Sunday, August 28, 10:15 a.m.

"Invisible Diversity" Sermon by Rev. Aaron McEmrys, Senior Minister Our Where I'm From poetry project has been helping us surface and recognize how diverse our community is. This Sunday, we start building an exploration of how we perceive the world and its diversity.

Meet Maya this Sunday

Not able to make Sunday's service?

You can catch the service live beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday on our church website at  www.uucava.org. To watch recordings of past services 24/7, click on the "Archives" tab -- THEN at the bottom of the video video slide the bar to the right to view the video list.

Gathering of the Waters Service - September 11

Child Dedications - September 18

Monday Night Meditation

You are welcome to add to your spiritual practice Monday night meditation, with Jonathan Foust of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. The class includes a 30-minute guided meditation, followed by a dharma talk on mindfulness and skillful living. Upcoming topics include: 

Aug. 29 - Strategies for Transforming Addiction   

In the Buddhist tradition, classes are offered in a spirit of generosity so that no one is denied access. Donations are accepted to help cover the cost of the room and the instructors. For more information, visit www.jonathanfoust.com.

Yoga @UUCA

Monday 6:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 p.m.

Spreading the Love

Have you picked up the latest Heart Balm cards yet? These little cards have messages of love, hope, and compassion printed over beautiful images that help convey the messages. The images were painted by UUCA artist Meika Ungricht. The cards are meant for handing out -- to spread the message of love -- a message our world needs to hear more than ever. You can certainly share them with those that are close to you, but please also pass them out to that stranger passing by -- or leave a few in the doctor's waiting room or leave with your tip at the restaurant -- you get the idea. It's a simple act love that sends a powerful message.  

Louisiana Flood Relief

Attention Back-to-School Shoppers

If you are using Amazon.com for any of your back-to-school shopping (or any other shopping), please be sure to go through the AmazonSmile program and choose "Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington" as the charitable organization. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to the church 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases. Please note, these donations are not tax deductible and not part of your annual pledge. 

See Tamara's latest blog post that gives more details about UUCA's AmazonSmile program. 

August Board Meeting Focus: RE, VOICE Rally, and Black Lives Matter

The Board discussed three program topics at its August 2016 meeting: Religious Education progress and plans, a major upcoming VOICE rally, and effective UUCA solidarity with Black Lives Matter.

One year into her role as director of Lifespan Religious Education at UUCA, LeeAnn Williams discussed progress and opportunities in the RE program, referencing themes that emerged from the facilitated discussions the Board had with parents, teachers, and children in May about how to make religious education an essential part of an intergenerational religious community. Discussion findings are summarized in the Board Linkage Report. She is building relationships with families and the community and supporting RE volunteers with resources and training. LeeAnn highlighted progress in welcoming non-parent teachers to RE, and she described reshaping UUCA's RE as experiential learning rather than strictly academic learning. LeeAnn emphasized the importance of focusing RE on lifelong spirituality to fulfill UUCA's Connect, Grow, and Serve mission.

READ MORE

Farewell and thanks to Ashley Egan

Calling Our Community

We still need a few volunteers to complete our teaching teams for the upcoming church year. We've got some super cool activities planned.

Want to be a Chalice Family this fall?

Youth Pancake Breakfast

Join your community on Sunday, Sept. 11 after either service for a pancake breakfast hosted by our Youth Group. Catch up on summer stories while enjoying pancakes, fruit, and other goodies. All proceeds support the youth social justice projects.

Fall OWL Registration 

OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education) registration closes soon. If you have not registered your 5th or 8th grader, please follow this link--  Fall OWL registration HERE.  Fee for non-members applies. 

5th and 8th grade OWL classes will begin on September 18. 5th Grade OWL runs September through December. 8th Grade OWL runs the entire school year, ending with graduation in June. Regular, committed participation is required for both classes. 1st grade OWL registration will open in January. 

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. 

 

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.

Parent Orientation Sessions

This fall we will be holding Parent Orientation Sessions for all our UUCA families.  We ask that all parents make a special effort to attend one of the two meetings. At the orientation we will discuss:

Mark your calendars with these important RE dates 

Sunday, Sept. 11 - Ingathering Sunday, Two Services - 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 

Position Available - Religious Education Assistant

UUCA's RE Assistant assists the Director of Lifespan and Religious Education and lay leaders in the administration and the operation of our Lifespan and Religious Education Program, with greater focus on the Children's Religious Education Program. This is a 20-hour week position and includes working most Sunday mornings. For a more detailed job description and application information, click here. 

AUCP Opening

Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP) has a last-minute opening in the 3-year-old class!  Eligible children will turn three before September 30, 2016 (birthdays from 1/1/13 to 9/30/13).  This class (Penguin/Puffin) meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If interested, complete the attached application and return it along with the application fee to the address on the form.  

About AUCP: AUCP is a non-sectarian, parent-owned and operated, cooperative preschool for children aged six weeks to pre-kindergarten. As a true cooperative, AUCP requires parents to work along with the teacher in their own child's classroom on a rotating basis, as well as to take responsibility for many administrative and maintenance functions of the school throughout the school year. For more information, visit their website at www.aucpva.org. 

Smart Muscles - A stretch and movement class

This class is based on the work of Dr. Janet Travell, who pioneered myofascial trigger point therapy. The one-hour class includes warm-up followed by systematic movement to lengthen and relax major muscle groups, emphasizing the often neglected muscles in the front of the shoulders and the hips. The class meets on Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and begins September 23. Fee is $132 for 12 classes. For more information, contact instructor Eileen Kozak at 572-251-6927 or go to www.smart-muscles.com. 

Annual UUCA Auction

Join the Team!

Wheel of Life

New UU - Saturday, September 17, 8:30 a.m. to noon

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].

Covenant Groups - Beginning Soon!

UUCA's strong commitment to small group ministry has enriched hundreds of lives through our Covenant Groups. These small groups of 8 to 12, meet regularly throughout the church year and are led by trained facilitators. UUCA's Covenant Groups offers you the chance to connect, grow deeper, and offer service back to the community. Newer UUCAers form meaningful connections with others; longtime members enjoy exploring new learnings and deepening relationships.

Last year, many of our groups followed a series called Soul Matters. Rev. McEmrys' sermons follow the themes, and the readings, resources, and spiritual exercises are made available to UUCA's Soul Matters Covenant Groups. Other Covenant Groups follow their own readings or themes.

Online registration begins September 1. A registration table will be in Fellowship Hall after the services on September 11 and 18.

Covenant Group Facilitators Needed

We are accepting applications for Covenant Group facilitators for the new church year. Training is provided by the ministers. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].

Sunday Morning Volunteer Training this Sunday

Join the Sunday Volunteer Team this Sunday. Photo by Thibeaux Lincecum

Greeters, ushers, coffee servers and more! Whether you're outgoing or reserved, like to come early or like to stay late, a fan of regular schedules or ready to step in at the last minute, we have a role for you on Sunday mornings. Training is offered this Sunday, Aug 28, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., in the Center.  You can come to the training even if you haven't signed up.  You'll learn about welcoming and hospitality and where the fire extinguishers are! Contact  [email protected]. 

Round Robin Bridge is Coming Around

On Friday evening, September 9, 7 p.m. at UUCA, the Round Robin Bridge Group will kick off its 2016-2017 season. The goal is to connect Members and Friends in an enjoyable, shared activity. Newcomers are welcome. The group plays  a four-deal version of Rubber Bridge called "Chicago." Each month from October to April, the group plays in homes, alternating as hosts and guests.  On September 9, the group plays at the church and will update their directory and match up new players. Do you have a partner or know someone whom you could invite to be your partner? Bring them along. Be sure to let us know if you would like to play but cannot make it on September 9. There are no dues though  a $25 annual donation from each member ($50 per pair) is requested for a charity within the church. Questions?  Please contact Bill Reilly at 703-525-4075 or email [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Come From Away - Tuesday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.

A Moral Revival is Coming to D.C. August 28 -- UUCA will be there!

The Rev. Dr. William Barber , North Carolina NAACP President, who gave one of the most memorable speeches at the Democratic Convention, will be in Washington on Sunday bringing the Moral Revival message to our national leaders. Rev. Barber, along with partners Sister Simone Campbell of Nuns on the Bus fame, and Rev. Dr. James Forbes, will speak at the  Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 3000 Penn. Ave., SE, DC, on Sunday, August 28, 5 to 7:30 p.m. (NOTE: time change from previous announcements).  Flyer here.   Rev. Linda  urges everyone not to miss this opportunity to join her for an experience not to be missed. If you'd like to carpool, meet at the UUCA parking lot by 3:45 p.m.

Backpacks for Buckingham

Last chance! Bring a backpack to church this Sunday, August 28, and help send Buckingham students back to school prepared for a happy, successful year Donations can be placed in the large boxes located in the upper level church foyer. 

Get on Board . . .  for Justice!

Mark your calendar! On October 16, 225 of us from UUCA will join up with 1,500 men, women, and children from our fellow VOICE congregations--mosques, synagogues, and churches of all kinds--to put our agenda for justice before the most influential leaders of our Commonwealth. Three commitments will be at the core of our public demands: to prevent gun violence, to preserve affordable housing, and to hold onto school quality for kids of all incomes.  Now is the time to lock in the date and sign up to be part of our delegation. We're organizing buses and carpools.   Sign up NOW online HERE OR  text "VOICE" to 444999 OR scan the QR code to the right OR stop by our table in Fellowship Hall in September! 

VOICE  (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is a non-partisan coalition of almost 50 faith communities and civic organizations in Northern Virginia working together to build civic power in middle and low-income communities.