WUU News

Have you noticed the new art installation in the hallway at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists? Les Solomon built this wonderful and engaging board that can be used for various activities. Many thanks go out to Donna Stanford for helping to create this opportunity for folks to interact using our creativity.

WALT is back for the Fall 2018 semester from Oct 1 – Nov 18. Please take a look at our new website at www.williamsburgarealearningtree.org!

Deb Snyder is a rare native-born Washingtonian and Kirk Starr grew up in southern Pennsylvania. They met in a college computer class when Kirk caught Deb copying off his homework. Of course, it was love at first sight. Deb switched careers mid-life from social work to IT project management working for a local government.
Kirk was a computer engineer and a homeless shelter volunteer in the DC area. After retiring, Deb and Kirk pulled up stakes and joined the US Peace Corps as “vintage volunteers” serving in rural Jamaica as literacy specialists.

GREAT NEWS! Dr. Ysaye Barnwell and the “Building a Vocal Community” workshop will return to Williamsburg on
January 25-26, 2019.

Thanks to our registration team, registration is now open for this year’s Tidewater Cluster which will be hosted by the WUU on Saturday, October 13th!

The September beta test of this new ministry is drawing to an end, giving the coordinators and team leaders the opportunity to try it out. Thanks to all who helped with that.

We have a wonderful opportunity to help lift the spirits of some of our William and Mary Unitarian Universalist Circle members as exam time comes around. If you would like to participate, please drop a donation for a care package for a student who needs some calm and encouragement.

On Sunday, October 14, we are introducing a newcomer to the Share the Plate lineup – the STP recipient will be Hampton Roads Refugee Relief (HR3). Their mission is “to promote self-sufficiency and wellness of refugees resettling in Hampton Roads.” The organization provides refugees with additional education, links them with employers, assists with housing and transportation, familiarizes them with available social services, assists with medical care and more. These activities ease the transition to the United States and make sure refugees have every opportunity to succeed and become productive members of society.

This has been an eventful first month as your new WUU President. Then again, September is always the beginning of the busy time for everyone in addition to the start of hurricane season. I have big shoes to fill, following Les Solomon. Thankfully he is right by my side as Vice-President while I get oriented.

his month our theme is this: What does it mean to be a people of Sanctuary?

In worship, on Oct. 7 we’ll explore the contemporary “Sanctuary movement” to protect vulnerable immigrants. All are encouraged to come to a café conversation after the second service to learn about how WUUs can help. Then on Oct. 23 we’ll consider ancient spiritual teachings on creating “sanctuary” for ourselves within our own minds and hearts.