After-Christmas Sunday Service - December 29, 11:15 a.m.

Mark your calendar for December 29 when former UUCAer Benjamin Van Dyne, now a Ph.D. student in theology at Fordham University, will be in the pulpit. Please note this is a single service at 11:15 a.m.

Blue Christmas

A Healing Service

Wednesday, December 18, 7 p.m. - Center Gallery

This special service is designed for anyone who struggles with the holidays. If you are mourning a loss, dealing with loneliness or painful memories, or simply feeling blue during the holidays, please join us for this gentle and contemplative service. Led by Walter Clark, Ministerial Assistant.

YULE 2019 - A Winter Solstice Celebration

Celebrating the Light

Saturday, December 21, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Please join UUCA's Religious Education Ministry and Moonfire in celebrating the Winter Solstice--the shortest day and longest night of the year--a powerful transition point between seasons. A time to honor the darkness and celebrate the return of the light. We'll gather outside around a fire pit for a light ritual and there will be “cakes & ale”, music, and other ways of honoring our pagan traditions of yule. Refreshments provided. All activities are scheduled to take place outside, so please bundle up. In event of inclement weather, we will gather indoors.

Christmas Eve Services

3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Family Service

A special service for the whole family. This child-centered service includes music and lessons of the season and UUCA's beloved holiday tradition--the Mitten Tree ceremony. We decorate our Christmas tree with donations of hats, gloves, and scarves. The donated items are given to those in need in the new year. Optional: Bring hats and gloves to donate. Music includes Handbell Choirs , Chamber Chalice Musicians and Chamber Troubadours. And, plan on joining in another UUCA holiday tradition--singing in the Intergenerational Pop-Up Ensemble (see below).

7:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols

A traditional holiday service celebrated in word and song. Our adult choir, Sanctuary Singers, will sing. Includes candle lighting.

9:00 p.m. Jazz Vespers

A more casual service celebrating the season in word and song accompanied by the jazz ensemble Free Spirits. Includes candle lighting.

Children & Youth Music Ministry

Holiday Pageant Pop-Up and Christmas Eve All Welcome

A Special Pageant and Christmas Eve All Welcome Invitation

 

All are welcome to the Intergenerational Pop-Up Ensemble on December 22 at 10:45 a.m. in between the pageants for sharing at the start of the second service.

Also, everyone is welcome to join in music at either of the Family Christmas Eve Services--simply arrive just prior to either service and meet Jennifer on the chancel steps in the Sanctuary (2:50 p.m. & 4:50 p.m.). For further information, contact Jennifer S.E. Haywood, Ph.D., Children and Youth Music and Intergenerational Pop-Up Ensembles Conductor, jhaywood@uucava.org.

 

As always, we continue to welcome all in Chalice Musicians and Troubadours music each Sunday. Please note ages are flexible and all families are welcome to participate in either of the music classes: Sundays 10:30-11 a.m. and/or 12:30-1 p.m., in the Chapel. Please note; however, all are welcome to join in on December 22 and/or December 24 even if not currently participating in music classes.

New Years Eve Sound Blessing Ceremony

Tuesday, December 31, 7-9 p.m.

Commence and consecrate the turning of the New Year in sacred space, reflection, and activation for 2020! This soulful New Year’s Eve Sound Blessing Ceremony features an extended sound bath experience led by award-winning artists, Woven Green, and includes a water ceremony for cleansing and renewal. Participants are invited to journey within the unified source of pure heart consciousness to initiate our collective and personal intentions for the highest good of our planet. Pillow and blanket optional. Chair seating provided. Ticket information here. Advance registration is appreciated. Advance tickets on sale until 2 p.m., Dec. 31 or or until they sell out.

Thank you Secret Santas!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual Secret Santa program this year. Over 128 individuals and families from the Buckingham neighborhood, Beacon House in the District, and here at UUCA are being blessed by your generosity this holiday. Gifts range from toys to bikes to clothing and gift cards totaling more than $500. Your generosity is a reflection of the great spirit of giving here at UUCA. Thank you! And, a huge thank you to Jim Terpstra and Gerda Keiswetter (plus all their helper elves), who are the secret to the success of Secret Santa.

What is Faith 360?

Faith 360 is the Adult Faith Development program we offer here at UUCA. The Unitarian Universalist faith assumes that we are always learning and growing. Personal insight, disciplined reflection, group faith exploration—all are pieces of how we support one another in bringing more depth and value to our lives. Through classes, workshops and practice groups we can help support those who are new to Unitarian Universalism while also providing seasoned UUs opportunities for spiritual growth—truly there is something for everyone. 

New classes and workshops are starting in January. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

Watch Connections and Facebook for registration opening in January.

Spirituality Book Group in January

Tuesday, January 7, 7-9 p.m.

Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott.

Lamott ventures to explore where to find meaning in life. We should begin, she suggests, by "facing a great big mess, especially the great big mess of ourselves." It's up to each of us to recognize the presence and importance of mercy everywhere. Discussion led by Betsy Rosso. No registration required.

Intergenerational Game Night

Saturday, December 21, 6 - 8 p.m.

Join Larry Rascop and friends for a fun evening of board games. A variety of games will be available and you are welcome to bring your own. And, in the spirit of the holiday, Larry will have some of his trains set up. All are welcome to drop in.

Baroody Camps, Inc.

Winter Break Day Camp

Dec. 23 thru Jan. 3

Baroody Camps, a child enrichment program, offers day camps throughout Northern Virginia and will offer a camp here at UUCA during the school winter break. General camp options include art, science, STEM, cooking, and sports. For more information, see their informational flyer here. For registration, please click here.

Depolarizing Within: Better Angels Workshop

Saturday, January 4, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Activity Room

In these charged political times, it can be hard to have productive conversations with people who hold different views or support different elected officials. But while conversations with people who agree with us are much more comfortable, they can actually be just as challenging. When talking with like-minded peers, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of stereotyping, ridiculing, or dismissing the "other" - people whose ideas don't match our own. Yet our UU Principles challenge us to find the common humanity beneath ideological differences, even when those differences are hard to understand. On Saturday, January 4, UUCA will host a Depolarizing Within workshop to help participants navigate this difficult terrain. How can we express disagreement while maintaining respect for people with whom we disagree? How do we intervene constructively in social conversations with peers when those conversations veer into contempt or ridicule of people whose beliefs are different than ours?  This interactive, thought-provoking workshop will attempt to answer those questions. Registration here. Questions? Contact Sarah Yue, alanandsarah@gmail.com.

New UU Series

The New UU Series is our introductory orientation to UUCA. Offered in six stand-alone sessions, it's held on the first and third Sunday each month. No registration is needed. Childcare is provided.

Upcoming

Online Registration Open - REGISTER TODAY!

UUCA Peace Camp

June 22-July 2

Registration is open for this summer’s UUCA Peace Camp “My Two Hands Hold the Earth, Practicing care for ourselves, each other, and our earth.” Peace Camp offers campers the opportunity to explore cooperation and conflict resolution in a safe and supportive environment. At Peace Camp, campers discover that peace begins with them. Campers (ages 5-14) can attend both weeks or just one. Questions? Visit the Peace Camp table in Fellowship Hall between services this Sunday, December 22. Online registration here.  

 

Week 1: Mon 6/22 to Fri. 6/26 -  $325

Week 2: Mon. 6/29 to Thurs. 7/2, $275

Scholarships are available. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with before and after-care available at additional cost. Peace Camp is a partnership between UUCA Peace Ministry and Little Friends for Peace.  

Men's Book Group

Sunday, January 12, 7:30 p.m. Chapel

The fiction selection for the January 12 meeting is The Troubled Man, by Henning Mankell, the final novel in the Wallander series. The group meets the second Sunday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Newcomers are always welcome. Questions? Contact Ken Marshall, kenmar42@gmail.com.

Upcoming

Spread Joy

GIVE BLOOD

Sunday, December 22, 10:15 a.m. - 2:15 a.m.

Give the gift of life this holiday and spread joy one pint at a time. In honor of fellow UUCAer Bruce Rieder , who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma, UUCAVA is sponsoring a blood drive on Sunday, December 22, after both services. It's important to sign up for a particular time to ensure the process is quick and easy. Please sign up here. You're not able to give blood? You can still support the effort by volunteering. We need help with staffing tables. To volunteer, please contact Lisa Harper Chang , lchang@uucava.org .

If you have questions about your eligibility to donate, please contact Patricia Freeman, patricia.freeman@inova.org or 571-434-3628. 

Fun facts about donating blood here.

Doing social justice?

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, January 25, 9 a.m. to Noon

  

The Social Justice Ministries Team [SJMT] invites all who are involved or interested in becoming involved in social justice groups/activities at UUCA to explore opportunities to support one another and to examine the overlap of our missions and priorities as they relate to UUCA Principles and the UUCA priorities identified in the 2019 Congregational Survey. Members of the SJMT are Allan Kellum , Bee Moradi , Chris Sutton , Jacomina de Regt , Kristin Keller , McGennis Williams , MJ Schmeltzer , Walter Clark , and Wendy Jessup . Questions about the upcoming January 25 gathering, contact McGennis Williams mcgennis@mcgenniswilliams.com .

Join UUCA members and friends for a trip to Guatemala February 15-24

Meet our partners, activists, scholarship students and learn about the work of UUCA and other UU congregations in Guatemala during a once-in-a-lifetime trip of learning and inspiration. Costs of housing, transportation, and guides $800 and flights $500-600. Fluent Spanish not required. For more information, please email Kate, gallupk@gmail.com with Guatemala Trip in the subject line.

Living the 8th Principle

Our journey towards spiritual wholeness and a diverse, multicultural, beloved community

Deepen your understanding of systemic oppression 

Further the anti-racist transformation of Unitarian Universalism 

 

Show up, speak out and challenge oppression and racism in our community

Group and Family Volunteers Welcome!

Bagged-Meals for A-SPAN

Sunday, December 29

November and December are a traditional time to pause and give thanks for food, family, and abundance. But the change of seasons brings new hardships for many of our Arlington neighbors, especially those who are struggling to find a secure roof over their heads and enough food to sustain their families. On the last Sunday of every month, in partnership with A-SPAN (Arlington Street People's Assistance Network), UUCAers of all ages gather to prepare and deliver bagged meals and hot soup to homeless individuals in our community. We need your help! Please consider signing up to volunteer, either as an individual or as a family group (kids elementary age and up are welcome). The time commitment is approximately 1-2 hours, and you can sign up for as many or as few volunteer slots as you like.  Sign-ups here. Questions? Please reach out to Sarah Yue, alanandsarah@gmail.com

Coffee Servers Needed

Especially for first service shift

 

Early birds needed to help with the coffee set-up on Sunday mornings. No experience necessary. Volunteers set-up coffee service beginning at 8:30 a.m. The commitment is for just one service (1 1/2 hrs) once a month through May. The job description is pretty simple: Make coffee and setup the milk/sweeteners, refresh after the service and cleanup. Volunteers serve on teams. Our biggest need is for the first service on the third and fourth Sundays of the month. Contact Mollie Jewell, molliejewell2@gmail.com.

Last-minute holiday shoppers . . .

Just a friendly reminder that when doing your holiday shopping, please use UUCA's AmazonSmile link. For each eligible purchase, Amazon gives a donation to UUCA. Bookmark this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0519587.

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:  

Thank you for using this link when shopping Amazon.

UUCA benefits each time you shop.