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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 19 or 22, 7pm 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.
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Pop-Up Choir This Sunday Before Both Services
Have you ever found yourself wanting to sing but can't attend Thursday evening choir rehearsals? Then you are invited to join UUCA Sanctuary Singers for our first "Pop-Up Choir" of the season. "Pop-Up Choir" is a single song, easily prepared at home using online materials, and open to interested singers ages 16 and up. That means anyone who wants to prepare their part and/or attend a short morning rehearsal is welcome to join us for the opening music this Sunday!
The choir and band will be performing Lea Morris's "Be the Light." Interested singers are invited to join the choir for a brief rehearsal with the band at 8:30am in comfortable clothing. If you cannot attend the morning rehearsal but are comfortable practicing independently, you can simply walk up to join us for the opening music before either service. The Pop Up Choir performances will begin at approximately 9:05am and 11:05am.
Practice materials are linked here. Contact David Mann, Director of Music for more information.
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"Our Stories, Our Lives"
Tue., Sept. 24, 11am - 12:30pm, Zoom
Chat with a group of UUCAers in an informal setting for storytelling and conversation when "Our Stories, Our Lives" meets on Tuesday, September 24, 11:00 am to 12:30. We'll be at Zoom Link Two. All are welcome as we address the prompt, "What is one of the bravest things you've ever done, and what was the outcome?" Tell your story, hear the stories of others, and discover unexpected connections. Facilitators are Jacomina de Regt and Diane Ullius.
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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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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!
New to UU
Join us for the New Member Welcome Ceremony on September 29 during the second service. We will then celebrate our new members with Cake!
Want to learn more or ready to jump in and become a member? Click here for all the details and to sign up or reach out to Nicole Haley at nhaley@uucava.org.
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Save the Date: Sun., Sept. 29! Vaccines!
Sun., Sept. 25, before & after Services
Giant Pharmacy will offer free vaccines to insured individuals with most plans. The last time the pharmacists were here, there were a lot of folks wanting to practice community care by getting their updated vaccines. To speed things along this year, the pharmacists have suggested that those wishing to receive vaccines, bring along a completed form and their insurance card.
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UU the Vote
Mobilize Voters, Fight Suppression,
Get Out the Vote!
Don’t wake up on Nov 6th wishing you had done more. These are things you can do NOW:
- Register to call or leave a phone message for voters in North Carolina at UUCA after the second service on Sunday Sept 29.
- Register to join UUCA’s VOICE team and the Arlington NAACP to canvas in South Arlington on Saturday Oct 12 and 19 from 2-4 (Family friendly event).
- Register to canvas with UUs in North Carolina the weekend of Oct 25-27
- Write postcards to mobilize voters of color in Georgia
- Host a postcard writing party for your church group, family or friends
- Take the free Connect to Win online course—teaches the art of deep listening and having having meaningful, persuasive conversations with infrequent or undecided voters (including friends/family)
- Join our UU the Vote UUCA team
For more information contact Suzan at suzanc825@gmail.com and check out THIS DOCUMENT for more information!
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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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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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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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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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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 -- And Jewelry Too!
Sat., Nov. 2, 7pm, UUCA
This year’s UUCA Services Auction, BOO AT UU! will be online at https://auctria.events/UUCAAuction2024. with a live auction and party on Saturday, Nov. 2. That night, the TINY JEWEL BOX will be open, too! Tiny Jewel Box is a special place where jewelry treasures received from our UU Community are showcased in a unique, one-of-a-kind, and highly anticipated themed atmosphere for you and everyone to look at, try on and purchase!
The Tiny Jewel Box (TJB) works like this –
- You and others bring/donate jewelry items to the “Boo at UU!” information table each service, every Sunday between now and October 27. The Boo at UU! table will have a TJB representative to accept your treasure(s) and answer any questions.
- Last year the TJB received necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and other treasuresv and they were all beautiful! Items ranged from $1- $5 for smaller but mighty pieces to $45 handcrafted pendant necklaces to a $250, handcrafted Navajo inlaid sterling silver cuff bracelet! Most items were priced between $9 - $25.
- Our “Fine Jewelry Department” offered strings of pearls, sparkling rhinestone, gemstone and sterling silver necklaces, pearl drop and crystal earrings – clip on and pierced and holiday party statement pieces!
- Lovely, delicate, bright and bold, traditional, one of a kind, new and old. Last year, you found them all in the Tiny Jewel Box!
- Here is the catch – TJB can only offer what you bring to it. TJB is part of the UUCA Services Auction which is THE major fundraiser for our UU Community. During Sunday Services, we commit to giving our time, talent or treasure. Might you dig into your jewelry treasures and find some for our Tiny Jewel Box?
- TJB considered how it might feel “to give” and/or “to receive” a piece of jewelry which may have a history, a memory, or a special previous owner. These stories can be treasures also! “Story Tags” to share the story will be available for any item given to TJB. The tag will accompany the item when sold. · More detailed questions may be directed to Cindy Holl, goforth4122@gmail.com.
- If you would like to be part of the TJB All Volunteer Team, join us as we collect, sort, clean, polish, and price the jewelry. We also talk, laugh, tell stories and sometimes sing.
- Sat/Sun, 10/26-27, is currently our big work weekend. Fri., 11/1 will be the final push.
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Please let Cindy know if you want to be a TJB Volunteer, goforth4122@gmail.com.
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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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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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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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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 Wednesday Night Peace Circles on Zoom! Join us to experience, learn, and practice Peace! Every other Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT/EST). Click here to register. Upcoming Dates and Topics:
September 11th - Grounded and Rooted
September 25th - Growing in Trust
October 9th - Embrace Change
October 23rd - Living Gracefully
November 6th - Seek to Understand
November 20th - Art of Gratitude
December 4th - Living with Hope
December 18th - Listening for Opportunity
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, 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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