Dear Ones,
What we do not often think about when we think of pluralism is what is required to have it in the first place. It would be nice to say that the recognition of the celebration of all sacred beings was universal, but it is not. And while none of us like conflict, there are those who put themselves in between us and those who would do us harm. The people who serve in the various branches of our military do exactly that. And sometimes, they pay the ultimate sacrifice. This weekend the nation is recognizing Memorial Day, a holiday honoring those who have fallen in service to our country. May we never forget them.
This coming Sunday, Jake Hearen will be our guest in the pulpit. He is currently in the Army Reserve Chaplain Program at the Unitarian Universalist Association. His sermon is titled “Remembering More Than Just Boots.” I hope you will be able to attend.
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly (GA) will be taking place from June 20th to June 23rd, and this year it is 100% virtual! GA is where the business of the UUA takes place, and this year the most important business will be the vote on the proposed revisions to Article II of the bylaws of the UUA. As a member congregation of the UUA, CVUU is entitled to have delegates present to participate in this significant decision. If you want to represent CVUU and be one of our delegates, please email me at minister@c-vuu.org.
We are having a LIVE baked goods auction after the service on June 2nd. Funds will benefit CVUU’s music program and help to defray any costs related to the Joe Jencks concert the following week. If you want to register to bake something to be auctioned off, you can sign up at this link: https://coastalvirginiauu.breezechms.com/form/bd8586. More importantly, attend the auction and bid on some of the delectable offerings people will make. I will be baking a cheesecake and a batch of my oatmeal craisin cookies. I hope the bidding will be fierce!
And as for the Joe Jencks concert, it is on Saturday, June 8th at 7:30 pm. It should be a wonderful evening. Mark your calendars, invite your family and friends, and buy your tickets before they sell out! I hope to see many of you there.
This month, we are giving away 50% of what we receive in our Sunday offering plate to Divine Inspiration Outreach (DIO). DIO is an organization in Chesapeake serving single women in crisis, ages 18 to 65. These women are past the emergency shelter phase and are getting ready to get into supportive housing. The women Divine Inspiration houses are given help to overcome trauma, and supported with life skills and boundaries training, budgeting and saving skills, and employment help. The goal is to enable these women to reach their highest level of self-sufficiency in the community. To learn more about DIO, visit their website at https://divineio.org/.
In honor of Memorial Day weekend, I close with “You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell.
In peace and love,
Rev. Viola
Rev. Viola Abbitt (She/They)
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.
To schedule an appointment, go to
Schedule time with me