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

Sunday, June 24, 10:15 a.m. "The Blessings of Discomfort" Join us in exploring our adaptation of a Franciscan blessing: "May we be blessed with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may seek truth boldly and live deep within our hearts." Worship Associates Gay Gibson Cima, Kristin Keller, and Betsy Rosenblatt Rosso will lead the service and members of the Voices United Community Chorus and the String of Pearls ensemble will share music. Parents, please note this is an All Welcome Service. Children will remain with parents for the whole service. Activity bags will be provided. The Nursery will be open for kids two years old and younger.  Livestream

Share-the-Plate This Sunday is Miracle Sunday From Tamara Srader, Activity Executive Officer Greetings and happy June. Welcome to summer! I wanted to write and give a brief update on where we are with Share-the-Plate for FY2017-18 and also to take a look to 2018-19 since I know many have questions about where we have been and how we are moving forward. First I want to thank everyone for their generosity over the past fiscal year. I know that change can be a challenge though working together as a community has been fantastic. The Social Justice Partnership Team ( Steven Minson, Lavona Grow, Jacomina de Regt, Amy Shields, Elizabeth Fogarty, Chris Sutton and Linda Lutes Corsoro) worked very hard to help us get to where we are today. I truly appreciate their hard work and time given to this challenging work. We are nearing the end of fiscal year 2017-18 which concludes 30 June and we have met our goal for UUCA’s annual budget, as well as come close to most of our community partner contributions. Here is how we are as of 20 June: ( Read rest of the update here) Online STP Donations

Summer Solstice Transmissions Meditation Service and Labyrinth Walk Join Jim and Ashley Cash, of Woven Green, as they lead a special Summer Solstice Transmissions meditation service that includes a meditative walk on the Labyrinth. The service will include contemplative meditation, music, chanting, and soundscapes. You are welcome to bring drums and rattles. Yoga mat and blanket optional. Freewill donation. Date: Thursday, June 21, 7:30 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

Church Matters

DID YOU MISS THE EXCITEMENT? In just 90 minutes on Wednesday, June 13, sixteen UUCAers brainstormed 47 new ideas for enhancing our non-pledge revenue. Of those 47 ideas, 27 already have a leader and/or helper(s). These ideas will fly--and contribute to UUCA's mission--only if they have leaders and willing volunteers. Are you up to the challenge? Check this list and reach out to a leader or a helper to join in the effort for one or more of the top 27 ideas. (Use your UUCA directory, or call the office at 703-892-2565 and ask them to put you in touch with the person you've identified.)  Or volunteer to lead one of the ideas listed as #28-47. If you sign up to LEAD any of these ideas, you'll get a follow-up call within the next week or two. As you'll notice, we focused especially on ideas that might attract members of the community, beyond UUCA members. We all still need to support our church, but there's no reason not to involve others. YOU can help make our revenue efforts--and all our efforts to Connect, Grow, and Serve--a success!

General Assembly @Arlington  Yes! Right here in Arlington, you can be part of this year's Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Kansas City--UUCA off-site delegates are viewing sessions here at the church and you are invited to join them. There are other sessions, not listed below that you may watch independently on your home computer. Find out about all the sessions here. Questions? Contact Paul Blackburn, pekheng@msn.com. NOTE: All the clock times mentioned in UUA publicity for General Assembly are CENTRAL. The time below has been adjusted to Eastern time. REVISED UUCA Viewing Schedule: Thursday, June 21 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. General Session II 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. UU White Supremacy Teach-In --Transforming Our Faith report 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. Service of the Living Tradition Friday, June 22 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. General Session III 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. General Session IV  8:00 p.m. Panel on Ending White Supremacy w/ UUCA member Tracey Rogers Saturday, June 23 10:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. General Session V 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. General Session VI 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Ware Lecture Sunday, June 24 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. General Session VII 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. General Session VIII

Lifespan Religious Education

Only Six RE Teachers Needed!  We only need six teachers in order for our Religious Education program to be fully staffed in the upcoming church year. High five and many thanks to those who have already volunteered.  We still need a teacher or two in the following classes-- • Preschool—Spirit Play curriculum  • 3rd Grade—UU Identity and History  • 5th Grade---New Testament studies  The commitment is to teach once a month and assist another teacher on the team once a month. So, plenty of time left for attending worship services. Training will be provided.     Count me in! How do I sign-up? Sign up online here .

MORE RE NEWS HERE

Faith in Action

Ending White Supremacy: From Ferguson, to Standing Rock, to Palestine Join UUCA member Tracey L. Rogers for a General Assembly panel discussion on how white supremacist culture and ideology reinforces oppression among liberation movements for Black Lives, Native Americans, and Palestinians, and a call to end white supremacy through direct action and solidarity. The panel will be live-streamed on the Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) Facebook page. Note: time on image above is Central time. Click here for speaker bios. Date: Friday, June 22, 8 p.m. Location: Offsite viewing takes place here at UUCA in Room 13/15 - Also view live-stream from your home here.

UUs: Rally to Fight Racism & Poverty Saturday June 23 at 10 a.m.! Sometimes, the important thing is to show up. All of us are trying to figure out how to respond to the national climate we find ourselves in--how to add our voice, our presence, our power to the fight for justice. On June 23, we are asked to show up, to be counted as part of a national campaign that is centering the voices of those most marginalized in our country. Whether or not we share that identity ourselves, we can be a part in bringing the spotlight to the moral crisis in America.  This mass rally on the mall closes #40DaysofAction and a season of Moral Mondays by the Poor People’s Campaign, calling awareness to the "attention violence that refuses to see these injustices and acknowledge the human and economic costs of inequality”. The federal government’s practice of separating families who come to our border seeking a better life is just one example of these injustices. This movement knows, “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. So join thousands of people of conscience and faith and those most impacted by the injustices in our country today and come make history. Show up! (Text by All Souls Church Unitarian-DC and UUs for Social Justice) UU convening: 9:30 a.m. at 7th St. NW & Indiana Ave. NW, details at UUSJ Facebook Event page .  PPC rally: 10 a.m. at The National Mall by Jefferson Drive SW and 7th St. SW, Washington, D.C.

Expanded Registration for Peace Camp Next Week  Peace Camp starts Monday, June 26. We have expanded enrollment, so we now have spaces for both weeks: June 25-29 ($315) or July 2-6 ($265, no camp July 4).  But don’t delay. Hurry to register. The camp runs June 25-29 ($315) or July 2-6 ($265, no camp July 4) at UUCA. Avoid appointment! Register now while we still have spaces. 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.peacecamp@lffp.org). To register online click HERE! Peace Camp – Driver volunteers needed Peace Camp needs volunteers to drive students to and from camp (June 25-29 or July 2-6). Volunteers will pick up children near Seminary Road & Walter Reed (western Alexandria) to bring them to camp by 9 a.m. and take them back home at 3 p.m. Consider volunteering even if you can only drive one way or if you have limited days. We can stitch a schedule together that fits driver availability. Contact Mollie Jewell, 703-941-5643, or MollieJewell2@gmail.com.

SOL Volunteers Needed ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) volunteers help those who already speak English improve their English, reduce their accents, and learn more about American culture. ESOL students have included professionals and non-professionals, e.g., au pairs, foreign embassy chefs, diplomats' spouses, construction workers, skycaps, policemen, dentists, doctors, teachers, accountants, engineers, and diplomatic staff. ESOL volunteers learn much from the students and develop friendships. If this appeals to you, please contact Ric Blacksten, hricblacksten@gmail.com, 703-980-5899.

Help the Dreamer Kids of Arlington The Dream Project in conjunction with the Arlington League of Woman Voters invites you to look into the lives, the hopes and the dangers faced by Arlington DACA and Dreamer kids. Hear from Robert Remes, the attorney for the Dream Project, who will update us on the increased danger these Dreamers face in the current environment and what you can do to help them either through their scholarship or mentoring programs. The Dream Project empowers students whose immigration status creates barriers to education by working with them to access and succeed in college through scholarships, mentoring, family engagement, and advocacy. Food provided by Cafe Sazon. Cost $20 per person to cover the cost of food and room rental. Any profit will be donated to the Dream Project. Cash or check at the door or you can pay with credit card when you RSVP. PLEASE RSVP here .  Date: Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

Music and Arts Ministry

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

Paintings by Morgan Norwood on display in Center Gallery Take time this summer to take in the ethereal images of Arlington artist Morgan Norwood. Her background in science influences her visual appreciation of the relationships between the natural world and human physiology. Mark your calendar for September 8, for a reception with the artist. Artist statement here.

Congregational Life

Small Groups on Change - Mostly Canceled By The Rev. Beth Miller There’s good news and bad news regarding these opportunities to discuss your feelings, excitement and concerns about changes at UUCA over the past year. The good news is that very few of you have signed up to participate. To me, this indicates that most of the congregation is feeling okay and doesn’t need to take advantage of this offer.    The bad news is that for those of you who do want to participate and signed up, all but one time slot has been canceled. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but one or two people isn’t enough for a viable group experience. The group with sufficient enrollment is on Tuesday, June 26, at 7:00 p.m. and you are welcome to attend if you signed up for a group that has been canceled, or if you haven’t signed up at all yet. If you cannot make that time, I’ll be happy to meet with you individually. Please email me at bmiller@uucava.org and let me know if you would like to be add to the June 26 group, or to arrange a time to meet with me.

New UU Class Learn about Unitarian Universalism and this church in this one-session class with Rev. Beth Miller and Sarah Masters, Director of Congregational Life. 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. The class is free and includes a light dinner. Free childcare is available on request.  Register here or contact Sarah Masters, sarah.masters@uucava.org. Date: Wednesday, July 18, 6-9 p.m. Location: Activity Room Young Adult Podcast Chat  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

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, July 1, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. Location: Activity Room Young Adult Divine Reading Group The Divine Reading Group is a Young Adults Group which treats secular short stories as though they were sacred texts. The belief behind the strategies is that personal truth and meaning can come from a wide variety of sources. This group is ideal for those who love reading and discussion. It is also a place where deep and meaningful introspection occurs, friendships are made, and the very nature of religion is explored. We’ll be reading a short story this time, so no preparation necessary! Questions? Contact Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org.   Date: Thursday, June 28, 7-9 p.m. Location: Youth Room

Job Posting Youth and Young Adult Coordinator UUCA has an opening for a part-time Youth and Young Adult Coordinator. This is a year-round salaried position of up to 30 hours a week, with requirements to work most Sundays and overnight event. The position offers benefits, along with opportunities for growth and professional development. Job description here. Send resume to LeeAnn Williams, LWilliams@uucava.org.

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 ‌ ‌