Our cultural norms tell us in so many ways that “humans” are fundamentally other than “nature,” that we are not entangled. For example, what possible curiosity or interest does a possum or a yellow jacket nest hold for us? Or slime mold? Or rocks? We commodify Nature rather than practice curiosity about Her. Now, we are simultaneously close to ecological collapse, and practice little hope for the future. Could the two be related?!? Marc will propose that hope for the future must begin with an entangling and transforming sense of kinship between human beings and the beings of the Earth.
Speaker: Dr. Marc Mullinax
Marc Mullinax is a friend of this congregation; having spoken here 30 or more times in the past 22 years, speaking on matters ranging from Separation of church and state, free will, Joy, on how not to “thingify” persons, and imagining religion without the afterlife. He has authored a translation of Tao te Ching, and runs a podcast called “Power for the Peaceful” on Taoism. Marc was Professor of Religious Studies at Mars Hill University for 22 years, and now works as a House Interpreter at the Biltmore House. He has two granddaughters that inspire him to be here today.
Story for All Ages
Smart Cookie by Jory John
Musicians,
UUFH Choir, Janey Ryan; Director, Shirley Gruenhut, accompanist
Janey Ryan grew up in the church of Christ and it is there where she grew to love singing. after getting a degree in Music Education, Janey taught for almost 30 years in the field of ~ you guessed it ~ music education. Choral music was her specialty & her super-power (one of them) was teaching middle school-aged kids. While she taught, she sang and acted professionally on the side. In 2012, Janey founded and was the Artistic Director for SoCo Women’s Chorus in Austin, Texas. She directed them until she retired in 2020.
She found her haven on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains of WNC in the fall of 2023!
Shirley is an avid chamber music player and New York native who now calls Hendersonville home. A graduate of Brooklyn College, she was the first time recipient of the prestigious Charles Ives Award for excellence in musical performance. She studied graduate level piano accompaniment at the Manhattan School of Music. She assisted at the Metropolitan Opera House studios and has performed regularly in New York, as well as Europe and Israel. Shirley is a member of ACMA-Association of Classical Musicians and Artists, Sing For Hope, and ACMP-Association of Chamber Music Players. She is also a professional member of AAPF, the Asheville Area Piano Forum. She was founder of several chamber music ensembles
We gather for worship and fellowship each Sunday with a service at 10:30 followed by coffee hour. Dress is casual. Parking is plentiful. And our building is accessible.
Family Ministry / Sunday School: All Ages meet in Sanctuary at 10:30 AM Children go to classrooms at 10:45 after the “Story for All Ages.” On the lower level, we have a nursery for infants and toddlers, and we have classes where children and youth learn about and explore faith, religion, justice, and community.
We welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith!