"What do you believe?" Sermon by Guest Minister Rev. Emma Chattin What is it that you believe? A belief in absolutes . . . This or that . . . Human or Divine . . .  Male or female . . . What keeps us from seeing both . . . Co-existing right within us . . . And have us forever missing the presence of both right before our eyes . . .  In grace of each other.  Watch the live-stream of Sunday's services here.

Rev. Emma Chattin is from the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia and is Executive Director of the TransGender Education Association of Greater Washington. Rev. Emma has been active in the Trans communities since the late 1980's, and is a founding co-facilitator of support groups for the Trans communities, parents of Trans-youth, and Trans and Gender Expansive Tweens and Teens. She lives in Northern Virginia with Heather, her partner of 19+ years.

Dear UUCA Families and Friends:
The UUCA Board of Trustees is undertaking a project this spring to connect with the RE community more deeply. As the Board discussed our Ends policies at a Board retreat earlier this year, we realized we wanted to better understand how we grow together at church. Our goal is to have a stronger foundation of communication with people who participate in the RE program to better inform our policies that guide the ministers and staff. 

In an effort to include as many people as possible, we have scheduled open sessions for parents, please see schedule below. Parents, please attend the session that works best for you and your family. Childcare is scheduled for weekday sessions, if you need childcare for a Saturday session, please contact LeeAnn or Ashley.  

Please watch REConnect and other communications for information about these linkage discovery sessions. We hope you'll join us to talk about the difference UUCA RE has made in your life!

Open sessions to participate in the RE Discovery Sessions

Join us for happy hour this Tuesday, April 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. This month's happy hour will be hosted by some of the UUCA Young Adults, so this is a great chance to meet folks who may be newer to UUCA. Bring a beverage to share and plan to chip in on pizza. Childcare provided. For more information, contact Hannah Pitts, hannah.pitts@gmail.com, or Sarah Masters, sarah.masters@uucava.org.

UUCA is a religious community that ministers to people throughout their entire life, and even after they have died. We are here for all -- cradle to grave. Besides programming and education and worship for all ages, some of the "passage" moments for which this church offers sacred embrace include:

• Dedication ceremonies, for the welcoming of new life into families and into our church community
• Coming of Age and Bridging rituals for youth growing into adulthood
• Marriage ceremonies
• Other special ceremonies, for house blessing, anniversaries, retirements, and o ther life passages important to the individual and family
• Memorial services, to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of those we love
• Interment ceremonies, on our Memorial Garden walkway, where ashes may be interred, and names engraved in the pillars of the garden

If you have a pastoral emergency, and need a ministers' attention immediately for a health crisis, call the Pastoral Care Hotline at 703-892-2565 x245.

Members of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps will review the science of climate change; its impact on people and environments; positive actions underway to counter global warming, and how we can make a difference. And, it's not all bad news! Wendy Jessup will guide us through the latest scientific knowledge from Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. This is part of Wellspring Wednesdays. Talk begins at 7:00 p.m.; dinner is at 6:00 p.m. For registration, please click here. 

Our Peace and Justice series culminates Wednesday, April 13, with a presentation from Green Action leaders, at 7:00 p.m., as part of the new Wellspring Wednesdays. And, to celebrate our commitment to Peace on Earth, in the week of Earth Day, we will re-plant and re-dedicate the Peace Pole that was first planted here at UUCA 12 years ago. It had to be relocated due to the construction of the Center. See below.

Help DIG do a bit of spring clean-up of the grounds and preparation for the growing season. Bring your own gardening tools, if you have them. Extras will be available. 

Do you desire change in pressing area social issues such as schools, affordable housing, and criminal justice? Here is an opportunity to get involved. VOICE is holding a training session on small group listening on Sunday, April 10, 4 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Vienna, 450 Orchard St. NW, Vienna. If you are interested in joining other UUCAer's at this VOICE training, please contact contact Robert Buckman of the UUCA VOICE Core Team at rtbuckman@verizon.net.

Perhaps you are unable to make the rallies and vigils but still want to lend your support. UU ministers and social justice advocates from across the nation will be coming to the area for these events and are in need of housing. If you are able to provide home hospitality to participants, please contact Elizabeth at info@uusj.org or 202-600-9132.

The Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization, is seeking an Executive Director to deepen and expand its national advocacy-focused mission. We are seeking an experienced nonprofit professional with grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy and fundraising experience. The successful candidate will have outstanding communications skills, be knowledgeable about social media, and be comfortable teaching and empowering others. This is a half-time position. Application deadline is April 15. For more information, please go to www.uusj.net.