Summer is in full swing and the Family Ministry Program is enjoying a Summer of Fun and Service. On July 9, our families gathered at the Carl Sandburg Home and volunteered in the goat barn. It was great to see the littlest ones brushing the goats and everyone helping out around the barn! Then we enjoyed a delicious picnic, hosted by Gwen Pernie. It was a fun morning and a good tradition for us to take part in again this year.
I have another update on young adults who have gone through our RE Program. Here’s what’s happening with Ty Underwood. He graduated with an Interactive Design and Game Development degree from The Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014. Ty is now living in Seattle, and has designed a sustainable computer that has received rave reviews. His brother, Cade, graduated with a double major from UNC in 2016, and plans to attend law school. Both young men have made their families very proud.
–Vicki Benevides
Little Free Library
Last month in my column, I mentioned that we are partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville to provide a Little Free Library for a local migrant camp. One Sunday in July, they delivered and stocked the Little Free Library in a camp in town. Now there is a weatherproof box full of books in English and Spanish for the children and adults in the area to enjoy. Our congregation will keep the box full and help encourage the love of reading. Daniel stopped by the next day and there was a crowd of children around the box picking out books for themselves!
Soul Matters Potluck and Conversation for Families
We will not have a Soul Matters gathering for families in August, but will gather again in September for food, fun, and conversation.
Family Ministry Picnic at Holly Springs Farm — August 5 & 6
Paul and Simone Shoemaker have once again invited our families to come out and enjoy their harvest and their farm. On Saturday, August 5, from 2:00-5:00pm, we are invited to come out and pick vegetables that we will make into a dish to share and bring back for our picnic on Sunday, August 6 ,from 3:00-6:00pm. There will be a hayride and tour of the farm, family friendly activities, and then we will enjoy a picnic of the bounty we all bring. The Shoemakers will provide hotdogs and hamburgers. They are such supporters of our congregation that they not only host us twice a year, they also presently employ several of our UU youth, and have for many years. Thanks Paul and Simone!
Reach Out and Bring a Friend Event – Tuesday, August 22 5:30-8:00pm
Does being part of our UU family make a difference in your life? Tell your friends why, and invite them to join us at the Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street for an evening together. Todd Hoke will entertain, and there will be family friendly activities. This year we ask that you bring a dish to share for our potluck dinner and your own place-settings. Enjoy our beloved community and share it with a friend. This is a UUFH event, but the brewery will be open for us with a variety of beverages and snacks. We hope you can join us!