Thursday, September 20, 2018
The Coming Week
Wednesday, September 19

Souls in the Center have a Happy Hour. Let’s celebrate Wednesdays with a beer, cocktail, or wings fried in waffle batter. A good time to meet folks in a smaller group setting. 7:00-9:00 pm, Grady’s (2210 14th St NW).

Friday, September 21

Homecoming Terrace Concert , featuring Gordon Kent. With special recognition of the 2018 Beckner Advancement Fund grantees. Free and open to the public. 5:30-7:30 pm, terrace.
Saturday, September 22

Social Justice Ministry Kickoff. Come for some shared learning, strategizing, energizing, and relationship-building to start the year!

Souls in the Center have a Game Day Again! RSVP on our Facebook page here for the address. 2:00-5:00ish pm, Elyte’s house near church.

Bluegrass Legend Alice Gerrard Concert , featuring all-star cast of friends, and performing new and old songs originally recorded by her and Hazel Dickens in Pierce Hall in 1965. $18/$20. 7:00 pm, Pierce Hall.

Sunday, September 23

The Possible Beyond Impossibility. Rev. Shana Lynngood. Our world is constantly telling us what we can’t do. We are bombarded with reassurances about just how little we can have an impact and how long the odds are of us feeling a sense of the meaning in our lives. Possibility suggests that there is a dimension beyond the nay-saying. This morning we will look for glimpses of where and how possibility emerges in our daily living.
( Rev. Shana Lynngood served as the associate minister at All Souls from 2003 to 2010. She now serves as co-minister, with her wife Melora, of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, BC, Canada. )

Joining All Souls . Ready to put a ring on it? At the end of this three-hour introduction to membership and the workings of All Souls, you’ll be invited to sign the membership book, making it official. Register here . 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Eaton Room.

New Young Souls Get-Together. Still feel new to Young Souls and want more connection? Attending Young Souls events for a while, but want more inclusion? This gathering is for you. We’ll decide as a group what to do: get treats from Sticky Fingers, walk around the neighborhood, cozy up at a coffee place, or enjoy the sunshine (hopefully!) in Meridian Hill Park. Abby Jones will post up by the Welcome Table in Pierce Hall starting at about 12:45 pm, so look for her nametag to find the group. Questions? Contact Abby (abigail.jones313@gmail.com). RSVP on Facebook here . 1:00 pm, gather after second service in Pierce Hall.

The Silver Souls welcome all to their monthly meeting. Join us in building the Beloved Community, and in working for service, justice, and spiritual growth. After second service, library.

Are you interested in learning more about how All Souls fits into the larger UU community, in partnering with other UU bodies, and/or looking to magnify your impact in the world around you? If so, consider joining the Denominational Connections Committee at its next meeting. After second service, Tupper Room.

All Souls Reproductive Justice brunch. Join us for a light brunch as we discuss ways to get involved with reproductive justice at All Souls and in the community. People of all genders welcome! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ascrjbrunch . 1:00 pm, Longfellow Room.
All Souls Reads: Justice on Earth . Panelists: Paula Cole Jones and Pamela Sparr. Free and open to all; please register if you intend to participate in the discussion series (Mondays, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19) facilitated by Emily Koester. 1:00 pm, classroom 5.
Mindful Souls provides an opportunity to meet in community regularly at the church for meditation, followed by discussion led by congregants or others from our broader DC community. We welcome all who wish to attend. Every Sunday, 1 pm, classroom 2; second/fourth Sundays also at 11 am, Longfellow Room.

The Human Ecology of Racism project is a virtual curriculum for transforming white-supremacy by facilitating the spiritual transformation of whites to a “beyond white” identity. Folk Healer, Richael Faithful and Rev. Rebecca Parker will be in conversation online. A small donation ($5) is invited from participants. More info and registration here . 7:00-8:00 pm. 

Wednesday, September 26

Board Meeting. All are welcome to attend. 7:00 pm, Eaton Room.

Thursday, September 27

Want to be part of a national UU learning community related to this year’s common read, “Justice on Earth” ? The UU Ministry for Earth and the UUA’s Environmental Justice Practitioners Network host a monthly webinar to explore issues raised by the authors and their practical implications for activists. Individuals and covenant groups are welcome to participate. This first webinar will be with All Souls member Pam Sparr, who will speak on “Prophetic Imagination.” Info and registration at https://www.uumfe.org/get-involved/environmental-justice-practitioners-network . 7:30 - 8:30 pm.

Saturday, September 29

Souls in the Center Potluck. Please bring your favorite dish to share. RSVP on Facebook . Sat., Sep. 29, 6:00-8:00 pm, Kris’ place in Hyattsville.

Sunday, September 30

Find Your Ministry Fair. Other than attending Sunday services, how might you fit in the All Souls community? Come talk to representatives from all the church’s groups and ministries. After each service, Pierce Hall.
Adult Spiritual Development
Register for all classes at www.all-souls.org/asd

The UU4CORE series will be held again October 2 - November 13: Unitarian Universalist History and Theology will be led by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker and Kevin McCulloch.
 
The Roots and Wings fall session is October 9 - November 13. This is open to all, not just new members!
 
ADORE and the 8th Principle . ADORE will continue to hold monthly topical sessions (usually on the third Tuesday of each month); JUBILEE training will be held October 5-7. Of special interest in this election time will be "A White Historian Looks at Black Voting Rights" a talk with slides by Dr. Susan Strasser, October 17.
 
New Spiritual Practice offerings this fall include " Spiritual Life Writing " -a three session course (Oct 25, Nov. 8, & Nov. 29) and a half-day Contemplative Practice Retreat on Diwali , Nov. 10, led by Rev. Dr. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. Dr. Joanne Braxton.  
 
The new "All Souls Reads" series will provide multiple opportunities for us to read together, including:
  • Book Discussions on Justice on Earth, with chapters by 2 All Souls members, September 23; and Fascism: A Warning, by Madeline Albright, October 14.
  • The "Classic Readings" Series focuses on contemporary and historic theological writers. First up: Margaret Fuller, Mystical Feminist. Wednesdays, Oct. 3 & 24.
  • "Reading in Good Company" sessions with the Silver Souls 5th Sunday Reading Club and the Young Souls Reading Group.

To register for classes, go to www.allsouls.org/ASD and click on the course title and the "register" link. Fees can be paid online (usually for classes with multiple sessions). Fee waivers are always possible.
Children and Youth Religious Education
The Unburied Lede

We survived! That’s one week of Religious Education down for the 2018-2019 church year. There were minimal tears and no blood, so we at The Rel Ed Times are calling it a win. The students were, on the whole, excited to return and their energy levels were accordingly high. Teachers, first and long time alike, walked out of classes reporting how energized they felt. The first weekend of RE always stands out for its duality as the culmination of a lot of hard work and preparation but also as the start of something that will grow in ways for which we will not be able to prepare.
Knowing this journey ahead of us, we’re gathering in the Sanctuary this Sunday to dedicate our Teachers (both RE and ASD) and celebrate their commitment. I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

Whaddaya Need to Know???

PK 2-3(9:30), PK 2-4(11:15): I Have Two Hands
PK 4 (9:30 Service): Here We Meet Friends
Elementary: Exploring our UU values and actions, and ways to express them
Middle School: How will we relate to one another? (Covenant Work)
Youth Group: Revising the covenant and wading into a multi-part discussion of power, oppression, and privilege

Places and Spaces

9:30 Service
0-23 months: Nursery
PK 2-3: Room 5
PK 4: Room 3
K/1st: Room 1
2nd/3rd: Room 2
4th/5th: Spirit Room
Middle School: Tupper Room

11:15 Service
0-23 months: Nursery
PK 2-4: Room 5
K/1st: Room 1
2nd/3rd: Room 2
4th/5th: Spirit Room
Middle School: Tupper Room
Youth Group: Eaton Room

Last Week(end) Tonight – September 16, 2018

First Day of RE! On the 15th, we had 40-45 of our teachers come together in the Dining Room to discuss the nuts and bolts of teaching and start to get schedules set.
Then, this past Sunday, all of our students returned to their classrooms for the first time since this past June! Reconnecting was enjoyed by all.

Future Fetes

9/23 – Teacher Dedication
9/30 – Baby Dedication
10/7 – Pancake Breakfast and Parent Q and A Time (Dining Room)

Ask Away!

Why does Elementary School basically have “free play” once a month?
The first Sunday of the month, all students Elementary aged and up start in the Sanctuary to hear and watch the Story for All Ages as performed by the Director of Religious Education and some members of their cohort. We found that, once everyone made their way to their respective classrooms after the story, there was not enough time left to really delve into a full lesson.
Instead of trying to cram a full lesson where there just wasn’t enough time, we decided instead to try a different format on those first Sundays. However, we soon realized that this “free play” allowed us so much more than was apparent on the surface level.
We were able to have discussions in chapel before heading to the “adventures” about what it meant to play in community and what it meant to make choices that were your own instead of based on peer pressure. Then, we watched as students in 4th and 5th grade learned to play with students in Kindergarten, how sometimes the best way to play can be to support and how age sometimes doesn’t make a difference when it comes to friendship. We were able to see this emphasized when we brought Middle School down to help facilitate, watching students that were used to being the cared for become some of the carers. What started as an effort to manage our schedule became an opportunity for students that were normally learning in their own classrooms to interact with students across all age levels in a way that, for some students, made this their reported favorite day of the month!
Reeb Voting Rights Project
Make Midterms Matter Trip to North Carolina

Democracy is not a spectator sport and North Carolina is ground zero for voter suppression in the US. This will not stop us: Reeb Voting Rights Project is joining with You Can Vote and Democracy NC to ensure that marginalized communities in the Raleigh area participate in early voting. Experts believe that, if traditionally locked out communities voted more, politicians might address critical issues such as immigration, gun control, racial justice, the environment, and more.

Reeb trips are remembered for the homestays, and this trip won’t disappoint. In a mid-term match up, Community UU Church in Chapel Hill is opening up congregants’ homes for us to set up basecamp. We’ll depart on Friday at 3:00 pm; canvass and socialize with Chapel Hill UUs on Saturday; and worship on Sunday morning before heading home. If leaving after work on Friday and coming back Saturday night works better for you, we can coordinate car pools and hotels. Deadline to sign up: October 1. RSVP here . Questions to ascvotingrights@gmail.com . Thanks for making mid-terms matter!

Pledge your time to make the midterms matter

How will you help democracy thrive this fall? Make your pledge here .
FY 2019 Budget Process Calendar
Opportunities
Young Souls Survey. As the new church year begins, the Young Souls board is seeking the input of the young adult community (ages 18-35+). We would deeply appreciate that any young adult at All Souls, particularly those who have attended Young Souls events or otherwise interacted with Young Souls spaces, take this survey . We will use your anonymous input to steer the board in fostering a community that affirms and promotes the eight principles. Thank you so much for your help, and if you have any questions please reach out to the YS board ( youngsoulsboard@googlegroups.com) .

Have you left a committee meeting thinking you will quit the committee because so-and-so dominates and only wants other members to confirm his/her agenda? Instead of quitting, how about planning a conversation with so-and-so to explore your perceptions and find a better way to collaborate. Our Covenant of Right Relations commits us to work through such issues. The Committee on Right Relations can advise you on how to approach these necessary but fraught conversations. Contact Kathy Ferger (202-723-6320; ascu.crr@gmail.com).

The ASC Haiti committee is looking for two ASC members with skills in affordable housing and in agriculture to help support the CENHaiti program. True to its mission to “Connect people who want to develop Haiti together,” CEN-Haiti has been securing very generous donations for local organizations. We are now seeking two or more volunteer leaders who possess the technical skills required to help improve the performance of these local organizations, so they can attract future funding locally or internationally. If you are interested, please send an email to board.cenhaiti@gmail.com . Visit CENHaiti.org for more info about the program.

The Leadership Development and Nominating Committee is recruiting nominees to fill three seats on the Board of Trustees as well as officer positions for 2019. Interviews will be conducted starting in early September and a slate of candidates will be announced before the annual Congregational Meeting in December, where new trustees and officers will be elected. If you’re interested in serving, please go to www.all-souls.org/ldnc for more information and to fill out an online application. Questions? Contact co-chairs Maya Hermann (hermann.maya@icloud.com) or Chuck Wooldridge ( cwooldridge108@comcast.net ).
 
Believe in radical hospitality? Act on those beliefs! Worship services can be magical, but they don’t happen magically. In addition to the ministers and staff, we depend on the time, effort, and good will of volunteer congregants. Interested in helping? You have a choice of roles to play, and each is important.
  • Worship Associates speak from the pulpit five or six times a year to welcome the congregation and introduce the offering collection. Worship Buddies help setup before services. Training occurs once or twice a year. Contact Jana Owens (jana_owens@hotmail.com).
  • Ushers welcome congregants and visitors, hand out the orders of service, and help everything run smoothly and safely. The commitment is only one service each month, so it’s a great way to get involved. Contact Mark Matthews (markhowardmatthews@gmail.com).
  • Greeters welcome visitors and answer their questions, both before and after services. Really important, but easy—once a month commitment and no meetings! Great way to meet people, and you’re already qualified! Contact Gary Penn (gpenn@allsouls.ws).
  • Counters receive the offering plates, tally the numbers, and lock everything away in the safe. You’ll serve once a month after the second service and meet a nice group of folks. Contact John Crowe (babaloo913@gmail.com).
  • The Lunch Ministry nourishes the congregation with a homemade, healthy meal about once a month. Stretch your culinary skills! Visit all-souls.org/lunch or contact Jerri Husch (ascu.lunch@ gmail.com).
All Souls Church Unitarian | 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington DC 20009
202.332.5266| www.all-souls.org