Connections Newsletter
All the news you need to know to connect, grow, and serve.
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Connections will take a two-week vacation the first part of August. The only deadlines in August are August 20 & 27. See bottom of this email for details on submitting an announcement.
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Sunday Service, July 29, 10:15 a.m.
"You've Got This!"
The Rev. Beth Miller
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In this final service, I will remind you that individually and as a congregation, you are capable, caring, and courageous. Change is an oft repeated experience in all our lives, and it can be daunting. The path always holds challenges and possible pitfalls along the way, but with a little help from one another, you’ve got this.
Joining Rev. Miller on the chancel will be Worship Associate
Bill Fogarty. Music will be provided by members of the
Sanctuary Singers, with
Devon Staren as soloist, and
Sophia Morreale as accompanist.
Rev. Beth's ministry has blessed us greatly in a very short period of time and for this we are grateful. Following the service there will be a reception with refreshments to honor her. Please plan on staying to give your farewell wishes.
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Worship Next Sunday - Welcome Rev. Terasa Cooley!
August 5, 10:15 a.m.
"Our Paths Converge"
Sermon by The Rev. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister
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July 29 STP: Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement
Sunday's STP offering will benefit
VOICE, Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement.
UUCA is a member congregation of VOICE, a coalition of almost 50 faith institutions and neighborhood organizations in Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington counties and Alexandria. With a combined membership of 180,000 households, VOICE has the constituent power necessary to draw government and corporate attention to the just treatment of low-income, immigrant, and otherwise marginalized people who are our own friends and neighbors.
UUCA was instrumental in the founding of VOICE in 2008 and continues to be one of the most active member institutions. Our church hosts many VOICE activities and our representation at a public action is typically 10% of the total attendance. Strong UUCA support for VOICE expresses our commitment to social justice ministry and for engaging hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart with racial, religious and multi-cultural diversity.
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STP Update
Below are the Share-the-Plate recipients for the last four weeks and their donation totals.
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Dream Project
Service Never Sleeps
PAG--Partners for Arlington & Guatmala
Little Friends for Peace
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$1,570
$608
$1,481
$1,124
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Water Communion & Ingathering - Sept 9
Wherever your summer may take you, please remember to collect a small sample of water to share at our Ingathering and Water Communion Service on September 9, when we return to two services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
And, when you're not able to join us in-person on Sunday morning, please be sure to join us for the streaming of the service at
www.uucava.org. Recordings of the service are also available to watch 24/7 under the "Archive" tab at
www.uucava.org/livestream.
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Transmissions on Hiatus July and August
Our monthly Transmissions Service brought to UUCA by Woven Green is cancelled on July 24 and August 8. These services will resume on September 25 in the Center. Look for details in the September 19 edition of Connections.
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Insight Meditation Community of Washington Day-long Retreat with Jonathan Foust @ UUCA - Saturday, August 11
No “I and Mine": An Experiential Inquiry into the Teachings of No Self
The Buddha said,
“Nothing whatsoever is be clung to as 'I or Mine'."
In this retreat you’ll explore the teachings of "anatta" not just through the classic teachings, but through practices and inquiries that can help you experience what it means to move beyond the mind and into presence. The practices will include both times of silence and contemplation as well as times of structured inquiry and sharing. No prior experience required, but do come with an open mind and heart.
More information and registration here >
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LAST WEEK OF THE CHALLENGE--NOW IS YOUR TIME!
This coming Sunday, July 29, marks the end of our Summer Challenge campaign to raise funds for hiring a second minister to support our congregation this year. You will recall that Rev. Beth Miller has generously offered to match each pledge or gift over $200 with a gift of $10. Let’s make Rev. Beth’s final Sunday with us a memorable one with a full and loving acceptance of her generosity.
Through Sunday the 22
nd
, we have collected $64,592 in pledges and donations from 171 congregants toward our goal of raising enough to begin our second minister as early as October. Our current fundraising status would likely support a person beginning around February or March, and we are all aware of our expectations for worship and programming around the year end holidays.
Working together we can provide the tools Rev. Cooley will need to serve our congregation as she assumes her leadership role in August.
If you have not yet committed to the Summer Challenge, we ask that you please give this your serious consideration and action this week. NOW IS YOUR TIME.
You can fill out a purple card, found in all the pews, and turn it in on Sunday; you can make a new or increased pledge online
HERE
; you can make a one-time donation
HERE
.
We are ever grateful and humbled to be among one another in fellowship and covenant to fulfill our common vision for our beloved community.
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Town Hall Meeting – Senior Minister Search Process
Please join the Board of Trustees and the Senior Minister Search Committee to discuss the pros and cons of a one-year versus a two-year search process for our next called Senior Minister. The Search Committee has had a few meetings and discussions with UUA representatives to learn more about the search process for our next called Senior Minister. Come hear what was learned and offer your thoughts. The Board of Trustees will make a final decision on the search timeline at their August 21 meeting in order to allow the Search Committee the time needed to prepare their process accordingly.
Dates: Sunday, August 5, 11:30 a.m.
Location: Center Gallery
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Congratulations to
Liz Wilson and
Craig Berkey who were married on July 7 at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church. Liz grew up at UUCA and is the daughter of UUCA members
Arlene and Thurlow Wilson.
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Congratulations to
Laurie Miller and
Dale Baker who were married on July 21.
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Lifespan Religious Education
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Only Two Teachers Needed! Wow!
We are getting there! Can you believe it? We only need two teacher-both at 5th grade 9:15 and we will be FULLY staffed for the upcoming church year!
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 service.
Count me in! How do I sign-up?
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From: Elisabeth Geschiere, UUCA Social Justice Coordinator
Social Justice Potluck Dinner + Planning for FY2019
Includes Experiential Facilitator Training!
You might recall or have attended the SJ Potluck Breakfast in March. Before my last day on August 12, I am again gathering folks who are involved in and/or want to get involved in social justice to break bread together, to set goals for FY19, and to start thinking collectively about how to achieve those goals. In addition, I am partnering with
Kristine Wood, a congregant and professional facilitator, in order to make this event an experiential facilitator training. Please register so we know how many people to expect by
filling out this google form! Hope to see you on August 8!
Date: Wednesday, August 8, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Fellowship Hall
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Call for Volunteers
Culpepper Garden has an immediate need for assistance with meal service during the hours of 3 to 7 p.m. daily. The Dining Hall is open seven days a week and one can volunteer one day or more days during the week. Culpepper Garden is a retirement community that UUCA helped to establish in the 1970s and is located only a few blocks from the church. It was the first retirement community in Arlington to provide housing for low-income seniors. To volunteer, please contact
Deborah Madden,
dmadden@culpeppergarden.org or call 571-970-1212.
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Equality UUCA Provides Food for LGBTQ Asylum Seekers
Rain-bedraggled but undaunted,
Equality UUCA and friends provided a bountiful dinner for participants in DC Center Global's LGBTQ asylum seeker program on Saturday, July 21. Participants went home with leftovers, which were greatly appreciated. Many thanks to all who contributed!
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Thank You note from Peace Camp Directors, MJ and Jerry Park
This summer’s Peace Camp journey had an enthusiastic start at UUCA. Campers, counselors, and even kitchen helpers all agreed they were happy passengers on the Peace Train. Campers explored Peace as they played cooperative games, did art projects, and rode the Peace Train. All week we all learned and practiced ways to solve problems. It was a week of filling one another's emotional buckets with hope and joy. From 4-year-old campers, to junior counselors, high school and college kids and adults, there was a lot of experiencing, learning and practicing peace. Many campers said, “Thanks for making Peace Camp--I love it here."
We had lots of participants--78 campers in the first week and 54 campers in the second week. Of those, we provided 61 scholarships over the two weeks thanks largely to UUCA generosity through Share-the-Plate. Thanks to
Mollie Jewell and her many wonderful kitchen volunteers from UUCA, the campers and staff had wonderful, homemade meals.
"Thank you, UUCA, for being a great Peace Partner with LFFP and providing space for Peace Camp and many scholarships for our community partner children.” One camper said to me as he made a frame for the picture of a peacemaker, “We can put ourselves in the frame because we can all be peacemakers." As Ghandi says, "If we want real peace in the world and if we want to wage a real war against war, we have to begin with the children."
UUCA Peace Camp is a joint project of Little Friends for Peace and UUCA. For a short slide show of this year’s camp,
click here.
With Gratitude,
and
UUCA Peace Ministry Team,
Dana Cook,
Christine Gill,
Connie Freeman,
Mollie Jewell,
John McLaughlin, and
Bobbi O'Brien
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VOICE Gearing Up for Major Actions this Fall
Last Sunday night, VOICE member organizations agreed on concrete, winnable plans of action to advocate at our fall action. On October 21, 3:30 p.m., at Fairfax High School, UUCA is hoping to add 140 people to VOICE’s 1,000-plus action group. We will show our local and state candidates that we mean business when we say we want to keep immigrant families together, preserve affordable housing, end racial and income discrimination in the criminal justice system, protect our students, and fund public transportation fully. We are also gearing up to knock on doors and make calls for our Get Out the Vote campaign this November.
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2019 Chalice Theatre
The Addams Family
Chalice Theatre has chosen our 2019 production! We'll be bringing Lurch, Gomez, Wednesday, Morticia and their many oddball ancestors to the stage in The Addams Family Musical. It's a story of accepting--even celebrating--our families and communities, no matter what. Look for more information about auditions in October or November, and get ready to bring-on your best weird! Chalice Theatre welcomes any and all church members and friends who want to join in creating this production: folks with stage management, lighting, design, tech, box office and any other theatre experience--as well as anyone who may be new to theatre, but want to volunteer just for the fun of it. For more information on how you can become involved, contact the Addams Family Musical producer,
Tom O'Reilly
, at
toreiljr@gmail.com
.
Not familiar with how the Addams Family Musical? Take a look at the trailer from the
Broadway show here
.
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Backpack Drive for Buckingham
Back-to-school is almost here which means it's time for our backpack drive for our community partners in the Buckingham neighborhood. Please help send the Buckingham children back to school with a smile
and a backpack. Donation bins will be in the upper and lower lobbies on August 19 and 26. We are also collecting miscellaneous school supplies.
Dates: August 19 and 26
Donation drop-off: UUCA upper & lower lobbies
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Piano Recital this Saturday
As part of a budding musicale program for church instrumentalists,
Arlene Wilson and
Gene Mulligan will perform in the Chapel at 2 p.m. this Saturday afternoon, July 28. Members and friends are invited to enjoy this free event.
Date: Saturday, July 28, 2 p.m.
Location: Chapel
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CenterStage UUCA
We are thrilled to announce a series of new opportunities as part of UUCA’s music and performing arts ministry!
CenterStage UUCA will feature events geared towards bringing together congregants, members of the larger northern Virginia community, and families around music, spoken word, and other performing arts.
CenterStage Live! will feature established local, national, and international talent, as well as larger existing dance groups and events.
CenterStage Coffeehouse will feature developing acts, open mic opportunities, open jams, and spoken word nights in a more intimate setting. Both programs honor UUCA’s rich history of using music and performing arts as pathways to deepening our faith, strengthening our communities, and exploring new horizons together.
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CenterStage Live! kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, when we welcome the nine member traditional and contemporary folk group
Shenandoah Run. Tickets are $25 and are available
here online and at the door.
CenterStage Coffeehouse will take place on the first Fridays of the month in the Center Gallery at UUCA and will begin on
Friday, October 5, at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned to Connections and
UUCA’s Facebook and
Twitter pages for more information and please come join us in the coming church year as we celebrate the talents of our congregation and the larger community while building our faith through music and dance!
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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 29, 11:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Youth Room
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Mark your calendar: September 11
Day Alliance Opens Speaker Series with Miko Peled
Mark your calendar now for September 11 when Day Alliance welcomes writer and human rights activist
Miko Peled. He is considered by many to be one of the clearest voices calling for justice in Palestine. The morning begins with coffee at 10:30 a.m.; speaker begins at 11 a.m.; and a catered luncheon at noon. Watch for details in late August.
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Men's Book Group
Date: Sunday, August 12, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Chapel
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2018 Young Adult Camping Trip
Join UUCA and other area Young Adults for the Annual YA Camping Trip on August 17-19, 2018. This year we're headed to Westmoreland State Park, located about two hours south of Arlington and situated on the beautiful Potomac River's Northern Neck. The park has an Olympic-sized pool, six miles of hiking trails, boat rentals, and more.
Click here for more information and to register by Friday, July 28. Contact:
Elisabeth Geschiere,
egeschiere@uucava.org, 703-892-2565.
Dates: August 17-19
Location: Westmoreland State Park
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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 will be reading chapter two "The Fire” of the
novel Kindred by Octavia Butler so it is not too late to jump in with us for this new book! Questions? Contact
Elisabeth Geschiere,
egeschiere@uucava.org.
Next Date: Thursday, July 26, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Youth Room
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Building Host and Safety Trainings
This fall, UUCA will begin asking all groups that meet in any of the large spaces at UUCA (the Activity Room, Fellowship Hall, Center Gallery, or Sanctuary) to have someone that has been trained to serve in the role of event host/coordinator on-site during the entire event. Additionally, all outside groups that meet here are asked to have someone who has been trained on-site whenever they use ANY space in the building.
Our goal is to have as many people as possible in the building who know what to do if there is an emergency—to ensure the health and safety of those who walk through our doors. We also need help in ensuring that we comply with the law and that we properly care for the facility and minimize damage. Toward that end, we are asking groups to try to have as many of their members attend one of these trainings as they possibly can. (You’ll get a nifty sticker!)
Three Building Host and Safety Training sessions are scheduled:
- July 29, 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in the Boardroom
- August 26, 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in the Center Gallery
- September 30, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. in the Center Gallery
Facilitated by
Paul Kearney, UUCA’s Facility Manager, and
Annie Parker, Administrative & Event Coordinator, each session will cover safety and security protocols, emergency procedures in the case of evacuation, medical emergency, power outage, or inclement weather. Attendees will also have the opportunity to walk through the building for an orientation to fire suppressions systems, defibrillators, environmental controls, and other building features, and to talk about the expectations and responsibilities associated with hosting meetings and coordinating events.
“I’m in, take me to the SignUpGenius,”
you say?
Click here.
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Thank you Amazon Prime Shoppers!
Thank you to everyone who used UUCA's
AmazonSmile link when shopping during Amazon Prime day. Just a gentle reminder to use this link whenever you are shopping on Amazon. (School shopping is just around the corner!) The AmazonSmile Foundation donates .5% to UUCA on all eligible purchases.
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Connections will take a two-week vacation in August. There will be no newsletter the weeks of August 6 and August 13. August deadlines are at noon on Monday, August 20 & 27.
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NEW newsletter deadline:
Connections deadline for submissions is EACH Monday at noon with publication on Wednesday.
See below on how to submit an announcement.
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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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Thank you for using
this link
when shopping Amazon.
UUCA benefits each time you shop.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA
4444 Arlington Blvd
Arlington, Virginia
Call: (703) 892-2565
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