"Time-Vault" Sermon by Rev. Aaron McEmrys Imagine a life where there's room for everything that matters. Imagine a spacious and abundant life that you can savor! Just imagine. Such a life can seem even more fantastical than usual in the onrushing "urgency of the now"- but does it really have to be this way? We can create lives where we've got all kinds of time. Come find out how!

Sunday's music includes:

Dragons Head Band

Guest Dragons Head Band performing All Kinds of Time by Fountains of Wayne
Clerestory Choir sings the gospel song Peace Is
Youth Choir (11:15) sings Ella's Song by Bernice Johnson Reagon

Rev. Aaron is excited to announce a fall 2016 pilgrimage to Bhutan open to members of UUCA. His trip last fall was an incredible spiritual journey that he is eager to share with others to expand and deepen their spiritual awareness and connection to the Buddhist teachings that so closely align with our Unitarian Universalist values. This unique experience will be a study of the Buddhist faith and the Bhutanese traditions. It will be an active trip, not suitable for those with cardiac, respiratory, or circulatory disorders, or limited mobility. Travel dates are October 8-21 and the total cost per person will be approximately $5,000 (including airfare). Participants will be required to take 4 orientation classes prior to the trip. Space is limited and participants will be chosen by application which must be submitted by March 20. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting opportunity. For more information or to receive an application, please contact Bea Ann Phillips, bphillips@bplannng.net.

Hugh Byrne will lead Monday night's Buddhist meditation class beginning at 7:30 p.m. His topic is Transforming Our Habits Through Mindfulness. Hugh writes, "Mindfulness gets to the heart of habitual behaviors that can cause us stress and suffering. It brings what has become automatic and unconscious into the light of awareness. When we make what has been invisible visible, we can then choose to respond in ways that align with our deepest intentions and values." Hugh's latest book is  The Here-and-Now Habit: How Mindfulness Can Help You Break Unhealthy Habits Once and For All . The class will be followed by a book-signing. 

Come join MoonFire on Sunday, March 20, 1:30 p.m., for a ritual celebrating the Spring Equinox. The Wheel turns once again and we celebrate the return of the light. The Equinox marks when the time of darkness and the time of light is equal and the sun begins getting stronger and the days will be getting longer (and warmer)! We celebrate this time of the Earth awakening from her long winter's rest. We will use the Tarot to see what messages it has for us at this time of year - what should we be "growing" in our lives? Where do we need more light to shine? As always, a potluck and time for fellowship will follow the ritual, so bring a dish or drink to share, along with your own plates/utensils, if possible, so that we may minimize trash. For further information on MoonFire, please visit www.moonfireuuca.org or contact moonfirecoords@gmail.com.

This Sunday, March 13, during both services, there will be a commissioning ritual for all service trip participants -- youth and chaperones. This is an opportunity to connect our congregation with the youth's social justice work and a great "invite-the-grandparents" event. If grandparents and family are unable to attend don't forget about our live-streaming.  Contact: LeeAnn Williams, LWilliams@uucava.org.

Join your UUCA community for our second Coloring Event on Friday, March 18, 6 to 8 p.m. We had so much fun last time, we're doing it again! Bring your favorite coloring books, crayons, gel pens, pencils and let your creativity explode! All ages are invited and encouraged to attend because coloring isn't just for kids anymore. Haven't joined the mania but are curious?  Just come and join the fun. We have supplies and books to share. Also, we'll share a potluck dinner, so bring something warm and cheery and delicious. Drinks provided. Check out this link: Coloring Best Alternative to Meditation. 

On Sunday, March 20, the Polymnia and Bellissimo handbell groups will host a fun, interactive handbell-themed chapel during the 9:15 and 11:15a.m. services. Kids in grades K-5 will learn how to ring a variety of different handbells and chimes, experiment with chords and melodies, and participate in games and craft projects centered around bells. No prior experience with music or handbells is required. Everyone is welcome.

We currently have openings for childcare providers. Hours include Sunday mornings, weekday evenings and some Saturdays. $15 per hour. Training provided. Must be 18 years of age or older and complete a background check. For more information please contact LeeAnn at LWilliams@uucava.org.

The Arlington/Alexandria chapter of the Holistic Moms Network meets monthly at UUCA.   You are welcome to join their next meeting on March 10 where the discussion will be "Being a Holistic Parent in Public Schools." A panel of local parents will discuss what is happening in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax and how you can get involved in issues you care about. Chapter co-leaders will also present a recap of the panel at a special daytime meeting at UUCA on Wednesday, March 30 at 10 a.m. Meetings are free and open to the public and children are welcome.  For more information, visit holisticmomsarlalex.blogspot.com.

UUCA is pleased to host a benefit for Bridges to Independence, a provider of services for homeless women and children and those at risk in Northern Virginia. All UUCAer's are invited to attend "A Sparkling Black and Gold Evening" on Saturday, March 19, 5 to 8 p.m., in the Center. The evening includes live music, art for sale, raffles, sparkling wine, and hors d'oeuvres by award-winning Chef Matt Hill of Lyon Hall. Special guests include Christian Dorsey and John Vihstadt, Arlington County Board members. To purchase tickets, click here. Questions? Please contact Alex Roth at overroth@verizon.net. 

This workshop is open to all members and friends. Parents and children are encouraged to participate as there will be group activities that provide a "taste" of UUCA's Peace Camp 2016. Adults will also participate in a discussion to explore the value of peace education in their lives and opportunities as a "Friend of Peace" at UUCA. This workshop is being offered free of charge by the UUCA Peace Ministry team in coordination with long-time UUCA partner, Little Friends for Peace. Snacks and light refreshments will be provided. Please rsvp to Suzanne Stork at suzanne.stork@yahoo.com by March 11. Light refreshments served. Drop-ins will be welcome, too.

On Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m., E Street Cinema in DC will screen the film Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA. The film highlights the work of VOICE's parent organization Metro IAF on curbing gun violence. There will be a panel discussion after the film to hear from different organizations working toward the same goal.

Our work for a peaceful and justice-seeking world begins with meeting one another and hearing each other's stories. Invite your friends -- from UUCA and the wider community -- to attend the following: 

Please join us on Sunday, March 6 and/or 13, between services to help explore expansion of UUCA's Peace Ministry. The Peace Ministry's core activity is Peace Camp in the early summer and we need your help to build on that core with programs for and by adults, families and youth. We are exploring all aspects: family workshops, adult peace education, RE peace education modules, teacher training and hosting or joining family and youth-led peace-related events. We have a modest budget this year as part of the Faith in Action ministry. Please attend at least one of these open meetings to explore the gradual creation of a life-long, year-round Peace Ministry at UUCA. The discussions will be facilitated by John McLaughlin and Molly Jewell of UUCA. For more information, please contact John McLaughlin, john_w_mclaughlin@yahoo.com. Also see Building Peace Family workshop below.

Virginia CURE generally meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm in Room 12 (Lower Level). For more information about this month's meeting, please contact CURE President, Carla Peterson (carla4vacure@gmail.com, 703-242-6459 home, 703- 272-3624 mobile) or Ric Blacksten, CURE sponsor (hricblacksten@yahoo.com, 703-980-5899).

UUCA delegates give postcards to Cesia Juarez with messages of support for her father, Chico Palaz, and other political prisoners currently being detained in Guatemala

Delegates with members of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation in support of their struggle to seek Justice for Genocide

NISGUA, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala, honored UUCA's leadership in the struggle against genocide in Guatemala in a recent published report. As a sponsoring community, UUCA supports accompaniers who live for a year in Guatemala as grass roots witnesses. By their existence these young volunteers protect the lives of village witnesses to the genocide or defending their land against mining. NISGUA noted that UUCA has provided support to 15 NISGUA accompaniers and as such forms a core group of human rights defenders.

VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) encourages Arlington residents to participate in the County's Lee Highway Visioning Study. View and comment on a draft study report at this link. Share your thoughts on affordable housing, transportation, open space, architecture, cultural resources, and streetscape design. Thanks to many of you, the Arlington County Board passed its Affordable Housing Master Plan unanimously last September. A major goal of the plan is for Arlington to remain an inclusive diverse community by distributing diverse affordable housing throughout the county. For more information, contact David McTaggart, dmctagg@gmail.com.