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My first visit to The Mountain was in 2002 for Leadership School for Religious Educators. I traveled from Florida to be with colleagues, deepen my understanding of faith formation in our tradition and strengthen my leadership skills. It was a memorable week in the mountains learning and spending time in nature. My next visit was in 2018. I started working at UU Asheville after graduating from seminary and attended the annual congregational retreat at The Mountain. Since then, I’ve attended regularly. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in an intergenerational community, learning together, playing together, worshipping together and enjoying the beauty of Little Scaly Mountain.
Our congregational retreat was cancelled this year because of Hurricane Helene. However, I was pleased to attend the Southeast UU Ministers retreat last week. It was healing and joyful to be with colleagues and to share their wisdom and personal stories post-Helene and post-election. Waking up each morning to watch the sunrise was a soulful start to each day! I stayed in the Lodge.
I was delighted to see the new porch on both floors, new staff housing and the renovations to the meeting space and office in the tower. Wow! Glad to see The Mountain thriving and providing programming and services to the UU community and beyond. Our youth enjoy attending the youth cons and some of our members attend other programs hosted by The Mountain. I feel lucky to be so close to this beautiful, sacred, engaging space, and look forward to my next visit. A special thank you to the staff who welcomed us and the kitchen staff who prepared delicious meals.
May the generosity of those who appreciate what The Mountain has to offer continue to sustain it. It is indeed a special place of healing, beauty and community.
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