Brian Griffin is a survivor of a 2008 mass shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in which two people were killed and several injured. He holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia. A former Director of Lifespan Religious Education at TVUUC, he has taught at the University of Virginia, the University of Tennessee, and Pellissippi State Community College. His fiction and poetry have been published in a number of literary journals. His cycle of poems about the shooting at TVUUC, Single Lens Reflex, is a finalist in the 2018 National Poetry Series.
Service Leader: Kathy Parham

​Review Brian's notes (PDF) from the presentation. 

Lift Every Voice: Advocating for Fair Elections and Equal Justice in North Carolina  with Aylett Colston. ​

Attorney Aylett Colston has spent most of her career representing venture-backed technology companies in financial transactions. Now, she supports the work of many organizations working to restore democracy in NC by organizing and speaking at events, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP as Political Action Chair. ​

Review Aylett's's slideshow (PDF) from the presentation. 

Let’s align with our quarterly theme, “Commitment to Conscience,” by taking BUUF’s social action to the next level. The NAACP’s Historic Thousands on Jones Street (“HK on J”)  Moral March and People’s Assembly attracts UU congregations all over North Carolina. This presents a wonderful opportunity for BUUF to get involved with social action on a state level. To make it as easy as possible to attend, we have arranged for free accommodations and will coordinate rides for those interested. The plan is to carpool to Raleigh on February 8th in the evening. Of course, everyone is welcome to make other travel arrangements if they choose! Reasons to Attend HK on J:

• Free place to crash, i.e. slumber party! (Thanks to Catherine Fountain’s father, who is offering his place!)
• Social action on a state level
• Manifestation of our quarterly theme, “Commitment to Conscience”
• Maximize BUUF’s influence to “give life the shape of justice.”

Check out the NAACP’s page for more information: https://naacpnc.org/hkonj-peoples-assembly-coalition/

Contact Craig Fischer, Kathy Parham, or Beatrice Murray, CLC if interested (emails below). Be sure to mention if you need a ride or can give rides so we can arrange carpools. If you can’t attend, but want to help organize, contact the Community Life Coordinator (CLC), Beatrice Murray.

Craig Fischer- craig_fschr@yahoo.com
Kathy Parham- kathyparham@gmail.com
Beatrice Murray, CLC- bmurrayclc@gmail.com

On Monday, October 29 at 5:30pm, BUUF will be joining other churches in the High Country in a Candlelight Vigil to Mourn and Denounce Hatred. The vigil will begin with a march from the First Baptist Church (375 West King Street, Boone) to the Temple of the High Country (1042 West King Street), where there will be a multi-faith service with clergy leading different prayers of hope and love. Please come if you can. For more information, here is the Facebook event page: High Country Candlelight Vigil to Mourn & Denounce Hatred ​

What is Indigenous Day and why is there a call to replace Columbus Day with this holiday? Rachel presented on this topic and discussed the historical plight of indigenous societies, beginning with the Cherokee in North Carolina.

​Read Rachel's notes (PDF) from the presentation.