The Thermal Belt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship recently appointed the Rev. Ernie I. Mills as its new consulting minister.

TBUUF has been meeting in Tryon for over 25 years on the first and third Sundays of each month at 835 N. Trade St. The Rev. Mills will share his spiritual insight and musical expertise from their pulpit though January 2019.

Ordained to the UU ministry in 2007, Ernie completed a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a master’s degree in religious education from Duke Divinity School and a master’s degree in divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

He began his ministry in the United Methodist Church, serving as director of education, assistant pastor and minister. Leaving his longtime affiliation with United Methodism, he served as a part-time minister to the small congregation of Unitarian Universalists in Transylvania County known as UUTC from 2002 until 2015.

When he retired from that position, he was named a minister emeritus in honor of his long and meritorious service to that congregation.

“I am thrilled and excited to serve as the consultant minister for the Thermal Belt UU Fellowship. I look forward to working with them to enhance our ministry within and throughout our community,” Mills said.   

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, people may call 864-457-7557 or follow the group on Facebook, at TBUUF.

– Submitted by Robin Edgar