Connections Newsletter All the news you need to know to connect, grow, and serve. MARCH 2019 - STEWARDSHIP MONTH

Sunday, March 10, 2019 - 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. "How Can My Spirit Grow?" Led by the Appreciative Inquiry Team This special interactive service will ask us all to engage with the question, “How can my spirit grow, here, in this congregation?” As Unitarian Universalists we understand that we are the ones who create our own spiritual paths. How this congregation helps support you in that development is what we would like you to think about and help us all learn.

As part of this process, we will have visual artist Adi Leigh take part in the service. She will pictorially represent our thoughts in real time! You won’t want to miss this chance to reflect and build together.

Don't forget: Daylight saving time begins this weekend! See you bright and early on Sunday!

We're going FB LIVE ! Not able to be with us in person on Sunday morning? It's now going to be easier than ever to join us online. Besides joining in via www.uucava.org/livestream, you can now experience each Sunday morning via Facebook LIVE. This Sunday, March 10, you'll have the opportunity to actually participate in the service by leaving your comments to questions posed in this special interactive service if viewed via Facebook. We want to hear from our beloved community near and far! Please join us!

Upcoming Services March 17 - “Inner Gifts and Outward Love” - Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley. March 24 - "For All That Is Our Life" - Walter Clark. March 31 - Service led by Walter Clark and DC Sanctuaries. More information on upcoming services here .

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)

MoonFire Chocolate Ritual Please join MoonFire and the Temple of the Lotus Pyramid for a fun, chocolate-filled ritual to the Gods and Goddesses of love, happiness, and laughter. We will celebrate the season with treats, and seek in ritual the joy that comes from the divine. For this ritual everyone must bring joy in their hearts, and irreverence in their words! As always, a potluck will follow the ritual. For more information on MoonFire, visit www.moonfireuuca.org or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com Date: Sunday, March 17, 1:30 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

Church Matters

Why YOU Should Come to Appreciative Inquiry In the Sanctuary at worship services this Sunday we are taking up the question “How Can My Spirit Grow?” in a special Appreciative Inquiry exercise with graphic recording. In RE downstairs, elementary aged kids will be hearing stories about what it means to be in community and exploring questions like—What do I love about UUCA, how does UUCA help me grow?   The next step is Appreciative Inquiry sessions: Sunday, March 24, 2:00-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 9:30-Noon.  Each session will focus on two questions: “How do we want to be in relationship with each other and grow as a spiritual community?” and “How we want to interact with and serve the larger community?” These sessions will also feature graphic recording.  These are major community-building events. The ideas that we raise and record on these days will help shape our transition to a new Senior Minister.  You’ve been hearing that “We are the church.” This is a chance to BE the church by participating in Appreciative Inquiry and to further explore what you are thinking, in structured reflection and in conversation with others.  Sign up here or at the Ministerial Search Committee table after services through March or by contacting Allen Keiswetter, keiswetter@aol.com.

SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING FLING! - March 24 By Bruce Reider, Annual Giving Team Member Please plan to join your church family for a very special evening of food, fun, fellowship, and, oh, did I mention door prizes! Our Spring Fling will begin with a sumptuous supper at 5 p.m. Bring a non-alcoholic beverage and/or dessert to share. For dessert we will have our own adaptation of the Great British Baking Show with entries invited for your enjoyment and for prizes. If you missed your shot at a chili trophy, you get another chance for bragging rights on something homemade and sweet. See the call for entries below.  Read more about our Spring Fling here >>

Announcing our first GREAT UUCA BAKE-OFF! As part of our Spring Fling Celebration on Sunday, March 24, there will be a dessert baking contest. If you missed your chance at this year's coveted Chili Cook-Off prize, here's another chance for bragging rights in the sweet spot of the comfort food spectrum. The bar is set with Rev. Teresa’s practice red velvet cake pictured above. Our celebrity judges will assess entrants in the following categories:  Best Cake or Cupcakes Best Pie or Pastry Best Cookies or Bars Best Confection Best Presentation Most Creative Best in Show PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ENTRY IN ADVANCE HERE: The Great UUCA Bake-Off.  More Bake-Off details here.

Beyond Categorical Thinking Summary On February 23, nearly 70 UUCA-ers participated in the Beyond Categorical Thinking (BCT) workshop facilitated by UUA Transitions Director Rev. Keith Kron (his 237th time facilitating over 23 years), and focused on recognizing and removing unconscious bias, promoting inclusive thinking, and preventing unfair discrimination during our congregation’s search for a new minister. The Summary includes: (read complete summary here) History of Beyond Categorical Thinking and Connection to Ministerial Search Small Group Activity How Church History Can Affect a Search Conclusion Survey results w/ tables

Special Congregational Meeting Sunday, March 31, 2019 – 12:30 p.m. UUCA Sanctuary A special congregational meeting will be held to vote on the adoption of the 8th Principle. Absentee voting is also available. Members of 90 days or longer are eligible to vote. Meeting Agenda 8th Principle Resolution Absentee Ballot Instructions Absentee Ballot Need more info on the 8th Principle? Visit the 8th Principle Task Force table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday or visit their Facebook page here .

Staff Appreciation Sunday Please join the Board of Trustees on Sunday, March 17 for Staff Appreciation Sunday! Our UUCA staff do so much work--a majority of which goes unseen--and offer us so much support that we’re taking a day to give extra thanks for all they do. Before or after services on Sunday, March 17, please thank a staff member when you see them, sign a thank you banner to show your gratitude, and enjoy a cupcake.

Lifespan Religious Education

What's Up in RE This Week Spirit Play--Stories of Our Faith 2nd-4th--Appreciative Inquiry 5th--Bible Studies 6th--MakerSpace 7th---Islam 8th--OWL 9th-12th--Youth Group--Attending service at 11:15 Rest of RE News Nursery Volunteers Needed We are looking for a few volunteers at each service to volunteer in our nursery. The commitment is one hour and a half during service once or twice a month. If you enjoy playing with little ones (3 and under), reading stories, and stewarding our youngest congregants in their UU faith development, please email LeeAnn, lwilliams@uucava.org, or more information.

Adult Education

Below is a list of some of our upcoming Adult Education classes. Click here for more information and registration. Live the Pledge to End Racism, March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 4, 10 The Soul of Aging, 10-Sessions beginning March 10 Sacred Masculine. March 12, 26 and April 9, 7-9 p.m. Adaptive Leadership Workshop, March 17, 2-5 p.m. Reversing Global Warming, March 27, 7 p.m. Building Your Own Theology, six sessions begin March 27, 7-8:30 p.m. Enneagram Workshop, May 8, 15, 7-9 p.m.

Living the Pledge to End Racism Workshop Participants explore the history of racism, the concept of implicit bias, the effects of micro-aggressions, the results of structural and institutional racism, and the contemporary Movement for Black Lives. Methods include readings, personal reflection, small group discussion, role plays, and videos. Facilitated by Jessi Huffman and Ann Ulmschneider. Questions? Contact Ann Ulmschneider, aulmsch@msn.com . Dates: Six Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 & April 4, 10, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Location: Parlor (13/15)

The Soul of Aging 10-Sessions begin March 10 What does it mean to be growing older? What image comes to your mind when you think of aging?  Most of us tend to think of aging as dealing with health issues and letting go of life. In fact, growing older can and ought to be quite the opposite experience. As we grow older, we begin to look at life differently. We come to learn from our shared experience, to mature in spiritual presence. Indeed, as we age, we are called “to sage,” to grow in maturity and wisdom, to become wise elders radiating spiritual vitality, love and peace. One is never too young to begin Saging! The Soul of Aging is an experiential retreat program for those who long to understand, accept, surrender and be transformed by the aging process. This program offers space and time to expand our capacity to love, serve, forgive ourselves and others, find peace, and ultimately to embrace our own deaths. Contact David McTaggart , dmctagg@gmail.com , for more information. Details & registration here >>

Sacred Masculine How could a Super Bowl advertisement for a razor anger so many men? How is masculinity toxic? Is it bad to be a man in the #MeToo era? The role of men is changing and it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. In this three session class, Walter Clark will lead discussions about masculine archetypes throughout history that exemplify a non-toxic masculine presence, systems of male dominance and ways to embrace masculinity without diminishing the feminine aspect within all of us. Enrollment is limited and in order to facilitate open conversation, this workshop is open to men only. Led by Ministerial Assistant Walter Clark. Dates: Tuesdays, March, 12, 26 and April 9, 7-9 p.m. Location: Chapel

Adaptive Leadership Workshop With Rev. Terasa. Adaptive Leadership is a method of understanding leadership developed by Ron Heifetz and colleagues of his at the Harvard Kennedy School. It posits that leadership is not a noun, as in ‘this person is always the leader’, but that leadership is a verb, it is what we exercise together. In this understanding, anyone can be a leader. They also distinguish between technical leadership and adaptive leadership. Technical leadership takes place when you have a defined problem and tools to solve it. Adaptive leadership works in the realm of the “unsolvable.” Adaptive problems are those we can’t fully even define, much less solve easily, but unfortunately that’s the nature of most of the challenges that we face in these times. Fortunately adaptive leadership gives us some tools that will not cleanly solve the problem, but that will help us make progress and learn together along the way. Date: **Note date change** Sunday, May 5, 2-5 p.m.  Location: Activity Room

Reversing Global Warming: The Drawdown Project The Drawdown Project gives us hope! Project Drawdown is a coalition of more than 200 researchers and other experts from 22 countries led by author, environmentalist, and entrepreneur Paul Hawken. Over the course of five years of rigorous scientific research, they identified and modeled the 100 most substantive, already existing solutions for addressing global warming and revealed astounding news: that it is possible not just to slow global warming, but to actually reverse it by 2050. The workshop material is provided by the Pachamama Alliance and includes video clips of Paul Hawken.  Flyer here. Date: Wednesday, March 27, 7-9 p.m. Location: Activity Room

**Just added** Building Your Own Theology This workshop is designed to provide those new to UU the opportunity to reflect on their religious history. Theological topics explored in this course include ethics, human nature, the ultimate reality, the meaning and purpose of life, and suffering. BYOT addresses these issues through a combination of dialog, and writing. The culmination of this course is the development of a personal credo statement. With LeeAnn Williams and David McTaggart. Dates: Six sessions March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 7-8:30 p.m.

**Just added** Enneagram Workshop Back by popular demand! Join Rev. Terasa for a four-part series exploring the Enneagram. Have you ever asked yourself the quintessential human question of identity, “Who am I?” Most of us spend a lifetime trying to figure out who we are and how we relate to others. The Enneagram offers a bright path to cutting through the internal clutter and finding our way back to who we are created to be. Based on the nine classic archetypes of human character structure, the Enneagram exposes the nine ways we lie to ourselves about who we think we are, illustrates the nine ways we get lost, and reveals nine ways we find our way home to our True Self. The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types by Don Richard Riso recommended but not required. Dates: Two sessions, May 8 and May 15, 7-9 p.m.

Adult Ed Registration

Wheel of Life

Our condolences to John Evans on the death of his mother.

Our condolences to Sarah Munson and family on the death of her husband Ronald Munson.

Music Ministry

New Ringers Welcome! Have you seen the handbells ring on a Sunday morning? Ever wondered what it would be like to give it a try? Now is your chance to find out! UUCA's beginning handbell choir, Bellissimo, is seeking new participants of all ages (grade 3 - adult). Come as you are: no prior musical experience is necessary. The group meets every Sunday between services (10:30-11:05 a.m.) in the Music Room, which is at the end of the downstairs hall across from the Youth Room. This is a great opportunity for a fun, multi-generational activity that also happens to create beautiful music. We hope to see you there! Questions or need more information? Contact Ken Bissell, kenbhandbells@aol.com, or Sarah Yue, alanandsarah@gmail.com.

UUCAers are invited to join the fun! CABOMA Workshop When somebody says the song is a 1-4-5, what does that mean? How do I know the chords if we capo up? CABOMA (Capital Area Old-Time Music Association) invites UUCAers to join them for a workshop on basic music theory. Resident banjoist Evan Sands will break it all down for you, giving you some info to make music more fun and understandable. CABOMA meets at UUCA on the second and fourth Sundays of the month for a music jam session (2 to 6 p.m.). Drop-in musicians and observers are always welcome! Date: Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m. Location: Parlor (Rm. 13/15)

Congregational Life

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 lead the class. The class is free, but registration is required.  Register here. Includes light dinner/happy hour. Free childcare is available upon request. Contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org for more information. Date: Wednesday, March 13, 6-9 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

Happy Hour Is it ever too early to begin planning for fun? The folks who attend the Fall UUCA Retreat don’t think so! We’re already looking forward to our September weekend in the beautiful hills of West Virginia at Capon Springs Resort. Please join us this Wednesday evening and we will tell you a bit about mountain hikes, spring fed pools, and incredible fellowship while sharing a refreshing beverage and some delicious snacks! We’re looking forward to seeing you! Please bring a beverage to share. Date: Wednesday, March 13, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

Day Alliance Meeting Watergate in Retrospect w/ Visit from MSC The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. when the Ministerial Search Committee speaks about the search process. The MSC also wants to hear from you. Your input is important! Guest Speaker at 11 a.m. Watergate in Retrospect and its Relevance in the Trump Era Talk by Max Holland Max Holland, author of Leak: Why Mark Felt Became Deep Throat, will talk about Watergate and its significance and relevance in this time of the presidency of Donald J. Trump. Max has spent his journalistic career separating truth from fiction. His other books include:  The Kennedy Assassination Tapes: The White House Conversations of Lyndon B. Johnson Regarding the Assassination, the Warren Commission, and the Aftermath, When the Machine Stopped: A Cautionary Tale from Industrial America, and The CEO Goes to Washington: Negotiating the Halls of Power. Max Holland was the lead consultant for a National Geographic Television documentary about the Kennedy assassination entitled:  JFK: The Lost Bullet. There will be a book signing. For luncheon reservations, contact Gail Perfetti, gailperfetti@gmail.com. Date: Tuesday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. MSC speaker; 11 a.m. Guest Speaker; 12 p.m. Luncheon. Location: Fellowship Hall

hUUmanist Meeting What Strategy Should Prevail in the 2020 Elections?   As Democratic leaders and strategists gear up for 2020 elections, that party stands at a crossroads. We will view an Intelligence Squared debate in which two opposing sides argue which is the best path forward. Two progressive populist leaders argue that Democrats must get back in touch with the party’s working-class roots by championing a specific set of policies, including Medicare-for-all, free public college tuition, “The Green New Deal” and other expensive programs. But other party leaders view this as a dangerously risky path. They argue that a handful of high-profile progressives have been over-hyped by the media and, rather than make promises that may be impossible to execute in this political climate, they argue that Democrats should nominate centrist, economically viable policies that will win elections and solidify the base. What do you think? Watch the debate and discuss. All are welcome, including Republicans and Independents.  For more information, contact Jere Cummins, jeroldcummins@gmail.com.   Date: Tuesday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. Location: Board Room

Safety in Houses of Worship Special Training Arlington County Police Corporal Elizabeth Lennon and her team will present Safety in Houses of Worship at UUCA on Sunday, March 17. All are invited to attend. Those who serve in leadership and/or volunteer roles at UUCA on Sunday mornings are especially encouraged to participate in a session. Questions can be directed to Annie@uucava.org. Date: Sunday, March 17, 12:30-2 p.m. Location: Sanctuary

Faith in Action

UUSJ's Write Here! Write Now! Support restoration of protections of the Voting Rights Act! This Sunday, March 10, come by the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice's ( UUSJ) "Write Here! Write Now!" table in Fellowship Hall to write a personal letter to your senator to advocate for bipartisan action on the restoration of the Voting Rights Act. Since 2013, when the Supreme Court invalidated part of the long-standing Voting Rights Act, voter suppression has been on the rise and federal enforcement of voting rights for minorities has declined sharply. Fact sheets and supplies will be available. Or write your letter in advance and drop it off. UUSJ's Capitol Hill Advocacy Corps will hand-deliver letters on March 12. Contact Lavona Grow, advocacy@uusj.org.

Visit Peace Camp in Fellowship Hall Peace Camp 2019: June 24-July 5 Peace Camp will be in Fellowship Hall after both services to talk about the camp and answer your questions. This year’s camp theme is “Circle Up to Find Peace” and emphasizes the need for including others in our own personal journeys of peace.  Camp activities include: art, cooperative games, special guests, peace pledge, learning about peace makers, and so much more. Lunch is included. Before and after-care, as well as partial or full scholarships, are available. Join us this summer as we circle up to find peace! Peace Camp offers programs for ages 5-14. Children begin as campers at ages 5-9. Starting at age 10, campers progress through peace exploration and leadership development . Ages 10-11 are Jr. Counselor in Training, ages 12-14 are Counselor in Training, ages 15-18 are Jr. Counselor, and ages 18+ can be counselor or volunteer as staff or kitchen helpers.   Campers can attend both weeks or just one. Registration is now open here.   Week 1: Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28 Week 2: Monday, July 1 to Friday, July 5, except July 4   Peace Camp is a partnership between UUCA Peace Ministry and Little Friends for Peace.

Chalice Theatre Presentation The Addams Family The show closes Saturday night! Procrastinators may be able to find a few tickets left. Buy tickets here.

African American Book Sharing Circle: What Truth Sounds Like Attorney General Bobby Kennedy expected gratitude in 1963 when he met with black artists and activists; instead, he got an earful. Because most people don’t know about this volatile meeting, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson wrote What Truth Sounds Like: RFK, James Baldwin, and Our Unfinished Conversation about Race in America.  We will explore this book and how martyrs, artists, politicians, intellectuals, activists have and can speak truth to power about the tragedies and difficulties black Americans face historically and now.  Read more >> Date: Friday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

Immigration 101 UUSJ and UUCA's ALLIANZA-PAG along with Convergence Theatre will host Immigration 101: An overview of U.S. Immigration Law. Just Neighbors, will be giving an easy to understand overview of the ins and outs of a very complex immigration system. Flyer her e. This presentation is not about where you stand politically. It is the facts about who can have what kind of legal status and what that legal status means. Register here. Date: Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

Register for the March 23 Racial Justice Allyship Workshop Service Never Sleeps (SNS), a local non-profit organization that empowers communities through service and allyship, is offering their Allyship training for the community. Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA), this workshop will teach you about the causes of racial injustice, how to be an effective ally for marginalized communities, and how to actively influence and educate others. This is not just “another racial justice workshop.” Most people walk out of this workshop saying it was the most impactful racial justice workshop they’ve ever taken in terms of how it helps them reflect on their own implicit bias while also providing actionable steps for how to act with friends, family, or strangers when they witness racism. Sign up here. Questions? Alex Ziehm, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com.  Date: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Location: Parlor (13/15)

Volunteer at Affordable Housing Listening Session on March 28 Are you passionate about affordable housing in Arlington? The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing ( APAH) is part of a community-wide group called the Community Progress Network (CPN). CPN is hosting a roundtable listening session for lower-income Arlington residents the evening of Thursday, March 28. The event requires the assistance of many volunteers to help with logistics and the all-important child care that allows parents to participate in the listening sessions. The full event description and details of the volunteer needs can be found here. To volunteer, contact Julie Booth, APAH Volunteer Program Manager, jbooth@apah.org or 571-800-6462. UUCA contact: Alex Ziehm, alexandraziehm92@gmail.com.   Date: Thursday March 28 - see flyer for times Location: Wakefield High School, 1325 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington

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 ‌ ‌