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In This Issue
Next Week
Notes and News
Coming Soon
Ongoing Groups
Volunteer Connection

Weekend Worship

Sat., Mar. 31 

4:30 p.m. and  

Sun., Apr. 1 

9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 

Imagination with Rev. Mary Katherine Morn


Religious Exploration. Sat. and Sun., K-6, Together Time in Sanctuary; remainder of service in Chapel. Nursery care in Sanctuary Building. 

 


Share the Plate
recipient for April is the The Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C..  

Theme of the Month

Imagination

"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better."
 

- J. K. Rowling, Harvard Commencement Address, 2008  

   
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Announcements for
Mar. 28-Apr. 4

Join us for a Family-style
Passover Seder
Seder Photo

The calendar is giving us a gift this year. With Passover starting next Friday and ending on Saturday evening, we will be holding a traditional Seder as our Saturday service. This will be a family-friendly service and all are invited to stay after the service to experience and enjoy a ceremonial Seder meal.  

 

If you've never been to a Seder, this is a great opportunity to experience this ancient and holy ritual.  

 

If you will be joining us for the meal, please email us your reservations by Apr. 6 so we have enough for everyone. Donations of $10 a person or a maximum of $30 for families would be appreciated.    

   

NOTE: Youth are needed to help serve food at the Seder dinner. Contact Helen Rose.   

 

Easter and Vespers Next Weekend     

Passover and Easter fall on the same weekend this year, so in addition to our Seder next Saturday, we will celebrate Easter on Sunday with three services.  We will also have a Vespers Tenebrae service. Here is the schedule for next weekend. All services will be held in the Sanctuary. No RE during these services.  

 

Fri., Apr. 6, 7:30 p.m. - Vespers Tenebrae service.

Sat., Apr. 7, 4:30 p.m. - Seder Service

Sat., Apr. 7, 5:15 p.m. - Family Seder Meal and Ritual (RSVP)  

Sun., Apr. 8, 8 a.m. - Contemplative Easter Service

Sun., Apr. 8, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. - Family Easter Service   

 

NOTE: Please bring hard-boiled eggs and candy-filled (no nuts, please) plastic eggs to Easter services. Youth are needed to hide eggs and make egg salad. Contact Helen Rose. 

This Week and Weekend
Improve the Quality of Your Life. Join Possibility in Action. Thursdays, Mar. 29 and Apr. 26, 7:15-9:15 p.m., Room 5 ; and Sundays, Mar. 18, Apr., 15, and May 13, 1-3 p.m., Room 5. Are you tired of whining, griping and complaining? Would you like to have more effective communication with your family, friends and coworkers? The group Possibility in Action provides growth and discovery. Adults and teens welcome. You do not have to be UUCF members. Each meeting addresses a different topic; feel free to attend as many or as few sessions as you like. Group led by Judy and Jordan Trimarchi. Contact Judy Trimarchi.

Wanna be a Video Star? Deadline for
submissions, Mar. 30. The new UUCF website is coming and we're looking for volunteers to appear in a series of individual, three-minute videos to be posted in a "Why We Joined" section. A 15-minute, professional on-camera interview will seek to elicit the story of your spiritual life. A selection of still photos from your life is also  required. Because of time and budget, not all submissions will be videotaped, however, your essays may be used on the website. If you're interested, please email 500 words about your journey to Scott Peterson.
 
 Art Contest for Our Daily Bread (ODB). Submissions due Mar. 30. Create the design for ODB's 2012 Complete the Circle Community Event and Food Drive this October. Artists of all ages are invited to create an image to be turned into a "living picture" by hundreds of community members and photographed by Art for the Sky artist Daniel Dancer to raise awareness about hunger and need in Fairfax County. Artwork should convey ODB's mission to "empower the community to help our neighbors maintain self-sufficiency." Winning design receives $200 cash prize!     

 

Art Wall Reception. Fri., Mar. 30, 6 p.m., Sanctuary. View the landscapes of artist, Anne Gibson Snyder, whose works will be on display until May 8. All are welcome. 

 

Spring Yoga Sessions. Saturdays, Mar. 31-Jun. 9, 9:30-11 a.m., Rooms 3 and 4, Program Building. Preregister for discounted rate. Includes stretching, relaxation, breath work, yoga postures and sets and meditation. Accommodations for beginners. Contact Ravi, 571-213-3192.    

  

Circle Dinners. Sat., Mar. 31, 6 p.m. Contact  Ray and Gisela Leon for information or to sign up.    

 

Volunteer for the UUCF Annual Yard Sale. Sign up Mar. 31-Apr. 30. Click here for volunteer form or sign up in the Commons after services. New "cash only" payment policy this year. For more information contact  Linda Kozloff.   

    

Long Strange Trip: UU History Film Series. Part 1: In the Beginning (0 A.D.-1553 A.D.). Sat., Mar. 31, 2:30 p.m. Discussion after led by Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig. No preregistration required.

 

Play Readers and Theatre Goers! Join us to read, watch and meet the playwright! Sat., Mar. 31, 6:30 p.m., Commons, for potluck; and 7:15 p.m., Sanctuary, for play reading. The UUCF Theatre Group presents a reading of "In The Book Of," by John Walch. The play, an examination of the immigration debate, premiered in January at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where John is the playwright in residence. For more information contact Wini Atlas or  Steve Gold.

 

Memorial Services. Sat., Mar. 31, 12:30 p.m., for Nikki Adams, a long-time member of UUCF; and Sun., Apr. 1,  2 p.m.,  for Adam Vakiener,  brother of Marianne Vakiener, a long-time UUCF member.  

 

Adult Retreat Committee Planning Meeting. Sun., Apr. 1, 12:30 p.m., Room 2, Program Building. Questions call Richard May, 703-283-4010.    

 

"Gospel Music for Atheists" - Science, Reason and Religion Sunday Forum. Sun., Apr. 1, 12:30 p.m., Chapel. There's a lack of good gospel music for atheists and the confused. To counter-balance SR&R's sober deliberations, Albert Nekimken will share music samples from San Diego's Stephen Baird and The Galapagos Mountain Boys and lead a sing-a-long.   

 

Poetry Club. Sun., Apr. 1, 4 p.m., Program Building. All poetry lovers welcome at this monthly gathering. For more information contact Barb Dutchak.  

 

UU Drum Circle, Drumming for the Spirit, Drumming for Peace. Sundays, 3-4 p.m., This week in the Library. Suggested donation: $1-$10/session. Our drum circle is led by guest percussionist, Kofi Dennis. Kofi hails from Ghana and has performed all over the DC area, including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, Wolf Trap and others. His engaging rhythms and storytelling will be inspiring to all. We encourage you to bring your own drum if you have one, but if not, we will have many extra drums on hand. Contact  Mark Vogel for more information.   

 

Connecting With Your Inner Goddess: Spiritual Bellydance. Six Sundays, Apr. 1-May 6, 3- 4:30 p.m., Chapel. Preregister by Mar. 25 with Janet Cushing or 703-464-1204.   

 

PlaygroUUp Meeting. Tue., Apr. 3, 10 a.m., Program Building. At this week's meeting: Music with Ms. Marsha. 

 

Concurrent Western Fairfax PFLAG and FLY Meetings. Tue., Apr. 3, 2012, 7:30-9 p.m., UUCF. Western Fairfax PFLAG, a support group for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and FLY (Fairfax Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning Youth), a support and social group for youth ages 12 (with parental permission) to 19, will meet concurrently. FLY will also meet on Sun., Apr. 15, 3-4:30 p.m., City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North Street, Fairfax, VA. Email wf.pflag@gmail.com or find FLY on Facebook - Fairfax LGBTQ Youth

 

UUCF Notes and News
 
Annual Giving Campaign Update - Please Make Your Pledge! At almost five weeks into the campaign, we have received 252 pledges totaling $638,000. That means we still need to hear from 52% of you in the next two weeks! Our goal is to have all pledges received by April 8! A special thank you to those who have pledged already. For those of you who haven't, thanks for making it a priority to consider what you will be able to pledge for the year beginning July 1, 2012, and for submitting your pledge promptly. Just click here to make your pledge!

Rebuilding Together Needs Your Support. More than 60 volunteers are signed up and we're ready to work on Apr. 28, but we need additional funds to cover some of the costs of our building day. Please give generously at our table in the Commons this weekend to support this important congregational social justice project. 
 
 
Buy Books! Support Social Justice! The UUA Bookstore is raising funds for two Phoenix area groups in support of 2012 Justice General Assembly (GA): The Comités de Defensa del Barrio (CDBs) and Puente AZ. These groups perform vital work on the ground in Arizona, Here's how to help. 1. Buy books online, or in person at the UUA Bookstore at General Assembly. 2. When checking out, use the promotional code "PhoenixGA." For every purchase using this code they'll make a contribution equal to 5% of your purchase equally divided between the two groups. If sales using the code exceed $100,000, they'll double their donation on the remaining sales  - up to a total donation of $15,000!   

Flower Donors Needed. Do you have an event or a person you would like to honor? Each week our wonderful flower team creates arrangements to add to our worship experience, but we need sponsors for this. For just $50 you can pick a weekend and we will publish your dedication. Sign up now on the chart on the bulletin board in the hallway near the music room, or email uucf@uucf.org.   

 

Your Creativity and Energy Needed to Plan the Fall Adult Retreat. The retreat planning committee is looking for UUCF members and friends to help make this year's retreat joyful and memorable. Please contact Richard May703-283-4010.

 

UU Summer Camps for the Whole Family. Looking for a low-cost vacation for the family with opportunities to meet others in the larger UU community? Looking for a camping experience for children where you can be sure the other children will share your religious-liberal values? Looking to expand the mind or pursue a favorite hobby? Look no further than a UU Camp or Conference Center.   Click here to check it out.
 
 
New UUCF Job Opening. Director of Religious Exploration (DRE). Natalie Fenimore is leaving her position as our DRE at the end of this congregational year. We're grateful for the work that Natalie has done and hope you will thank her when you have the opportunity. Visit our DRE Search page for more information about the position or contact one of the members of the DRE Search Committee: Chair, Hanh Michael, Xavier Alire, Judy Galliher, Laura Horton-Ludwig, Bridget Loft or Maeve Nash.    

 

Remember the First Person Who Gave You a Hand Up to a Job? Let's Pass it on!  Our young adults are set to transition from education to "the real world."The kids are ready and willing to work, but jobs are limited. We can help! Members of our Congregation work in a variety of fields. Many of you know about openings in your companies or know those who know. You can provide guidance on entry level positions, resumes, practice interviews and contacts. If you are interested in receiving or providing this assistance, please contact Deborah Kennedy.

 

UUA Justice General Assembly. Interested in immigration, social justice and gathering with UUs from around the country? UUA Justice General Assembly in Phoenix 2012. Information available at the Denominational Connections table after services. Some financial assistance will be available. UUA is actively recruiting Youth and Young Adults attendance. Contact Craig Bennett with questions.

    

Adult Programs Guide Available After Services. Pick up your copy and sign up for our winter/spring offerings at the AP table. Details available on the website. Contact  Susan Bennett with questions.

    

Attention Youth and Parents of Youth. The Fairfax Unitarian Universalist Summer Experience (FUUSE). FUUSE will again place high school aged interns from our Congregation with social action, educational and social service agencies in Fairfax County in the summer of 2012. A stipend will be paid upon completion of the youth's agency program and upon submission of a written reflection. Applications can be found at the RE pages. For more information contact  Kurt Jensen or  Bobbi Snyder.    

    

Global Affairs Discussion Group. New members and guest speakers needed! This is a great opportunity to learn, share and explore a diverse range of issues that affect our world! Learn more online.    

        

Next Week 
Spruce up the Grounds for Easter. Join us for a Grounds Cleanup. Sat., Apr. 7, 8 a.m.-noon. Come help remove the winter's blow down from the beds, engage in a little pruning, shove around some mulch and maybe even do a little weeding. Bring sturdy gloves and tools that might be useful in cleaning out the beds or pruning. Don't have the tools? We have plenty. We'll take as little or as much time as you can give. This also is a nice way for teens to earn community service hours. To help us plan refreshments, please let us know if you'll be there. Contact Raoul Drapeau, 703-573-6055. 

 

Youth Needed to Serve at UUCF Seder Dinner. Sat. evening, Apr. 7, 5:15-7 p.m., Sanctuary. Youth are invited to help serve food at this year's Seder dinner. Please RSVP to Helen Rose.

 

It's Easter Egg Hunt (and Egg Salad Sandwich!) Time Again. Sun., Apr. 8. Bring 6-12 dyed hard-boiled eggs and candy-filled plastic eggs for the traditional Easter Egg Hunt for preschool-6th-grade children held near the end of both services.  Remember, no peanuts, please. Volunteers are needed to turn your hard-boiled eggs into delicious egg salad sandwiches, served around the circle after services. Contact Helen Rose or Rich Williams to volunteer.  

 

Youth are Needed to Make Easter Festive! Would you like to play a role in this year's festivities? We're looking for youth to help hide eggs, make egg salad and dress as the Easter bunny on Sun., Apr. 8, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. services. If there's a particular role you'd like to play, please contact Helen Rose.  

 

Calling All Young Performers! 11th Annual Youth and Teen Performing Arts Celebration. Registration forms due Sun., Apr. 8. Performance on Apr. 14.  Showcase your musical talents in a solo or collaborate with friends. All musical styles welcome. Accompanists available upon request. Contact Music Director Mark Vogel for a registration form.  

 

Monday Night Book Group. Apr. 9., 7:30 p.m., Room 11. Book selection is "State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett. Contact Don Andress for more information. 

Membership Class. Tue., Apr. 10, 7 p.m. If you've been attending UUCF for a while and are seriously considering membership, please join us for a minister-led discussion of the meaning and expectations of membership and the ways to make connections and grow spiritually in this community. You will have the opportunity to sign the membership book at this session. Registration required. Contact Carol Jensen.

Coming Soon
Improve the Quality of Your Life. Join Possibility in Action. Thursdays, Mar. 29 and Apr. 26, 7:15-9:15 p.m., Room 5 ; and Sundays, Mar. 18, Apr., 12, and May 13, 1-3 p.m., Room 5. Tired of whining, griping and complaining? Would you like to have more effective communication with your family, friends and coworkers? The group Possibility in Action provides growth and discovery. Adults and teens welcome. You do not have to be UUCF members. Each meeting addresses a different topic; feel free to attend as many or as few sessions as you like. Group led by Judy and Jordan Trimarchi. Contact Judy Trimarchi.

 

Save the Date! JPD Spring Youth Con. Fri., Apr. 13-Sun. Apr. 15, Davies Memorial UU Church, 7400 Temple Hill Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748. If you are a youth or chaperone planning to attend The Joseph Priestley District's Spring Con please let  Helen know so we can plan for the appropriate number of chaperones and drivers. Registration form will be posted later on the JPD website.  

 

Joseph Priestley District Annual Assembly. Apr. 13-15, Arlington, VA. An opportunity to network with UUs from around the district and enjoy worship and workshops together. Rev. Peter Morales, UUA President, is the keynote speaker. Register online. More information available at the Denominational Connections table in the commons or through Craig Bennett.

 

11th Annual Youth and Teen Performing Arts Celebration! Sat., Apr. 14, 6-8 p.m. Sanctuary. Suggested donation - $10/adult and $5/youth. Please plan to join us for an evening of joyful expressions of artistic talent and a spaghetti dinner. This annual event has become a decade-long tradition here at UUCF, as we celebrate the amazing talents of our young people.

 

Claymont Court Work Day. Sat., Apr. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your own lunch. Claymont Court, the site our annual Fall Adult Retreat, is in need of gardening, grounds work, painting, cleaning, clearing, spring cleaning, etc. No special skills needed. Please let us know of any professional skills. If you plan to participate, contact John Bartoli, 301-275-6226.

 

New Dominions Concert. Sun., Apr. 15, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary. Family event. Admission free, but donations gratefully accepted. Come hear this exciting a cappella singing group from the University of Virginia. This marks the group's 11th annual appearance at UUCF. There has been a member of the Addis-Lieser family in the group every year but one since that first concert, and this will be the last UUCF concert for Julia Addis-Lieser, who will graduate in May. 

 

Our Unitarian Universalist Story. Six Sundays at 4 p.m., Apr. 15-May 20. This six-session course traces the various threads that have led to the creedless and inclusive faith that is contemporary Unitarian Universalism. Facilitated by Wini Atlas. Preregister by Apr. 8.   

 

Green Sanctuary Group Meeting. Third Monday of the month. Next meeting: Apr. 16., 7:30 p.m., Program Building. All are welcome. Contact Lois Phemister, 703-860-1744.   

 

PlaygroUUp Meeting. Tue., Apr. 17, 10 a.m., Program Building. At this week's meeting: Spring/Easter Celebration.  

 

Wednesday Morning Book Group. Apr. 18., 10 a.m., Room 1. Book selection is "Dancing to the Precipice" by Caroline Moorehead. Contact Kappy Vorona.

Join the UUA Common Read. Two Wednesday nights, Apr. 18 and 25, 7:30 p.m. The UUA has selected Eboo Patel's "Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation" as its Common Read.  Facilitated by Barb Brehm in collaboration with the Muslim Outreach Group. Register via email or at the Adult Programs table in the Commons after services. Please read the book prior to attending the sessions.

 

Sarah Jebian Debuts Her New Album "Love Songs & Lullabies." Fri., Apr. 20, 2012, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary. Don't miss this special concert starring UUCF's own Sarah Jebian and her band along with special guests The Dashboard Divas! There will be food, drink and lots of great music! Purchase tickets.   

 

Foreign Film Night. Norwegian film "Kitchen Stories." Fri., Apr. 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Machina's. Contact Donna Machina for more information. 

 

Travel Trek to the Wayside Inn and Wayside Theater. Sat., Apr. 21, 10:30 a.m., Middletown, VA. Theater tickets are $22 (group rate), lunch is additional. Seating is limited. Looking ahead to springtime and beautiful weather! We will leave from UUCF parking lot and head to historic Wayside Inn for lunch before attending "Greater Tuna" at the Wayside Theater. Contact  Elaine Keener to sign up or for more information. 

 

PlaygroUUp Potluck. Sun., Apr. 22, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Social Hall. Families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers (older siblings too) welcome. Bring a dish to share. This is a great opportunity for families who cannot attend weekday PlaygroUUp to meet other UUCF families with young children. Contact Meghan Crowley.

 

Great Books Discussion Group (GBDG). Every fourth Monday, 7:30 p.m., Room 11. First meeting, Apr. 23, "The Iliad." Great Books discussions explore the meaning of "classic" books. The only group requirement is  willingness to read each selection before the discussion meeting. Contact Randy Adams   

 

"Beyond Earth Day: Taking Environmental Action" UUSJ Workshop to Create a Climate for Change. Sat., Apr. 28, 1-4:50 p.m., Washington Ethical Society. Click here to register.  

 

"Rainbow Welcome" Event for UUCF's LGBT Members and Friends. Apr. 29, 1 p.m. Mark your calendars now for the "Rainbow Welcome" potluck and social for the UUCF and UU Arlington gay communities. This social event will be held at the home of Nancy Commisso in Reston, and is co-hosted by Paula Prettyman and Kelly Schlageter of UUCF and Susan Craig of UU Arlington. Partners and children are welcome! RSVP by Apr. 28 to Nancy Commisso, 703-725-3735.

 

UUCF Yard Sale 2012. May 5. The annual UUCF Social Justice Yard Sale will be here before you know it! Please consider volunteering a few hours to assist with set up on May 2, 3 and 4, and to help on the day of the Yard Sale, May 5. Volunteer signup begins Mar. 31, on the website or in the Commons after services. New "cash only" payment policy this year. Contact  Linda Kozloff for more information.

 

Introduction to Qigong. Tue., May 6, 7:30-9:30 p.m. or Sat., May 19, 9 a.m.-noon, UUCF. Fee $20 and $25, respectively; 30% goes to UUCF. Learn longevity breathing and several Qigong exercises to practice on your own. With Furman Riley, UUCF member and accredited teacher with 15 years experience in Qigong and Tai Chi Chih. Contact Furman, 703-217-6024.

 

Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center, Universalist Convocation. May 18-20, Lanoka Harbor, NJ. The annual gathering held "to explore and draw from the heritage of Universalist experience and faith to inform Unitarian Universalism today and help light its way toward the future" will be at Murray Grove this spring. Presenters include Rev. Richard Gilbert, Rev. Kalen Fristad and Rev. Rosemary Brae McNatt. For information, contact Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center, 609-693-5558.

 

Ongoing Groups

Click here for more information about Ongoing Groups and see the Calendar

for meeting times and locations.  

 

Chorale 

Christian Covenant Group 

Global Affairs Discussion Group

Great Books Group 

Lunch with the Ministers

Meditation Covenant Group

Memoirs Writing Group 

Men's Group 

Men's Support Group 

Monday Night Book Club
Monthly Bridge Group
Parenting Support Group 

Partner Church Circle 

PFLAG
PlayGroUUp
Poetry Club

Simplicity Circle 

Spanish Book Group
Science, Reason and Religion Forum
Tuesday AM Women's Group
Travel Treks

UUCF/UU UNO Program Group

Wednesday Morning Book Club 

Women's Spirit Circle-Open 

 

Volunteer Connection

 

Get Involved! UUCF Volunteer Connection

Garden Angels *Updated* - Posted 12/23/2011

Ragan Oaks Community Center *NEW* - Posted 2/28/12

Ragan Oaks. Volunteers are needed one hour per week in the following areas: ESL Teachers, GED Teachers, Homework Help for Elementary School Children, Homework Help for Middle/High School Students, Computer Lab and Senior Boys and Girls Groups. These positions offer rewarding experiences working with underprivileged youth. It's easy and fun. If you are interested, please contact Steve Myles.   

 

Floral Design Committee Members

 

UUCF Church Partner Youth E-pal Program. Interested in becoming an e-pal with youth who live in Khasi Hills, India? An e-pal is just like a pen pal, except you keep in touch via email. To read more about the Khasi Hills go to this blog. There's lots of great information from a young woman who went through UUCF's youth program. For more information contact Helen Rose.

To find out more about how you can get involved, check out our  website!