Talk to Nom Com!

Sunday, January 25, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1



The Nominating Committee is the body that interviews prospective board members and nominates attendees to General Assembly. But that's not all! Think of us as one entryway to deeper involvement in our community. Do you have an interest in leadership or volunteering but can’t find the right fit? Talk to us! Do you know someone amazing but who needs a little encouragement to get more involved? Talk to us! Want to learn more about open board positions or GA 2020? Come to our "Talk to Us!" table on January 25, February 2, 9, 16, and 23, and March 1. We are also looking for candidates to join Nominating Committee next year, so stop by if that might be you or someone you know.

 

See you soon!

Josh Mohr, Nancy Hyde, Paula Bendl Smith, Danielle Jones, & Ashley Greve

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

Faith 360 Classes for Winter 2020

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. 

UPCOMING CLASSES

Coming of Age for Adults

3rd Tuesday, 7-9 p.m., January-May

Begins January 21

This program series is intended for anyone who wants to explore and deepen their UU faith—those new to UU and seasoned seekers alike. We will spend time together, building community, sharing our journeys, learning more about Unitarian Universalism, and creating a faith statement. Led by LeeAnn Williams, Director of Lifespan Faith Development. Register here.

Geography of Grace

Begins Saturday, January 25, 9 - 11 a.m.

Meets 4th Saturday January thru June

Using the natural landscape as metaphor, this program will provide participants the opportunity to explore and reflect on their spiritual journey. We will be using a combination of journaling, art, collage, and deep sharing. Must be able to commit to all sessions, Jan.-June on 4th Saturdays, 9—11:30 a.m. This workshop is produced by the Center for Courage and Renewal and part of the Circles of Trust model. 

Read about Diane Ulluis, UUCA Commissioned Lay Minister’s experience with Circles of Trust: "Circles of Trust changed my life. Seriously. I greatly value the chances it provided to get to know people more deeply, and I will be forever grateful for the new ways of listening and questioning that it allowed me to learn. I was so taken with my first Circles of Trust retreat series that I signed up for another even before that first one was finished; the second was Soul of Aging, which I and others have facilitated here at UUCA. In Circles of Trust, I learned about a practice that we call 'the third thing,' and I have used this practice in easily half of the groups I have facilitated since then. This whole process was part of what led me to my studies to become a Commissioned Lay Minister. Caution: Your results may vary! Clearly, not everyone even wants to become a Lay Minister. But Circles of Trust is sure to introduce you to ways of being that will become important in your life. We are blessed to have skilled facilitators at UUCA." Register here.

Enneagram 

Three sessions: Tuesdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, 7-9 p.m.

Join Rev. Terasa for a three-part series exploring the Enneagram.  Have you ever asked yourself the quintessential human question of identity, “Who am I?” Most of us spend a lifetime trying to figure out who we are and how we relate to others. The Enneagram offers a bright path to cutting through the internal clutter and finding our way back to who we are created to be. Based on the nine classic archetypes of human character structure, the Enneagram exposes the nine ways we lie to ourselves about who we think we are, illustrates the nine ways we get lost, and reveals nine ways we find our way home to our True Self. Recommended text for this class The Road Back to You by Ian Cron. 3 sessions, Tuesdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, 7-9 p.m. Register here.  

Cooking Together

Friday, January 31, 6-8 p.m.

Join Rev. Terasa for a night of cooking and eating together. Cooking can seem like a lot of pressure sometimes and so Rev. Terasa is hoping to take some of the pressure off (literally!) by offering a demo of how to use your Instant Pot! So many people have talked about getting one for Christmas and then not knowing how to use it. All are welcome but you must sign up in advance. There is a $10 offering for food supplies. Register here.

Spirituality Book Club - February Selection

Acedia and Me

by Kathleen Norris

Tuesday, February 4, 7-9 p.m.

Kathleen Norris has written several much loved books, yet she couldn't drag herself out of bed in the morning, couldn't summon the energy for her daily tasks. Norris recognized her familiar battle with acedia, a word she had discovered in early Church text years earlier. Discussion led by Betsy Rosso Rosenblatt. No registration.

Tea and Crafts

1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Begins February 4

Join Linda Lutes Corsoro and friends for this time of fellowship and fun. Bring your current project for an afternoon of creativity and conversation. All crafts and projects welcome—knitting, crochet, sewing, beading. Don’t craft? Come anyway—you can pour the tea! Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 1-3 in Room 13/15. Begins February 4. No registration.

New UU Series

Sunday, January 19, 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. Next Sunday, the topic is Social Justice with Walter Clark. No registration is needed unless you need childcare. Contact Sarah.Masters@uucava.org.

Upcoming

MoonFire Household Protection Ritual

Sunday January 19, 1:30 p.m.

Thanks to everyone who came out last month for the R.E. Ministry’s and MoonFire’s Winter Solstice celebration around the fire pit, and helping us welcome back the Sun!

For this month, please join us for a Household Protection ritual, where we call on Hestia, the goddess of hearth, home, and family. In ancient Greece, each city had a public hearth sacred to her, where the fire was never allowed to go out. Also known as Vesta to the Romans, Hestia ("the heart") was the first goddess invoked at festivals, and she was offered blessings at the beginning of each meal. Through guided meditation, we will connect with the concept of home and what it means to you. Afterwards, offerings and blessings will be done in honor of our homes; please bring an item that symbolizes "home" for you. As always, a potluck and time for fellowship will follow the ritual, so bring a dish or drink to share, along with your own plates/utensils, if possible. For further information on MoonFire, please visit www.moonfireuuca.org, or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com.

Join the Carbon Footprint Challenge Workshop

Friday, January 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Board Room

Did you know 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. There are affordable and accessible alternatives to all of these activities that can help stop global warming and save money. Learn what steps you can take to make the biggest differences. Help make UUCA a part of the global solution to the climate crisis. Sign-up for the Climate Footprint Challenge Workshop here . Participation is limited to 15 people, so sign up now. Visit the Climate Crisis Action Coalition’s website for more information.

Annual Chili Cook-Off

Sunday, January 26

Brush off those chili recipes and start perfecting! The Annual Chili Cook-Off is right around the corner. Please join us as competitors, judges, volunteers, or simply chili-eaters! We need both competitors and volunteers. Please sign-up below. Proceeds benefit UUCA's Youth Group program.

UUCA CENTER STATE PRESENTS

Books & Boots BASH

A book release celebration

w/ Dr. Cullen Ruff

Saturday, February 1, 7:15 p.m.

UUCA member Cullen Ruff invites everyone to come and kick up your heels in celebration of the publication of his book, Looking WITHIN. For those of you who may not be aware, Dr. Ruff is an experienced dancer and he and his favorite DJ will lead us in line-dancing and West Coast Swing! Book-signing and refreshments. Boots and western wear encouraged but not required.

Discipline Series: It’s All Good...Until It’s Not

Four Thursdays, Jan. 30 - Feb. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join UUCA and AUCP (Arlington Unitarian Preschool Cooperative) parents to learn new techniques for managing children's behavior so it's easier on you, and they learn independence and responsibility. This series, sponsored by AUCP, is presented by Michael Swisher, a parent educator with the Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families at the Arlington Department of Human Services. He brings 15+ years of experience training parents on managing behaviors. Join us for all four sessions or pick and choose. Each session includes discussion, reflection, and creating take-home tools and materials. These events are aimed at parents of preschool and early elementary-aged children, but are open to all.

ESOL Teachers Needed

UUCA's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program needs a few more teacher/conversationalists to join our team. Knowing a foreign language is not required since our adult students already speak fair English. Volunteers help students improve their English and knowledge of the United States. Students come from Central and South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Central Asia, etc. They range from diplomatic staff to students to au pairs. Classes are held Tue-Wed-Th 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Sat. 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Typically, volunteers are assigned to one of four teams. Each team covers a day of the week and volunteers may teach every other week. We can also tailor a schedule to your availability. "Floaters" or substitutes are also needed. For more information or to volunteer, contact Ric Blacksten, hricblacksten@gmail.com or message/text 703-980-5899.

Bagged-Meals for A-SPAN

Last Sunday of each month -

January 26

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

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.

UUCA Handbell Choirs Performs Christmas Concert at Culpepper Garden

Two of UUCA’s handbell choirs – Polymnia and Crescendo – led by Ken Bissell , Director of Handbells - entertained an enthusiastic group of Culpepper Garden residents at a Christmas concert there on December 17. An annual tradition for the UUCA handbell program, the concert featured a variety of traditional holiday tunes and concluded with its popular ring-and-sing along, where handbell ringers worked one-on-one with residents to help them ring and sing several holiday classics. UUCA’s children’s music director, Jennifer S.E. Haywood, Ph.D. , also accompanied Polymnia on flute.

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