10:00 am
"Balancing Act"
Rev. Sherman Logan, Guest Minister
Many people are drawn to Unitarian Universalism because it is a faith that values intellectual freedom. However, those who are seeking a spiritual connection are hard pressed to find it in our congregations. How can our liberal faith balance the needs of those who are seeking to have both their minds stimulated and their spirits fed? Is there a place in our congregations where both intellectual and spiritual freedoms can coexist?
Share the Plate
Literacy for Life will be the recipient of the Share the Plate collection on the second Sunday in July. By providing literacy services to individuals and small groups, this agency has helped many people with a variety of goals, such as studying for and passing the U.S. citizenship exam, obtaining a better job, learning to manage family finances, passing a driver's license test, effectively communicating with medical professionals, and helping children with homework. For more information, visit www.literacyforlife.org.
For more information about the Share the Plate program, or to nominate a recipient agency, please email stp@wuu.org.
Cafe Conversation
Don't forget to stay after the service today for an update from our Building Committees.
10:00 am
"Humpty Dumpty: Revisiting an Ancient Riddle"
Rev. David Tetrault, Guest Minister
A book of Mother Goose Rhymes has been part of my library since it was given me by an aunt on Christmas of 1942. It's a big cloth-bound volume with over two hundred poems accompanied by drawings of white, finely-dressed, British-looking children and their animals.
When I see the book, even without opening it, I remember that, even though I couldn't read it for myself, just holding it meant something. The rhymes formed a kind of scripture about manners, social customs and the importance of riddles. Children have important questions that adults don't understand: Why couldn't the first responders get Humpty together again?
Don't let this be you in our photo directory! Our Membership Team has a goal of adding photos of all current members and friends to our Directory by the end of August. We are missing many of you. Our photographer will be available after the service today and each Sunday in July and August to capture your smiling faces. You may also email a picture to the office office@wuu.org.
"Roots and Wings": A Covenant Group for Holding Close and Setting Free
Alternate Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Fahs House
All Are Invited; next gatherings July 20 and August 03
Amidst the physical and verbal violence which ricochets throughout the globe and is so devastating to body and soul: How shall we, as a congregation, become a community that re-claims "the roots which hold us close", and "the wings which may set us free"? How shall we become both a sanctuary of healing, and a crucible of transformation and new life?
Come join us in Fahs House on alternate Wednesdays from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Our purpose is to speak from the heart, and to listen deeply to one another. We have adopted three simple agreements: 1) to maintain confidentiality; 2) to refrain from offering advice / opinions; and 3) to stay in our personal experiences of the moment – with no advance preparation or expected outcomes. Our intention for this group is to honor matters of the heart and soul. Other groups are more appropriate for those seeking debate / discussion / action-oriented initiatives. The Roots and Wings Covenant Group is for being, rather than doing. We welcome all.
Sally Fisk and Rev. Dave Johnson
BUILDING OUR FUTURE UPDATE
CAFÉ CONVERSATION
11:15-12:15 July 17th
Building Our Future 2016 started over three years ago and is now entering its final few months. The new addition is scheduled for completion at the end of August and the extensive renovation of our current building excluding the sanctuary should be done in late October.
Come to the café conversation after the service on July 17 and get an update on what’s been done, what still needs to be done, and plans for transition into our new facilities. A transition that is scheduled to begin in just ten short weeks. Members of the BOF Design Build Team will discuss key topics and answer questions as we wind up efforts on our most significant undertaking since we moved from Clara Bryd School to our current home.
Food For FISH (Our local community food & clothing pantry)
FISH has asked for baking goods: flour, sugar, cake mixes, any sort of baked goods mix such as Jiffy Cornbread mix. Place your donations in our Fish Wagon and our wonderful coordinator, Ivonne Luchs, will gather donations and transport them to FISH.
Please make sure packages are sealed and all "use by" dates are current. Thank you all!
Several WUU's have been kind enough to submit to me listings of their community activities which the MSC intends to include in our "Congregational Packet" which will be 1 of our major tools, among other processes, that we will utilize in introducing our congregation to prospective ministerial candidates.
If you have not yet done so, please send lists to me: fredgilbertson@msn.com What are some of the ways that you are involved in your local community, your social justice and political and environmental and recreational activities (the list can go on, these are just suggestions)?
Thank on behalf of the MSC.
Fred Gilbertson
July 10 Lego Day
July 17 Science Day
July 24 Easter Egg Hunt in July
July 31 Food Day
August 7 Dancers
August 14 Chalk Art & Giant Bubbles
August 21 QiGong
August 28 Drumming
September 4 No RE
September 11 Cooperative Games/Blessing of the Backpacks
Welcome to Religious Education at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists!
We begin our year with the Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday September 11th.
All are invited to bring their empty backpacks to the service. This is the time of year that many return to school or re-imagine how learning is structured for them. Join us on September 11th for this special service.
What and how will we be learning?
The Lower Elementary (Pre-k – 3rd grade) group will be using a Unitarian Universalist curriculum called We Are Many, We Are One. This practical and fun series encourages young children to learn how to play and work collaboratively as well as view nature as a source of gifts that needs our care. Together we’ll celebrate the different religions and cultures of the world, and see congregations as places for making and caring about friends. Fall classes will be held in Fahs House.
The Upper Elementary (4th and 5th grade) will be learning about U.U. Super Heroes, introducing stories of Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to live their lives fully and make the world a better place for others. As U.U. educator Sophia Lyon Fahs said, "The function of church for both young and old is not to give us on Sunday certain religious kinds of experiences…[but] rather to teach us how to put religious and ethical qualities into all kinds of experiences."
This curriculum aims to use many different learning styles to provide support for parents in this challenging and rewarding endeavor we call religious education. Fall classes will be held in Fahs House.
The Middle School (6th, 7th, and 8th grade) group will be exploring Coming of Age. This Unitarian Universalist program affirms many changes inherent in entering teenage years. Children at the cusp of adopting a new identity, that of youth, are invited to participate in a program called Coming of Age. Participants explore theology, spirituality, history and other topics through discussion, drama, music, writing and art. Fall classes will be held in Parker House.
From time to time, Children’s Chapel, which offers an opportunity to experience spirituality through artistic expression, will be offered for youngsters who are enrolled in elementary and middle school classes.
The YRUU (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade) group will be using a curriculum called Building Bridges. We use BuildingBridgesto explore world religions and to broaden our own depth of understanding of the human experience including spirituality, religious traditions, and personal experience.
Our WUU Adopt-a-Highway cleanup crew will gather in the Fahs House on Saturday, July 16, at 10 a.m., to tackle the roadside litter on our stretch of Ironbound Road. We would welcome any first-timers to join us. Come enjoy an hour of fun and fresh air. We’d like to know you’re coming. Email rbaldwin@widomaker.com.
South of the Ferry Intergenerational Weekend of Learning Together Friday, 15 July to Sunday, 17 July 2016 13291 Rolfe Highway Surry, Virginia 23883 757 294-3063 psotf@aol.com
Rain or shine the events go on with safety as first priority!
WUU Member Savanah Williams invites you to a weekend of activities at South of the Ferry, farm and forest land, that is being developed to share knowledge, resources, skills and talents to improve the quality of our personal lives while building community. Consider coming for at least a couple of hours or a day, overnight, or weekend to sharing in learning together about our passions. Remember this is a camping weekend, so do bring your tent and sleeping bag, but we do have a pavilion under which you can sleep or do consider checking the Williamsburg area for a hotel so you can enjoy time with us in the country. We want you to be present! Hours for events: Friday, July 15 Noon-8pm; Saturday, July 16 8am-8pm; Sunday, July 17 8am-noon.
Bring your musical instruments, musical voices and dance movements for our community performance. Or, just come and enjoy being in the country with wonderful people we know. Register - Let us know if you wish to participate by sending us an email: subject - Hello Learning Together7151617. Please include your name in your email! Remember with whom you are sharing this information so that we can link our learning circles. Learn more about us www.southoftheferry.com
Consider taking time to relax, learn and have fun and maybe sun with us!
Come and bring family, friends and associates
Participate in individual and Community Conversations
With Food and beverage to taste and hopefully enjoy
Hands-on activities of gardening, construction, culinary arts while listening to nature
Bring something you would like to teach others
Do a Dance, Musical performance, Spoken Word
Construction Updates
There is so much going on with construction it is hard to keep up. Check out our new Flickr site HERE for the most recent photos.
Wanted
Do you have an iPad or tablet that you are no longer using? A touchscreen monitor or laptop might work as well. The WUU office is looking for one of these with decent sized screen to set up an interactive calendar for the sanctuary. Contact Ellyn at office@wuu.org or 757-220-6830
Newsletter Correction for Incorrect Telephone Number--Side Work Wanted
WUU member Moe Bernier is available to do side work. He is certified in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting and window glazing and has 18+ years experience with The Fall River, MA Housing Authority. Contact him directly at 757-206-4002.
