Sunday, July 10, 10:15 a.m.

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles

In the face of tragedy, injustice, and fear-mongering politics, what shall we do for our spirits?   Rev. Linda -- back from the powerful meetings and multi-faith conversations at the UUA General Assembly -- offers reflections on pathways to explore the practice of compassion and to keep true to our highest values.  

Music includes: Soloist Katie Peebles sings We the People by Schooner Fare with Bob Kline and keyboard and Topher Dunne on bass. 

Livestreaming and recordings of past services are available at www.uucava.org.  

Transmissions Service - July 26 & August 23

Join Rev. Aaron with Ashley and Jim Cash of Woven Green for a service of meditation for healing and spiritual deepening. Special soundscapes provided by Woven Green. You may bring a yoga mat, pillow or blanket, though chairs are provided. No registration or fee for UUCAers. Freewill donation suggested. UUCA's Transmissions service is held most fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Center. 

MoonFire Lughnasadh Ritual - July 17, 2016
Come join MoonFire on Sunday, July 17, 1:30 p.m., for a ritual celebrating Lughnasadh (loo-NOSS-ah), the Celtic first harvest. We will meditate on what we are nurturing and harvesting, and what is both bitter and sweet in our lives at this time of year. Participants are welcome to bring flowers, fruits or seasonal tokens for the altar. 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 [email protected].

Attention Amazon Shoppers

Amazon shoppers -- please remember to use ww.smile.amazon.com and choose UUCA as the charity to receive a donation each time you shop. The church receives a 0.5% donation from Amazon on eligible purchases. It's easy and painless and no extra cost to you. Please note that any donations through the AmazonSmile program is an additional gift to your annual pledge giving and there is no tax deduction.

General Assembly Wrap-Up

Photos courtesy Pasi Chapman

More than 3,700 Unitarian Universalists from around the world gathered for five days of workshops, worship, and witness around the theme of "Heart Land: Where Faiths Connect" at the 2016 General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio. Major highlights included the interfaith rally for racial justice, Ware Lecture from Krista Tippett, and votes on Actions of Immediate Witness to support solidarity with Muslims, advocate for gun reform, and affirm support for transgender people. Read the full post-GA press release, check out the UUA social media highlights, and find complete coverage in UU World.

Fall OWL Registration Opens This Friday!

We are in the process of preparing for next year's OWL (Our Whole Lives lifespan sexuality education) Program. Registration for UUCA members for 5th and 8th grade OWL opens Friday, July 8. To register your child for OWL, please follow this link.  

Mandatory OWL Parent Orientation Dates

In order for your child/youth to participate in the Our whole Lives sexuality program, parents must attend one of the orientation sessions. Orientation is required for both UUCA members and non-members. 

5th Grade OWL

• Sunday, Sept. 11, 4-6 p.m. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m. 

You can find more information about the OWL program here.

Seven Principle Banners this Fall

Did you see the lovely UU Principles Banner hanging from the pulpit last Sunday? Our elementary kids will be making our own set of banners this fall. Ways you can support the banner project:

• Sewing the banners together -- this can be done on your own time at home
• Tie Dye Party -- assist the kids in Tie Dyeing fabric on a Sunday 
• Pre-cutting Fabric -- this too can be done at home
• Hosting the Art Show -- that's right when the banners are complete we will celebrate with an art show!
• Classroom Assistant -- helping kids on Sunday with the various projects. This can be a onetime volunteer opportunity. 

Adult Faith Development

Mark Your Calendars with These Important Dates

Sunday, Aug. 21 and 28

• Making cards for Buckingham Backpack Drive, After Service

New UU - Wednesday, July 20, 6 - 9 p.m.

Unitarian Universalism is a way of thinking and being in the world. It is a faith discipline, enriched by faith traditions, that forms the foundation for a way to live this life. It matters how we conduct our lives and work to make the world a better place. Here at UUCA we are challenged to deepen our own faith principles and practices in response to our own experience and, whenever possible, to stand on the side of love. Find out more about Unitarian Universalism, and about UUCA, at our next New UU class. The class is free, but registration is required,   click here. Free childcare is available on request. For childcare and more information, contact [email protected]. 

Bowlers Needed!

Are you looking for a multi-cultural and spiritual experience? The team representing UUCA in the Alfred Street Baptist Church Saturday bowling league is looking for bowlers! We need one or two regular bowlers to fill out our four person team, and someone willing to be a substitute bowler. Experience is not needed. This is a 100 percent handicap league so your average score matters not at all. Having fun and being in relationship with other people are the only requirements for joining!  The league bowls one Saturday afternoon each month of the year. If you are interested contact Frank Corsoro at [email protected] as soon as possible. Our next scheduled match is July 9.

Join Rev. Linda and Committee for Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine at Arlington County Library Event - July 10, 6 p.m.

Jewish Voice for Peace presents the new documentary The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel's Public Relations War in the United States on Sunday, July 10,  6 p.m., at Arlington's Central Library. The UUCA's Committee for Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine is co-sponsoring the event. Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles will be one of the respondents to the film in the post-film discussion. It is free and open to the public.  Light refreshments will be served.  For more information and to RSVP, please click here. 

Buckingham Helper Sign-ups this Sunday
Need help with yard work or house cleaning? Buckingham workers offer many services, such as pruning, moving furniture, and catering. To fill out a request form, visit the Buckingham Outreach table in Fellowship Hall after the service Sunday. For more information, please contact Nancy Hall at [email protected]. 

The Revival: Time for a Moral Revolution of Values

Thousands of Unitarian Universalists attended the "State of Emergence: Faith Filled People Rally for Racial Justice" public witness event at General Assembly 2016. There are many ways for people of faith and conscience to continue supporting and fortifying the rising movement for justice and to stand strong in the face of backlash and attacks. Join Beacon Press author Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon, and Sister Simone Campbell for a national tour this summer to redefine morality in American politics and challenge leaders of faith and moral courage to be more vocally opposed to harmful policies that disproportionately impact the poor, people who are ill, children, immigrants, communities of color, and religious minorities. Find out about the August event in Washington D.C., plus others across the U.S. And, take the pledge now to join the growing multi¬faith community in support of the Movement for Black Lives.

DIG Upcoming Workdays

Join The Revival and Sign On to the Higher Ground Moral Declaration

At General Assembly, many of us got to hear Rev. William Barber, II, architect of the Forward Together Moral Monday movement, talk about the rise of a new justice movement. Our ministers in North Carolina and beyond have been working with Rev. Barber to grow this movement nationally through the promotion of a national Revival Tour and the Higher Ground Moral Declaration. The UU Society of Cleveland will be hosting the next leg of the tour on July 11, in Cleveland, just before the Republican National Convention. UUA President Rev. Peter Morales will be join Rev. Barber, Rev. James Forbes, Rev. Traci Blackmon -- United Church of Christ Justice Ministries Directors and others to raise a moral voice of courage and to center the testimonials from people most impacted by poverty, racism, and oppression. The Declaration will be delivered to all the candidates running for President, Senate, and Governors. We need our UU clergy and justice lay leaders represented. Please sign the declaration here and spread the word!  For more information on The Revival national tour see www.moralrevival.org. 

VOICE Needs You to "Get On The Bus!"

Plan now to be counted when 300 people from UUCA board buses to attend a 2000-person VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) ACTION in October when we will ask political candidates competing in the November elections whether they agree to work with VOICE on a bold justice agenda. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will be there and he will be expecting to see you.  Mark your calendars now: Sunday, October 16, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Buses leave UUCA at 3 p.m. and return by 6:30 p.m.  Stay tuned for details to follow.

Area Clothing Bank Reopening

After 45 years on Columbia Pike, the Ronda Gilliam Clothing Bank, formally housed at Arlington Presbyterian, has relocated to larger space at the Arlington United Methodist Center, 716 S. Glebe Road in Arlington.  The Clothing Bank offers free donated clothing, shoes, and small household articles for children, men, and women.  Hours of operation for accepting donations and obtaining clothing remain Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.   The Clothing Bank got its start in the winter of 1970, when Ronda A. Gilliam, an Arlington educator and Presbyterian elder, noticed that children weren't going to school because they lacked warm clothing. After his unexpected death in February 1970, the Clothing Bank was renamed in his honor. During 2015, the Ronda Gilliam Clothing Bank served about 25 families weekly and gave out over 13,000 items during the year. Volunteer staff and individual and sponsored donations of clean, wearable clothing keep the Clothing Bank in business.  For more information, contact [email protected] or Annette Reilly at 571-274-7901.

Flood Relief for West Virginia

Every little donation helps

Interfaith collaboration and coordination have come together as clergy and congregations from all faiths are working together on disaster relief for last week's devastating floods in West Virginia that killed at least 23 people. Disaster areas have been declared for 44 of the 55 counties in the state. Yet again, the UU Congregation Charleston, West Virginia is on call to deal with water issues (in 2014 the Charleston drinking water was contaminated by a chemical link). The UUC building has been mobilized as an emergency center to receive and distribute necessities. For updates on the situation, please visit the UU Charleston Facebook page. You can mail monetary donations to UUC Clean Water Fund, 520 Kanawha Boulevard West, Charleston, WV 25302.