An exploration of the concept of forgiveness from Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist perspectives in light of recent stunning acts of forgiveness in the media.
Nicki is an ordained Baptist minister living in Williamsburg. She has worked for over 20 years in the nonprofit sector as an Executive Director on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is also the author of two books “You Don't Need a Repeat Cesarean “ and "The Shaman's Daughter."
(Today Rev. Dave Johnson will be preaching at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver BC)
10:00 am
Rev. David Johnson
“Jacob’s Insight: Tinkering as the Pacemaker”
The Jacob in my title is not the Old Testament patriarch; he’s a Nobel-prize winning French biologist, Francois Jacob, who offered profound insights about how evolution functions: Evolution is not an engineer (or intelligent designer), but rather a tinkerer and bumbler: experimenting with the “adjacent possible.” What does this have to do with congregational life and transitions? I’ll suggest some possibilities.
Already my wife Diann and I have fallen in love with WUU, and with greater Williamsburg. We are deeply grateful for your many generous welcomes, and your invitations to gather for conversations in your homes and at many other venues – from Dog Street Pub and “Mad About Chocolate” to Panera Bread and Pierce’s Bar-B-Q and far beyond. Later today we will make our first venture onto the Jamestown ferry and explore a bit farther afield.
Even though our home on the Kansas prairie continues to be the Johnson family’s home-base, we are eager to create and nurture this wondrous new home-away-from-home. We thank you for your appreciations, your hospitality, and your graciousness. Lots of adventures and new learnings are in store. Our kids Melanie and Stefan are eagerly anticipating opportunities for visits.
All good wishes,
Rev. Dave Johnson revdaj@aol.com 269-330-8495
Diann Johnson lavande77@wildmail.com 913-302-5081
522 Spring Trace, Williamsburg 23188
Come join our SUMMER MISSION PROJECT - Fridays and Saturdays, August 14/15 and August 21/22
This summer the Social Justice Ministry has been looking into projects closer to home than our previous WVA sites. Eureka! We’ve been asked to help the Williamsburg Public Housing Manager, JaLauna Burton, with a public housing project. Gazebos have been donated for the residents’ use and are being installed at four sites this week. Our project will be to paint the four structures and add landscaping to beautify the sites. Can you help? Adults and teenagers are welcome to join us. Please contact Jessica O’Brien, Social Justice chair, at sjchair@wuu.org with the days you are available. Let’s get these gazebos spruced up!
5th African Landing Commeration Day Festival in Hampton
A commeration of the first Africans who arrived in America on English occupied territory at Point Comfort, today's Fort Monroe. Festivities will take place on August 20 & 21. For more information on the Festival please visit: http://www.project1619.org/10.html
Save the Date!
United Way Day of Caring 2015 is on September 18th.
Once again, we will put together a WUU team to serve our community on the annual Day of Caring. This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to join together in service. Contact Jess Hench if interested. More information will come soon!
Food For FISH (Our local community food & clothing pantry)
Our FISH wagon has returned and is waiting to be filled with cold cereals, peanut butter and jelly, breakfast bars, small cans of ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni & cheese and puddings. Thank you for your generosity, and make sure to check freshness labels.
Launching 9/27/2015 2-4pm
Facilitated By Deborah Jane Wells
We’re ready to launch our new affinity group for members of Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists (WUU) and Unity Fellowship Church of Williamsburg (UFC) who self-identify as “theists.”
My definition of theism is that there is more to life than what we experience through our five outer senses. There is more to everyone and everything than we are seeing, touching, hearing, smelling and tasting in any given moment.
There are many names for this Force, because It is beyond words. I use a variety of labels: God, Source, the Divine, Higher Power, Universe, Life Force, Creative Power and Spirit, to name a few. The reality of God is so large, It transcends the limitations of any name or description I could conceive of.
Those who join the group are eager to explore and share diverse practices for connecting with pure, love-based Source energy to inspire, guide and empower their lives.
After our first meeting on September 27 (which is the 4th Sunday of the month), in general, our group will meet on the third Sunday of each month from 2-4pm in the Fahs House.
Last Call for this Saturday's Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup!
The weather looks promising for our Ironbound Road cleanup this Saturday, starting at 10 am at the Fahs House. This is our Adopt-a-Highway project, a part of the WUU Green Sanctuary initiative. This is a great opportunity for newer WUU's to pitch in and get to know a few more folks. For planning purposes, please let me know that we can expect you– rbaldwin@widomaker.com.
Save The Date--Saturday August 22nd 10 AM
Teacher Team Building in Fahs House
We are accepting new teachers this semester...contact Austen austen@wuu.org.
