Thanks so much to all for your enthusiastic, generous participation in planning and contributing to our three worship services this past Sunday – in the aftermath of the election. The impacts of the election will reverberate for years – perhaps decades – for our nation and indeed for the world. I for one am feeling engulfed – and overwhelmed – amidst post-election analyses and explanations. Thus I will not comment further here. We can anticipate that much listening and learning awaits all of us. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and those you love. Try doing lots of listening – and temper your urges to be in the transmit mode.
Today I call to your attention Four Phases in WUU’s upcoming time of transition:
Phase One: Re-Construction, Restricted Space: Now thru Building Dedication Feb. 05
Phase Two: Sunday Experiment: All spaces available (Feb 12 - Apr 30)
Phase Three: Summer schedule; incoming settled minister called (May 07 - Labor Day)
Phase Four: Fall programs fully under-way (after Labor Day)
During Phase One we are adapting to renovation and construction, while having quite limited spaces for worship and other programs. After Dedication Sunday (February 05), all these inconveniences and adjustments will have ended. We will have celebrated the past decade of planning, generosity, and skillful implementation of Building Our Future. And we will move into Phase Two:
Phase Two will be a short-term (12-week) experiment from February 12 through April 30 – when you will vote on calling your Settled Minister. In Phase Two, ALL of WUU’s meeting spaces will be available!! After the Thanksgiving holiday I will convene a TTG (teeny-tiny group) to draft some initial proposals for Sunday programs during this 12-week experimental program. This TTG includes: Carolyn Wilson (Membership) Dave Hamilton (Music) Anne Stevens (Worship) Austen Petersen (Religious Education) Jessica O'Brien and Helen Hansen (Social Justice) Seth Merritt (SUULE-2016)
This TTG will prepare their draft proposal, and circulate it during December to the entire congregation, Program Council, and Board for their input during scheduled meetings. An edited plan will be written by the TTG in January, and announced to the congregation in the February Spirals and the monthly newsletter.
Phase Three: After this 12-week experimental period, we will declare a Time-Out for the summer months. With the contributions of your incoming settled minister, we will review this experiment, and recommend options for modifications when Phase Four, the fall programs, begin in September.
Thanks much in advance for your enthusiastic participation in this process. Lots of adventures and new learnings await us.
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.
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.
9:45 am & 11:15 am
“Baha'i Faith"
Brett and Anne Breneman, Guest Speakers
Brett and Anne Breneman will share their Baha'i faith with us on November 27 at both the 9:45 and the 11:15 services as they explore the spirituality and origin of this peace- filled religion. They have traveled the world as missionaries and now reside in West Point, VA where they facilitate a home church. They also travel to Richmond to work among economically disadvantaged to spread the peace of their faith. They will be available after the 11:15 am service to answer questions.
"Souper" THIRD Friday Potluck
This Friday, November 18th at 6pm in Fahs House
Baby, It's getting "chili" outside! Join us for a "souper" Family Potluck to warm up! Bring your favorite soup, chili, or stew! If you don't love to cook consider bringing rolls, bread, or crackers! Everyone is welcome to this all ages event!
On November 13th, we kicked off the Guest At Your Table Project! Everyone received boxes to collect money for UUSC, which is raising money for organizations serving refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalized groups this year. If you need a collection box, please see Austen Petersen or Lindsay Usher on Sunday! Please remember to keep adding to your collection box as often as you are able, every little bit helps! We will be collecting the boxes at the service on Sunday, December 18. Any questions about G.A.Y. T. can be directed to Lindsay Usher (usherle@gmail.com).
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!
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.
On Sunday December 4 and December 11, from 12:30-2:45pm, we will be offering in the Fahs House part 1 and part 2 respectively of our Pathway to Membership series. This is a great way to learn more about our congregation and also to meet other new comers. Lunch will be served. For more information or to register please contact David Hamilton - dfhamilton108@gmail.com
Sunday Morning Teams
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.
