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October 6 Deadline for
Services Auction Donations!
The Annual Services Auction is a major source of revenue for UUCA. Your donations are essential to its success! Scroll down for more information.
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Driveway Closed Mon., Sept. 30
On Monday 9/30 the front driveway off George Mason Dr. will be closed while we are having some tree work done. We are expecting work to be done and the driveway to be open by 6 p.m. Our side entrance off the service road will remain open and provide access to the parking lot.
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Under 40? You're Invited to Participate in UUCA's Listening Campaign!
Earlier this year UUCA did a congregation survey, which highlighted the need to hear more from our younger demographic. Reverend Amanda has invited consultants to do focus groups with the under-40 crowd:
- Sep 26 at 6:30 pm
- Sept 30th at 6:30 pm
Both meetings are on Zoom. If you can make either of these times, please RSVP here.
It's okay if you aren't officially a member - we're just interested in hearing from folks who feel some connection to the church and would like a say in its future.
Are You a Parent of a Child or Children in RE? Or Younger?
Please join us and share your thoughts!
UUCA is holding special listening sessions geared specifically to parents of RE kids (and babies and toddlers!), and we hope to have your voice represented.
After our congregation-wide survey last winter, we found that RE parents were significantly underrepresented in survey respondents.
So we're bringing questions to you. These sessions will be facilitated by consultants from Georgetown's Leadership Certification Program.
They'll be held:
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Wednesday, September 25, 7pm, on Zoom;
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Sunday, September 29, 10:30am and 12:30pm, in person with childcare (or have your kids check out Junior Choir rehearsal at 10:30am!).
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Wednesday, October 2, 7pm, on Zoom.
Please plan to attend at least one! RSVP here.
Thank you for helping us to envision UUCA's future with all the voices at the table!
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BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) Affinity Group
Are you interested in being part of the UUCA BIPOC Affinity Group? This group is for our BIPOC members and friends. It is a BIPOC Sacred Space – created by and for BIPOC people.
Please complete this 1-minute survey to respond or reach out to Nicole Haley at nhaley@uucava.org.
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UU the Vote
North Carolina!
You know how important and close the North Carolina election is. Two actions you can take will make a difference:
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learn how to call North Carolina voters of color this Sunday from 12:30-2:15 in the UUCA Activity Room
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canvas with UUs in North Carolina the weekend of Oct 25-27
Calling North Carolina is easy and effective. Enjoy a light lunch while being trained by UU the Vote organizer, Jennifer Richardson, on a user-friendly calling system. Learn about, and practice, making calls using your own phone and laptop or tablet (your cell number will be masked). We will leave messages because most folks do not pick up for unknown callers—but they do check messages. Research shows both phone conversations and messages are much more effective in turning out voters than postcards. After this session you will be able to make calls on your own from home as your schedule permits. Remember to bring your own phone and laptop/tablet and please register by Friday morning at https://mobilize.us/s/vdiM7a.
Canvass with UUs in Raleigh, North Carolina Oct 25-27
Join UUs from around the region for door-to-door canvassing in Raleigh/Durham (Oct 25-27). Fun and the most effective action you can take—in person canvassing in a battleground state. Travel provided on a bus filled with enthusiastic UU volunteers. Local NC UUs are opening their homes for housing for out-of-state UUs. Signing up now helps in making transportation, housing and food arrangements. To register go to /https://uuthevote.org/get-involved/.
ALSO--For more info on these actions and others (family-friendly canvas in South Arlington with the NAACP on Sat Oct 12 and 19, postcards and early voting in Virginia) go to THIS LINK.
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Stand With Our Youth and Families
Youth & Family Behavioral Health Assembly
Sept. 29, 2024, 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Fairfax High School
3501 Lion Run
Fairfax, VA 22033
Join VOICE for a powerful and informative assembly focused on youth and family behavioral health in Northern Virginia. This event will bring together those directly impacted and over 1,000 individuals, including youth, families, workers, faith leaders, foundations, healthcare, law enforcement, and educators, to aim at educating and addressing pressing issues in our community.
Sign up HERE.
We hope to have a large group from UUCA in attendance. Add your voice to those of your neighbors, asking for investment in the well-being of our youth. UUCA will organize ride sharing. Contact John Acton, 703-405-5549.
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We are sad to share that Kit Britton had a stroke on September 10 and is currently in hospice care at Vierra Nursing Center in Falls Church. We send care to Anne McKnight and her family; they welcome cards as they navigate this time.
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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.
Can WE help YOU?
Care Team Hotline: 571-277-4428 | careteam@uucava.org
One of the questions you might ask is, “How do the people at UUCA 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, and is there to help you through life’s transitions. They can also provide food and other support services when you need an extra helping hand.
Our UUCA Ministers offer that unique spiritual guidance you might be looking for. Both are here with one-2-one support when you need it. You can reach them directly: Rev. Amanda (apoppei@uucava.org) or Rev. CTC (revctc@uucava.org) or by calling the church office at 703-892-2565
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QA2: Queer or Questioning, Awareness and Acceptance
October 5, 2024 from 9am to noon at UUCA
Join us at a gathering of organizations and individuals that support, advocate for, and celebrate LGBTQIA+ children and youth. Ask questions, make connections, and find resources! QA2 2024 will feature resources and workshops for LGBTQIA+ young people, families, and allies. We are inviting organizations that support LGBTQIA+ children, youth, and families to participate. If you’re interested in joining us, or want to learn more, contact Betsy Rosso at forqkids@gmail.com.
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More events listed below.
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Religious Education
Here at UUCA we offer several ways kids can enjoy worship:
- 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!
Religious Education Classes Meet This Sunday
If you are new to our community, please register your children and teens here. This will add you to our mailing list.
Class Offerings
1st Service: Childcare, Classes for Preschool -- 4th Grade
2nd Service: Childcare, Classes for Preschool --12th Grade
Halloween Party -- Save the Date!
Sun., Oct. 27, After Second Service
Families should save the date to party after second service for some SPOOKTACULAR fun!
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LEAD Registration Now Open
LEAD (Leadership Exploration and Development) is UUCA's very own spiritually grounded leadership development program. This year-long program meets monthly to explore, share, and build community. If you would like to be part of this year's LEAD cohort, register here. Or reach out to LeeAnn with any questions.
Faith 360 Registration Now Open
Registration for Faith 360—UUCA's adult faith development program—is open now!
Register Here
We have a great lineup of workshops in store. Here are just a few...
- Walks in Nature hike at Riverbend Park with Denise and Bill
- Setting the Table: How to Navigate the Holidays with Rev. Amanda
- Social Justice Film Shorts with Rev. CTC
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Covenant Groups Registration is Open!
Covenant Groups for 2024-25 registration is open! Online registration is here, and there will be a registration table at the upcoming Faith Fair.
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.
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Come & Hear the Powerful Words of These Black Women Writers!
Sun., Oct. 20, 12:15pm-1pm, UUCA Board Room
Even if this isn’t your usual thing, hang around with the Early American to 21st Century Black Women Writers Group for a bit after the second service! Bring your own snack if you’d like. We’ll share a few brilliant pieces of writing by Phillis Wheatley, Pauli Murray, and Tammye Huf, the talented daughter of one of our very own!
This group explores anti-racist strategies by tackling the question “How have black women writers fought racism and reimagined the world from early America to today?” Each month a volunteer researches a writer and introduces her stories, poems, speeches, songs, or essays to the group. We enjoy taking turns reading the work aloud and discussing the writers’ tactics during our virtual gatherings. We meet on Zoom the third Wed. of the month, 7-9pm. It’s a casual group, and all are warmly welcomed! Coordinator: Gay Gibson Cima cimag@georgetown.edu.
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Join us for Game Night!
Fri., Oct. 18, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Let the Games begin! Come play your favorite games - BINGO!, board games, puzzles, cards, legos, and some outdoor games indoors! And bring your puzzles to participate in a puzzle exchange to take home a "new" to you puzzle. Kids and adults welcome, featuring light refreshments, and some small prizes. Free, but donations welcomed. All abilities welcome.
RSVP and Volunteer form coming soon!
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Boo at UU!
Sat., Nov. 2, 7pm, UUCA
Boo at UU - the UUCA SERVICES AUCTION IS COMING!
It is time to get your donations in, as the online catalog will go live in only two weeks! We need your tasty food, exciting adventures, wise and engaging consulting, classes in whatever you know, tickets to great entertainment, and of course, delicious dinners! Donating is easy, at the auction table on Sunday or online Boo at UU. Once you are at the website, merely click on the Donate Now button, which allows you to describe your offering, attach an image, and let us know who you are. Once you have submitted your donation, auction team will review and get back to you with any questions before adding it to the catalog. Note that if you are offering an event, it is helpful to specify a date so bidders can plan.
We need your donation by October 6 so it can be in the initial catalog!
You can also register at the auction webpage – you will need to be registered in order to bid.
Find the auction team after services to find out more! Bidding will start October 25. Then, plan to attend the Boo @ UU Celebration and Live Auction on November 2! Costumes encouraged! More details to come.
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Be A Pantry Steward!
We truly need your help to keep our Little Free Pantry filled. Can you be a PANTRY STEWARD for one week? For the months of September, October, November, and December we need enthusiastic stewards to keep the Little Free Pantry filled. The process is simple and rewarding! The remaining weeks of Dec. are TBD.
Just stop by UUCA 1 or 2 times weekly and fill our pantry. (1) You can bring a bag of nonperishable food to restock the pantry, or (2) come inside, grab a cart from the kitchen, load it up with food from the pantry storage closet (downstairs), and then restock the pantry. Folx are needed to care for our pantry for one week at a time. Click the link below to choose your week and sign up. Questions? Please contact Nicole Haley (nhaley@uucava.org) or Rev. CTC (revctc@uucava.org).
Click HERE to sign up.
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Save the Date! Tibetan Prayer Weekend
Sat & Sun, Nov. 9 & 10, 10am - 5pm, UUCA Reeb Center
UUCA has again partnered with the Capital Area Tibetan Association, this time to host a weekend of post-election prayers for peace with nuns from the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery, a community of Tibetan Nuns living in exile in India. Join us for chanting prayers on Saturday, November 9 and/or Sunday, November 10th, each day from 10 AM to 5PM, in the Rev. James J. Reeb Center! Those coming for the prayer session on Sunday should park in the Masonic Lodge parking lot across George Mason Drive from the Church and cross carefully at the traffic light. A vegetarian lunch will be offered each day. Donations will be gratefully accepted to support the visiting nuns with a suggested donation of $35. All are welcome; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
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Help Those Experiencing Homelessness -- New Opportunities!
In response to an outpouring of volunteer interest in the Bagged Meals program, UUCA is opening up two new opportunities for congregants of all ages to help people experiencing homelessness in our community:
1) Starting in October, 4 volunteer slots will be available on the second Sunday of each month to serve hot meals to clients at the PathForward Homeless Services Center. You can sign up via the same SignUpGenius page as the Bagged Meals program (linked below).
2) In January, PathForward is once again opening their doors to UUCA volunteers of all ages to assemble bagged meals on site and tour the Homeless Services Center. Those of us who participated last year had a wonderful experience; if you haven't yet had a chance to visit PathForward and get to know their programs, please consider signing up!
You can sign up for these and other opportunities here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA8AA22A1F4CF8-uuca
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The Doors Are Under Repair!
The two center doors in the main entrance are unable to be unlocked. We are preparing to integrate these doors with an electronic lock, which eventually will allow us to see who is at the door and unlock it from the office! While we are making significant progress, we are not ready to switch over to the new system and anticipate a few weeks before we will have everything in place.
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Need Help Accessing the Membership Directory?
If you're a member trying to access the directory, it's easy! Just click the Shelby link and enter your email address and password.
Forgot your password? No worries! Simply click "Forgot Password," and you'll receive a prompt to reset it.
UUCA Scavenger Hunt
Can you locate the Fibonacci sequence located at UUCA? It's a mystery and only a few have discovered it. Let us know if you find it!
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Hey! Are You Part of the Facebook Group?
You might have already joined UUCA's Facebook page, but did you know there is a GROUP, just for UUCA members and friends? Check it out HERE.
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Wednesday Night Peace Circles. Root. Connect. Share. Change
LFFP invites you to join our Ugandan Peace Academy on Zoom! Join us to experience, learn, and practice Peace! Click here to register. Visit us on the web at https://www.lffp.org/ for more information.
Select Friday mornings from 8:30 - 9:45 AM (EDT/EST). Upcoming Dates and Topics:
September 6th - Welcome
September 13th - Wellness Wheel
September 20th - Bucket Filling
September 27th - Stop. Think. Act.
October 4th - Restorative Practices
October 18th - Trust
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8637175637?pwd=N3pvcmNuZmVxaW1DT0dHTHFqVDVFdz09
Meeting ID: 863 717 5637, Passcode: peace
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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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Hopepunk Book Club
Next Meeting: October 3, 7:00 p.m, Board Room
UUCA's Hopepunk Book Club reads speculative fiction that imagines positive futures and inspires hope in humanity's ability to solve our climate and justice problems.
In October we'll discuss New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson, about how the city survives (and thrives) after a 50 foot rise in sea level. Contact valarietbryant@gmail.com for more information
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African American Book Sharing Circle
Friday, October 18, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
We will discuss All American Boys, a book for young readers, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely (2015). When sixteen-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend. The story unfolds through Rashad and Quinn's alternating viewpoints. The book gives voice to the thoughts and feelings of teenagers as they confront the experience of police brutality. This book was recently banned by a Virginia school district.
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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