Kenya Night Pot-luck Supper
Friday, April 14th
6-8:30 PM in the narthex and sanctuary
Kenya Night is a fundraiser for MAO Kenya, a 501-C3 non-profit organization that benefits families in Kenya through programs to improve health and education.
Kenya Night is a family friendly, pot-luck supper. Children of all ages welcome.
MAO Kenya will provide a main dish of rice, beans and chicken (vegetarian option will be available) and beverages. Attendees will bring a side dish or dessert.
Admission are FREE but attendees should sign up to attend so we can prepare the right amount of food. Sign-up via email (maokenyaorg@gmail.com)
Activities for the night include:
African story time for the children
A drumming circle for everyone
A slide show featuring Debra Hill’s beautiful photos of family life among the Maasai people in Kenya
A sale of African crafts from the Dream Shop at ESH.
How can you show your support for MAO Kenya?
We will gladly accept donations that night or via Paypal on our website (www.maokenya.org).
Close the Gap—Help Us Complete Our Pledge Drive for Next Year
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Your pledges have brought us to 95% of our goal for next year.
Given our challenges—financing our building program, searching for a new minister, and more—that’s pretty impressive.
Would it be possible for some of you to help provide the final 5% so we reach our goal of $318,000 and have 100 % participation?
IF SO – this is how you can do it.
Make a pledge? Call or write Suzanne at 220-6830 or Suzanne@wuu.org.
Raise your pledge 5% or more? Call or write Suzanne at 220-6830 or Suzanne@wuu.org.
Make an extra one-time payment? Call or write Suzanne at 220-6830 or Suzanne@wuu.org with the extra amount.
The Board approves next year’s budget on April 25th. We have 10 days to Close the Gap
We are certain that this coming year will be among our best as we pursue our mission and continue to grow the community of WUU.
Join us before the service for an Easter breakfast cooked up by Jim and Kathy Willis. We will have pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, fruit, and more! There is no charge but feel free to drop some money in the donation jar to help cover costs. You do not need to RSVP but please click here and let us know you are attending so we can plan.
11:15 am One Service Only
Easter Sunday: On the Road to Emmaus
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
Longfellow’s poem entitled “A Psalm of Life” begins: Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.
On Easter Sunday we will consider that most profound of mysteries: The continuity of life, of love, and of things that matter. We’ll include wisdom from The Brothers Karamazov, King Lear, and the New Testament -- as windows (or lenses) through which to be open to amazement.
12:30 pm, Easter Egg Hunt
Children under 12 bring your basket or bag and join the hunt after the service.
9:45 am & 11:15 am
“Who Are Your Friends?
Mole, Water Rat, Badger and Toad ”
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
Frederick Buechner observes: “Friends are people you make part of your life just because you feel like it, not for any particular reason. The job you do, the family you have, the achievements and blunders of your life, your religious convictions or lack of them -- are all set aside when the two of you get together. If you are old friends you may know all these things about each other but they are beside the point. You meet with a clean slate every time, and you meet on equal terms. Anything may come of it, or nothing may. That doesn't matter. Only the meeting matters.” We will re-visit the friends of the classic story “The Wind in the Willows”.
Please contact caringchair@wuu.org if you know of a member of the Congregation in need of support, or if you are in need of support.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long time WUU member, Ernie Kilgor, He passed on Monday surrounded by family and friends after a long struggle with bone cancer. See below for memorial service details.
April 22 at 4 pm we will celebrate the life of Beverly Levinson in the sanctuary with Rev. Jennifer Ryu leading the service.
May 6 at 3:30 pm we will celebrate the life of Ernie Kilgore in the sanctuary with Rev. Dave Johnson leading the service.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend to remember the great people and show support to the family.
President Les Solomon is away at this time, and many things are happening, so we thought it would be useful to offer an overview of current events and issues:
1. SEARCH: The Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) has entered Round 2 of the search. A new Contract has been vetted and approved by the Board. The UUA will make any ministers interested in serving WUU known to our MSC on April 14; more names may appear on April 21. If the MSC finds a match in this round, candidating week will occur around mid May. We will keep members informed.
2. INTERIM SEARCH: In case Round 2 is unsucessful, we have begun the process of applying for an Interim Minister. Jim Kent has updated and resubmitted our application. The Board is completely in charge of the selection of an Interim Minister and, if it decides to pursue this possibility, will be prepared at the April 25 meeting to select a search committee of 3.
3. STEWARDSHIP: The Pledge drive for the coming fiscal year (2017-18) has successfully increased the average pledge by over 10%, but we are still short of our budgeted goal by about 5%, or $18,000. Several generous members have died, and others have left the area, and a number of households have not yet made their pledge.The Stewardship Team has decided to launch a brief, low key “Close the Gap” campaign (see the announcement). The goal is to raise the $18,000 before April 25 when the Board is scheduled to approve the budget.
4. BUDGET: The FY17-18 budget is to be reviewed and approved by the Board on April 25. There are many uncertainties in this year’s budget, including the amount pledged, income from new rentals, and possible increases in personnel costs.
5. SUULE (Southern UU Region's Leadership Experiences): The budget includes no support for next year’s SUULE program, so the Board decided to designate the April 30 plate collection for SUULE support. Seth Merritt (a SUULE graduate) will make a “from the heart” statement on April 30 in support of this program.
6. BOARD AGENDA: Tentative, for April 25 (major items only):
Update on the results of the pledge campaign
Review and approval of the FY17-18 budget
Approval of job descriptions for possible new staff
Appointment of a 3 member Search Committee for an interim minister (to be ready if needed)
Conclusion of the discussion of the definition of a “financial contribution of record” (if time permits)
7. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS for the 2017-2018 year: The Bylaws require that the new officers be in place before any May meeting of the new Board, and that the quorum for the election of officers be 7 of the 9 members of the new Board. This will be done immediately following the April 25 meeting. A retreat for the new Board will be scheduled this summer.
8. FALL LEADERSHIP RETREAT: There will be a leadership retreat in the fall to discuss governance issues with the new minister and to proceed with the 2022 Strategic Plan. This will be planned when the new minister is ready to participate.
9. ASSISTANCE ON SUNDAYS: Board members will rotate to support the Membership and Worship Teams.
Many thanks to members of the Board and Program Council and all the others who support WUU in so many ways!
Our new landscaping is an extensive and an expensive effort to beautify our campus. And this mainly great spring weather is already having a negative impact that’s going to get worse as temperatures rise.
Jim Hall, Lee Hougen and Dave Neiman have “automated” much of the watering using timers. But some of our shrubs and trees can only be watered effectively by a person with a hose and it’s more than a small group can manage.
Please consider helping out for an hour or so a week. The actual days and times are flexible and can be changed to accommodate summer plans. If you’d like to help, contact Lee Hougen(leehougen@gmail.com) or Dave Neiman(dneiman236@cox.net)
A Golden Opportunity to Join our Community Outreach
The greater Williamsburg area has much poverty. We, the WUU’s have committed to sort and size clothes at the FISH clothes closet each Tuesday during the month of May from 9:30 a.m.‐3:00p.m. No special skills are required. 3 to 4 people (men and/or women) are needed each Tuesday in May. If you can help out only half a day, that can be arranged, too.
In 2015, 1999 adults and 1365 children were served with a total of 9108 outfits. The need is great and continues to grow. Please consider helping out—the fellowship is terrific!
Please call or email Carol Sherman at 229‐3344 or cwsher@verizon.net. Thanks in advance!
Help Wanted!
Our FISH wagon is full! The FISH Wagon needs a person(s) to work with Fish to advertise food needed and deliver it to Fish whenever it gets full. This is a periodic, but important social justice project that helps our food insecure neighbors. Please contact our Social Justice Chairs if you are interested in helping or need more information sjchair@wuu.org.
A Note from the Aesthetics Team (Donna, Linda, Susan and Trenna,)
We sincerely appreciate your help in keeping the new gathering hall in good order. It is especially helpful when those responsible for setting up tables on Sunday mornings, take the time to remove them afterwards.
The gathering hall, should provide a welcoming environment to visitors and WUUs alike. It reflects who we are and what we value. The “A Team” is busy researching the best way to easily display pictures, photos, and framed messages on the walls without using nails, hooks or tape. Under consideration is a picture rails system. These systems provide flexibility in what is displayed and do not harm the walls. Such a system will also enable us to have rotating exhibits of program related art in the main hallway. If you have experience with picture rail systems and have ideas to share, we welcome your input.
Because it’s important for WUU teams and committees to publicize activities related to their work, we hope to soon create a special area for this--possibly a wall-mounted bulletin board or a free standing display board. In the meantime, we ask your cooperation in keeping the walls, windows and doors free of flyers, lists and notices until we have a designated place to display these items.
We will be looking for help in the following areas:
Ticket sales, data entry, cashiers, runners, recorders, greeters, servers (food & wine/beer), at the wine glass table, aids for silent auction, raffle sales, an a/v team and of course the infamous set-up & take down. This will be an exciting night – you will want to be a part of it! Get in on the fun early!!
If you can’t help please consider donating – This is WUU’s BIGGEST fundraiser! There will be both silent and LIVE auctions. Handmade items such as jewelry, artwork, quilts or knitted/crochet items as well as tickets to sporting events & concerts, plays or museums, dinners & homemade treats are all popular options from years past. Babysitting services, special talents, knowledge shared and creative gift baskets – the (night) sky is the limit to make someone’s dreams come true.
Save the date: June 3, 2017 – set-up beginning on June 1,2017
TabernacleChoir sings April 30
Have you thought about singing in the choir? Want to sing but too many conflicts? This is your chance! On April 30, The WUU Tabernacle Choir sings. ONE rehearsal at 10:30 before the service. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Jamie Bartlet jcbart@wm.edu
Women’s Choir sings May 12
This is an opportunity for females of any age who like to sing. Music is available now and rehearsal will begin soon. For music and more information contact Vicki Hall.
Brother Sun Concert at First UU of Richmond
National Touring Artists Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, and Joe Jencks have made their mark as veteran touring singer-songwriters, but Brother Sun is no songwriter's round. Brother Sun’s music and message appeal to mainstream listeners and dedicated folkies alike, to people of widely divergent spiritual and political leanings, and fans of both contemporary and traditional music. They offer the hope of people uniting to create beauty in uncertain and unsettled times. April 27, 7:30 pm, $12 in advance $15 at the door http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2915182
