by the WUU Sabbatical Team
During our minister’s four-month sabbatical, starting in August, WUU will experience a variety of Sunday services, including from area UU ministers, members of our congregation, and speakers from our area.
UU ministers include Rev. Andrew Millard from the Peninsula UU Fellowship; Rev. Viola Abbitt, newly installed at Coastal Virginia UU in Virginia Beach; Rev. Doug McCusker from the UU Fellowship in Fredericksburg; and Rev. Kathy Rolenz of Charlottesville, leaving her two-year interim ministry with All-Souls in Washington DC this month. Annette Marquis from the Richmond UU congregation, and former UUA LGBTQ/Multicultural Programs director, will talk about deepening our faith.
Janna Roche and Nicki Peet, both WUUs and both ministers, are not only serving as our sabbatical “emergency” and transitions ministers but will be presenting worship services.
Several area speakers will provide services—Rabbi Dave Katz, to talk about anti-semitism in our area; and Nicole Wallace, a CW interpreter who will talk about her research into the black “Bray School” and how that information has changed historical interpretation. WUU favorite Steve Delaney will help us celebrate St. Cecilia Sunday (St. Cecilia is the patron of musicians) and lead the service the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
We will have several WUU traditional services, coordinated and lead by Worship Associate Co-chairs Susan Walkley and Liz Wiley—Water Communion the Sunday after Labor Day, and Day of the Dead the end of October. Several more services with area speakers are being arranged now.
Each speaker is sent a copy of the WUU covenant and asked to address one of the principles. Many services will include a From the Heart from WUU members. Several services also can provide opportunities for true intergenerational services with children participating—such as the Water Communion and the Animal Blessing Sundays.
The final list of Sunday services will be published in a sabbatical pamphlet in July. This pamphlet will be a one-stop source of information for All Things Sabbatical—information about what a sabbatical is; a list of Sunday services; contact information for caring, transition ceremonies such as weddings, and emergencies; and much more.
For questions, contact the sabbatical team at sabbatical@wuu.org.
Co-chairs Linda Lane-Hamilton and Pat Russo
Phoebe Kent, Jane Reilly, Angela Surber