This Sunday
March 7, 10:30 am
All Souls, All In!
Stewardship Sunday
Rev. Kathleen Rolenz,
Interim Senior Minister
and
Traci Hughes-Trotter,
Executive Director
and featuring video content
and a message from
UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray
with Music Director Jen Hayman
This Sunday, we are excited to share with you a different kind of service. Music Director Jen Hayman was asked by UUA President Susan Frederick Gray and a worship team to partner with them in creating a Stewardship Sunday service which could be offered to all UU congregations. This service features the music of All Souls, plus a sermon from President Susan Frederick Gray and liturgy offered by Revs. Erika Hewitt, Chris Long, Vail Weller and Mariela Pérez-Simons.
We are excited to join with other UU churches all over the country who will be using and adapting this gift from the UUA to inspire giving to individual churches. Additionally, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz and Executive Director Traci Hughes-Trotter will offer reflections on the our Stewardship Campaign “All Souls, All In!”
Stay on the same Zoom call to join us for Coffee Hour. This Sunday, in addition to Coffee Hour, we have two other post-worship offerings:
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Intergenerational Racial Justice Panel. Intergenerational Racial Justice Panel. How can lessons from the past guide us as Unitarian Universalists in fostering racial and social justice in our congregation, community, and nation? Join Young Souls and Silver Souls for “Connecting Racial Justice at All Souls in the Past, Present, and Future: An Intergenerational Panel and Dialogue.” For more information and the zoom link, click here.
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All Souls, All In! Stewardship Discussion. Join Executive Director Traci Hughes-Trotter and members of the Stewardship Committee to discuss our newly launched campaign, "All Souls, All In."
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Join Us Live on Sundays
Here’s the Sunday schedule:
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10:30 am. Worship with us on Zoom. Interact with friends. See familiar faces. Login information on our homepage.
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11:45 am. Coffee Hour. Stay on the Zoom call and join us for a coffee hour, a chance to catch up, talk about the service, discuss whatever comes to mind. New to All Souls? Welcome! Let us know in the chat.
Some time after the service is completed, we will post a recording of it on our archived services webpage so you can view it later.
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Board News and Letter
On February 24th, the Board of Trustees:
- Received a presentation from the Executive Director of the first highlights from the FY2022 budget proposal, which included considerations for the re-opening of the church, technology updates, the 200th Anniversary celebration, committees, programs, and personnel.
- Decided to extend the interim ministry period by one year and to hold discernment sessions with the Congregation to explore alternatives to having a solo Senior Minister, such as having two co-equal ministers. Decided not to move forward at this time with the recommendation to hire a co-equal contract minister, but emphasized the need to hire a minister of color.
Dear All Souls,
Thanks to so many of you for participating in conversations over the past month about whether to extend our interim period from two to three years. During that time, the Board of Trustees held conversations with the Congregation, with the staff, and heard from individuals about whether the church should have a two- or three-year interim period. We’re writing to update you about our decision, and why we made it.
At last week’s Board meeting, the Board considered when to move forward with the next big step in pursuing a settled ministry: forming a Search Committee. Once formed by a Congregation, a Search Committee spends about a year conducting a search. After the Committee finds a minister, the Congregation holds a special meeting and formally calls the minister. The minister is then “settled” with the church for an indefinite period of time. This settled status differs from contract ministers, whom the Executive Team typically hires for a defined period of time.
At our meeting, the Board had two options before it. The first was to stick with a two-year interim period, with a Search Committee forming in the next few months, and our next settled ministry beginning in August 2022. The second was to have a three-year interim period, with our next settled ministry beginning in August 2023.
After considering the feedback we received, a majority of the Board voted to have a three-year interim period. For that third year, one option will be to continue with Rev. Kathleen Rolenz as our lead minister. We currently have a two-year contract with Rev. Rolenz through August 2022, and the Board will consider a year from now whether to extend this contract to August 2023.
Some of you spoke passionately about the need to only have a two-year interim period. For instance, some said that the search could be done well virtually, and others spoke of the need to move toward calling a settled minister of color. We heard these concerns, your arguments were compelling, and the Board spent considerable time thinking through them. We’re specifically aware of the hole left behind by Rev. Tony Coleman’s departure. One of our governance policies states, “Staff at All Souls . . . shall reflect the multiracial and multicultural commitment of the Church,” and the Executive Team, which is generally responsible for hiring staff, is currently working on a plan to address this concern during the interim period.
In making our decision, we considered the limitations the pandemic imposes on a search. We also considered whether now is the right time to ask Congregants to make a commitment of energy and join a Search Committee. While service on a Search Committee for a settled minister is a deeply rewarding spiritual commitment, it is also an intense one, which past committee members have likened to a second job.
Although we considered the pandemic, it was not the only reason, or even the biggest reason, we made the decision to extend the period. We also heard from many people that a year of focused discernment would benefit the church, and we agree.
All Souls is far, far larger than we were twenty years ago when we called Rev. Rob Hardies to serve as our settled, solo Senior Minister. Since we called him, other churches our size in the Unitarian Universalist Association have experimented with alternatives to having a solo Senior Minister. Some churches, for instance, call two ministers, who serve in a co-equal ministry, with the goal of modeling collaboration and equity for the Congregation. The Transformation Team and others have urged All Souls to move in this direction.
As a Board, we care deeply about making big decisions about our future together, as a Congregation. While everyone won’t always agree about the ultimate decision, everyone should have the chance to weigh in on that decision. That’s why we held these discussions during the past month. Because we care about making decisions together, the Board also voted this week to hold focused discernment sessions during the next year about what the future of ministry will be at All Souls. Over the course of the next year, we’ll learn about and discuss options for ministry at All Souls, and we’ll then decide together how to charge a Search Committee.
We will soon mark the one-year anniversary of when we last met in person. It has been an almost impossible year of suffering. But, during this coming year, we see the chance for renewal—because we believe that we will again open our church doors, we will again hold each other, and we will again cry, and sing. While we know that some are concerned that a three-year interim period could mean kicking the can or losing steam, we think it is best to spend 2021 re-gaining our energy, marking our 200th Anniversary, examining our history, and discussing our future. We’ll then come together next year to elect a Search Committee to begin their search.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful input on this big question,
Libbie Buchele, President
Neil Manzullo, Vice President
on behalf of the All Souls Board of Trustees—MJ Crom, Joe Feuer, Bob Jayes, Erika Landberg, Bernard Mustafa, Esther Strongman, Cathy Tortorici, Executive Director Traci Hughes-Trotter (ex officio), and Reverend Kathleen Rolenz (ex officio)
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Quarantine Anniversary Vigil:
We’re Still in This Together
Sunday, March 14 from 4:00 to 4:30 PM
To mark the one-year anniversary of the pandemic shutdown in DC, All Souls has joined with other religious groups to host a community vigil at the church (and other locations around the city; list forthcoming) on Sunday, March 14 from 4:00 to 4:30 PM. This gathering is a public witness for (1) Our GRIEF at loved ones lost; (2) Our RESILIENCE and PERSISTENCE in the face of these challenges; and (3) our renewed commitment to JUSTICE, which includes equity for those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and the ongoing need for systemic change.
Participants are invited to bring signs with messages related to any combination of the three themes: Grief, Resilience, and/or Justice. They could include the names of people lost by COVID or by violence. They could include messages and prayers of hope and perseverance. And, of course, they can include messages of justice! There will be a short program at the beginning and end of the vigil. All participants are expected to wear masks and practice physical distancing. We are hoping to livestream both programs to enable virtual participation as well. No RSVP is required—just show up! See the full flyer at http://bit.ly/March14Vigil.
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Adult Spiritual Development at All Souls
Members of the Adult Spiritual Development Team are excited to offer you opportunities to engage with your spirit, with one another and to go deeper in your spiritual journey. Take advantage of these and other offerings, beginning now!
NEW! AFTER HOUR CONVERSATIONS
Beginning in March, we are experimenting with something we're calling "After Hour" Conversations. These can range in scope from sermon talk-back, spiritual reflections on a theme, or they may include discussions about church matters. Regardless of the topic, all conversations will follow the guidelines used by covenant groups; respectful engagement and for the 8 Principles of Unitarian Universalism and All Souls which frame our conversations.
The After Hour Conversations will happen simultaneously with Coffee Hour, beginning at 11:45 and ending at 12:30 PM. Zoom link information will be found on the church website. Plan to stay for coffee hour -or join us for a focused conversation. Here's what's coming up!
March 7 - Silver Souls and Young Souls: Intergenerational Racial Justice Panel (information above) and All Souls All In! Further explorations about All Souls Stewardship Campaign.
March 14 - What are your stories of Nature from Year One of the pandemic? Come share your experiences, whether they involved looking out your window, rambling in a park, or driving somewhere new. Join Rev. Louise Green for this sermon talkback, on Nature's Revelation.
March 21 - In the Room Where it Happens. At All Souls there are no "room where it happens" because our policies and practices of governance are transparent. BUT - they are only as transparent as those who are willing to learn about them. This is an introduction to the policies and practices which support all that we do. This is the first of a 3 part series, held on the 3rd Sunday of the month through May. Sponsored by the Governance Task Force, with Rev. Kathleen Rolenz who is convinced that good governance is a spiritual practice.
March 28 - If these Walls Could Talk. As part of the 200th anniversary, Rev. Rolenz would like to hear YOUR stories - how you came to All Souls, what kept you here, what friendships you made, who do you miss? If the walls of the church could talk, would would they say? Facilitated by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz
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March is Spiritual Practice Month
Every tradition has some period of time set aside for reflection, meditation, prayer - just "going deeper." The Adult Spiritual Development Team is offering you some opportunities to engage your mind, body, heart and spirit this month. Join a sacred conversation. Take a Yoga Nidra Class. Learn about the threads connecting Unitarian Universalism to Japan. Stay for an After Hour Conversation. Meet some new friends. Reconnect with old ones. Take the time NOW to connect and to grow your spirit.
Sacred Texts/Sacred Conversations.
Every Wednesday evening, except for 2nd Wednesdays (Vespers)
7:00 - 9:00 PM
The ASD ministry invites you to join us and explore a short, sacred text. From Audre Lorde and Reuben Jackson to Danez Smith and Ocean Vuong, we’ll revel in the healing beauty of language and allow it to draw us into deeper awareness of the text, of ourselves and one another. No preparation or pre-registration is necessary; just come! Zoom link can be found on the website.
Yoga Nidra for the Winter
March 7 + 21 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Nourish your soul throughout the winter months with a practice that invites us into embodied, deep relaxation and is rooted in Tantric Yoga Indian culture. It will feature very gentle movement on the ground to de-stress the body, followed by supported savasana (lying on your back with blankets and pillows) paired with a voice guiding you through your body, breath, and energy centers or chakras. Led by All Souls Member Carol Collins.
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Japanese Influences in Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, March 28th at 7:00pm
Did you know that All Souls once had a Japanese minister? Japanese influences on and contributions to Unitarian Universalism have existed since the 1800s, and have included interfaith learning, openness to syncretic practices, and ministries across language differences. Japanese people in Unitarian Universalism have also faced racism and sought justice for all. This session puts into focus the voices of Japanese people and includes photos and quotes from the 1800s to the present day of Japanese people in Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism. Zoom link will be provided on the church's website. Led by All Souls Member Shige Sakurai.
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ASC Board is Seeking Co-Chairs for All Souls
200th Anniversary Bicentennial
In November 2021, All Souls will celebrate its 200th Anniversary, and fall 2021 is set to be the kickoff for a year-long remembrance of our history. The Board of Trustees is seeking co-chairs to provide leadership and coordination for All Souls 200th Anniversary Bicentennial Commission. This position is anticipated to begin April 1, 2021, and conclude by no later than June 30, 2022. Volunteer time will vary depending on the month, although we can anticipate the highest level of involvement occurring between September - December 2021, but continuing through June 2022 as the celebration concludes.
Responsibilities for this volunteer position include:
- Determine the theme and overall vision of the bicentennial;
- Identify ways to appropriately honor the history of a church whose founders included both abolitionists and defenders of slavery;
- Determine major areas of interest, i.e, Worship, Music & the Arts; History; The Building; Leadership & Members; All Souls and the Larger Community and encourage /recruit member contributions of time and talent;
- Play a coordinating role between the various areas of interest;
- Communicate with the congregation about upcoming events;
- Work with the Ministry Team and Staff for support with publicity, budget, messaging, etc.
If you are interested in serving as a co-chair, please send an email to Rev. Kathleen Rolenz expressing your interest by no later than March 21, 2021. This is a once in a lifetime event - so do consider volunteering for this important milestone!
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Intergenerational Racial Justice Panel. How can lessons from the past guide us as Unitarian Universalists in fostering racial and social justice in our congregation, community, and nation? Join Young Souls and Silver Souls on March 7th from 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EST for “Connecting Racial Justice at All Souls in the Past, Present, and Future: An Intergenerational Panel and Dialogue.” For more information and the zoom link, click here.
All Souls Housing Corp. (ASHC) will meet next on March 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm, for a brief business meeting. The Zoom link is below. Immediately following the meeting, we will host a discussion of the book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. All are welcome to attend regardless of their association with ASHC. Copies are available via Amazon or your local library or bookstore. If you need assistance obtaining a copy, please email allsoulshousingcorp@gmail.com. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83324114160; Meeting ID: 833 2411 4160; Passcode: ASHC.
Silver Souls has recently formed a committee charged with advocating for DC Statehood. We cordially invite all who are interested in this initiative to visit https://statehood.dc.gov to learn more about this important issue. At the website, find the dark blue subject bar at the top. Click on the “Take Action” button to go to a page where you can register your support for DC Statehood. Basically, they do the work for you and send a pre-written letter in your name to support this initiative. The dark blue bar contains several other subject buttons, so just click on whatever button interests you. Please note that you do not need to be a DC Resident to sign the pre-written letter, so pass the link on if you wish. The more the merrier!
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RE Outdoors:
Saturday, March 6th, 11am – Hike For All Ages! We’re back to Dewey Park in Montgomery County. All are welcome! RSVP to Dolores.
Saturday, March 6th, 11am – Middle & High School Hike – Another fun morning in Rock Creek Park. Consult MSRE and Youth Group email lists for fuller details. RSVP to James.
This Sunday in REOnline:
Nursery: Find readings of favorite children’s books and greetings from nursery staff and volunteers on the RE website!
Pre-K - Sunday’s 9:30am: “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”. We use our creative ideas to solve problems. In our 3rd UU principle we affirm that everyone should be free to search for what is true and right in life. Bring tape/pillows/rope to make bridges, paper, crayons/markers. Possibly tape/glue and scissors. Session will last ~30min. Click here to join.
K-5th - Sunday’s at 9:30am: Choose Your Own Adventure - Following Chapel, where we’ll see the “Story For All Ages”, participants can choose from the following two “Adventures”:
Spanish - Learn some fun, basic, conversational Spanish, music, and culture. Or come to practice your Spanish. Led by Joanne Blanco, who might be familiar from working at the front desk at All Souls!
Drumming - Express yourself with rhythms and sounds. Led by choir member and Akoma drummer, Fred Katz. You can bring a drum (if you have one), or any musical instrument, or a metal bowl, a tough plastic container w/ a pencil, a bucket w/ a couple of plastic utensils, or your hands for clapping!
Middle School & High School: Pen Pals in Tulsa - This week, we’ll have the chance to connect with students of a similar age at another All Souls church, the the one in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are also Unitarian Universalists, but a different congregation from ours. Our exchange of letters will reveal much, somethings predictable and some unexpected, about how we are different and the same.
DC-Tulsa All Souls Pen Pals - Seeking children and youth ages K-High School who want to be pen pals with their counterparts at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Contact Dolores or James..
Thematic Discussion for Families: “Revelation”
Paulo Coelho once said, “I believe revelation comes in daily life. I look for joy, the peace in action.” What is it that brings you joy in your daily life?
Upcoming REvents & Opportuunities:
Children’s Clothing Swap - March 28th - Save the date! We’ll be accepting clothes on the 27th - and possibly prior. Sunday the 28th is when clothes will be available for the taking. It’s all being planned to be outdoors, masked, distanced, weather permitting, etc. Stay tuned for further detail!
April’s Story for All Ages - Contact Dolores ASAP if your child(ren) would like to be in the Story for All Ages for this Easter Sunday.
Additional RE Offerings:
Mindfulness & Movement for Youth & Adolescents - Weekly 30min drop-in sessions led by James for weekly meditation, yoga, and breathing practices to ease anxiety in uncertain times. Sessions will end by 5pm, with optional social time to follow. Tuesday’s 4:30pm. Join here.
Office Hours w/ James - Tuesday’s, 4-4:30pm - In a time of relative isolation, connecting with others can ease anxiety and lend perspective. Whether you have a specific concern you’d like to discuss, or just want to talk about good movies or favorite music, drop in during the 30min before mindfulness sessions. Join here.
RE Website - A variety of videos and lessons will remain posted on the website for use at your leisure and convenience.
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Congregational Care
Our February 28 worship service theme explored art & creativity as part of the spiritual energy it takes to live life fully. Many artists are creating new forms for the Zoom world, and you can get creative juice without leaving your home. Here are a few examples to spark a spiritual practice: seeking art breaks for mental health!
Excavated Shellac explores early musical recordings all over the world, in the first decades of album creation. Free stories and audio recordings at www.excavatedshellac.com.
Arena Stage in D.C. has created an expansive theatre film, Indigenous Earth Voices, to be available free in April. Register to get the link: www.arenastage.org in the homepage Looking Forward section.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre has video dance performances available at Ailey All Access, www.alvinailey.org. See Morani/Mungu, Black Warrior/Black God, choreographed by Jamar Roberts, a powerful multi-section solo performed by Roberts with several different musical genres.
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Upcoming and On-going Events
Find the latest information and login links on our homepage.
KAST (Knitting All Souls Together) welcomes everyone who likes to knit or crochet to their monthly Zoom meetings, second Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Contact Michele Kuhn (mkuhn0624@gmail.com) for more information.
The Silver Souls promote the needs of our senior souls, and of the entire All Souls congregation. Their lay ministry includes special projects, preserving the history of the church, promoting social justice programs, sponsoring workshops on aging, and offering book clubs and social programs. For more information: Judy Hogan, President (soleilart8@aol.com). Third Wednesdays of each month, 3:00 – 4:00 pm.
Mindful Souls meet virtually (Sunday, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm) for group meditation and mindful discussion. All are welcome! For more information, email mindfulsoulspointperson@gmail.com.
Young Souls Virtual Check-In. Are you new to Young Souls or a seasoned member? Join us for this weekly zoom check-in to meet other young adults 18 - 35+ and to discuss the All Souls spiritual theme of the month. Sign up for the Young Souls Listserv and contact us at youngsoulsboard@googlegroups.com for login information. Sundays, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm.
The Black Men’s Group @ All Souls provides a space of ongoing sanctuary for Black men as we engage in the work of building the beloved community within and beyond All Souls Church. Every other Sunday (check website for dates), 11:45 am. Contact Gregory Ford (gregory.j.ford@gmail.com).
AAPI Souls Gatherings. All Asian American Pacific Islander-identified individuals at All Souls are invited to gather for informal introductions and fellowship. Feel free to bring and enjoy the noodle dish of your choice. In addition to getting to know one another over a ‘shared’ meal, we will get to know each other and continue to create community. Second Fridays, 5:00 pm. Note: AAPI are invited to visit with Rev. Jonipher after Sunday, Feb. 21 service.
The Kindred Spirits Men’s Group invites interested men for a virtual salon where we discuss a variety of topics from a men’s perspective, letting dialogue flow and deepening our connections as All Souls Unitarian Men. Contact Philip Smith (philips442@gmail.com) for login information. First and third Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
Trans+ Souls. We are All Souls congregants who may name ourselves in many ways: we are transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, gender fluid, intersex, two spirit, agender, bigender, transsexual, and/or otherwise marginalized in terms of gender identity. We invite trans+ folks into community building and conversation together. We meet online the first Wednesday of every other month (January/March/May/July/September/November), 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Contact Shige Sakurai (they/them) at ministry@sakurai.org for information and to get the Zoom link.
Vespers. Our Vespers worship service is modeled after the traditional Taizé worship service, which uses silence, scripture, prayer, and repetitive singing of short chants and rounds to quiet the mind and promote deep meditation. The Taizé Community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Vespers service mirrors Taizé-style attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, but has also evolved to include other meditative traditions such as yogic singing and Buddhist chanting. Followed by a time for community gathering. Every second Wednesday of the month (now virtual, through Zoom), 7:30 pm.
Coffee Hour, hosted by Rose (Sundays, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm). Brew your own favorite hot beverage, grab a snack, and join us to socialize, catch up, and chat.
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Denominational/Regional News
There are many opportunities to stay connected with what’s happening in our region and denomination. Below are some upcoming events you should be aware of and are invited to participate in.
CER BIPOC Virtual Gatherings
If you identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander, or as a person of color (BIPOC+), you’re invited to join us for the Central East Region’s BIPOC+ gathering happening two Mondays of the month at 6:30pm ET. In our gatherings we are joined by lay folks of color, lay leaders of color and/or religious professionals of color to be in community. Please email Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org or Paula Cole Jones pcolejones@gmail.com for zoom information.
Dates for Spring Gatherings: Mar 8 & 22, Apr 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, and June 14 & 28.
March 19-21
Do you wish to deepen your understanding of how race and ethnicity play out in our institutions and our daily lives? Are you ready to take a leading role to nurture a multicultural future in the face of opposing cultural currents? Come Join Us for this Life-Changing Weekend! Information at https://www.uua.org/central-east/calendar/jubilee-3-0321.
Virtual General Assembly 2021
Registration for virtual GA 2021 is now open! Registration is $200 per person. Financial support for registration as well as a payment plan are available. Interested parties can register here: https://www.uua.org/ga/registration. Individuals/Parties who register for GA are encouraged to notify Justis Tuia (justis_tuia@hotmail.com) of their completed registration status or with any GA-related questions.
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All Souls Church Unitarian | 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington DC 20009
202.332.5266| www.all-souls.org
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