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One Service Only This Sunday at 10:15am
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February is Black History Month | |
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“Unless we start to fight and defeat the enemies in our own country, poverty, and racism, and make our talk of equality and opportunity ring true, we are exposed in the eyes of the world as hypocrites when we talk about making people free.”
Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress (in 1968) and to run for president (in 1972)
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Kids and Teens Religious Education Info for This Week
Things are a little different this Sunday, because there is only ONE Service.
- Childcare is provided for children 3 years and younger in Room 5.
- Kids Preschool—4th grade will join Camp Sarrakka in Room 2/4.
- Kids 5th grade and older will remain with their families in the Sanctuary.
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8th Grade OWL will not meet and Teen Group does not meet.
Spirit Space will be set up in the front of the Sanctuary. There is a play space set up in Fellowship Hall for families and kids of all ages!
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We Need YOU To Complete The Survey!
Many of you have seen the emails and the table last Sunday regarding the UUCA Congregational Survey -- and over 100 of you have completed it. Thank you! But we need more... That probably means YOU!
If you haven't already, please take a few minutes and share YOUR feedback! If you don't complete the survey, we can't know your thoughts, wishes, and dreams. Do your bit, give the survey a click!
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY
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Write Here! Write Now! Take Action to Protect our Environment Sunday
Feb. 18, Fellowship Hall
Raise your voice to protect and strengthen our UU environmental values during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly after services this Sunday. We are midway through this legislative session and now know which environmental bills (good and bad) are most likely to need our attention. Stop by the Climate Action Team’s Write Here! Write Now! tables to take immediate, time sensitive and concrete action by writing letters or emails on an important environmental bill. Your Senator needs to hear from you right now. For further information, or if you are unable to come to church Sunday but would like to take action, contact lavonagrow@mac.com.
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MoonFire Imbolc Ritual
Sunday, February 18, 1:00 p.m., James Reeb Center
Please join MoonFire on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1:00 PM for a ritual celebrating Imbolc, the cross-quarter sabbat most associated with the Irish Goddess Brigid. She of the eternal flame has many aspects: smith, healer, triple goddess, saint, and, most importantly for us, poet. In this ritual we will focus on poetry throughout the ritual, both listening to it and speaking it. The goal is to listen for the harmony, rhythm, and how the words relate to you. After listening to the poems and thinking of what we want to say in our own rhythm, we will write a verse. Prompts will be given, but the key is for you to find inspiration for, through, or about Brigid. We will carry our poetry forward as a touchstone of our connection with the poetic fire of Brigid, and with the magical world.
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. Any questions, please contact us at moonfirecoords@gmail.com.
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Tiny Jewel Box Success!
The Tiny Jewel Box event last Sunday was a huge success! We raised over $370 dollars for UUCA. Thank you so much for the support! Many of you asked about donating more jewelry and there’s good news…. YES YOU CAN! As we begin to gear up for this year’s Auction 2024 in November, we will begin accepting donations for the Tiny Jewel Box starting this spring and summer. Stay tuned for information on dates. Thank you again for your donations and purchases!
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UUCA is Hiring!
UUCA is seeking a permanent Director of Music! Follow the link to learn more: Director of Music position description
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If you have personal news to share, such as births, graduations, special moments, or challenges, email pastoralcare@uucava.org.
Are You In Need of Support?
Pastoral Care Hotline: 571-277-4428 | pastoralcare@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 Pastoral 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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The Chalice Theatre Production of SEUSSICAL the Musical Opens March 1!
Beloved Dr. Seuss stories are brought to life in this high energy musical, including Horton the Elephant, the Circus McGurkus, McElligot's Pool, and of course, the Cat in the Hat!! Follow along as the Cat's mischief drives JoJo's imagination into improbable places with a dust-sized world, butter battles, and all the thinks you can think!! Tickets are at www.uucava.org/chalice-theatre
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Also, Seussical is seeking volunteers to help run the show!! If you have some interest, or experience, in being part of this production, send a note to chalicetheatre25@gmail.com or see us at the ticket table!! We are looking for a drummer (or two!), two Assistant Stage Managers, set painters, and front of house (Ushers, box office) folks. Thank you, in advance! | |
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Kid Worship Spaces at UUCA
Sunday Services, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
Have you and your family had a chance to check out the Spirit Space found at the front of the Sanctuary? Come on over to find a calm spot with quiet activities for kids aged 5 and under.
We welcome littles and their families to use this quiet space during worship, and ask that you encourage your children to maintain a respectful volume level. We want the service to feel enjoyable and welcoming to all! In Fellowship Hall, there will be a corner set up with toys for kids and parents who need more movement space away from the service.
We invite you to participate in worship in whatever way serves you and your family!
Calling UUCA Teachers and Facilitators
Have an idea, program, workshop, or class you would like to share with our community through the Faith 360 program? Submit a proposal here.
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Faith 360 Registration Open!
Check out all the great classes open for registration! Many options over the next few months -- register early!
Click here for full catalog and registration.
| Save the Date for the Spring Fling Dance! | |
Fri., Mar. 22, Evening at UUCA
Spark Connections! Boogie down to UUCA for a fun evening of dance and music on March 22! Slide into spring with friends and make some new ones too. An added twist will be activities to foster new friendships! All abilities welcome. More information to come.
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More events listed below.
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Peace Camp Registration is closing.
Volunteer and staff openings still available.
Registration for UUCA Peace Camp has been phenomenal this year. Week 1 is full; a few openings remain for week 2 (June 24-28).
Peace Camp offers a social emotional learning program for children ages 5-14 who come from UUCA and Community Partners. The camp runs from 9-3 daily and lunch is provided. Although we hate to turn away campers, we have to limit our numbers to maintain an effective program.
We are currently recruiting staff and volunteers. If you like to teach peace to children, volunteer in the classroom. If you have a special peace-oriented skill, come for a day as a special guest. If you are hospitality oriented, come cook or just serve lunch. If you speak Spanish, come mornings/evenings to help with check-in/check-out. To learn more, talk to us at our table in Fellowship Hall after services.
Peace Camp is a partnership between UUCA and LFFP (Little Friends for Peace). For more information, see https://www.lffp.org/peacecamp.html or Peace Camp Flyer Or email peacecamp@lflfp.org or call MJ Park at 240-838-4549.
LFFP Peace Circles continue via Zoom
If you enjoyed LFFP’s Peace Circle during last Sunday’s “Wanderings” service, consider joining our Wednesday Night Peace Circles at 7:30. Our Zoom link is Wed. Peace Circle at 7:30, ID: 863 717 5637, passcode: peace. Upcoming themes are:
Feb 21st - Art of Loving
Mar 6th - Art of Seeing others Deeply
Mar 20th - Art of Being Deeply Seen
And the series continues on Apr 3rd, Apr 17th, May 1st, and May 15th.
For more information, come visit our table in Fellowship Hall after the service or see Peace Circles Flyer.
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Cozy Reads Book Club
Next Meeting: Feb. 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom.
Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month
Did you happen to make a New Year's Resolution to read more books? Or do you want to make some new connections here at UUCA? Join the Cozy Reads Book club at the next gathering. The discussions are lively, enlightening and not always about the book!
List of books for Sept. 2023-March, 2024 with book covers. Questions: lwilliams@uucava.org
African American Book Sharing Circle
Fri., February 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
Come to discuss the book behind the movie American Fiction (nominated for Best Picture). Percival Everett's ‘s Erasure is a blistering satire about race and writing. Thelonious "Monk" Ellison's writing career has bottomed out: his latest manuscript has been rejected by seventeen publishers. He seethes on the sidelines of the literary establishment as he watches the meteoric success of We's Lives in Da Ghetto, a first novel by a woman who once visited "some relatives in Harlem for a couple of days." Meanwhile, Monk struggles with real family challenges—his aged mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's. Monk dashes off a novel meant to be an indictment of Juanita Mae Jenkins's bestseller. He doesn't intend for My Pafology to be published, let alone taken seriously, but it is—under the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh—and soon it becomes the Next Big Thing. How Monk deals with the personal and professional fallout galvanizes this audacious, hysterical, and quietly devastating novel.
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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American To 21st Century Black Women Writers
Wed., Feb. 21, 7-9pm on Zoom
Let’s focus on Anna Deavere Smith, a playwright, actress, and professor who has received twenty-five honorary degrees and a MacArthur Genius Grant. Widely recognized for work in live theatre as well as her television roles in The West Wing and Nurse Jackie, Smith creates theatre out of the headlines. No advance reading; Gay Gibson Cima is facilitating and will provide brief biographies and texts. All are welcome! Contact: cimag@georgetown.edu.
Zoom link: https://uucava-org.zoom.us/j/86431166987?pwd=Q2VWazBQcnRVTzgvOEFibERHYXQ2dz09
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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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