February is Black History Month | |
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“History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.”
—Michelle Obama,
first Black First Lady of the United States
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Tiny Jewel Box Pop-Up!
This Sunday, Feb. 11, after both Services
UUCA's Tiny Jewel Box makes a surprise, return visit! If you enjoyed the Jewel box at the Auction, or maybe you were having so much fun you missed it, now is your chance to find some beautiful jewelry, just in time for Valentine's Day!
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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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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.
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Guatemala: Will Democracy Prevail?
Tue., Feb. 13, 7pm,
Alianzas of UUCA is hosting Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez who will discuss the political challenges for democracy in Guatemala after President Bernardo Arévalo’s inaugurationon 1/14. The unrest created by demonstrations of indigenous Mayans in support of Arévalo delayed the UUCA delegation from visiting Guatemala in February. Gálvez presided over the conviction of ex-president José Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide and ordered the arrest of former president Otto Pérez Molina
on corruption charges. At the meeting, representatives of UUCA’s partners in Guatemala, Michelle Liang of NISGUA, Juan de Dios of ADIVIMA, and Veronica Serrano Tama of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission will also speak, followed by questions from the audience. Meeting registration https://uucava-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuyqrjktGtO_uCmMS_wT96BzmanjkIZ8
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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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Youth Behavioral Health Assembly
February 7th, 7 - 8:30 pm, Kenmore Middle School (200 S Carlin Springs Rd)
After-school programming is a desperately needed component of Arlington's efforts to address the youth behavioral health crisis and reduce opioid use. VOICE is calling us to be there to show our county and school officials just how important this issue is to our community.
Specifically, we are being called to come together to ask members of the County Board and leaders from the school system to prioritize funding for free, high-quality after-school programs in the FY2025 budget.
Register HERE. Contact Patricia Findikoglu <patfindikoglu@gmail.com> for more information on how you and your young people can be directly involved.
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SEUSSICAL is Coming!
Chalice Theatre presents Seussical for three weekends opening March 1 ! Featuring a multigenerational cast, we will bring odd characters and imaginative stories from Dr. Seuss to life! Tickets are on sale NOW at https://www.uucava.org/chalice-theatre/ and after service on Sunday.
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VOICE Lifetime Award to Robert Buckman
The VOICE Lifetime Impact Award was given to former VOICE Co-Chair & Strategy team member Robert Buckman for an unwavering commitment to justice & to building power that created lasting systemic change. Robert was one of the founding leaders of VOICE and has been a critical participant in VOICE's victories and growth throughout its history.
| 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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Chalice Theatre’s production of Seussical is Coming!
Opens March 1; tickets will go on sale next week! The cast and production team have been working all January to build the show; we are now seeking volunteers to help in multiple areas for the production. If you have experience, or are talented, or want to learn more about how a show gets to the stage, join us! We are looking for folks who can: create the program: paint props and set: craft props; work the front of house (ushers, box office); and musicians, particularly a drummer and bass player. If you are interested, send a note to chalicetheatre25@gmail.com or see Tom O’Reilly after services on Sunday.
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Come to a Peace Circle
Join a Wednesday night Peace Circle sponsored by Little Friends for Peace (LFFP), our partners in the summer Peace Camp One hour circles start at 7:30 via Zoom. Upcoming circles and their timely discussion themes:
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/SVdvXvAnoE3tco4r9
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Save the Date Peace Camp at UUCA weeks – June 17 and June 24th
The date is set, Peace camp will be held at UUCA the weeks of June 17 and June 24. The flyer is coming soon, and registration will open shortly.
UUCA and LFFP are excited to offer this social-emotional learning program for children ages 5-14 who come from UUCA and Community Partners. Using art, cooperative games, presentations, and the circle process, children learn mindfulness, empathy, anger management, and conflict resolution.
For more information, contact MJ Park, Executive Director, LFFP, (240) 838-4549, mjpeace@gmail.com, or visit lffp.org.
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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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