Greetings Members and Friends of UUCSV!
We hope this communication finds you safe, healthy, and on the path to recovery after this unprecedented upheaval in our lives. Through word of mouth, we are aware that many of you have relocated to other locations to await the resumption of public services and utilities. We are glad that you are well, but remain concerned for those who may have been displaced from their homes due to flood damage. We are unable to have a good grasp of how many of you are in need due to connectivity issues. Know that you are in our minds, thoughts, and prayers. We are also uplifted when we get to see and interact with those UU’s who’ve remained in Black Mountain. Please forgive the time that it has taken to reach out to the congregation collectively. So many of us, including some of our UUCSV board members are still without power, internet, and water. Lack of these services has made it difficult to provide ongoing communication with you to this point, but 9 days into this journey we are noting more folks who are coming “back on-line”. Now that we have moved from crisis mode to recovery mode, we would like to provide information on the state of affairs at UUCSV:
Congregational Care
If you are in need of assistance and are having trouble getting your needs met via the various disaster relief and volunteer agencies that are assisting Black Mountain and Swannanoa at this time, please call Larry Pearlman at (602) 501-8471 or [email protected]
Staff Update
Reverend Carter, Michael Donnan, Susan Enwright-Hicks, and Annelinde Metzner are all accounted for and well! Michael Donnan and Susan will be working remotely for the time being.
Building Update
The building did sustain some mild flooding and we are currently assessing if the building is habitable to hold services at this time. However, there doesn’t seem to be any major structural damage, and that is a blessing. One large black walnut tree fell in the North parking lot, as well as a large tree branch near the picnic benches out front. We hope to have the downed wood removed over the next week. We have already reached out to a contractor to assess the flooding damage in our foyer and sanctuary.
Services
There will be no services on Sunday 10/6. We are hoping to have an outdoor service on Sunday, Oct 13 in the South Parking lot. We will have a sound system outside, so folks will be able to hear. Stay tuned for more information on this as we move forward. Updates will be posted in next week’s Current.
On the Road?—If you are in the Durham, NC area, our sister congregation the Eno River UU Fellowship invites to you attend Sunday services tomorrow, 10/6/2024 in person at 11 am. They also invite you to attend services at 11 am tomorrow via Livestream. You may attend via Facebook or YouTube by clicking on the appropriate link below:
Recovery Support
UUCSV is one of four UU congregations affected by Hurricane Helene, and our regional and national UUA chapters have not forgotten us! They have already reached out to Reverend Michael in an effort to provide much needed assistance. Your Board of Trustees is diligently working to understand and access what disaster recovery funds may be available to help UUCSV return to normal operations as quickly as possible.
Committees
Your UUCSV committee members continue to work on behalf of the congregation. Incidentally, the Building and Grounds Committee will be gathering at the UU on October 10 at 4 pm. Stop by and say hi to some of your fellow UU’s if you’re in the neighborhood!
Here are helpful links:
WNC Resources Guide
Resources for Resilience
Come Visit Us Each Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Our services are always interesting and welcoming.
Social Action
Our church works locally to make a difference. Join our Social Action Committee as they engage topics that matter everyday!
Open Table
Our members and staff work with other organizations to feed people every week. Come and join us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Others Are Saying
We support UUCSV because of its strong presence in this community. Wherever we go in Black Mountain and the surrounding area we run into active members of this congregation who are busy making things better for the community and doing things we like to do. We feel at home here.
~ Spence F.
After forty years in Chapel Hill and twenty five at The Community Church, we were definitely feeling displaced. To find just a mile down the road from our house within biking or walking distance such a great bunch of people has made our transition to WNC practically painless. So here we are, feeling right at home at the UUCSV and making it a big part of our life here.
~Liz B.
I joined the Unitarian Church because I felt extremely welcomed by many dear and kind individuals. The chaplain, Michael Carter, is an extraordinary gentleman. He is eloquent, bright, wise, funny, heartful, well read, caring and engaging. My Sunday service is a high spot of my week!
~ Joy LeVine Abrams, M.S.
Contact Us
Listen to a sample of our Sermons!
Rev. Michael Carter's Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:30-4:00pm
Office Manager's Hours Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30-3:30pm