Connections News to Connect - Grow - Serve

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Join Us This Sunday for Worship Sunday, March 18, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. SPEAKING AND ACTING FOR JUSTICE AND COMPASSION  On this morning when we welcome new members into the congregation, send our youth off on their service trip to Pipe Stem, West Virginia with our blessing, and enjoy the 1st Annual UUCA Social Justice With Our Soles Fair after both services, we will hear from several of our members who commit to speaking and acting for justice and compassion. Though we serve to help others, we are so often spiritually deepened and transformed in the process. The Rev. Beth Miller, Temporary Senior Minister, will lead worship, with Robert Blinn as Worship Associate. Maya Rogers, Artist in Residence, and the TrUUbadours and Youth Choirs will sing. Livestream

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. The Spring Equinox is when night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. Named after Eostra, an Anglo-Saxon goddess who represents the dawn, it’s the season for that which has gone dormant to become revitalized, reborn, and alive. Spring is the perfect time to take stock of our lives, and plant the seeds of our own Spring growth. 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.

Kol Ami Community Seder UUCA members and friends are invited to join the Kol Ami community for their Community Seder on March 31. Kol Ami is the progressive Jewish community that meets here at UUCA. The Seder is participatory and mostly potluck. For more information, contact Herb Levy, herbcl1@gmail.com. To register, click here. After registering, sign up for food here. Date: Saturday, March 31, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

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.

Transmissions Spring Equinox and Labyrinth Walk Celebrate the new season that is dawning--celebrate the warmth--the light and renewal that spring brings--Join us for the Spring Equinox Transmission meditation service. It's an evening of contemplative meditation with music and chanting. And, in celebration of the Spring Equinox, the evening will include drumming and walking meditation on the Labyrinth. Music and soundscapes provided by Woven Green. Date: Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

Church Matters

Board Update on Rev. Aaron As the Board has spoken with the congregation over the past several weeks regarding our current situation with UUCA’s ministerial leadership, we’ve heard additional questions and request for more information. We are limited in what we know regarding the UUA investigation, and limited in what we can legally share based on this being an employment matter. Nevertheless, we want to communicate as much information as we can regarding the UUA’s investigation of Rev. Aaron, the situation behind Rev. Linda’s resignation, and the Board’s intent for how we can work together to establish a better foundation for us to operate collaboratively as a church.  Read more here.

Still Time to Get Your Pledge In We continue to gather pledges for the 2018-19 fiscal year so that the church can project income to use in the budget currently being developed.  We have reached 75% pledge participation with a pledged total of approximately $1.1million. You may register a pledge by completing a blue pledge card and returning it to UUCA by mail, dropping it by the office, or placing it in the Sunday collection. You may also register a pledge online here.

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 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

Weaving a Tapestry of Community and Song By Mimi Bornstein, Director of Music Ministry I have shared my belief that the voice is the sound of the soul and that every voice deserves to be heard. I have also shared my experience that many have been told not to sing, and how devastating this can be on an individual and a collective level. We need EVERYONE’S voice to be part of the beloved sound tapestry we weave when we sing together. I’ve been deeply moved by the stories some of you have shared about finding your voices, and that you are now singing in church for the first time ever. Indeed, we are creating a joyful noise on Sunday mornings! Bravo! My next charge to you is this: Now that you are finding your voice what are you going to do with it? Where will you take it? How will you use it to add your voice to UUCA’s long standing commitment to bringing our beliefs outside of our church walls and into our local community? I hope that many of you will choose to share your voice, energy and commitment to social change by joining the VOICES UNITED COMMUNITY CHORUS. This will be a non-auditioned, multiracial, interfaith community chorus led by me and Charles Brown. Rehearsals begin April 7, and will be held Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon to prepare for a June 30 benefit concert for Service Never Sleeps at Howard University. Anyone age 14 and up is welcome to join! Remember… when we sing we change who we are, when we change who we are we change the world. Here is a link to the CHORUS Facebook page with more information Hope to see you on April 7! Yours in community and song, Mimi

Lifespan Religious Education

Youth Group Seeking Baked Goods for April 1 Fundraiser The Youth Group is still working hard to raise money for their service trip fund. You can help by signing up to bring baked goods to church on April 1st for us to sell after each service! Cakes, pies, cookies, donuts, brownies...you bake it and bring it, we'll sell it! Simply click here to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094babaa28a4f94-donate. 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!

Faith in Action

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

Guatemalan Delegation Shares Stories this Sunday We return with full hearts and invigorated spirits from our ten days traveling to various towns, cities, and rural areas, meeting people, hearing their stories of courage and struggle, visiting their homes and schools, being blessed by their welcoming. We met communities committed to justice for their past and current struggles against multinational organizations harming their land and homes and bodies, and further committed to their youth through education, preserving traditions, and shaping leaders.   Please visit our blog to see many of our pictures, thoughts and interactions. We will also be speaking during the services March 18th and sharing more at the UUCA social justice fair. We hope you will get involved! Our UUCA commitment to Guatemala connects us in our desire to see justice in our world, to put our faith into action, and brings us together in the tradition of partnering with communities in which we can help create real and lasting change. For instance, with the financial support of our congregants, we have helped support 55 students with ADIVIMA to receive an education past 6th grade that would otherwise have been denied them. With our support of NISGUA, we have helped indigenous community members utilize the legal system to receive justice and reparations without fear of being disappeared or killed as so many of their family has been.

Buckingham Cooks Cooks from the Buckingham community will be selling savory Latino fare after services on Sunday. No time to eat? They’ll provide carry out. Income from sales will go to a charity which benefits immigrants. Early American Black Women Writers How did early American black women writers fight racism and re-imagine the world through their songs, poems, speeches, stories, and essays? We’re finding out, by reading aloud and talking about the women’s work in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. No advance reading; just show up. Volunteer facilitators provide brief biographies and texts during the gatherings. Contact: Ann Ulmschneider, aulmsch@msn.com . Date: Wednesday, March 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

Movements of Oppression, Solidarity and Hope UUCA Member Tracey L. Rogers has been invited to bring her pop-up photo exhibit to Rock Spring United Church of Christ, opening Sunday, March 18 through Sunday, March 25. If you missed the opening at our Center Gallery last fall, you won't want to miss out on another opportunity. The images featured reflect shared struggles of oppression among various human rights and justice campaigns - namely Black Lives Matter, Palestinian Human Rights, and Standing Rock - along with a shared hope for change through solidarity. Informational flyer here. For more information, contact tracey.lynnelle@gmail.com 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.

UUCA hosts UUSJ's Social Justice Leaders Roundtable this Saturday Register. Want to know what social justice activities are going on in other area UU churches? Join social justice leaders in a roundtable discussion to network, share successful programs, address challenges, and learn about advocacy opportunities. Breakout groups will cover current issues, cultivating congregations and ministerial support, and recruiting and retaining volunteers. Coordinate with your social justice leaders and come with one or team members and be inspired by what UUs are doing in the social justice arena. Questions? Contact: Martha Ades, Program Chair at marthalades@aol.com. Date: Saturday, March 17, 1:00-4:30 p.m. Location: Activity Room Register Voices From The Holy Land Film Series The annual Voices from the Holy Land film series features the latest documentaries about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Now in its fourth year, the series offers a different perspective by including the voices of the people who live in the Holy Land, a region sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. UUCA will be one of five venues throughout the DMV to host the series on three consecutive Sundays, beginning on Sunday, April 8, 2:30 p.m. Each film will be followed by a moderated discussion with the audience. Please email Tracey L. Rogers, tracey.lynnelle@gmail.com, for questions or inquiries. More details can be found below. Read More

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). 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

Music Ministry

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.

Here's to Life! Songs to live, laugh, & love by Coffee House performance w/ Ron Cima We are excited to announce the returning of UUCA's Coffee House series with soloist Ron Cima , accompanied by Barbara Schelstrate . Mark your calendar for Friday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. More information to follow.

Congregational Life

Happy Hour Come to the church-wide monthly Happy Hour, sponsored by VOICE (Virginians Organized for Community Engagement) this month. Bring a drink to share if you like (beer, wine or non-alcoholic). All are welcome.  Date: Thursday, March 22, 6:00 -7:30 p.m. Young Adult's Podcast Chat Join the Young Adult Group for the Podcast Chat discussion group. We meet twice a month on Saturdays in the chapel downstairs. We provide the name of a specific podcast episode and everyone listens to the episode on their own during the week. Then we get together and discuss. This week's podcast is from Radiolab and is called “Driverless Dilemma”. Download the episode using any podcast app, such as: Overcast and Apple Podcasts for Apple iOS, or Podcast Addict and Google Play Music for Android or you can listen to it on your computer: http://www.radiolab.org/story/driverless-dilemma/ Questions? Contact Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org. Date: Saturday, March 17, 7:30-9:00 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.

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 ‌ ‌