link. The deadline to register is Monday, February 10. 

Biblical Literacy for Unitarian Universalists is an exploration of the Bible and how we as Unitarian Universalists approach the text. The stories of the Bible are woven into Western culture and society, and our Unitarian Universalist tradition goes back to the Bible and its early interpretation.

It is important for Unitarian Universalists to have knowledge of the Bible and ways of approaching it as one of our Sources to discover truth and meaning within its pages and its history. As we do with all scripture and story, we ask not “is this true?” but rather “what is true about this?”

-Faith Formation and Denominational Connections

Crisis Control Ministry, is an organization that provides basic life needs to those facing a crisis in Forsyth and Stokes counties.

Look for our collection bin in the Foyer marked “Crisis Control.” – items in the basket will be delivered by our team of volunteers monthly or more often as needed.

January’s gift of the month is Beef Stew, AND they would also appreciate donations of any of the items listed under other months.

Questions? Contact sac@uufws.org.

The Social Action Council, in conjunction with Pam Lepley and Rev. Kayla, shares that we are trying a new way of doing our monthly Share-the-Plate program. This is the time in our worship service when our offertory ask provides information about a local organization, and the offertory collection is split with this organization and our Fellowship.

In order to make our contributions meaningful and represent our mission effectively, the practice of nominating monthly recipients for sharing our plate collections will be changed to a rotation of our key community partners. The recipients will rotate throughout the year, enabling the Fellowship to make larger contributions to each. This also allows us to take the offertory ask time in our service to not just inform all of the group, but invite us to deepen in relationship with the work they are doing.

The definition for community partner remains the same – the entity must be a non-profit organization that benefits Forsyth County, and must align with the Fellowship’s values.

For 2025, we are focusing on the key community partnerships we’re already working with. They all contribute significantly to some part of our mission, strive to make the daily lives of Forsyth County residents better, and reflect an ongoing relationship with the Fellowship:

  • UU Justice NC
  • Flourish
  • Forsyth County IAF
  • Easton Elementary

We may also make temporary additions to the slate of recipients during the year to respond to emergent crises, including natural disasters.

In fact, we are already planning on doing another collection in January for continued Hurricane Helene relief efforts, to include organizations some of you all have informed us of. We’re also considering that we have a longstanding and newer relationship forming with two organizations that we’d like to continue supporting with our time, talent and treasure:

  • Piedmont Environmental Alliance (longstanding relationship)
  • Housing Justice Now (forming and deepening relationship)

Stay tuned as we live into this new way of sharing our plate! We strive to balance a commitment to deepening relationships and support of our key community partners, flexibility to respond to emergent needs, as well as longstanding and new partnerships. If you have any questions about this, or would like to discuss further, please contact sac@uufws.org and/or worship@uufws.org.

Thanks for your willingness to try a new way!

Social Action Council, Worship Weavers, Pam Lepley (Director of Faith Formation), and Rev. Kayla Parker (Minister)

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition which evolves to meet our current reality and respond to current human need. In our shared tradition, we practice discernment about our shared Faith in community with one another, listening for the wisdom among us. The UUFWS Denominational Connections Committee invites you to join UUA Congregational Life Staff for a series of conversations about three critical aspects of Unitarian Universalism: our shared values, our covenants, and our historical context. Each session will include informational background and current context for each subject, making these discussions appropriate for new UUs, Lifelong UUs, and everyone in between.

Our sessions are:

Wednesday, February 19th, 2025; 6:00 PM Central/ 7:00 PM Eastern; 90 Minutes: Hearts That Care: Unpacking Our Shared Values

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025; 6:00 PM Central/ 7:00 PM Eastern; 90 Minutes: Promise and Practice: The Role of Covenant in Unitarian Universalism

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025; 6:00 PM Central/ 7:00 PM Eastern; 90 Minutes: The Living Tradition: Unitarian Universalism in Historical and Contemporary Context

Please note, you only need to register once to receive access to all three sessions.

Participation in the whole series is highly encouraged.

There is no cost associated with this series: the work of UUA Congregational Life Staff is generously funded by your contributions to the GIFT Program.

Questions? Please send an email to sr@uua.org.

To make reservations for this UUA Southern Region program click here.

Hello from the Mountain Retreat & Learning Center!

With so much uncertainty currently on the horizon, let us take a moment to focus on what we are most grateful for in our lives and let this positive energy power us on to help create a brighter future. With this concept in mind, we invite all to our Grateful Gathering this Thanksgiving Weekend as we celebrate our gratitude and connect with new and old friends alike.

Looking for a great item for your congregation’s auction?

Come experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains! We’ve got a $600 gift certificate from The Mountain, good for 12 months, for your congregation! It’s a great way to raise funds and the certificate can be used towards personal retreats, registering for any of our amazing and insightful programs, and even MountainCamp!

To learn more, email development@themountainrlc.org

Here are the newsletter items for this month:

Grateful Gathering – November 27 – December 1

Make this Thanksgiving extra special and join us at The Mountain for a weekend of acknowledging and celebrating the gratitude in our lives. Even through challenging times, there is much to be grateful for ­– be it friendships, family, community, opportunities for expanding our minds, and all the wonderful and inspiring things that swirl through our lives.

We’re planning a fun-filled and informative weekend that will include a variety of workshops, such as making fire starter logs and learning how to make Fire Cider – a spicy, tart tonic that some say has a number of health benefits. We also have two concerts planned — Scottish ballads and stories, and the folk duo Friction Farm.

The Grateful Gathering is the perfect weekend for hiking through the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting with old and new friends, and enjoying all sorts of outdoor adventures. It’s a great opportunity to invite family and friends to share time together, and no one has to cook or do the dishes!

Learn more and register at: www.themountainrlc.org/event/greatful-gathering/

Senior High Fall YouthCONs

Youth CONferences are fun and entertaining weekend gatherings of Unitarian Universalist youth who attend as a part of a congregational sponsored group. CONs are planned by youth for youth and are supervised by Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) and advisors. Each CON provides opportunities for youth leadership and empowerment through building community, connecting with friends, and engaging in personal reflection and spiritual growth. Participants stay in our cozy cabins and eat together in our Dining Hall, which prepares delicious meals suited to individual dietary needs.
Senior High CON (9th to 12th grade) – December 13-15

Learn more and register at: www.themountainrlc.org/youth-conferences/

Stay Tuned for Music Week 2025!

This spring, join award winning singers and songwriters for a week full of instruction and performances amidst the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a great opportunity for budding performers and seasoned professionals to hone their craft and share their talents.

Dates and performers will be announced soon!

ANNOUNCING:

$50K Match for Annual Fund to Support Mountain Programming starting November 1st

The Mountain continues to thrive and create important programming for our visitors throughout the year, thanks to generous gifts from people just like you. Your contribution will help us continue our important mission of enriching lives, fostering an appreciation of the natural world, honoring the interconnectedness of all things, and inspiring people to build inclusive, meaningful, sustainable communities throughout their lives.

So far, we have already received $5,820.00 towards the match meaning there is only $44,180.00 to go in reaching our goal!

During this season of giving, please consider investing in The Mountain and encourage others who share Mountain values to invest in the work we do. There are many ways to contribute to The Mountain, a (501c3) organization, so your kind gift is tax deductible.

Check out all of the options:

• Cash Contributions Online or Onsite– Check, PayPal, Credit Card, and Cash

• Stock Transfer

• Donor Advised Fund

• Retirement Accounts — Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) or Qualified Charitable

Distribution (QCD), or IRA accounts (talk with your accountant to learn about the possibility of up to $100,000 which may be donated without tax exposure)

• Please reach out to us if you have other ideas for giving (development@themountainrlc.org)

______________

Join our team!

If you, or someone you know, is interested in a unique opportunity to work in an organization striving to make a positive difference in our world, then The Mountain may be the perfect fit!

Food Service Worker

We are hiring for all skill sets so come learn in the kitchen and serve good, delicious and healthy food to our guests!

Housekeeping

Work with housekeeping staff to clean and resupply guest rooms, meeting spaces and public areas in an environmentally friendly manner.

Farm Manager

Works with a team of staff and volunteers to manage our farm based on regenerative agriculture, with the intent of having a farm-to-table program; develop value-added products for sale; and provide a variety of experiential learning opportunities for guests.

Youth Program Manager

Works with a team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth through various experiences to learn about themselves and their world. This is done primarily through summer camp and CONferences throughout the year.

Visit our job board to learn more and apply at www.themountainrlc.org/jobs

The Mountain exists thanks to the engagement and efforts of people just like you ! We truly are grateful for the time you take every month to share our stories and upcoming events and programming. It means the world to all of us here at The Mountain and those who love this very special place.

themountainrlc.org

tel. 828.526.5838

Connect With Us:

Mountain newsletter: sign-up at the bottom of the home page: https://www.themountainrlc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/TheMountainNC/

https://www.instagram.com/themountainrlc/

October’s Theme: Foundational Beliefs

This October, we began our construction process of building our UU Theological House, the belief structures and similarities we all hold in common. First up was building the foundation of our house, our foundational beliefs. We constructed a concept of how to talk about our cosmology/theology – ultimacy. Whatever our ultimate reality is, whatever is ultimate in our concern is, functionally our god, goddess, universe. We talked about our relationship with this ultimate/intimate, and why we “worship”.

To review this month, or catch what you missed, you can view our past sermons on our YouTube page, or listen to the audio on our website.

Finally, if you haven’t already, spend some time with our Questions for Conversation and Contemplation in personal reflection or in conversation with family or friends:

  • How would you define and describe what is most ultimate in your life? (ultimate reason, intimate truth, deeper power, higher power, etc.)
  • What is your relationship with this ultimate/intimate?
  • How are you actively in relationship with it? (Or how would you like to be?)

October 13: What’s a UU God?

This past Sunday we discussed the concept of ultimacy. We pondered the proposition that it matters less if your conception of ultimate reality includes a god, goddesses or no god – and a lot more what the characteristic or nature of what that ultimate reality is. We looked to 20th century theologian Paul Tillich, who teaches us that our ultimate concern, or deepest care or concern about our world, can often point to what our concept of ultimate reality is. Rev. Kayla gave the example that she is most concerned with all having the space for connection, and the reality that oppression and division keep us apart from one another and therefore our whole selves. This aligns with her concept of a divine mystery present in connection.

We asked:

  • What are your ultimate concerns, and what is the characteristic of your ultimate reality?
  • What is your ultimate reality, and are your current concerns aligned with this, or have they gotten off track? (This is normal!)
  • Are you taking the time to be in relationship with whatever is ultimate for you? If not, or if you’d like to do this more, how might you do this
  • What practices might you start? (Remember simple, easy and repeating are the way to go!)

October 6: Why We “Worship”

This past Sunday, we worshipped the truth of our interconnectedness and how heartbreak and disaster return us to this truth, and the truth of our love for one another. We reflected that what we worship together is what is most valuable and worthy in our present time and space. When we do this wide-eyed, we can sometimes be both fully in the moment, and hovering over it, as well.

Our reading from Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto reminds us, “We are the people who return to love like a North Star and to the truth that we are greater together than we are alone.” And our choir sung a poignant refrain for our time from Melanie DeMoore, Love has made a place for you, where everything is new. Amidst disaster, love still makes us new, draws us together and calls us on.

 

We began our program year honoring shared ministry and how each of us have powerful ministries, gifts and contexts to offer in service of our mission.

To create a very tactile and visual reminder of this reality, all are invited to bring small (4″x6″ish) squares of fabric to create a quilted runner for our Joys & Sorrows table. You can leave yours in the basket on the Joys & Sorrows table, and bring it up any time before or after service – or during our Joys & Sorrows ritual during service.

What a treat it is to share treats during the coffee hour between services!

Would you consider hosting one of the Sundays between now and the end of January? Connect with a group of friends, your small group, a team or committee, etc… and sign up below.

The menu is entirely up to you (no peanuts or nuts, please) and we strongly encourage offering pickup foods only to avoid having to wash any dishes.

Reach out to Caron with questions.