CVUU Monthly News ADMIN & COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATION

February 2020 Issue 25 ‘Building Council A Word from Rev. Justine Sullivan Sunday’ is Feb. 9th There is a balm in Gilead where they have Do you ever wonder how this to make the wounded whole. no people and no amazing new church home we There is a balm in Gilead resources. The have built works? Every wish you to heal the sinsick soul. policies of this could help, but just did not know administration how? The words of this African American spiritu- have seen roll- al offer healing and comfort to a world- backs of environ- Sunday, February 9th will be Build- weary people. I have just returned from a mental protec- ing Council Sunday! We will learn week-long trip to El Salvador, a country tions, assaults on a little about the Building Council whose people, especially poor and often the rights of les- during our Sunday service but the indigenous people, have suffered and have bian, gay, bisexual, and especially big opportunity will come during found refuge and solace in religion. I transgender people, and for the first time coffee hour. All of the teams who would not presume to equate political dis- in decades, women’s self-determination in make up the Building Council will appointment with the kind of suffering that matters of reproductive health is in great have tables set up on third floor people of African descent have experi- jeopardy. Politics may seem irrelevant and during coffee hour. You can visit enced in the United States or that of poor frustrating, but elections – elections at the various teams, enjoy special and largely indigenous people of El Salva- every level – have consequences, and we treats and talk to members about dor and other Latin American coun- must all exercise our freedom of the ballot what they do and how you can tries. These days we are learning, howev- box. help. er, that political contests have real-world consequences. Please, everyone, make sure you are regis- It takes a lot of love and work to tered to vote and then vote on election keep our building functioning, The policies of the current administration day. No matter your party affiliation or clean and attractive. If all of us do have led to great harm with children being your view on a particular issue, vote. Vote a little piece, it is a much more separated from their parents at the border, for candidates who support your highest manageable task. We look forward and those seeking asylum being “detained” ideals. Use your vote to give voice to the to talking with you on the 9th and in prison, only to be returned to the coun- voiceless, to those who have been re- working with you in the future. try where they have been persecuted or, moved from the rolls – often illegally. Be a Judy Welp perhaps worse still, sent to a third country Cont. page 2

Page 2

NEST begins Feb. 3rd we don’t want, on 2nd floor of CVUU. They are by Patricia CVUU hosts Norfolk’s Emergency Shelter what behavior is out of Jacobson who attends CVUU.

Team (NEST) Feb. 5 - Feb 11. Our NEST bounds. We spend less So many of the people who resisted organizers have filled all volunteer posi- time, though, on talk- threats and violence in order to obtain tions, but are still accepting donations of ing about how we work voting rights were ordinary people. This is underwear, lunch bag items and warm through conflict and an attempt to give a feeling of who they clothing (looking for larger sizes – call each other back are. The drawings of Hartman Turnbow, undershirts in sizes L-3XL & t-shirts in sizes into covenant. This Ozell Mitchell and Youth Marching for Civil L-3XL). The donation bin is in the foyer! class offers tools for Rev. Smith Rights are adapted from photos from Julie Hurst is also looking for extra names communicating clearly and directly and “Minds Stayed on Freedom: The Civil for a volunteer back-up list in case of last- also compassionately. All are welcome. Rights Struggle in the Rural South”, an oral minute cancellations. If you would like to We will meet in the sanctuary. Light lunch history by the 8th and 9th graders attend- be on the emergency list, contact her: will be served. Click the link below to en- ing the Rural Organizing and Cultural Cen- [email protected]. roll. We are also opening this offering to ter in 1989 in Holmes County, Mississippi. our neighbors in Newport News, Williams- Bob Moses, just out of college, was the Learn Compassionate Communication burg, and the Outer Banks. Please sign up organizer for Mississippi voter registration. Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith will offer a day- so our presenter knows how many materi- long Compassionate Communication semi- als to bring and so we have enough food Death Café on Feb. 21st nar at CVUU on Saturday, Feb 8th from 9 for lunch! The Caring Team is having a Death Cafe on a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To sign up go here: https://signup.com/ Feb. 21 at CVUU. Here at CVUU, we have been talking about go/ecdEkWQ Death isn't the easiest topic to discuss, but how we are together and how we wish to chatting about mortality over a slice of be together, also known as our covenant. Civil Rights Art Display cake makes it a little easier! Often those conversations focus on what An exhibition of civil rights drawings in honor of Black History Month is on the Cont. page 3

Cont. from page 1 voice for the young, for immigrants, for all the disenfranchised people who are being left behind in this world that seems in- creasingly driven by greed and hatred over generosity and love. Remind your friends to do the same. Help them get to their polling places. Contact your elected officials to tell them what you care about and to remind them that they represent you.

Sometimes we need a balm, some healing, some care, but to me it feels like it is this republic of ours is in need of healing for its “sinsick soul.” Let us reclaim this republic, holding our elected officials to account and replacing those who put self interest above the common good. We may not win every battle or every argument or every vote, but we must stay in the fight; there is no alter- native. From the Talmud, "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to com- plete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

In faith, Justine

Rev. Justine Sullivan Interim Minister, CVUU T 757-627-5371 C 508-662-0279 [email protected]

Page 3 Cont. page 3 Foodbank – Saturday, March 7th February Join us for our Death Cafe, an opportunity The CVUU youth group is scheduled to to open up conversations about all volunteer from 9 a.m. – noon at the Food- matters relating to death and end of life. bank of South Eastern Virginia located on Birthdays We will gather drink tea and coffee‚ eat Tidewater Drive in Norfolk.

delicious cake and discuss our ends as a Teen Con – Friday, April 17th – Sunday, Happiest of wishes means to make the most of life. April 19th to Kyle Martin – 2/1; The event is free and open to the public. In April, CVUU youth will be hosting a Allie Martin - 2/2; Board Bouquets Teen Con called “It’s a UU World.” They Kate Sterling - 2/3; The CVUU Board of Directors would like are currently in the planning stages and Maryanne Donigan – to send "Board Bouquets" to the following are working with youth from UUFF to put 2/4; Brendan Do- people: this event on. We are all immensely - New Year’s Eve Dance: Mark and Ellie proud of the hard work they put in this nigan, Allen Perry, Fetterly, Michael Toepper, Jimmy Lutrell past weekend and will continue to put Joe Phibbs, Judith and ALL WHO ASSISTED WITH SET UP OR into making this event happen. Schooley & Claire CLEAN UP, Thank you! Equality Virginia Day of Action, 2/4 Thompson - 2/5; - Nursery Sanitizing: Nancy Schafer, Steve LGBTQ Lobby Day Steve Hansen & Thelma Carroll - Wallace, Tamara Hamlin, and Jean Attendees do need to register and 2/11; Asher Wilcox, Teagan & Bodhi Greggs. shouldn't wait until the last minute. The Squillace - 2/12; Caleb Woodworth & - Al Kiefer: He removed all the old tanks day's events are free, as is the fantastic Vicki Hagel – 2/17; Miriam Turpin – and plumbing (tanks were 1,400 pounds) evening reception with most of the state by himself. He also fixed the DRE's flat 2/18; Joseph Lock – 2/19; Emma Rob- government. For lunch, you can order a tire the weekend of the teen Washington sandwich box lunch when you register, or inson- 2/20; Sam Hutcheson – 2/22; D.C. and Fredericksburg trip! Sarah Marks – 2/24; Mary Jean go out to eat, or brown bag. There are Upcoming opportunities for CVUU youth excellent workshops in the afternoon. Kledzik – 2/26; Ellery Jacobs - 2/7 and NEST – Friday, February 7th Best of all, there's a free bus! Details here: Brenda Williams – 2/28. We’ll be part of the Welcome Shift by https://www.facebook.com/ providing and serving dinner. To ensure events/2714831028574382/ The bus de- we have enough food for our guests that parts Ocean View at 6:30 a.m.

evening please sign up for an item(s) here: More information here: https:// https://www.signupgenius.com/ www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/ go/70A044DA5AE2AA3F85-nest Cont. page 4 Beloved Pets of the Month

February Services

We offer a weekly service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.:

Feb. 2— “400 Years in One Month,” with Rev. Justine Sullivan Feb. 9— “Behind and Beyond Our Walls,” with Rev. Carlton Smith Feb. 16— “Facing our Fears: The Pow- er of Love,” with Rev. Ryu Feb. 23— “Moving Beyond the Shadow of Your Fears,” with Rev. Justine and Howard Adams Left: Ryan Smiley’s best friend Woody, a 10-year-old German shorthaired pointer mix Our Worship Services weave together our rescued from the VB humane society in 2016. “Just a week before my wife and I got experiences with music, beauty, poetry, married, it was a very busy week with our new housemate and he’s now family. Even and words that both comfort and chal- if all he does is sleep and snore.” Middle: Snuffy, a 14-year-old Cockapoo found on lenge. Our programs for all ages inspire Granby Street about 10 years ago. He is now living a life of comfort and ease with us, and awaken us to our capacities to Paula Echols. Right: Meet Yumi, Suzanne Miles’ furry friend. She’s an 11-year-old make a difference in our own lives and in pooch who came to the Miles household in 2012 from Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue (RIAR) the world. in Virginia Beach.

Page 4 Zipper Zupper—zip code circle suppers er area are preparing to mitigate the chal- future) and staff The Caring Team has launched a new ac- lenges associated with sea level rise. - maintain & improve our beautiful build- tivity, “ZIPPER ZUPPERS” (That translates Details: https:// ing & environs to “zip code circle suppers.”) for the last norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/events/ - cover the requisite utilities, interest, and two weeks of February. leaping-to-solutions/ operating expenses.

In other words, CVUU has grown and Stewardship campaign 2020-2021 If you are interested in contributing your some of us do not know each other even Hats off to Eric Sullivan who is heading up time and talent to this vital work, please contact him at [email protected]. in our own zip code. Winter (and all year) this year's stewardship campaign, The is a perfect time to get together in small stewardship team has chosen the theme Stay tuned - details to follow! groups for dinner, or dessert and decaf, or "Gaining Altitude" for this year. The cam- Valentine Buddy Breakfast Feb. 16th hot chocolate, hospitality and hilarity. You paign will kick off next month on Sunday, Please sign up to be a part of our child/ decide. Make it a potluck, or a themed March 15th. adult buddies while you enjoy pancakes affair—like tacos and tamales. The growth of CVUU is exciting and the and get to know each other at our Valen- Details on the big chart in the social hall! energy contagious. We now have: tine's Buddy Breakfast, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Contact Elisa Dickon: [email protected] - more children, visitors, and members, all Feb. 16th.

Climate Change Symposium actively engaged We ask that each buddy bring a “side Join the conversation affecting us allon - an abundance of lively events dish” for the breakfast as well as a small Leap Day, Sat., Feb. 29th at the Norfolk - Social Hall & 3rd floor re-make Valentine’s present (no more than a cou- Botanical Gardens. All that is required is a strong flow of fuel ple of dollars) for your buddy. For details, You will have the chance to hear from to fire the burner to: email [email protected]. local officials on how cities in the Tidewat- - support our excellent minister (current &

Page 5 Keep your eyes on upcoming legislation CVUU’s Environmental Initiative legisla- lar, including Power Purchase Agreements before the session begins, within 24 hours tion team is striving to update its posi- (which could make CVUU eligible for this of receipt. tions on environmental legislation weekly. desirable financing of a solar system.) We are monitoring and favor:

The team recommends the following Vir- 3. Responsible Fisheries Management · SB 406/HB 704. Environmental Jus- ginia legislation. Contact your legislators Act. (menhaden) (HB1448/SB791). To tice Act and share your feelings about these bills: transfer management authority of menha- · HB 1726. Authorizes Hampton Roads den from the General Assembly to the to create a real regional bus system. 1. Virginia Clean Economy Act (HB1526/ Virginia Marine Resources Commission. More information can be found at: SB851). Extremely important. Reduce use lis.virginia.gov and http:// of fossil fuels for electricity generation 4. Increasing the transparency of cam- www.vcnva.org/bill-tracker/ and increase energy efficiency. Click on paign finance in the legislature (SB217). For previous updates see our bill numbers for description. This bill advances public disclosure by webpage: https://www.c-vuu.org/justice requiring the reporting of contributions of -2/environmental-justice/ 2. Solar Freedom Act (HB572 / SB710) $1,000 or more, made in early January Promote growth of customer-owned so- Our third floor is getting a facelift!

The storage area on the third floor has been framed and is being readied for the removal of the contents of the social hall.

Two walls to accommodate doors were built upstairs at the entrance to the gathering space and a wall was removed to enlarge the middle school classroom. Another storage closet was built in the upstairs hallway. Things are moving apace!

Page 6

Understanding the Effects of Injustice Intersectionality of Poverty, and the Importance of our Moral Narrative By Steve Hansen - Poverty of opportunity, and/or First they came for exploited workers,

The opposite of pov- - Poverty of peace and I did not speak out— erty is injustice. Economic Injustice leads to labor ex- Because I was not a laborer. (Bryan Stevenson, ploitation in the form of depressed Then they came for the environmen- Founder/Executive wages, poor working conditions, lack talists, and I did not speak out— Director of the Equal of healthcare, etc. Because I was not an environmental- Justice Initiative) Environmental Injustice leads to envi- ist. The outcome of injustice always is ronmental exploitation and devasta- Then they came for LGBTs, and I did poverty in one or more forms. tion. not speak out— Because I was not The root cause of all injustice is a dis- Racial/Sex/Gender Injustice leads to LGBT. torted moral narrative driven by fear discrimination, inequality, mass Then they came for the Blacks and and greed. incarceration, and lack of opportunity. immigrants, and I did not speak out— All injustice manifests itself in one or Security Injustice leads to paranoia, Because I was not a Black or immi- more forms of poverty: national bullying, unbalanced funding grant. - Poverty of living standards, away from social programs, the myth Then they came for peacemakers, and - Poverty of stable climate, abundant of redemptive violence, civil milita- I did not speak out— Because I was natural resources, clean air, clean wa- rism. not a peacemaker. ter, healthy food, forests, Why we all need to stand up against Then they came for me—and there injustice everywhere: was no one left to speak for me. Cont. page 7

Page 7 Cont. from Page 6

In this article I hope I’ve demonstrated to you that no mater what your social justice focus is: the environment, economic poverty, racism, sexism, gender bias, immigration, and/or peace, they all are a form of poverty—a poverty caused by injustice that is promoted by our distorted national narrative driven by fear and greed. These forms of poverty are all inter-relational, interdependent, and inter- sectional. An advancement in one area produces col- lateral benefits in others. If we all work together to change our national narrative based on greed and fear to a national narrative of com- passion and generosity, we all will benefit. Forward Together!

Steve Hansen is the Virginia Poor People’s Campaign Environmen- tal Committee Co-chair and a Tri- chair of Virginia Poor People’s Campaign in Hampton Roads. Steve is a member of CVUU and he lives in Chesapeake, VA. He can be reached at shan- [email protected].

Members of CVUU attended the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders' Breakfast put on by the Urban League of Hampton Roads last month. From left, front row: Tessa Ellis, Alicia Phillips and Anne Odell. Back row: Sandra Ogletree, Mar- cia Slosser, Steve Ciganek, Ken Saucer, Rayven Holmes, Lee Ellen Knight and Gwen Towe. This annual event recognizes the distin- guished service of citizens contributing to the improvement of society. Community support enables the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. to provide services in the areas of youth employment, scholarships, health seminars, job training, and housing assistance.

Page 8 February 2020

Planning an event? Things to consider:

Send current requests to Susie Gullixson  Contact name (with phone number The weekly email, The CVUU Courier, is at [email protected] or call (757) 627- and/or email address) sent out Wednesday at noon. 5371.  Person in charge of locking up, sound  The deadline for the Order of Service When making a request, consider: setup requiring a sexton newsletter is Wednesday and the deadline for CVUU Courier is Monday  Room(s) requested, allowing time for  Parking needs (note if ‘overflow’ park- at noon. setup and takedown! ing will be needed)  The deadline for the monthly news-  Childcare needs – Childcare is available Large Print Hymnals are available at the th letter is the 15 of the month. If you Tuesday and Wednesday evenings table in the foyer. would like to place an ad for March from 6—8:30 p.m. and Sunday morn- Hearing Amplification Headsets are avail- th your deadline is Feb. 15 ! ings. It is the responsibility of each able at the sound booth in the back of the committee or organizer to arrange sanctuary. *Please Remember, when advertising childcare directly with our Director of CDs of the service are available for bor- events to make sure to include BOTH Religious Education, Paul Greggs at rowing or for $3 for purchase. Inquire at Susie Gullixson & Tracy Brune. Send your [email protected] for hours outside of the sound booth in the sanctuary for CD media to [email protected] & comm- the above times. It is not the responsi- recordings. [email protected] bility of the Office. Forward your re- If you stay late, please double check to For up-to-date news, check out our web- quests for childcare at least four weeks see the building is secured! site: www.c-vuu.org. prior to your event.