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

Sunday, May 26, 2019 | 10:15 a.m. SINGLE SERVICE

There's Something About Mary Sermon by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister A new movie is coming out about Mary Magdalene, along with it the perennial speculation about the role of Mary in Christian scriptures and theology. There is a larger issue at play here about how women recognize themselves in religious expression. Some interesting ideas to think about as we continue our ongoing cultural conversation about women and power.  Robert Blinn is our Worship Associate. Diane Dorius is our song leader. Soloist Mike Collier will sing Schubert's Ave Maria. Livestream

BEGINS THIS SUNDAY Summer Single Service Schedule Single service schedule begins Memorial Day weekend: Sunday, May 26, 10:15 a.m.

Upcoming Services June 2, 10:15 a.m. Social Justice Sunday. Our faith calls us into action! Join us as we hear testimony from different members of the congregation on how their faith invites them to serve justice. Speakers include: Elizabeth Fogarty, Lavona Grow, Allan Kellum, David McTaggart, Becky Ross and MJ Schmeltzer. June 9, 10:15 a.m. Music Sunday. A music-centered service featuring all the choirs of our Music Ministry.

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.

Friday Morning Devotions We invite you to center and ground yourself in silence with friends--a half-hour of meditation followed by brief reflections--each Friday morning at 7 a.m. A ride to Ballston Metro is available afterward. For additional information, contact either David McTaggart, dmctagg@gmail.com, or Gregg Forte, gforte@mac.com.  Date: Each Friday, 7:00 a.m. Location: Room 20 (Youth Room)

Church Matters

2019-20 Budget: Presenting a Clearer Picture From the Board of Trustees This year, the Board of Trustees is offering a different budget structure at the congregation’s June 2 annual meeting as we believe it will present a clearer financial picture of our church. First of all, we’re happy to report the generosity of the congregation in the stewardship campaign brought in enough pledged funds to continue our current program and staffing levels, with some slight cost of living increases. More giving is always appreciated, but we’re thrilled to see the commitment to our UUCA community. We’re presenting our budget in a new way in order to provide a clearer financial picture on both our progress and our challenges. The upcoming budget will have two categories: operating and capital.  The operating budget reflects our anticipated revenue and expenses for the work of the church in the coming year, including programs and staff.  The capital budget includes ongoing obligations and long-term expenses.  The largest of these is the mortgage payment, which is a result of our building projects that physically expanded our church. This year that mortgage payment amounts to approximately $200,000. We believe separating out this expense provides two functions: it demonstrates that this debt is a large obstacle to our growth and shows that we want to adopt a different strategy for discharging it rather than through our annual stewardship campaign. At the annual meeting, you will hear about our proposed approach to paying the 2019-2020 mortgage so that the revenue resulting from pledges, space rental, and other sources can be used for church activities, instead of the mortgage.  Additionally, we are putting together a long range financial planning committee with the purpose of eliminating our structural debt and taking other actions which will strengthen the financial foundation of the church. This would include a recommendation to the Board by October 2019 about undertaking a capital campaign.  We are the church. We appreciate everyone’s commitment and contributions as you make our UUCA home possible.  -- uuca-board@googlegroups.com

Annual Meeting - June 2 UUCA's Annual Congregational meeting is on Sunday, June 2, immediately following the service. Members will vote on the 2019-20 operating budget and the new slate of trustee and officer nominees (see below). Volunteer awards will be announced and the Governance Task Force will give a report along with other reports. All members are urged to attend. Friends and newcomers are welcome but only members (joining at least 90 days before meeting) are eligible to vote. Child care is provided and a sandwich lunch is offered by the Youth Group. WATCH YOUR INBOX FOR SEPARATE EMAIL WITH MEETING DOCUMENTS--INCLUDES THE 2019-20 BUDGET. Date: Sunday, June 2, 11:30 p.m. Location: Sanctuary

Two Final Budget Meetings Announcing two more budget meetings for anyone interested in reviewing the 2019-20 church budget. A copy of the budget will be included in a separate email that will include other documents for the annual meeting. Watch for it in your inbox. Dates: Sunday, May 26, Noon AND Tuesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m.

Nominee Slate for Annual Meeting The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following slate of nominees to fill elected congregational leadership positions to be voted upon by the congregation at the annual meeting on Sunday, June 2: New Members to the Board of Trustees, serving 2019-2021: Amy Shepherd, Bruce Reider, Irv Lachow, Lila Herndon Vizzard New Member to the Board of Trustees, serving 2019-2020: Linda Lutes Corsoro Returning Member to the Board of Trustees, serving 2019-2021: Hieu Nguyen New Members to the Nominating Committee, serving 2019-2021: Ashley Greve and Dani Jones Officer Candidates, elected annually: Kate Gallup, Board Secretary (new); Peter Vitaliano, Board Treasurer (returning), Bob Gayer, Assistant Treasurer (returning), and Gene Mulligan, Assistant Treasurer (returning) NOMINEE BIOS HERE. In keeping with church bylaws, additional nominations for any of the offices may be made by a petition signed by no fewer than five members who are eligible to vote at the annual meeting. A petition must be handed in to the church office by May 23 (10 days before the annual meeting). Any other nominations for church office may be submitted from the floor at the annual meeting. Please mark your calendar for the following dates: May 23 - Deadline for additional nominations June 2 - Annual meeting For additional information, please see a member of the 2018-19 Nominating Committee: James Tsai, Josh Mohr, Liz Fuchs (chair), Nancy Hyde, Paula Bendl Smith or email UUCANomCom@gmail.com.

The 2019 Congregational Survey is Live! Throughout the month of May, the UUCA Ministerial Search Committee is conducting a survey to learn about what is on the hearts and minds of our congregation. All members of our Beloved Community - members, friends, inquiring friends, newcomers, youth - are invited to complete the survey and share your thoughts about the future of UUCA. The Ministerial Search Committee will use your responses to help identify the right ministerial candidates for our church, and to help those candidates understand who we are as a congregation.

Please fill out the survey and make your voice heard! All responses are anonymous and will take only a few minutes to complete. You can access the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUCA2019 or via the QR code to the right or you can visit the MSC table in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays to fill out a paper version of the survey.

Why I don’t have time to respond to the Congregational Survey (but I did it anyway) By Sarah Yue, Ministerial Search Committee member Most days, I’m barely holding my life together with chewing gum and binder twine. With three young kids and a full-time job, I’m chronically late, chronically overworked, and always playing catch-up. I send my kids to school with crackers in their lunchboxes because we’ve run out of bread. I can’t remember which of the piles of laundry on my bed are clean and which ones are dirty. I answer emails by typing on my phone with one thumb while rocking a restless toddler to sleep. I do NOT have time to do something extra like filling out a congregational survey. No way. And yet I responded to it anyway. Why did I do it? Because people like me--tired, overwhelmed parents who aren’t sure they have anything more to give--are part of the UUCA story. So are young adults. Seniors. Lay leaders. People who hide in the back during Sunday services. Members who have been part of UUCA for their entire lives, and newcomers who walked through our doors for the first time two weeks ago. To make UUCA the home we want it to be, and to find the minister that will nurture and sustain our beloved community in the years to come, all of those voices need to be heard. So I hope you will share your own voice with us by responding to the survey, even if it means locking yourself in the bathroom with your iPad while your kids pound on the door looking for you (yes, that is my life). Here is the link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUCA2019

2019 General Assembly -- Spokane, Washington ... and Arlington, Virginia This year, General Assembly, a gathering of Unitarian Universalists every year. The 2019 UUA General Assembly will take place June 19-23 in Spokane Washington with the theme of The Power of We, which seeks to explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists in a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world. We have received several names for delegates and still have a few spaces available and we hope, as in past years to have broad representation of our Beloved Community. We also have the option of allowing those that do not or cannot travel to Spokane to participate remotely. The past two years UUCA has had delegates that gathered remotely here at the church to view sessions and to vote. We have at least two people that will be on site this year. If you are interested, please fill out this application http://tinyurl.com/y6rlzbl9 as soon as possible. In fellowship, Members of the 2018-19 Nominating Committee Liz Fuchs (Chair), Josh Mohr (Vice-Chair), Paula Bendl Smith, Nancy Hyde and James Tsai

Lifespan Religious Education

Summer Sundays In RE Yes, we offer Religious Education during the summer at our one service. Summer Sundays program will start on Sunday, May 26.  Preschool-1st Grade--Room 5 2nd--5th Grade--Room 2 6th Grade and older--Youth Room

Teacher Recruitment We are now recruiting teachers for the upcoming church year. Not only can you grow spiritually while supporting learners form their faith, but you can build lasting friendships and connections with other adults in the congregation. We need about 100 teachers each year in order to be fully staffed. Please consider joining one of our teaching teams next year. Will I still be able to attend services? Of course! The teaching commitment is only twice a month: leading once and assisting once. Stop the RE table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday for more information or email LWilliams@uucava.org. Sign up below: 9:15 Service 11:15 Service

Cereal Drive - Bring cereal donations this Sunday! On June 2, (during the Annual Meeting) Religious Education kids will build a house out of cereal boxes before donating them local food pantries. Please bring cereal boxes in to donate this Sunday through June 2. Drop them off at the Welcome Desk downstairs or the RE table in Fellowship Hall.

UUCA Shenandoah Retreat - Please Register NOW This June will be UUCA's 45th year retreating to Big Meadows campground at Shenandoah National Park. There's still time to join us! This year's retreat will take place June 21 - 23. Join UUCA friends--new and returning friends of all ages are encouraged to join other UUCAers for this family-friendly, multigenerational, fun-filled weekend. Alas the Saturday night reservable camping spots are all sold out, but there are other ways to attend. First off, please consider coming for the day! Meet us for a hike Saturday morning and head home after the potluck (day-trippers, please register as well). Also, there are still rooms available at the Lodge. Finally, there are non-reservable campsites available on a first-come basis. Typically they are sold out by late Friday morning, so get there early or arrange for someone to get one for you on Thursday.    For more information and to register, visit the retreat website. Questions? Contact D Ohlandt, profohlandt@gmail.com or Jacqueline Lotts, jlotts@gmail.com.    Dates: Friday, June 21 thru Sunday, June 23 Location: Shenandoah National Park

More RE News

Wheel of Life

Lois Czapiewski is back in her apartment at Goodwin House and happy to be regaining her strength.

Congratulations Christin! Our former intern, Christin Green , received her Master's of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary on May 13. This summer she will be relocating to Newark, Deleware, where she has accepted a Chaplain Residency at Christiana Medical Center.

Congregational Life

Men's Book Group The non-fiction book for June 9, is Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood With Britain in Its Darkest Hour, " a 2010 work by Lynne Olson. It highlights the work of Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman and the American ambassador, John Gilbert Winant. It also features the crucial role of Dwight Eisenhower in the victory, as well as the contributions of polo star and WW I fighter pilot Tommy Hitchcock, who was important in the U.S. adoption of the P51 B Mustang, "the fighter plane that made D-Day possible."  The book was suggested by Ken Marshall. It is available in paperback and used hardcover and paperback. Questions about the Men's Book Group? Contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com . Date: Sunday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

Faith in Action

Share-the-Plate for June May 26: Eco-Action Arlington  This week's STP offerings will be shared with EcoAction Arlington (formerly Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment). EcoAction Arlington 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.  Donations are accepted for each week's STP recipient through the following Saturday at midnight.   Make online donations here.

UUCA Trip to Israel/Palestine Announcing a UUCA trip to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories with Rev. Terasa and members of the NOVA UUs for Justice in the Middle East. This is a unique and rare tour led by MEJDI Tours and planned together with Churches for Middle East Peace where we will be led by two local tour guides--one Israeli and one  Palestinian--each providing their narratives and perspectives. The tour includes the ancient holy sites of Jerusalem and opportunities to meet Palestinian and Israeli people of today who are actively working for peaceful and equitable solutions to their conflicts. Tour dates: October 5 – 15, 2019. Deadline to register: June 5. Itinerary here. Informational flyer here. For more details and registration, click here. Questions? Contact Allan Kellum, a.kellum@verison.net.

Wear Orange June 2 On Social Justice Sunday, June 2, UUCAers are asked to wear orange to show your support of ending gun violence. Then on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m., join Moms Demand Action and other activists at the Arlington Wear Orange Rally. We will hear from survivors and local politicians, and will dedicate a new garden, Plant Hope--End Gun Violence. For more information about the Arlington chapter of Moms Demand Action, contact Alison Sheahan, ab.sheahan@verizon.net. Date: Friday, June 7, 7 p.m. Location: 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington Meals on Wheels New Route UUCA delivers meals to clients in South Arlington on the fourth Thursday and Friday of each month. UUCA has a new route that requires 12 volunteers instead of 10. The time commitment is from 11 a.m. to about 1 or 1:30 p.m. Volunteers pick up the meals at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 601 N. Vermont St. (corner of Carlin Springs Rd.). To volunteer, contact Tina Hinh , tinahinh@gmail.com or Sara Anderson , rayandsara@aol.com.

Important UPDATE on the coming VOICE Action in June What will be in the Amazon box being delivered to Arlington and Alexandria?  If we care, we must act and ask our local officials to make just decisions. New date and location: June 9, 4:15 p.m., Wakefield High School,  1325 S Dinwiddie Street, Arlington, VA 22204 Carpools form UUCA at 3:45 p.m.      What Amazon box do you want? Do you want Box A as the only delivery?    Increased rents  Displacement  Further school crowding  Increased economic disparities  Negative impacts on people of color   Or do you want Box B delivered by our local governments?    More funds for affordable housing  More funds for equitable education  More funds for after school programs  Greater opportunities for all residents   Arlington and Alexandria expect increased revenues from the Amazon move here.   We will tell them how to spend a significant portion of the increase: Box B! VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is standing on the side of love! Stand in Action, Sunday June 9! Stand with the people who stand to lose. Demand elected officials distribute the benefits. Put your faith in action and come stand with VOICE! We will address the Chair of Arlington County Board and the Mayor of Alexandria. Sign up at the VOICE table or email David McTaggert, dmctagg@gmail.com or Pat Findikoglu, patfindikoglu@gmail.com.

Third Annual Wrap UUCA in a Rainbow This Sunday, sponsor a flag! As a fundraiser for UUCA and "LGBTQ pride-raiser" for the community, Equality UUCA invites you to sponsor a rainbow or trans pride flag for $5/flag. Flags have a tape/label attached to write in a dedication. Flags are available at the Equality UUCA table in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday in May. The "planting party" is on Saturday morning, June 1, at 9:30 a.m.--the beginning of Capital Pride week in DC.  Will we make it all the way around the church? This year's sponsored flags will be combined with those from the previous two years (which are a bit bedraggled due to last June's rain)--It will be exciting to see how far we make it around the perimeter of the parking lot and building this year! The flags stay up June 1 thru 12. They will be taken down after our commemoration of the third anniversary of the Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre on June 12.  Can you help with tabling after services or with flag installation on June 1? Let us know at uuca.equality@gmail.com.

Fall Retreat: A Mountain Get-a-Away Sept. 27-29 For over 60 years, UUCA members and friends have gathered each fall at Capon Springs in the mountains of West Virginia for fellowship, fun, and renewal. The UUCA Fall Retreat (Sept. 27-29) is a great chance to get to know your fellow UUCA-ers in a relaxed setting. Enjoy discussions and workshops, communal meals, fun and games from Scrabble to shuffleboard, hiking and birdwatching (and even polar-bear bathing in Capon Springs' famously icy pool). Whether you are thinking of coming for the first time or are a repeat retreater, we would love to have you join us! Please stop by the Fall Retreat table Sundays, May 19 and 26, where members of the retreat committee will be delighted to tell you more.

Summer Coffee Servers Coffee Servers wanted. Help us ensure the coffee and lemonade keep flowing after services this summer. Positions available for most Sundays until September.  No experience needed. Coffee servers arrive at about 9:30 a.m. to prepare coffee and lemonade, then stay after the service to keep things flowing and cleanup afterwards. It's great way to meet people. Don't be shy, we NEED your help. If you can help, please sign up at the coffee table on Sunday or contact Mollie Jewell, mollieJewell2@gmail.com. Seeking Artists and Crafters for UUCA Holiday Craft Sale Applications are now ready for UUCA’s Holiday Craft Sale, (formerly known as Mistletoe Mall), to be held December 7-8. Spaces require a registration fee, plus a donation to the church based on percentage of sales. Priority is given to UUCA members and friends who submit their application by June 1. If you are interested in participation in this exciting event, please contact Mary Pike, marylpva@gmail.com, for an application and additional information.

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.

Thank you for using this link when shopping Amazon. UUCA benefits each time you shop.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA 4444 Arlington Blvd Arlington, Virginia Call: (703) 892-2565 Email: uuca@uucava.org ‌ ‌