If you know of a non-profit that is in need and would like them to be considered as a recipient for CFTW, you can find an application form on the Social Justice Committee table in the Social Hall at church. Please fill it out and place in the box that reads “Change for the World” in the same location.

The main topic of the meeting will be planning for opportunities for all members of the congregation to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas about The 8th Principle and the proposal for UUCV to adopt it as a congregation.

The 8th Principle: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” www.8thprincipleuu.org

Some have observed that the 8th Principle is contained within our existing 7 Principles, so why do we need it? The authors of the 8th Principle believe the 7 Principles do not explicitly hold us accountable for working to address the systemic racism and other oppressions that permeate our society or for working to make our individual congregations and our association welcoming to BIPOC individuals. The authors also contend that one could strive to live as a good UU following the 7 Principles without really having to think or do anything about racism and other oppressions on a systemic level. Thus adopting the 8th Principle becomes important to add to what we covenant and affirm as a faith community.

UUCV’s Board of Trustees has committed to a congregational vote on whether to adopt the 8th Principle at a congregational meeting to be held Sunday, September 18, 2022. An accountable action you can take now is to participate when opportunities to explore the meaning and scope of the 8th Principle are offered. One such opportunity is to participate in the Common Read discussion groups. See the Common Read section in this newsletter for details of the first scheduled discussion group. Other

opportunities are being planned and will be announced when plans are finalized.

They also explore how spiritual practices, congregational organizing, and progressive theology can inform faith-based justice work in the 21st century.

Between now and April 23rd and 24th, please read the introduction and pages 1-36, the first three essays in the book. Discussion groups on this section of the book will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 10 am on Zoom and Sunday, April 24 at 9:15 in the Board Room at church prior to the Sunday service. You are invited and encouraged to attend either or both of these sessions. All are welcome!

It is because of early and continuous support that Devon established lasting musical identification with keyboard instruments and singing, eventually folding in guitar and hand percussion along the way. The world of musical sound is expansive. Chances are Devon will be trying to learn something new at any given point in time. Don’t hesitate to ask Devon what they may be dabbling with/on when you see them!

Devon holds an undergraduate degree in music therapy from Immaculata University. They then pursued a master’s degree in English concentrated on writing, teaching and criticism at West Chester University. From there, Devon completed a PhD in English focused on rhetoric, composition, and the teaching of English at the University of Arizona. This history shows Devon cares deeply about a wide range of expressive arts. Likewise, from their early career work as a music therapist to their recent work in higher education, Devon is committed to supporting people navigate the world with skillsets, a sense of wonder, and strong connections that keep them healthy, hopeful, and whole.

Part of what keeps Devon healthy, hopeful, and whole is a nearly 20-year partnership with their wife, Anna Zischkau. Anna is an accomplished musician in her own right, with skills on saxophones of various shapes and sizes. Devon and Anna recently moved to a co-housing community called Hundredfold Farm in the Gettysburg area after spending 10 years in the Sonoran desert of southern and central Arizona. When Devon isn’t at UUCV, you can find them doing communitarian activities, foodie things, hiking, bird-watching, reading, writing, playing games, and co-parenting a 14-year old cat named Samson.

It will be a joy and an honor for Devon to bring all of these selves together in service to UUCV’s music program. Devon will be looking forward to collaboratively shaping this next era of music-making alongside UUCV’s congregants.

We’ve raised a record amount with our SoUUper Bowl fundraiser, enjoyed a few cupcakes, and even shared some hugs! I cannot tell you how full my heart has been to see UUCV full of life once again.

And yet.

As Chris Kapp pointed out in a recent reflection during service, sometimes the best thing to do after a fall isn’t immediately getting back up. It’s staying on the ground for a bit, scanning our body for injuries to avoid further harm. Back in January, I was ready to hit the ground running with rebuilding RE - and then I realized we’re not quite there yet. We're still assessing the wounds we’ve accumulated over the past two years, along with wounds that are still incredibly fresh, and that is a process I want to give all the time it deserves. There are so many exciting conversations happening, so many ideas sprouting that may come to fruition, and I want so badly to see them grow. I’m also seeing exhaustion and grief. I’m hearing a loud desire to get back to normal, along with a whispered acknowledgement that we’re still hurting so much, and that hurt must be eased before rebuilding can truly begin

Our congregation and world are reeling right now. In the midst of so much pain and suffering near and far, it can be hard to hold on to our beliefs - as a wise person recently told me, ours is a heavy faith. We are called to affirm the worth and dignity of every human being, while also acknowledging and mitigating the harm done by their actions. We are called to build a just world, in spite of all the injustice we may feel powerless to stop. We are called to open our hearts to others, again and again, knowing full well all of the ways those hearts can be broken. To reconcile all of these conflicting perspectives and continue to act from a place of love is hard, messy work - and here we are, showing up with courage, trying our best to do that work anyway. This is the weighty task before us at this time, and I take great comfort in knowing we do not face it alone.

So if you ask me when repainting the YUUth Room will be finished (sometime in March!), or when we’ll be back in the Spirit Play room (once the inventory is done and protocols are relaxed!), or when we can serve snacks again (hopefully soon, I love Teddy Grahams as much as kids do!) please know I hear you, I see you, and I want to be able to give you more concrete answers - but I don’t have them at the moment. Every day seems to bring a new grief to witness, a tender heart to hold with care, or confusion over vaccines and masking, and it’s easy to forget that the dust of what was is still settling. Let’s weather this stormy March by holding fast, together, and trust that when April arrives, the way forward will be much clearer for us all.

Yours,

Riley

Bhante Sujatha and Sanatha Suwaya are pleased to offer you an opportunity to deepen your practice, and breathe in the scenery and splendor of Sri Lanka in this 10 – day meditation and community–service based retreat.    
 
Seva (say-vah) means service, or to serve. In this retreat, you are invited to serve yourself, and the world by putting love in action. The schedule is designed for those seeking dedicated time for relaxation, insight practice, rejuvenation, community interaction, exploration, and fun. 

Sanatha Suwaya is a ridge-top retreat near the city of Kandy in the central mountains of the beautiful tropical island, Sri Lanka.  The manager of Sanatha Suwaya is Michael Fronczak, who will serve as your careful and attentive host.

Keeping you nourished with healthy foods that the bountiful environment has to offer, this moderately paced retreat is intended to engage you both mentally and physically by giving you objectives both on and off the cushion. Daily meditation, yoga, day trips, and excursions are all available to you as you share the opportunity with new friends to gain insight and work directly with Bhante Sujatha.  
 

 What to Expect 

• 10 Night Accommodation with Private or Shared Rooms

• Transportation

• 3 meals per day with plenty of local, organic fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Yoga Classes and Meditation Sessions
• Community Interaction Based in Education, and Cultural Exchange 

• Sri Lankan Cooking Class

• Full Day Tour:  

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Sri Lanka’s Third Major Civilization) and 
• The Dambulla Cave Temple (One of Sri Lanka’s most well preserved Buddhist Temples containing brilliant examples of traditional religious painting and sculpture. 

• A special meditation with guest speaker, followed by Q & A 

• A visit to:
• The Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of The Buddha’s Tooth Relic, one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage destination for Buddhist devotees).

•  Surprises along the way!

 Price List 

• Deluxe Double                               -/ $1,750 per person
• Standard Single                            -/ $1,750 
• Standard Twin                              -/ $1,550 per person
• Twin w/Shared Bath                          -/ $1,450 per person

 
 What’s Included 

      - Accommodation                        - Driver and Guide Fees

      - Transportation                           - Meals

      - Entry Fees                                   - Other Service Charges

 What’s Not Included 

      - Flights                                           - Souvenirs

      - Gratuities                                      - Travel Insurance
 
We hope that you can join us for this wonderful experience! 

For more information and registration,
please contact Michael Fronczak at sanatha55@gmail.com