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Religious
Exploration
View schedule here. Nursery care in Sanctuary Building
up to age 3.
April's worship theme is Transcendence.
"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."
- John Milton
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recipient for April is Potomac Conservancy, the region's leading clean water advocate, working to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands and connected communities.
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Our next deadline is Tue., Apr. 29. Send announcements to our communications staff. All entries are edited before publication for brevity, clarity and style.
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Announcements
for Apr. 24-May 1
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Partnering for Climate
Change Solutions
Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., UUCF Sanctuary
Earth Day Cabaret & Jazz Concert, 7:30 p.m.
 Join Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions at this organizing event to explore opportunities to create hope and work together on practical climate solutions in Fairfax County. Representatives from UUCF, Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, Alfred Street Baptist Church and others attending. Register here.
Later that evening, a cabaret and jazz concert featuring Dave Anderson, Kim Scudera, Mike Wingo and Jim Scott will be held in the Sanctuary. Donations accepted for energy-efficiency retrofitting of multi-family, low-income housing. Both events honor Rachel Carson 50 years after her death.
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Faith Matters blogEarthCircles Rising: Will you be
a fern or a whale?
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Edwin Butterworth
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To commemorate Earth Day 2014, UUCF is launching EarthCircles Rising this weekend as the first Earth Circles initiative at UUCF. To speak of EarthCircles Rising is ... (read more)
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Parking Lot
Renovation Update
Work scheduled to begin Jun. 9
The long-awaited renovation of the parking lot, scheduled to begin in early June and be completed by the end of August, means major changes in our schedule and activities at UUCF this summer. While the parking lot is under construction, we will need to move our services, RE and other meetings and activities off campus. Here are key changes to keep in mind:
- Beginning Jun. 15, there will be no Saturday service and just one Sunday service at 10 a.m. in the auditorium at Oakton Elementary School.
- RE will meet in the school gym Jun. 15 and 22 and then in classrooms for the rest of the summer.
- We expect to have limited meeting room space available in the evenings at Unity Church but are encouraging groups that want to continue meeting over the summer to consider meeting in members' homes. Contact Mary Foster if you have questions about scheduling.
More information and answers to questions you may have about the parking lot project can be found here. We will also have a design drawing and copies of the FAQs at a table in the Commons for the next few weeks. Please stop by to become acquainted with the project and have your questions answered. |
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Urgent need for volunteers! Social Justice Yard Sale. Sat., May 3, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Individuals needed to serve as cashiers and help with cleanup. Click here to volunteer.
Wi$dom Path: Money, Spirit and Life. Adult Programs course. Thu., Apr. 24, May 15, Sep. 11 and 25, Oct. 9 and 23, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11, 7:30-9 p.m., Rooms 3 & 4, Prog. Bldg. Led by Bonnie Wald and Janine Greenwood. Note: Jun. 12 meeting will be off campus because of parking lot renovations. Check back in this space for alternate location. No classes in July or August. Participants explore how to better align their financial lives with their spiritual priorities and values. Attendance at all sessions encouraged but not required. Register at ap@uucf.org. Contact Bonnie Wald, 703-581-6825.
Annual Giving Campaign raffle winner and update. Come to services this weekend to hear who won two nights' lodging at the Hilton of their choice. Members and friends who submitted their Annual Giving Campaign pledges by Apr. 20 were entered in the drawing. An update on the Annual Giving Campaign: We've received 281 pledges so far, totaling $675,000. This means we still need to hear from 230 households this week to wrap up the campaign. It will take precious staff and volunteer resources to track down pledges. Click here for a pledge form you can complete and submit online.
Apr. 26-27 carpooling to UUCF in honor of Earth Day. We want to see how many carpools we can arrange among members and friends attending services Apr. 26-27. If you'd like to participate, email your name and the service you attend. You'll receive instructions for finding potential carpool participants who live near you. Email your newly found neighbors and arrange to carpool to services. Let's see how much air we can spare! Intergenerational Equity: If We Accept the Benefits, Shouldn't We Clean Up the Mess? Sunday Forum - Science, Reason & Religion. Sun., Apr. 27, 12:30 p.m., Chapel. With Janet Kotra. Following up on her fall 2012 talk on America's nuclear future, Janet Kotra uses nuclear waste disposal as an example to explore these thorny questions: What obligations do we have to protect future generations? Does the generation (or generations) that benefits from the production of a particular hazard carry a special ethical or moral duty to protect future generations who may be exposed to the resultant hazards but experience little or no benefits? If so, what are these duties? Who should carry them out and pay for them? This topic should be of particular interest to our youth as a generaton that will inherit what we've done (or not done). Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Group. Sun., Apr. 27, May 4, 11 and 18, 1-2:30 p.m., Room 10, Prog. Bldg. Contact Meghan Crowley. Parenting Support Group. Sun., Apr. 27, 7-9 p.m., Room 10, Prog. Bldg. A group for parents or caregivers of children of any age with special or unusual needs. Contact Carrie Grabo. Great Books Discussion Group. Mon., Apr. 28, 7:30 p.m., Room 11, Prog. Bldg. Discussions explore the meaning of "classic" books. This month reading The Republic by Plato. Everyone is welcome, whether you have read the book or not. Contact Randy Adams. Social Justice Yard Sale welcomes pre-sorted donations. Wed., Apr. 30 and Thu., May 1, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fri., May 2, 9 a.m.-noon. Note: No donations accepted on May 3, the day of the sale. Take these items to the Sanctuary: slacks, jackets and skirts on hangers (all else folded); housewares (dishes, flatware); books, CDs, DVDs and cassettes; jewelry, other accessories and shoes; sports and exercise equipment; and artwork and frames. Please leave furniture in front of the Sanctuary. Take these items to the Program Building: computers (less than three years old); office equipment and desk supplies; toys, children's clothes and shoes; luggage; decorative and holiday items; linens, fabric and drapes; small appliances and electronics. Call 703-314-6952 to arrange pickup of large items. Please consult flyers around campus for list of items that cannot be accepted. Contact Joanna Walker. Newcomers Orientation. Wed., Apr. 30 and May 7, 7-9 p.m., Library. If you are new to UUCF, this is your chance to learn more about us. Orientation is a four-hour class; please plan to attend both sessions. Child care available if you register by Apr. 25. Contact Carol Jensen. NAMI family support meeting. Thu., May 1, 7:30-9 p.m., Library. Support meeting for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness. Contact Joanna Walker. |
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Memorial service
A service celebrating the life of Janene Pence will be held Sat., May 31, at 2 p.m., in the UUCF Sanctuary. Share thoughts or memories here. |
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Register online now for RE classes this summer and/or next fall.
Volunteer for RE. Sign up by May 15 to be included in a raffle for two tickets to a French brunch at the Nelson's home in August. Signup links: Teach This Summer, Teach Next Year and Greet in the Fall or contact Linnea for a "Just Three Weeks" opportunity at 9:15. To learn more about us, check out these links: UUCF RE brochure, 2014-15 curriculum and Workshop movie. If the online signup isn't working for you, email Katherine, Linnea or James to sign up and for info.
HS service rehearsal. Sat., Apr. 26, 1-3 p.m., Chapel. Sat. MS RE classes in session Apr. 26.
Sun. RE classes in session Apr. 27. K-Grade 5 begin in the Sanctuary for a visit from a special singer/storyteller before going to class (9:15) and Kindergarten or Workshops (11:15). All other ages and grades begin in classrooms. Nursery care available in the Sanctuary Building.PlaygroUUp social justice activities and potluck. Sun., Apr. 27, 4-6:30 p.m. Note: Start time is 30 minutes earlier than usual. Come from 4-5 p.m. to participate in two family-friendly social justice activities on the UUCF campus. We'll be working outdoors so don't forget your pants, long-sleeved shirts and work gloves. Potluck dinner to follow from 5-6:30 p.m. Contact Meghan Crowley. Sat. MS RE classes in session May 3. Nursery care available in the Sanctuary Building.
Sun. RE classes through Grade 8 in session May 4. All HS classes in the Sanctuary for the HS service. K-Grade 5 in the Sanctuary for Together Time before going to class (9:15) or Kindergarten or Workshops (11:15). All other ages and grades begin in classrooms. Nursery care available in the Sanctuary Building. Child Dedications. Sat., May 10, 4:30 p.m., and Sun., May 11, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. If you'd like to have your child or children dedicated by the congregation, please complete this form by 5 p.m., Thu., May 8. Contact Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig or Linnea Nelson with questions. MS zip line/high ropes course. Sat., May 17. Contact Janet Cushing or Rob Barnovsky, leaders. Complete the annual form if you haven't already done so. RSVP to Katherine. May 17-18 is last day of regular RE. All ages and grades begin in the Sanctuary Sun., May 18, for Teacher Appreciation during Together Time before going to class (9:15) or Kindergarten or Workshops (11:15). HS sleepover. Sat., May 17, 4:30 p.m. to Sun., May 18, 9 a.m., Prog. Bldg. Bring $10 and a snack or beverages to share. UU summer camps. Register online for summer leadership and camp opportunities and General Assembly youth programming. Rising Grade 9-12 youth: Save Aug. 21-24 for our annual beach trip.
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Grow
The following programs and opportunities help us grow as individuals and as a community.
Humanists of UUCF. Sun., May 4, 6 p.m., Chapel . With Ayanna Watson, an attorney in New York City and founder and president of Black American Atheists, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between atheism and the black community. Note: This meeting is a day earlier than usual to accommodate our out-of-town speaker. Contact Mary Bellamy.
Creating Our Lives Consciously From Our Deepest Inner Resources. Adult Programs course. Mon., May 5 and Jun. 2, 7:30-9 p.m., Rooms 3 & 4, Prog. Bldg. Led by Zimri Putney, 703-517-7372. 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. Register at ap@uucf.org.
Global Affairs Discussion Group. Wed., May 7, 7:15 p.m., Rooms 3 & 4, Prog. Bldg. Contact Randy Adams.
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Connect
Click here for a list of ways to get involved and connect with each other at UUCF.
Memoirs Writing Group. No meeting Fri., May 2, because of the Social Justice Yard Sale. Next meeting will be Fri., May 16, 1:30-3 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Contact Kristin Moyer. Beltane ceremony. Sun., May 4, 1 p.m., UUCF Memorial Grove. Come celebrate Beltane, or May Day, which signifies the height of spring and the flowering of life in the pagan tradition. Family-friendly celebration includes the traditional maypole dance (weather permitting). All are welcome! Contact Kandi Mitchell or Janet Cushing. Meditation Practice Group. 1st and 3rd Tue. May 6, 7 p.m., Chapel. Join us in supporting each other in our meditation practice. No expectation to attend every meeting. Contact Karen Monroe. Monday Night Book Club. May 12, 7:30-9 p.m., Room 11, Prog. Bldg. This month reading How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez. Contact Don Andress.Green Sanctuary Group. 3rd Mon. May 19, 7:30 p.m., Room 1, Prog. Bldg. Is your interest in the environment passionate, scientific or something else? Join us! Contact Lois Phemister. Wednesday Morning Book Club. 3rd Wed. May 21, 10 a.m.-noon, Library. We'll discuss Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor. Contact Polly Feuer.Reproductive Rights and Access discussion. Reproductive Justice Task Force. Sat., May 24, 6-9 p.m., Chapel. A presentation and discussion on the relationship between reproductive oppression and its social, political and economic impacts. RSVP by May 18 to Kandi Mitchell.
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Click here to find out about opportunities to live our values through service and advocacy within our congregation and beyond.
UUCF Grounds Beautification Day. Sat., May 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (or whatever time you can spare). Plenty of invasive species to go around. Contact Bob Root.
UUCF Spring Blood Drive. Sun., May 18, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Did you know that each donation can help save up to three lives and that our area has a chronic shortage of blood? Donating is easy, safe and can actually be fun in a loving and caring community like UUCF. Make your life-saving appointment today. Sign up online in about a minute or email or call Sean Foley, 703-242-0258, with your preferred time on the quarter hour. Thank you for helping us save lives!
ViVa Vienna volunteers needed. Sun., May 25 and Mon., May 26. Do you like spreading the word about Unitarian Universalism? Are you proud of the things we do here, such as our work for reasonable gun laws, LGBT rights, ending homelessness and getting the word out about climate change actions? Can you spare two hours to talk to the Vienna-Oakton community? Sign up here for a shift at our ViVa Vienna booth.
Wanted: Delegates for the UUA General Assembly. Jun. 25-29, Providence, RI. Experience meaningful worship, stimulating workshops, fellowship and fun with thousands of UUs. Join the UUCF delegation in representing our congregation voting on social justice issues and governance. Contact Craig Bennett.
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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 and campus events.
Spring yoga with Ravi. Sat., Apr. 26, May 10, 17, 31 and Jun. 7, 9:30-11 a.m., Rooms 3 & 4, Prog. Bldg. If you have been wanting to try yoga, here is your chance. Discounts for seniors. Contact Ravi, 571-213-3192.
Racial Diversity: A Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Journey. Sat., Apr. 26, 9 a.m., UU Congregation of Rockville. Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed discusses his new book, The Selma Awakening: How the Civil Rights Movement Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism. He'll be joined for part of the discussion by a UUCR member who participated in the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965. Event is free and open to the public.
Bikes for the World used bike collection. Sat., Apr. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in a corner of the UUCF parking lot. Put your old bike to good use by donating it to Bikes for the World, which makes quality used bikes available to lower income people and select institutions in developing countries. All bikes welcome, except tricycles. A $10 tax-deductible donation is requested with each bike to help with shipping, reconditioning and distributing costs. Contact Alex Jacquay, 703-319-7859. Alex, a member of Troop 1983, is doing the bike collection as an Eagle Scout project.
Anything's Possible - Mosaic Harmony's 20th anniversary fundraising concert and silent auction. Sun., Apr. 27, 4 p.m. (silent auction begins at 3:15 p.m.), UUCF Sanctuary. The choir began here at UUCF in collaboration with two nearby Christian churches to unify people of diverse faiths, races and cultural backgrounds by singing gospel music together. Mosaic Harmony has developed a repertoire of energetic and inspirational music, performing across the area. Tickets are $25 (children 12 and under, free) and can be purchased here (with a $2 additional service fee) or at the door. We expect to sell out so come early to get good seats and bid on items at our silent auction.
Northern Virginia Holocaust Observance. Sun., Apr. 27, 5-8:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. Annual observance includes youth and professional art displays, a reading of the names of those who perished in the Holocaust, a youth workshop and an adult seminar on media coverage during the Holocaust. Evening culminates with readings, poetry, a community interfaith choir, recitation of the Holocaust Kaddish and the intergenerational candle lighting and pledges of the children and grandchildren. Contact Laurie Albert, 703-537-3064.
Do You See What I See? - Our Daily Bread's 30th anniversary celebration. Fri., May 2, 7-10 p.m., Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax. Dynamic community event includes a juried art show with a popular art contest, performances by various local talents and wine and appetizers from Dolce Vita restaurant. Tickets are $50 and available here or at the door. Proceeds benefit Our Daily Bread's families. For more info, call 703-273-8829 or email.
Inequality for All documentary. Fri., May 2, 7 p.m., Goodloe Memorial UU Congregation, Bowie, MD. Featuring former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich, documentary raises awareness of the country's widening economic gap. It is time to change the conversation from concern to action - by convening Americans in homes across the country to watch the film together on the same night. A better understanding of the problem can lead to more effective action. Watch the trailer and learn more about the film here.
Economic Inequality Matters: Moving Toward Fairness. Sat., May 3, 9:30 a.m.-noon, UU Church of Arlington. With Stephen Shaff, founder of Community-Vision Partners. Join UUs for Social Justice in the National Capital Region and partner groups for timely information on economic inequality with a focus on action and time for discussion. RSVP here. Contact Cynthia Snavely, 202-600-9132.
Gay Men's Chorus benefit concert. Fri., May 9, 6:30 p.m. (Spanish tapas and cash bar), 7:30 p.m. (concert begins), UU Congregation of Sterling. Adults: $15, children: $5. Child care provided. Purchase tickets here. Proceeds benefit People of Faith for Equality in Virginia. Sponsored by St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Congregation Sha'are Shalom, St. James United Church of Christ,
UU Church of Loudoun, Unity of Loudoun County and UU Congregation of Sterling.
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Loved One caregiving workshop. Sat., May 10, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., UU Church in Reston . With Michelle Smith, Marylou Neal and Martha Patterson. An overview of aging, disability and caregiver resources available in Fairfax County and how to access them. Includes meditation practice that caregivers can use to help relieve stress. $12 registration includes light lunch. Contact Dora Anderson or Linda Johnson.
Death Cafe - Memorial Society of Northern Virginia. Sun., May 18, 3-5 p.m., UU Church of Arlington. Small group discussion and tea party. Developed in the United Kingdom, death cafes provide a safe environment where people can express their thoughts and feelings about death. Facilitated by Cathie Conn, a certified End of Life Healing/Transition Celebrant. For more info about the Memorial Society, visit the website.
Greater Washington Immigration Film Festival - save the date. Oct. 24-26, at UUCF and other venues. UUCF, area UU congregations and the Washington Ethical Society collaborate. For details as they emerge, visit the festival's Facebook page.
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