Sundays at 10:30AM

“The Parable of Christmas”

December 15, 2024

 There are two Christmas stories in the scriptures. Each narrative is very different, but they have been conflated into one sweet, sentimental story. They were not meant to be sentimental or to be read as history or fact, but they do contain a powerful truth. The Christmas stories are parabolic stories of an alternative vision for peace on earth. We will unpack the Matthew and Luke narratives and discover the subversive message hidden in plain view.

Speaker: Rev Susan Moseley

 Susan Moseley recently retired as the first minister, part-time, for the UU Fellowship of the Rappahannock, in White Stone, VA. For 35 years prior to serving as minister at UUFR, Susan was a certified religious educator with the Presbyterian Church (USA). She received her M.A. in Religious Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA and a Doctor of Educational Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. In 2017, Susan earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Haden Institute in Hendersonville. Seven months ago, Susan and her husband, Jim, moved to Brevard to be closer to their children and grandchildren who all live in Western North Carolina. Susan joined UUTC in Brevard and is now serving on the Board of Trustees as Vice President.

Story for All Ages

A Night Like No Other by Werner Cherie

Musician:

Michael Jefry Stevens, piano

Mr. Stevens is a accomplished pianist, composer and “Steinway Artist,”. He has released over 80 CDs and composed over 340 works for both large and small ensembles. An active bandleader for over 40 years, his music spans jazz and modern musical styles. Michael lives in Black Mountain and is a frequent performer and popular jazz piano teacher in the WNC area. We, once again, welcome Michael to UUFH as our guest pianist.

“Three Gifts of Yuletide”

December 22, 2024 10:30 am 

Let the season of Yule do its work. As we settle into the darkest time of the year, we hear the echoes of ancient pre-Christian worshipers who created so many of the Yuletide traditions that we still enjoy today. Bring your holly and ivy and celebrate the light returning to the earth.

Speaker:

Rev. George Grimm-Howell

Rev. George Grimm-Howell joined UUFH in August 2024 as its settled minister. George graduated from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2022 and recently served the UU Church of Columbia, MO and the UU Fellowship of Jefferson City, MO. He was ordained in St. Louis, MO, in June 2024. 

George puts his energy primarily into efforts for building and sustaining a multigenerational, multicultural beloved community that centers love, justice, and healing. George frequently incorporates socially transformative art forms into the worship experience and seeks to create opportunities for encounter and dialogue in the Hendersonville community and beyond.

Story For All Ages

This will be Readers Theater read by Regina H and performed by FM kids.

Musicians,

Janey Hall; vocals, Shirley Gruenhut, piano

Janey Hall 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

Christmas Eve, “Love Is Born”

December 25, 2024 5:00pm 

As we turn from waiting to new hope, let us nurture new love that is being born.

Speaker: Rev. George Grimm-Howell

Rev. George Grimm-Howell joined UUFH in August 2024 as its settled minister. George graduated from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2022 and recently served the UU Church of Columbia, MO and the UU Fellowship of Jefferson City, MO. He was ordained in St. Louis, MO, in June 2024. 

George puts his energy primarily into efforts for building and sustaining a multigenerational, multicultural beloved community that centers love, justice, and healing. George frequently incorporates socially transformative art forms into the worship experience and seeks to create opportunities for encounter and dialogue in the Hendersonville community and beyond.

The Christmas Story By Rev. Quinn Caldwell

Musicians,

UUFH Choir, Janey Hall; Director, Shirley Gruenhut, accompanist

Janey Hall 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

“The Miracle of Hanukkah”

December 29, 2024, 10:30am

Readers Theater

The UUFH Worship Team and Shirley Gruenhut

Story For All Ages

Eight Nights, Eight Lights by Natalie Barnes, Andrea Stegmaier (Illustrator)

Musician,

Shirley Gruenhut, piano

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!