WUU News

It’s time to register for 2023-2024 Religious Education! On September 10, WUU Religious Education begins the 2023-2024 year, with classes for children and youth at WUU most Sundays from 10:20-11:20. Here’s what we’ll be offering for families on Sunday mornings: Preschool: The Rainbow Connection Lower Elementary: Soul Matters Upper Elementary and Middles: Soul Matters YRUU (High School): Soul Matters For Soul Matters, this year’s overarching frame is The Gifts of Our Faith. We’ll focus on ten beloved UU values and explore their potential to shape us and, in turn, shape the world. In addition to our Sunday classes, we’ll also offer Our Whole Lives…

by Natalie Miller-Moore, OWL Facilitator As part of WUU’s commitment to lifelong learning, and our belief that sexuality is part of the human experience the entire time… We’re excited to announce a new Our Whole Lives class for adults 55 and over! The curriculum, released by the UUA in 2021, includes exploring ideas about sexuality and values, and even if you think you know what yours may be, it will be a conversation about the evolving language and constructs in our culture. There are some specialized topics including dating as an older adult, reframing sexuality, disability and chronic illness, dealing…

by Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education Please join me in thanking our team of trained Our Whole Lives (OWL) facilitators. Each of these volunteers has volunteered time in a weekend long training to help our WUUs examine and learn about their sexuality. Stephanie Hasselbacher Dave Wilcox Lauren Weeks WUU Religious Education is proud to offer Our Whole Lives to rising high school juniors and seniors starting in August 2023 according to the following schedule. Student Orientation: Sunday, August 20, 11:30-12:30 at WUU Parent Orientation UPDATED DATE & TIME: Monday, September 11, 6:00pm at WUU—required for all participants Class Dates: September 19…

by Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education Stephanie recently traveled to Florida for a weekend long intensive training to become certified as an Our Whole Lives facilitator. The level of commitment from our facilitators is huge, and is a gift to the community. Please join me in thanking Stephanie for her time and energy. Stay tuned for a big announcement about OWL! Are you interested in learning more?  Here are some resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association. Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has…

YUUP (the Young UU Project) is an inclusive community care network on Discord for high school aged UUs and those in their first year as an adult. In order for your youth to join they need parent permission. Please fill out and submit your information and e-signature on this Parent Permission Form. YUUP is all about creating a safer online space where youth can be their wonderful selves. There are 5 youth and adult Community moderators who support everyone in following the YUUP Rules and Covenant. This server follows the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Youth Safety Guidelines which means: Invite links are only…

by Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education One of the speakers at General Assembly this year, Betty-Jean Reuters Ward, is also going to be speaking at WUU! Check out this leader in youth empowerment included on page 28 of the General Assembly program booklet. Our very own Youth Ministry in 2023 & Beyond workshop will take place at WUU on July 23. Details are below. Teen Ministry Training: Sunday, July 23 @ 11:30 am Please join us at WUU on Sunday July 23, 2023 at 11:30 for lunch and an interactive workshop on Youth Ministry in 2023 and Beyond. Our presenter is the esteemed…

by Les Solomon, WUU Board Secretary The headlines read: Unitarian Universalists Elect Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt to Serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association at General Assembly. Former president Rev. Dr. Susan Fredrick Gray retired after 6 years of leadership through the challenges of COVID and institutional change. Rev. Betancourt has an amazing resume and represents an increasingly diverse UUA. She received 95% of the votes. For most congregants, the key headline would be: Will the delegates affirm the next step of Article II with a vote of more than 50% in preparation for the final vote next year?…

Front row, L to R: Pat Russo, VP; Linda Lane-Hamilton, President; Franz Gross, Finance Chair; Les Solomon, Secretary. Back row, L to R: Kerry Mellette, Phoebe Kent, Angela Surber, Melissa Stump, Katrina Landon What’s been happening around WUU?? June was a busier month than normal, beginning with the annual congregational meeting June 4 and ending with Rev. Laura’s last week as our minister and attending her final board meeting on June 28. We said goodbye to Rev. Laura. We said a formal goodbye to each other at the June 18 worship service, with the children making painted rocks and a…

by the Soul Matters Sharing Circle team Because the road turns long and lonely sometimes, I built this box of delight. I picked up the lid and into it I put… My children laughing, together. The look of giddy disbelief on my mother’s face when that black-capped chickadee swooped in and landed next to her knee, waking her up from her Alzheimered daze. The bitter bite of rhubarb pie smothered by a spoonful of half-melted vanilla ice cream. That field of fireflies at the bottom of the West Virginia hills. Roahl Dahl or Neil Gaiman’s books read at bedtime. Kick…