Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained.
Helen Keller

May Day March

The month of May started out big in the Social Justice world with May Day’s Boycott attracting …. As always, WUU’s turned out to demonstrate at the WJCC Courthouse Friday evening. The rally was a joint operation between Williamsburg-JCC Indivisibles, who normally host the rallies and Freedom Fridays at noon each week, along with the Williamsburg chapter of Virginia Organizing, who are highlighting Hagamos Vaca. See below for the information about Hagamos Vaca and how you can help:

This May Day, we’re collecting high-impact donations for https://www.hagamosvaca.org/ to support newly arrived families right here in our community. Because we don’t have warehouse space, we’re focusing on items that can go directly into people’s hands—no storage, no delay. That means gift cards (including gas cards) for immediate needs, lightly used tech for school and job access, and small, essential items that help families get on their feet quickly. Every contribution is practical, intentional, and immediately useful—because when families arrive, they can’t wait.

Concert for Peace

Phone Blitz

Thanks to everyone who participated in the previous two Phone Blitz campaigns from UUA.

Here’s an update:

The fight over Department of Homeland Security Funding continues. Back in February, you anchored an hour or two to create an unbroken chain of phone calls to key members of Congress every three minutes for 40-straight business hours. Since then, we’ve been in a partial government shutdown providing no new funding to DHS.
DHS had more than enough money from the Big Bad Bill to last them quite a while — but that money is starting to run out, renewing pressure to fund DHS through reconciliation (a complex process to bypass standard votes).
We expect that to move through Congress somewhere in the window of May 11-22. We are getting ready for another Phone Blitz and set of Action Hours during that window.

If you would be interested in making phone calls (the script and phone numbers are provided) then please contact Kate McGaw at SJchair@wuu.org. Once given our time and date, Kate will send the needed information out to everyone.

Tidewater Cluster Social Justice Forum

During last weekend’s Cluster, all seven Tidewater congregations were represented during the Social Justice Forum. Members shared what their individual fellowships were involved with and everyone came away with ideas to share with their teams back home. It was lovely to hear about White Stone’s garden initiative, helping folks in the area understand how to grow their own produce. They are the smallest of the seven Tidewater congregations but are as busy as the rest of us in all things social justice!

Log Cabin Beach History Project

Members of WUU turned out last Tuesday April 28th to hear our own DRE, the amazing Robin, give a talk about the Grove area. Here is a link to the talk. https://photos.app.goo.gl/G6depecBeLisykX28

Please consider signing on to the Grove Initiative and help save this important part of local history https://groveconnections.com/

Rainbow Ministry

Social Justice members of WUU and other community leaders join together to host Williamsburg James City County area PRIDEFEST, led by Virginia Organizing’s Meghan McNamara. The Pridefest Committee met at the Jamestown Beach Event Park to lay out the event, open to the public on Saturday, June 27, from noon to 5 PM. More information on how to volunteer and get involved is coming soon. (Committee L-R): Robin, Raegan, Brian, Meghan, Caroline, Kali, Carolee, John.

MOSAIC Initiative Comes to WUU

The Mosaic is an online hub of connection, resources, and support for Unitarian Universalists dismantling racism and oppression. Through resources, programs, training, groups, and gatherings, The Mosaic fosters belonging and liberation in Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities. Our work for collective liberation can be as colorful, multi-faceted, and diverse as the tiles of a mosaic. Together, all of our contributions create something beautiful.

Look out for more information about MOSAIC happening at WUU.

https://www.uua.org/mosaic

Virginians for Reproductive Rights Campaign Launch

Rev. Jude will be one of the speakers. Click the link below for more information and to sign up to attend.
Virginians for Reproductive Justice Interfaith Breakfast & Campaign Launch

Pinwheels for Prevention

Blue and silver pinwheels spinning in the breeze symbolize a happy childhood, something every child is entitled to. A national organization called Prevent Child Abuse America adopted pinwheels for its symbol in 2008. In many places around the U. S., pinwheel "gardens" spring up in April, Child Abuse Prevention month.

Former WUU member Joseph Galano introduced the pinwheel campaign to Williamsburg and Virginia. This year, in memory of Joe and in support of a cause he supported personally and professionally, our congregation "planted" a small pinwheel garden on our campus beside a sign that reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating the conditions for safe, happy childhoods. Look out for ways next year to help grow the garden of pinwheels at WUU and help this immensely important cause.

LOCAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES…We need your help!

HELP SAVE OUR LIBRARY!

Your help is needed right now. The City of Williamsburg is at a critical decision point on the proposed new downtown library. City Council has already invested over $1,000,000 in planning and design and must now decide whether to move forward with construction or delay the project. Backing away at this stage would waste that investment and drive up future costs. This is the moment for residents to contact City Council, before the window for meaningful community input closes.

City Council members need to hear—clearly and immediately—from residents who support moving this project forward without delay. Supporters should emphasize that they recognize and accept that the City will incur debt to build the new library.

Every postponement will come at a cost. Construction expenses continue to rise, meaning that any delay will make the project significantly more expensive than it is today. At the same time, the City will need to invest increasing amounts of taxpayer money into maintaining an aging building and failing systems—funds that do not improve services, but merely sustain the status quo.

Beyond rising costs, delaying this project means missing out on the substantial economic and community benefits a new library would bring. A modern facility with expanded parking would increase accessibility, attract more visitors to downtown, support nearby businesses, and serve as a stronger anchor for economic activity. Each year of inaction represents lost opportunity—both financially and in terms of community growth.

It is essential that City Council understands two things:

The community supports this project to build a new Williamsburg Library.
Residents recognize that financing a new library will require investment and believe that investment is both necessary and worthwhile.

Now is the time to make those voices heard.

Upcoming opportunities:

City Council Work Session: Monday, May 11 at 4 p.m.
City Council Meeting: Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m.

If you cannot attend in person, sending a message of support to council@williamsburgva.gov is highly effective and strongly encouraged.

Please also share this message with other residents who value the future of our city and want to see this project move forward.

Below are talking points (PDF) outlining why the current Williamsburg Library is due for replacement.

Thank you for taking action to help move this important project forward—before further delay makes it more costly and diminishes its potential impact.

Why Replace the Williamsburg Library - talking points

WUU Social Justice Events Calendar May/June

We have lots of amazing events coming up so please read your Spirals carefully (posted to your inbox each Thursday evening) for up-to-date information!!!

MAY is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Jewish American Heritage Month

May 2: 6 PM online- The Mosaic

See information at top of newsletter: The Mosaic | UUA.org https://www.uua.org/mosaic/congregations

May 3: 11:30 AM Little Sanctuary - Earth Care Book Club

May 9: 6 – 8 PM WUU Concert for PEACE

Free (donations greatly appreciated), RSVP: https://wuu.breezechms.com/form/6fadb5474

May 13: 5 PM Reading for Liberation Book Club with Rev. Jude

May 14: 8 PM online - UUA DRUUM Annual Worship Service (Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries)

DRUUMM - Public Worship - "We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What" https://www.uuchurch.org/2026/druum-public-worship

May 16: 10 AM - 2 PM, Richmond - Interfaith Breakfast, Virginians for Reproductive Justice Interfaith Breakfast & Campaign Launch - Jews United for Justice

Rev. Jude will be one of the speakers. Click the link below for more information and to sign up to attend.

Virginians for Reproductive Justice Interfaith Breakfast & Campaign Launch

May 27: 12 noon and 5 PM Reading for Liberation Book Club with Rev. Jude

May 30: 12 PM–7 PM Traditions Brewery, Newport News Pridefest

WUU info table with UUFP, free admission

Save the Dates…..JUNE is PRIDE month and JUNETEENTH

June 7: 10 AM WUU Pride Month kickoff Sunday service

Rainbow Crosswalk Dedication during the service

June 7: 11:30 AM Little Sanctuary - Earth Care Book Club

June 10: 12 noon and 5 PM Reading for Liberation Book Club with Rev. Jude

June 12: 5 PM WUU Rainbow Crosswalk Pulse 49 Remembrance Vigil

The general public will be invited to attend.