Sunday, September 4, 10:15 a.m.

"Intertwining Soul and Role" Join Worship Associates Gay Cima, Siana Hinsz, and Diane Ullius in an exploration of the challenges and possibilities of aligning who we are with what we do; what we value with how we act. Two service schedule begins next week - September 11, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Sunday Parking - Give each other some space 

With the return of two services next Sunday, we will again experience a parking crunch on Sunday mornings. Anyone who is able-bodied, we ask that you please park in one of our auxiliary parking lots to help make a more welcoming experience for visitors and those with mobility issues. Please note, these lots are available only on Sunday mornings: Mason's lot, directly across from the church on George Mason Drive and Arlington Hall Park lot just south of the church off of Fourth Street. See the map here. If you choose to park in the Mason's lot --  PLEASE cross the street at the traffic light. 

Not able to make Sunday's service?

You can catch the service live beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday on our church website at  www.uucava.org. To watch recordings of past services 24/7, click on the "Archives" tab -- THEN at the bottom of the video video slide the bar to the right to view the video list.

Gathering of the Waters Service - September 11

Child Dedications - September 18

Annual Giving Team Looking for Volunteers

The first meeting of the Annual Giving Team to commence planning for the 2017-18 campaign will be on Tuesday September 13,  7 p.m., in the Volunteer Room. This work is multi-faceted. Writing and other communication, stuffing envelopes, brainstorming, taking charge of a sub-project, data handling, and graphics, are just a few examples of the skills we need and no one person (at least that we've found yet!) is proficient in all the skills, so we rely upon a diverse group to accomplish the goal. This is also great work for people who are project oriented and who appreciate an important task with an end. The work of the Annual Giving Team pretty much wraps up by mid-April. If the annual campaign has seemed interesting to you, won't you consider joining our work this year? Questions? Contact

Join the Team!

Attention Back-to-School Shoppers

If you are using Amazon.com for any of your back-to-school shopping (or any other shopping), please be sure to go through the AmazonSmile program and choose "Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington" as the charitable organization. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to the church 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases. Please note, these donations are not tax deductible and not part of your annual pledge. 

See Tamara's latest blog post that gives more details about UUCA's AmazonSmile program. 

UUCA is Hiring!  

RE Registration

If your child/children are not registered for our Religious Education program, please take a moment to complete this form.  We require all RE participants -- nursery through 12th grade -- to be officially registered in our program. This includes the CASE program (6th-8th grade, non-Sundays) and the Our Whole Lives sexuality education program.  

What's this CASE Program I'm hearing so much about???

Last year UUCA launched the CASE program for middle school youth. This is an exciting and innovative program for mature 6th graders, 7th graders, and coming-of-age 8th graders. The aim is to build Community through Action, Service and Experiential education -- and to build a whole lot of fun. 

Events and activities are NOT held on Sundays at the regular religious education times but instead are planned on occasional Friday evenings, including overnights, on Saturday afternoons, or during the coffee hours on Sundays. At least two events per month are planned and youth may choose as many or as few events as they wish to attend, save for overnights later in the church year which are reserved exclusively for youth who have been consistently involved.

It's not too late to sign up to teach RE for the upcoming church year!

Want to be a Chalice Family this fall?

Youth Pancake Breakfast

Join your community on Sunday, Sept. 11 after either service for a pancake breakfast hosted by our Youth Group. Catch up on summer stories while enjoying pancakes, fruit, and other goodies. All proceeds support the youth social justice projects.

Fall OWL Registration 

OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education) registration closes soon. If you have not registered your 5th or 8th grader, please follow this link--  Fall OWL registration HERE.  Fee for non-members applies. 

5th and 8th grade OWL classes will begin on September 18. 5th Grade OWL runs September through December. 8th Grade OWL runs the entire school year, ending with graduation in June. Regular, committed participation is required for both classes. 1st grade OWL registration will open in January. 

Mandatory OWL Parent Orientation Dates

In order for your child/youth to participate in the Our Whole Lives sexuality program, parents must attend one of the orientation sessions. 

 

5th Grade OWL

• Sunday, Sept. 11, 4-6 p.m. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m. 

You can find more information about the OWL program here.

Parent Orientation Sessions

This fall we will be holding Parent Orientation Sessions for all our UUCA families.  We ask that all parents make a special effort to attend one of the two meetings. At the orientation we will discuss:

• Thematic focus for the upcoming year
• How to stay in the communication loop
• Important events and activities
• How you can support the program
• Everything you need to know to make your time here at UUCA meaningful! 

Mark your calendars with these important RE dates 

Sunday, Sept. 11 - Ingathering Sunday, Two Services - 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 

What's Happening in Youth Group This Year?

Youth Group Parent Orientation will be Sunday, Sept. 18, 5 to 7 p.m. Come meet this year's youth advisors, hear about the exciting projects and activities in store for your 9th-12th grader.

Mark your Calendars for our RE Potluck

Reconnect with your RE Community on Friday, Sept. 30, 6 to 8 p.m., in Fellowship Hall.

Come Learn about Bhutan; GNH and Living the Bodhisattva Way

Wednesdays, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28

Reverend Aaron is pleased to offer a series of four classes about life in Bhutan and what we may learn from the Bhutanese and Buddhist tradition.  These classes are designed for our UUCAers traveling to Bhutan in October AND are open to all who are interested. Classes are held at 7 p.m. on four consecutive Wednesdays in the Chapel, beginning NEXT WEEK. Please RSVP to LeeAnn Williams at LWilliams@uucava.org. 

AUCP Opening

Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP) has a last-minute opening in the 3-year-old class!  Eligible children will turn three before September 30, 2016 (birthdays from 1/1/13 to 9/30/13).  This class (Penguin/Puffin) meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If interested, complete the attached application and return it along with the application fee to the address on the form.  

About AUCP: AUCP is a non-sectarian, parent-owned and operated, cooperative preschool for children aged six weeks to pre-kindergarten. As a true cooperative, AUCP requires parents to work along with the teacher in their own child's classroom on a rotating basis, as well as to take responsibility for many administrative and maintenance functions of the school throughout the school year. For more information, visit their website at www.aucpva.org. 

Smart Muscles - A stretch and movement class

This class is based on the work of Dr. Janet Travell, who pioneered myofascial trigger point therapy. The one-hour class includes warm-up followed by systematic movement to lengthen and relax major muscle groups, emphasizing the often neglected muscles in the front of the shoulders and the hips. The class meets on Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and begins September 23. Fee is $132 for 12 classes. For more information, contact instructor Eileen Kozak at 572-251-6927 or go to www.smart-muscles.com. 

Covenant Group - Sign Up TODAY!

UUCA's strong commitment to small group ministry has enriched hundreds of lives through our Covenant Groups. These small groups of 8 to 12, meet regularly throughout the church year and are led by trained facilitators. UUCA's Covenant Groups offers you the chance to connect, grow deeper, and offer service back to the community. Newer UUCAers form meaningful connections with others; longtime members enjoy exploring new learnings and deepening relationships.

Last year, many of our groups followed a series called Soul Matters. Rev. McEmrys' sermons follow the themes, and the readings, resources, and spiritual exercises are made available to UUCA's Soul Matters Covenant Groups. Other Covenant Groups follow their own readings or themes.

Online registration is now open. In-person registration will be in Fellowship Hall after the services on September 11 and 18.

Questions About Covenant Groups? Orientation is September 11
Join us for a brief session to explain Covenant Groups and answer any questions you may have, following the 9:15 and 11:15 services in the Volunteer Room. These sessions are  especially designed for people who have never experienced UUCA's small group ministry. Covenant Groups bring people together for meaningful conversation and genuine connection with others in a small group setting.

FX Friday Night Service: 

The UU Seven Principles - Fri., September 2, 7:30 p.m. Chapel

Fellowship X will have a discussion of Unitarian Univeralists' Seven Principles, and a unique participatory activity showcasing examples. Dinner and socializing will follow the service. Fellowship X is a social and spiritual fellowship serving Generation X (those born in the '60s and '70s).  For more information on the group, please visit their "meetup" page at  http://www.meetup.com/Fellowship-X-NoVa/ .                        

Day Alliance Talks Turkey - September 13

Day Alliance starts the new church year with a talk by Robert Dillon, a Foreign Service Officer and Ambassador with extensive knowledge of Turkish affairs, who happened to be in Turkey during the recent failed coup attempt. He will give an overview of Turkish political history, the current unrest and what it means for us, as Americans, within the context of the general chaos in the Middle East. Coffee and conversation begins at 10:30 a.m. The talk begins at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome for the talk, followed by a $15 reserved seating, catered lunch (BBQ chicken, parsley potatoes, salad, garlic bread, dessert). Please reserve for lunch HERE. The lecture is free and open to all.

New UU - Saturday, September 17, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Unitarian Universalism is a way of thinking and being in the world. It is a faith discipline, enriched by faith traditions, that forms the foundation for a way to live this life. It matters how we conduct our lives and work to make the world a better place. Here at UUCA we are challenged to deepen our own faith principles and practices in response to our own experience and, whenever possible, to stand on the side of love. Find out more about Unitarian Universalism, and about UUCA, at our next New UU class. The class is free, but registration is required, click here. Free childcare is available on request. For childcare and more information, contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org.

Round Robin Bridge is Coming Around

On Friday evening, September 9, 7 p.m. at UUCA, the Round Robin Bridge Group will kick off its 2016-2017 season. The goal is to connect Members and Friends in an enjoyable, shared activity. Newcomers are welcome. The group plays  a four-deal version of Rubber Bridge called "Chicago." Each month from October to April, the group plays in homes, alternating as hosts and guests.  On September 9, the group plays at the church and will update their directory and match up new players. Do you have a partner or know someone whom you could invite to be your partner? Bring them along. Be sure to let us know if you would like to play but cannot make it on September 9. There are no dues though  a $25 annual donation from each member ($50 per pair) is requested for a charity within the church. Questions?  Please contact Bill Reilly at 703-525-4075 or email billruu@yahoo.com if you have any questions. 

Now is the best time to sign up to be a Sunday morning volunteer!

Anytime is a good time to volunteer at UUCA, but with the new church year beginning, now is the best time! Whether you're outgoing or reserved, like to come early or like to stay late, a fan of regular schedules or ready to step in at the last minute, we have a role for you on Sunday mornings. There's a wide range of volunteer opportunities -- greeters, ushers, coffee servers and more! For more details, c ontact  Sarah.Masters@uucava.org .       

Calling All Artist - The Healing Power of Art

A new year of shows in the QUUest gallery will begin on Sunday, September 11 with  The Healing Power of Art. The theme of healing is in conjunction with our October Soul Matters Covenant Group theme. The art exhibition will be of artwork that reflects art's power to soothe and heal. Many artist find the art making process a healing practice, others want to create imagery to soothe or help others grapple with discomfort or unhappiness. Art manifests a process of healing in many ways. Please share your art work that explores what breaks your heart and heals it. 

Labor Day Sunday Lemonade

Laura Dely and friends will be serving fresh lemonade to refresh you and to celebrate American workers Sunday, September 4, in Fellowship Hall after the service. Come have a glass of real lemonade and sign a giant card to American workers, and pick-up information about today's union movement.  If you'd like to help, contact Laura at laura.dely@gmail.com.

Buckingham Helpers

Need help with yard work or house cleaning? Buckingham workers offer many services, such as pruning, moving furniture, and catering. A Buckingham cook can lend a hand at your next open house or dinner party. To fill out a request form, visit the Buckingham Outreach table in Fellowship Hall after the service Sunday. For more information, contact Nancy Hall at nancyrhall@hotmail.com.

Get on Board . . .  for Justice!

Mark your calendar! On October 16, 225 of us from UUCA will join up with 1,500 men, women, and children from our fellow VOICE congregations--mosques, synagogues, and churches of all kinds--to put our agenda for justice before the most influential leaders of our Commonwealth. Three commitments will be at the core of our public demands: to prevent gun violence, to preserve affordable housing, and to hold onto school quality for kids of all incomes.  Now is the time to lock in the date and sign up to be part of our delegation. We're organizing buses and carpools.   Sign up NOW online HERE OR  text "VOICE" to 444999 OR scan the QR code to the right OR stop by our table in Fellowship Hall in September! 

VOICE  (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is a non-partisan coalition of almost 50 faith communities and civic organizations in Northern Virginia working together to build civic power in middle and low-income communities. 

UUCAers Join in a Moral Revival

David McTaggart and Susan Young await the beginning of the Revival

Rev. Linda joins other clergy in coming to the front to make a commitment

Last Sunday, some 17 UUCAers traveled to SE DC and joined about 1,500 others gathered for the Moral Revival, part of a national tour led by Rev. Dr. William Barber. The gathering led us from joy and singing, through lamentation at the injustices of our world, and on to a commitment to do all we can to bring the heart of America back to life, in the face of racism, xenophobia, and threats to our democracy. 

Missed the Moral Revival? Watch the video here. 

Finding Common Ground to End Gun Violence

Meet UUCA's 2016 Accompaniers

Michael Hoyt visited UUCA in May before leaving for Guatemala. He is on the emergency response team in Guatemala City, accompanying witnesses in the trial of military officers charged with many forced disappearances in the 1980s. He has a rich set of experiences which have led him to volunteer to be a human rights Accompanier, including a semester in Central America enrolled in "Social Change in Central America: Exploring Peace, Justice and Community Engagement". From May 2015, he was in AmeriCorps working on Immigrant rights for Iowa Legal Aid in Des Moines. He is from Jefferson, Iowa, and graduated from Drake University.

Chris Hartson completed Accompanier training in January and is now in Guatemala preparing for her assignment. In college, she specialized in anthropology, environmental justice and creative writing. Her community organizing and anti-oppression work has been with anti-racism, low-income housing, and the rights of immigrant, LGBTQ, and DeafBlind communities. In her words, "Oppression is prejudice plus power," and accompaniment is a way to use one's privilege to fight oppression; it is "the epitome of solidarity."

Clerestory Choir Open House - September 17

It's time to Come Sing a Song With Us!

For Children and Youth

SHINE: Singing to Heal, Inspire, Nurture and Energize

It's Time to Come Ring with Us - Be Part of the Joy!

Whether you're an experienced ringer or have never read a note of music, there's a place for you in UUCA's handbell program. 

• Polymnia is an experienced group of handbell ringers who ring for our services and concerts as well as for other churches and organizations.  Rehearses on Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning in October.
• Bellissimo is a multi-generational beginning handbell ensemble comprised of students from grade four through adults. No prior music or handbell experience is required.  Rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning in October.
• NEW! Intermediate Ensemble is comprised of individuals who have previous handbell and music reading experience. This ensemble will begin in October on Sundays. Time TBA.

For more information, please stop by the handbell table after the services Sept. 11 thru Oct. 2 -- or contact Ken Bissell, Director of Handbells, Kenbhandbells@aol.com or 703-622-2849.  Informational flyer HERE.