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Connections
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
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A diverse, welcoming community of open minds and hearts
| May 9, 2013
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  Appreciative Inquiry Progress Made by the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is making significant progress in its follow-on work from the Appreciative Inquiry sessions that over three hundred members attended a few months ago. Those sessions were part of an ongoing conversation with and among the congregation to inform the articulation of our core values and central purpose as a church. A chief responsibility of the Board is making sure we as a congregation live into those values and make progress in fulfilling our purpose.
From the Appreciative Inquiry sessions, the Board obtained a treasure trove of written information listed by groups of members during the sessions, and that was in addition to what Board members learned hearing the stories and conversations among the groups. The day after its retreat, the Board held an open educational session about the principles behind and the structure of . . . Read more. |
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This Sunday Is Youth Sunday at UUCA "Why Am I Here?" by the Youth Group
Sunday, May 12, 9:15 & 11:15 .m.
 Come to connect with UUCA's Youth and find out their answers to the question "Why am I here?" Order of Service previewNote: Summer 10:15am single service begins May 26
Next Sunday - May 19"While Still There Is Light" with Revs. Mary McKinnon Ganz and David Keyes. A service about loving life in the face of death. Following the service, Rev. Ganz will sign copies of the book, While Still There Is Light, available at UUCA's Bookstall in Fellowship Hall.
May Share the Plate -
Partners for Arlington and Guatemala
Throughout the month of May, UUCA shares its weekly offering with one of the congregation's important social justice programs -- Partners for Arlington and Guatemala, more commonly known as PAG. Initially the focus was to sponsor Accompaniers for Guatemalan human rights leaders and organizations threatened by their own government and military. Since 2007, PAG has supported 10 of these monitors. Over the years, PAG expanded to include robust partnerships between our congregation . . . Read moreLast Sunday, the Share the Plate offering collected $1,210 for PAG. Thank you for your continued generosity. UUCA Delegation to Guatemala Dec. 6-15 -
| PAG's Spring 2013 Newsletter - click here.
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Church Matters
UUCA Annual Congregational Meeting - Sun, June 2, 11:30am
This year, a buffet brunch will be served and there will be an activity program for children during the meeting. Watch your inbox for more information concerning the meeting.
UUCA Governance: What's It All About? Wed., May 15, 7:30 p.m. from the Nominating Committee
 Do you wonder what the Board does? What is expected of individual trustees? How do trustees, officers, the nominating committee and other elected bodies (including ministerial search committees) work for the betterment of the congregation? What are the rewards and challenges of service? Learn about the Governance documents that we draw on for our policies and practices, and learn about on going changes to the implementation of Policy Governance in the church. Whether you are contemplating service in one of these elected positions or simply want a better understanding of church workings, please attend this session offered by UUCA's nominating committee. Candidates for elected office are asked to attend this session as an orientation to governance. This is the fifth offering of this session over the past 15 months. Session Leaders: NomCom members Lavona Grow and MJ Schmelzer-Hoekstra, plus a current Board member and a former Board chair. PLEASE REGISTER at LavonaGrow@mac.com, or call Lavona for more information at 703-524-4860.
Update on Candidates for Elected Church Positionsfrom the Nominating Committee
The UUCA Nominating Committee has been busy putting together a slate of candidates for elected positions that will be voted on by members of the congregation at the annual meeting June 2. The names of the candidates will be announced to church members on Friday, May 10. On Sunday, May 26, a forum will take place after the service at which time available candidates will introduce themselves and answer questions. Anyone interested in learning more about the governance structure of the church is encouraged to attend a governance orientation on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, see the separate announcement above. Questions? Contact Lavona Grow or call 703-524-4860.
Search Committee Selects a Chair
 Warren Wright has been selected as Chair of the UUCA Search Committee. "I am thrilled to be leading the charge for this very important search process", said Wright. "There is nothing more important to our church right now than finding the right senior minister." The search for a new settled minister is an extensive and disciplined 18-month process. "One year from now, in May 2014, we can look forward to our congregation calling a new prospective senior minister for our future." The Committee is meeting weekly and is in the planning stages for several UUCA activities in the fall. The Committee will have a table set up in Fellowship Hall on Sundays, where Search Committee members will be happy to answer your questions. Warren Wright, Chair, Jennifer Dearth, Bill Fogarty, Kathleen Fugle, Sarah Munson, D Ohlandt, and John Zeray
Mission and Support Project
from the Transition Team
 In the Unitarian Universalist Association, it is the practice to call a team of volunteers to assist a UU congregation in developing support for its constituent groups during the interim period such as the one we are in. Consistent with this approach, UUCA convened a Transition Team. This team led our members through the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process. Now the team is beginning a Mission and Support Project. In the coming months, the Transition Team will talk with as many church groups as possible to better understand their missions, their compositions and leadership, and the relationships between volunteers and staff in their roles. The Transition Team members working with Rev. Keyes who will be involved in this project are Steve Brannon (co-chair), Ron Cima, Jacomina de Regt (co-chair), Phyllis Dogan, Chuck MacLane, and Margaret Wilson.
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Religious Education
 UUCA - A Good Place for Children
As we begin to wrap up our year of religious education, we take the time to reflect on the difference our learning groups and community are making in the lives of the children, youth and families we serve. Part of what we learn when we ask people about what they gain from coming here is this -- Our church is a great place to nurture and support families and children. Help spread the word in your neighborhoods and workplaces. We might tend to take it for granted, but it's important that we don't. And, that we don't keep our good news a secret from others. Spread the word -- And join the teaching teams for 2013-2014. Children and youth are at risk in this nation. According to a Unicef report issued last month -- Child Well-being in Rich Countries -- the United States once again ranked among the worst wealthy countries for children. We are second highest in children living in poverty, we are 25th in percentage of youth in school. We have the highest teen pregnancy rate, and the highest rate of drug use. Read more.
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Seniors & Shakes with Rev. Linda
Friday, May 17, 5 p.m. at the Silver Diner - Clarendon
In recognition of the accomplishments of graduating high school youth, seniors are invited to join Rev. Linda and Erin Stephens at the Silver Diner on Friday, May 17, at 5pm for shakes and dessert. We will celebrate their accomplishments and issue our support as they move onto new experiences and challenges. We are proud of our youth and affirm their continued spiritual growth and connection to the UU faith as they journey forward. For more information, contact Erin at erin@uucava.org.
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Sign ups will be taken on Sundays during the month of May for UUCA's Fall Retreat. Plan now for a great fall get-away weekend. The Retreat will again be in Capon Springs, West Virginia, September 27-29. Find the Fall Retreat table in Fellowship Hall to sign up or to hear more about the retreat and about fun and funky Capon Springs. Contact: Lee Bory.
Men's Book Group - Sun, May 12, 7:30pm  This month the group discusses E.O. Wilson's The Social Conquest of Earth. All men are welcome. Bob Waters will lead the discussion. Call him at 703-241-2782 with any questions. The book for June 9 is O Pioneers by Willa Cather.
Day Alliance - "Pakistan, A Tale of Two Lines" - Tue, May 14
Day Alliance is pleased to have Bernard Alter speak about Pakistan, A Tale of Two Lines. To understand Pakistan and have a sense of its future, one needs to look at its past. This lecture will quickly try to give some of that historical background in order to create a framework for analyzing the events you have been hearing and reading about in today's media. ( Visit Day Alliance page for more details on Tuesday's program..) Members and Friends of the Day Alliance gather at 10am for coffee, a business meeting is at 10:30am and featured program is at 11am. There will be a catered lunch at noon. Tickets for the lunch are $10; advance reservations are appreciated. Please call 703 329-0699 to reserve.
Early Christianities Study and Discussion Group -
Wed, May 15, 7:30pm  Who were the various Jewish sects in the late antique period and what other groups were there? What do the discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the excavation of the Qumran site near the Dead Sea tell us about the varieties of Judaism that we did not know before? The DVD lecture series by Professor Gary Rendsburg guides us through the archaeological site and its revelations. Contact: John Zeray.
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Creative Arts
Creative Sharing Circle - Wed, May 22, 7:30pm
 Calling musicians, poets, and other folks who want to share their creative efforts of any nature. Let's gather together in the Chapel and share with each other. This will be similar to a jam session but expanded to include more than music and song. Bring your instrument, verse or prose (piano is available) -- You're also welcome to come just to listen, though this is a "Sharing Circle" -- not a performance. If you can't make this session but you are interested in future events, please contact Beth.
Spring Choral Concert - Sun, June 9, 4pm  Featured ensembles are three choirs conducted by Bea Ann Phillips: Chalice Choir, TrUUbadours Choir, and Youth Choir; Clerestory Choir, conducted by Bob Griffith; and handbell ensembles Polymnia, Bellissimo! and Youth Ringers, led by Ken Bissell. The concert also features Clerestory Choir and orchestra on "Gloria" by British composer John Rutter. Admission free and open to the public. For details, contact Bob Griffith, Director of Creative Arts. |
Social Justice
"We Have Faith" Photo Exhibit thru May 15from Equality UUCA
 Equality UUCA invites you to stop by the Chapel to view the photo exhibit, "We Have Faith" -- currently touring the U.S. The exhibit is a collection of 20 photo portraits of LGBT clergy from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. A number of local area ministers and allies are included among the portraits, including two members of our extended UUCA family, Rev. Archene Turner and her spouse Mary Means. The exhibit is open weekdays 2pm to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm though May 15. You are welcome to bring family and friends.
 Buckingham ˇFIESTA! - Sat, May 11, 6:30pm Join our Buckingham neighbors for an evening of delicious food (it's a potluck), entertainment, and fun. Families are especially welcome. Contact: Nancy Hall.
Reproductive Justice - Expanding Our Social Justice Calling Sunday, May 19, 6-8:30pm
Join UUCA's Reproductive Justice group to learn more about the new UUA Reproductive Justice Congregational Study Action Issue and plans to bring the curriculum to UUCA. UURJ members will provide a short program on the CSAI process and the framework for Reproductive Justice. Small group discussions will also be held to provide insight into how this CSAI fits with other social justice initiatives such as LGBTQ, income inequality, immigration, healthcare and Green action. A potluck dinner and refreshments will be served. Childcare provided if requested. Please RSVP here.
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VOICE Action - Mon, June 3
 Location: Woodbridge Middle School, Just off I-95 & Prince William Parkway. Arrive at 7pm. Action from 7:30-9pm. Senator Warner and Virginia state officials committed to attend as well as representatives from JP Morgan, GE, & Bank of America.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Church Matters
Religious Education Congregational Life Creative Arts Social Justice
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UPCOMING
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June 8 - 4:30pm
Join the UU contingent in the Capital Pride Parade.Contact: Equality UUCA
June 9 - 11am - 5pm
Volunteer at the UU Booth at the Capital Pride Festival. Contact: Equality UUCA
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CONTACT US
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
4444 Arlington Bvd, Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703-892-2565
Email: uuca@uucava.org
Website: www.uucava.org
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Anyone interested in ushering on Sunday mornings, especially for the summer single services, are invited to attend. Please contact Don Hammond at 703-533-7601 or Steven Zahniser at 703-237-3292.