For Martin Luther King Sunday, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Tryon once again welcomes Rev. Michael Carter to its pulpit to speak about Universalism. It was the Universalists who rejected the God of judgment and condemnation in favor of a God of universal love and salvation.

 

On this MLK Jr. holiday I want to talk a bit about history. I want to talk about our Universalist History. Martin wouldn’t mind if we educated ourselves about this part of our religious journey. I know many people in our denomination who don’t even refer to Universalism when they self identify. Yes, there may be many reasons for this and I believe many folks are not familiar with the history and the theology of Universalism. I want to review and rethink what it means to be a Universalist in our denomination. This talk will include some of the history of the movement, but more importantly, will unpack what it means to be a Universalist in the 21st century. Martin would be proud. And don’t worry, we’ll still remember his legacy.

 

Rev. Michael J. Carter is originally from Baltimore, Md. He moved to New York City in 1980 and lived there for 25 years, working as a professional actor before moving to Asheville with his family.

 

Michael is an ordained Interfaith minister and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Letters from the College of New Rochelle where he graduated cum laude. He received his Masters In Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City (class of 2000). Rev. Carter now serves as the minister for Unitarian Universalist Congregation of The Swannanoa Valley in Black Mountain.

 

The Thermal Belt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets at 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month.  Services are held at 835 N. Trade St. in Tryon. The fellowship welcomes all regardless of their spiritual path, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Coffee, snacks and fellowship are available after the service. For more information about the fellowship call 828-513-0570 or follow them on Facebook at TBUUF.

– Submitted by Phil Nungesser