What Can We Say that Hasn't Been Said Already? |
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A nation that has become numb to the violence we inflict on each other is grieving with families who have lost loved ones in yet another senseless mass shooting. There are so many mass shootings that we lost count long ago. Once again, there is the special outrage and horror that the victims were young children. My granddaughters are visiting. It is not hard to imagine at least a bit of the enraged, heartbroken grief that parents and grandparents of children in Uvalde are feeling. Yes, I am giving my grandkids an extra hug. Yes, I am holding the families grieving such an unspeakable horror in my heart and prayers. Yes, I am making support of sensible gun policies more and more central to how I cast my votes in local, state, and federal elections. Yes, I am contacting my representatives in Congress. Yes, I am seeking ways to actually work toward making mental health services more affordable and more readily available (and not just saying I'll do this with no intention of actually doing it). Yes, I am doing all of this. Again.
And, again, it feels like it won't make any difference. Again, it's not enough. As has been true for decades and in the wake of thousands of mass shootings (including some 212 just in these less than five months of 2022), more--much more--needs to be done. Our society is awash in hatred, bigotry, horrible treatment of kids that turns too many of them from victims into perpetrators before they're adults, fewer affordable treatment and support for families struggling with mental illness, ever more graphic depictions of staged and, increasingly, real violence, and guns that are designed with one purpose: to kill a lot of people in as short an amount of time as possible. Many of us keep saying and doing all of this. We keep trying. And it seems to only get worse.
I don't have any magic answers. I'll publicly wrestle with this on Sunday in the sermon on pacifism. I'll wrestle with it again later next month when I do a sermon on "What Can Save Us Now?" I'll wrestle with it again on July 3 when I do a sermon on American exceptionalism. I expect you will all keep wrestling with all this, too. Neither you nor I will find easy answers. But through this beloved community, we will accompany and help each other in the struggle. We will help each other lament and grieve and search for how we can help our country find a better way. We will be better, more whole (while still with aching hearts), more dedicated people and citizens because of this congregation and our UU faith.
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Rev. Roger Bertchausen
Interim Lead Minister
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Theme questions for May:
- When were you first healed by simplicity?
- When were you first protected by beauty?
- When did simplicity first teach you something?
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SUNDAYS UPCOMING & WORSHIP INFORMATION |
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Our services are held at 9 and 11am, for both in-person and on Zoom worship. All in-person worship leaders have provided confirmation of vaccination.
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This Sunday, May 29 A Difficult Meditation on Pacificism with Rev. Roger Bertschausen |
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Sunday, June 5 Flower Communion Join us for this treasured spring tradition. Bring a flower from your garden, or the roadside, or a store for a lovely common bouquet; you’ll receive one in return! (And if you can’t bring a flower - no worries; we’ll have plenty!) See more information below about a call for photos. With special music from the choir ensemble.
Sunday, June 12 The State of WBUUC with Rev. Roger Bertschausen and special music from guest musician flautist Biance Najera. On June 12, we will switch to our summer schedule of one service at 10am with The Annual Meeting of White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church immediately following the service. More details to come about the annual meeting in a special eNews on Friday.
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To attend worship in-person: |
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In-person worship pre-registration isn't required
but it will speed up the required check-in process at church:
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To attend worship virtually: |
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Sunday Service | 9 & 11am
Computer, tablet, or smartphone:
Password: WBUUC328
By phone: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 743 728 311
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Cyber Social Hour | 10:00am & 12:00pm
Computer, tablet, or smartphone:
Password: WBUUC328
By phone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 925 9029 4884
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FLOWER COMMUNION CALL FOR PHOTOS |
As part of our Flower Communion on June 5, we'd like to include a slideshow of flowers. Please send an image or two of flowers you've photographed (horizontal orientation preferred) to web@wbuuc.org by end of day on June 2 to be included in this virtual bouquet. Thank you!
Photo by Dana Boyle
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LAND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE SAYS THANK YOU! |
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The WBUCC spring clean up day was a huge success! A big thank you to the 25 steadfast volunteers. An outdoor lunch provided by the Men's Group was appreciated with time to catch up with old and new friends. Also, The Woodland Restoration project is grateful for the donation of $3193 on Earth Day. The funds will assist in the purchase of several new trees for the woods this coming summer. We look forward to a continuation of caring for our Earth here on Maple Street – Thank you! |
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JUSTICE & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES |
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Dining for Dollars is Back & Bidding is Open |
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D4$ is a popular church fundraiser and friend-raiser in which church members host dinners, parties, or other food-oriented entertainment. Members and friends bid on the available seats at the events in a silent auction format after services. If you aren’t attending services in-person, you can click here to download the bid book, make your selections and then contact organizer, Mark King, (marktking@mac.com) to place your bid or find out more information.
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Social Justice Partnerships: Project Home – It is not too late to help |
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The Special Collection on May 22 was for Project Home, a program of Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. WBUUC housed families overnight in our church during the month of September for more than 10 years. Hundreds of WBUUC members donated thousands of hours to Project Home to support families experiencing homelessness.
When the pandemic restrictions halted church-based overnights, Project Home sought alternatives. Families are currently housed at Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet’s Provincial House in St. Paul. In addition to shelter, Project Home assists families in finding permanent housing, employment, education, child care, transportation and more to support family success. Our contributions remain essential to provide services and support families.
Thank you for sharing in WBUUC’s commitment to support families experiencing homelessness.
You can donate in 3 ways:
- Online: http://bit.ly/give-to-wbuuc – indicate HOME
- Send a check to WBUUC with HOME on the memo line.
- Text to Give with text to 651-615-5551 and the “amount HOME" (For example, if you want to give $25, put this in the text: 25 HOME)
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SUNDAY SERVICE IS ON YOUTUBE |
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MEDITATION REQUESTS & MINISTERIAL OFFICE HOURS |
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If you would like to have a joy, a sorrow, or a life event shared in our time of meditation and prayer in the Sunday service, please complete this form. You may also use this form to request prayers, ask for support from the congregation, and just to let us know what is going on with you. https://wbuuc.breezechms.com/form/MeditationRequest
Ministerial Office Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday, 12-1 pm, in-person at church
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To submit items for our weekly eNews, please use this form:
Submissions are due by Tuesday at 3pm.
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