Dear WUUs,
Though I see many of you every Sunday and in between too, it’s been a while since I’ve shared a written update with you. I’m experimenting with different ways of communicating and thought I would try sharing an update every two or three months, highlighting a few new things coming up in the life of the congregation. I’d love to hear your feedback on how this format works for you; please email me at revlaura@wuu.org or call me with any suggestions you have.
This month, we’re gearing up to host the Winter Shelter week once again in partnership with the Community of Faith Mission. Many thanks to all who have signed up to check in guests, serve meals, take overnight shifts, and lots of other tasks. If you’d still like to help and haven’t signed up yet, click here for the signup form.
And please don’t forget to vote in the presidential primary election today! As we head toward November, WUU social justice folks are starting to get organized around ways we can get out the vote, prevent voter suppression, and share our values in the wider community. If you’d like to get involved, check out the national UU the Vote campaign and/or email our social justice chairs at socialjustice@wuu.org.
Within our WUU community, spring tends to be a busy and hopeful season. It was great to see so many of you at the Annual Giving Campaign kickoff this past Sunday. This congregation is truly generous, and we appreciate each and every one of your gifts so much. If you have any questions about pledging, please reach out to our campaign chair Ben Puckett. You can drop off your pledge in the office if you like, or simply call or email our new Financial Assistant Felicity Montgomery. And if you’d like to make a pledge online, here’s the link.
I’ve also been very excited to watch the new Senior Companions group take off. This group of WUU seniors has been drawing 30-40 people to their meetings each month. In February, I had the pleasure of being part of a panel about what different religions can offer older people toward the end of our lives; the discussion afterwards was lively, vulnerable, and profound. If you identify as a senior, I encourage you to check out one of their upcoming meetings on the second Monday of the month, or email seniorsleaders@wuu.org to learn more.
Let’s also talk for a moment about the coronavirus, which is all over the news these days. This is a new virus with many unknowns, and it seems likely that it will spread to Virginia eventually. To be on the safe side, our WUU leaders and staff have started to take a few precautionary steps to keep our congregation a healthy place for everyone. So, you’ll notice a few small changes in Sunday worship, like inviting people to bump elbows instead of shaking hands if they wish. For now, we’ve also decided to stop setting out the rocks and water (which can easily spread germs) on the joys and sorrows table. Our hand sanitizer stations are ready at the main and side doors, and we encourage everyone to keep washing your hands frequently. We also remind everyone to stay home if you are sick, and to be familiar with our sick child guidelines. Those are the key points for now. We’ll keep monitoring the situation and adjust our response as needed. Thanks so much in advance for your cooperation, and please do let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
On a more personal note, I’m so mindful that this has also been a season of loss for our congregation. Just since January, we have lost three members of the congregation. I watch you reaching out to one another, and I am so grateful for the spirit of kindness and care that is present among us. But it’s been a lot of loss, in a short time, and that cannot help but take a toll on us. I hope you will take gentle care of yourselves as you care for each other.
This month in worship we’ll take up the theme of Wisdom. In this season of political anxiety, personal grief, and hope rising up with the spring in spite of everything, I’ll leave you for now with these wise words from the Hindu Upanishads which have often brought comfort to me:
From ignorance, lead us to truth;
From darkness, lead us to light;
From death, lead us to immortality.
Bless you all and see you soon,
Rev. Laura