Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
Connections
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April 4, 2013
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Doing Things Together
 From Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles
For many of us, the deepest spiritual learnings we have happen when we are doing something with other people. This is why becoming involved in a congregation supports and sustains us. And connecting with others to be of service help us discover a deep, life-affirming lesson. The UUCA youth and adults who spent spring break on Staten Island joining others in Sandy relief discovered it. The people involved in our interfaith community organizing VOICE have discovered it. The leaders who spent hours in Appreciative Inquiry conversations have discovered it. The volunteers who teach our children, who sing in our choir, who provide meals to the homeless - all have discovered it. The more you give, the more you receive; and the greatest joy is not having to do it alone, but finding others with whom to share the load, to reflect, to celebrate. Thanks be for all souls who show up and do things together.
UUCA Youth Puts UU Values to Work on Staten Island
 Members of the UUCA Youth Choir, Youth Group, and a handful of adults spent part of spring break affirming our faith in the power of service and the grace found in good works and good people. Hosted by the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and Reverend Susan Karlson, the group worked tirelessly on a variety of projects aimed at helping those recovering from the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy. UUCA Youth met and worked alongside leaders of both local grassroots and global organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry and rebuilding broken lives. Read more - plus photos. . .
Sunday's Service"Holocausts: Where Was God?"
Sunday, April 7, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. With Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith. (Due to a recent foot fracture, Intern Minister Gretchen will not be in the pulpit this week, as previously announced.) Preview the Order of Service |
Congratulations - Sarah Masters
 Anyone who comes through our doors on a Sunday morning has been greeted by our warm and gracious Membership Coordinator Sarah Masters. UUCA is pleased to announce Sarah's promotion to Director of Congregational Life, a new position that will include responsibilities for stewardship and volunteer coordination, along with her current membership duties. Sarah has always met new challenges with zeal and determination; traits that will serve us all well as she fulfills her duties as Director of Congregational Life. Go, Sarah!
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Appreciative Inquiry Happy Hour
Wine and Cheese | Beer and Pizza - TOO
 Friday, April 5, 6 - 8:30 p.m. The Appreciative Inquiry process is complete, and it's a winner. We heard from over 300 members of the congregation about their most profound experiences, biggest love and wildest hopes for UUCA. Come celebrate AI with a glass of Chardonnay, a beer or a snack. We'll look at what the Appreciative Inquiry process revealed. Surprise entertainment. Children are welcome at the gathering or you may take them downstairs for fun childcare. Please RSVP today to Alex Roth. |
Mythological Masquerade Ball
 Benefits Peace Camp Saturday, April 6, 7 to 10 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Friends of all ages are invited to come enjoy music and light refreshments at this fanciful fundraiser to support Peace Camp 2013. Costumes encouraged. $5 suggested donation per person - $15 per family. For more information, contact Suzanne Stork.
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Inequality & Climate Change
Adult Ed Class with Cynthia Adcock
Sundays, April 7, 21 and May 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. Board Room
Topics include: How Global For-profit Industry Creates Inequality and Climate Change; The Spirit Connection: Fear & Blame Make Us ALL Victims; For a Safe Home on Earth: Appreciating the Human Condition. Register here.
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hUUmanists
What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?
Monday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. - Board Room
The hUUmanists will view a broadcast of Jared Diamond, highly acclaimed author of Guns, Germs, and Steel (1999) and Collapse (2005) talking about his new book, The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies? He examines practices and customs of primitive ("traditional") societies on the one hand, and modern, industrialized societies, on the other hand, comparing their solutions to universal human problems such as child rearing, elder care, and dispute resolution. All are welcome. For more information, contact Jeri Cummins.
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Day Alliance
 Virginia Legislative Update Tuesday, April 9 - Fellowship Hall
Curious about what's going on in Richmond and the role of your delegate there? Come hear the latest from the State House from our Delegate Alfonso H. Lopez who represents the 49th District in the House of Delegates. Members and friends of Day Alliance gather at 10 a.m. for coffee, a business meeting at 10:30 a.m., and the featured program begins at 11 a.m. There will be a catered lunch at noon. Tickets for lunch are $10; advance reservations are appreciated. Call 703-578-7633.
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Women's Humanist Meeting
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. - Room 13/15
We will view and discuss the TED video, "Why we have too few women leaders" by Sheryl Sandberg. Does the world need women leaders? What should our role be? Contact: Lucia Heard.
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The Time is Now - Immigration Reform Rally
Sign up to attend on Sunday  Wednesday, April 10, 3:30 p.m. - West Lawn of Capitol
Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith will be among the faith leaders taking part in next week's Immigration Reform Rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building. Please join him and the thousands of immigrants, supporters, union members, and community advocates. UUCA members and friends will meet in the church parking lot and travel as a group via Metro or carpool. Sign up in Fellowship Hall on Sunday or contact Marilyn Baker, co-chair of the Immigration Working Group. |
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"Pie of the Month" Club
Benefits Peace Camp
Sunday, April 14, After Services Bake Sale
Join UUCA's Pie of the Month Club and every month for either 6-months or 12-months, you will receive your very own freshly-baked handmade pie on the second Sunday. The pies are baked right here in UUCA's kitchen by a local artisan baker. A membership makes a great gift. Plan on signing up next Sunday, April 14 -- Also, come hungry for the Peace Camp bake sale. For more information on the Pie Club or Peace Camp, contact Jason Powell.
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Spring Songs of Haydn
Presented by UUCA Recital Series
Sunday, April 14, 4 p.m.
Haydn Quartets
sung by
Anna Phillips-Brown, Soprano
Jane Roningen, Mezzo Soprano
Mike Jarvis, Tenor
John Bohman, Baritone
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Men's Book Group
Discusses Short Stories
Sunday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
The Men's Book Group will discuss Guy de Maupassant's Selected Short Stories on Sunday, April 14. Bill Reilly will lead the discussion and suggests the Penguin Popular Classics paperback edition. On May 12, Bob Waters will lead a discussion of The Social Conquest of Earth by E.O. Wilson. All men are welcomed. For more information, contact Kit Britton. |
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Well Spouse
Meets Third Tuesdays
Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m. - Room 12
The Arlington Well Spouse support group is for individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner. For more information, please email Jessica Butler. |
Smart Muscles
 Stretch and Movement for Better Living Session begins Friday, April 19, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.This class helps relieve chronic muscle pain and spasm, prevent common muscular injuries and helps to lengthen and relax tight muscles. 9 classes/$108. Drop-in $20. Sign up here. More information on class, contact Eileen Kozak.
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Monthly SoulCollage Circle
Sweet Dreams: Using SoulCollage to Find Meaning in Your Dreams
Saturday, April 20 - NOTE NEW TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Room 13/15
This month's meeting will focus on how to use SoulCollage (and your inner artist) to more deeply understand and explore your dreams. Beginners welcome. No artistic experience required. Most supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring photographs and images that appeal to you or that represent something from a recent memorable dream. Please register here. For more information on the Circle, contact Teri Gullo.
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MoonFire
Norse Balance Ritual
Sunday, April 21, 1:30 p.m. - Fellowship Hall
Please join MoonFire for a Norse/Druid-inspired balance ritual. As the world around us turns green, may we remember what our ancestors once knew: to survive, we must balance what we take from the land and the gods with what we are willing to give. A potluck and fellowship will follow the ritual; if possible, please bring your own feast gear so that we may minimize waste. MoonFire follows and explores earth-centered spiritual paths as a Unitarian Universalist fellowship. Contact: moonfirecoords@gmail.com
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Youth Leadership Training
 Sunday, April 21, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Little Friends For Peace offers peace leadership training for youth on the third Sunday of the month through May. The training is divided into three tracks: 1) Peace Club - 3rd thru 5th grade; 2) Peace Makers In Action - 6th thru 8th grade; 3) Youth Peace Leaders - high school. $20 per session. Lunch available for $5 or bring your own. Registration required here. For more information, contact MJ Park.
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Not My Life - A Film Screening
Sponsored by the Immigration Working Group & Reproductive Justice Group
Sunday, April 21, 2 p.m. - Fellowship Hall
Filmed on five continents, in a dozen countries, Not My Life features more than fifty interviews with human trafficking victims and their advocates. Heartbreaking though many of its stories may be, ultimately Not My Life's message is an inspiring one of hope. The film is a tribute to the enormous resilience of the human spirit. This film is for mature audiences and open to the public. For more information, contact Amy Grenier.
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Stewardship: Our Wild Hope for Tomorrow From Diane Ullius, Stewardship Chair
 Wow, this is wild! In just six weeks, UUCA members and friends pledged more than $1.1 million to support the church during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This short, focused campaign for our annual stewardship drive (February 17-March 31) represented a new approach to the spirit of generosity in the congregation, and congregants came through with bold pledges in response to bold requests. Some members more than doubled their pledges; many moved to or toward five percent of their income; and overall, a plurality of those pledging increased the amount of their financial support. Your personal pledge, of course, is always welcome--even though the campaign is officially over. All gifts are welcome, and new members will continue to join and continue to pledge throughout the year. But we'll stop talking about it so much. Volunteers and staff who have focused on stewardship will turn their energies to other projects. Next year's budget will be based on the results of this six-week campaign. We honor all those who accepted phone calls, wrote and responded to emails, submitted yellow pledge cards, pledged online, and encouraged each other. We honor those who pledged for the first time. We honor each other.
Remember the words with which we began this stewardship campaign, quoting Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz: "You came here not so you could make this church into a mirror of some other institution in your world. You came here out of some wild hope that you might find a way to be in the world that wasn't like anywhere else." That's the Wild Hope for Tomorrow that we have intended to nourish in this time: the wild hope that we can continue to build a UUCA of connections and commitment and awesome generosity. That we can build the common good through the generosity we hold in common. We are in this together, and more than 600 of us have pledged financial support to help make it so. How wild is that?
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Things were hopping, thanks to many
Many thanks to Annie, Libby, Will, and Emerson Parker for their great work organizing and directing the 2013 Easter Egg Hunt. Katy Fontneau was an invaluable assistant, and kudos go to our two bunnies - Daniel Bowler and Max Stempniewicz - and youth David Lopez, Bron Pedula-Smith, and Anna Phillips-Brown who also helped with the hiding and supervising. The fifth, sixth, and seventh grade teachers and learners were great helpers, too. Leading up to the hunt, Beth Peebles and many volunteers worked to stuff 1,000 eggs. It takes a village to have a quality egg hunt -- thanks to all who helped and participated.
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 Want to learn about Unitarian Universalism?
Join our four-years-olds as they explore the Chalice Children curriculum. Sign up here. |
New Sections of Board Policy Manual Posted Online
The Board has been busy this year renewing its commitment to policy-based governance. This has included training sessions and a restatement of the Board's policies. Two major sections of the revised policy manual have now been completed. Click here for a copy. The restated sections set out the Board's governance process and the details of the relationship between the Board and the interim senior minister. The Board invites everyone to review its work, and your comments and suggestions are encouraged. Please feel free to contact any Board member. |
Dedication of the UUCA Plaque at Culpepper Garden
 On March 24, a plaque commemorating UUCA's role in starting Culpepper Garden was dedicated at the award-winning housing unit for low-income senior adults in Arlington. Culpepper Garden was started in 1975 and UUCA has continued to be a dedicated supporter providing financial and volunteer support. Currently UUCA members Gregg Forte and Ken Marshall serve on the Culpepper Garden Board of Directors. For more information, contact Henriette Kellum. Photo includes: L to R - John Bohman (Chair, UUCA Board), Gregg Forte (CG Board), Kit Britton, Tom O'Reilly, Henriette Kellum (Liaison), Susan Phillip (Chair, CG Board) Erica Wood, Wendy Jessup (UUCA Board), Jeanne Broyhill (CG Board). View more photos here. |
April is Food Collection Month for ALIVE!
ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically  Each Sunday during April there will be collection boxes in the upper and lower lobbies for non-perishable food. Monetary donations are gladly accepted and used for perishable foods such as dairy and meats. To make a monetary donation to ALIVE!, please click here. Mark your calendars: Step ALIVE! Walkathon - May 5, to benefit ALIVE!'s Child Development Center. Register here . AND ALIVE! House Sidewalk Sale, May 18. Start putting aside items now. For more information about ALIVE!, contact UUCA representative Ann Marie Hay.
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Annual Meeting Feast and Frolic on June 2
The Board of Trustees announces that the annual meeting of the congregation will be held immediately following a single 10:15 worship service on Sunday, June 2, 2013. (Official time for the start of the meeting is 11:30 a.m.) Congregants will be seated at tables in Fellowship Hall for a buffet brunch as the meeting begins. Awards will be announced, we'll say goodbye to intern minister Gretchen Weis, and raise our voices in song. The business agenda for the meeting is limited to approval of the budget and election of officers and trustees.
An enhanced activity program for children will be in full swing during the meeting, with a special menu for kids.
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Upcoming Moving Voices for Peace CelebrationSunday, April 28, 4 - 5 p.m. Fellowship HallA multigenerational celebration offering dance, music, Dances of Universal Peace, communal singing, access to a labyrinth walk and more. Spring Choral ConcertSunday, June 9, 4 p.m. |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204 703-892-2565 |
This e-newsletter is published each week on Thursday. Submit announcements to pubasst@uucava.org by noon on Wednesday.
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