The Thermal Belt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (TBUUF) in Tryon announced that they have hired the Reverend Michael J. Carter as their new consulting minister. TBUUF has been meeting in Tryon for over 25 years and meets on the first and third Sundays of each month. Rev. Carter will be in the pulpit three out of four Sundays with the remaining Sundays led by guest ministers/speakers.

Unitarians and Universalists were instrumental in the formation of this country and were involved in the arts, sciences and social action worldwide. Notable Unitarian Universalists include: Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Susan B. Anthony, Alexander Graham Bell, Ray Bradbury, e e cummings, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale, Paul Revere, Albert Schweitzer, Pete Seeger, Michael Servetus, Rod Sterling, Adlai Stevenson II, William Howard Taft, Henry David Thoreau, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and Frank Lloyd Wright, just to name a few.

Modern UUism is often described as a creedless religion. That means is that there is no creed or dogma required and individual belief systems run the gamut from liberal Christianity to Secular Humanism, Buddhism to Earth Based Spirituality and many things in between. What is shared is a mutual respect for each other’s search to find truth and meaning in this life. UU’s often say, “You do not need to think alike to love alike.”

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 Degree in Letters from the College of New Rochelle where he graduated cum laude. He received his master’s degree in divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City (class of 2000).

While serving various Unitarian Universalist congregations in New York, Michael was trained as an anti-racism trainer and has been recognized by President Clinton for his efforts. Michael was also a weekly columnist for the Asheville Citizen Times. Rev. Carter also serves as part-time minister for Unitarian Universalist Congregation of The Swannanoa Valley, in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

Rev. Carter’s soon to be published book is entitled, God Consciousness, A 30 Day Meditation Guide To Self Realization. Rev. Carter’s other two books are entitled, Alien Scriptures: Extraterrestrials In The Holy Bible and, A New World If You Can Take It: God, Extraterrestrials, and the Evolution of Human Consciousness. Both books are published by Grave Distractions Publishing Company.

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, refreshments and fellowship are available after the service. For more information about the fellowship call 828-513-0570 or follow them on Facebook at TBUUF.