Thanksgiving 2020 feels, more than ever, a time to reflect. Although we will not be gathering in large groups, the spirit of thankfulness transcends the space between us. Here at The Mountain our hearts fill with gratitude as we call to mind all of the wonderful people, you, who compose our community. 

Please enjoy this email cornucopia grab-bag of fun videos

to bring a smile to your face this Harvest Holiday. 

In the spirit of giving thanks, The Mountain is grateful for a mystery donor, who transferred Coca-Cola stock to TD Ameritade in January 2020. 

If you contributed this generous gift, please let us know so we may

acknowledge your support to the work of The Mountain.  

Email beverly.cree@themountainrlc.org 

For an Appetizer...

Start your Thanksgiving day in an attitude of gratitude! Join us from The Mountain in a morning yoga flow to practice thankfulness and get your digestive fire started. 

The Main Course

Gratitude from The Mountain 

Word from our Board  

Fellow Mountain supporters,

As we enter this season of gratitude and reflection, I wanted to send an update on the many things we have to be grateful for at The Mountain.

With strict protocols in place to protect the health of our staff and guests, we have been able to hold a number of on-site programs through the fall. And we have had a strong personal retreat business as people have looked to get away from it all for a few days. Guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, exemplified by a guest who commented “this is what I needed to have some relief from the world -- a peaceful place with friendly people and excellent food.”

As a testament to staff’s commitment to these health protocols and excellence in hospitality, The Mountain received a 98.5 rating from the county health department during a recent surprise inspection. This betters the already-strong 93.0 that we had previously received.

Although we’ve had some guests on-site, it’s been much quieter than a normal fall, and as a result staff and volunteers have had the opportunity to catch up on facilities work....

Thanksgiving Reframed 

UU Worship Service 

We invite you to enjoy this recording of the profoundly heartfelt and transformative Thanksgiving Reframed worship service this past Friday. The recording file can be downloaded from UUA.org/harvestthepower or played on YouTube.

Worship leaders: Ann Gilmore (First Parish in Brookline), Nina Lytton (First Parish in Cambridge, and Aly Tharp (UU Ministry for Earth, UUA, Wildflower UU Church)

This worship service will include musical and spoken word from Hartman Deetz, Wampanoag artist and activist, and a sermon from UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray. There will be an offertory special collection for the Create Climate Justice – Indigenous Solidarity Fund with the UU Ministry for Earth. 

“Historically, UU ministers were instrumental in creating this U.S. holiday and the “Pilgrims and the Indians” pageant tradition that roots the holiday in an historically inaccurate and harmful colonial narrative. Many UU congregations in New England can trace their lineage directly back to early settler congregations that had a role in the genocide of Native communities. As a religious tradition, we cannot decide who we will be without reckoning with the truth of who some of our ancestors were…

This year, let us be grateful in a genuine manner. Let our gratitude flow from our deep, ongoing commitment to justice and equity. Let our gratitude grow from the opportunities we have to be together authentically—whether virtually or in person. Please join me as we reimagine this day and gather in community to honor Indigenous ancestors, experiences and traditions. May it be a time to reflect and find meaning in how our shared values connect us. ”

– UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in “A Message From The UUA President: Honoring Indigenous Ancestors, Experiences and Traditions”
 

The Harvest the Power Opening Ceremony worship service is also available for you to share with your congregation, via YouTube.
 

Unitarian Universalists are also encouraged to tune into the live stream of the 51st National Day of Mourning events taking place in Plymouth, MA, beginning at 9am PT/ 10am MT/ 11am CT/ 12pm ET.  This live stream as well as pre-recorded content for the Day of Mourning will be posted on the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) website, in the UAINE facebook group, and at https://hate5six.com/ndom.

Delishious Side Dishes

Volunteers Make The Mountain 

Giving Tuesday Matching Campaign 

After Thanksgiving, we have Black Friday and Cyber-Monday for shopping, and then Giving Tuesday, December 1st, for supporting the work of charitable organizations. Please consider making a special gift to The Mountain as we work together, building for the future. 

An anonymous donor is willing to match any donations made in December up to a total of $42,000.

Celebrating our 42nd anniversary. 

Join in and help us celebrate. 

Shop Local with The Mountain's Thanksgiving Online Auction

A Virtual Opportunity to shop with some of the finest boutiques, hotels, restaurants in Highlands, NC while supporting The Mountain. This year our silent auction is online and open to YOU to participate from home! The Mountain has partnered with our small business neighbors to bring you some exciting, tasty, beautiful items perfect for gifts or treating yourself. All proceeds will go towards The Mountain to help us further our mission.

A Positive Spin on Black Friday Shopping.

Join us on Facebook at 7:00pm EST November 27th, for the final bidding opportunities of the Auction. 

Place your last minute bids before the closing!  

​

Auction Ends on November 27th, 8:00pm EST 

...and for Dessert!

We Interviewed the newest member of The Many Hands Peace Farm's flock Salty the Turkey. To get a birds eye perspective on Thanksgiving. 

Join Our Talented Friends at Our Thanksgiving Table

Performers Lee Knight, David Novak and Friction Farm would have taken center stage at the Mountain Thanksgiving Program. With our program now cancelled these fine folks have offered in-home performances just for you ;) Please enjoy these videos:

Aiden and Christine of friction farm offered this delightful animation to their music that remind us that we all have to do to get the results we want to see in the world. 

David Novak reminds us of a tale from the Cherokee tradition of how the spider brought the sun to us and the cooperation it took to do so. 

Lee Knight offers a recent performance from the halls of the John C. Campbell Folk School sharing his songs of Appalachia. 

What's Growing Down Below

From The Many Hands Peace Farm

During the Autumn, the summertime annual plants die away and leaves cascade from the trees to expose the bones of our landscapes. Perennial plants may also appear to die away as they send their vital energy into their roots under the earth to weather the harsh winds and frosts of Winter. This period of hibernation is what allows many plants to survive and build strength to burst forth once again with renewed vigor come Spring. Mirroring this natural pattern, this is the best time of year for humans also to turn inward towards rest and reflection, nurturing the Self and stoking the hearthfire, as well as leaning into study, planning, and design for the year ahead.... 

Mountain Staff turning out this morning to support the International Friendship Center and Highlands Food Pantry with Solidarity Harvest; a program for local growers and bakers to provide high quality, locally sourced foods this holiday! We’re thrilled that The Mountain’s Many Hands Peace Farm supplied 100lbs of sunchokes for this program. Giving thanks for all who made this Solidarity Harvest possible.

This is Solidarity, not Charity!
*Sourcing produce at full-price from local farmers.
*Volunteers offering their time and energy to sort produce and pack baskets.
*Community members supplying recipes for a bilingual mini-cookbook.
*Local families receiving a bounty of fresh and nutritious food for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you for being a part of The Mountain

If The Mountain has enriched your life, please consider a financial contribution. 

Just over 25% of our budget comes from contributions. This enables us to continue programming and camps fulfilling the mission of The Mountain.

In addition to supporting the annual campaign through a direct donation you may also consider planned giving, stock transfers, or IRA contributions. 

Your support makes a difference. 

 Donate to The Mountain's Annual Fund

or become a Mountain Member.

We hope you had an opulent October.

We look forward to seeing you on The Mountain.