Thursday, June 28, 2018
The Coming Week
Thursday, June 28

Virginia Voting Rights Restoration Phone Bank. In 2016 and 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe took the historic action of restoring the right to vote of tens of thousands of Virginia citizens with prior criminal convictions, ending decades of disenfranchisement. The Reeb Project works to ensure that all citizens, especially those in marginalized groups, have the right to choose their leaders. Using lists provided by New Virginia Majority, come help us notify disenfranchised Virginians of their restored rights and the opportunity to register to vote. Bring a laptop or tablet and charger (if you have them). No experience necessary. Food, instructions, and a script will be provided. Sign up here . Thu., June 28, 7:00-9:30 pm, home of Ann Maxwell (227 Park Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912).

Saturday, June 30

The DMV Sanctuary Congregations Network (of which All Souls is a founding member) will hold a pre-rally (see below) gathering to renew our faith partnerships, make posters, share in prayer, prep for the Families Belong Together Rally, and learn about upcoming DMV Sanctuary Congregations Network actions. Simple snacks and limited (first-come) parking available. Register here . 9:30 am, National City Christian Church (Thomas Circle).

Families Belong Together Rally. All Souls, our partners in the DMV Sanctuary Congregations Network, and Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice invite you to participate in this national day of action. Events in all 50 states will focus on combating the separation and detention of immigrant families. DC’s major action will be the anchor protest in Lafayette Square by the White House. Please RSVP with local UU organizers so we know you are coming. More info at the UUSJ Families Belong Together event page . Action begins at 11:00 am. Meet by 10:00 am at Farragut Square (SW corner near intersection of 17th and I Streets). We’ll proceed to the NE side of Lafayette Square (between 16th St and Vermont Ave, just south of H St). 

Souls in the Center Have a Game Night 2.0 . Since one night’s not enough, bring your best game again. RSVP to Elyte (elyte.baykun@gmail.com).

Sunday, July 1

No Hands But Ours. Rev. Abbey Tennis. Life can feel so out of control. We can feel powerless against massive political abuses from our government, we can feel helpless against disease within our own bodies. Sometimes, even the joys can be overwhelming. What can we do when it all feels like too much?

About All Souls. New to All Souls and Unitarian Universalism? Grab a coffee after worship and head upstairs for a one-hour, casual introduction to the church and denomination. All are welcome. Starts 15 minutes after worship ends, Longfellow Room (3rd floor).

Mindful Souls provides an opportunity to meet in community regularly at the church for meditation, followed by discussion led by congregants or others from our broader DC community. We welcome all who wish to attend. Every Sunday, 12:00 noon, classroom 2.
 
Monday, July 2

Join the Souls in the Center for the first of the Ft. Reno concert series (www.fortreno.com), a local, outdoor, intergenerational, free DC summer tradition. Lineup: Lotion Princess, Time is Fire, and Des Demonas. Haven’t heard of them? That’s the point: to showcase the area’s up-and-coming bands. Kids, dogs, food, frisbees, bikes, bare feet, and picnic blankets welcome; alcohol and glass bottles, not. Look for our bright orange bike flag and giant Twister picnic blanket on the hill. Rain date: July 5. Questions? Contact Stacy (stg2243@yahoo.com). 7:00-9:30 pm, Fr. Reno (across from Woodrow Wilson HS; Metro: Tenleytown/AU).

Thursday, July 5

Book Discussion: Rebecca Solnit’s “A Paradise Built in Hell.” “A Paradise Built in Hell” is an investigation of the moments of altruism, resourcefulness, and generosity that arise amid disaster’s grief and disruption, and considers their implications for everyday life. It points to a new vision of what society could become, one that is less authoritarian and fearful, more collaborative and local. Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of 17 books about art, community, environment, feminism, hope, politics, and other subjects. She is a columnist at Harper’s and a regular contributor to The Guardian. Register here . Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Sunday, July 8

Seeds of Transformation: Planting the ASC Container Garden. Gather your seeds and help us plant the new All Souls Container Kitchen Garden. Bags of soil will be available. Meet master composters from UDC Composting. Potluck if you want. Lots of fun. No gardening, planting, or agricultural background necessary! Donations (of course!) accepted. 12 noon-2:00 pm, All Souls.
Beckner Advancement Fund
Children and Youth Religious Education
This Sunday, July 1st
K and up begin in the service for the Story for All Ages, “King Midas”. Then proceed to the Studio for Chapel, where we’ll explore independence, freedoms, and the responsibilities that come with them. Then to the Gym and outside for the Celebration. We’ll have games and watermelon!
Preschool (Room 5) Using the book, “The Colors of Us” they’ll explore shades of colors of people and favorite foods. Then decorate skin toned paper dolls.
Middle and High Schoolers encouraged to help with the younger groups. Student Service Learning hours available.
Nursery in Room 4. Headsets available for listening to the service.

Needs/Opportunities
A volunteer to organize and maintain the “Dramatic Play” area of the Performing and Fine Arts Studio on the Lower Level
Help needed in summer with both age groups. Contact Maxine (mhillman@allsouls.ws) for information on dates with greatest needs
“Teachers” needed for the 2018-2019 year in the following classes:
1st Service –4’s and K/1st
2nd Service- Preschool, K/1st, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5
All adults welcome. Much support provided!
Children needed to help with Baby Dedications on July 8th and August 19th

Dolores Miller (dmiller@allsouls.ws; 202.517.1469)
Adult Spiritual Development
Book Discussion: Rebecca Solnit’s “A Paradise Built in Hell.” “A Paradise Built in Hell” is an investigation of the moments of altruism, resourcefulness, and generosity that arise amid disaster’s grief and disruption, and considers their implications for everyday life. It points to a new vision of what society could become -- one that is less authoritarian and fearful, more collaborative and local. Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of 17 books about art, community, environment, feminism, hope, politics, and other subjects. She is a columnist at Harper’s and a regular contributor to The Guardian. Register .

Classic Readings: Selections from Margaret Fuller. Margaret Fuller’s writing is overshadowed by the extraordinary events of her life, which saw her move from editorship of the Transcendentalist journal The Dial to becoming the first female book reviewer and foreign correspondent for the New York Tribune and, eventually, a direct participant in the Italian revolutions of 1848. We will consider her life and influence through a sampling of her work. Register .
Board of Trustees
We’re listening! Trustees are available for conversation at our listening post in Pierce Hall, typically the first Sunday of every month, or email president@allsouls.ws .

Trustees do their best to post draft monthly meeting agendas on the Board’s page on the Church website. Look for it there in the days before the meeting. Here are the upcoming Board meeting dates: July 26, Aug. 22, Sep. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Dec. 12.
Immigrants, Refugees, and Sanctuary Seekers
Travel to the border with All Souls. This November 13-18, All Souls members and ministers will make our first congregational BorderLinks trip to the Arizona-Sonora region. The UU College of Social Justice’s “Sanctuary and Solidarity” journey is a chance to deepen your capacity to practice effective solidarity. Through dynamic educational experiences, BorderLinks connects divided communities, raises awareness about the impact of the border and immigration policies, and inspires action for social transformation. A complete list of trip attendees will be finalized by Sep. 1. Contact asc.sanctuary@gmail.com. Next info session: Sun., July 8, 11:45-1:00, library.

All Souls Church Sanctuary Movement. Horrified by the news of children taken from their families at the border? A representative from the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition will help us understand the history and details of our broken immigration system and share ways to get involved. Contact asc.sanctuary@gmail.com or RSVP here . Sun., July 15, 11:45-1:00, Longfellow Room.

Refugee Support Initiative. Many thanks for your ongoing support of our refugee friends! Here are more ways to get involved:
  • Housing. Have a room to rent to a refugee or asylum seeker? Center Global, an organization that assists LGBT asylum seekers, and Asylum Seekers Assistance Project (ASAP) have several people who seek housing.
  • Informational interviews. People fleeing their home countries are often well-qualified, accomplished professionals who need help finding jobs in their chosen fields. If you are a professional and can give advice on job hunting and career re-entry, sign up to give a 45-minute informational interview at a mutually convenient time and place. No further assistance is expected, unless you’d like to do more. Expertise in these areas are needed most: nonprofit program management, engineering, healthcare, IT, office management/admin, operations, supply chain management, telecommunications, hospitality, communications/journalism, accounting, HR.
  • Resume/cover letter writing. Help refugees hone their application materials. Contact Noah (noah@asylumprojectdc.org).
  • Volunteers needed for ASAP’s Workforce Development Workshop, where their clients work on job-seeking, resume development, interviewing, etc. ASAP seeks volunteers for afternoons (12:00 noon – 4:00 pm) to help with mock interviews, resume reviews/feedback, and fellowship. Sign up here. July 23-27, UDC (UDC/Vanness metro).
Want more info on any of these volunteer opportunities? Contact Serena Lowe (ewolaneres@gmail.com).
Opportunities
Believe in radical hospitality? Act on those beliefs! Worship services can be magical, but they don’t happen magically. In addition to the ministers and staff, we depend on the time, effort, and good will of volunteer congregants. Interested in helping? You have a choice of roles to play, and each is important.
  • Worship Associates speak from the pulpit five or six times a year to welcome the congregation and introduce the offering collection. Worship Buddies help setup before services. Training occurs once or twice a year. Contact Jana Owens (jana_owens@hotmail.com).
  • Ushers welcome congregants and visitors, hand out the orders of service, and help everything run smoothly and safely. The commitment is only one service each month, so it’s a great way to get involved. Contact Mark Matthews (markhowardmatthews@gmail.com).
  • Greeters welcome visitors and answer their questions, both before and after services. Really important, but easy—once a month commitment and no meetings! Great way to meet people, and you’re already qualified! Contact Sarah Puro (sarahpuro@yahoo.com).
  • Counters receive the offering plates, tally the numbers, and lock everything away in the safe. You’ll serve once a month after the second service and meet a nice group of folks. Contact John Crowe (babaloo913@gmail.com).
  • The Lunch Ministry nourishes the congregation with a homemade, healthy meal about once a month. Stretch your culinary skills! Visit all-souls.org/lunch or contact Jerri Husch (ascu.lunch@ gmail.com).
All Souls Church Unitarian | 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington DC 20009
202.332.5266| www.all-souls.org