Connections
                    Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington

CONNECT - GROW - SERVE |  www.uucava.org
Friday, July 5, 2013
July "GIVE-the-Plate"
In Support of True 'Family Values' 
by Linda Olson Peebles, Minister of Faith in Action
Rainbow_people_graphic
Beginning in July, each month of the coming year, UUCA will give the entire Sunday morning offering to selected recipients whose work extends our ministry into the world.

In the month of July, each Sunday we will give donations not marked "for UUCA pledge" to Metro DC PFLAG.  PFLAG is a worldwide, non-profit, volunteer and community-based organization of parents, family and friends of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons. UUCA has been proud to have a number of our members serve as leaders in the Metro DC chapter of PFLAG, and for the past couple of years, we have hosted meetings for this group in our building. Founded in 1972 by a mother of a gay son, the goal of the group is to serve families - to help parents become educated and find support, and to support the entire family as a member decides to come out.

When UUCA ministers and members join other UU congregations in the annual Pride Parade each June, we march right behind the Metro DC PFLAG contingent, and that gives us the joy of receiving the most cheers and hugs as we walk along the streets.  Everyone - gay and straight, young and old - gives thanks for the work of PFLAG in helping support families to love all their members - child, parent, grandchild, friend or family member - unconditionally.  UUCA is pleased to give its July offerings in support of an organization where everyone has a home.
Sunday Service - July 7, 10:15amservice
"In the Middle of a Journey"
with The Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles. We are in-betweeners - as individuals - as a congregation - as a nation.  What can guide us during this in-between time -- from birth to death, from the world as it is to the world as it should be, from our hopes dreamed to our hopes realized?

 For this Sunday's order of service - click here.
Wheel of LifeWheel
Don_Campbell_photo
Don Campbell Memorial Service - Sat, July 6, 2pm 

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Don Campbell will be held in our Sanctuary on Saturday, July 6, at 2pm, with reception to follow.
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Church Mattersmatters
MSC Notes
MinSearchComm
The Ministerial Search Committee continues to develop and make final improvements to our search committee's website.  Please look for the link in next week's Connections as we get closer to launch.  Also, please stop by our table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday during coffee hour and check out the search timeline, outlined in 10 steps.  We provide this as a way of communicating what lies ahead for us in the coming months, and to provide transparency into the process.

The next monthly meeting of the MSC is Monday, July 8 at 7:30pm.  Meetings of the MSC are open to members and friends. Please contact the chair, Warren Wright, to be put on the agenda if you would like to speak at the meeting.  Contact the MSC at any time to express your questions and thoughts.

Ministerial Search Committee:
Religious EducationRE
Silence, Song & Spirit: A Spiritual Retreat for UUCA
9am to 4pm - Saturday, September 14
Lyon Village Community House & Park
920 N. Highland St., Arlington

Join Interim Senior Minister David Keyes for a day of refreshment and rededication. We'll sing and meditate, learn new spiritual practices, and take advantage of the beautiful natural areas surrounding the Community House.  You'll be served lunch, and assured a day of safety, serenity, renewal, and good fellowship.
 
$30 fee requested at the event. Open only by pre-registration at [email protected] or by calling the church office at 703-892-2565 ext. 351. (Childcare provided at UUCA on request.)
Erica Shadowsong featured in UUA Promotion
Erica_Shadowsong
UUCA's new Director of Religious Education (beginning July 15), Erica Shadowsong, was featured in UUA promotional material at this year's General Assembly. To read "Interim Training for Program Professionals," click here.

Social JusticeSJ
BeaconHouse
Beacon House Update 
by Gerry Kittner, Beacon House Director & UUCA member

Beacon House is a UU-founded non-profit after-school tutoring, mentoring, cultural, athletic and nutritional program for low-income, at-risk children and youth based in Northeast Washington, D.C. which many UUCA members have long supported. We are currently running a low-cost summer camp for 120 children, but come September, we will recommence our after-school homework help, tutoring and other programs. Beacon House annually distributes school supplies at the start of each school year, and if you would like to contribute to this effort, please click here.

We have many volunteer opportunities in the fall, including helping children with their homework each weekday afternoon from 4 to 5:30, helping with our Saturday morning Science Club, being a tutor one evening a week, and by bringing your talents to the children, such as being a chess coach, teaching art or music, and just about anything else a child would enjoy doing or learning about. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Gerry Kittner.

Finally, a group of industrious young men, all of whom are Beacon House alum, are offering lawn and home services this summer.  If you'd like to have your lawn mowed, or need heavy objects moved, etc., contact Renard Stevens or call 240-701-6519. They have their own lawn care equipment. This is not a Beacon House program but I can vouch for Mr. Stevens' trustworthiness.


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Claire Bohman - We Can't Stop Here

Claire Bohman, daughter of John Bohman and Louise Van Horne (and who grew up here in the church), wrote an article on DOMA which was featured on the Tikkun Daily blog. Tikkun offers a spiritually progressive perspective on politics, art, religion, and social activism.

"I remember the day that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was made into law. It was the fall equinox and it was cold and rainy that day in 1996. I was 15 years old. I was a part of a queer youth group in the DC area called SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League). We had been encouraged to attend a press conference announcing the anticipated passage of the bill. Honestly I don't remember many of the details of that day. But I have a distinct memory of the feeling in my body during that press conference." Read more.
Congregational LifeLife
Aloha - Rev. Carlton
Carlton_photo Well over one hundred UUCAers, community friends, and UU colleagues gathered in an outpouring of love to say goodbye to Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith at the Rainbow Farewell potluck on Saturday night, June 29. It was an evening of emotion-filled tributes from so many whose lives have been touched by Rev. Carlton. They attested to the imagination, inspiration and gentle nurturing that he has brought to the church. Edgar Aranda-Yanoc and Andres Tobar presented him with a plaque from The Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO), Emma Violand-Sanchez of the Arlington County School Board, representing the Dreamers, and Walter Tejada, Chair of the Arlington County Board, also spoke of his support for community activities. Many UUCA'ers were glad to see the Rev. Natalie Fenimore, of Davies Memorial UU Church (and former UUCA intern). There were other friends from the professional UU community including the Rev. Diane Teichart of Paint Branch and Taquiena Boston of the UU Association. A Hawaiian theme (one of Rev. Carlton's favorites) was represented through music and rainbow decor. UUCA board chair John Bohman was MC for the evening and presided over the program which included group singing, good food, surprise gifts and a goodbye video created by MJ Schmelzer-Hoekstra.

Click here to view the photo album from Rev. Carlton's farewell.


Men's Book Group - Sunday, July 14, 7:30pm 

The Men's Book Group will meet to discuss Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain.  The book is available in paperback and there are multiple copies in the Arlington libraries.  In August, the group will discuss Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island. The group meets on the second Sunday of the month. For further information, contact Kit Britton.


WaterCommunion
Gathering of the Waters Sept. 8: What Does it Mean?

You are invited to collect a small bit of water on your travels this summer, bring it with you to worship on Sept. 8, and join in our ceremony during which we mingle our waters as a sign of our coming together from many directions in love and common purpose.


Well Spouse Meets - Tue, July 16, 7pm

The Arlington, VA Well Spouse� Association support group is for individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner.  The group meets the third Tuesday of the month. For more information, please email Jessica at [email protected].


2013 UUCA Volunteer Awards

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington

Vera Tilson Creative Arts Achievement Award
Given annually to a church member who has demonstrated
outstanding leadership in the Ministry of Creative Arts.

    Phyllis Liner

        For exceptional leadership, financial stewardship and tireless musical service to the church through the creative arts -
most notably as President both of the Clerestory Choir and the Music Committee;
as a soprano soloist for worship services, fund-raisers and concerts;
as advisor to the music ministry;
and as music teacher and mentor to other musicians of the church.


Lost and Found

Please check the lost and found section in the upper level coat room. There are many winter and miscellaneous items that need to be claimed. If items are not picked up by July 15, they will be donated to charity.

A Week in Photos (& Video)Photos
  PeaceCampers

Peace Campers greet the day - click here to view VIDEO. (It will bring a smile;-) 
General Assembly 2013GA
General Assembly CORRECTION
by John Gunning, Denominational Connections Coordinator

This statement appeared in last week's Connections reporting on GA: "delegates approved: Support the Proposed 28th 'We the People' Amendment to the Constitution: Corporations Are No Persons and Money Is Not Speech" The following is an amended report:

There was overwhelming support for amending the Constitution to overturn the Citizens United decision, but the GA declined in several votes in the Plenary Session and the preceding Mini-Assembly to support the specific "We the People" amendment. Instead the original Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) proposal was amended to support a generic amendment which will emerge from the numerous bills that have been introduced in Congress. The overall title of the AIW statement was amended to take out "We the People."
 
The We the People amendment proposed by Move to Amend states that "artificial entities...shall have no rights under this Constitution...." Churches, NGOs, newspapers, etc. usually are corporations.  There was concern about how protections under the First Amendment would be affected by this language.  A majority of voting GA delegates felt that the We the People amendment went too far.
 
The approved AIW is now titled "Amend the Constitution: Corporations are not persons and money is not speech." Read the complete article on this issue here. 
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 [email protected] by noon on Wednesday.


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