Connections Newsletter All the news you need to know to connect, grow, and serve.

Connections newsletter will be on vacation in July and will return in August. In July, be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for the latest UUCA news.

Sunday, June 23, 2019 | 10:15 a.m. . . . While the Sun Shines Service led by Walter Clark , Ministerial Assistant. Since December the days have slowly been growing longer as well as warmer. The snow has melted away, the blossoms have come and gone and nature is green and hale. Now that the summer solstice is upon us, the days grow shorter, bit by bit. How does the subtle shortening of days inform our lives and the limits of our mortality? Betsy Rosenblatt Rosso is our Worship Associate. Our music includes drumming by UUCA's newly formed drumming circle. Livestream

Upcoming Service Sunday, June 30, 10:15 a.m. "Dragged Kicking and Cursing Into Heaven" - Sermon by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister. How's that for a provocative title? It’s a quote from a 19th century Universalist talking about how universal salvation is available to all, even if we may be reluctant to go there! When I had my question box sermon in early May, a number of people asked about the Universalist side of our heritage. This is your opportunity to learn more about the other “U.” Our music includes a special piano duet with Jason Sherlock and Barbara Schelstrate. Sunday, July 7, 10:15 a.m. Service led by Worship Associates Irv and Zoe Lachow. Sunday, July 14, 10:15 a.m. Service led by Worship Associates Betsy Rosenblatt Rosso and D Ohlandt.

Don't miss out this summer! Can't join us on Sunday's during the summer? You can always join us online for our live broadcast of each Sunday service on our website and Facebook Live. You can also visit our website 24/7 for the recordings of the services. And, remember to collect a sample of water during your travels or local summer fun for our Gathering of the Waters service in September.

Friday Morning Devotions We invite you to center and ground yourself in silence with friends--a half-hour of meditation followed by brief reflections--each Friday morning at 7 a.m. A ride to Ballston Metro is available afterward. For additional information, contact either David McTaggart, dmctagg@gmail.com, or Gregg Forte, gforte@mac.com.  Date: Each Friday, 7:00 a.m. Location: Room 20 (Youth Room)

Church Matters

UUA General Assembly - Spokane, June 19-23 Events of Interest to be Livestreamed The 2019 UUA General Assembly takes place June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington, with the theme of The Power of We, which seeks to explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists in a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world. For those who are unable to attend GA in person, please note there will be livestreaming of many of the events and sessions.  Paul Blackburn and Marietta Tanner will facilitate daytime livestreaming of GA events in Room 13/15. Because of the 3-hour time difference, feeds of several key evening events that begin at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time--notably the Opening Ceremony (June 19), the Service of the Living Tradition (June 20), the Ware Lecture (June 21), and the Closing Ceremony (June 22) – will not be viewed at the church, but will be easily accessible at https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site.  Livestream Schedule @ UUCA - Room 13/15 Thursday, June 20 6:00-8:30 p.m. Business Mini-Assembly (Sessions 1 and 2) 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sophia Fahs Lecture: Building a Community of Communities (Paula Cole Jones) Friday, June 21 Noon-3:00 p.m. General Session 1 (Business Meeting) 4:30-7:00 p.m. Theme Program & Conversations I - Reclaiming the Promise of Our Faith Saturday, June 22 Noon-3:00 p.m. Theme Program & Conversations: II – The Heart of Our Faith) 4:30-5:30 p.m. Disrupting White Fragility in Unitarian Universalist Spaces (Robin DiAngelo) 7:30-8:30 p.m. General Session II (Business Meeting)

Lifespan Religious Education

Teacher Recruitment We are still recruiting teachers for the upcoming church year. Not only can you grow spiritually while supporting learners form their faith, but you can build lasting friendships and connections with other adults in the congregation. We need about 100 teachers each year in order to be fully staffed. Please consider joining one of our teaching teams next year. Will I still be able to attend services? Of course! The teaching commitment is only twice a month: leading once and assisting once. Stop the RE table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday for more information or email LWilliams@uucava.org. Sign up below: 9:15 Service 11:15 Service Read more RE news

Wheel of Life

Barbara Jones is at home recovering from surgery. Calls, cards, and visits welcome.

Thank You Tina Hinh & Jon Ferris Members and friends of UUCA have participated in Arlington County's Meals on Wheels program for decades thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers. Jon Ferris joined the team in 2012 and brought the program online sign-ups to help coordinate the volunteers. He was soon joined by his wife Tina Hinh and she has been the main coordinator of our Meals on Wheels efforts ever since. And now the time has come to say good-bye to Jon and Tina. They and their three daughters are moving to Boulder, Colorado this summer. We wish them all happiness and fulfillment in their new jobs, schools and lives. We will miss them!

Congregational Life

Parking Lot Picnic and Bluegrass Jam This Weekend! UUCAers are invited to join the Capital Area Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association (CABOMA) for their annual picnic and bluegrass jam in our parking lot from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23! (In the event of foul weather, the party will move to Fellowship Hall.) All are welcome at this family-friendly event. We’ll take care of the burgers, buns, and fixin’s; attendees are asked to bring a side dish and beverages to share (beer, wine, or nonalcoholic). Guests are also encouraged to bring camp chairs or picnic blankets, sunblock, and insect repellant. RSVPs encouraged via SignupGenius or email to aparker@uucava.org.  Want to help make the party a success? Could you loan a grill, popup awning, cooler, or bring extra camp chairs? Volunteers are also needed to tend grills, and to help setup, cleanup, and host! Signup or contact Annie at aparker@uucava.org if you are able and willing to pitch in. Date: Sunday, June 23, 2-6 p.m. Location: UUCA parking lot

Catalyst for Change New Book, “A Shoestring Lobbyist,” To be Showcased UUs Kat Braeman and Gladys Henrikson plan to showcase their book, Carol Burris and the Women’s Lobby, in the Center on Sunday, June 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. Both admired the dynamic efforts of Carol Burris in the 1970s to give a voice to women’s concerns on Capitol Hill and around the country. Kat was a “grass root” in Nebraska in 1971 when she met and was inspired by Carol’s fierce advocacy. Gladys lobbied with Carol on a part-time hours bill and other issues. Today they remember her transforming impact on the nation and on their lives. This new book is now available on Amazon. Join this celebration of advocacy and lift a glass of bubbly for these catalysts for change. Kat is a past Board Chair of UUCA and is now on the Board of UU Marin in California. Gladys is active in the Fairfax UU Congregation. Questions? Contact Ronnie Priddy at 703-578-7607 or priddyveronica@gmail.com. Kat is at 202-549-3696 or katbraeman@gmail.com. Date: Sunday, June 30, 4 to 6 p.m. Location: The Center

New UU Class Unitarian Universalism is a way of thinking and being in the world. It is a faith discipline, enriched by faith traditions, that forms the foundation for a way to live this life. It matters how we conduct our lives and work to make the world a better place. Unitarian Universalism wants each of us to know why. It challenges us to deepen our own faith principles and practices in response to our own experience and, whenever possible, to stand on the side of love. There will be plenty of chances to ask questions and to get to know others in the class. It's also part of the path to membership at UUCA.  Walter Clark and Sarah Masters will be leading the class. The class is free, but registration is required.  Register here. The class is free and includes a light dinner with happy hour. Free childcare is available upon request. Date: Wednesday, July 17, 6-9 p.m. Location: Center Gallery

People with Disabilities Group This new group is for adults with disabilities and adults with a family member with disabilities. We plan to share experiences, resources and spread understanding of living with a disability. Please minimize the use of fragrances when attending the meeting. If you need accommodations, please email Sarah Masters , DirCL@uucava.org. Date: Sunday, July 21, 11:45-1:15 p.m. Location: Board Room

The Four-Fold Way @ SUUSI UUCA member Beth Offenbacker is offering her workshop, "The Four-Fold Way," at SUUSI (Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute) this year. In this four-part workshop you'll explore and experience the four archetypal principles that comprise the Native American medicine wheel, and how each principle can lead us on our path of spirituality and service.  SUUSI is an annual week of UU fellowship and spiritual practice held in the beautiful mountains at Western Carolina University. This year's session is July 14-20, and the theme is Sacred Spaces. If you missed the Four-Fold class as part of Wellspring Wednesdays, come for the week and participate in the workshop at SUUSI! Check out more info about the week's many great offerings here . You can register for the morning session (see page 41) or evening session (see page 53.) Dates: July 14-20 Location: Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

The Well: A Family-Friendly Retreat Tending the Wounds of Racism What is the Well? The Well is an intentional gathering space of spiritual healing for individuals and families who are directly impacted by racism. It is a culturally proud, welcoming and unapologetic space that centers the experiences and expressions of communities of color. The Well is a life-giving retreat. Just like a communal well in ancient times, we gather at the Well, share wisdom and learn from each other, talk about things that matter, and fill our vessels with resources that sustain us. As a rare multi-generational opportunity for children, youth, and adults, programming of the Well explores our spiritual paths, including rites of passage that bear witness to our experiences. There will be food, music, sports, history, arts, and bodywork that nurtures our souls, and worship, rituals and networking that uplift our spirits. Who can attend the Well? The Well welcomes those who are directly impacted by racism: families and individuals of color, as well as white families raising children of color, and multiracial families.  Although you do not have to be a UU to attend, we ask participants to resonate with the Unitarian Universalist values of equity, justice, inclusion, and compassion.   We recognize that the imperfect and complex ways we talk about our racial identities is how “racism” continues to cause spiritual harm. The Well hopes to be a mediating space of guidance, support and reconciliation for those who experience the sting of racism in their everyday lives. Historically, that list refers to those who have experienced social and structural oppression: African Americans/Blacks, Caribbean people, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Middle Easterners, Latin America/Latinx, Indigenous peoples across the Americas, and mixed-race people. More information and registration here. Date: July 24-27 Location: Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center, Saco, Maine

Faith in Action

This Weekend! The Convergence Theatre Presents A NEW NATION A NEW NATION is the latest performance piece generated through Convergence Theatre's GUERRILLA THEATRE WORKS model and is presented at UUCA in collaboration with Chalice Theatre. It's a synthesis of performance art, poetry, interviews and physical theatre. A NEW NATION probes responses to the immigration crisis in the US and current perceptions of the stranger, amplifying diverse voices to challenge fear and strengthen our sense of home. The performances are a benefit for UUCA's Alianza. Admission will be by donation. Watch a short video trailer for the piece here.   Dates: June 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m. Location: Fellowship Hall

Do It Green (DIG) Workdays Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22, for our next DIG workday. If you enjoy being outside communing with nature or digging in the dirt or find pulling weeds therapeutic, this is a project for you. All ages welcome. It's a great family or group service activity. Questions? Contact Shirley Gay, shirleywg@me.com. Date: Saturday, June 22, 9 - 11 a.m. Location: Church grounds

Learn About Your Role in Reversing Global Warming Come see both the possibility of reversing global warming and the important role you play in that process. Learn about the science-based Drawdown solutions and how we can reverse global warming by 2050. You will be inspired by new ways to think about climate change and become part of a global movement from hope to action. A five-session Drawdown Solutions: Getting Into Action workshop will be offered at UUCA this summer on Thursday nights from 6:30 – 9:00 – July 11, July 25, August 8, August, 22, and a final session in September with the date to be decided on later by the group. If you are not familiar with Project Drawdown, you can learn much more at www.drawdown.org and at www.Pachamama.org under resources and then Drawdown.    During the first four sessions, we will guide you towards coming up with your own plan for how to get into action, based on your own interests, talents and passions. The sessions will include: videos, presentations, individual research, and group interactions. You will leave the course being connected to a new community of people dedicated to reversing global warming, equipped with knowledge and tools to get and stay in committed action in a field you are passionate about. Feel free to invite family and friends to join you. Please email marylpva@gmail.com for additional information and to register for the five-session program this summer.

Why support the UN with your UUUNO Dollars? Some of the world’s most tragic humanitarian situations have been ongoing for years and while the human costs continue, our media and attention has moved on. The Bangladesh Camp for Rohingya refugees from Burma is now the largest in the world, with half a million children at risk of early marriage, child labor, or being trafficked on the black market. Yemen was in the news a few weeks ago when the U.S. Congress voted to end military assistance for the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war…which President Trump promptly vetoed. Now the UN reports that “nowhere is safe in Yemen as the country’s war rages on and more civilians are killed every day by either armed clashes or the advancing famine.  This is the work the United Nations agencies and programs spend their efforts on day in and day out. It is thankless and tragically underfunded work, and it needs all the support Unitarian Universalists can give. Support includes following these issues when others have forgotten them and reminding others that there are serious global problems that the UN follows and does what it can to help.  UUCA is a “Blue Ribbon” Congregation being honored for our support of UUUNO at the General Assembly in Spokane next week.  UUUNO is a Non-governmental agency of the UN which presents proposals and advises members of the General Assembly. Learned more by contacting Mariettan@aol.com.

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:   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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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA 4444 Arlington Blvd Arlington, Virginia Call: (703) 892-2565 Email: uuca@uucava.org ‌ ‌