Connections
                    Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington

CONNECT - GROW - SERVE |  www.uucava.org
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Unitarian Universalists Realizing the Dream 
Sat., Aug. 24, 10am, Lincoln Memorial
  
March on Washington A half century ago, 1,000 Unitarian Universalists streamed out of All Souls Church to march for jobs and freedom. Fifty years later, we are still organizing to realize MLK's dream. In the wake of this summer's Supreme Court decision to strike down a key part of the Voting Rights Act and the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, we are called to take our faith into the streets once again. 

Join Unitarian Universalists from around the region and the nation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington's March for Jobs and Freedom and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Together, we will march, sing, pray, organize, and Stand on the Side of Love until Love has overcome all oppression. Visit All Souls Church website for details of the Friday night and Saturday activities.
Sunday Service - August 8, 10:15amservice
"We All Need a Little Magic"

With Gretchen Weis, Summer Minister. Belief in magic and the supernatural is a form of meaning-making - a way to make sense of the things that happen to us. Stories about mythical heroes or sheroes endowed with magical salvific powers is part of virtually every culture. What is this human need that drives our fascination with all things magical?

   

Preview Order of Service
Sunday's Give the Plate
For the month of August, UUCA's Give the Plate recipient is People of Faith/Equality Virginia (POFEV), an interfaith network of people dedicated to working for equal
rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Virginia.
Sunday Service Help Needed
 
As we work on schedules for the fall, we need to recruit more volunteers to help make Sunday morning services run smoothly.  Help is especially needed for these positions: ushers, greeters, welcome desk staff, coffee volunteers, cupwashers, and worship associates.  Please contact Sarah Masters to volunteer or for more information.
Religious EducationRE
Erica_photo
From Erica Shadowsong
 
"Hit the ground running" is how my arrival to the office this summer has been described by several people, and that's exactly what it feels like!  Continuing the legacy of a strong RE program at all age levels in this congregation, the OWL committee, the RE committee, this year's youth advisors old and new, the RE Coordinator and myself have been hard at work lining up this year's opportunities for religious education. 
  
UUCA will be hosting an OWL training for our 8th grade facilitators this month, August 23-25.  We are very thankful to our dedicated volunteers, who are giving their time and support in many ways to keep a program going that so many of us believe in, and wish we'd had when we were growing up! 
  
I believe we are also very close to hiring a new Youth Ministry Coordinator; we've had some excellent candidates, and hope to make a decision soon.  I'm grateful to the members of the youth group and advisors who are able to make time to come in and meet the candidates. 

Thank you also to the individuals who have stopped by to say hello or made appointments to talk with me about their passionate causes and cares.  It is not only illuminating to have these discussions, providing valuable guidance to my work, but also a deepening of my connection with you as a new staff member of your vibrant community.  Please know that my door continues to be open, and I love to hear from you!  
Congregational Lifecongregation
Fellowship X - Friday, August 9, 8pm
fellowshipx  
The Friday Night Fellowship X service is on "PLAY" and will be led by Paul. As adults, we often forget to take the time to play. Join us for this fun,  interactive service in which Paul will lead us in play. Fellowship X is a social and spiritual fellowship serving Generation X UUs (those born in the '60s and '70s) within UUCA. All are welcome. For more information, click here.
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Men's Book Group - Sun., Aug. 11, 7:30pm 

The Men's Book Group will discuss Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island at the August 11 meeting. Thurlow Wilson will lead the August discussion. The book selected for September 8 is David McCollough's The Greater Journey. Lyle Priddy will lead the September discussion. For more information, contact Kit Britton.
Celebrate! UUCA Services Auction 2013 - November 2
Auction_graphic
Right now, we are looking for folks to join our Services Auction Committee or simply to visit some businesses to ask for donations. Please contact us immediately if you can help. We also need everyone to start thinking about dinners, adventures, or talents you can donate. It's not too early to start digging through your valuables for donations to the Treasures and Jewel Box Rooms. We are accepting offerings through Sunday, September 29.  Contact [email protected] to volunteer or make a donation.


Stravinsky and the Beginning of Modern Music and Dance:  hUUmanists Meeting, Aug. 12, 7:30pm

This meeting will feature a video on Igor Stravinsky's life narrated by Professor Robert Greenberg of The Great Courses -- in particular his vivid description of Stravinsky's Firebird, Petrushka, and Rite of Spring compositions and the reception they got when produced by Serge Diaghilev's Ballet Russes in Paris 100 years ago. The productions dazzled and shocked audiences and revolutionized concert dance and music. (An exhibition, Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, 1909-1929: When Art Danced with Music, is presently being shown at the National Gallery of Art.)  All are welcome.  For more information contact Jere Cummins. 
50+ Brunch, Sun., Aug. 11
  
Join the 50+ group for brunch on Sunday after the service at local restaurant Crystal Thai, 4819 1st Street.  This is a social group for anyone over age 50.
Moonfire Ritual - Aug. 18; "Finding the Wonders of Deity in the Details of Nature"

Please join MoonFire on Sun., Aug.18 at 1:30pm, for a ritual to help foster closer observations in nature and in our everyday lives. Life is often fast-paced and exciting, but at times we need to focus more on the details we miss. We will ask the Lord and Lady to help us observe the beauty of the world with a sense of wonder. You are welcome to bring a magnifying glass of some sort if you have one. A potluck and fellowship will follow the ritual; if possible, please bring your own feast gear so that we may minimize trash.

MoonFire, a chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPs), follows and explores earth-centered spiritual paths as a UU fellowship. Our mission is to explore, learn, and teach traditions of earth-based religions in a sacred and safe community, and to celebrate holidays marked by the solstices and the four seasons. For further information on MoonFire click here or contact the MoonFire coordinators
Featured Volunteervolunteer
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington 
Board Chair Award 
presented with gratitude to 
David McTaggart 
For his faithfulness and loyalty to the Church and to his fellow Board members -   
For his loving heart and the compassion he gives to all souls -
And for becoming a living example of transformation through service.
At the age of 70 and in his retirement, the shy and reserved David
has become an assertive and inspiring religious leader.
We are all blessed to know him.

Social Justicejustice
Beacon House

Beacon House Thanks to all of our UU friends for helping to make Beacon House's summer camp program, Camp Leap, a success this year. We ended up enrolling 135 low-income children and giving them a safe and enriching summer.  As we turn our focus to the school year we are in great need of volunteers to help our children with homework and/or to become weekly tutors in reading and math. To learn more about volunteer opportunities click here.  Beacon House also distributes school supplies  at the start of the school year..For additional information, please contact Barbara Clarke or call 202-529-7376.         
Church Mattersmatters
SearchCmte
Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) Update
  
The next weekly meeting of the MSC is Monday, August 12, at 7:30pm.  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. Click here to visit the MSC website.
Wheel of LifeWheel
We are saddened to learn of the death of long-term member Nona Stafford.  No information is available about a memorial service.
A Year to Connect, Grow & Serve
Make plans now to be nurtured and inspired by the themes that the congregation will explore together in the upcoming new church year:
Year 
September - Building Dedication Postponed; But Not Rededication of Our Lives. September offers an opportunity for rededication of our lives to our faith, our values, and our mission. Weather delays have pushed back the opening of the new Center to October, with formal dedication likely in November.

Song, Spirit & Silence: 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. retreat
 
$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.)


Bridge Week - September 22-29
Muir_photo
Sept. 22
"iChurch: Beyond Individualism"
with pulpit guest

Rev. Fred Muir of Annapolis
Meyer_photo
Sept. 29
Matt Meyer, percussionist
in morning service
SueBrowning_photo
Sept. 29
4pm Ordination to UU Ministry
for Sue Browning


October - "Religion Revised and Revisited"  - New currents in liberal faith; beyond boxes and categories, a Third Way in religion for theists, humanists, atheists, Christians, Buddhists and none-of-the-above. 
Galen Guengerich
Wed., Oct. 16, 7pm
Theme Speaker: Galen Guengerich, Senior Minister,
Unitarian Church of All Souls, New York City
November - "Our History: Chasing Ghosts & Savoring Our Heritage" - Looking square on at the congregation's history, the good, the bad and the ugly. Embracing spiritual inspirations and exorcising ghosts that hold you back. History course led by Rev. Keyes. Celebration of 65th birthday of UUCA.  UU National History Convocation in D.C.

Finkelstein_photo2
Sun., Oct. 27
Theme Speaker: Rev. Roberta Finkelstein,
Interim Senior Minister
Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn.
To get an early start on history, Rev. Finkelstein will be in the pulpit the last Sunday in October. Roberta was an active lay leader at UUCA for many years before being ordained and going on to serve congregations in Northern Virginia, and now in Connecticut.

December - "Service: How We Grow in Gaith to Serve the World"
BillSchulz
Sun., Dec. 8
Theme Speaker: Bill Schulz,
President, UU Service Committee

January - "Faith in War and Peace"  - UUCA's connection to the military and national security; the things that make for peace in the home and in the world.
Sarah Lammert_photo
Sun., Jan. 12
Theme Speaker: Sarah Lammert,
UUA Director of Ministry & Military Chaplain Supervisor

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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