Connections header
UUCA - A place to Connect |Grow | Serve
Facebook logo
Twitter logo

Join us for one of our most beautiful services of the year -- UUCA's Christmas Eve Candlelight Services -- There are four services to choose from. All services will be livestreamed, so Invite your far-away family and friends to join us, too.

And, on Sunday, December 25, it's "A Dickens of a Christmas" at 11:15 a.m. only. 

Christmas angel photo

Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24

3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Family Services - w/ Christmas Pageant and Mitten Tree Ceremony.


Bring the whole family for this child-centered service that includes a Child Dedication, a Christmas Pageant staged by our children and youth, plus our unique Mitten Tree ceremony.

Please bring gloves, hats, and scarves to decorate the Mitten Tree. The donations will be given to the needy in our area.

Begin a family Christmas tradition by joining our "pop-up" Family Choir at the 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. services. No rehearsals, no experience -- just a desire to sing-along! (No need to come early as previously announced.)
3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Parking: We expect many first-time visitors for the 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. services. To help make UUCA a welcoming place the moment visitors pull in our drive, we ask that all able-bodied drivers to consider parking in the Mason's lot or street parking along George Mason Drive, Arlington Blvd. (service road),  or First Place South. Note, the Arlington Hall lot is not available on Christmas Eve. Thank you.

Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24

7:00 p.m. Traditional Lessons and Carols Service. Please come early to hear a special extended choral prelude sung by Clerestory Choir that begins at 6:45 p.m. Music also includes UUCA's Artist in Residence, Maya Rogers. Maya sings her beautifully written holiday song, Love is Everywhere. Rev. Aaron McEmrys gives the homily: "Taking Another Road Home."


9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Unplugged.  A more casual and soulful service with contemporary and classical holiday music performed by Maya Rogers and Woven Green.  Rev. Aaron McEmrys gives the homily: "Follow Your Star."

Sunday Worship
December 25, 11:15 a.m.
ONE SERVICE


"A Dickens of a Christmas"
w/ Bill Fogarty, Worship Associate

Join Bill  Fogarty on Christmas morning for his reflections and a modern look back on Dickens's Three Spirits -- the past, present, and future. Bill "doesn't have a Sermon -- Just a Question." Maya Rogers will lead us in music.
  No nursery/childcare on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Upcoming Services

Sunday, January 1, 11:15 a.m. "Self-Fulfilling Prophecies" - with Worship Associates D Ohlandt, Betsy Rosso, and Diane Ullius. 

Sunday, January 8, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. "Prophecy and Dreams" - Rev. Linda and Dreamer Scholars share in this service to tell stories of dreams and to speak of faithful courage to prophecy to our world.

Give the Plate
December is Give the Plate Month for VOICE
VOICE on the bus The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day offerings will go to support the work of VOICE --  Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement. VOICE 
is northern Virginia's leading citizen empowerment coalition, steadily growing since UUCA helped found it in 2008. Today we can boast of 65 member congregations and affiliates, criss-crossing denominational, race-ethnic, and income boundaries. As Christmas day approaches, consider giving generously to support VOICE's work to shelter our neighbors in today's wintry climate of costly housing and hostility to immigrants. 
  • In Prince William County, VOICE's dogged work on behalf of thousands of homeowners foreclosed on through deceptive bank practices eventually won more than $140 million in debt reduction and other vital assistance to affected families from four of the nation's largest banks.
  • Right now VOICE is working with our sister organizations in the mid-Atlantic region to persuade gun manufacturers to produce much safer "smart I.D." handguns as an important step to reducing gun deaths. 
  • And right now VOICE is working in Arlington to support innovative ways to preserve and build affordable rental housing, teaming with locally-based nonprofit housing organizations and keeping public dialogue on the issue alive.
GTP button
Mary and Joseph were undocumented refugees in Egypt, and Jesus was born homeless. Remember VOICE this holiday season.   
Year-End Giving
December 31 calendar image with hi-res rendered artwork that could be used for any graphic design. As you plan your year-end giving for 2016, please put UUCA at the top of your list. You might want to finish paying your pledge or give an extra gift to the congregation purely out of gratitude for all that UUCA does for you and in your name.

You can give to UUCA in any of the following ways: cash in person, check in person or in the mail, or by credit card or auto-withdrawal online here. If you prefer to donate appreciated stock, email financial assistant Beth Enriquez (or call 703-892-2565, ext 246) for instructions. The last day for 2016 gifts is Saturday, December 31. In-person gifts must be received in the office by noon on Friday, December 30th, and mail-in gifts must be postmarked by that day; online gifts before midnight December 31. If you are donating stock, please contact Beth as early as possible.

As always, your generous gifts to UUCA are gratefully received and thoughtfully applied.
This Week's Highlights
Family Choir flyer
Holiday Greetings from Rev. Michael McGee, Minister Emeritus
McGee family photo
Faith in Action
Live the Pledge Reflection Sessions
LTP logo Jan 8 and 22
UUCA is committed to its Pledge To End Racism, and our work as a community continues through Live The Pledge covenant-style reflection sessions where we'll reflect upon issues of race, justice and white privilege. Start off the New Year by committing to beginning or advancing your journey toward increased intercultural competence! Please click here to participate in one of our January sessions.
Build Bridges and Dismantle Walls:
A Justice Workshop
Sun., Jan. 8, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
UUCA is proud to host the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, along with VACOLAO and Centreville Immigration Forum, for an afternoon workshop about VICPP's work to achieve social justice for all in the Commonwealth, with a special focus on wage theft -- an epidemic afflicting low wage workers throughout Northern Virginia. Build Bridges & Dismantle Walls: Faith Communities Joining Together Hear firsthand from victims of wage theft & learn from community partners what you can do to fight it. Register  here. 
MLK Weekend of Service
Put your faith into action as a way of honoring the memory and legacy of the Rev. Dr. martin Luther King Jr. Three opportunities to be of service:
  • January 14 & 15.  AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) Grocery store food drive.  Contact Denise_Kappler@yahoo.com by Wednesday, January 4.
  • January 16, 10 a.m. Culpepper Garden Day of Service. Volunteers of all ages needed for outdoor projects. Lunch provided for ALL volunteers.
  • January 16 6:30 p.m. Wakefield High School MLK Community Gathering hosted by Congressman Don Beyer. UUCA has been invited to showcase our work. Sign-up here.
More detailed information on MLK Weekend, HERE.
Plans for Further "Escalating Inequality" Debate and Discussion
Tue., Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.
The UUA Congregational Study Action Issue on Escalating Inequality, which will be debated at General Assembly next June in New Orleans, is available in draft form now, with a Feb. 1 deadline for congregational comments. UUCA will convene a discussion group on the draft statement of conscience on Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m. For further information, contact Bob Denniston, justdoitbob@hotmail.com
Non-Violent Direct Action Training
Sat., Jan. 7, 1 - 5 p.m.
Cedar Lane Unitarian Church is hosting a Non-Violent Direct Action Training, led by Tracey Redd of Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) and co-sponsored by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Montgomery County. More details and registration here
Guatemalan Travelers Report on Trip
Sun., Jan. 15, 12:30 p.m.
Selvin Guatemalan student Seven travelers from UUCA went to Rabinal Guatemala to meet the 50 scholarship students that UUCA helps to sponsor in a partnership with ADIVIMA, a Mayan human rights group. These Mayan students are supported through middle and high school as free school ends in Guatemala in the 6th grade. The travelers met Selvin, who is pictured here when he graduated from high school. Selvin recently was selected from students across Guatemala to participate in a UN Youth Program and is planning to attend University.
Wheel of Life
Condolences to Lisa Harper Chang and her family on the death of her mother earlier this month.
Religious & Lifespan Education
CLICK BUTTON BELOW TO READ


Creative Arts Ministry
Sing for Love - A Maya Rogers Concert
Fri., Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m. - UUCA Center
Maya concert flyer
Join Maya and friends in a night of musical performance and a community sing. She'll share some of the ways that music has transformed her life and how you can use music to uplift, bring joy, and make the world a better place. It starts with one simple tool. Your voice! Event is free of charge and open to all ages. More information here.
Calling All Skilled Musicians
MusicNotegraphic Are you a singer or instrumentalist? Do you have musical skills and want to use them? We are seeking skilled musicians within our UUCA family to become part of our broader music ministry. Regardless of the instrument you play, the part you sing, and the style of music you do well, there is a place for you here at UUCA. No long-term commitments, no obligations -- just let us know who you are and what musical gift you possess! Please contact Bea Ann Phillips or 703-966-3226.
Congregational Life
New UU Class
Sat., Jan. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
UUCA logo 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. Unitarian Universalism wants each of us to know why. It challenges us to deepen our own faith principles and practices in response to our own experience and, whenever possible, to stand on the side of love. There will be plenty of chances to ask questions and to get to know others. This class is also part of the path to membership at UUCA. For more information and registration contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org
Attention Cub Scout Families
Cub Scouts Cub Scouts, come earn the UU Scout religious award, sponsored by Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization. Earning the UU religious award satisfies advancement requirements in the Bear rank and in the Webelos/Arrow of Light rank. Wolves and Bears earn the Religion and Me award, while Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts earn the Religion and Family award. All ranks will meet together for group discussion twice and once more to complete a service project. Dates are: January 29, February 5, and February 12-all at 2pm.  More information here.
Who Can Be A Chalice Keeper?
chalice keeper box You can!  The Chalice Keeper program invites all UUCAers to light our chalice in worship and then keep our flame of faith burning bright all week long.  
Signup to be a Chalice Keeper! 
Welcome Desk Positions Available
Welcome image The Sunday Welcome Desk is a first touchstone for newcomers to UUCA and an important expression of our hospitality and invitation to fellowship. We have space on our roster for a few more Welcome Desk volunteers. The individual commitment asked of our volunteers is relatively modest but has a big impact for UUCA. It's fun and meaningful work, and you meet the nicest people. For the complete announcement, click here. If you think you would enjoy staffing the Sunday Welcome Desk, please contact Bruce Rieder.
Men's Book Group 
Sun., Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m.
book cover The January selection is Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel. If there are any questions about the group and its meetings, please email Ken Marshall  or call 703-533-8004.
Need to submit an announcement for Connections?
  • Deadline is noon each Wednesday.
  • Please put "Connections" 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