Connections Newsletter

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Join Us This Sunday for Worship March 11, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. "Restoring the Balance" Sermon by Christin Green, Intern Minister Achieving balance in our lives requires us to hold many things in tension. We might need to balance our work life with our family life. We might need to balance study time with play time. Wherever there is imbalance, there is an opportunity for us to create and restore. Join Christin Green, Intern Minister, for reflections on this balancing act called the human experience. This Sunday we will introduce our new Chamber Choir; they will sing Peace of the Wild Things, the music by Malcolm Dalglish, lyrics are from the poem by Wendell Berry. And, everyone is welcome to join in the Pop UP Choir to sing Now I Walk in Beauty, a Navajo prayer. Livestream

Daylight Saving Time Begins March 11 You don't want to be late on Sunday. We have the services in the morning, and in the afternoon Young Adults are brunching, Covenant Groups are meeting, and there's the final performance of Peter and the Starcatcher--See you on time on Sunday!

MoonFire Spring Equinox Ritual You are invited to join MoonFire for celebrating Ostara, the Spring Equinox. It's a time of renewal and growth, as we, like the Earth, stir from our Winter rest. MoonFire is an open community that explores earth-based spirituality in a safe and welcoming environment. For more information, visit www.moonfireuuca.org or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com.

Family Mindfulness Meditation Classes UUCA is host to two Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) Family Mindfulness Classes on the third Sunday each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for their next class on March 18. Questions? Contact Fred Persi, fpersi@att.net.

Church Matters

Coming Together in the Weeks Ahead By The Rev. Beth Miller  Since the congregation received Rev. Aaron’s letter of resignation and the Board’s follow-up letter on February 22 (was it just two weeks ago?), I have been consulting with staff and the Board to plan a series of opportunities to be together in the spirit of mutual support and healing for all who wish to participate. This is a little more challenging than one might think because of the many uses of our space for congregational activities and outside users, not to mention Easter and spring break coming soon. The need for a variety of ways for congregants to come together to process what right now feels like loss, upheaval, confusion, and general unease is very important and we’re doing our best to respond as quickly, but also carefully, as possible. Below is a list of opportunities, although not with complete dates. If you have questions or wish to talk with me, please email me at bmiller@uucava.org. I’m here and available.  Service of Appreciation for The Reverend Aaron McEmrys' Ministry Sunday, March 18, 6:00 p.m. With Potluck Dinner to follow In the normal course of ministerial transitions, a departing minister and congregation would celebrate their years together and reflect upon the gifts sharing the ministry had brought in a final service followed by a time of fellowship. Although this is an irregular departure and Rev. Aaron will not be with us, we can still gather in appreciation for the many ways UUCA as a congregation, and so many of its members as individuals, have grown. There is much to be grateful for and celebrate. The service will be videotaped and sent to Rev. Aaron. Childcare during the service will be provided for children through fifth grade. Older children and youth are encouraged to participate in the service. All are invited to bring a dish to share and stay for food and fellowship following the service. During this time, individuals or families will have the opportunity to videotape a personal message to Rev. Aaron. May we be together in celebration, not only of the ministry now ended, but also of the ongoing strength, commitment and resilience of this community of memory and hope. Congregational Listening Circles Sunday, March 25, after second service Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 6 p.m. We hope you will avail yourself of an opportunity to share your feelings and hear others in one of these large group sessions. We are planning three different days/times to accommodate as many people as possible. Rev. Beth will design and facilitate the process using deep listening and fishbowl techniques to provide a safe space for sharing. No need to sign up ahead. Just come with an open heart.  Small Group Sharing Circles DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Facilitated by volunteers using a simple process similar to our Covenant Groups, several groups will be scheduled at a variety of days and times so that as many who wish to have more intimate discussions about their experiences and feelings in the wake of the current turmoil will have the opportunity to do so. Groups will be no more than ten and each group will have the same agenda. An online signup process will be offered soon.

Budget Matters: Open Budget Meetings Our six open budget meetings are meant to provide an opportunity to talk about the budget and how our money is spent. The first three meetings are more educational than discussion of the FY 18-19 budget. We will discuss last fiscal year and how the budget was determined. The second three meetings will be more specific to next year with draft budget numbers to discuss. All of these meetings are meant for opportunities to provide input on how we shape next year's budget. The Board will present the budget during the May meeting after these six meetings are held.  Open Budget Meeting Dates Sunday, March 11, 1-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 6-7:15 p.m. Sunday, March 25, TBD Sunday, April 8, 1-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 6-7:15 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 1-2:15 p.m.

Looking to Connect - Grow - Serve? The Nominating Committee continues to search for members to serve in various capacities: Trustees to the Board, Board Secretary, and members of the Nominating Committee. All are 2-year terms, starting in July 2018.  Members to serve as delegates to the annual UU Association General Assembly to be held June 20-24, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri. GA details here. Online delegate application here.   As the Board has recently shared, we are now also in search of members for ministerial search groups being formed. We encourage those interested to indicate their interest as soon as possible. Interest form and more details, include tentative timelines, can be found here Interim Senior Minister Task Group Contract Assistant Minister Task Group Senior Minister Search Committee   We particularly welcome candidates of diverse backgrounds including gender and ethnicity. If you're interested in learning more, nominating someone, or nominating yourself please stop by the Nominating Committee table after services on Sunday or contact the Nominating Committee at UUCANomCom@gmail.com . Members of the NomCom are Ben D’Avanzo, Liz Fuchs, Tina Hinh, James Tsai, and Bill Turner.

Can't make it to Kansas City? There are offsite options General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and this year will be in Kansas City, Missouri, June 20-24. UUs from across the country, and Canada, gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association. Anyone may attend. Registration, housing requests and financial aid applications are now open. Housing fills up fast, so register early. Deadline for Financial Aid Application is March 31, and early-bird registration ends April 30. Offsite delegate options are also available to those who are unable to travel to Kansas City. Learn all the details at www.uua.org/ga or stop by the Nominating Committee table on Sunday.

Ministry Matters

The Ritual of Child Dedication By LeeAnn Williams, Directory of Lifespan Religious Education  On Easter Sunday—April 1—we will be celebrating spring with a Child Dedication ceremony, to bless and welcome the new children who have entered our community.  As a religious educator, I’m often asked about the purpose and meaning of the Unitarian Child Dedication ceremony. Simply put, a Dedication ceremony is an act of public commitment our community makes to the family who is dedicating the child. In this ceremony, we as Unitarian Universalists promise to support the family, serve as living examples of our UU values, affirm the unique gifts the child brings to our community. This ceremony does not make the child sacred—as UUs we believe that life is inherently sacred. This ritual is not just for babies, we dedicate children/youth of all ages. If you are interested in participating on April 1, please contact Rev. Beth, bmiller@uucava.org or LeeAnn, lwilliams@uucava.org.

Lifespan Religious Education

Youth Group Seeks Baked Goods for April 1 Fundraiser The Youth Group is working hard to raise money for their spring service trip fund. You can help by signing up to bring baked goods to church on April 1 (no fooling!). Cakes, pies, cookies, donuts, brownies...you bake it and bring it, we'll sell it! Simply click here to sign up. Calling All Youth! Screenprint for Justice Workshop Join other youth from UUCA for this unique opportunity to visit an art studio and screenprint your own t-shirts and banners for the March for Our Lives. $25/person, includes free t-shirt! Scholarships available upon request. To RSVP or with questions, email your full name and t-shirt size to Elisabeth at geschiere@uucava.org. This event is co-sponsored by UUCA and Sanctuaries DC. Date: Sunday, March 18, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Location: 1135 Okie St. NE, Washington, DC.

Child Dedications this Spring If you would like your child/children dedicated this spring, please contact either Rev. Beth or LeeAnn Williams, Director of Lifespan and Religious Education.  Read the rest of RE news below. RE Connect Newsletter HERE

Music Ministry

LAST CHANCE to see Peter and the Starcatcher! Just a few performances left! Everyone who has seen Chalice Theatre's production of Peter and the Starcatcher is raving about it! It's the hilarious and fantastical backstory of Peter Pan and his arch-nemesis Captain Hook . The play won 8 Tony Awards on Broadway. This is the LAST WEEKEND: Friday and Saturday evening performances. Matinee on Saturday and Sunday.

Let Your Voice be Heard! POP UP Choir UUCA's POP Up Choir sings the second Sunday month, so this Sunday is your chance to join in and have your voice be heard. No advance rehearsals, no long-term commitments, no musical experience required. Just the desire to come together and make a joyful noise in community. Gather in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. to learn a simple piece of music, then sing in the second service. It's easy; it's fun! Questions? Contact Mimi Bornstein, mimib@uucva.org.

UUCA is pleased to host National Chamber Ensemble "Strings Fever" Saturday, March 24, 7:30 p.m. Experience two of the greatest works of chamber music by two masters: Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn, featuring the lush sounds of the strings. For tickets and more information, click here.

Faith in Action

Share the Plate: Moving Forward By Tamara Srader, Acting Executive and Chief Administrative Officer Money. Budget. Committees. Mission. Leadership. Many people have questions about all of these things. It has been eight months since the congregation voted on the proposal to use the plate as funding operations at UUCA. We have a community of over 800 members and many other friends who support this community daily by their gifts of money and time. There was much time put into the three documents attached to this message. First I would like to thank the team that put it together which was Elizabeth Fogarty, Linda Lutes, Chris Sutton, Lavona Grow, Jacomina de Regt, Steven Minson and Amy Shields. They have been so amazing to work with and mere words are not enough to thank them. This was a very difficult task that they jumped into and gave their 100%. Read complete report here.

Social Justice Potluck Breakfast  Are you passionate about social justice? Are you active in social justice work at UUCA and/or in the community? This is an opportunity to break bread together, build relationships, and share what you are up to/passionate about and to learn what others are up to/passionate about. This gathering will also include various formats for dreaming and scheming about how UUCA can continue to build a more just world within and outside of our church walls.  PLEASE REGISTER HERE. Date: Saturday, March 10, 9 - 11:30 a.m. (set-up your food 9-9:30, meal & activities 9:30-11:30) Where: Fellowship Hall What is VOICE Doing About Gun Violence?   VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) has been working with our sister organizations across the country for several years in a unique campaign to make a permanent difference in gun violence. The key to our strategy is economic pressure.  The campaign, called Do Not Stand Idly By, is employing both market pressures (“pull”) and investor persuasion (“push”) to get manufacturers and distributors to make serious changes. From the voices of urban community leaders, police officials, and safety experts, our organizing leaders heard a consensus: that far fewer guns in America will end up in crime or accident scenes if . . . Read more here.

Write Here! Write Now! Tell Your U.S. Senators to Protect the Separation of Church and State from Partisan Politics There is a new assault by some lawmakers in Congress to repeal the Johnson Amendment that has ensured the separation of church and state for decades. Urge your senators to protect the independence and integrity of houses of worship and keep them free from the pressure of political endorsements. Stop by UUs for Social Justice's (UUSJ) "Write Here! Write Now!" table in Fellowship Hall after services this Sunday, March 11, to write a personal letter to your Senator.  UUSJ's Capitol Hill Advocacy Corps will hand-deliver letters on March 13. Contact: Lavona Grow at advocacy@uusj.org; find out about the Advocacy Corps here.

1st Annual UUCA Social Justice With Our Soles Fair  At UUCA we strive to provide many opportunities to do social justice “with your soles”, whether by educating yourself, doing service or advocacy, showing up and speaking out, and/or building community. At this event, the whole congregation will have the opportunity to personally learn more about and commit to new, more, or deeper ways to get involved in social justice, ideally based on what you are passionate about and your unique skill-sets! All social justice groups can register to participate in the Fair here. Event contact: Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org.  Date and Time: Sunday March 18, 2018 after both services Location: Fellowship Hall & The Center

Spring Allyship Workshop Registration Now Open As part of our congregation's Live the Pledge campaign to end racism, UUCA has partnered with Service Never Sleeps to offer a racial justice Allyship training. Over 100 UUCAers have already taken this training. Now it’s your turn. This workshop will teach you about the causes of racial injustice, how to be an effective ally for marginalized communities of color, and how to actively influence and educate others. This is a natural follow-up to the two-day Live the Pledge to End Racism workshop but is also appropriate for first-timers. More information and sign up here. UUCA contact Alex Ziehm, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com. Peace Camp Registration OPEN The 2018 theme is “Explore a Path to Peace,” and reflects the goal of creating a summer camp environment where campers and counselors alike can experience, learn, and practice peace. Rising K-6 graders are eligible to apply; rising 7-9 grades can be Counselors in Training (same fee, longer hours). Lunch is included! Before and after-care, as well as partial or full scholarships, are available (See www.peacecamp@lffp.org). UUCA Peace Camp volunteers will be at tables in Fellowship Hall thru March 18 for more information or to register. To register on-line click HERE! This year's dates for Peace Camp are June 25-29 ($315) or July 2-6 ($265, no camp July 4). Read More

Peace Camp Golf Fundraiser UUCA's Peace Ministry Team invites you to a Golf Charity Fundraiser sponsored by our Peace Camp partner, Little Friends for Peace, on Monday, April 30 at Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, from noon until completion. Proceeds benefit scholarship campers of community partners, including the two weeks of Peace Camp at UUCA in late June and early July. Registration information is available at  http://www.lffp.org/charity-golf-classic.html African American Book Sharing Circle Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward is the current selection. This is a story of family, hope, and struggle through the past and the present in rural 21st century Mississippi. Reviewers reference Ward’s expertise in her writing: the lyrical prose, the use of a road novel format, and inclusion of spirits and ghosts. The “Chicago Tribune” say this about Sing, Unburied, Sing: “Gorgeous….Always clear-eyed, Ward knows history is a nightmare. But she insists all the same that we might yet awaken and sing.” Ms. Ward is a fellow of the MacArthur Foundation, and she won the National Book Award in 2017 for this novel. Questions? Contact Linda Lutes Cosoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com. Date: Friday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

National Social Justice Conferences to Consider There are two amazing national conferences happening April 4-7 and we are assessing interest in organizing a UUCA contingent to attend one or both. One is the annual White Privilege Conference and the other is the annual UU UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar. Please check out each website and e-mail Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org if you are interested in one or either.  African American Book Sharing Circle Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward is the current selection. This is a story of family, hope, and struggle through the past and the present in rural 21st century Mississippi. Reviewers reference Ward’s expertise in her writing: the lyrical prose, the use of a road novel format, and inclusion of spirits and ghosts. The “Chicago Tribune” say this about Sing, Unburied, Sing: “Gorgeous….Always clear-eyed, Ward knows history is a nightmare. But she insists all the same that we might yet awaken and sing.” Ms. Ward is a fellow of the MacArthur Foundation, and she won the National Book Award in 2017 for this novel. Questions? Contact Linda Lutes Cosoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com. Date: Friday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

Congregational Life

Facility Safety Training Those who lead groups at UUCA, who plan and/or host meetings or events, or who are interested in volunteering to do so, are invited to join Facility Manager Paul Kearney and Administrative and Events Coordinator Annie Parker for a special training this Sunday after second service. Interested parties can grab a cup of coffee and convene in the Volunteer Room by 1 p.m. The session will last for approximately an hour and a half and will touch on health, safety, security, and emergency policies and procedures. The session will also include an orientation to building features and an overview of expectations and responsibilities of coordinators or hosts. Date: Sunday, March 11, 1 p.m. Location: Volunteer Room HUUmanists Why do liberals and conservatives see things differently? Everyone is welcome to join the next HUUmanist discussion when UUCAer Lynn Durel continues her review of Jonathan Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. Come, hear, discuss, and then see if you agree on Haidt's explanation of how ancient group-living helped develop certain values and his assertion that they have now become inherited intuitions. And, that these intuitions continue to help humans live successfully within groups but, at the same time, have led to quite striking differences in feeling what are the most righteous values to adhere to. Read more here. Date: Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. Location: Board Room

Young Adult Divine Reading Group The Divine Reading Group is a Young Adults Group which treats secular short stories as though they were sacred texts. The belief behind the strategies is that personal truth and meaning can come from a wide variety of sources. This group is ideal for those who love reading and discussion. It is also a place where deep and meaningful introspection occurs, friendships are made, and the very nature of religion is explored. No advance prep needed. Questions? Contact Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org. Next Date: Thursday, March 8, 7-9 p.m. Location: Youth Room Beer Pizza, and Questions About the Universe Folks between the ages of 21 and 35 are welcome to join the Young Adults for beer, pizza, and questions about the universe every other Tuesday. The event is BYOB--bring your own beer, but the pizza will be provided. We discuss topics ranging from politics, to science, to philosophy. Every time the topic is different but the discussion is always interesting.  Next Date: Tuesday, March 13, 7–9 p.m. Location: The Center

Young Adult Sunday Brunch The Young Adults meet for brunch every other Sunday after the second service and the next one is this Sunday, March 11. Ages 18-35 are welcome to come get to know other young adults over a good meal. Next Date: Sunday, March 11, 12:30 p.m. Location: YOUTH ROOM Day Alliance The Chase: Stormy Weather and Tornadoes David Hoadley, veteran storm chaser, will be the next Day Alliance guest speaker. Hoadley, a veteran storm chaser, will show some of his amazing tornado photography and talk about how he began this hobby more than 60 years ago. Day Alliance begins with coffee and conversation at 10:30 a.m.; speaker at 11 a.m.; catered. More information and to RSVP for lunch, here. Date: Tuesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship; 11 a.m. Speaker; 12 p.m. Catered Luncheon Location: Fellowship Hall

Men's Book Group The Men's Book Group will meet to discuss the mystery, The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams, by Lawrence Block. All men are welcome to join in whether you read the book or not. For more information about the group, please contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel Poker Players Wanted The UUCA Poker Group is looking for a few new players. The group meets once a month, usually on a Saturday night in a group members’ home. We play low-stake, dealer’s choice poker. One or more of us would be happy to meet with prospective players to go over the games the group often plays and to explain any further questions. Contact Mary Pike, marylpva@gmail.com.

Wheel of Life

Condolences to Gloria Simpson Bloom on the death of her father. Condolences to the family and friends of Elaine Kerr, a former member who died recently. We’re holding Carolyn Harrison in our hearts as her health declines after a recent heart attack. Carolyn just celebrated her 99th birthday in January.

NEW newsletter deadline: Connections deadline for submissions is EACH Monday at noon with publication on Wednesday. See below on how to submit an announcement.

How to submit an announcement to UUCA's Connections newsletter:   Deadline is noon each Wednesday. Please put "Connections" or "newsletter" in the subject box. Send announcement (150 words or fewer) in body of email or Word doc attachment. Images and attachments accepted, though no guarantee of publishing Send announcements to pubasst@uucava.org. Questions about Connections? Contact MaryAnn@uucava.org.

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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA 4444 Arlington Blvd Arlington, Virginia Call: (703) 892-2565 Email: uuca@uucava.org ‌ ‌