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 this Sunday

Sunday, January 5, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

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. This Sunday, the topic is Worship with Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister. No registration is needed unless you need childcare. Contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org.

Upcoming

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Music Returns this Sunday

January 5, 10:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.

Chalice Musicians and Troubadours music classes resume this Sunday, January 5, in the Chapel, 10:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.  

A joyous thank you to our Pageant Intergenerational Pop-Up Ensemble as well as those who sang with the special Chamber Ensemble for Christmas Eve! A tremendous honor to learn and grow through music with all of you!

New participants of all ages are welcome anytime. For further information, please contact Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Pop-Up Leader Jennifer S.E. Haywood , Ph.D., jhaywood@uucava.org.

Racial Justice Workshop

Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As part of our congregation's commitment to end racism, UUCA is hosting another racial justice Allyship Workshop, facilitated by Service Never Sleeps.  Over 200 UUCAers have already taken this training, and found it truly transformative. Now it’s your turn! This workshop will help you reflect on the causes of racial injustice, how to be an effective ally for communities of color, and how to actively influence and educate others to combat white supremacy. Registration here.

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



Registration Open for 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:

For course descriptions and registration, click button below.

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.

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 mystery 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

Doing social justice?

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.

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.

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.  

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.

NoVA-UUJME Thanks UUA President for Supporting Palestinian Human Rights

In the above photo, UUCA members of UUs for Social Justice in the Middle East are thanking UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray for signing the attached letter by leaders of faith organizations, including the Methodists, Episcopalians, UCC, Presbyterians, Quakers, and some Baptist, Lutheran and Catholic organizations. The letter written to the U.S. Congress is supportive of Representative Betty McCollum’s bill (H.R. 2407) that promotes human rights of Palestinian children living under Israeli occupation by opposing child detention and incarceration. Rep. Don Beyers is one of the nearly 30 co-sponsors of the legislation and the only one from Northern Virginia. We are seeking to get Rep. Connolly and Rep. Wexton on board as co-sponsors, too. We've provided links to their contact information. Photo l to r: Bill Reilly, Doug Gage, Jere Cummins, Bud Hensgen, Roger Soles, Deborah Elkinton and Allan Kellum. 

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:  

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