9:45 am & 11:15 am
“Longing for a Savior”
Rev. Dave Johnson, Interim Minister
The Jewish celebrations of Hanukkah, and Christian celebrations of Advent, remind us that humanity often yearns for deliverance from oppression and for new life. Pacific Islanders believe that a great ship will arrive to transport the tribe into heaven. Muslims await the return of the revered Mahdi to herald the final days. Buddhists believe that Maitreya will deliver all beings from ignorance. Native Americans believe that the White Buffalo will signal a restoration of ancestral lands. For whom might Unitarian Universalists be longing – if anyone? How might we recognize such a person or condition? In the aftermath of the contentious 2016 elections, I’ll offer reflections on messianic hopes, the Marx brothers’ quip about sanity clauses, and the ministerial search process at WUU – now moving into high gear
Our Membership book is open for signing on the first Sunday of each month. If you have completed Pathway to Membership sessions 1 and 2 or are transferring from another UU Congregation, please come forward at the end of the service to sign our Membership Book, signifying your commitment to WUU.
Thursday, December 1
6:30 pm, Navigators Monthly Meeting, Fahs House
Sunday, December 4
9:45 am, Worship, Sanctuary
10:00 am, Nominiating Committee, Parker House
11:15 am, Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, December 5
6:30 pm, Ministerial Search Committee, Parker House
7:00 pm, Buddhist Meditation, Sanctuary
Tuesday, December 6
8:00 am, Alternate Income Task Force, Parker House
Wednesday, December 7
4:00 pm, Personnel Committee Meeting, Fahs House
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, December 8
2:00 pm, DBT/Construction Meeting, Parker House
9:45 am & 11:15 am
When the Tofu Hits the Turnstile
(Or: The Trials of Job and Ludwig: “Why Me?”)
Rev. David Johnson, Interim Minister
A tragedy strikes without warning -- shaking us to the core. Amidst confusion, rage, or desolation those who suffer loss seek answers: "Why?"; "What now shall I do?". We'll re-visit the trials of Job (from the Hebrew Bible) and Ludwig (van Beethoven), and their relevance for us today. Special choral and piano music will honor Beethoven's birthday (born December 16, 1770).
Our share-the-plate special collection will benefit Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission
This is the Sunday when we recognize new members who have recently joined our congregation. We will introduce these new members at the 11:15 service
The Social Justice team and GWOM invite you to stay after the 11:15 service for a café conversation to answer questions and talk about GWOM volunteer opportunities.
Tuesday December 6th
In Fahs House
At 6:00 PM
Contact austen@wuu.org
Million Woman March Interest Meeting
Are you interested in going to the Million Woman March this coming January? Would you like to help support those going on the march? If you answered yes to either question, this meeting is for you!
On January 21, 2017 we will unite in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us--women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.
In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.
We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.
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).
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
WUU has committed to assist Life Church with the COFM homeless shelter next week, Tuesday, December 6 and Wednesday December 7. I know this is a busy time for all of us, but we really need volunteers for all shifts:
Thanks for assisting with this worthwhile social justice opportunity.
There are still a couple of people we need for meals—please see if you can do these tasks and send an email to sjchair@wuu.org. Thanks, Jessica O’Brien
Tuesday, December 6
PM - Cookies or brownies - one to two dozen to be delivered to Life Church kitchen between 5-6:30pm
Wednesday, December 7
AM - Breakfast server - one person to arrive at 5:15am and stay to about 7am
PM - one large bowl of mashed potatoes delivered warm to the Life Church kitchen between 5 and 6pm
- Two servers to help with dinner - 5:30-8:30
Thursday, December 8
AM - Breakfast servers - two people to arrive at 5:15am and stay to about 7am
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 continues to ask for BEEF stew (it seems people really like beef and they don't get much of that) and holiday foods: mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread stuffing, broth, green beans, yams, cranberries. thank you!
Please make sure packages are sealed and all "use by" dates are current. Thank you all!
Liz Snyder had a successful hip replacement surgery this week and hopes to be released to return to Williamsburg on Friday (though she might be in rehabilitation). Cards and calls are welcome-get well soon Liz!
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.
Come one, come all to the annual All-Ages Yule Sing, when we enjoy dinner and caroling in the Sanctuary. We’ll sing along with music provided by our own Dave Robbins while we make ornaments and decorate the Christmas tree. There will be some special activities offered for the littlest ones among us. Owing to the building renovation, we have no kitchen or kitchen equipment or even running water in the sanctuary, so instead of “potluck,” dinner will be provided this year. We will offer a variety of sandwiches, raw veggies, chips and cookies, in other words, “finger foods!” If you would like to bring cookies to share, please contact DRE Austen Petersen: austen@wuu.org or call 757-220-6830
Don’t forget—please bring some new socks or underwear for FISH to place under the tree. Come, join us for this festive event, which has been celebrated every December since 1990!
WUU Nursery Information Update:
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.
In Memoriam: Rollene Sumner Wells
(December 21, 1927 - November 28, 2016)
With deep sadness we must announce that our beloved friend Rollene Wells, long-time friend and companion of Wayne Moyer, passed away at her home in Richmond on Monday afternoon November 28th. Rollene and Wayne's long-time friendship was affirmed in a hand-fasting ceremony one year ago, in Rollene's home. Rollene's daughter Rev. Barbara Wells officiated; other UU ministers shared in the joyous celebration (including Rev. Dave Johnson, Rev.Jeanne Pupke, Rev. Jaco ten Hove, and Rev. Dave Weissbard). Memorial service arrangements for Rollene are pending, and will be announced at a later date.
Building Our Future
Good News regarding the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy! We have received full access to all our new spaces! Find out what this means for WUU by reading the full message from BOF chair, Allen Cooke, here! Click Here
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!
Building Our Future 2016-Construction
There has been a lot going on here on the WUU Campus. Click Here to see the latest photos.
