|
Tibetan Prayer Weekend
Sat & Sun, Nov. 9 & 10, 10am - 5pm, UUCA Reeb Center
UUCA has again partnered with the Capital Area Tibetan Association, this time to host a weekend of post-election prayers for peace with nuns from the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery, a community of Tibetan Nuns living in exile in India. Join us for chanting prayers on Saturday, November 9 and/or Sunday, November 10th, each day from 10 AM to 5PM, in the Rev. James J. Reeb Center! Those coming for the prayer session on Sunday should park in the Masonic Lodge parking lot across George Mason Drive from the Church and cross carefully at the traffic light. A vegetarian lunch will be offered each day. Donations will be gratefully accepted to support the visiting nuns with a suggested donation of $35. All are welcome; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For lunch planning purposes, please let Stig Regli know if you plan to attend: (703) 343-0172, sregli@me.com.
| |
|
Our Faith Was Built for Times Like These
Seminary for a Day
Feb. 1, 2025, UUCA
See you there.
| | | |
|
A Celebration of Life will be held for Albert John Rogers, a long-time member of our church and community, on Sunday, November 10th, at 4pm in the UUCA Sanctuary. He was an active part of UUCA since the early 80s, and people in the church may recall the many ways he has participated: the Winter Solstice celebration, singing in the choir, and teaching World Religions at Sunday School. His daughter, Catriona, extends the invitation to attend for all who would like to celebrate his life.
The congregation and staff continue to hold Director of Handbells, Ken Bissell, in their hearts as he continues his recovery from surgery. We all miss you, Ken, and know you will be back in the church soon! If you would like to send Ken a card, please email Tommy Lo at tommyslo@gmail.com for the address.
If you have personal news to share, such as births, graduations, special moments, or challenges, email careteam@uucava.org for support, or pubasst@uucava.org with announcements.
_______________________________________
Can WE Help YOU?
Care Team Hotline: 703-892-2565, extension 1210 | careteam@ ucava.org
One of the questions you might ask is, “How do the people at UUCA look out for one another?” At UUCA we have created a network of caring connections that will provide a supportive, compassionate presence when you may be struggling, alone, or in pain.
Our Care Team responds to concerns through careful listening, checks on you if you are ill and need help, and is there to help you through life’s transitions. They can also provide food and other support services when you need an extra helping hand.
Our UUCA Ministers offer that unique spiritual guidance you might be looking for. Both are here with one-2-one support when you need it. You can reach them directly: Rev. Amanda (apoppei@uucava.org) or Rev. CTC (revctc@uucava.org) or by calling the church office at 703-892-2565
| |
|
More events listed below.
Please note some email providers will truncate this message.
| |
|
Religious Education
This Week in Religious Education
Religious Education classes will meet this coming Sunday.
Childcare will be available for littles 2 years and younger in Room 3.
-
8th Grade OWL will meet this coming Sunday at the 2nd Service.
- Coming of Age will meet this coming Sunday at the 2nd service.
- Teen Group will meet this coming Sunday at the 2nd service.
Here at UUCA we offer several ways kids can enjoy their time at UUCA:
- Spirit Space: For kids 4 years and younger at the front of the Sanctuary.
- Fellowship Hall: Play space for toddlers and kids of all ages. Puzzles and coloring sheets for anyone!
If you are new to our community, please register your children and teens here. This will add you to our mailing list.
Faith 360 Registration Open
Registration for Faith 360—UUCA's adult faith development program is now open. We have a great lineup of workshops in store.
Setting the Table: How to Navigate the Holidays
The Thanksgiving table can be a fraught experience any
year, as we navigate family dynamics and old patterns of behavior. In times of political polarization, the anxiety dial can turn even higher. What tools can we use to make it through dinner with our own self and safety intact? How can we seek connection with relatives and friends, if we choose to? What responsibilities do we have to share our views, to keep our kids safe, or to keep the peace? In this workshop, Rev. Amanda will explore these questions--and offer some concrete techniques and tools--as we approach the holiday season.
Led By: Rev. Amanda
Meets: Sunday, Nov. 10
Time 1—2:30 pm
In person
Walks in Nature
Join Bill Fogarty and Denise Kappler in a nature walk on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9 AM at Riverbend Park. Inspired by our UU principle of the interdependent web of existence, and the spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions that instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature, we will make room for reflection and for connection to one another and to the natural world. To quote the poet Mary Oliver, "for me the door to the woods is the door to the temple." This is a family-friendly activity.
Led By: Denise Kappler and Bill Fogarty
Meets: Saturday, Nov. 16 at Riverbend Park
Time: Gather at 9 AM
Click here for more information, the list of classes and to register.
| |
|
"Bite-by-Bite" Plant Based Cooking Class for Thanksgiving
Sunday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 am
Our 4th Plant Based Cooking Class sponsored by UUCA's Climate Action Team (CAT) will be on Sunday, November 17th - 15 minutes after the second service.
Please come learn to make (and taste) "Thanksgiving Plant-based Turkey Alternative: Fabulous Centerpiece Stuffed Roast" + Easy Plant-based mushroom gravy.
No experience is necessary, just a willingness to join in on the fun!
We appreciate that so many people have been interested in learning more about plant-based cooking! An RSVP is needed so we can get the right amount of supplies. Please email Sarah Bates at sarahebates@icloud.com if you can come. You will get an email back confirming your spot.
| |
Olive Oil Ministry: Order Now
Promoting justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis… We refuse to be enemies.
Olive Oil from Palestine has arrived in time for your holiday tables. The Ministry is a partnership between 25 congregations, including UUCA. Last year’s sales generated over $25,000 in donations for medical relief in Gaza. To learn more, click here. Place orders now for delivery before Thanksgiving and the December holidays (order form here). Contact Melissa, mnuwaysir@gmail.com or (703) 309-6300 with questions.
| |
Join UUCA volunteers at Arlington Food Assistance Center-- New Opportunities!
Did you know that UUCA has a long connection to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)? We have provided bimonthly volunteers for distribution for more than 20 years, made walls of cereal boxes, and even bagged fruit in fellowship hall. Our volunteer program has evolved as AFAC’s needs have evolved. Many years ago we regularly bagged groceries on Friday nights at the food bank – and that is coming back. Beginning in November, UUCA will again provide a group of 10-20 volunteers for about an hour to help prepare food for distribution to AFAC clients, on site at the main AFAC facility in Shirlington.
The need has never been greater – AFAC is now providing supplemental groceries to (on average) 3,464 families per week.
We are looking for new volunteers to join us for Friday evening food bagging or Saturday morning distribution. More information and the ability to signup is at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45ABAF2EA75-52027325-uuca
If you would like more information about how UUCA supports AFAC, please contact Denise or Burke Kappler (denise_kappler@yahoo.com, burke.kappler@gmail.com).
| |
|
Security System Update
As many of you already know we are in the process of replacing the existing security system. This includes a new door entry system. For those people who currently enter the church after hours using their phone, access card, or fob they will no longer work. To continue to access the church after hours please contact the facilities manager, Matt Connors, and he will re-establish your credentials. Matt’s email is mconnors@uucava.org.
| |
|
Crescendo Ringers Meets Next in November
Crescendo, our ensemble for beginning and intermediate ringers, has been meeting between services over the past two Sundays and we are excited to have new ringers involved. This group is running independent sessions for anyone with or without handbell/music experience. Our next session will be in November so keep checking Connections for additional information.
| |
|
Help Those Experiencing Homelessness -- New Opportunities!
In response to an outpouring of volunteer interest in the Bagged Meals program, UUCA is opening up two new opportunities for congregants of all ages to help people experiencing homelessness in our community:
1) Starting October, 4 volunteer slots will be available on the second Sunday of each month to serve hot meals to clients at the PathForward Homeless Services Center. You can sign up via the same SignUpGenius page as the Bagged Meals program (linked below).
2) In January, PathForward is once again opening their doors to UUCA volunteers of all ages to assemble bagged meals on site and tour the Homeless Services Center. Those of us who participated last year had a wonderful experience; if you haven't yet had a chance to visit PathForward and get to know their programs, please consider signing up!
You can sign up for these and other opportunities here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA8AA22A1F4CF8-uuca
| |
|
Chalice Theatre: Auditions!
Sat, Nov. 16 & Mon., Nov 18
Chalice Theatre is excited to announce auditions for its 27th mainstage production – Once Upon a Mattress, a comical retelling of the Princess and the Pea fable. Using a Drag Queen Story Hour as our setting, our production will highlight the storybook charm of the show and its message that, in fairy tales at least, anyone can be a princess.
Auditions will be held on Saturday November 16 and Monday November 18. Audition info is HERE. Although the audition materials indicate that youth must be 5th grade or older, UUCA members in 3rd and 4th grades will be considered and may audition. Note that it is assumed any children cast in the show will come with active participation of a parent or other adult. Questions? Let us know at chalicetheatre25@gmail.com.
| |
Ugandan Peace Academy
Little Friends for Peace has been running the Ugandan Peace Academy on Fridays since September. Join us for the last few sessions on Zoom! Please join us to experience, learn, and practice Peace! Select Fridays from 8:30 - 9:45 AM (EDT/EST)
Upcoming Dates and Topics
November 8th - Self Awareness
November 15th - Gratitude
Click here to register.
Donations are welcome and can be made at www.lffp.org/donate.
| |
|
Communications Manager, Katie, Moving On
Katie Ackerman, your UUCA Communications Manager, is resigning her position. We are so grateful for her work and dedication at UUCA! As some of you know, Katie moved to Portland, OR in June and has been working remotely, so we can't gather in person to celebrate her. But please send cards and notes to the office so that we can send Katie a package of UUCA care and appreciation!
Katie writes: "Thank you so much for all the opportunities in work and relationship that you at UUCA have given me. My time here was incredibly meaningful, and I will miss supporting the good work the UUCA community does. The time has come for me to dedicate myself more fully to my personal growth and to supporting my family's needs, and to do that I need to say 'goodbye, for now' to my work here. Again, thank you for allowing me to be a part of the community."
UUCA is currently working on a transition plan and we appreciate your grace and understanding as we navigate this change. Requests for support with communications can be sent to communications@uucava.org.
| |
The Doors Are Under Repair!
The two center doors in the main entrance are unable to be unlocked. We are preparing to integrate these doors with an electronic lock, which eventually will allow us to see who is at the door and unlock it from the office! While we are making significant progress, we are not ready to switch over to the new system and anticipate a few weeks before we will have everything in place.
| |
|
Need Help Accessing the Membership Directory?
If you're a member trying to access the directory, it's easy! Just click the Shelby link and enter your email address and password.
Forgot your password? No worries! Simply click "Forgot Password," and you'll receive a prompt to reset it.
| |
|
Hey! Are You Part of the Facebook Group?
You might have already joined UUCA's Facebook page, but did you know there is a GROUP, just for UUCA members and friends? Check it out HERE.
| |
|
BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) Affinity Group
Are you interested in being part of the UUCA BIPOC Affinity Group? This group is for our BIPOC members and friends. It is a BIPOC Sacred Space – created by and for BIPOC people.
Please complete this 1-minute survey to respond or reach out to Nicole Haley at nhaley@uucava.org.
| |
|
Send in Photos from Your Group Gatherings
Do you meet for a Book Club, Covenant Group, Adult RE, or Committee Meeting? Please, send us a photo or two! Katie would LOVE to have some photos from your groups -- both posed and informal. Just use your cell phone camera -- they are so good now -- and email them in. Please ask permission prior to taking the photos and let people know they will be used for UUCA newsletters (and possibly on the website!) If possible, include the names of those photographed. Submit photos to kackerman@uucava.org.
| |
|
Hopepunk Book Club
Next Meeting: November 7, 7:00 p.m in person
UUCA's Hopepunk Book Club reads speculative fiction that helps us to imagine futures in which humanity solves our climate and justice problems.
In November we'll discuss the short story The Scent of the Freetails by Deji Bryce Olukotun, about a near-future San Antonio, dark skies, and car-free living. Contact valarietbryant@gmail.com for more information
| |
|
Men's Book Group of UUCA
Sun, Nov 10, 7:30pm, Zoom (link sent by email)
The Group will meet to discuss our fiction selection, Erasure: A Novel, by Percival Everett. He is the author of the recent best seller, James. Erasure was adapted for the 2023 movie, American Fiction, which won the Oscar for the best adapted screenplay. It was nominated for best movie and best actor, for Jeffrey Wright's performance as the protagonist, a novelist.
We traditionally alternate fiction and non-fiction books, but if a majority wants to change that format, we could alter that 1:1 ratio.
Unlike the "Fight Club,'' the first rule of our Book Group is: Tell any reader who you think might be interested about attending our meetings about the Book Group. "Joining" is simply getting your address on the email list.
If there are any questions about the group and its meetings, or if you want to be on our monthly email list, please email Ken Marshall at kenmar42@gmail.com or call him at (703) 533-8004.
| |
|
African American Book Sharing Circle
Friday, November 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom Link
We will discuss Hidden Figures (2016) by Margot Lee Shetterly. The author tells the story of the Black women mathematicians who helped win the space race. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson served as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a significant achievement that turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world. The popular 2017 film based on the book garnered a nomination for best picture. If you enjoyed the film but did not read the book, please join us.
For additional information, contact Pat Findikoglu (pfindikoglu@gmail. com) or Ann Ulmschneider (aulmsch@msn.com.)
| |
|
Early American to 21st Century Black Women Writers Group
Wednesday, November 20, 7:00 p.m. Zoom Link
How have black women writers fought racism and re-imagined the world through their songs, poems, speeches, stories, and essays, from the 1740s to today? Ann Ulmschneider will introduce Dorothy Pitman Hughes (1938-2022), a pioneering Black feminist, child welfare advocate and lifelong community activist who toured the country speaking with Gloria Steinem in the 1970s. For more information, contact Gay Gibson Cima, cimag@georgetown.edu.
|
Peace in Pieces Book Club
Little Friends for Peace invites you to a new program -the Peace in Pieces Book Club, a safe and intergenerational space for middle schoolers and up.
This is not an ordinary book club. Members will come to the session prepared to share an excerpt from a novel, poem, article, or any reading relevant to that week's theme. Each piece shared will be kept in a master document! To express interest, click here and you will receive a link.
November 12th - Resources in Community
November 19th - Resisting Inequities
December 3rd - Healthy Conflict
December 10th - (LAST SESSION BEFORE WINTER BREAK) - Visions for Peace
Contact Mykala Bledsoe at mykalacree23@gwu.edu with any questions.
| |
|
Monday: Meditation and Dharma Talk
7:30 pm-8:45 pm, UUCA Activity Room and simultaneously on Zoom
A meditation and dharma talk with an opportunity for sharing afterward is offered in partnership with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). Held in the Activity Room on the lower level and simultaneously on Zoom. Subscribe to the email list on the IMCW page for the event to receive the Zoom link, topics, class cancellation alerts, and private access to the recorded talks.
Contact: Stig Regli.
| |
|
Wednesday: Hour of Silence
7:30 pm-8:45 pm, UUCA Room 20 (Youth Room)
Join us in Room 20 on Wednesday evenings for an hour of in-person silent sitting and/or walking meditation or contemplation, followed by mindful discussion. We enjoy this opportunity to ground ourselves in the middle of our busy week. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin at 7:30, and bring what you need to be comfortable.
Contact: Suzan Chastain.
| |
|
Friday: First Light Meditation
7:00 am-7:45 am, on Zoom LINK HERE
A half-hour silent meditation with an opportunity for sharing afterward, on Zoom. Contact: David McTaggart at dmctagg@gmail.com or Gregg Forte at gforte@mac.com.
| |
|
Newsletter deadline: Connections deadline for submissions is EACH Tuesday at 10 a.m. with publication on Thursday. See below on how to submit an announcement.
How to submit an announcement to UUCA's Connections newsletter:
| | | | |
