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

Sunday, June 10, 10:15 a.m. Source 3: Wisdom From the World’s Religions Sermon by The Rev. Beth Miller This is the third sermon in the six-part series on the sources of our Unitarian Universalist Faith. The rest of Source 3 says, . . . which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual lives. I’m inspired by the common teachings among the world’s religions beneath the differences. It's been called the “perennial philosophy” in comparative religions literature. I’ll share several of those common teachings including the idea that Spirit exists and we are a part of it. The Soul Matters theme for June is “Blessing” and I find the common themes among the religions to be inspiring and reassuring blessings.  We will be blessed by our beautiful handbells under the direction of Ken Bissell and Sophia Morreale’s accompaniment and Introit. Livestream

Share The Plate STP for June 10: EcoAction Arlington EcoAction Arlington (formerly Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment) promotes stewardship of our natural resources and practical solutions to sustainable lifestyles in order to protect water, air, and open spaces in Arlington. They provide environmental education to Arlington’s students and community and engages volunteers in protecting Arlington’s natural resources. Their work is local, community-based and makes a difference by empowering individuals with resources, training, and opportunities to collaborate leading to more sustainable lifestyle choices. EcoAction Arlington directly improves our air quality, mitigates the carbon footprint of Arlington families, reduces pollution into the Chesapeake Bay, improves wildlife habitat, beautifies Arlington’s parks, and grows our environmental stewards of tomorrow.   Programs include: Service projects to improve parks, streams and the Potomac River. School presentations. Community education through discussions, movies, author talks, and tables at farmers' markets and local festivals. The Tree Canopy Fund to provide large canopy trees to property owners in Arlington. Energy Masters that promotes a more energy efficient and sustainable community by training volunteers in energy efficiency techniques and in improving the efficiency of the homes of families living in affordable housing.   Please join EcoAction Arlington for the 2018 Plastic Free Challenge, a campaign to raise awareness about the use of disposable plastic in our daily lives and the damage it is causing to our environment, waterways, and wildlife. By joining this campaign, participants will learn about ways to reduce their plastic footprint and be able to share tips and successes with other community members at events and through social media.  Online STP Donation

STP Update Last Sunday we collected $1,952 for Equality Virginia. Final total collected for Sanctuaries DC is $1,127. Reminder: You can make donations for the STP organization named on Sunday through the following Saturday night at midnight.

Church Matters

Open Brainstorm Meeting: Stewardship Is Wednesday, June 13 on your calendar yet? Mark it now, and join us for a lively meeting to brainstorm (and begin to plan) fundraising efforts for the 2018-19 church year. We'll briefly address Annual Giving, but we will invest most of our energy in ideas for making money to support UUCA's mission BEYOND the financial pledges of members and friends. Last year's art sale, the revived UUCA B&B, the book sale, "Be the Change," and Giving Tuesday all arose from a meeting like this. What will we create this time? Bring your ideas about what to do and how you can help. This high-energy meeting starts at 7:00 and ends about 8:30.  Date: Wednesday, June 13, 7 p.m. Location: Board Room Summer Challenge Fundraising for Contract Minister At the Annual Meeting on June 3, members voted to approve a special campaign to raise additional funds for the express purpose of hiring a Contract Assistant or Associate Minister sometime during the 2018-19 church year. The more we raise before August 1--in increased pledges, new pledges, or special gifts--the sooner we'll be able to hire a second minister to help our Interim, Rev. Terasa Cooley. As Rev. Beth Miller observed at the meeting, "The good news is that we have the money to do this. The bad news is that it's still in your pockets." Rev. Beth has generously offered to give $10 for each pledge or gift of $200 or more. She is willing to go up to $5,000 if we can collect 500 pledges/gifts of $200 or more. Now THERE'S a challenge! To give to this special summer challenge, please click on the donate button above and fill in an amount in "Summer Challenge" window or contact Sarah Masters, Sarah.Masters@uucva.org.

General Assembly in Arlington  From June 20 through June 24, UUCA will be featuring some sessions broadcast from the UUA's General Assembly, taking place in Kansas City. Check the next two issues of Connections for details; if you want to find out more before then, check this link from the Unitarian Universalist Association: https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site. The sessions shown there are open to all--on your home computer, without registering for GA. For those who may prefer to watch with a group--the best way to get a good sense of how it all works--key events and some smaller sessions (TBA) will be shown at UUCA.

Wheel of Life

Congratulations to Sarah and Danilo Loor on the birth of their son Rafael on May 31. A memorial service to celebrate the lives of Chris and John Morrison will be held in our Sanctuary on Sunday, June 10, 3 p.m. Chris and John were longtime members who relocated to Connecticut several years ago to be near their family. Rev. Beth Miller will lead the service.

Lifespan Religious Education

Thank you for supporting our Youth Group!  Thanks to your generous donations at the Annual Sandwich Fundraiser and a Bake Sale at the UUCA Used Book Sale on Memorial Day weekend, we raised $1098.35 toward our Youth Group service trips fund! This amount helps to cover the cost of about two youth to attend a spring break service trip. In addition, thanks to the amazing youth advisors, parents, and youth who helped make these fundraisers happen!  LOOKING WITHIN - Human Imaging, Human Insights What would it really be like to have x-ray vision? In addition to diagnosis and discovery, what else can we learn by looking inside of people? Dr. Cullen Ruff shares images and personal stories from his work as a radiologist, shedding light on the human condition. Date: Thursday June 14, 7-8 p.m. Location: Activity Room

Yes! We offer Summer RE for All Ages Nursery care for two-years-old and younger Preschool thru 1st grade meet in Room 5 for story and play time 2nd-5th grade meet in Room 2 for stories, activities, and active play 6th grade and up meet in the Youth Room, led by Elisabeth Geschiere Please volunteer to lead a Summer Sundays HERE .  Lesson plan and supplies provided. Living the 7 Principles This Summer Summer is almost here and we are already thinking about what to pack for our vacation. This year, let’s take the 7 UU Principles out into the world with us and even share them if we get an opportunity.  Rev. Beth will offer a general discussion of each of the 7 Principles with concrete examples of how they apply to our everyday lives. If childcare is needed please contact LeeAnn Williams, LWillaims@uucava.org or Regina Koffman, at Regkoff@gmail.com by June 6. Date: Thursday, June 7, 7 to 9 p.m. Location: Activity Room

MORE RE NEWS HERE

Faith in Action

Plant a Native Tree this Fall If you only have time to do one thing to support wildlife in your yard, let it be to plant a native tree. EcoAction Arlington (formerly Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment) is accepting applications for the Tree Canopy Fund that provides and plants native canopy trees to help reverse the loss of tree canopy coverage. Trees must be planted on private property in Arlington. Single-family homeowners and condo residents are eligible. More information and the list of species available can be found here. Applications are due June 11 with plantings to take place this fall. For more information on native trees and planting trees, here are some recommended websites: www.plantnovanatives.org and www.caseytrees.org.   UUCA Community Trash Pick-Up This is a family-friendly social justice opportunity! Bring Your Own Bagged Lunch  Meet & Eat in Activity Room Options to pick up trash along Hwy 50 or walk/drive to Alcova Heights Park (.7 miles away from UUCA) Safety vests, trash bags, & gloves provided PLEASE RSVP by emailing Elisabeth, egeschiere@uucava.org with # of people attending Co-sponsored by EcoAction Arlington & UUCA  Date: Sunday June 10, 11:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Remembering Orlando Pulse Please join Rev. Beth Miller and Equality UUCA for a ceremony of remembrance for the 49 lives lost at the Orlando Pulse nightclub in 2016. Questions? Contact uuca.equality@gmail.com.  Date: Tuesday, June 12, 7 to 7:15 p.m. Location: UUCA Memorial Garden or Sanctuary (depending on weather)

UUCA: Are you willing to be an Unsettling Force for Justice? By Elisabeth Geschiere, Social Justice Coordinator     Last Monday, June 4, 28 people including one UUCA staff were arrested with The Poor People's Campaign at the U.S. Capitol while demonstrating for the rights of all to healthcare and a healthy planet. They were among over one hundred arrested nationally during the fourth Moral Monday of the PPC's 40 Days of Moral Action. In DC, the Health Protectors, to gratefully borrow that term from the Standing Rock Movement, processed into the U.S. Capitol carrying a coffin to symbolize how people are literally dying from a lack of access to healthcare and as a result of disasters linked to climate change such as the hurricanes that devastated Puerto Rico and the Texas and Florida last year. Speakers drew attention to how the poor and people of color are disproportionately impacted by these realities.  We are a congregation of 850 and if just 50 UUCAers were willing to join this Call for Moral Revival, that would seriously help draw media and political attention to these critical issues! That is why I am mobilizing our community to show up in mass, together, for the final Monday of the Campaign's national launch, June 18. This gives us another week and a half to get organized, take off of work, arrange childcare, etc. If you are willing to join me in being an unsettling force for moral revival and justice, e-mail me at egeschiere@uucava.org! You will also want to get the Campaign's "National Call to Action Rally" on Saturday June 23 at 10 a.m. on your calendar. Forward Together! Not one step back!

A Forum Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters-Arlington, AGLA, and Equality UUCA LGBTQ Rights in Virginia: Where We Are Now Don't miss out on this important forum with special guests Vee Lamneck, Deputy Director of Equality Virginia and and State Senator Adam Ebbin (D-30). We'll take a look back on the 2018 Virginia General Assembly and look forward to the 2019 Virginia General Assembly. What needs to be done to move toward full LGBTQ equality in Virginia? Topics include: Youth Conversion Therapy legislation, LGBTQ rights in housing and public employment, and updating Virginia's code to reflect the Obergefell marriage equality decision. Coming early for UUCA's Happy Hour. See announcement in this newsletter. Date: Wednesday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. Location: Board Room Happy Hour Join us for the June Happy Hour hosted by Equality UUCA. Light snacks and some beverages provided (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to get things started. Please bring a beverage or a snack to share if you wish. Following the Happy Hour, you are invited attend a forum on LGBTQ Rights in Virignia, co-hosted by Equality UUCA, the Arlington League of Voters, and AGLA. Date: Wednesday, June 6, 6-7:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

Church Grounds Workday Re-Scheduled to June 16   Originally planned for this weekend, our grounds workday is now scheduled for June 16. Mark your calendar and plan to join DIG and “Do it Green” in pulling a few weeds, spreading mulch, and doing a little planting. Bring tools and gloves if you have them. Sign-ups not required, but helps leaders with planning. Sign up here.  Date: Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. to Noon Location: UUCA Grounds Write Here! Write Now! this Sunday Will you write a message to your US Senator to help protect Food Stamps? Budgets for many health and nutrition programs are at risk of being slashed by Congress including SNAP (food stamps), part of the Farm Bill now being debated, including adding onerous work requirements. This Sunday, June 10, come by Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice's (UUSJ) "Write Here! Write Now!" table in Fellowship Hall to write a personal letter to your U.S. Senators. 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 June 12. Contact Lavona Grow, advocacy@uusj.org, to learn more about the Advocacy Corps or check UUSJ's advocacy page.

Peace Camp – Share your talent and art/craft supplies  We are still collecting art supplies for Peace Camp. Bring them to Fellowship Hall after services on June 10 or 17.  Arts and crafts donations. We can use: Shoe boxes - all sizes , Puppets, Poster board , Drawing paper. Copy paper, Stuffed animals, Markers /crayons, Carpet squares, Paper towel tubes, Plastic salad and fruit containers with tops, and any other craft materials.   Contact Mollie Jewell, 703-941-5643, MollieJewell2@gmail.com Peace Camp Registration--Some space still available Register now for 2018 Peace Camp, slots are filling fast. The camp runs June 25-29 ($315) or July 2-6 ($265, no camp July 4) at UUCA. The 2018 theme is “Explore a Path to Peace,” and reflects the goal of creating a summer camp environment where campers and counselors alike can experience, learn, and practice peace. Rising K-6 graders are eligible to apply; rising 7-9 grades can be Counselors in Training (same fee, longer hours). Lunch is included! Before and after-care, as well as partial or full scholarships, are available (See www.lffp.org. To register on-line click HERE!

African American Book Sharing Circle The African American Book Sharing Circle on June 15 will read The Color Purple by Alice Walker. While many of us have read this previously, we wonder if a re-read would bring out nuances and ideas not realized earlier, or for those of us who have not read it, this is a chance to plunge into a modern classic. All are welcome to join us as we experience African American writers from new perspectives as a result of living with recent current events as well as what we are learning and experiencing in our Live the Pledge or Allyship involvement. Questions? Contact Linda Lutes Corsoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com. Date: Friday, June 15, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room LFFP 5th Annual Talent Show Fundraiser UUCA Peace Campers and friends, show your talent! Perform at the Little Friends for Peace (Peace Camp) Talent Show Fundraiser on Sunday, June 10, 5 to 7 p.m., at Busboys and Poets, 5th & K St, NW. Contact Kristen at kristen@lffp.org for additional information. Everyone is welcome to attend. The $15 suggested donation supports the Ann Little Memorial Scholarship to Peace Camp. Questions? Contact Mollie Jewell, molliejewell2@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, June 10, 5 to 7 p.m. Location: Busboys & Poets, 5th & K St., NW

Register for June 23 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 150 UUCAers have already taken this training. Now it’s your turn. This workshop will teach you about the causes of racial injustice, how to be an effective ally for marginalized communities of color, and how to actively influence and educate others. More information and sign up here. UUCA contact Alex Ziehm, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com. Date: Saturday, June 23,10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: Activity Room

Music Ministry

Jazz Vespers with Free Spirits Join us for a special evening of music meditations, poetry readings, and improvisations led by the jazz ensemble, Free Spirits (Fred Katz, Topher Dunne, Sophia Morreale). Freewill offering benefits the Peace Camp summer program. Date: Sunday, June 17, 4 p.m. Location: Sanctuary

Voices United Community Chorus Benefit Concert Don't miss out on the inaugural concert of the Voices United Community Chorus under the direction of Mimi Bornstein and Charles Brown. All ticket proceeds benefit our community partner Service Never Sleeps, the nonprofit that mobilizes communities to exercise "Allyship"--an active way of life that utilizes bridge-building to ensure equality, opportunity, and inclusion for everyone. Tickets here. Date: Saturday, June 30, 7 p.m. Location: Crampton Auditorium, Howard University

Congregational Life

Small Groups on Change With The Rev. Beth Miller Anyone wishing or needing to further process thoughts, feelings, excitement and concerns about changes at UUCA over the past year are invited to attend a small group discussion facilitated by Rev. Beth. There is a maximum of ten and a minimum of five participants per group. Come if you need to talk, and come if you’re curious to hear from others. Come if you’re the type who faces change with great anticipation, and come if it scares you to death. As our hymn says, come, come whoever you are. Let’s minister to one another in the complexity and diversity of our feelings as a community of memory and hope. Sign-up here. Dates and times:  Thursday, June 7, Noon (note time change) Friday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. Sunday, June 17, Noon Tuesday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 1:00 p.m. SIGN-UP HERE

Have Fun . . . Help UUCA . . . Feed Your Creative Spirit And, you can do this with minimal time commitment and maximum benefit. The Flower Ministry Team invites you to join them. No experience is needed. We work around your schedule. You can help with Sunday services or for special occasions like December holidays, Water Communion, special displays and altars, or table decorations for all-church events. Again, no experience is needed. We mentor each other and have fun. If you’d like more information, please join us on Wednesday, June 6, at 7 p.m. or contact Linda Lutes Corsoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com or Jennifer Wright jenniferohlingwright@gmail.com. Date: Wednesday, June 6, 7 p.m. Location: TBD (at UUCA) Young Adult Podcast Chat  The June 9 chat has been canceled. Mark your calendar for the next chat on June 23. Join the Young Adult Group for the Podcast Chat discussion group! We meet twice a month on Saturdays in the chapel downstairs. We provide the name of a specific podcast episode and everyone listens to the episode on their own during the week. Then we get together and discuss. Check Connections next week and/or follow our Facebook page to find out what the next podcast will be. Questions? Contact Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org.   Date: Saturday, June 23, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Location: Chapel

Men's Book Group Is growth always good? Is sustainable development misguided? The Men's Book Group will meet in the chapel June 10 to discuss Beyond Growth by Herman E. Daly. In his book, Daly challenges the conventional notion that growth is always good, and he bucks environmentalist orthodoxy, arguing that the current focus on 'sustainable development' is misguided. All men are welcome to join in the discussion. Do you have a summer read (fiction) you'd like to have discussed. Come to the June meeting to share your suggestion for the July read. Questions? Please contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com or 703-533-8004.  Date: Sunday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

HUUmanist's Discussion Does Science Undercut any Belief in God ?    On the fundamental question--evolution or creation?--Americans are on the fence. According to one survey, while 61% of Americans believe we have evolved over time, 22% believe this evolution was guided by a higher power, with another 31% on the side of “creationism”. We will view a sophisticated debate on whether modern science really undercuts any belief in God: Cosmologist Lawrence Krause and noted skeptic Michael Schermer argue it does. Ian Hutchins (MIT physicist and Christian) and Dinesh D’Souza (conservative Christian author and educator), on the other side, argue that questions like "Why does life exist?" and "How did it all come about?" science cannot answer and that only listening to God can. All are welcome. For more information, contact Jere Cummins, jeroldcummins@gmail.com. Date: Tuesday, June 12, 7:30 p.m. Location: Board Room  MoonFire Summer Solstice Ritual Please join MoonFire for a ritual celebrating the Summer Solstice. We will revel in the Earth’s bounty and the Sun’s high energy, celebrate the reign of the Celtic Oak King as he gives way to the Holly King, and we will also reflect upon the beginning and ending of cycles in our own lives. As always, potluck will follow the ritual. For further information on MoonFire, please visit www.moonfireuuca.org, or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, June 17, 1:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

Coffee Servers Wanted: Help keep the coffee brewing this summer  Help us ensure the coffee and lemonade keep flowing after services this summer. Positions are available for most Sundays through August. No experience needed. You can volunteer to setup before the service and/or serve and cleanup after the service – or why not BOTH! To setup, plan to arrive at about 9:30am to prepare coffee & lemonade; to serve, stay after the service to keep things flowing and cleanup afterwards. Or better yet, do both! Don't be shy, we NEED your help. If you can help, please sign-up at the coffee table on Sunday, use the link UUCA Coffee Signup or contact Mollie Jewell 703-941-5643, gjewlll@cox.net.  Is growth always good? Is sustainable development misguided? The Men's Book Group will meet in the chapel June 10 to discuss Beyond Growth by Herman E. Daly. In his book, Daly challenges the conventional notion that growth is always good, and he bucks environmentalist orthodoxy, arguing that the current focus on 'sustainable development' is misguided. All men are welcome to join in the discussion. Do you have a summer read (fiction) you'd like to have discussed. Come to the June meeting to share your suggestion for the July read. Questions? P lease contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com or 703-533-8004.  Date: Sunday, June 8, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

Day Alliance An Update on the Middle East and Africa With Allen Keiswetter UUCA member and frequent Day Alliance speaker Allen Keiswetter, a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer with decades of experience in the Middle East and Africa, will talk on the Middle East and the consequences of Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and prospects for the Middle East peace process, the situation in Syria and Iraq and changes in Saudi Arabia. Allen has just returned from nearly a month in Ghana and will comment on its prospects of becoming an “ African Lion” in the manner of the the Asian tigers that led growth by emerging nations a couple of decades ago.  Date: Tuesday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship; 11 a.m. Presentation; 12 p.m. Catered Lunch (optional) Location: Activity Room; Center Gallery

Young Adult Sunday Brunch The Young Adults meet for brunch every other Sunday after the second service. Ages 18-35 and their families are welcome to come get to know other young adults over a good meal.    Next Date: Sunday, June 17, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. Location: Activity Room

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 ‌ ‌