ONE SERVICE THIS SUNDAY: 10:15 am! | |
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Covenant Groups Starting Soon
Covenant Groups for 2024-25 are coming! Online registration opens in early September, and there will be a table at the upcoming Faith Fair. By way of explanation, Covenant Groups allow us to share what touches our hearts and souls with others in a safe setting. In our groups, we explore our spirituality, build relationships, and provide service to UUCA and the wider community. Groups of 8 to 12 people meet monthly from October to June. A trained facilitator leads each group using written and online materials as resources. For more information now, reach out to Topher Dunne at topherdunne@yahoo.com.
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Join Our Community: Become a New Member at UUCA This Fall!
Are you interested in becoming a new member at UUCA? Now is the perfect time to join our wonderful community! With all the wonderful events and activities happening this fall, we're excited to welcome new members into our congregation.
Our New to UU (2) classes offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more about UUism, meet other congregants, and become more deeply integrated into the community. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click this link to sign up!
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UUCA Handbell Ringers to Ring National Anthem at Nats Park
On Friday evening, August 30, 2024 five of our handbell ringers will be joined by 40 to 50 others from around the region to ring the National Anthem at the beginning of the Washington Nationals game. This event is sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America, Area 3 and will be staged at our church. The ringers will meet in our parking lot and run through the anthem prior to being transported to Nationals Park. This has become an annual event for the area in the past several years.
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If you have personal news to share, such as births, graduations, special moments, or challenges, email careteam@uucava.org for support, or kackerman@uucava.org with announcements.
Are You In Need of Support?
Care Team Hotline: 571-277-4428 | careteam@uucava.org
When you attend a church for the first time, one of the questions you might ask is, do the people here look out for one another? At UUCA we have created a network of caring connections that will provide a supportive, compassionate presence when you may be struggling, alone, or in pain.
Our Care Team responds to concerns through careful listening, checks on you if you are ill and need help, is there to help you through life’s transitions, and provides food and other support services when you need that extra helping hand.
Our UUCA Ministers offer that unique spiritual guidance you might be looking for, and also offer one-on-one support when you may be facing an especially difficult time.
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More events listed below.
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We Only Need a Couple More Volunteers!
We are almost fully staffed for our 2024-2025 Religious Education program, and only need a few more volunteers! Sign up now!
Ready to volunteer? Click here.
RE Info for this week:
RE Classes will not meet this Sunday. Nursery Care is available for children 6 months to 2 years in Room 3
Here at UUCA we offer several ways kids can enjoy worship:
- In the Sanctuary: all ages are welcome in the Sanctuary at every Service!
- Spirit Space: For kids 4 years and younger at the front of the Sanctuary.
- Fellowship Hall: Play space for toddlers and kids of all ages. Puzzles and coloring sheets for anyone!
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UU the Vote—Defending Democracy
You know what is at stake. Here are 3 actions you can take this week:
1. Sign up NOW to join UUs from around the region for door-to-door canvassing in the battleground states of PA (Sept) and NC (Oct). We plan to arrange bus transportation to Philly (Sep 6 & 7), Pittsburgh (Sep 21 & 22), and Raleigh/Durham (Oct 25-27). Your signing up now helps us make those plans – along with housing arrangements. This is an opportunity to connect with UUs on the road for fellowship, faith, fun-and getting out the vote. To learn more and register go to /https://uuthevote.org/get-involved/. And for further info or if you plan to attend please let us know at suzanc825@gmail.com.
2. Mobilize voters of color in Stafford VA by writing postcards encouraging early voting. Pick up a set of 20 postcards containing everything you need (e.g., postcards, postage) in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday after the service. Post carding materials cost $14 per set. A donation is suggested, but not required. Can't write postcards? Donate so others may write more. To pick up a set of postcards at other times contact Ellen at elltaylor41@aol.com.
3. We need your help in small and larger ways to make UU the Vote opportunities available to our community (e.g., join the UU the Vote leadership team, provide snacks for a postcarding party or phone bank, help with the UU the Vote table after service, administrative tasks, develop a simple flyer for events, create a simple google form to keep track of the good works of the congregation.) To learn more contact Suzan at suzanc825@gmail.com.
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Join the VOICE Action on September 29
Youth & Family Behavioral Health Assembly
Sept. 29, 2024, 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Fairfax High School
3501 Lion Run
Fairfax, VA 22033
VOICE will be asking local officials to expand the Crisis Receiving Center for our region to include overnight accommodations for adolescents. Our region includes Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties (Health Region 2). Twenty community partners will be providing tables with resources and information.
Key officials will be speaking:
- Chairman Jeff McKay of Fairfax
- Fairfax School Board Chair Karl Frisch
- Daryl Washington of Fairfax/Falls Church CSB
- Health Region 2 Management Team
We hope to have a large group from UUCA in attendance. Add your voice to those of your neighbors, asking for this wise investment in the well-being of our youth.
UUCA will organize ride sharing. Contact John Acton, 703-405-5549.
Sign Up link
secure.everyaction.com/NHhJdNDdc0OszOxm4fRvVQ2?emci=546cba9e-3f5e-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ac562db2-445e-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=2432650
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Young Adult Group Fall Kickoff
Sun., Sept. 15, After 2nd Service, New location, Rm 13/15
Are you in your 20s and 30s, and looking for community at UUCA? Join us for the Young Adult Group Fall Kickoff! Come hang out downstairs in Room 13/15 after the 2nd service for some pizza and games. It’s a great chance to meet others and enjoy some fun and fellowship. We'll also collect ideas for upcoming fellowship activities.
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UUCA History in the Community
Thurs., Sept. 12, 7pm, Marymount University
On September 12, Bill Fogarty will be giving a history talk at Marymount University, based on the role of our church in supporting desegregation of the schools in the 1950's. You can attend in person or on Zoom for the program, which begins at 7:00. More information can be found on the Arlington Historical Society website:
The Unitarian Church Role in Arlington’s Resistance to “Massive Resistance”
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Fall Retreat Registration, Cancellations, and Options Retreat registration is closed, but if you want to go, we’re keeping a cancellation list for last minute cancellations. Here’s who you call if you want to inquire: Frank Brown at frankb915@gmail.com.
If no cancelled rooms are available, please contact Capon Springs directly. When contacting Capon Springs – tell them how many nights you're staying (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday or just Friday and Saturday) and if you have any food allergies or other concerns.
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Dads Group Starting Up -- Join Any Time!
Sundays , after Service, Welcome Room
The Dads Affinity Group welcomes any and all interested in sharing questions or lessons learned while navigating parenting as a Dad. Our group has dads spanning the diverse stages of dadhood -- from those with infants and toddlers to those whose kids are adults with families of their own. If you are seeking a welcoming place to spend time with other Dads, please consider joining us. We'd love to have you in the mix. Email for more information or questions.
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Round Robin Bridge Group Starting!
Fri., Sept. 5, 7pm, UUCA (room TBD)
It’s that time again! The Round Robin Bridge group will meet at church on Friday evening, September 6, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, to kick off the 2024-2025 season. We play each month from October to April, alternating as hosts and guests in each other’s homes. We welcome newcomers, but participation does require knowledge of bridge fundamentals. Come with or without a partner. We will play some bridge, update our roster, and try match any unpaired players. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks. And please let us know if you would like to play but cannot make it on September 6. Coordinators are Bill and Annette Reilly -- email HERE for more information or to let us know you'd like to join.
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Are You Interested in Meeting a Few More UU’s?
The UUCA B&B needs your help.
In the recent past, UUCA had a B &B program. Visitors were charged $50 per person, per night for a room with a private bath and $25 per person, per night for a sofa bed. All of the funds paid went to UUCA. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a damper on this community-building opportunity. We truly need more host families to renew the program and make it viable. Can you help out?
All visitors are fellow UUs, and stays are usually one or two days. If you have an extra room (preferably with its own bath) or even a spot on a sofa bed -- and would like more information on meeting fellow UUs and supporting UUCA, please get in touch with Joan Porte at uucava.lodging@gmail.com.
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Send in Photos from Your Group Gatherings
Do you meet for a Book Club, Covenant Group, Adult RE, or Committee Meeting? Please, send us a photo or two! Katie would LOVE to have some photos from your groups -- both posed and informal. Just use your cell phone camera -- they are so good now -- and email them in. Please ask permission prior to taking the photos and let people know they will be used for UUCA newsletters (and possibly on the website!) If possible, include the names of those photographed. Submit photos to kackerman@uucava.org.
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Enhancing Our Security: Progress Report on Recent Grant Initiatives
We are excited to update you on the significant strides we've made thanks to the $150,000 Nonprofit Security Grant we received last year. While our church has not faced any recent threats, we recognize the importance of robust security measures, especially in light of other UU congregations that have been targeted nationwide.
To ensure we are prepared, we collaborated with security experts to identify the most effective projects to enhance our safety. The grant has allowed us to undertake three major initiatives: replacing playground fencing, upgrading outdoor security lighting, and installing a comprehensive video surveillance system.
Currently, we are making notable progress with the installation of our video surveillance cameras. Although it will take a few more weeks before the system is fully operational, we are on track with our timeline. Our goal has been to cover all critical access points, and we've worked closely with Clear Connections, the company handling the installation, to achieve this.
While most of the cameras are positioned outside the building, we have also placed a few inside, directed towards the external doors. This setup was necessary due to the building’s layout and the dense tree coverage, which can obstruct clear views if we relied solely on outdoor cameras.
We appreciate your continued support as we enhance our security measures, ensuring a safer environment for our congregation and community. Stay tuned for more updates as we complete these important upgrades.
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UUCA Volunteers Needed!
Have you ever wondered how you can sign up to volunteer at UUCA? Mystery solved! You can sign up to volunteer by clicking the link HERE to get started on your journey. Please sign up today. Any questions, feel free to reach out to Nicole Haley at nhaley@uucava.org for support.
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Hopepunk Book Club
Next Meeting: September 5, 7:00 p.m,
UUCA's Hopepunk Book Club reads speculative fiction that imagines positive futures, embraces kindness, and inspires hope in humanity's ability to solve our climate and justice problems.
In September we'll discuss Seven Sisters, about found family, decolonizing food, climate change, and tea. Contact valarietbryant@gmail.com for more information
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African American Book Sharing Circle
Friday, September 20, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
We will be discussing How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good by Steve Phillips. The book offers excellent insights and context for the current campaign season. We are covering the book in two parts. We discussed Part One last month, which traced white supremacist policies from the Civil War to the present.
Part Two—“How We Win”—Phillips presents case studies of places where grassroots organizing has met some success—Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, San Diego, and Texas.
Zoom link: https://uucava-org.zoom.us/j/86431166987?pwd=Q2VWazBQcnRVTzgvOEFibERHYXQ2dz09
For additional information, contact Pat Findikoglu (pfindikoglu@gmail. com) or Ann Ulmschneider (aulmsch@msn.com.)
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Monday: Meditation and Dharma Talk
7:30 pm-8:45 pm, UUCA Activity Room and simultaneously on Zoom
A meditation and dharma talk with an opportunity for sharing afterward is offered in partnership with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). Held in the Activity Room on the lower level and simultaneously on Zoom. Subscribe to the email list on the IMCW page for the event to receive the Zoom link, topics, class cancellation alerts, and private access to the recorded talks.
Contact: Stig Regli.
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Wednesday: Hour of Silence
7:30 pm-8:45 pm, UUCA Room 20 (Youth Room)
Join us in Room 20 on Wednesday evenings for an hour of in-person silent sitting and/or walking meditation or contemplation, followed by mindful discussion. We enjoy this opportunity to ground ourselves in the middle of our busy week. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin at 7:30, and bring what you need to be comfortable.
Contact: Suzan Chastain.
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Friday: First Light Meditation
7:00 am-7:45 am, on Zoom LINK HERE
A half-hour silent meditation with an opportunity for sharing afterward, on Zoom. Contact: David McTaggart at dmctagg@gmail.com or Gregg Forte at gforte@mac.com.
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Newsletter deadline: Connections deadline for submissions is EACH Tuesday at 10 a.m. with publication on Thursday. See below on how to submit an announcement.
How to submit an announcement to UUCA's Connections newsletter:
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