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Mark your calendar: June 4
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Following the service
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UUCA - A place to Connect |Grow | Serve
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Sunday Worship
May 7, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"Living the Dream"
Sermon by Rev. Aaron McEmrys
Come to find out Rev. Aaron's take on Living the Dream when he introduces this month's sermon theme of Embodiment.
Classical music lovers don't want to miss Sunday's service. The music will be a preview of our upcoming Spring Concert on June 11. Clerestory Choir and Polymnia Handbell Choir will perform. Music includes Rondo Passacaglia for handbells and the choral piece Te Quiero (I Adore You).
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Livestreaming of the service here.
Single Summer Sunday Worship schedule at 10:15 a.m. begins June 4.
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Missed the April 23 service when our fabulous youth shared their thoughtful perspective on the spring break service trip to Hopi in Arizona?
Even if you did make the service, it's worth hearing them again. The video to the right are of the talks only.
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This week's Give the Plate offering supports UUCA's partnership with NISGUA--the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala. Our church, through its Partners for Arlington and Guatemala (PAG), has sponsored a total of 17 human rights Accompaniers in collaboration with NISGUA since 2007. Our 18th accompanier, Clara Lincoln, leaves for Guatemala this June. These remarkable young adults spent at least six months in Guatemala as part of an international team of accompaniers. They monitor tense situations and provide a presence to deter the violence and intimidation that faces human rights defenders. Accompaniers are also present in communities opposing multi-national mining, hydroelectric and agribusiness projects that seize indigenous communal lands without permission, exploit the local resources and irreparably harm the local environment and economy.
Your GTP offerings during May fund the monthly stipend that our accompaniers receive to cover their room and board, in-country travel and emergency medical coverage. Without your generous support, UUCA could not be a Sponsoring Community. On Sunday, please join us in Fellowship Hall for refreshments and good cheer to celebrate 10 productive years. PAG thanks the UUCA community for its steadfast support of this vital Faith in Action work, encompassing Guatemala and Arlington. 
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Please let us know if you will attend the celebration for Rev. Linda, though
RSVP is not required, just appreciated.
A Personal Note from You
Express your appreciation for Rev. Linda's ministry among us by composing a personal note that will be one of a collection to be presented to her on May 21. After each Sunday worship service, look for the staffed table with the sign, "Dear Linda...": May 7, located in the Board Room; May 14 and 21, in Fellowship Hall. There is also a special card to sign that will be presented with the personal messages.
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Many Hands Make a Celebration Great!
 As you know, Rev. Linda will be leaving UUCA at the end of June. We want to let her know how much we have appreciated her 16 years with us--and that requires a big party! We need many hands for food prep on Saturday, May 20 and on Sunday, May 21, for greeting, for setting up the reception, and for clean up. We also need a few folks to collect notes for Rev. Linda on Sundays after services. Paula Bendl-Smith has a delicious menu planned, but if you would like to contribute your favorite dessert, please do! Let Elizabeth Fogarty know about your dessert at eafogarty@aol.com. Would you like to make a financial gift for this celebration? Contribute via check with "Rev. Linda appreciation" in the memo line, or online at uucava.org with "Rev. Linda appreciation" in the notes section. (Rev. Linda will get another version of this newsletter sans these announcements.)
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Fellowship X Friday Night Service: Beltane
Friday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.
Come for an observance of Beltane, an ancient Celtic celebration of feasting, drinking, and bonfires. There will be an authentic Celtic Beltane blessing, a group candle blessing ritual, and some food and beer for all. It will be a short ritual and our observance will be modest, since it may rain and we will be going to eat afterwards. Fellowship X is a social and spiritual fellowship serving Gen Xers (those born in the '60s and '70s). For more information on Fellowship X, visit www.meetup.com/Fellowship-X-NoVa/
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Fiesta Celebration w/ Buckingham Neighbors
 Saturday, May 6, 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall
You're invited to this family-friendly potluck with our Buckingham neighbors where we gather together for an evening of delicious food, music, entertainment, and fun! Admission is only a smile and a covered dish or dessert!
Flyer here.
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We Celebrate 10 Years of Your Support!
A Celebration Reception May 7, 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall |
Partners for Arlington & Guatemala (PAG) Says Thank You!
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PAG: A Partnership of Heart--Celebrating UUCA's solidarity and support for the people of Guatemala and our immigrant neighbors in Arlington. Thanks to your support:
- Mayan pursuit of justice in Guatemalan courts has advanced with 17 accompaniers over 10 years
- Currently, sixty students who lost parents or grandparents in the genocide are advancing in school and out of poverty, as have hundreds over 10 years
- We have touched the lives of our Buckingham neighbors, helping with computer classes, temporary employment, legal papers and fiestas!
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Does Someone You Love Depend on Metro?
The Washington area Metro bus and rail system is in crisis. To keep it financially viable, authorities are now proposing draconian measures, including deep service cuts to northern Virginia bus lines and slashes in pay and benefits to Metro workers. VOICE (Virginians Organized for Community Engagement) is standing up alongside our sister interfaith organizing groups and the transit workers union to demand a better solution. UUCA members will join hundreds of others this Sunday at a major action in Washington, DC, to stand up for the civil rights and human dignity of all Metro workers and riders. We are seeking restored bus and rail service, inclusion of affordable housing in all WMATA land deals, stabilized fares, dedicated revenue, and the protection of good jobs. Please join us!
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CPJIP Discussion on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Sunday, May 7, 2:30 p.m., UUCA Center
 The Committee for Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine (CPJIP) is sponsoring a talk and discussion aboSt Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti will be the featured speaker. Barghouti is a human rights defender. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, NY, and a master's degree in Philosophy (ethics) from Tel Aviv University. He is the author of BDS: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights. His commentaries and interviews have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Newsweek, the Guardian, Politico, and on BBC, Bloomberg TV, MSNBC, CNN, among others. Last Sunday, Barghouti along with Ralph Nader were recipients of Gandhi Peace Awards in New Haven, Connecticut.
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Help protect the Chesapeake Bay--Send a message to your US legislators on climate justice
Please consider writing a letter to your senator or representative about the environment for UUs for Social Justice's Advocacy Corps to hand-deliver on Capitol Hill next Tuesday. You can drop off your letter at church on Sunday morning at UUSJ's drop-box near the Welcome Desk. In particular, we need to protect our estuary region and the Chesapeake Bay. Please consider our sample letter and talking points to express support of the full funding of the Chesapeake Bay Program. In recognition of the Climate Justice Month in April, UUSJ partnered with UU Ministry for Earth and Commit2Respond to invite UUs nationwide to write letters to their members of Congress on budget commitments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For more information about the Advocacy Corps, check UUSJ's website or contact Lavona Grow at lavonagrow@mac.com.
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Come to LFFP Talent Show supporting Peace Camp
Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m. (OFF SITE)
 Want to have fun and help Peace Camp at the same time? Plan to attend the 4th Annual LFFP Talent Show on Sunday, May 4, 4 p.m. Come to Joe's Movement Emporium (3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, Md.) and support UUCA's Peace Camp. Tickets available here. Or show your talent in support of Peace Camp, sign up to perform at here. Have questions? Email Kristen@lffp.org.
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Your Political Power in Election 2017
A Four Sessions offered by VOICE--May 10-31
Read Your Political Power class syllabus here.
Register for the class here.
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A-SPAN and ALIVE! Food & Toiletries Drive
 UUCA is collecting food and shelter items for A-SPAN and ALIVE! Donation bins are in the upper and lower lobbies. Thru May 7, please bring any of the following to UUCA:
- FOOD: Low-sugar cereals, peanut butter, canned meat (tuna, chicken, beef stew, etc.) pasta, mac & cheese, canned soup, canned vegetables, etc.
- NECESSARIES: Deodorant, soap, shampoo &conditioner, disposable razors, shaving cream, combs &brushes, mouth wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Small sizes only.
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DO IT GREEN Workdays & Meeting
 Enjoy digging in the dirt or simply working outside? UUCA's DIG Team invites you to the upcoming grounds-keeping workdays in May. Bring work gloves and gardening tools. Extra tools will be available.
- Thursday, May 11, 9-11 a.m.
- Saturday, May 27 - 9-11 a.m.
Would you like to share your ideas or interest in maintaining our grounds? Please come to the next DIG planning meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 3-4:30 p.m., in the Volunteer Room. For more information on DIG, contact Jennifer Frum,
frumjb@gmail.com.
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UUCA and the Dream Project
 UUCA was proud to host the annual Dream Project concert last week. Performers brought music from many countries, and the Howard University Gospel Choir offered songs of solidarity and faith. Rev. Linda received a recognition plaque from Dr. Emma Violand-Sanchez, founder of the Dream Project of Northern Virginia at the April 28 concert held at UUCA. The citation says in part: "Honoring your deep commitment to the Arlington community, and your dedication to the Dream Project and the students and families it serves. We extend our profound appreciation!"
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Religious & Lifespan Education
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CLICK BUTTON BELOW TO READ
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All year long our elementary Religious Education kids have been busily creating Seven Principle banners. These banners go on display this Sunday and will be hanging throughout the church for the entire month of May. To celebrate this year-long effort, there will be an art show during both coffee hours this Sunday hosted by the RE Kids. The 4th graders will be on hand as docents and will share about the techniques, methods, and processes used in creating the banners. Please make a special effort to visit these lovely works of art.
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Wellspring Wednesdays--Register TODAY--Classes thru May 31
Classes beginning on May 10:
- Intersection of Law, Religion, and LGBTQ Issues
- Stewards of Children
- Three Prophets of Religious Liberalism (class will also be livestreamed)
- Your Political Power in Election 2017
Brochure of classes HERE.
Class chart HERE.
REGISTRATION HERE.
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HUUmanists Discuss "The Strangeness of Science"
Monday, May, 8, 7:15 p.m.
 All are welcome to view a video talk by Richard Dawkins, the English evolutionary biologist and author. The full title of his talk is "Queerer than We Can Suppose: The Strangeness of Science." He gives examples from science to support what the noted biologist J.B. S. Haldane once said: "My suspicion is that the universe is not just queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose." For more information, contact Jere Cummins, jeroldcummins@gmail.com.
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Day Alliance: Never a Slow Day
With Frank Aukofer
Tuesday, May 9
 Frank Aukofer will be the guest speaker at the DA's May luncheon on May 9. Aukofer was a newspaper reporter in the historic second half of the 20th century, a golden age for American newspapers. Before the Internet, cable television and the 24-hour news cycle, it was the news correspondents who were the source of information for everyone, including the other media.
Aukofer covered many of the historic events of the latter 20th century, including the civil rights movement in the 1960s, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Persian Gulf War, and the impeachment proceedings against Presidents Richard M. Nixon and William J. Clinton, as well as other significant episodes of the time. Read more.
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Happy Hour
Tuesday, May 9, 6-7:30 p.m.
 Come for a South American themed Happy Hour. The evening includes Peruvian food along with Salsa dancing--and lessons! Bring a beverage to share (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic). Free childcare available.
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The Best Annual Pledge Drive Ever -- A Webinar Series
 There are many roles to be filled and skills needed for a successful and spirit-centered annual pledge effort.
UUCA has been participating in a series of webinars designed to help Unitarian Universalist congregations apply stewardship best practices.
The last of three sessions will be held
on Monday, May 8
. The session convenes at 6:30 with a discussion prior to the 7 p.m. broadcast. Contact
Bruce Rieder
,
brieder@comcast.net
, if you'd like to attend.
READ MORE.
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"Hunt for Treasure" Nets $2,500
Nice work! Last weekend's first-ever Spring Hunt for Treasure provided plenty of fun and piles of cool art--and artsy "stuff"--for those who attended, as well as a chunk of change for UUCA. A million thanks to Kate Gallup and Carol Hopper, who spent many hours planning, organizing, and selling; Steven Minson, who provided his massage skills and donated all the proceeds to the event; and the dozen or so other volunteers who helped in many ways. The Hunt for Treasure was possible, of course, because of the thoughtful members and friends who donated beautiful things to be sold. You know who you are! Not to mention those who bought original art, hand-painted glassware, silver pieces, and unique vintage jewelry. And in a final grace note, all unsold and unclaimed items have gone to our friends at the Buckingham Community.
Whatever role you played, know that you are making a difference to UUCA and to our partners.
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Save the Date
Mark Tuesday, June 13 on your calendar! At 7:00 p.m., we'll gather for an exhilarating process to brainstorm new ideas (and begin to plan) for how to support UUCA financially in the future. What do YOU think we should do? What would YOU do to help? Watch for more details soon.
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Fall Retreat: A Mountain Get-a-Away Sept. 22-24
 For over 50 years, UUCA members and friends have gathered each fall at Capon Springs in the mountains of West Virginia for fellowship, fun, and renewal. The UUCA Fall Retreat (Sept. 22-24) is a great chance to get to know your fellow UUCA-ers in a relaxed setting. Enjoy discussions and workshops, communal meals, fun and games from Scrabble to shuffleboard, hiking and birdwatching (and even polar-bear bathing in Capon Springs' famously icy pool). Whether you are thinking of coming for the first time or are a repeat retreater, we would love to have you join us! Please stop by the Fall Retreat table Sundays, May 14, 21 or 28, where members of the retreat committee will be delighted to tell you more.
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LOST AND FOUND
Our lost and found is overflowing! Please check the lost and found located in the corner of the upper level coat room for items you may have left behind. Any items left after May 29 will be donated to charity.
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The work of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington is made possible by the generosity of our members and individual donors.
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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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