About Us
Next Service
Wings Set Me Free
Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:00 a.m.
Service Leaders:
Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon, Settled Minister Candidate
Paula Gribble, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Barry Ahrendt and Kathryn Whitfield, Lay Service Leaders
John Herrick, Director of Music
Meet the Settled Minister Candidate
Candidating Week Events
In consultation with Rev. Amanda and our Board of Trustees, we have developed a schedule of events for Candidating Week. This is intended to give members multiple opportunities to hear from and interact with her ahead of the congregational vote.
We are asking for signups for some of these events, so we and the UUCC staff can be prepared to set up for in-person meetings and send Zoom links to those interested in a Zoom event.
Candidating Week Events for Members
- Sunday, April 28 – Service at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in Freeman Hall.
- Monday, April 29 – Brown Bag lunch at 12 p.m. in Freeman Hall, please RSVP bit.ly/BrownBagLunchApril29
- Tuesday, April 30 – Open Forum in Bernstein Room at 7 p.m., please RSVP bit.ly/CandidateForum-April30
- Thursday, May 2 – Potluck dinner for families in Freeman Hall from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 2 – Zoom meet and greet, open to all members, at 7:30 p.m., please RSVP for the link bit.ly/CandidateMeetandGreetMay2
- Friday, May 3 – Reception at 6 p.m. in Freeman Hall and Music Celebration at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
- Sunday, May 5 – Service at 10 a.m. followed by Special Congregational Meeting, vote (members can participate in person, by zoom or vote by absentee ballot), and vote result announcement
The Search Team urges you to attend the May 5 meeting rather than vote absentee, if at all possible. In our experience, congregational decisions are best made when we can gather in community. And we hope that members who vote have heard both sermons by the candidate and attended other activities of Candidating Week.
A Video Message from Rev. Amanda
Learn More about Rev. Amanda
Hello! I’m Reverend Amanda J. Weatherspoon and I’m beyond excited to be your candidate for ministry.
For the last six years, I’ve served as the Associate Minister at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, MD. Born and raised in East Tennessee, ministry has pulled my heart in many directions – across the country to attend Starr King School for the Ministry in California, and back across again to serve alongside the good folks at River Road in Maryland, and now to the UU Community of Charlotte!
But it’s not just geographical locations that tug at my heart – it’s the call of Unitarian Universalism. Our shared faith calls me into covenant and anchors me to our values and principles. Our Living Tradition grounds me in our history and stretches me to grow towards our future. And our shared purpose connects me to this present moment where we are building the Beloved Community.
Mine is a ministry of embodiment and relationality, and I believe that authenticity and interconnectedness are vital tools in our journey towards collective liberation.
And we can’t make that journey alone. I believe in the power of progressive faith communities. Communities that welcome the fullness of who we are; that celebrate what makes us each unique, and embrace what makes us different. I believe in the power of Unitarian Universalism in this world that feels consumed with grief and despair; this world that is thirsty for love and compassion. And I believe in this congregation.
Over the last few months I’ve learned a lot about the UUCC. The compassion and open-heartedness, the willingness to show up in the world, the vulnerability to stand in integrity, and the courage to build a new way. Last month when I visited Charlotte for the weekend, I was able to feel the spirit of community throughout the building and grounds and to witness the impact UUCC has had on various members of the Search Team. I felt a sense of welcome and possibility, and most importantly – joy.
Love is the center of our faith and JOY is the center of my ministry. Howard Thurman reminds us to come alive in our lives, because that’s what the world needs, and I come alive through joy. Not a saccharine type of good feeling, but true joyfulness that comes from a deep place of authenticity, and a deep knowing that we are exactly where we need to be. And I believe that this is the right time and we are the right people to breathe life into this new stage of the UUCC.
I encourage you to peruse my Ministerial Website. There you’ll find a plethora of information about me, including more about my theological understandings and what ministry has looked like for me leading up to now. Also, you’ll find several sermons and worship services that you can watch on YouTube, and even a photo gallery!
And be sure to sign up for Candidating Week events. The search team and I have put together some great opportunities for us to all get acquainted. Also, be sure to attend or watch the services on April 28th and May 5th.
Until then, I’ll be preparing myself to meet you all in a few weeks!
Gratitude Upon Gratitude,
Rev. Amanda