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UUCA - A place to Connect |Grow | Serve
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Sunday Worship
March 26, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"Choose Your Own Adventure"
Sermon by Rev. Aaron McEmrys
Remember the popular 1980s best-selling kids books--CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE? Rev. Aaron's sermon is the inspiration of these wonderfully fun and inventive books. Come on Sunday and find out what adventures he has in store. Not familiar with the books? You'll still enjoy the adventure!
This Sunday we welcome Jesse Parker as our Guest Choir Director. Jesse is a talented and active choral conductor in the Washington, DC region. Clerestory Choir will sing I Dream a World, lyrics by Langston Hughes, music by Andre Thomas and Follow the Dream, lyrics by John Parker, music by Vicki Courtney.
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Screening of Kushuthara: Pattern or Love and Talkback/Interview with Director Karma Deki
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Friday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. -- UUCA Center
Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet
Karma Deki, the director of the award-winning indie film
Kushuthara: Pattern of Love, when UUCA is host to her film's Washington premiere next Friday.
Rev. Aaron told of her story of hope and triumph in the making of this film in his March 5
homily. We now have the chance to meet Karma in person and hear her story on the challenges and rewards of making this film in a talkback/interview with Rev. Aaron. The film stars English actor Emrhys Cooper and Bhutanese actress Kezang Wangmo, now a politician and Member of Parliament in Bhutan. This beautiful movie gives a glimpse of life and love in one of the most secluded cultures in the world and explores two of the most difficult subjects in Buddhist philosophy--karma and reincarnation. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers from the audience. Please join us for this special Friday night at the movies!
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PLEDGE RESULTS and A HAPPY HOUR!
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 The Annual Giving Team has received 657 pledges toward the operation of the church for next fiscal year. While the team is concluding its efforts for the year, pledges may continue to be made at any time online or by filling out a yellow pledge card. Clicking on the lantern to the left will still take you to our webpage where a pledge may be recorded. We hope to hear from about another 65 or so of you.
We are delighted to report that more than 48% of the pledges received met our Keeping the Light challenge for increased, and first time pledges. Increased pledges exceeded decreased pledges in number and amount by a margin of 3 to 1. The average amount of increase for all increased pledges was an astonishing 26%, including 56 pledges that were DOUBLED or more from last year. We are also encouraged for the future by 53 first time pledges that averaged $743. There is ample evidence in these data of a strong movement of energy and commitment within the UUCA congregation. Our persistence at reaching for our goals, in covenant with one another, gives us the strength to meet the budget challenge ahead.
To date $1,255,169 has been pledged, an average pledge of $1934. While this total thus far is just 84% of our goal, the total represents an increase from last year and the highest annual pledge campaign amount UUCA has ever recorded. Any additional pledges made will be added to the amount used for the proposed budget until the budget planning group needs to cut it off. A proposed budget will be presented for review at budget forums prior to a final proposed budget being submitted for a vote of the congregation in June.
The Annual Giving Team invites all congregants to Happy Hour on Wednesday April 12 at 6 p.m., in the Center to celebrate our shared commitment to Keeping the Light. Please put it on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Dear UUCA Members, Friends, and Partners,
 It is with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow that I share the news that 16 years after I was called to serve UUCA as one of its ministers, my ministry with UUCA will come to an end on June 30, 2017. The Board received my resignation at its meeting this week.
My heart is filled with gratitude for the very great honor of having been a part of the mission and witness of this congregation. UUCA's history is remarkable, and I will forever be thankful for the chance to have joined you in creating recent chapters in this era of our beloved congregation.
My sincere hope for this congregation into the future is that you experience joy and success as you continue to be a powerful presence in the world, and help people connect, grow and serve. I am forever blessed by having had the privilege of being in your company, and I bless you as I leave you.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles
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Warren Wright, Chair, Board of Trustees
On March 21, 2017, the Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Reverend Dr. Linda Olson Peebles. Reverend Linda has served this congregation consistently and honorably for 16 years. From those of you that were around in 2001, you remember that Reverend Linda was called to the UUCA as The Minister of Religious Education. In 2013, Rev. Linda transitioned to her current role as Minister of Faith in Action.
Reverend Linda's accomplishments are numerous, not just to UUCA, but to the Unitarian Universalist faith, as well as our surrounding community. Read more.
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This Sunday, our offering will go to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children and youth in the District. Beacon House is an after-school haven, assisting at-risk children and youth through tutoring, clubs, sports, arts, and other projects. Founded in 1991 by Unitarian Universalist minister Don Robinson, over the years Beacon House has helped hundreds of youth to identify and pursue their educational objectives culminating in college or vocational training, preparing them for productive involvement in their community and society. Beacon House has created community in what was a gang-controlled, drug-infested, high-crime Edgewood Terrace neighborhood. Beacon House brings together people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds with the goal of increasing cross-cultural understanding.
From the beginning, UUCA and other local UU congregations offered Rev. Robinson funding, and also much needed volunteer assistance with the fledgling organization. In subsequent years, Beacon House has helped youth raise reading and math skills, win on sports teams, and earn the highest praise from the wider world. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, speaking at Beacon House's Tenth Anniversary Celebration, stated: "I want to encourage your work not only because what you have done here is magnificent, but because I want to encourage other communities around this town to do what Beacon House has done.  I can't thank you enough for the way you have found a way to make education come alive in so many ways for your children."
Thank you for your continued generosity.
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Living the Pledge (LTP): March Sharing through Books
Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Jesmyn Ward used Baldwin's The Fire Next Time as her inspiration "to call on some of the great thinkers and extraordinary voices of [her] generation to...reckon with the fire of rage and despair and fierce, protective love currently sweeping the streets and campuses of America" in the time following Trayvon Martin's death. The result is The Fire This Time that tells stories of race and culture in the twenty-first century.
Read more.
April LTP read: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Copies are available in local libraries, but be sure to reserve a copy now. |
Live the Pledge to End Racism Spring Workshop
Sat., March 25 and Sat., April 1
 After the success of our fall workshop, UUCA is excited to announce its spring Live the Pledge to End Racism Workshop. These two days will challenge you to invest in your learning about anti-racism with literature, training, and other activities, putting you on the road toward increased intercultural competence. Our church is dedicated to dismantling racism. Please click here to register. Email Jessi Huffman, jessica.huffman@yahoo.com, for more information. Childcare will be provided.
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Do It Green Workdays
Warm spring-like weather is in store for Saturday. A perfect day to work outdoors! You're welcome to join the DIG Team in spring maintenance of the grounds. Bring your gloves and gardening tools, though there will be extra tools. Work will begin at 10 a.m. and end at noon, Saturday, March 25. Contact
Jennifer Frum,
frumjb@gmail.com, for more information.
Upcoming Workdays:
Thursday, April 13, 9 to 11 a.m. (Spring Break? Bring the kids!)
Saturday, April 29,
9 to 11 a.m.
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| Buckingham Cooks and Buckingham Helpers Cooks from the Buckingham community will be selling empanadas, salteƱas, and tamales after services this Sunday. No time to eat? They'll provide carry out. Income from sales will go to a charity which benefits immigrants. Need help with yard work or house cleaning? Buckingham workers offer many services, such as mulching, moving furniture, and painting. To fill out a request form, visit the Buckingham Outreach table in Fellowship Hall after services Sunday. For more information contact Nancy Hall, nancyrhall@hotmail.com. |
Voices From the Holy Land Film Series Sundays, March 26 & April 2
The next two Sundays will be the concluding two sessions at Washington National Cathedral of this year's Holy Land film series. UUCA's Committee for Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine (CPJIP) invites you to join them in attending the viewing of Open Bethlehem at 2:30 p.m., March 26, at the Perry Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Cathedral. Then on April 2 the series concludes with two short films: The Living of Pigeons and East Jerusalem: Six Voices. On the 26th the film's director Ms. Leila Sansour will speak after the showing. On April 2, the concluding panel discussion will be moderated by UUCA's Allen Keiswetter. See the film series' website at www.VoicesFromTheHolyLand.org for further details.
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SPEAK UP Workshop
Mon., April 10, 7-9 p.m.
Using curriculum designed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, this workshop is designed to teach members of our community how to respond to everyday bigotry. Let us come together to use this
"sacred exercise" class to learn to give birth to your anti-racist identity. Limited class size, so please register early. Registration closes April 9. For more information and to register, please email Sharon Williams, williamssharon751@gmail.com or 703-509-1325.
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Peace Camp Training
March 25-26
 UUCA's partner for Peace Camp, Little Friends for Peace (LFFP), is offering two trainings to enhance participants' understanding of LFFP's peace education curriculum. They will be on Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, March 26, 12 to 4 p.m.. You can take one or both sessions. The location is at LFFP's Peace Room, 128 M St. NW in DC. It's an opportunity to EXPERIENCE and LEARN the skills to TEACH peace, build trust, cultivate empathy and disarm conflict. For more information and to register, click here.
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Fri., March 31, 6:30 p.m.
This year's Dream Project concert will acknowledge the unique struggles our immigrant and refugee students, as well as other members of our society, face during these difficult times. The concert will be a celebration of solidarity by diverse communities who share a common vision. 100% of all proceeds will help us fund more scholarships for our Dream Scholars and continue supporting our mentoring activities. Performers include UUCA's Youth Choirs, Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, Rock Creek Singers of the Gay Men's Chorus, and Mariachi Arriero. Purchase tickets by clicking here.
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Stand Up for Healthcare Justice at UUSJ/UUJEC Conference
April 3 thru April 5
 We can't alleviate the rising tide of economic inequality if the Affordable Care Act is dismantled. Learn about healthcare policy and ways to improve access, hear from those working on the front lines pursuing healthcare for all and reducing economic inequality and help deliver UU voices to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Advocates for justice Sister Simone Campbell of Nuns on the Bus fame, Bishop Douglas Miles of Koinonia Baptist Church, and author Chuck Collins are keynote speakers. For more information and to register, click here. Conference flyer here. Cosponsored by UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) and UUs for a Just Economic Community. UUSJ Contact: Elizabeth, info@uusj.org or 202-600-9132.
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SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, April 26, 7 p.m.
Screening prizewinning environmental movie
The film features Dr. Doug Tallamy and covers the science of plant and animal habitat change and habitat preservation in urban and suburban environments like Arlington. Film director Catherine Zimmerman will be with us here at UUCA to introduce the movie and lead a discussion. Sponsored by UUCA DIG Team, co-sponsored by Kol Ami, Rock Spring Congregational UCC, the Virginia Native Plant Society, and the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists.
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Mark your calendar and buy tickets today for Bridges to Independence Gala
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 A memorial service to celebrate the life of Becky McCleskey will be held on Saturday, March 25, 11 a.m., in our Sanctuary. |
 A memorial service to celebrate the life of Letitia Haworth will be held in our Sanctuary on Sunday, April 2, 3 p.m.
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| Loving and healing thoughts to Renee Gholz, age 100 and a long-time member of UUCA. Renee suffered a fall in her home. No broken bones, but she had to be taken to the emergency room. Her left arm was badly lacerated and she is now recuperating at home. She will not be in church for several weeks, and she would greatly appreciate cards and emails. Please send to her son at cgholz@oblon.com. |
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Religious & Lifespan Education
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CLICK BUTTON BELOW TO READ
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Youth Hopi Trip--15 Days left in Faithify Fundraiser!
 UUCA's Youth will return to Hopi for their second service trip there in April. The Youth will take food and medical supplies, and do repairs and maintenance in and around the homes of the elders of the Hopi and Navajo nations. This trip is not only a blessing to the elders but a life-affirming experience for our youth. Without your support, this trip will not be possible. An online fundraiser has been established through the UUA's Faithify. Please share this link with family and friends and on social media. And, thank you for your generous donations!
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Save the date: April 16
No need to bake for Easter Sunday!
UUCA's Youth Group will hold a "Pie, Cake and Dessert Sale" to help fund their spring trip to Hopi.
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SAVE THE DATES
Wednesdays: April 26 thru May 31
Wellspring Wednesdays return! Pencil in "WW" each Wednesday because you don't want to miss out on any of the interesting programming in store! Watch this space for the class list to be released soon!
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Center Gallery and National Poetry Month--Thou Art: Identity in Words and Color
From April 6 - June 1, UUCA's Center Gallery recognizes National Poetry Month and celebrates the beauty of diversity with Thou Art: Identity in Words and Color. The exhibition features original art created for the book of poetry, Thou Art. Poets from many ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds wrote poems as part of the Thou Art project. More on the exhibit here. On Sunday, April 23, 3-6 p.m., there will be an Artist Reception and Poetry Reading. Poets who contributed to Thou Art and poets from UUCA's Where I'm From project will read their poems. After the reading, there will be a Bookmaking Workshop for those who would like to make their own copy of the poetry book Thou Art. There is no registration for the reception or reading, but registration is needed for the workshop. Cost is $30 and includes all supplies. Register for the workshop here.
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The "Gallery Group" needs VOLUNTEERS
Carson Herrington (Curator), Peter VanderPoel (Installation) and Meika Ungricht (Hospitality) need help with exhibitions and receptions for both the QUUest Gallery and the Center Gallery.
We need someone who is trained to operate the AV system in the Center to provide AV services for artists' talks and/or receptions approximately four times a year (roughly Sept., Nov. Jan. and April).
We also need one or two people to help make coffee/tea, dress tables, prep and serve refreshments for artists' talks and/or receptions in the Center approximately four times a year (roughly Sept., Nov. Jan. and April).
And finally, we need a detail oriented person to help with administrative tasks such as placing Connections announcements, organizing "paperwork" associated with borrowing artwork, basic documentation and record keeping for exhibitions. This can be done from home (mostly) and would require, at most, 10 hours per exhibition (five times a year).
If you'd like to help out, please contact Carson at ecarsonh@gmail.com.
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HUUmanists
The Democratic Promise: Saul Alinsky and His Legacy
Mon., March 27, 7:15 p.m.
 Robert Buckman will show and lead a discussion on The Democratic Promise: Saul Alinsky and His Legacy, an award- winning film on labor and civil rights activist Saul Alinsky, who inspired many United States' citizen-based movements. The film, which is narrated by Alec Baldwin, uses various Alinsky organizing campaigns to illustrate his theories and principles, starting with a glimpse of what shaped his philosophies and led to his early organizing efforts. All are welcome. For further information, contact Jere Cummins, jeroldcummins@gmail.com.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Sat. & Sun., April 29-30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. UUCA's Spring Hunt for Treasure
Join us to find gorgeous, one of a kind arts and crafts from local artisans and hunt through our revitalized Treasure's Room (as you may remember from past auctions) to find pre-loved art items (jewelry, pottery, sculpture, wall art). Great chance to buy unique gifts for Mother's Day!
Accepting applications for artisans and makers, art demonstrations, and seeking volunteers to make this event a success. Please email gallupk@gmail.com. Also: donated vintage and great condition second-hand art items (including functional art such as pottery) will be collected Sunday, April 23 and Friday, April 28.
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New UU Class
Saturday, April 1, 8:30-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. 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.
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SAVE THE DATE
Join us for the UUCA Shenandoah Retreat!
Saturday, June 17, 2017
This weekend at Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park is a longstanding tradition at UUCA--it used to be called the "family and friends" weekend, but it's not just for parents with kids! We'd love to see this event become a truly multigenerational UUCA event. If you're part of the greater UUCA family, you are encouraged to come to this world-class wilderness area practically in our backyard!
Read more here. Questions? Contact D. Ohland, profohlandt@gmail.com.
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NonCom Seeks Nominees
The UUCA Nominating Committee is looking for members to serve on the Board of Trustees and also on the Nominating Committee effective July 1, 2017 for a two-year term. Detailed descriptions are here. You can also contact Nominating Committee co-chairs Gerda Keiswetter, gkeiswetter@aol.com or Bill Turner, dc_billturner@yahoo.com.
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New Orleans Social Justice General Assembly 2017
 June 21-25
This year's GA will cater to your UU passions--thousands of UU's worshipping together, a huge choir with a great director, actions of social justice, youth programs, hundreds of workshops, crafting of study issues and issues of immediate witness and much more. Stop by the GA table on Sunday or contact Gerda Keiswetter, gkeiswetter@aol.com.
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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.
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