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

Sunday, February 23, 2020 | 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. "The Fast I Choose" Sermon by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister Entering the season of Lent always brings up questions for me about what we as religious liberals might sacrifice. As a religion which encourages us to make positive choices, are there certain restrictions or limitations which might be just as spiritually healthy? Josh Mohr is the Worship Associate and Janice Morris the Board of Trustees Representative. Music is provided by our Intergenerational Pop-Up Ensemble, Sanctuary Singers, with soloist Fiona Shepherd, and jazz ensemble Free Spirits. Livestream

Ministry Matters

In the Meantime By Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley , Interim Senior Minister As an interim, part of my responsibility is asking questions about various people’s experience of the congregation and how some things may be strengthened. I have had several conversations with LGBTQI folks about how welcoming this congregation has been / is currently / and how that affects their place in the community.  Rather than having just individual conversations I thought it would be helpful to invite any self-identified LGBTQI person to a dialogue on March 8, at 12:30, following the second service. This would be a conversation facilitated by Diane Ullius, and strictly among LGBTQI folk. Walter and I would like to observe the conversation just from a perspective of learning more, but not as a participant. If anyone has concerns about our presence please let us know and we can wait until some agreed upon report of what was said is offered to us.  Unitarian Universalists are justly proud of our work in trying to advance equal rights and acceptance of difference beyond the stereotypical norm. And, there is always more work to do and it is perhaps easier in this context to miss the ways in which we are not living up to our aspirations because of an assumption that we have already arrived. We always have more to learn and I know it is an important value that this community aspires to.  If you are unable to join the conversation and still wish to share some thoughts please feel free to reach out to me, Walter, or Diane.  I look forward to learning from you.  - TCooley@uucava.org

Walter Clark Ordination Saturday, April 18, 3 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond UUCA members and friends are invited to join in the celebration of the ordination of Walter Clark on Saturday, April 18, 3:00 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, 1000 Blanton Avenue. Please RSVP to WClark@uucava.org. If you wish to

Church Matters

SAVE-THE-DATE: March 15 UUCA's Capital Campaign Kickoff Celebration "Be Courageous. Embrace Our Future" Sunday, March 15, 10:15 a.m. Location: Washington Liberty High School, Arlington Join the UUCA community--children, youth, adults of all ages--at Washington Liberty High School on Sunday, March 15, 10:15 a.m. for the official kick off of UUCA's Capital Campaign. There will be an inspirational service filled with special music and message from our ministers, followed by a progress report on the Capital Campaign and a free catered luncheon. There will be activities for children and youth (and those young at heart). More information to come! Please Note: There will be no services or religious education classes at the UUCA building on March 15. Also, pledges will not be solicited.

Are you a web whiz? Have you built or maintained a website in your personal or professional life? Are you interested in supporting the work of the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC)? If so, we need you! While the MSC is working hard on the discernment process to identify UUCA's next called senior minister, we want to keep the congregation informed and engaged -- but we need help! If you have web managing skills and are willing to volunteer some time (approx. 2-4 hours/week until early May) to keep our web page on the UUCA website ( www.uucava.org/2020search/ ) up-to-date, please contact us at uuca2020search@gmail.com ASAP!

Talk to Nom Com! Sunday, February 23, and March 1  The Nominating Committee (Nom Com) is the body that interviews prospective board members and nominates attendees to General Assembly. Nom Com is also looking for candidates to join Nominating Committee next year, so stop by if that might be you or someone you know. Learn more about leadership and other volunteer opportunities by stopping by the Nom Com's "Talk to Us!" table on Sunday.

Opportunities to Connect and Grow

Baby and Child Dedication Sunday, March 15, 10:15 a.m.  We will celebrate a Child Dedication ceremony at the March 15 Capital Campaign Kickoff. This is a very special ritual where we as a community pledge our support and care to our families as they raise their children in our Unitarian Universalist faith. The dedication on March 15 is for children and youth of all ages—not just babies. If you have not had an opportunity to participate in a dedication this would be a very exciting and festive time to do so. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact LeeAnn at Lwilliams@uucava.org.

ALL WELCOME Intergerational Pop-Up Ensemble Sunday, February 23, 10:30-11:05 a.m. Please join Jennifer in our next Pop-Up Intergenerational Ensemble this Sunday, February 23, 10:30-11:05 a.m., on the steps in the Sanctuary. This Sunday's Pop-Up will honor the life of Joseph Shabalala and will be Jennifer's final musical sharing in service as she concludes her transitional music work with us. A reminder, as per all of the Pop-Ups this year, all are welcome and all are encouraged to attend the 10:30 a.m. class, then share the music as the Introit at the beginning of the second service. We will share Thula Klezio and Siyahamba.

Proposed Guidelines for Share the Plate – Additional Listening Session! Sundays, February 23 10:30 a.m. and March 1, 12:30 p.m. Giving and sharing our offering with social justice partners is a fundamental expression of our UU faith, both as individuals and as a congregation. There have been many questions about how Share the Plate is implemented, and a desire to have a clearly outlined and transparent process. The Social Justice Ministries Team (SJMT) has been working for many weeks to develop such a process.   The SJMT invites you to attend any or all of the following listening sessions to consider its recommendations for Share the Plate guidelines for the coming year. The last two sessions will be on February 23, 10:30 a.m. and March 1, 12:30 p.m. Please read the proposed draft of guidelines ( here) and a document of Frequently Asked Questions ( here) to become familiar with what is under consideration. We look forward to your questions and suggestions! SJMT Members: Walter Clark, Kristin Keller, Allan Kellum, Laurel MacLaren, Wendy Jessup, Jacomina de Regt, MJ Schmelzer, Chris Sutton and McGennis Williams.

Living the 8th Principle Our journey towards spiritual wholeness by dismantling racism & other oppressions Deepen your understanding of systemic oppression  Interested in the racial history of Unitarian Universalism? Check out our four-part series for Black History month, posted on UUCA’s 8th Principle Facebook page here. SURJ NoVA will host a community discussion of the film/book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Sunday, February 23, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., UU Congregation of Fairfax. Further the anti-racist transformation of Unitarian Universalism  UUCA’s Spring Anti-Racism workshop series starting soon! Each session 7:00-9:00 at UUCA. Contact Ann Ulmschneider to register. Microaggressions (led by Ann Ulmschneider) on Wed., Feb. 26 Implicit Bias (led by Warren Wright) on Wed., Mar. 25 Speaking Out (led by Diane Dorius) on Tues., Mar. 31 Show up, speak out and challenge oppression and racism in our community OAR will screen Not in My Neighborhood, followed by a panel with OAR’s Director of Racial Equity and Arlington County's Office of Human Rights. Thursday, March 19, 7:00 p.m., Arlington Central Library. Sign up here. Follow Facing Race in Arlington’s new Facebook page for more updates from Emily Vincent’s fantastic blog! @FacingRaceInArlington.

Building Host and Safety Training Sunday, February 23, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Group leaders and all who generously offer time to host meetings, groups, and events at UUCA are encouraged to attend the next Building Host and Safety Training. The session covers safety and security protocols, emergency procedures and a talk on expectations and responsibilities associated with coordinating and/or hosting events. All Sunday volunteers are encouraged to attend. Any group or individual hosting an event are required to have this training. Questions? Contact Annie Parker, aparker@uucava.org.

OPENS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Alix in Wonderland Opens February 21 and runs weekends thru March 7 A celebration of personal discovery, Alix in Wonderland is a wholly original take on social norms, self-perception, and what it really means to grow up in today's world. A tumble down that world-famous rabbit hole brings teenage Alix face-to-face with the wild, wacky, and annoying denizens of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, but none of them are quite as anyone remembers them. Alix's journey becomes one of profound questioning and exploration on the way to becoming fully and joyfully oneself.

Qigong Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - Noon Did you know we offer Qigong here at UUCA each Thursday? Qigong is an ancient approach for achieving balance and vitality. The movements are gentle and can be done sitting, standing, or lying down. Qigong meets in the Center from 10:30-Noon on Thursdays. Wear comfortable clothing. $10 suggested donation. Instructor: Carol Baker, Registered Nurse. No registration required, but appreciated. Sacred Circle Dance February 20, March 5 & 19, April 9 & 23, May 14 & 28 Why not introduce movement into your spiritual practice in 2020? Sacred Circle Dance draws on centuries-old traditions of dances for ritual and for celebration. In an environment of music and meditative motion and reflection, dancers create community as they are guided toward respect for nature, for one another, and for Spirit. Each dance is taught or reviewed. No partner or dance experience required.

Righteous Minds Four sessions: Fridays, Feb. 21, 28, March 6, 13 This course examines the psychology of political polarization in the United States, with the goal of better understanding values and beliefs across current political and cultural boundaries. The four-session course uses interactive exercises, case studies, lectures, and group discussions to explore how we become attached to the values and assumptions that separate us into Blue and Red America. Participation in all four sessions is strongly encouraged, as is a willingness to listen to and understand different points of view.  Please click here to learn more about the course. Led by Bill Roos. Spirituality Book Group Falling Upward Tuesday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. In Falling Upward, author Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up."

AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITER BOOK SHARING The Nickel Boys Friday, February 21, 7:30 p.m. Welcome Room In The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead tells the story of two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school called the Nickel Academy. Our African American Writer Book Sharing will share experiences in reading this fictionalized account about what was the real at Dozier School for Boys, a now-closed reformatory school in Florida that operated for more than a century. All are invited to share. Questions? Contact Linda Lutes Corsoro, lindahlutes@gmail.com, or Pat Findikoglu, pfindikoglu@gmail.com.

Our Stories, Our Lives Tuesday, February 25, 10:30-Noon - Board Room It's back! Our monthly story-sharing and conversation group meets again on Tuesday, February 25, 10:30 to Noon in the UUCA Board Room. Please come to tell a story, hear some stories, and share laughs and reminiscences on the topic "What is one of the first books you can remember reading (or having read to you) during childhood?" Each participant will have about seven minutes (more or less, depending on attendance) to tell a story about this month's theme. You may write something in advance if you wish, make a few notes, or speak spontaneously. Whichever way, you'll have a clutch of kind and attentive listeners.   Coffee and tea will be available, and at the end of the session we'll draw the question for the next month's theme. Facilitator will be Jacomina De Regt. Open to all. No need to register, but do come on time.

Racial Justice Workshop Microagressions Wednesday, February 26, 7-9 p.m. Join in the discussion of how we can dismantle white supremacy by attending the first of three workshops. Examine common microaggressions as people of color experience them. These seemingly small acts add up over time to send the message that people of color do not belong. Led by Ann Ulmschneider. Two additional workshops: Implicit Bias on March 25 Speaking Out on March 31 Registration is helpful, but not required. Email Ann Ulmschneider, aulmsch@msn.com.

Happy Hour Thursday, February 27, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Join us for a special happy hour with karaoke hosted by our adult choir, Sanctuary Singers! UUCA's happy hour is a happy time in a happy place for the whole family! No singing required, just come for the fun and warm fellowship (and a few snacks). Please bring a drink to share (wine or non-alcoholic, we have plenty of beer). Carbon Footprint Challenge Workshop Friday, March 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Room 13/15 Do you want to be part of the solution to the climate crisis? Did you know that 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from five basic household activities we do every day--electricity use, home heating, transportation, food choices, and waste? Come to the next "Carbon Footprint Challenge" workshop on March 6 and learn what steps you can take to reduce your own carbon footprint. Together we can make a difference. Join the Carbon Footprint Challenge! Sign-up here.

Opportunities to Serve

New to UUCA? A long time member looking for a new volunteer activity? Consider Meals on Wheels!   UUCA delivers meals on six South Arlington routes on the fourth Thursday and Friday of each month. We have a wonderful crew of dedicated volunteers, some of whom do both days. However, we sometimes don't have enough people for each of our days. Many UUCA families find volunteering with their school-age children is a great holiday or vacation activity! We go out in teams of two, one drives, the other runs the meals in to the clients. The time commitment is from 11 a.m. to 1 or 1:30 p.m. Volunteers pick up the meals at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 601 N. Vermont St., just west of Ballston. To volunteer, please contact Sara Anderson, rayandsara@aol.com. Are you looking for a way to Connect, Grow, and Serve?     UUCA's Meals on Wheels program is looking for a (sort of) tech-savvy volunteer to help coordinate UUCA's Meals on Wheels volunteer program. This is an opportunity to serve both the UUCA community and home-bound Arlington residents. This volunteer position does not require much time or travel. Tasks include managing and updating the online sign-up form (remotely) and being on call during the actual meal delivery times in case of no-shows. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please contact Sara Anderson, rayandsara@aol.com or 703-532-3830.

ESOL Teachers Needed UUCA's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program needs a few more volunteers to join our team. Knowing a foreign language is not required. Students come from all parts of the world and already know how to speak and write English. Volunteers help students improve their English and knowledge of the U.S. Classes are held Tue.-Wed.-Thur., 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Sat., 10:30 a.m.-Noon. On a single team you might teach or assist every other week or we'll tailor to your availability. We also like to have "floaters" or substitutes available as needed. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ric Blacksten, hricblacksten@gmail.com, 703-980-5899, (M/Text). Bagged-Meals for A-SPAN Sunday, February 23 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.

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 ‌ ‌