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

Sunday, April 28, 2019 | 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Setting the Table Sermon by Walter Clark, Ministerial Assistant What does it mean to be truly welcoming? How do we invite people into our space in a way that allows them to make deep connections? Can we accept others as they are without changing ourselves in the process? Zoe Lachow is our Worship Associate and Song Leader. Music is by guest musician Barbara Schelstrate . Barbara will perform on piano the beautifully poetic Romance by German composer Robert Schumann. Livestream

Upcoming Services May 5 - “Question Box Sermon” - Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley. Do you have a burning (or even just mildly curious) question you would like to ask Rev. Terasa? This is your opportunity to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, this church, or UU approaches to living. You can submit a question in advance (just send an email to tcooley@uucava.org ) or you could write it up in the beginning of the service.  May 12 - “Roots and Blossoms” - Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley. As we share in our annual flower communion, a ritual that was first developed by a Czechoslovakian Unitarian minister, Norbert Capek, Rev. Terasa will also explore the European roots of our faith, and how we are related to some Unitarian expressions around the world. This service will also feature child dedications. Please bring a flower to share! May 19 - Youth Sunday - "Community and Connection" - UUCA's incredibly talented Youth will, yet again, show us their awesomeness as they lead us in worship around the theme of Community and Connection through story, song, and their fresh and insightful reflections.

Last Sunday's Sermon "The Promise of the Empty Tomb" - Sermon by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, (April 21, 2019) print version is available here. Click on image to right to watch the sermon video.

Sunday Parking When parking on Sundays, we ask that you please leave our main lot for visitors and those with mobility issues. On Sunday mornings the Mason's lot across the street on George Mason and the Arlington Hall Park lot are available for parking. Street parking is also available along George Mason Drive and in the neighborhood behind the church. See map here.

UUCA is LIVE on Facebook 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 .

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)

Finding Your Path What do I want to let go of? What do I want to give myself to? What is holding me back? How might UUCA help me find my way?  Come explore spiritual growth programming at UUCA—programming we have and what you might wish for. Refreshments will be provided. Contact David McTaggart for more information at dmctagg@gmail.com or 703-835-6944. Register here. Date: Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.-Noon Location: Activity Room

Church Matters

Board Update By Al Himes, Board Chair The Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce the extension of Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley’s contract for the 2019-20 church year. Rev. Terasa will continue to serve us until the Summer of 2020 when we expect to have a new permanent Senior Minister. As our Interim Senior Minister, Rev. Terasa has already exceeded our expectations, helping us strengthen our Pastoral Care team, evaluate our governance, support the numerous small-group ministries within our congregation, provide guidance and advice for the Board and maybe most importantly provide strong leadership and stability for our church staff. We very much look forward for continuing our ministry together for another church year. Also, at our April meeting, the date for our Annual Meeting was set for Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. right after the single service on that Sunday.   Read more >>

Ministerial Search Committee Coming soon: UUCA survey! During the month of May, the Ministerial Search Committee will be conducting a survey to ask what is on the hearts and minds of our congregation as we prepare for calling a new Senior Minister. The survey will be anonymous and relatively brief, and everyone in our beloved community--members, friends, inquiring friends, newcomers, youth--is welcome to participate. Please fill out a survey and make your voice heard! Watch this space for a link to the online survey, or stop by the MSC table in Fellowship Hall after services during the month of May. We are eager to hear from you!

Ministry Matters

In the Meantime By Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley Someone asked me the other day: “Is your leadership class on May 7 just for people who are already leaders?” Absolutely not! I believe that leadership is about what we do together, not something embodied only by particular people. I’ll be employing the approach pioneered by Ron Haifetz called “Adaptive Leadership” which recognizes that much of what we are trying to address in our organizations requires skills and perspective beyond what many of us have been prepared with. Whether you’re interested in applying leadership here in the congregation, or in other aspects of your life, there will be much to learn together that helps us do good work together. Please join us! Adaptive Leadership, Sunday, May 5, 2-5 p.m., Activity Room. Register here. 

Lifespan Religious Education

Multigenerational Game Night Get together with longtime friends and make new friends at RE's Multigenerational Game Night. The evening begins with board games for all-ages from 4-6 p.m. Childcare will be open from 6-8 p.m. Bring a snack to share.  Date: Saturday, May 11, 4-6 p.m. Games for all-ages. 6-8 p.m. Childcare Location: Rooms 7, 10, 11, 12

Baby and Child Dedication  New to UUCA or have a new member in your family? We are hosting a baby/new child dedication in the services on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12. If you’d like to be included, please contact LeeAnn Williams, lwilliams@uucava.org . Please contact either LeeAnn or Rev. Terasa, tcooley@uucava.org , by April 28 in order to participate.

More RE News HERE

Easter Album

Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who helped the Easter Bunny organize and pull off this year's Easter Egg Hunt " eggstravaganza"! The Easter Bunny and helpers were eggstra busy hiding over 2,000 eggs!! A special shout out goes to our youth who helped: Nina and Lianne Cherry, Robbie Baker, John Preniczky, Fiona and Declan McLaughlin. See more photos in Sunday's lobby video.

Adult Education Below is a list of our upcoming Adult Education classes. Click here for more information and registration. Finding Your Path, May 4, 9-Noon Adaptive Leadership Workshop, May 5, 2-5 p.m. Enneagram Workshop, May 8, 15, 7-9 p.m.

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. Register here. Date: Sunday, May 5, 2-5 p.m. Location: Activity Room

Enneagram Workshop Back by popular demand! Join Rev. Terasa for a two-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. Recommended texts for the class are (choose one) The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Richard Riso or The Road Back to You by Ian Cron. Register here. Dates: Two Wednesday sessions, May 8 and May 15, 7-9 p.m.  Location: Activity Room

Finding Your Path “What do I want to let go of? What do I want to give myself to? What is holding me back? How might UUCA help me find my way?” Come explore spiritual growth programming at UUCA—programming we have and what you might wish for. Refreshments will be provided.  Contact David McTaggart for more information at dmctagg@gmail.com or 703-835-6944. Register here. Date: Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.-Noon Location: Activity Room

Music Metamorphosis Come join this original class with music written and led by Sophia Morreale, UUCA Music Ministry Associate. Through music, meditation and the art form of the mandala, we will explore the stages of change: Surrender, Mystery, Abyss, Hope, Discovery, Renewal, Manifestation. Come experience how life changes can be made with creativity in this inner exploration! Register here. Date: 3 Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Location: TBA

Wheel of Life

Congratulations to Bill Browning , recipient of Arlington County's 2018 Bill Thomas award in recognition of his passionate dedication and support of County natural resources and public open spaces.

Congratulations to Ben D’Avanzo and Sara Santner on the birth of Daisy D’Avanzo on Saturday!

Condolences to friends and family of Richard Smith, formerly known as Erica Clark, who died following a stroke last week.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Parker Bracken will be held Saturday, May 4, 11:30 a.m., at Goodwin House-Bailey's, 3440 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church.

Congregational Life

Day Alliance - May 14 Seeing the Rabbit: The Folklore of the Pooka With Folklorist Kim Stryker The Day Alliance speaker for May, Kim Stryker, w ill explore the relation of the rabbit to magical creatures in Celtic mythology. The “pooka” or “puca” is a creature from Irish folklore that they make reference to in the play/movie “Harvey” about the 6 ft. tall invisible rabbit. Kim’s talk gets into the folk symbolism of the rabbit and it’s recurring role in cultures around the world. Kim Stryker is an independent folklorist living in Falls Church, Va. She is founder of the Save the Smithsonian Folklife Festival grassroots campaign that successfully won an agreement between the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution. She has a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and in Folklore Studies from George Mason University. Kim organized the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Kim currently teaches a class on “Food and Folklore” at George Mason University. She is the recipient of the 2018 Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress with which she is documenting the work lives of people in the Virginia wine industry. Date: Tuesday, May 14. Day Alliance will have its annual business meeting from 10:30-11:00 a.m. The program begins at 11:00 a.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

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 and Sarah Masters will be leading the class. The class is free and includes a light breakfast. Free childcare is available upon request. Registration is required - HERE. Date: Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.-Noon Location: Activity Room

Men's Book Group They May book selection fpr the Men's Book Group is by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes From the Underground , considered by many to be one of the first existentialist novels. A few copies are available in local libraries and is available free online. If there are any questions about the group and its meetings, or if you want to be on their monthly email list, please contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com or 703-533-8004.    Date: Sunday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

Music Ministry

Music Search Committee Update We are pleased to announce that Sophia Morreale has agreed to serve as the Interim Music Director for the remainder of this year and for next year. We are so grateful that she will be able to offer her great musical skills and leadership during this important time in the life of our congregation. This timeline allows us to do a more thorough search for the next Director.  The Search Committee still plans to conduct more listening sessions with you to learn more about your hopes and dreams for the music program. Stay tuned for notifications of these sessions.  Please be in touch with any of us if you have questions or ideas to share.  Rev. Terasa , Walter Clark , Y’lon Dozier , Dana Cook , Warren Wright , Wendy Jessup , Peter Vitaliano , and Joe Schmitz

Benefit Concert Faure Requiem This special benefit concert features the combined choirs of UU Fairfax, All Souls DC, Rodef Shalom and UUCA to benefit families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Tickets here or in Fellowship Hall on Sunday. Date: Saturday, May 4, 7-8:30 p.m. Location: UUCA Sanctuary

Faith in Action

Share-the-Plate January 6: Metro DC PFLAG Sunday's STP offering will benefit Metro DC PFLAG. Metro DC PFLAG strives to promote the equality and wellness of the LGBTQ community and their families and friends through community support, educational opportunities, and advocacy efforts. Metro DC PFLAG sponsors 15 community groups across the DC area, including groups for adults, groups for youth, and groups with a transgender focus. Community Groups provide participants with the opportunity to share experiences in regard to sexual orientation and gender expression and how it affects their families. The Arlington PFLAG Community Group, started by Equality UUCA in 2011, meets right here at UUCA on the second Tuesday of each month. UUCA also helped start ALY: Arlington LGBTQ+Ally Youth, a PFLAG group for teens ages 13-18, which currently meets at Central United Methodist Church on Fairfax Drive. Like UUCA, Metro DC PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Interested in attending a group, or want resources? Visit pflagdc.org or stop by the table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday. Donations are accepted for each week's STP recipient through the following Saturday at midnight. Make online donations here.

Find Out How VOICE is Addressing Racial Injustice This Sunday, April 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in UUCA's Center Gallery, VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) leaders will hold an informal workshop to fill you in on upcoming and ongoing VOICE actions to dismantle racism and other oppressions. You already know the why--come to find out the how. Our community organizing principles and rules of engagement will be discussed, and you will have the opportunity to add your ideas and suggestions and find a niche for your own greater involvement. Questions? Stop by the VOICE table after services or contact Pat Findikoglu, patfindikoglu@gmail.com or Jacomina de Regt jacominaderegt@gmail.com or McGennis Williams, mcgennis@mcgenniswilliams.com . Date: Sunday, April 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

People with Disabilities Group Forming Join others with visible and invisible disabilities to connect, network and consider what the group would like to do. Note: this Group is for people with all types of disability and their loved ones. The first organizational meeting is on Tuesday, May 7. Questions? Contact Sarah Masters at sarah@uucava.org. Date: Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. Locaton: TBA Israel/Palestine Book Study Group The last group discussion of Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation will focus will on the following two stories: “The End of Reason” and “High Places”, led by Bill Reilly and Jere Cummins , respectively. Herb Levy will also give an overview of the results of Israel’s recent election. This book study group is open to all from UUCA and Kol Ami who are interested. Questions? Contacts Herb (703-380-3151) or Allan (703-599-2560). Date: Sunday, April 28 , 7 p.m. Location: Chapel

May 5 - Write Here! Write Now! Tell Your US Senators to Take Urgent Action to Address the Climate Crisis Averting the climate crisis is critical to the vision and lived expression of Unitarian Universalism. UUs across the country are writing letters to their senators to urge action to address the climate crisis. On Sunday, May 5, come by the UUs for Social Justice's (UUSJ) "Write Here! Write Now!" table to urge your senators to pass legislation in support of carbon pricing to reduce carbon omissions, build sustainable infrastructure, and create green new jobs. Please join in to make sure UUCA voices are heard!   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 to Congress on May 14. Questions? Contact Lavona Grow at advocacy@uusj.org .

Register Today Allyship Workshop May 7 & 14 Service Never Sleeps ( SNS), a local non-profit that empowers communities through service and allyship, is offering their Allyship training for UUCA and the greater community. This workshop teaches 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. This 6-hour workshop is split between two nights. Participants are required to attend both nights. Sign up here. Questions? Contact Alex Ziehm, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com.    Date: Tuesday, May 7 & 14, 7-10 p.m. Location: Room 13/15 on 5/7, Youth Room on 5/14

Dream Project Benefit - THIS FRIDAY Voices of Solidarity Concert - April 26 The Voices for Solidarity concert will be a celebration of solidarity by diverse communities and cultures who share a common vision of a more diverse, tolerant and compassionate nation. Performances will feature local musical and theatrical groups, as well as the stories of some of the Dream Project Dreamers, reflecting the diverse community of which we are lucky to be a part of. Artist lineup include: Gen OUT Chorus; Cheick Hamala Diabate; Marcelo & His Charango. Purchase tickets here.   Date: Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. Reception; 7 p.m. Concert Location: Center Gallery

Summer Peace Camp for Older Youth, too! While UUCA Peace Camp serves children as young as age 4, we have intentionally developed programs for pre-teens and teens. Summer Peace Camp helps older youth develop leadership and teamwork skills as they work with younger campers, meet new friends, and practice peace! 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. Youth will have opportunities for: Character Development Values Clarification Leadership Training Conflict Resolution Training Community and Team Building Experiencing , Learning and Practicing Peace Skills Community Service Hours To register children of all ages for camp or sign-up for a junior staff position, visit Peace Camp here . For questions or more information, contact peacecamp@lffp.org.

Center Gallery City of Stories A Community Book Art Project Come learn the stories of our neighbors--Learn about the people living and working here in Arlington with artwork to compliment their stories. The "City of Stories" art show will be displayed through June 2. Informational poster here. Date: Show runs through June 2 Location: Center Gallery

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 Sunday, April 28. All are invited to attend. Those who serve in leadership and/or volunteer roles at UUCA on Sunday mornings are especially encouraged to participate. Questions can be directed to Annie@uucava.org. Dates: Sunday, April 28, 12:30–2:00 p.m. Location: Activity Room UUCA Grief Support Group If you’ve suffered the loss of someone dear to you, please join us. We’ll create a casual, welcoming space where we can share our stories and struggles, where we can mourn, celebrate, and reflect on those we’ve loved and lost. We’ll seek comfort and new hope, together. A chalice lighting and brief reading launch each gathering. UUCA’s Ministerial Assistant Walter Clark and Pastoral Care Committee member Hank Dahlstrom facilitate.  Date: Wednesday, May 8, 7-9:00 p.m. (And the second Wednesday of each month thereafter) Location: Room 11

Better Angels Workshop Beyond Polarization: How Liberals Can Communicate Better With Conservatives Do you have a difficult time connecting with family members and friends who are political conservatives and/or supporters of President Trump? Ever wished you had a better grasp of what motivates them?   On Sunday, May 19 from 2-5:30pm, UUCA will host a Better Angels workshop titled "Beyond Polarization: How Liberals Can Communicate Better With Conservatives." If you are a political liberal/progressive/Democrat who has struggled to find common ground with the conservatives/Republicans in your life, this workshop will help you move beyond the usual partisan arguments and develop genuine mutual understanding. To sign up, contact Sarah Yue at  alanandsarah@gmail.com or visit the registration page here. Date: Sunday, May 19, 2-5:30 p.m. Location: Activity Room

UUUNO Intergenerational Spring Conference Addressed Gender Equity Marietta J. Tanner , our Envoy to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, attended their Intergenerational Spring Seminar in New York City April 10-13. Teens and their mentors from states across the nation and Canadian providences were in attendance discussing “Gender in an Intersecting World, Equity in Action.” Uniquely the format of the sessions reflected the groups commitment to a sustainable world, eating only vegetarian food and bringing their own refillable containers. The program was on an app, making printed paper unnecessary and allowing real-time updates. Only less computer savvy adult advisors and chaperons had trouble.  The group went to the United Nations Headquarters to hear delegates describe how gender issues are faring in various countries. They also learned of the positions being taken by the UN on rights of LGBT, transgender and non-conforming persons. At Community Church, in collaboration groups consisting of varied participants and facilitators, guests discussed the impact of identity in UU congregations and how each person was experiencing the emerging sexual classifications. On Friday evening, youth groups had a night on the town, visiting various popular New York venues. The findings of the group will be published so that congregations may better understand the deliberations on such topics as the non-binary nature of gender, confronting internal biases, working for gender equity while dismantling systems of white supremacy, patriarchy, heternormativity, classism and other forms of oppression. UUUNO partnered with the UU College of Social Justice to plan and program this seminar and thus bought a plethora of fine speakers and materials to the group.

LOST & FOUND Please check the lost and found section of the upper level coat closet for items that may belong to you. Items left after April 28 will be donated to charity.

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 ‌ ‌