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Weekend worship
Listen to podcasts of past sermons.
Religious
Exploration View schedule here. Nursery care in Sanctuary Building up
to age 3.
December's worship theme is Grace.
"I do not understand
the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us."
- Anne Lamott
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Our next deadline is
Tue., Dec. 17. Send announcements
to our communications staff. All entries are
edited before
publication for
brevity, clarity and
style.
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Facebook
Click the logo below,
then click the thumbs
up "LIKE" sign.
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Announcements
for Dec. 12-19
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Gun violence prevention vigil
Sat., Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m., Sanctuary Join UUs from around the DC region for singing and words of inspiration on the one-year anniversary of the shooting rampage that killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. Vigil continues at 10 a.m. at NRA headquarters in Fairfax. VA Delegate Ken Plum introduces speakers, who will include survivors of gun violence and their family members. For more information, visit the UUCF Facebook page.
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Rep. Gerry Connolly comes
to Climate Action Movie Night
Switch: Discover the Future of Energy
Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
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Switch trailer
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In this documentary, join Dr. Scott Tinker as he explores the world's leading sites for all energy types, gets straight answers from leaders driving energy today and, in the end, discovers a path to clean energy that is as surprising as it is practical. After the movie, we'll talk with VA Congressman Gerry Connolly about how faith communities and government can work together to move from greenhouse gas polluting power sources to more renewable and sustainable power. Presented by UUCF's Climate Action Group and other local organizations. Free.
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Dashboard Divas
benefit concert We Need a Little Christmas
Sun., Dec. 15, 2 p.m., Sanctuary
All proceeds benefit Our Daily Bread
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Photo by Willow Bodman
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All ages welcome as the Divas sing holiday favorites to benefit Our Daily Bread. Good cheer and cookies will follow the performance. Suggested donation of $10 for adults and $2 for children gratefully received.
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This week & weekend
Explore this month's worship theme. We hope you've been enjoying our Worship Theme web page each month. This month our theme is Grace. Explore that topic through readings, quotations, images, reflections and questions.
Beacon House and Our Daily Bread. Look for Beacon House gift tags on the tree in the Commons, which direct you to buy and return unwrapped gifts to UUCF by Sun., Dec. 22. Deadline for family holiday sponsorships through ODB is TODAY. Sign up at the website.
Remembrance ceremony for Sandy Hook victims. Thu., Dec. 12, 3:45 p.m. In lieu of a public remembrance ceremony in Newtown, CT, a vigil will be held at Washington National Cathedral two days before the one-year anniversary of the shooting rampage that killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The 75-minute event will also honor more than 30,000 people who have been killed in the US by guns in the last year. More than 500 people have signed up to attend. Please register here.
Creating Our Lives Consciously From Our Deepest Inner Resources. Thu., Dec. 12, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Zimri Putney, 703-517-7372. Email ap@uucf.org to register. Join a supportive community in a practical spiritual
journey, opening the path to loving connections, peace, joy and success. We will read and reflect on the teachings of Chödrön, Tolle, Brach and others. Conflicts within Islam - Sunni vs. Shi'ite vs. Secular vs. Women's Rights. Sunday Forum - Science, Reason & Religion. Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m., Chapel. With Karl Fryxell. Many aspects of Middle Eastern religious politics are poorly understood in the West. This session looks at how the religious histories of Saudi Arabia and other countries led to conflicts within and between countries, and the influence of economic and environmental factors.
Grief and Loss Support Group. Sun., Dec. 15 and Jan. 5, 12, 19,
1-2:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Drop-in support group for those experiencing grief and loss. Led by UUCF member Meghan Crowley, a social worker with expertise in bereavement. Contact Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig. Green Sanctuary Group meeting. Mon., Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Is your interest in the environment passionate, scientific or something else? Join us to share your passion and ideas. Contact Lois Phemister. Meditation Practice Group. Tue., Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Chapel. Join us in supporting each other in our meditation practice. No expectation to attend every meeting. Contact Karen Monroe.
Wednesday Morning Book Club. Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-noon, Library. This month reading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Contact Polly Feuer.
Join the UUCF Climate Action Group. Wed., Dec. 18 , 7-9 p.m., Sanctuary. Note: This is a schedule change from the regular 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month because of Christmas. If you haven't come to a meeting before, please join us. Join our Religious Action on Climate Linked In group and our Facebook page. More info: Eric Goplerud, 703-759-0218.
Global Affairs Discussion Group. Meets 1st and 3rd Wed. Next meeting Dec. 18, 7:15-9 p.m., Rooms 3 and 4, Prog. Bldg. Is There a Future for American Professional Diplomacy? With Ambassador Edward Marks. A discussion about the American Foreign Service, the American diplomatic tradition and "spoils" system, and recent trends in American diplomatic practice. Contact Randy Adams.
UUCF benefits from Amazon purchases using link on uucf.org. If you plan to buy through Amazon.com this holiday season (and throughout the year), consider using this link. Through the Amazon Affiliates program, UUCF gets 4-8% of purchases made through this link. Last fiscal year, UUCF got $3,600 in Amazon rebates!
Holiday schedule. For the next few weeks, our worship schedule varies a bit. View the schedule here.
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Children & youth
Child Dedications at all three services this weekend. If you'd like to have your child or children dedicated by the congregation, please complete this form by 5 p.m. TODAY. Contact Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig.
RE classes Dec. 14-15. Sat. K-7 and Sun. K-5 begin in Chapel singing Christmas carols with Sarah and Brian Jebian before class. All others begin in classrooms. Nursery available in the Sanctuary building for all services.
Family Gift-Making Fair. Sat., Dec. 14, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Ages 4-10 and their parents/guardians. It's back! A UUCF time-honored tradition of families gathering to make gifts for the holiday season. Note: This is not a drop-off event. Parents stay to help out and guide their children from room to room. Questions, or to volunteer to lead a craft (we supply the craft unless you have a favorite to share), contact Family FUUn Chairs Amy Nordeng or Jennifer McLaughlin. Donations support the UUA-UUSC Philippines Relief Fund. Youth Grade 6 and above needed to help wrap gifts. Service hours available. We need five more volunteers! Contact the chairs to volunteer.
Parents Day Out. Sat., Dec. 14, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Ages 2-4. The 2s & 3s teachers want to support the UUA-UUSC Philippines Relief Fund by offering a special "Day Out" for you to shop, have lunch or enjoy some time with your older children at the gift-making fair. Recommended donation for child care is $20 per child/$40 max. per family.
Holiday Foster Care Store. Through Dec. 15. "Regift" new or gently used items and make a foster child happy. During the Fairfax County Foster Care holiday party, children visit the free "store" and pick out presents for family, friends and teachers. For some children, selecting a gift for someone else is the highlight of the party. Look for collection boxes in the Commons and Prog. Bldg. Contact Jill Seibert.
Mitten Tree. Through Dec. 15. Please bring mittens and gloves (they especially need adult-size gloves) to the Chapel. Hang them unwrapped on the Christmas tree.
Transylvania Heritage Trip Meeting. Sun., Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m., Room 11. High school youth and their parents interested in the summer trip to Romania beginning Jul. 6, 2014. Learn about the itinerary and fundraising. James Forrest will chaperone the trip. Participants must confirm by mid-January.
PlaygroUUp - Cookie exchange and holiday craft. 1st and 3rd Tue. Next meeting Dec. 17, 10 a.m., Teen Center. Bring a dozen cookies. We'll swap and all go home with a variety. Fellowship group of babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents/caregivers. Siblings welcome. Contact Meghan Crowley.
High School Youth Group - Cookie making in the Sanctuary. Sun., Dec. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sanctuary kitchen. Plan on competitions, prizes and cookie-themed worship. Note: Postposted from Dec. 8. Contact James Forrest.
No RE classes Dec. 21-22 and 28-29. All-congregation worship services in the Sanctuary. Note: Only one service on Sun., Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. (Click here for full schedule.) Nursery care available at all services. Child care for children ages 3-10 on Sundays in the Prog. Bldg.
Saturday RE beginning in Jan. OWL and HS classes will continue meeting on Saturdays. Elementary classes move to Sundays only, beginning Jan. 5. Bridging kickoff for seniors and parents/guardians. Tue., Jan. 7, 7:30-9 p.m., Room 11, Prog. Bldg. Contact Linnea Nelson for info and to RSVP. High School Fundraiser Dinner. Sat., Jan. 11, 6-8 p.m. Don't miss this Second Saturday event! Great food, including vegetarian options, served to you by our youth. Donations support FUUSE internships (takes $600 per intern) and to offset expenses for youth trips to Boston, UU-UNO and Quaker Work Camp.
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Caring news
Milestones, rites of passage and caring needs in our UUCF community.
Condolences to Stacey Diamond, her husband, Aaron, and their children, Carter and Max, on the death of Stacey's father, Frank Cirri.
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Grow
The following programs and opportunities help us grow as individuals and as a community.
Special all-congregation service for Winter Solstice. Sat., Dec. 21, 4:30 p.m., Sanctuary. All ages welcome to attend A Storyteller's Solstice, led by Susan Bennett and the Women's Ritual Council. Women's Chamber Choir will perform under the direction of Mark Vogel. According to the traditions of many Native Americans, winter is a time to gather around the fire and tell stories. We will tell sun stories and sing together to mark the longest night of the year and celebrate the return of the light. Please bring rattles and sistrums if you have them to join in the rhythms of the service. Great Books Discussion Group. Meets 4th Mon. Next meeting Dec. 23, 7:30-9 p.m., Room 11, Prog. Bldg. Discussions explore the meaning of "classic" books. This month reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Book for January is A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. Contact Randy Adams. Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity. Adult Programs course. With Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig and Amy Kegley. Opening retreat Sat., Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Class meets Feb. 4 and 18, Mar. 4 and 18, Apr. 1 and 15, and May 6 and 20, 7-9 p.m. Limited to 10 participants; register at ap@uucf.org. In the spirit of covenant groups, Beloved Conversations is an experiential and evocative curriculum for exploring the spiritual and intellectual dimensions of racism in our lives.
Behind the Kitchen Door, a discussion of the UUA Common Read for 2013-14. Two alternative sessions: Sun., Feb. 2, 4-5:30 p.m. and Wed., Feb. 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Please read the book in advance; it makes a great holiday present. Contact Mary Bellamy. |
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Connect
Click here for a listing of ways to get involved and connect with each other at UUCF.
New member-to-member Yahoo group. Forum allows members to share information, ask questions and post personal requests, including items for sale, etc. Sign up here. Young Adult cookie baking. Sat., Dec. 21, 1-4 p.m., Sanctuary kitchen. Contact Mary Gaskins. 24th Annual UUCF Chili Cook-Off - save the date. Sat., Feb. 8, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Volunteers needed to make chili and side dishes, as well as help with setup and cleanup. Contact Pete or Kathy Bridgeman, 703-255-9684. Island Paradise Auction - save the date. Sat., Mar. 8, Sanctuary. Listen, can you hear them? The strum of a slack key guitar, waves lapping on soft beach sand. These are the sounds beckoning you to go to your calendars and save this date for the UUCF Annual Auction. Then all through the chill of winter, you can look forward to an evening of tropical-themed food and drinks and bidding merriment. To help, contact Karen Liggett or David McWilliams at auction@uucf.org or 571-314-2804. Trip to Transylvania. Join the trip for UUCF youth and adults to Transylvania to visit our Partner Church, see historic Unitarian sites and, yes, explore Dracula's castle, Jul. 6-17, with a possible two-day extension in beautiful Budapest. Contact Dick Van Duizend, 703-536-3476.
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Click here to find out about opportunities to live our values through service and advocacy within our congregation and beyond.
Wanted: Possible candidates for the Board of Directors, Endowment Committee and Nominating Committee. Serving on the Board or committees is a wonderful way to make a difference at UUCF. Lend your voice by recommending someone - including yourself - as a possible candidate for the slate of nominees that the congregation will elect at the June Annual Meeting. To make a recommendation, contact Bill Ades, 703-591-3549. For more information, click here, or look for the Nominating Committee table in the Commons.
Concerned about climate and environmental justice? Sat., Jan. 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., All Souls Church Unitarian. Join UU congregations in the metro DC area and individual UUs to plan coordinated action and sharing. Contact Eric Goplerud, 703-759-0218. UUCF Blood Drive. Sun., Jan. 19, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sign up here or contact Ken Foley, 703-242-0258. (Provide your preferred time on the quarter hour.)
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From our friends
This section brings you announcements from UUCF members and friends, neighboring UU congregations, UU organizations or other organizations affiliated with this congregation.
Christmas tree sale benefits Stop Hunger Now. Through Dec. 22. Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. 6-9 p.m. Buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree from Vale United Methodist Church in Oakton and your purchase will provide, on average, 120 life-saving meals for hungry children and families around the world. High-quality trees come in a range of sizes and varieties. Wreaths and pine roping also available, plus optional delivery to your home. Free hot cider and cookies. Mention UUCF and get a 10% discount. More information, call 703-620-2594 or email the church.
Yoga for the 21st Century. Saturdays through Dec. 21, 9:30-11 a.m., Prog. Bldg. Yoga can help re-frame your life, reduce stress and re-pattern your brain. Contact Ravi, 571-213-3192.
Lorton Prison Stories Project. Sat., Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m., Reentry Arts & Information Fair, All Souls Church Unitarian. Exhibit of mid-1970s photographs from Lorton Reformatory. Contact Nancy Shia, 202-234-0383.
7th Annual Bethlehem Prayer Service. Sat., Dec. 21, 10 a.m., Washington National Cathedral. A joint simulcast service with the people of Bethlehem. Join worshipers at National Cathedral or watch the service here.
Winter Solstice celebration. Sun., Dec. 22, 5 p.m., Chapel at Cedar Lane UU Church, Bethesda. The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year and the start of the lengthening days. Join us for a vespers celebration with music, accompanied by readings of the mystery of darkness and the joy of light. Seasonal refreshments served after the service. Optional cash-only donations for Beacon House and the musicians welcome.
Virginia Immigrant Advocacy Day 2014 - save the date. Tue., Jan. 21, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Greater Richmond Convention Center. The Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations annual Immigrant Advocacy Day will be held during the 2014 General Assembly. We will meet with elected representatives and advocates for the VA Dream Act, Medicaid expansion and other proposed legislation and issues important to Virginia's immigrant communities. Contact Hal Fuller.
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