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

Self-Care Sunday, April 7, 2019 | 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. "In Sickness and in Health" Sermon by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley There is a continuum between health and illness. We are never completely healthy, and even in the greatest distress, our bodies strive for health. They don’t always succeed and we may succumb, but otherwise, we all live somewhere on that continuum. Rather than thinking about them as separate and polar states, how can health sustain us in our illness and illness illuminate our health? David McTaggart is our Worship Associate. Lori Rottenberg is our Song Leader. Crescendo and Polymnia Handbell Choirs will provide music, accompanied by Rachel Warner on flute and Nina Cherry on percussion, conducted by Ken Bissell, Director of Handbells. As a follow-up to Rev. Terasa's message, there is a Self-Care Fair after each service where you'll find information and be able to experience self-care practices for the mind, body, and soul. See below for more information. Livestream

Self-Care Sunday: Caring for mind, body, and soul Self-care encompasses caring for our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves. Sunday's Self-Care Fair offers you and your family an opportunity to learn more about various self-care opportunities here at UUCA and in the community. Many of the RE classes will have special self-care focused programming and all are invited to attend the Self-Care Fair during the coffee hours where you'll find information tables, health screenings, and class offerings for all ages. Come dressed in comfortable clothing that will enable you to experience all that Self-Care Sunday has to offer. Experience Tae Kwon Do with Panthera Martial Arts Guided meditation with Insight Meditation Community of Washington Learn about nature bathing and the National Park Service ParkRx Day Yoga class with Dana Cook Parent Resource Center, Arlington Public Schools Blood pressure checks Talk Saves Lives, with Janice Stallard of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Boot camp fitness UUCA's Pastoral Care Ministry Well Spouse Support Group Friends of Urban Agriculture Our Whole Lives sexuality program Qigong class Mandala activity AND MORE! Come for the service and stay for your self! Parking on April 7 As we anticipate attendees to linger longer than usual for coffee hour, we encourage those who are willing and able to park in the Mason’s lot or Arlington Hall Park-- see map.

Upcoming Services Earth Day Sunday, April 14, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. “Our Place in the Web” - Sermon by Rev. Robert Blinn. The services will feature a special guest, “Mother Earth.” Those attending will use the UU 7th Principle to form a positive path forward in life in partnership with Mother Earth. Easter Sunday, April 21, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. "The Promise of the Empty Tomb" - Intergenerational service led by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley and Walter Clark, Ministerial Assistant. Easter Egg Hunt follows both services. April 28, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. “Setting the Table” - Sermon by Walter Clark, Ministerial Assistant.

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 Masons 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. **Parking on April 14** The Mason's lot will be closed on Sunday, April 14. Please use the lot at Arlington Hall Park or along the street on George Mason Drive.

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)

Church Matters

Overwhelming Vote to Adopt 8th Principle The UUCA Board of Trustees congratulates the 8th Principle Task Force for its dedicated work in promoting a multicultural community and combating racism. We celebrate the fact that the grassroots movement in the church that started with many members of the congregation signing Live the Pledge ascended to a positive vote of support for the 8th Principle by the UUCA congregation. At a special congregational meeting on Sunday, 129 members were present to vote yes. There were additional absentee ballots that voted 107 in favor and 6 against for a total vote of 236 in favor and 6 opposed. This was an important endorsement of what will be a major topic of discussion at General Assembly regarding the future fabric of our UU faith.  And we proudly echo the words of the 8th Principle that we promote “journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” There is, of course, more work to be done. The Board will be looking at how to incorporate the 8th Principle into our policies and governance and how we can live out this pledge we have made to address racism and oppression. And we will continue to support the 8th Principle Task Force and our ministers in their mission. All are invited to our April 16 Board meeting where this conversation will get started. We look forward to continuing the conversation in the days ahead.  -- uuca-board@googlegroups.com

The above graphic depicts our Appreciative Inquiry session on March 24. A graphic recording will also be made at our April 6 session. When and Where Saturday, April 6, 9:30-Noon. Activity Room Topics “How do we want to be in relationship with each other and grow as a spiritual community?” and “How we want to interact with and serve the larger community?” The ideas that we raise will help shape our transition to a new Senior Minister. This is a chance to further explore what you are thinking, in structured reflection and in conversation with others.  Sign up here or contact Allen Keiswetter, keiswetter@aol.com.

2019-20 Budget Info Session Sunday's Self-Care Fair will get us all in a healthy mindset for the budget information session that begins at 1:30 p.m. after the fair. Come to learn about how the budget process comes together and what our priorities would and could be. Date: Sunday, April 7, 1:30-3 p.m. Location: Chapel

Being a Green Community and Recycling By Tamara Srader, Chief Administrative Officer Each day we all practice recycling at home and at UUCA. The service provider we use is a licensed commercial trash company through Arlington County. Each year UUCA is inspected by Arlington County to ensure we are in compliance with guidelines for recycling. Our inspection is coming up in two weeks and we are using this as a reminder of what we can throw into the church recycling containers. Note: These guidelines may be different from the guidelines for home recycling, especially if you live outside Arlington. The guidelines are as follows: Acceptable Recycling Materials Containers: Jugs, bottles, cartons, tubs, trays, buckets, bins Cans: Aluminum, Steel, Aerosol Cardboard: Shipping/Moving (flattened), Cereal, Paperboard, Frozen food boxes Paper: Office, magazines, newspaper, books, mail, shredded (bagged) Plastics for recycling MUST have a recycling symbol with a number on the bottom. Old toys and miscellaneous unmarked plastic items are not suitable for recycling. The plastic and paper cups provided by UUCA are made from recycled material and/or vegetable products, and should NOT be recycled. They are compostable and break down quickly and harmlessly. Please break down cardboard boxes before placing in recycling dumpster.  Unaccepted Recycling Materials Plastic bags or films – shrink wrap, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, newspaper bags, trash bags Phones/electronics Diapers Food Plastic foam (Styrofoam) Clothes Cables/lights Wrappers Cardboard that is wet or greasy such as pizza boxes

Ministry Matters

In the Meantime By Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley It was a glorious gathering that turned out a few weeks ago for our Spring Fling! To see everyone simply enjoying being in community together was a great joy to me. It speaks to our need to be together and to play together as many generations and many walks of life.  Just as being in community brings many joys, it can also bring some sadness when the community changes. You will see elsewhere in the newsletter that Mimi Bornstein will be leaving us as of April 14. We will celebrate her ministry with us that Sunday in both services and after. Mimi has brought an astonishing array of gifts and has lifted our music program to new heights. She will be deeply missed. Please feel free to send her a card or an email to mimi.bornstein@uucava.org . Sophia Morreale has graciously agreed to step into the void to provide leadership to the program until we find a more permanent replacement. Her talents are abundant, as I’m sure you’ve heard, and the choir will enjoy the continuity of her leadership.  The Music Director Search Committee continues its work of gathering input from various groups and individuals about your hopes and dreams for the music program. Watch for notices of open sessions led by them. Or feel free to email me or one of them with your comments. They are: Wendy Jessup, Warren Wright, Y’lon Dozier, Dana Cook, Peter Vitaliano, Joe Schmitz, Zoë Lachow and Walter Clark .  Thank you for being a part of this community! --TCooley@uucava.org

Lifespan Religious Education

Easter Egg Hunt Things will be hopping on Easter morning, April 21! We'll have real bunnies adding to our fun and festive Easter Egg hunt for grade schoolers and younger. Remember to bring your basket, though extras will be available. Teens are welcome to help with the "set-up"--Teen volunteers please gather in the lower level lobby during each service. 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, April 12. If you’d like to be included, please contact LeeAnn Williams, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, lwilliams@uucava.org. More RE News

There's still time to join the 45th Annual UUCA Shenandoah Retreat! 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 friends from UUCA--new and returning friends of all ages are encouraged to join other UUCAers for this family-friendly, multigenerational, fun-filled weekend. Visit our Shenandoah Retreat website here. There are four steps to take: Book a campsite (as of this morning there were 31 reservable sites left) at www.recreation.gov or lodge www.goshenandoah.com/Big-Meadows-Lodge Then please register with us so we know who to expect, when to expect you and where you'll be staying. Register with us here.  Then please pay the $10 registration fee for adults and teenagers (kids are free). The money covers supplies the community uses for the weekend. Paypal here. Finally, please sign up to help out if you can. We are all volunteers and hope everyone can pitch in to make this retreat a success. Volunteer sign-up here. Questions? Contact D Ohlandt, profohlandt@gmail.com or Jacqueline Lotts, jlotts@gmail.com.

Adult Education Below is a list of our upcoming Adult Education classes. Click here for more information and registration. Building Your Own Theology, six sessions begin March 27, 7-8:30 p.m. 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.

Building Your Own Theology This workshop is designed to provide those new to UU the opportunity to reflect on their religious history. The series addresses these issues through a combination of dialog, and writing. The culmination of this course is the development of a personal credo statement. With LeeAnn Williams and David McTaggart. Register here. Dates: Six sessions March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Room 9

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: May 5, 2-5 p.m. Location: Activity Room

Finding Your Path How well does UUCA help you “Grow in Spirit?” What kind of spiritual help or guidance would you like to have? What does one mean by "spiritual growth"? Come to this spiritual ingathering event on May 4 to share information, practice and program ideas that could help you find your spiritual path at UUCA. Refreshments 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

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 sessions, May 8 and May 15, 7-9 p.m.  Location: Activity Room

Wheel of Life

A memorial service in celebration of the life of Ronald Munson is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m., in our Sanctuary.

A memorial service in celebration of Marjorie Singleton will be held Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. in the Chapel at Vinson Hall, 6251 Old Dominion Blvd., McLean, Virginia. Washington Post obituary here.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Parker Bracken who died March 27. Memorial service plans are pending.

Faith in Action

Share the Plate: April 7 Supports UUCA/ALIANZAS Guatemalan Human Rights Accompaniers In partnership with NISGUA , UUCA has sponsored 21 human rights Accompaniers in Guatemala since 2007, including three who are currently serving there. In February, our delegation members had the privilege of spending a day with these three amazing young people--Rosemary, Meredith and Tal.  Accompaniers serve as part of a 10-country coalition of monitors/witnesses who stand with rights activists and indigenous community leaders threatened by their own government, the military and international corporations as they seek to protect their rights. The presence of Accompaniers reduces the threat of violence in a wide range of settings, including court cases for crimes of the past genocide, protests against unjust laws such as one recently introduced in the Guatemalan Congress to grant amnesty to those convicted of crimes against humanity, and efforts to protect communal lands, water and resources from exploitation by outsiders. The modest monthly stipend of $530 that UUCA provides the Accompaniers comes entirely from your Share-the-Plate donations. Thank you for your generous support. You may donate online here through Saturday, April 13 or give on Sunday, April 7. Stop by the ALIANZAS table after each service on Sunday to learn more about the awesome work that Rosemary, Meredith and Tal are doing in Guatemala on behalf of us all.

Great News! Members of UUCA vote to adopt the 8th Principle! That Principle requires “Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” What comes next?  Our congregation needs to address the areas of reflection and action called for by its wording. Setting those priorities will require a thoughtful, UUCA-wide process extending over time. The list in THIS LINK indicates areas already identified by church members. Please help launch this process by indicating the category(ies) you would like to focus your efforts to accountably implement the 8th Principle. We hope to create an online survey in the future to make it easier to submit your answers. In the meantime, you can return the paper versions to the 8th Principle/racial justice table in Fellowship Hall or to Becky Ross, Paul Blackburn, or Stephanie Thomas (the co-chairs of the 8th Principle Task Force).

VOICE Actions to Dismantle Racism and Other Oppressions VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is offering you the opportunity to dismantle racism and other oppressions in Northern Virginia and beyond. Please attend our next VOICE gathering where we will fill you in on upcoming VOICE actions to dismantle racism and other oppressions and where we will welcome your ideas, suggestions, and involvement.  Date: Sunday, April 28 1:30-3:30. p.m. Location: Center Gallery

A BOOK FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH Brown Girl Dreaming African American Author Book Sharing Circle April 19 What an interesting book! Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson, is the story of the author’s childhood written in free verse that tells a complete story from beginning to end. Goodreads tells us that Ms. Woodson “shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world.” The African American Author Book Sharing Circle will share experiences in reading Brown Girl Dreaming on April 19. The book is relevant and appropriate for ages 10 through adult, so we hope parents will read this with their families and come together to the sharing circle. We hope to see you then. For more info, please contact Pat Findikoglu, pfindikoglu@gmail.com, or Linda Lutes Corsoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com. Date: Friday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. Location: Welcome Room

Voices of Solidarity Concert - April 26 In light of the ongoing need for all communities to be in solidarity, the theme of the Annual Dream Project Concert will forever be “Voices for Solidarity.”   While Dream Project students face unique challenges in these difficult times, other members of our society also are struggling for their rights and their dignity. We know that only through solidarity will we be successful in igniting long-lasting change. We must all continue to strive for a more diverse, tolerant and compassionate nation.   The Voices for Solidarity concert will be a celebration of solidarity by diverse communities and cultures who share a common vision. 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

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 Zieh, Alexandraziehm92@gmail.com .    Date: Tuesday, May 7 & 14, 7-10 p.m. Location: Room 13/15 on 5/7, Youth Room on 5/14

Music Ministry

A Special Message from Mimi Beloved Community, As some of you may know, I have been away on retreat dealing with deep exhaustion. While I knew I needed this time, I was not aware how pronounced my stress and exhaustion levels really were until I got here.  I am in the care of a wonderful team of practitioners who have made it very clear to me that I have to take care of myself differently.   While I had every hope and intention of staying with you until the summer, in order to start the process of rebuilding my health sooner rather than later my last day at UUCA will be April 15. I am truly sorry to have to leave sooner than I anticipated. It seems that the combination of unexpected challenges at UUCA and my long distance parenting has simply taken its toll. In terms of timing for my leaving, I will be returning to DC on April 8 and will be actively working at UUCA from now until April 15. My last day in worship with you will be April 14. I believe that there is a plan afoot to have a time to celebrate our time together after services on that day.  Sophia and Rev. Terasa will be in conversation about how to carry out the music program from April 15 - June. I have no doubt that while things will be different, that they will also be carried out with skill and grace.  While I know that no one is irreplaceable, I also know that the last thing you all need is to negotiate another curve ball. I am truly sorry to be throwing you one. I don’t mean to be trite or cliche in saying this, but this is really a “put your own oxygen mask on before helping others” moment.  It has been an honor to serve as your Director of Music Ministries and I have truly come to love you as a community. While we will no doubt miss each other, I have full confidence that the UUCA is poised to move forward on a beautiful journey. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your legacy. With love and the challenge of self care even when it's inconvenient, Mimi Mimi.Bornstein@gmail.com

Music Ministries Discovery Session As we begin our search for a new Director of Music Ministries, we are reaching out to UUCA members and friends for input. How can the music ministry contribute to UUCA's mission? What question would you ask a candidate for the Director of Music Ministries? Your feedback on these and other questions will help guide the Music Ministries Search Group in their search. Questions? Contact Warren Wright, fwarrenwright@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, April 14, 12:30 p.m. Location: Volunteer Room 

New Ringers Welcome! Have you seen the handbells ring on a Sunday morning? Ever wondered what it would be like to give it a try? Now is your chance to find out! UUCA's beginning handbell choir, Bellissimo, is seeking new participants of all ages (grade 3 - adult). Come as you are: no prior musical experience is necessary. The group meets every Sunday between services (10:30-11:05 a.m.) in the Music Room, which is at the end of the downstairs hall across from the Youth Room. This is a great opportunity for a fun, multi-generational activity that also happens to create beautiful music. We hope to see you there! Questions or need more information? Contact Ken Bissell, kenbhandbells@aol.com, or Sarah Yue, alanandsarah@gmail.com.

Congregational Life

Day Alliance - April 9 Lessons of History With Richard L. Hermann The Day Alliance April guest speaker is Richard L. Hermann, the author of 11 books, including the award-winning Managing Your Legal Career and most recently, Encounters: Ten Appointments with History . He is an attorney, a former law professor, and the founder and president of Federal Reports Inc. (sold to Thomson Reuters in 2007). He writes a weekly op-ed column for Messenger Post Media and a legal blog ( legalcareerview.com ). Hermann is a graduate of Yale University, the New School University, Cornell Law School and the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School. He also served with the U.S. Army Atomic Demolition Munitions Team in Germany. Mr. Hermann will discuss excerpts of his book Encounters, Ten Appointments with History which describes ten meetings between historically relevant individuals and, in one case civilizations, that have profoundly imprinted themselves on both their contemporary eras and what followed. These “Lessons of History” are a refrain that is especially relevant to our leaders and decision-makers of today. Coffee and fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m. The presentation begins at 11 a.m. A catered lunch ($15) begins at 12 p.m. Reservations not required for talk but reservations required for the luncheon. Contact Gail Perfetti, gailperfetti@gmail.com, by April 4. Date: Tuesday, April 9, 10:30 a.m. Coffee; 11 a.m. Speaker; 12 p.m. Lunch Location: Fellowship Hall

Happy Hour - April 17 Come enjoy refreshments and drinks at our April Happy Hour hosted by Alianzas. Come as you are. No meeting, no agenda or requests, just come for warm fellowship and community building. Bringing a favorite drink or snack to share is optional. Date: Wednesday, April 17, 6-7:30 p.m Location: Fellowship Hall Guatemala Delegation Shares Experiences On April 17 after the Happy Hour, the Alianzas folks will share stories of their incredible experiences from their February trip to Guatemala. Check out their travel blog here. UUCA has 10+ years of allyship work in Guatemala. Through our partnership with ADIVIMA, UUCA provides scholarships for Guatemalan students. Questions? Please text Kate at 734-272-3727. Date: Wednesday, April 17, 7:30-8:30 p.m Location: Volunteer Room

HUUmanist Meeting iNaturalist to speak on “City Nature Challenge 2019—Exploring our Natural World in the Spring”    Dr. Margaret Fisher will talk about the iNaturalist creature identification program, rapidly becoming a world standard, and the City Nature Challenge 2019, which uses the program. She may touch on other wildlife ID methods now in use in the area, such as stream monitoring and wildlife surveys. Dr. Fisher is a retired physician who is one of the organizers of the Plant NOVA Natives campaign, a volunteer in the Audubon-at-Home program, the Fairfax County Invasive Management Area program, and the Fairfax Master Naturalists. All are welcome. For more info, contact Jere Cummins, jeroldcummins@gmail.com or Kit Britton, kitbritton@gmail.com.   Date: Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Location: Board Room

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 T he Men's Book Group will meet on April 14 to discuss the non-fiction selection Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City , by Matthew Desmond. The book tells the wrenching story of eight families in Milwaukee struggling to keep a roof over their heads . It's available at local libraries and is in paperback. If there are any questions about the group and its meetings, please email Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com or call 703-533-8004.  Date: Sunday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. Location: Chapel

Passover Community Seder Hosted by Kol Ami Kol Ami (the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Jewish Community) invites UUCAers to their inclusive Passover Seder that will be held in UUCA's Fellowship Hall. A mostly potluck meal will follow the ceremony. The cost is $20 per adult, $5 per child, plus a potluck dish. Those who are physically able are also asked to help with set-up or clean-up. Reservations can be made here. Kol Ami is a growing and caring group of Jews who believe in the continuity of Jewish spirituality in an egalitarian and interactive atmosphere that respects both the traditional and the modern. The congregation is an affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist movement, the fourth branch of Judaism. Kol Ami holds most events at UUCA. For more info, please visit KolAmiVirginia.org or email admin@KolAmiVirginia.org. Date: Saturday, April 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

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

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:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-polarization-how-liberals-can-communicate-better-with-conservatives-registration-59363282175 Date: Sunday, May 19, 2-5:30 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 ‌ ‌