"On the Pulse of Morning: Over the Rainbow”
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
In our candlelight vigil for the victims and their families -- in the wake of the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, we gave voice to many deep feelings. The words of Yeats are sobering: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” The word “pulse” has now taken on new significance. How shall we move ahead – as a congregation and in new alliances – to embody our deepest convictions and values? Messages “From the Heart” will be presented by Kaya O’Brien, Norah Peterson, Debra Hill and Bobby Oliver.
10:00 am
"Doing Politics Without Ruining Karma: the Stuff of the Golden Rule”
Ben Thacker-Gwaltney, Guest Speaker
Modern political campaigns have learned to use fear and panic to motivate supporters. All sorts of hatreds, revulsions and hard divisions arise as a result. Buddhism can offer a different perspective, one where we continue to work hard to elect representatives and support policies that lessen suffering. At the same time, we don't generate more suffering by viewing others through lenses of polarization.
"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 gathering August 31
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
For more than two centuries before the Civil War, millions of African Americans lived their entire lives in bondage. It is unknown how many of these enslaved human beings labored, lived and died on the campus grounds of William & Mary. We do know that the College had a substantial financial investment in the institution of slavery, and prospered from dependence on its productivity. The exploited labor of enslaved African Americans built the foundation upon which William & Mary stands, yet, there is no recognition of the contributions of the enslaved people who labored to build and maintain the College.
The Lemon Project was created in 2009 by the Board of Visitors as “a long-term research project under the sponsorship of the Office of the Provost, involving the College faculty, staff, students and the Greater Williamsburg community.” The mission: “A Journey of Reconciliation…to better understand, chronicle, and preserve the history of the enslaved at the College.”
In furthering its mission, The Lemon Project formed the Committee on Memorialization (LPCOM). The time has come to recognize the enslaved and free African Americans who labored to build and maintain the College before the Civil War. Accordingly, the Committee is preparing a proposal that will be submitted to the President and the Provost of the College to hold a national design competition for a memorial to the enslaved. A built memorial will be part of how we remember William and Mary’s unnamed founders. May we include your name on a list of supporters of a memorial?
If you support the idea of a memorial, please go to https://forms.wm.edu/form/view/27612/9ef27a2ad9a04ad81aa1f5643ac7b0d2, and add your name to the list of supporters. If the link does not work, please cut and paste forms.wm.edu/27612 into the address line.
Please feel free to forward this email to colleagues, friends, and family who care about William and Mary and its future. The support of all of William & Mary’s constituencies (current students, staff, faculty as well as alumni, and community members) is vital to the success of the project. On behalf of those whose names we will never know, who lived, suffered and died in forced servitude for the benefit of The College of William and Mary, we thank you.
The Lemon Project Committee on Memorialization
Food For FISH (Our local community food & clothing pantry)
It is almost time to head back to school! FISH is asking for school lunch items: individually wrapped items like applesauce, fruit cups, snack bars. 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!
Memorial Service:
On Saturday, September 17 at 4pm a service will be held remembering William Riel, the husband of WUU member Carol Brouwer. All are invited to attend.
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.
August 28 Drumming
September 4 No RE
September 11 Cooperative Games/Blessing of the Backpacks
To learn more about our upcoming fall Religious Education classes and schedule, which begins on September 11th with the "Blessing of the Backpacks," please visit this link. Click below to register online:
Protecting Your Heathcare Wishes
Are you current with your Advance Medical Directives?
Updated your Health Care Power of Attorney lately?
Stored your documents in a safe and accessible place?
MOST IMPORTANT: Do your loved ones know your feelings
about quality of life and end of life care, should they be asked
to make decisions on your behalf?
We can help ensure your wishes will be honored!
Participate in our presentation and discussion:
* VIRGINIA ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVES
* HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
Saturday, September 17, 2016, 9:30 to 11:30am, FAHS House
Virginia Advance Directive forms and other resources will be provided.
Presenters: Cynthia Frezek, MSN, RN, WUU Lay Pastoral Care Associate
Barbara Shefelton, M.Div, BCC, Board Certified Chaplain and Ethics
Consultant, Mary Immaculate Hospital
Free to all age 18 and older. Please reply to cyncfreze@gmail.com, by Sept.15th.
Construction Updates
There is so much going on with construction it is hard to keep up. Check out our Flickr site HERE for the most recent photos.
