Dear Ones,      

 April is the month in which we explore the theme of The Gift of Interdependence. When Unitarian Universalists think of interdependence, we often think of the interdependent web of existence that we see at play when we think about the earth and the plants and animals who share it with us. Our connection to these things requires that, given our power, and ability to think and reason, we be good stewards of the earth. For the earth cannot sustain us unless we do what we can to sustain it. But the interdependent web is about more than just our connection to the physical world, it is about the connection we have to one another, and what we do within the boundaries of those connections. More and more we are seeing how the actions, or inaction, of any one of us, can affect people we might not have considered, but perhaps should have. Grace Lee Boggs the author and activist said “We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ it’s always about critical connections.” What are some of the critical connections in your life?

I will be away this coming Sunday and a guest will deliver the sermon, Rev. Winnie Gordon. She is the minister at the Unitarian New Meeting in Birmingham, England in the UK. She was a phenomenal host to me when I visited there in September, and I am glad that she can share her words with us. The topic of her sermon is ” The Lure to Interdependency Away from Individualism.”

As many of you may know, we share what we receive in our Sunday offering plate with organizations that do charitable work in the community. Since October, we have been sharing 25% of what we receive, and it has been split up between two different organizations each month. Starting this month, we will be giving away 50% of what we receive, but only to one organization. This month, the beneficiary of our offering plate is the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center. You can find out more about them here: https://jcoc.org/.

In honor of the connections that I hope we all find, and that might bring about the change we hope to see in the world, I close this week with a song by OneRepublic, “Connection.”

In peace and love,

Rev. Viola

Rev. Viola Abbitt  (She/Her/Hers)
Minister
Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists
809 South Military Highway
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Office: 1-757-627-5371x3Mobile: 1-757-354-4541
My Sabbath is on Fridays.
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