Connections Newsletter All the news you need to know to connect, grow, and serve.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH US Sunday, December 23, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Christmas Pageant - Multigenerational Service This family-friendly service features the nativity play, “Los Posadas,” as well as traditional carols and reflections upon what a journey to a strange land might tell us about our spiritual journeys. No Religious Education classes. There is nursery care for two years and younger. Children of all ages are welcome in the service! CHRISTMAS EVE - Monday, December 24 3:00 & 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service for All Ages A family-friendly service with singing and stories. We will discuss some of the history of our favorite carols and lift up the spirit of joy, gratitude and awe that is the Christmas season. The service will also include our Intergenerational Pop-Up Choir and our beloved Mitten Tree ritual. Please bring donations of gloves and hats to decorate the tree. The gloves and hats will go to those in need in our community in the New Year. The Pop-Up Choir is open to all--there's no rehearsal--so plan on joining the Choir on our chancel. 7:00 p.m. Traditional Lessons and Carols Service A traditional Christmas Eve service with the retelling of the first Christmas and the singing of carols and candle-lighting. 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Jazz Service A Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols with a twist. The music features jazz musicians Maya Rogers, vocals; Dante Pope, percussion and vocals; Eric Waters, guitar; Tyler Sherman, bass; and Mimi Bornstein, piano. LIVESTREAM. All of the above services will be livestreamed, so please share this link with your far-away family and friends: www.uucava.org/livestream. PARKING. For those attending the Sunday morning services and the 3:00 & 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services, additional parking is available in the Mason's lot on George Mason Drive. PLEASE cross at the traffic light.

Next Sunday - December 30, 11:15 a.m. Join us for our longstanding New Year tradition of when our college students and young people share their reflections in word and song. There is nursery care for two-year-olds and younger and no Religious Education classes. Children of all ages are welcome!

Winter Solstice Transmissions Meditation Service Our next Transmissions meditation service celebrates the Winter Solstice--a special time of hope and promise--hope and promise of light, warmth and spring! The evening includes contemplative meditation, music, chanting, along with soundscapes by Jim and Ashley Cash of Woven Green and a walking meditation on the Labyrinth. Freewill donation. Date: Friday, December 21, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

Friday Morning Devotions We invite you to smooth the path into the weekend with a half-hour of meditation followed by shared reflections each Friday morning beginning at 7 a.m. Please contact in advance either David McTaggart ( dmctagg@gmail.com ) or Gregg Forte ( gforte@mac.com ). A ride is available afterward to Ballston Metro. Date: Each Friday, 7:00 a.m. Location: Room 20 (Youth Room)

Church Matters

Board Update By Hue Nguyen, Trustee of the Church The end of the year brings an opportunity to reflect on what 2018 brought this church. As many of you know – because you lived through it – the beginning of the year was a difficult time for UUCA. Many people had questions about what was ahead for our church. Through the congregation’s strength, the guidance of Reverends Beth and Terasa, the stability of staff, and the commitment of lay leaders, I believe we have become a stronger community because of our experiences over the past year. As I think about UUCA’s 2018 and the many things that our congregation has accomplished, I am humbled and awed – the two aspects behind this month’s Soul Matter’s theme of mystery. Early in the year, during what was arguably the peak anxiety for the church, our congregation still came together for Celebration Sunday to kick off our annual pledge campaign and celebrate UUCA’s 70th anniversary. I remember the large number of people who came to the church for services, the chili cook off, the music recital, and church supper. But it wasn’t just the number of people but also the feeling of community that blew me away. Throughout the year, congregants shared their musical gifts and helped feed our spiritual needs. The choir filled our sanctuary with their voices every week, members shared their mastery of handbells, and the children gave us a glimpse of their musical talents. In addition, members of the church came together as Chalice Theatre put on Peter and the Starcatcher. We also had musical visitors who brightened our Sundays with their abilities. Read more >> uuca-board@googlegroups.com

Remember UUCA at End-of-Year UUCA counts on its members and friends to fund all the parts of our congregation's mission. Can you step up a little further by the end of 2018?  Some congregants recently received a statement of their gifts to the church so far this calendar year. (If you did not receive one, it means that you are totally up to date on your pledged amount. Thank you!) Whether you received a statement or not, please consider including UUCA generously in your end-of-year charitable giving. What could be more important or more immediate than this church, which feeds your soul and helps transform the world?  The last day for 2018 gifts is Monday, December 31 (office open 'til 4 p.m.), and mail-in gifts must be postmarked by that date; and online gifts before midnight December 31. Online donation link. Thank you for making real the statement, "We are the church"!

Lifespan Religious Education

SAVE THE DATE! The Annual Chilli Cook Off is January 27! Come hungry to sample all the vegetarian and meat chilis and cast your vote for your favorites! Thanks in advance for your support and we hope to see you at this fun multigenerational event! All proceeds going toward Youth Service Trips. Date: Sunday, January 27, 12:15- 1:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall and Center Gallery Register Now to Compete in the Chili Cook Off  If you’ve always dreamed about being a chili champion, now is your chance! Register here: goo.gl/oMnvjb Prizes for: Best Meat Chili and Best Vegetarian Chili, as well as Best Name! Please find even more detailed information through the registration link. Registration closes on January 15, 2019, so register now!

Rest of RE News

Faith in Action

Share-the-Plate for December 23: Little Friends for Peace  Little Friends for Peace ( LFFP) imagines a beloved community, a world where relationships are based on respect and acceptance, conflicts end in reconciliation, and everyone is safe, cared for, and able to realize their unique potential. The LFFP team works towards this community everyday starting with children.   LFFP programs across the DC area include Community and Restorative Peace Circles, nonviolence and active bystander intervention trainings for adults and Peace Clubs, in-school programs, and of course, Peace Camp for kids.     Each summer, UUCA partners with LFFP to present two weeks of Peace Camp right here, serving UUCA families and campers from community partners. Last year, we served 132. Of these, 61 were one-week scholarships for children from partners and the community.     This year’s camp at UUCA consists of two week-long sessions, held the weeks of June 24 and July 1. This year's theme is “Circle Up for Peace.” Children learn mindfulness, empathy, anger management, conflict resolution and self-empowerment through art, games, music, and presentations. Your donation to Share-the-Plate (STP) helps meet our goal of providing “Circle Up for Peace” scholarships for 30 children each week of camp.     LFFP invites you to stop by the STP table in Fellowship Hall after Sunday's service to get your own “Peace Saying” ornament to include in your holiday decorations. Donations to this week's STP can be made online until midnight the following Saturday. Share-the-Plate online donations here .

UUCA Peace Camp 2019 Save the dates June 24-July 5 **Note Date Change** Week 1: June 24 to June 28 Week 2: July 1 to July 5, except July 4 Good news, UUCA and LFFP have set the dates for our 22nd anniversary Peace Camp at UUCA: June 24-28 and July 1-5 (no camp on July 4).  Campers (ages 5-14) can attend both weeks or just one. UUCA Peace Camp offers campers the opportunity to explore cooperation and conflict resolution in a safe and supportive environment. At Peace Camp, campers will discover that peace begins with them. Plan to for your peacemaker to attend both weeks, or just one, depending on your schedule. Registrations will open soon. Peace camp at UUCA is a partnership between UUCA Peace Ministry and Little Friends for Peace.

UUCA Delivers Over 181 Secret Santa Gifts Secret Santa is one of UUCA favorite holiday giving traditions. We gave 181 gifts to needy kids and family members from Buckingham, Beacon House and UUCA.  Thanks to all who participated to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter!! It is heart warming to see this spirit and tradition of holiday giving in our lively congregation. Special thanks to Nancy Hall, Connie Freeman, and Gerda Keiswetter and her covenant groups for their special efforts this year. Signed, head Elf, AKA Little Jimmy Terpstra

A-SPAN Personal Items Drive UUCAers are asked to bring donated personal items on Dec. 30 and Jan. 6 for distribution through A-SPAN--the Arlington agency that serves the homeless. Needed items include: travel-sized toiletries, socks, boots, coats, or gift cards (Giant, Safeway, etc.). Those wishing to serve as holiday sponsors for individual clients can get wish lists by emailing Yana Bellemy at abellemy@a-span.org. Items for sponsored clients can be dropped at ASPAN directly prior to the holidays or can be brought to UUCA’s A-SPAN team in Fellowship Hall on December 30 or January 6 after services.  Dates: December 30 and January 6 Location: Fellowship Hall

Volunteers Needed for Bagged Meal Prep Volunteers are needed for the Bagged Meal Service Project that UUCA coordinates in partnership with ASPAN (Arlington Street People's Assistance Network) on the last Sunday of every month. There are three main areas of service in this project: (1) buying the supplies; (2) preparing the bagged meals at the church; and (3) delivering the meals to the homeless at the Oakland Park gathering place. Although all tasks are of service, delivering the food is especially satisfying because it allows you to meet those who welcome these meals. This is a great project for families. If you're interested in joining the team or just helping out this holiday season (December 30), please contact Ken Perkins-Gough, ken.perkins-gough@comcast.net, for more details. Date: Sunday, December 30, 3 p.m. (+last Sunday of @ month) Location: Kitchen

Upcoming Better Angels Workshops - Date Correction! The date of the upcoming Better Angels Red-Blue workshop has changed to March 23, 2019. The sign-up link is still the same. The date and sign-up link for the January 12 Skills workshop is still the same as well. Both workshops are a great opportunity to “walk the walk” of embracing diversity in all its forms, including political diversity. Come join fellow UUCAers in a day of thoughtful conversations, practical hands-on skill-building, and deepening connections with friends and neighbors whose political perspectives may differ from your own. Questions? Feel free to reach out to Sarah Yue, alanandsarah@gmail.com. Saturday, January 12: How to Talk Across the Political Divide Saturday, March 23: Can We Bridge the Political Divide?

VOICE Ends 2018 on a High Note, Gearing Up for 2019 VOICE, Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, fought hard this past year and reached significant goals that we hope will improve life for our low-income, minority, and immigrant neighbors. Our Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote drives were successful and we are grateful to the UUCA members who participated in these actions.  We also deeply appreciate those of you who attended our Action with Governor Northam and Attorney General Herring in October. Northam agreed to put through legislation ending cash bail, which would put an end to what has amounted to a “poverty tax” within the criminal justice system. Recently Northam also made good on another pledge he made at the Action, to work with VOICE on a multi-year strategy to increase the school counselor-to-student ratio from 1:425 to 1:250, nearly cutting it in half. This month he proposed $36 million dollars to hire more school counselors. This will be the first of three multi-year installments estimated to total $90 million. Northam has honored the pledge he made to VOICE; it is now our turn to give him the political cover we promised by attending all Virginia Legislature sessions beginning in January. Standby for an announcement as to when UUCA will be called to do our part. Read more >>

Register for January 20th Allyship Workshop As part of our congregation's Live the Pledge campaign to end racism, UUCA has partnered with Service Never Sleeps to offer a racial justice Allyship training. Over 200 UUCAers have already taken this training. Now it’s your turn! This workshop teaches about the causes of racial injustice, how to be an effective ally for marginalized communities, and how to actively influence and educate others. More information and sign up here. Questions? Contact Alex Ziehm, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, January 20, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Parlor (Room 13/15)

UUCA African American Book Sharing What We Have Read Our UUCA African American Book Sharing Circle has met now for almost two years. We will celebrate what we have learned and shared on January 6. We will have a copy of all the books we have read and participants in our sharing will be at the table ready to talk about what we have learned intellectually and experienced emotionally and spiritually as we discovered America through African American eyes, ears, and voices. Please join us in Fellowship Hall on January 6 following the services. Date: Sunday, January 6, after services Location: Fellowship Hall What We Will Read AND, join us to discover the artistry of Maya Angelou and her first autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings at our sharing circle on Friday, January 18.  A Penguin/Random House review describes this book “…as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. [This book] captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right.” See you January 18.  Date: Friday, January 18, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

'Tis the Season to help out with Meals on Wheels! UUCA delivers meals on the fourth Thursday and Friday of each month. We have a wonderful crew of dedicated volunteers, some of whom do both days. However, December is a busy  month, and we are short of volunteers for December 27 and 28. Many UUCA families find that volunteering with their school-age children is a great holiday vacation activity! Care to join us this month?   The time commitment is from 11 a.m. to bout 1 or 1:30 p.m. The meals are delivered at 11 am to the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 601 N. Vermont St. (corner of Carlin Springs Rd., just west of Ballston Common Mall. Please contact one of the coordinators, to volunteer: Tina Hinh, tinahinh@gmail.com or Sara Anderson, rayandsara@aol.com.

ESOL Class Celebrates Holidays ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes are not all talk! Recently UUCA ESOL volunteers enjoyed sharing American holiday customs and celebrations with students who meet at UUCA. Like any celebration around the world, food was included! UUCA's ESOL team can always use a few more volunteers. And, if you know of any non-native English speakers who wish to improve their English pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and knowledge of USA culture, send them our way. Free classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10:30-Noon. For more information contact Ric Blacksten hricblacksten@gmail.com.

Survey about the 8th Principle: Deadline Extended Survey deadline extended by three days to Sunday, December 23: Please take this survey on the proposed 8th Principle. It’s important to hear from the whole congregation. Thank you the 210+ people who have already completed the survey and 100+ provided written comments on what they think about the 8th Principle. This is the best time to provide input-- Survey Link. Background: The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is considering the addition of an 8th principle to the 7 principles of the UUA Covenant. UUCA is considering showing its support by joining other congregations who have adopted it already. The text of the proposed principle says: We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote journeying toward spiritual wholeness by building a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. To learn more, check out this website or follow the 8th Principle Task Force on Facebook @UUCA8thPrinciple. Information Meetings: Will be scheduled soon for January and February. Plan to come and learn more about the proposed 8th Principle.

12x12 Show in Center Gallery We have many incredibly talented artist in our midst. Be sure to catch the latest exhibit in the Center Gallery. It features 12x12"" works by members and friends of UUCA. Most are available for purchase.

Wheel of Life

Condolences to Sam Appelbaum on the death of his father this week. A memorial service for UUCA Friend Eleanor Weekes will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 5, at Vinson Hall Retirement Community, 6251 Old Dominion Dr., McLean.

Congregational Life

Young Adult Events Update There is only one Young Adult Event left in 2018: Divine Reading on December 27. Please visit our Facebook page “UUCA Young Adult Group” for more info.  Mark your calendars for the Holiday Potluck on January 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Jessica’s house in Reston! Please RSVP on Facebook or by emailing jpeterson@uucava.org. Feel free to wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and we will also have a white elephant gift exchange!  The first Divine Reading of 2019 is on January 10 and the first BPQ of 2019 is on January 15. Mark your calendars! Day Alliance January Speaker Trash Free Seas w/ Sarah Kollar of the Ocean Conservancy Everyone is invited to come hear Sarah Kollar, the Outreach Manager, International Coastal Cleanup for the Trash Free Seas Program® at the Ocean Conservancy. Her talk will focus on reducing ocean trash, particularly plastics. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Eckerd College. Following the talk there will be a catered luncheon. There is no need for reservations for the talk, though please make a reservation for lunch by contacting Henriette Kellum, h.kellum@verizon.net. Date: Tuesday, January 8, 10:30 a.m. Coffee Social; 11 a.m. Speaker; 12 p.m. Luncheon Location: Center Gallery

Happy Hour Hosted by Sanctuary Singers Sanctuary Singers invites you to join us for Happy Hour in January. Members of this group not only sing but are also really good cooks! So come on down for what promises to be a delicious event. We are a singer-friendly and welcoming group and would love to have some new singers join us! (No previous singing experience necessary. Just a desire to minister through music.)  No interest in singing? Come for a social evening and meet the people who make beautiful music on Sunday mornings. Bring a beverage to share if you like (wine or non-alcoholic, we have plenty of beer leftover from the Cabaret). Date: Thursday, January 10, 6-7:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

New Pastoral Care Gathering Death Cafe A Death Cafe gathering seeks to increase awareness of death with a view to help people make the most of their (finite) lives. It's a safe, welcoming place in which people share their ideas, concerns, fears, and hopes about death. Death Cafe's have become a global movement. There have been thousands of Death Cafe gatherings held throughout the world. From the administrative details of death and dying to the most profound spiritual or philosophical issues, all topics are welcome. Mark your calendar for January 20. Come for the coffee, tea and cake, and stay for what promises to be interesting and stimulating conversation. Questions? Contact Colleen Duewel, ckdcares@gmail.com Date: Sunday, January 20, 2:00 p.m. Location: Activity Room

New UU Class 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 in the class. It's also part of the path to membership at UUCA.  Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley will be leading the class. The class is free and includes dinner, but registration is required.  Register here. Free childcare is available upon request. Contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org for more information. Date: Tuesday, January 22, 6 to-9 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

UUCA's Annual Shenandoah Retreat **NEW DATES** June 21-23, 2019 Join us for our 45th year! The UUCA Shenandoah Retreat is a family-friendly, multi-generational meetup at Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park. Campground reservations open for our dates in just a few weeks on December 21, so don't miss out! Stay in a campsite or in the Big Meadows lodge. More info about the retreat and a link to our registration and the campground reservation page can be found here.

NEW newsletter deadline: Connections deadline for submissions is EACH Monday at noon with publication on Wednesday. See below on how to submit an announcement.

How to submit an announcement to UUCA's Connections newsletter:   Deadline is noon each Monday. Please put "Connections" or "newsletter" 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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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA 4444 Arlington Blvd Arlington, Virginia Call: (703) 892-2565 Email: uuca@uucava.org ‌ ‌