9:45 & 11:15 am
"At One with Nature and the Inter-dependent Web"
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
Annual In-Gathering Service and Water Communion
Summer’s different rhythms are drawing to a close. Whether you have traveled far and wide, or have remained close to home, the question is the same: What have you noticed more closely? What has surprised you? How is your personal life, and your relationships, more intentional, and more in accord with your values? The turning of the seasons offers an occasion for taking perspective, and realigning with stuff-that-matters (STM).
This is our annual In-gathering service. All are encouraged to bring samples of water from locations which have nourished you, and inspired you.
Share the Plate
The Share the Plate Collection on Sunday, September 11, will benefit Bacon Street. This local non-profit agency provides outpatient prevention, intervention and treatment services to adolescents and their families who are dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. Their work fits well with WUU values, in that substance use/abuse robs individuals of self-respect and deters spiritual growth; the disease of addiction affects a person’s ability to act responsibly, share honest thoughts and feeling about themselves and the community around them. It isolates and cuts people off from life and their ability to care for themselves and others. These aspects make it important that the work of Bacon Street be generously supported by our Share the Plate program. For more information on this organization, visit www.baconstreet.org. Our guest speaker will be Kim Bellinger, the Executive Director of
For more information on the Share the Plate program or to nominate a recipient agency, please email stp@wuu.org.
Thursday, September 8
8:30 am, LPCA Meeting, Nursery Area of Sanctuary
10:00 am, Meditation, Sanctuary
2:00 pm, DBT/Construction Meeting, Parker House
7:00 pm, Covenant Group, Fahs House
Friday, September 9
6:00 pm, YRUU Movie Night, Parker House
Sunday, September 11
9:45 am, Worship, Sanctuary
11:15 am, Worship, Sanctuary
12:15 pm, Teacher Team-building, Fahs House
Monday, September 12
6:30 pm, Ministerial Search Committee, Parker House
7:00 pm, Buddhist Mediation, Sanctuary
Tuesday, September 13
8:00 am, Alternative Income Task Force, Parker House
2:30 pm, CREW Meeting, Parker House
5:00 pm, All Together Meeting, Nursery Area of Sanctuary
7:00 pm, Worship Team, Fahs House
Wednesday, September 14
6:00 pm, Finance Committee, Fahs House
7:30 pm, Wake-Up Meditation (for young adults), Parker HOuse
7:30 pm, Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thursday, September 15
10:00 am, Meditation, Sanctuary
7:30 pm, Program Council Meeting, Fahs House
9:45 & 11:15 am
“Black Lives Matter”
Rev. Travis Harris, Guest Minister
Why do “Black Lives Matter?” Black people, compared to whites, are more likely to be killed by police, are incarcerated at much higher rates, and are twice as likely to be unemployed. How should UUs respond to this systemic racism? Join us to hear Mr. Travis Harris’ account of how a movement begun in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s killing is changing our understanding of racism both nationally and here in Williamsburg.
“Will the new minister hear me? Will my concerns and needs be met? Will the minister understand what I’m living with? How will the community respond to our minister?’
In answering these questions, a picture of the “ideal minister” (categorized by age, gender, gender identity, nationality, physical ability, race, and sexual orientation) comes to mind. With this picture in place, it can be easy to unintentionally exclude ministers who fall into certain categories. At times, as we get caught up in comparing candidates to our “picture,” we can even forget what it is we hoped for in a minister.
On the weekend of October 1&2, Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists will participate in the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for congregations involved in the search for a new minister. The WUU Ministerial Search Committee invites all congregational leaders, members, and friends to participate in this workshop.
The Beyond Categorical Thinking program is designed to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent unfair discrimination in the search process for a new minister. This program includes a three hour Saturday morning workshop followed by a Sunday morning service with BCT workshop facilitators. In the workshop, WUU members will:
Consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns they have for a new minister
Learn more about the ministerial search process, and
Explore how thinking categorically about people sometimes interferes with choosing the best candidate.
Come on Saturday October 1st from 9am to noon in the sanctuary and to Sunday October 2nd services to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop and worship service, led by Carol Carter Walker and Amanda Schuber. Carol and Amanda’s brief biographies are attached.
The Ministerial Search Committee appreciates any and all input from the WUU community.. The Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop is another opportunity for everyone in our congregation to be a part of that process. This experience will provide guidance for the search committee in our work.
Carol Carter Walker has been a Unitarian Universalist (UU) since 1987, beginning as a charter member of the now closed Sojourner Truth Congregation, in Washington, DC. She has been a member of Paint Branch UU Church in Adelphi, MD since 2002.
Carol has been a Board Member at both her former and current congregations. At the denominational level, Carol has been part of the Commission on Social Witness and is currently a Beyond Categorical Thinking facilitator and alternate to the Central East Region’s Capital Cluster. She is a member of the UU-affiliated Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM).
Carol is a native of and currently lives in Washington, DC. She is an active volunteer, serving her church and her community since her 2006 retirement as a senior manager at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has a daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren and a grand dog who live in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC.
Amanda Schuber has been a UU for 23 years, and has served on the boards of Equual Access and Interweave Continental. She has also served as Director of Religious Education and Social Action Coordinator for the UU Church of Tuscaloosa, AL and at UUA headquarters in Boston as the Administrator of the Office of Congregational Fundraising. Amanda and her wife have been members of the UU Church of Huntsville, AL for 3 years. Currently, she serves as the Family Services Coordinator with Habitat for Humanity of Madison County. Amanda loves being a soccer mom to her 2 younger children, Addie and Brayden, and helping her 17 year old Samantha prepare to transition to college.
The United Way of Greater Williamsburg is planning for its annual DAY OF CARING on Friday, September 16! They so appreciated WUU's volunteering in past years and hope we will consider participating in Day of Caring 2016. As they say, “no team is too small or too large! Last year more than 600 volunteers completed more than 40 projects throughout the Greater Williamsburg community” and we were a dozen of them!
So, please let me know if you are able to take part. The day usually starts with a communal breakfast and ends with dinner. It would be wonderful if we can assemble a WUU team again. Contact me at sjchair@wuu.org. Thanks, Jessica O’Brien
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War WHRO Tuesday, September 20, 9:00 p.m.
"Join an American couple’s courageous mission in 1939 to help refugees escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Over the course of two years, the pair will risk their lives so that hundreds can live in freedom. A new film by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky. “ (WHRO Program Guide)
The Rev. and Mrs Sharps were a Unitarian couple who defied the Nazi regime to save lives. How are you carrying on the Sharps' legacy by defying hatred and discrimination today? Islamophobia and the Syrian refugee crisis are modern day parallels to the bigotry the Sharps fought against. Download tools and materials to help plan events and projects, (UUA WeDefy Project).
The WUU Social Justice Team will also be sponsoring a potluck and showing this important film on October 7 at 6pm.
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.
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:
**Wanted** I'm collecting EMPTY metal Altoids boxes for RE. Do you have any? I want them! You can give them to me or leave them with Ellyn in the office. Thanks!
-Austen Petersen
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.
Your Williamsburg Learning Tree program is now open for registration! We have over 80 fun, educational, and inspiring classes scheduled at convenient times and at convenient places. So sign up and try something new!
Taking a class is SO EASY! Check out the online course catalog, then register and pay online at www.williamsburglearningtree.org. Or call Suzanne (757-220-9975) for a paper catalog and mail-in registration form.
Did you think about teaching a class but just didn’t get around to sending in your class proposal? This semester is running through mid-December, so there is still time to send one in and share your knowledge, expertise, or passion with your friends and neighbors! We’ll update our online catalog with your class and include it whenever we re-print paper copies. Let’s do this!
Welcome to four new WUUs who signed the membership book September 4--Jessica Sapalio and Ariel BenYishay, and Judy and Ty Alexander. Look for their pictures and bios in the October newsletter. We also welcomed Asha McLaughlin as a new member in August, and her bio will be included in the October newsletter.
Highway Cleanup-Last Call
This Saturday, we’ll tackle the roadside litter on Ironbound Road. We’ll meet at 10 a.m. Won’t you join us? Please let us know you’re coming – email rbaldwin@widomaker.com.
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.
