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

REMINDER: We spring ahead this Sunday Sunday, March 8, 2020 | 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. The Spirituality of Giving Sermon by Rev. Terasa Cooley, Interim Senior Minister This is not the “Sermon on the Amount” — yet another canvass sermon. Instead I want to invite us into a reflection on giving as a spiritual discipline. How might our spirits respond if we try to give as much as we receive — physically, emotionally, and tangibly. Irv Lachow is our Worship Associate and Peter Vitaliano is the Board of Trustees Representative. Soloist Lori Rottenberg sings K D Lang's Simple , accompanied by Sophia Morreale on piano. And, on organ, Sophia plays Fantasia in D minor and Toccata in E minor, both by Johann Pachelbel. Remember to spring ahead one hour this Sunday. Livestream

Next Sunday, March 15, 10:15 a.m. “Generation to Generation”  - Sermon by special guest Carey McDonald , Vice President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We also welcome back for a visit former UUCA minister Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith . See below for more announcements with details on this special service--A celebration of the kick-off of the 2020 Capital Campaign. Note: SINGLE SERVICE located @ Washington-Liberty High School.

Carey McDonald is the Executive Vice-President of the UUA, the youngest person who has ever held that position. He is a seventh generation Unitarian and has brought an invaluable forward-looking orientation to our movement, having also served as Outreach Director. Prior to joining the UUA, Carey worked in educational policy with the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Department of Education. Our beloved former Associate Minister, Rev. Carlton Elliot Smith , will participate in the Sunday service to offer a prayer of gratitude and commitment. Rev. Carlton was with us 2010-2013 and was responsible for social justice and pastoral care. He has since become a member of the Regional Staff of the UUA serving congregations throughout the Southern Region.

ALERT: Fraudulent Emails This past week, fraudulent (phishing) emails have been sent out under Rev. Terasa's name. Please DO NOT respond to any emails requesting help / assistance / a favor / money etc. from Rev. Terasa or any other UUCA staff member. Fake Gmail accounts are being set up under Rev. Terasa's name. We do not ask for gift cards. Scammers are asking for photos of gift cards with the PIN numbers. If you receive any of these phishing emails, report them to your email provider. We are taking steps to address this situation on our end. Always look to see if a church email address has the church's extension "@uucava.org". More information on what you can do is here.

Updated COVID-19 Message This is a revised version of the letter from Rev. Terasa sent on March 4. Dear Friends,   I know many of us are paying attention to and likely worried about the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak. Large public gatherings are particularly worrisome and we have large public gatherings!   The staff and I have been discussing preparations and we will be outlining them in more detail soon. We are considering communication methods, alternatives for in-person worship, and services we may provide to those who are in need.   In the meantime, please take these common sense measures:   If you are sick, no matter what you think the cause may be, please stay at home. We are lucky that we have the technology for streaming our services so you don’t need to miss anything! Attend to notifications from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Virginia Department of Health, and Arlington County officials. Check our website or our Facebook page before you come to church in case there are any last-minute notifications. We are very excited about our Capital Campaign kickoff on the 15th and live in hope that it won’t be affected!    And lastly, for the time being, I’ll be asking us to modify our usual greeting behaviors. This will be among the hardest, as we are a community that likes to be in contact with one another! This means casual greetings as you come in as well as our usual greeting at the beginning of service and holding hands at the end. I’ll be asking us to use the elbow bump or a wave. This will seem ridiculous I realize, especially since there are not any reported cases in this area. But I am asking us to do this for two reasons: one is to get into the habit, as this one is hard to break; and the second is out of recognition that the disease has a two-week incubation period so we may not yet know if someone among us is affected.   I am someone who is not at all prone to panic at times like these, but I recognize that certain precautions and attentiveness are called for right now. Most people who have the virus will recover just fine, but there are some vulnerable folks among us who will be at risk.   We want to stay connected and we also want to stay safe. Again, stay tuned for more details in Connections and on Facebook.   Please let us know if you have any questions, and please notify us if you know you have contracted the virus.   Love in these troubled times takes us far! Rev. Terasa

Wheel of Life Our condolences to the family and friends of Beverly Fontaine Spitzer who died on February 15. Beverly was a longtime member of UUCA and active in the Fellowship X group. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 3:00 p.m. at UUCA. In lieu of flowers, Beverly's request was to make donations to the National Center for Families Learning or UUCA.

Ready to feel courageous?  Ready to embrace an exciting future for UUCA?  Then join our beloved community for a special event to celebrate our congregation and our church as we kick off our 2020 Capital Campaign! UUCA 2020 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF CHURCH CELEBRATION Sunday, March 15, 2020 Service starting at 10:15 a.m. Luncheon to Follow Location: Washington-Liberty High School 1301 N. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22201 The service features uplifting music, child dedications, and inspiring perspectives from our fellow congregants. Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith joins us with his prayer for our congregation as well as special guest speaker, Carey McDonald, Executive Vice-President of the Unitarian Universalist Association.   For children and youth (and those young at heart), Baroody Camps coordinates activities, such as a Lego building table, science experiments, arts & crafts, and robotics. Following the service, stay to learn more about the Capital Campaign and enjoy food and fellowship at a free, catered luncheon. No pledges will be solicited. So please join us as we come together for community, inspiration, and the shared purpose of embracing our future. We can't wait to see you there! Note: No services or religious education classes will take place at the UUCA building on March 15.  If you need childcare during the event or are interested in carpooling, please click HERE.

Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith to join our kick-off! Rev. Carlton, former UUCA minister, is excited to join UUCA on March 15 for the Capital Campaign Kickoff event. Hear from him in the video here and come to the event to connect/re-connect with him.

Traveling to Washington-Liberty High School For driving- parking garage and street parking are available. Enter the garage parking lot from the 15th St. entrance near the corner of Quincy St. Special needs parking is right in front of the main entrance on Stafford St. This is also the best place for drop-offs. W-L High School is a short walk from Ballston Metro. Bus service is also available. For biking and walking--just off the Nellie Custis Trail. Bike racks are available.

Be Green - Carpool to the Capital Campaign Kickoff The Climate Crises Action Coalition is encouraging carpooling to Washington-Liberty High School on Sunday March 15. On top of being environmentally conscious, this is a chance to meet new people in the congregation and make sure everyone who wants to attend can.   Please indicate your interest in being a rider or a driver at the following link by Saturday, March 7, and we can match you up.

Ministry Matters

Faith In Action By Rev. Walter Clark, Assistant Minister I have a strong implicit bias for light-skinned people, at least that is what I was told for the implicit bias test. For those of you who have not taken the test, you can find it here . There is some debate around the science about it, nevertheless it brings up a great point; that we are not always aware that our actions may be biased. One of my favorite examples of this is the simple question we often ask people when we meet them for the first time, “What do you do for a living?” It is an innocent question that is meant to make a connection with someone else, but when you ask that question to someone who is unemployed, it can be awkward. It can also be uncomfortable for people with retail and service jobs when it is asked by someone with an established career, creating an odd power dynamic. Part of being an inclusive community is being aware of our own implicit biases and actively working to break them down. On March 25, Warren Wright is teaching a class about implicit bias at 7:00 p.m. It is a great opportunity for people to understand how “white supremacy” is less about specific racist hate groups and more about cultural systems that have been in place in this country for centuries. I would encourage everyone to take this class, but I would especially encourage anyone who has not yet taken any anti-racism workshops.  To create change in the world, we must look at how we can change ourselves. I hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity. -WClark@uucava.org

Church Matters

Staff Farewell We are saddened to announce the resignation of Lisa Harper Chang as our Assistant Director of Religious Education, which took effect last week. We are glad that she will still be part of our church community for a while longer--Her family relocates to Alabama at the end of May. Lisa has been an integral part in the success of our Religious Education program and we are grateful for her dedication and commitment to UUCA's children and youth. She will be missed. We wish Lisa, Jim, Dylan, and Liam much happiness and light as they begin their new journey. Sometime in May we will have a cake reception after services to celebrate her ministry with us. Watch this space for announcements.

Opportunities to Connect and Grow

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.

Dialogue w/ UUCA's LGBTQI Community Sunday, March 8, 12:30 p.m., Board Room Any self-identified LGBTQI person is invited to a dialogue on how welcoming this congregation has been / is currently / and how it affects their place in this community. This conversation is strictly for LGBTQI folk, facilitated by Diane Ullius, and is this Sunday, March 8, 12:30 p.m., after the second service. Rev. Walter and Rev. Terasa will observe the conversation just from a perspective of learning more, but not as a participant. If anyone has concerns about their presence, please let us know at TCooley@uucava.org. If you are unable to join the conversation and still wish to share some thoughts, please feel free to reach out to TCooley@uucava.org

Write Here! Write Now! Tell our U.S. Senators to Provide a Pathway to Legal Permanent Status for TPS holders - Time is running out Sunday, March 8, following both services The Trump administration is dismantling major aspects of the U.S. immigration system by trying to terminate legal protections relied upon by immigrants who have lived in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Hundreds of thousands of people who have escaped war, violence and natural disasters in their home countries are at risk of being deported. Many family members are at risk of being separated. We must tell our senators to consider the SECURE Act (S.879), which would create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants with TPS.  On Sunday, March 8, come by our UUs for Social Justice table to write our senators. Background materials will be available. Letters will be hand-delivered by UUSJ's Advocacy Corps on March 10. Questions? Contact Lavona Grow, Advocacy@UUSJ.org .

LAST CHANCE to See Alix in Wonderland! Friday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. Two shows - Saturday, March 7, 3:00 p.m. AND 7:30 p.m. The Chalice Theatre production closes this weekend!!  Shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30, Saturday matinee at 3:00. There are still a few tickets available, click here .

Holy Land Film Series Has UUCA Screening Sunday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. Activity Room UUCA is hosting a screening of the film The Ruins of Lifta as part of the 6th annual Voices From the Holy Land (VFHL) film series.  The filmmaker Menachem, an Orthodox Jew from Brooklyn, and a child of Holocaust survivors, establishes a personal friendship with Yacoub, a Palestinian expelled from Lifta--the only abandoned Palestinian village that was not either completely destroyed after the 1948 war or repopulated by Jews. Menachem, after learning that Lifta was once a place where Jews and Palestinian Arabs got along, seeks to help Yacoub in opposing the Israeli redevelopment that would have replaced Lifta’s ruins with Jewish-only housing. Menachem hopes that Lifta can become a place of reflection and reconciliation. The film includes an unusual encounter of shared loss and displacement between a Holocaust survivor and a Nakba refugee amidst the ruins of Lifta. This is the final film of the three part VFHL series that included screenings of other films at Cedar Lane UU Church in Maryland and the Washington National Cathedral in DC.  Join NoVA-UUJME and others to view the film on March 15, at 2:00 p.m., in the Activity Room at 2 pm. Questions? Contact Bud Hensgen, budhensgen@gmail.com.

MoonFire Ostara Ritual Sunday March 15, 2020, 1:30 p.m. In March MoonFire celebrates the Spring Solstice and the blossoming of early spring beauties. Please join MoonFire for our Ostara ritual, as the Goddess Eostre is honored, and revel in the energies of the season. We will thank the spirits for their guidance in getting us through another winter, so feel free to bring spring-time flowers to decorate the altar. We will also participate in a guided meditation to think about the different aspects of our lives, and ask for guidance for which one(s) might need a little more attention during this creative time. As always, a potluck and time for fellowship will follow the ritual. Bring a dish or drink to share, along with your own plates/utensils, if possible. For more information on MoonFire, please visit www.moonfireuuca.org or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com .

Racial Justice Workshops Implicit Bias (led by Warren Wright) Wednesday, March 25, 7-9:00 p.m., Room 13-15 Implicit biases about marginalized groups are formed as we grow up in our culture. We are exposed to negative stereotypes that affect our attitudes. To prepare for this session, take the free online test from Harvard Project Implicit. Then come to discuss how implicit biases affect many areas, including education, employment, and law enforcement. Here is the link to the Implicit bias assessment.   Speaking Out (led by Diane Dorius) Tuesday, March 31, 7-9:00 p.m., Room 13-15 Are you at a loss for words when you hear biased comments from friends or relatives? Practice skills to respond to stereotypes and misinformation.   To register for one or both of these workshops, contact Ann Ulmschneider , aulmsch@msn.com . Registration is helpful, but not required.

New UU Series Sunday, March 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m. The New UU Series is our introductory orientation to UUCA. Offered in six stand-alone sessions, held on the first and third Sundays each month. The next one is Sunday March 29, after the second service in the Welcome Room.  The topic is Faith Development, Covenant Groups & Pastoral Care with LeeAnn Williams. No registration is needed unless you need free childcare, sarah.masters@uucava.org. Here's the schedule going forward: March 29: Faith Development, Covenant Groups & Pastoral Care with LeeAnn Williams April 19: Worship with Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley May 10: Social Justice with Walter Clark May 17: UU History with Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley June 7: Campus Tour & Partners with Paul Kearney June 14: Membership & Stewardship with Sarah Masters June 21: Faith Development, Covenant Groups & Pastoral Care with LeeAnn 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 series for Black History month, posted on UUCA’s 8th Principle Facebook page here. 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. 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.

Friday Morning Devotions Fridays, 7:00 a.m., Room 20 We invite you to smooth the path into the weekend with a half-hour of meditation followed by shared reflections each Friday morning beginning at 7 a.m. Please contact in advance either David McTaggart ( dmctagg@gmail.com ) or Gregg Forte ( gforte@mac.com ). A ride is available afterward to Ballston Metro.

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 March 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  S essions: Friday, March, 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.

Opportunities to Serve

Collection for gently-used formal dresses benefits W/L Best Buddies Sunday, March 22 UUCA's Religious Education Ministry is collecting gently-used formal dresses for the Formals for Five initiative on Sunday, March 22, after both services. Formals for Five provides affordable formal outfits for prom and graduation to local students. Dresses are collected from around the Arlington community and then sold for $5 each at Washington-Liberty High School. All proceeds are donated to the W-L Best Buddies Club.

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).

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 ‌ ‌