One of my favorite hymns is “This Is My Song,” the Finlandia tune that ends with the verse: “O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine.” As I prepared to go to Israel, I did preparatory reading and thinking about the deeply entrenched conflicts there as well as in so many lands – including ours. In this service I’ll reflect on learnings from the trip and hold up opportunities for building peace.

Marietta Tanne r is our Worship Associate. The children's choirs, Chalice Singers and Troubadours, will sing under the direction of Jennifer S.E. Haywood, Ph.D., with Topher Dunne accompanying on guitar. The adult Chamber choir will sing under the direction of Sophia Morreale, Interim Music Director. Polymnia Bell choir will perform under the direction of Ken Bissell, Director of Handbells.

Parking Reminder: To be more welcoming to first-time visitors and to those who have mobility issues, we ask that all able-bodied drivers park in our two satellite parking lots. The Masons' lot across the street on George Mason Drive (please cross at the light!) and Arlington Hall Park, south of the church off of 4th Street S. It's a short and pleasant walk through the park and takes you to the church parking lot on First Place S. These two lots are available for church parking on Sunday only.  Map here. 

Can't make it on Sunday? You can always join us on our livestream at www.uucava.org/livestream and on Facebook LIVE . You can also watch 24/7 recordings of past services at www.uucava.org/livestream .

In the Meantime

By Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister

I’ve returned from our UUCA delegation trip to Israel jet-lagged and disoriented . . . and a changed person. Sometimes a change of context and focus can help you see the world differently. The state of conflict and division that exists there is extreme, and yet it is a state that we all find ourselves in, if at different levels of severity. 

I’ll be reflecting more about this in my sermon on Sunday, but for now I want to express my thanks to Allan Kellum and Bud Hengsen and others from the UUs for Peace in the Middle East who took the initiative to organize this trip. We had a delegation of 25 people, including two from other UU congregations, and all of us have felt it to be an extraordinary experience. Even more importantly, the people we met and heard from all conveyed to us how moving and important it was to them that we listened and took in their stories. 

There will be more opportunities to hear from the whole group that will be announced soon. 

I’m grateful to be a part of a congregation that pays attention to the sufferings in the world. 

- TCooley@uucava.org

ONLINE CATALOG/REGISTRATION HERE.

Registration can also be done on Sunday at the Faith 360 table. Questions? Contact LeeAnn Williams , LWilliams@uucava.org , 703-892-2565, ext. 1203. 

Some of the upcoming 360 classes:

Faith 360

Living the Questions in Congregational Life

Circle of Trust® Retreats

Friday-Saturday, November 1, 2, 2019

and/or

Friday-Saturday, February 7, 8, 2020

and/or

April 2020-three days, two nights - TBA

We hope you can join us for one or two or all three retreats for congregational leaders: Living the Questions! Leadership in congregational life comes in diverse positional and non-positional forms. So often as leaders we feel pressure to have ready answers to the many complex issues we face in community life. In these retreats, we explore ways to “live spaciously into the questions” that we encounter as a way to make room for something even more important than answers to emerge: wisdom. 

Convening for the first time this year in the season of autumn, we will explore questions about what needs harvesting as well as what needs releasing in order to make room for the next season’s new growth. There will be space created for you to explore the questions you carry at this time in your life, and ways to find new perspectives and directions.

Details and registration information here.

Online registration for Circle of Trust Retreats here. 

Faith 360 Leadership Series

Leading Toward Transformation: Undoing White Supremacy

Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

As part of our commitment to live into the 8th Principle which we endorsed last spring, we have asked Whitney Parnell, the leader of the allyship workshops many have attended, to take us deeper into the exploration of what is required of leaders, both in this congregation and in other parts of our lives, to dismantle white supremacy and help transform our organizations. Whether you’re a leader in the church, or simply wanting to grow your own organizational skills and depth of understanding, you are welcome to join us. 

This training outlines white supremacy as an institution, its persistence in present day, and its common forms in the workspace. The interactive session will guide participants to understand white supremacy as a construct of dominance and culture, and will also facilitate active unpacking and identifying of white supremacy culture in participants’ own lives and work. Additionally, this training will guide participants to understand racism as a structural upholding of white supremacy through systemic means. Tools will also be provided to actively identify and unlearn white supremacy moving forward. Register here.

Family Game Night

Saturday, October 19

4-6 p.m. Games for All Ages; 6-8 p.m. childcare available

Whether you're a game enthusiast or just looking for a fun learning activity to do with the kiddos, you'll find a game that's right for you at UUCA's Family Game Night. Friendship and family bonding over playing board games have a long history. Today in the professional world their importance in building strategy and critical thinking skills is recognized by agencies such as the CIA and Silicon Valley. Board games are used as a training tool in the security world and certain games have become part of the lexicon among young entrepreneurs--sort of a new required social skill and has even been referred to as "the new golf" in the tech world. We'll have some of the new trending games, and, of course, some of the classics. You're welcome to bring your own game and food to share. Play begins at 4 p.m. with games for all ages and at 6 p.m. childcare begins. Singles, couples, families--all are welcome! Questions? Contact Larry Rascop, lrascop@gmail.com .

Parent Circle

FIRST MEETING Sunday, October 20, 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Board Room

The UUCAVA Religious Education program invites parents (anyone involved in helping to raise a child, regardless of their relationship) to join our Parent Circles on the third Sunday of every month through December (schedule may change in January) to:

Questions? Contact Lisa Harper Chang , LChang@uucava.org .

Job Opening

RE Program Assistant

UUCA is in search for a Religious Education Program Assistant. The position supports the RE ministry with a special focus on youth ages 3-18 years and general administrative functions. 10 hours per week with majority of time on Sunday. See job description and how to apply here.

Please join us for these opportunities to Connect and Grow

Please join us for these opportunities to Serve