Connections Newsletter
All the news you need to know to connect, grow, and serve.
Loving Our Neighbors
Sunday, June 17, 10:15 a.m.
Source 4: Loving Our Neighbors
Sermon by The Rev. Beth Miller  
 
This is the fourth sermon in our six-part series on the sources of our Unitarian Universalist Faith. Source 4 says, Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves. How do we love those with whom we vehemently disagree or whose actions we find reprehensible? I think it boils down to learning to listen to the still small voice within. We will explore that idea and also acknowledge the love of those who father on this Fathers’ Day.

Ron Cima will offer a special song from Sweeney Todd this Sunday, Not While I’m Around, and Sophia Morreale and Topher Dunne will provide instrumental music.
Share The Plate
June 17 STP Recipient: Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute
​Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute is a community-based organization on the Hopi reservation in Arizona. Tutskwa initiates hands-on learning projects that support Hopi youth and community to develop skills and practical experience needed to promote a more ecological and healthy Hopi community.  “Hopi Tutskwa” refers to the Hopi lifeways and knowledge of the land and soil. The Institute has a deep commitment to maintain Hopi identity in order to pass knowledge to the future generations and rebuild sustainable and healthy communities. They work to strengthen their community through the continued intergenerational practices of traditional Hopi farming and gardening, rainwater harvesting and spring restoration, and natural building techniques. In April 2017, UUCA's youth did a service trip to the Hopi Nation. In one of the projects, our youth worked alongside Hopi young adults from the Institute, building a house for a family in need, using local materials (rock, sand, timber and clay) and used traditional building techniques.


STP Update

At this date, the total for EcoAction Arlington is $1,116.

The final total for Equality Virginia is $1,952.

Reminder: You can make donations for the STP organization named on Sunday through the following Saturday night at midnight.    
Honoring the Summer Solstice at UUCA
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
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
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 @Arlington 
UUCA will have viewing parties of some of the live sessions at this year's General Assembly taking place in Kansas City. Some of the general sessions, the Wednesday banner parade, the Thursday Service of the Living Tradition, and the Saturday Ware Lecture will be viewed in Room 13/15. There are other sessions 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.

UUCA viewing schedule (Eastern time):
  • Wed., June 20, 8 p.m., Welcoming & Banner Parade
  • Thur., June 21, 5:30 p.m., White Supremacy Teach-In
  • Thur., June 21, 8 p.m., Service of the Living Tradition
  • Fri., June 22, 10 a.m., General Session III
  • Fri., June 22, 2:30 p.m., General Session IV
  • Sat., June 23, 10 a.m., General Session V
  • Sat., June 23, 5:30 p.m., General Session
  • Sat., June 23, 8:30 p.m., Ware Lecture: Brittany Packnett
Lifespan Religious Education
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
Cute cartoon sun. Hand drawn watercolor illustration Cute smiling sun. Water-color painted illustration. Isolated on white background
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.
RE Teacher Recruitment
Currently, we are recruiting Religious Education teachers for the 2018-2019 church year. We have a few spots left. Please consider teaching.

We still need a few teachers to complete our teaching roster for the upcoming church year. At the first service we need help in--
  • Preschool
  • 2nd Grade
  • 3rd Grade
  • 5th Grade
At the second service we need only one volunteer in order to be completely staffed! Who will join the 7th Grade class? 
 
Count me in! How do I sign-up?
Sign up online
Faith in Action
Message from Elisabeth Geschiere
Join me for the last two Days of Action of the Poor People's Campaign Launch!
Watch Democracy Now's special coverage of the Poor People's Campaign Rally and Actions this past Monday June 11. Nine religious leaders were arrested and held overnight in jail for praying on the steps of the Supreme Court and over 70 were arrested for blocking traffic on the street in between the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court, including two UUCA staff. This action occurred right after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ohio's efforts to purge its voting rolls. Over the past five weeks, over 3,000 total moral witnesses have effectively begun to shift national attention to the urgent, interconnected issues of poverty, racism, militarism, and ecological devastation. One sign of this shift is that the Campaign successfully got a hearing with lawmakers yesterday afternoon!
PPC demonstrators praying on steps of SCOTUS
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this powerful movement's six-week launch! On Monday, June 18 we will be headed to the National Mall for week six, the theme of which is "A New and Unsettling Force: Confronting the Distorted Moral Narrative". We will begin the rally at 2 p.m. Training for those willing to participate in Direct Action begins at 10 a.m. on National Mall at Jefferson Drive SW and 7th St. SW. Join us as we show our elected leaders we will no longer allow violence to keep poor and disenfranchised people down. Then, on Saturday, June 23, join us at the U.S. Capitol for a massive March to Fight Poverty. The rally will begin at 10 a.m. Stay tuned for information on a meet-up location for UUs.

Dream with me: What would the impact be on local news and politicians if 50 UUCAers decided to participate in nonviolent direct action with tens of our poor and marginalized neighbors and clergy? If you are willing to consider specifically joining me for the nonviolent direct action on June 18, please email egeschiere@uucava.org.

Together, we can be an unsettling force for justice!
Elisabeth
Elisabeth Geschiere, Social Justice Coordinator
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 p anel will be live-streamed on the Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) Facebook page .


Date: Friday, June 22, 8 p.m.
Location: General Assembly in Kansas City ( view live-stream from your home here )
Kids planting seeds
Church Grounds Workday Join DIG, and Do it Green! We will gather together to tend to the church grounds this Saturday. Let's roll up our sleeves and have fun digging in the dirt! There are weeds to pull, mulch to spread, and plants to plant! Bring gloves and hand tools if you have them. Wear your hat and bring water.
We have wheelbarrows to haul mulch and will bring extra gloves,
pitch-forks and hand tools. Families are welcome. Children, bring buckets to carry mulch. Flyer here.

Date: Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. to Noon
Location: UUCA Grounds
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 this Sunday, June 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 – 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 in Arlington or Alexandria, bring them to camp by 9 a.m. and take them back home at 3 p.m. Contact Mollie Jewell, 703-941-5643, MollieJewell2@gmail.com.
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
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
A Conversation with Barbara Kanninen Regarding School Equity
Are you interested in learning more about education equality in Arlington? Facing Race in Arlington , a coalition of community members addressing racial and economic inequities, is hosting a conversation with Barbara Kanninen , Chair of the Arlington School Board, to discuss equity in and among Arlington's schools. Please send any questions and/or RSVP to Emily Vincent, emilyfvincent@gmail.com .

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 7 p.m.
Location: Center Gallery
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
ESOL 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.
VOICE Shows Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students in Arlington Public Schools
At the Arlington School Board meeting May 31, VOICE (Virginians Organized for Community Engagement) stood up to protect local school children from President Trump’s reckless immigration policy. One year ago, Superintendent Murphy, after meeting with VOICE members, formed a working group to explore how the APS could help immigrant/refugee students and their families who face discrimination, harassment by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and loss of legal guardians to deportation. Group leader and VOICE member Marjorie Green presented its recommendations Thursday night, backed up by over 70 VOICE members. Recommendations included clarifying whether APS would honor powers of attorney obtained by families for children whose parents are detained by ICE, handling school requests for information in ways that don't discourage immigrant parents from participating in their children's school life, providing mental health and related support for immigrant and refugee children, and training school staff to treat them with sensitivity. School board members responded by saying they would change the information collected by immigrant and refugee parents on volunteer forms and expedite its work on the status of assigning power of attorney forms. Now that the working group has been made permanent, VOICE is committed to holding APS accountable to its promises.
Music and Arts 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.
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
Rev Beth Miller photo
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. 
Buddhist
Monday Night Buddhist Meditation
On Monday night, Jonathan Foust's Buddhist meditation class will have a special guest speaker--bestselling author  Lama Tsultrim Allione, the first American to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun in the Karma Kagyu lineage. Her talk will be based on her latest book, Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine. A book-signing will follow. No registration. No fee. Free-will donation accepted. Note on parking: We expect a large crowd. All able-bodied UUCAers are asked to park in the Mason's lot on George Mason Drive and PLEASE cross at the light.

Date: Monday, June 18 7:30 p.m.
Location: UUCA Sanctuary
magic_stars_book.jpg
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. This week we'll be reading a short story during group, so no preparation necessary! Questions? Contact Elisabeth Geschiere, egeschiere@uucava.org.
 
Date: Thursday, June 14, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Youth Room
planet & pizza image
Beer, Pizza, and Questions About the Universe
Folks between the ages of 21 and 35 are welcome to join the Young Adults for beer, pizza, and questions about the universe every other Tuesday. The event is BYOB--bring your own beer, but the pizza will be provided. We discuss topics ranging from politics, to science, to philosophy. Every time the topic is different but the discussion is always interesting. 
 
Date: Tuesday, June 19, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Fellowship Hall
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 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
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