The Spiral for November 17 will be for two weeks (Ellyn will be out of the office from November 21-25). Please have all Spiral information that needs to go out before December 1st to the office by 10 am on Thursday, November 17. Thank you!
Interim Minister’s Letter Candle-Lighting Vigil for Healing Our Nation: Sunday November 13, 5:30 pm, Fahs House
Dear Friends at WUU:
During the time since election results were announced in the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, what feelings and heartaches have shaken the foundations of your life? To whom have you already reached out – among family, friends, or strangers? What seems overwhelming to you? What breaks your heart? What restores your faith? What are the ethical principles which will continue to guide your life? How might gratitude remain an essential touchstone of your life – despite the facts of the situation?
It is my deep hope and prayer that respect and kindness will soon be restored to our entire nation – which has reeled in disbelief, and become so deeply divided amidst vitriolic political campaign rhetoric. Here in our congregation we shall take a first step toward restoring the best of who we are by convening a Candlelighting Vigil for Healing Our Nation: We’ll gather this coming Sunday evening November 13th at 5:30 pm in Fahs House. This will be a meditative vigil for healing. It is not a time for discussion, cross-talk, or action. Feelings remain raw and sensitive for so many. Please honor this spirit.
If you wish to contribute a very short poem or reading to this Vigil for Healing, please send your contributions to me by tomorrow (Friday) at 5:00 pm. I will review all suggestions, and will be in touch with contributors as we plan our vigil. It will be an occasion for attendees to offer messages from the heart: What hurts? What breaks your heart? What restores your faith? How shall we walk together in gratitude?
Blessings to each of us, as we continue walking together on the roads ahead. Rev. Dave Johnson (and Planning Team: Austen Petersen, Stacey Felipe, Susan Fournier
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.
Special Plate Collection-Legacy Sunday
The WUU Endowment Fund grows in two ways: through future gifts committed through estate plans and through cash gifts in appreciation or gifts in memory of a relative or friend. If you wish to receive gift credit for your donation to the November 13 plate collection, please bring a check, make it out to WUU and put in the subject line the name of the person in whose honor or memory you are making the donation. We will have gift forms and envelopes available with your Order of Service.
Pledges of a future donation from one’s estate, or Legacy Gifts, provide donors with the opportunity to leave a legacy of support to our religious community that we all value. Members of the Endowment Committee will be speaking briefly on Sunday about growing the Endowment Fund, and members will be available after the services to answer your questions.
11:15 am-One Service Only
“St. Cecelia Sunday”
Led by Dr. Jamie Bartlett, WUU Director of Music
The Adult Choir will perform the Missa Sancti Joannis Nepomuceni by Michael Haydn MH 182. Michael Haydn (1737-1806) is the younger brother of Joseph Haydn. Born in Rohrau, Austria and joining the choir at the Stephansdom in Vienna at age 6, he spent most of his adult life in Salzburg in the Kapelle. His older brother thought him a far superior composer of church music, and his contemporaries believed his skill rivaled that of Mozart.
Come join the WUU choir and a chamber orchestra as they share the fruits of their labors with you in celebration of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians.
Share the Plate
The Share The Plate Recipient for November 20 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.
This Sunday we will be kicking off Guest At Your Table at WUU! This year, the theme is "Defying Hate." UUSC will be using the funds from Guest At Your Table to support organizations which serve refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalized groups here in the U.S. and all over the world. Everyone will receive boxes to take home at the service. Each night (or week) at home, you can put money in which represents the amount you might have spent to feed a guest in your home! Lindsay Usher is coordinating this effort. Please contact her (usherle@gmail.com) with any questions! http://www.uusc.org/welcome-to-guest-at-your-table/
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
Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission (GWOM) and WUU will be partnering on GWOM’s newest mission, Grace Haven Family Shelter at Parker House.
The GWOM family shelter task force and WUU Alternative Income Committee have crafted a lease agreement, approved by both boards, to allow GWOM to lease Parker House as the home for GWOM’s newest mission, Grace Haven Family Shelter.
GWOM’s vision for Grace Haven Family Shelter is to house families (one or two adults with 2-4 children, self-identified as a family) for 30-90 days while needs assessment of services and search for permanent housing is taking place, in partnership with Williamsburg House of Mercy. Kim Barbarji, WUU congregant, has been hired as Grace Haven Family Shelter director and case manager. Helen Hansen, GWOM secretary and WUU member, will be the WUU/GWOM coordinator. The WUU CIT committee and Housing Partnerships will be working on the Parker House renovation from offices to a home. Volunteers to assist in the renovation will be most welcome.
A café conversation will take place December 11 to give details of the Grace Haven Family Shelter mission. Share the plate on December 11 will be dedicated to the GWOM missions, which includes The Harbor Day Center, located at Williamsburg House of Mercy, 10 Harrison Ave. which provides week day hospitality for our homeless neighbors. Volunteers to staff the kitchen, showers, and hospitality desk are welcome. Please contact Helen Hansen (helenfoxhansen@gmail.com) for more details about GWOM volunteer opportunities.
Community of Faith Mission – Volunteers needed
Community of Faith Mission (COFM) organizes and funds the Winter Emergency Shelter. WUU hosted the shelter for the first 3 years, but this year, due to our renovation, we will be partnering with Life Church December 6 and 7 and one night at James River Baptist the last week in January, date TBD.
Stacey Felipe (Stacey.felipe@gmailcom) will be this year’s COFM coordinator. Jessica Obrien (jessicaobrien100@gmail.com)
12 Volunteers are needed for each night Dec. 6 and 7 for check-in, overnight, and breakfast. Please contact Stacey to volunteer.
We are looking for the following cooks to prepare food and deliver it to Life Church on Longhill Rd. between 5:30 and 6:30:
Tuesday, December 6th
- 3 people to make 2 large loaves of italian bread - garlic bread each
- 3 people to make cookies and brownies for 12 each
Wednesday, December 7th
- 4 people to cook a 3 lb. meatloaf each for Wednesday evening, December 7th
- 4 people to make mashed potatoes (3 lbs each)
- 3 people to make dessert for 12 each—a cake or cupcakes please
We also need 3 people to help set up and serve for each evening - 5pm to 9pm Contact Jessica O'Brien
All adults and young people 14 or older are invited to participate in this opportunity to interact with our most vulnerable neighbors.
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!
It took a lot of hands to make it happen;
and this is just the beginning...
Parker's new exterior color was applied by Jim Hall assisted by Don Ackley, Jack Bachner, Dave Neiman, Larry Ventis and Dave Warren. This was after the primer coat was done by Jessica O'Brien, John and Isabela Riofrio, Savannah, Christian, and Luca BenYishay-Sapalio, Jessica Sapalio, Ariel BenYishay, John and Katie Lopresti, Brian and Elliot Beach, Sid Ghose , and John Parman.
The new color which closely matches our new addition and Fahs is only part of Parker's transformation. A team from Housing Partnerships is putting railings on the side porch. And after we get the occupancy permit for the new addition, Parker will be vacated and a variety of renovations including electrical, plumbing, cabinet installation work plus more painting and some patching will be done inside to get the building ready for use in early 2017 by Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission in their efforts to help homeless families.
We're going to be looking for volunteers to help make Parker better serve the WUU mission. If you'd like to help, contact Michael Coirin, Les Solomon or Dave Neiman.
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
Building Our Future 2016-Construction
There has been a lot going on here on the WUU Campus. Click Here to see the latest photos.
