9:45 am & 11:15 am
The Dodo’s Dilemma: “There Goes the Neighborhood!”
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
Change happens. Some changes are healthy and live-giving. Others are traumatic – such as extinctions of entire populations or eco-systems. Extinctions apply to every living system – from global scale catastrophes to communities very close to home. Some extinction events are brought about through quirks or contingencies of nature. Others have been of our own making. Well, so what? Audre Lorde (1934-1992) wrote: “We were never meant to survive.” Oh, really? If that’s the case, why is “surviving” – rather than thriving – so often the pacemaker of our lives? I’ll offer some observations from my former career, and from congregational ministry.
Our Membership book is open for signing this Sunday. If you have completed Pathway to Membership sessions 1 and 2 or are transferring from another UU Congregation, we welcome you to come forward at the end of the service to sign our Membership Book, signifying your commitment to WUU.
Monday, November 7
6:30 pm, Ministerial Search Committee, Parker House
7:00 pm, Buddhist Meditation, Sanctuary
Tuesday, November 8--Election Day! Make sure your voice is heard!
8:00 am, Alternative Income Task Force, Parker House
10:00 am, Nominating Committee, Parker House
5:00 pm, CREW Meeting, Fahs House
5:00 pm, All-Together Meeting, Parker House
7:00 pm, Worship Team, Sanctuary
Wednesday, November 9
6:00 pm, Roots & Wings Covenant Group, Fahs House
7:30 pm, Wake Up Meditation (For Young Adults), Parker House
7:30 pm, Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thursday, November 10
8:00 am, LPCA Meeting, Fahs House
2:00 pm, DBT/Construction Meeting, Parker House
7:00 pm, Covenant Group, Fahs House
9:45 am & 11:15 am
"Cordelia’s Dilemma (Or: Vitreous Floaters)”
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
Shakespeare’s legendary King Lear had three daughters. Two of his daughters (Regan and Goneril) were shrewd calculators and manipulators. They were skilled in techniques aimed only toward promoting themselves, and thereby to get whatever they wanted. They had an “app” for every conceivable deception already downloaded onto their devices. They used their predatory / charming qualities to hoodwink listeners, and bolster their success. (What does this mythical story have to do with anything, you may be wondering?)
Then there was Lear’s third daughter, Cordelia. Cordelia’s dilemma was this: She lived in authenticity. The thoughts and feelings of her heart often lay beyond the capacity of words to express. We shall re-visit Lear’s story as a window into the last stronghold of love: The human heart.
Share the Plate
The Share The Plate Recipient for November 13 will be Avalon, A Center for Women and Children. Priscilla Caldwell, the Development Director, will give a brief message at the 11:15 service. Please be generous with your contributions to this worthwhile cause.
Avalon Center works to end domestic and sexual violence by breaking the cycle of abuse through prevention, education, shelter and support services in the Williamsburg area. Each year Avalon serves more than 600 people in our community. With your help, Avalon can continue to provide safety and support to our neighbors most in need. In addition to the Emergency Shelter Campus encompassing five acres and with housing for some 50 people, the Avalon Outreach staff provides counseling and advocacy to hundreds of survivors on an ongoing basis. Avalon offers a 24-hour helpline year round, staffed with trained advocates. About 300 people volunteer for Avalon in various ways each year. In addition to safety, support and advocacy, through education and prevention efforts, Avalon strives to create a stronger, healthier, more peaceful community. To learn more, volunteer or tour the campus, please contact Priscilla Caldwell at priscilla@avaloncenter.org. www.avaloncenter.org FB and Twitter: AvalonVA. For emergency help call the Avalon 24-hour helpline at 757-258-5051.
It is that time of year again! The Nominating Committee is currently seeking candidates for positions on the Board, Committee on Right Relations, Trustees, Endowment, and Nominating Committee to be elected at the Annual Meeting on January 29, 2016. You may nominate yourselves or others. The Nominating Committee will interview candidates and current leaders to find the best person for each position.
All voting members are encouraged to consider whether they have the interest, time and experience to serve the congregation on one of these committees. The Nominating Committee is working hard to find the right people for this exciting time in the history of WUU. Please contact the Chair of the Nominating Committee at lindalanehamilton@gmail.com if you would like to discuss available opportunities or offer nominations.
Nominating Committee chair, Linda Lane-Hamilton,Charlotte Lorentson, Susan Walkley
Exciting Opportunity! NEW All Together Dialogue Circle
All Together is currently holding a Dialogue Circle comprised of 10 diverse members of the community who meet once a week for five weeks with two facilitators to discuss issues around race. They are about to start another Circle and wondered if there were WUU’s interested in taking part. This Dialogue Circle will meet on Fridays, November 4th to December 9th from noon to 1:30 at First Baptist Church on Scotland Street. We need five people of color and five white people to make up the Circle. Any takers? It’s an amazing experience! Contact Jessica O’Brien at jessicaobrien100@gmail.com.
Food For FISH (Our local community food & clothing pantry)
FISH would appreciate BEEF stew (they have a lot of chicken stew). They'd also like more baking items. Thanksgiving is just around the corner so some mixes might be nice! Pumpkin bread, cornbread, gingerbread mixes. 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!
October 9th until we move into the new space: nursery in the hallway of Fahs & the playground as weather permits
Our primary priority is the safety of all children. We believe we can both provide fun and safe nursery care using the hallway of Fahs House as well as playground time, but if this does not suit your family’s needs, please know that you and your infant are welcomed into the sanctuary at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists.
Please contact Austen at austen@wuu.org with any questions.
We are still looking to fill vacancies in our teams that help to make our Sunday's run smoothly. If you can volunteer to help pass out Orders of Service, help direct folks, or maybe even to help coordinate volunteers please contact Ellyn in the office at 757-220-6830 or office@wuu.org and she will match you up. We can't do it without you!
Thursday Morning Meditation Group
The meditation group that normally meets at 10 am on Thursdays in the Sanctuary will not be meeting until construction has finished. If you have any questions please contact the Ben Thacker-Gwaltney at mettaym@gmail.com
International Women's Convocation
February 16-19, 2017, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA
Network with committed UUs from around the world, learn about groundbreaking initiatives transforming lives, share and grow to inspire action and change, celebrate and empower through worship, art, and music, and nurture your spirit on the shores of the Pacific Ocean! Learn more here.
Building Our Future 2016-Construction
There has been a lot going on here on the WUU Campus. Click Here to see the latest photos.
