by Dave Wilcox, WUU Tidewater Cluster Liaison
The Tidewater Cluster Gathering is coming up on April 20, 2024. Unitarian Universalists from seven congregations, Fredericksburg to Richmond, are converging in Newport News at the Hilton Christian Church, for a full day of fun, learning, worship, and community.
If that sounds good to you, please sign up now so that we can make sure to prepare enough food!
Your registration of $30 for adults and $10 for youth (with financial support available—just ask Rev. Michelle and she’ll get that set up for you) covers everything: childcare if you need it; breakfast, lunch, and snacks; a keynote from the inspiring Rev Dr. Megan Foley; and a whole range of workshops on topics ranging from social justice to spiritual practices. WUUs Deborah Fabian, Jessica Sapalio, Jennifer Sims, John Whitley, Chris Faia, Linda Lane-Hamilton, and Asha McLaughlin are all leading workshops, along with leaders from our neighbor congregations.
I guarantee that you’ll have a chance to meet and chat with lots of UU neighbors. People show up ready to connect and enjoy each other’s company.
And, if you’re on the fence about whether this is for you, consider the why.
Why gather, why connect with people from congregations we’ve maybe never been to?
So many reasons:
- If you’re new to Unitarian Universalism, you’ll get a fuller sense of what this faith is all about. There’s something magic that happens when people from multiple congregations come together—the energy is high, we discover similarities and differences in how each congregation does things, and we come away with a richer sense of what it means to be a UU.
- If you’re a congregational leader, you’ll discover you are not alone! Leaders from other congregations are wrestling with similar challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties, and they’re ready and willing to help you figure it all out.
- If you’re a history buff, remember that you’ll be re-enacting a living tradition of congregations gathering together for mutual support that goes all the way back to the 1648 Cambridge Platform that laid out how the churches of our religious ancestors would work together.
- If you’re wondering about what’s going on with the revisions to our Seven Principles—another time-honored tradition among us—there’s a whole workshop devoted to that.
- If you would like to spend time swapping notes and ideas with other UU RE teachers, there is time set aside for that.
- If you are energized behind supporting our youth and young adults, there are two workshops focused on that.
There is a lot more information on the Cluster website. Just let me know if you have any questions. And remember, sign up soon! Hope to see you there.