By the Social Justice Team Are you eager to learn more about the exciting new Social Justice program, Journey to Asylum? Want to know how you can help change the life of a migrant family even as you shelter at home? Join us on Tuesday, June 2, at 7pm via Zoom (meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/92537206900?pwd=dUkydWNOaVY3KzBCVlZkbjJlVy9aZz09). As people of conscience, we are called to do this work, to respond to the injustice of an immigration system that dehumanizes migrants and establishes prohibitive legal hurdles to safe haven in this country. As UUs, our commitment to respect the inherent worth and dignity of all… By the Soul Matters Sharing Circle Team It might seem like one of our easier monthly themes. After all, compassion sounds…well, nice. It conjures up a bunch of warm feelings. Images come to mind of people telling each other they are keeping them in their thoughts. It would seem to be all about emotional connection and empathetic feeling. But then along comes a quote like this: “Compassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others.” -Andrew Boyd Or this: “True compassion… From our Board president, Jessica O’Brien: I’m sure most of you are aware of the Federal Government’s CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) which was signed into law on March 27th. This Act includes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which offers loans to organizations of less than 500 employees to help them keep employees on the payroll. These loans have very favorable terms—there is a forgivable amount equal to about 80% of the loan, and an interest rate of only 1% on the remaining loan, all or part of which can be prepaid with no penalty. In… All are invited to gather on Zoom on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. for an online memorial service for Larry Ventis. Though we cannot safely gather physically, we will gather in virtual community with Larry’s family and friends from across the country, to share memories, music, and community. Use this Zoom link to join on May 3: https://zoom.us/j/96708082818?pwd=SFVlS0xXaU5LK3lPdW0va0hRdjdYZz09. Online log in: zoom.us; meeting ID: 967 0808 2818; password: zoom4wuu Dial in: 1-646-558-8656; meeting ID: 967 0808 2818#; password: 830590# View the program for the memorial service here. By the Soul Matters Sharing Circle Team When encountering thresholds, we often talk as if our work is that of successfully “passing through” them. We speak of “making healthy transitions.” We seek out advice and support as we decide which thresholds to lean into and which to resist. The goal, it would seem, is figuring out how to travel forward in the right way. But what if the true invitation of a threshold is not to successfully move from here to there, but instead to just sit and pause? What if we saw thresholds as resting places rather than as those moving… Virtual gatherings provide us with invaluable opportunities to connect with familiar faces and provide fellowship and support from wherever we are. Of course, learning new technology comes with its own set of challenges, and we continue to be inspired by so many members of the WUU community who are working hard to become familiar with new applications and make the most of our online experience. We thank John Trindle for the following online-meeting tips and tricks that will help us enjoy our virtual gatherings even more! We want to see your lovely faces! Please turn on a light, or open a… By Jessica O’Brien April 2020 Hello congregation. I prepared a president’s report last month (late February), but it quickly became irrelevant as the virus took over our lives. I will attempt to catch you up on Board matters—concisely. But before that, let me tell you a bit about last Saturday’s Tidewater Cluster Extended Leadership Experience. It was very interesting. We talked about Core Values–what are WUU’s Core Values and do we support them with everything we do. In small breakout sessions that split the WUU attendees into two different groups, our group identified our Core Values as 1) caring for each other; 2) expanding… By Dave Wilcox Our Williamsburg UU community is filled with many amazing people and there are plenty of meaningful ways that we can invest our energy and find sustenance within the confines of our congregation. Here, however, I’d like to shine some light on opportunities that we have to connect with the larger UU world. There are innumerable ways that we can benefit from participating with the UUA, our Southern Region, and our local Tidewater Cluster. In addition, there are many other UU opportunities that people from WUU enjoy each year. I’ll share a few of them here. The Unitarian… Dear WUU Community, I hope you are staying safe and well in these extraordinary times. First let me say, it has been wonderful to be with so many of you in Zoom worship and lots of other groups and meetings. Each Sunday morning I’ve been scrolling through the little windows on my screen and delight in seeing your faces and names, waving hello, just being with you in this new online space. I’m very proud of this congregation and how we have come together to support one another and our larger community. But it hasn’t been easy. We’ve been through so much already. It was… By the Soul Matters Sharing Circle Team True wisdom comes in understanding that sometimes, you are both the prison and the key. – Johnathan Jena Jena is right. Liberation is much more complicated than we usually tell ourselves. It would be so much easier if life really was divided up neatly between the good and bad guys, between those trapped and those holding the key. There are certainly times when the fight for freedom is about calling out and challenging “those people.” But true liberation seems to rest with those who have the courage to start with themselves and notice…
Join Us Tuesday to Learn More about Journey to Asylum: An Immigrant Justice Initiative
What Does It Mean to Be A People of Compassion?
Good News about Our WUU Finances, Leaders, and Staff
Memorial Service for Larry Ventis
What Does It Mean To Be A People of Thresholds?
Helpful Tips for Online Gatherings
WUU President’s Report
The Larger UU World
Notes from the Minister
What Does It Mean To Be A People Of Liberation?
