by David Hopkinson, Co-chair, Lay Pastoral Care Associates In these pandemic times, many of us are stressed and lonely, dealing with problems and challenges that strain our ability to cope. Sometimes a supportive listening ear can make all the difference. If you could use that kind of support, the Lay Pastoral Associates at WUU are here for you. If you would like to learn more, or access our services, notify Rev. Laura, speak to one of us, or email lpca@wuu.org. The WUU Lay Pastoral Care Associates are a team of (7) WUU members selected, trained and co-led by David Hopkinson and Jane Reilly. We provide support services… by the Soul Matters Sharing Circle team Jewish teaching includes frequent reminders of the importance of a broken-open heart, as in this Hasidic tale: A disciple asks the rebbe: “Why does Torah tell us to ‘place these words upon your hearts’? Why does it not tell us to place these holy words in our hearts?” The rebbe answers: “It is because as we are, our hearts are closed, and we cannot place the holy words in our hearts. So we place them on top of our hearts. And there they stay until, one day, the heart breaks and the words… by Joe Cross, Facilities Manager The upkeep of the WUU facilities in a normal state has been a challenge in the midst of the pandemic. Though we do not have regular use of our facilities, they still have to be maintained as though we could re-open at short notice. We all have a debt of gratitude to each other for the continuing support of WUU even when we are unable to be there in person. I am the least of those in awe of this support. The pandemic has increased everyone’s awareness of conservation of scarce resources, not only in… Dear WUU Community, We’re almost there. So many of you have been working so hard to tip the scales in this election toward our Unitarian Universalist values of justice, compassion, and respect for all beings. Whatever comes next—and I’m hopeful—we will keep on bringing those values into the world. And whatever comes next, there will be a need for healing, after all that we’ve been through. I want to let you know about three immediate opportunities for spiritual support around the election, should you need it (you’ll find the details in our weekly Spiral email too): Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Spiritual Grounding for Election… Dear WUU Community, It’s the anxiety that’s been getting me this month. As we get closer and closer to the November election, I’ve been feeling more and more jangly and jittery. So much is at stake. Like you, I fervently hope this election will put our nation on a better path. And like you, I am sitting with the truth that we don’t know what’s going to happen. In times like this, it’s all too easy to get caught up in an anxious spiral. Maybe we’re waking up in the middle of the night, worried and tense, unable to rest… by the Soul Matters Sharing Circle team This is your chance to listen carefully. Your whole life might depend on what you hear. – Joyce Sutphen Listening helps us find our way. The listening of therapists allows us to navigate our way through life. We turn to prayer to hear God’s guidance. We listen to experts so we can get ahead. Like a flashlight that leads us through the darkness, listening helps us keep on course. And yet our faith says not quite. There’s so much more to it than that. Listening doesn’t just guide us through the world, it says. It also… by the Soul Matters Sharing Circle team September is a season of homecoming for us UUs. And renewal is central to that. At the opening of each new church year, we renew our commitments to each other and our church community. We renew our energy for another year of journeying together. It’s also a time of renewing our renewal questions. Yes, that sounds odd, but it’s essential to understanding the importance of this month, and the importance of our faith. You see, one of the less noticed roles of religion is its sneaky way of changing our lives by asking… Dear WUU Community, Has anyone else been feeling a bit testy lately? The other day I caught myself snapping at my spouse over some small incident I can’t even remember any more. Then last week I hit a couple of days where my energy level just plummeted, and I had to force myself to slog through tasks that I usually find easy and fun. From listening to many of you, I don’t think it’s just me. The dual pandemic of Covid-19 and deadly racism—as we saw manifested just last week in Kenosha, Wisconsin with the tragic shooting of Jacob Blake—is taking its toll on all… M and the Journey to Asylum team have spent the first month of her stay with us setting up all of the basic services that one needs to start a new life. M has begun English classes, is setting job training goals, and working on enrolling the kids in Early Head Start and Kindergarten, among many other things. We now have a team of seven volunteer interpreters helping with the program on a daily basis (mostly remotely)! We are also excited to welcome the UU Fellowship of the Peninsula as partners in the project. They will be providing monthly financial… The WUU congregation is a Welcoming, Worshiping, Witnessing Congregation. We express that in many ways, one of which is by offering a warm welcome to all who come through our doors each Sunday. Five teams, each of approximately 70 people, rotate through the months, one team per month, greeting each person who enters WUU’s doors on Sunday mornings, supporting the services, answering questions, and providing refreshments. The teams include congregation members, friends, and even visitors – of all ages. As we say to each other in every service, “All are worthy; all are welcome.” During the current pandemic as…
News from the Lay Pastoral Care Associates
What Does It Mean To Be A People of Healing?
Volunteerism Is Alive and Well at WUU
Notes from the Minister
Notes from the Minister
What Does It Mean To Be A People of Deep Listening?
What Does It Mean to Be a People of Renewal?
Notes from the Minister
Update on Journey to Asylum
WUU Hospitality Ministry
