visit the website at www.uucava.org

Highlighted This Week

March is Women's History Month

“Women's rights are human rights.”

– Hillary Clinton

WOW! You all ANSWERED the call!

Sunday showed that UUCA congregants are absolutely behind the mission -- so much food came to the Little Free Pantry!

Thank you to every person who contributed, and to the efforts of the volunteers moving that food into storage.

And we wish we could say that no more is needed, but that just isn't the case: every day that the Pantry is filled, it is completely empty by morning. So please continue to keep Pantry donations on your mind and bring food as often as you are able.

Just Two Days Left!

There is still time! We have received over 260 responses -- THANK YOU! If you are getting this email, there is a 17% change you have already participated. But that also means there is an 83% chance you haven't. Please do consider taking a few minutes and sharing your thoughts.

Survey end extended to Wednesday, March 6th!

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Come to the All-Ages Spring Fling Dance!

Fri., Mar. 22, 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Join this fun dance evening with the great DJ Myra! Kids and adults welcome, consent forward, featuring light refreshments, mocktails, and a photo booth! Free, but donations welcomed. All abilities welcome. Volunteers needed: sign up HERE.

Meeting Sunday: Becoming Together: A Young Adult Exploration Group

Sun., Mar. 10, 1-2pm, Room 13/15 (downstairs)

Join other young adults to share about the experiences of growth, change, passion, and purpose in young adulthood—using the book "becoming: A Spiritual Guide for Navigating Adulthood" by Rev. Kayla Parker. This group is facilitated by Tyne Hudson and Chris Damon-Cronmiller with rotating leadership; you can reach Chris at [email protected]. Meets on 2nd Sundays, 1-2pm, in person (masks required).

Drop-ins are welcome! Young adult is generally understood to range from 18 through 35; we trust your self-identification of this developmental stage. 

Looking for Handbell Ringers

Starting Sun., Mar. 10, 10:30-11:10, Music Room

We are re-launching our beginning/intermediate handbell ensemble, Crescendo, and are looking for new ringers! If you are interested in ringing, whether or not you have any music or handbell experience, you are welcome to join us. We will teach you all you need to know to get started. This group is open to anyone from Grade 4 through adult and our first session will be on Sunday, ­­­­­­March 10th from 10:30 to 11:10 am in the Music Room which is directly across from the Youth Room on the lower level. If you are age 17 or younger please bring your parent/guardian with you. This is also an opportunity for a parent/guardian to ring with their young person. Future sessions will be scheduled on Sundays when the Junior Choir is not rehearsing.If you have any questions or want further information please contact Ken Bissell, director of Handbells, [email protected]; Cell: 703-622-2849.

Wheel of Life

Fred Hufford and Ann Ulmschneider welcome grandchild Kaia Marie, born February 25. Kaia’s mom Jean grew up at UUCA.

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If you have personal news to share, such as births, graduations, special moments, or challenges, email [email protected].

Are You In Need of Support?

Pastoral Care Hotline: 571-277-4428 | [email protected]

When you attend a church for the first time, one of the questions you might ask is, do the people here 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 Pastoral Care Team responds to concerns through careful listening, checks on you if you are ill and need help, is there to help you through life’s transitions, and provides food and other support services when you need that extra helping hand.

Our UUCA Ministers offer that unique spiritual guidance you might be looking for, and also offer one-on-one support when you may be facing an especially difficult time.

More events listed below.

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"Adopt-A-Street" Trash Pickup Event! All Ages Welcome!

Sat., Mar. 16, 10am-12pm, Meet at UUCA

The UUCA Climate Action Team (CAT) has partnered with Arlington County's "Adopt-A-Street" trash pickup program to earn a Stormwater fee credit of up to $10,000 a year for the church. UUCA CAT is inviting all generations to join us to help pick up trash in our church neighborhood.(Rainout date March 23)

This is a great event for families, youth, seniors and young adults! And feel free to invite your friends!  It takes small steps to make big changes so we hope you will be a part of our effort to improve our environment! To meet the stormwater credit requirements we will need a minimum of 15 volunteers. If you have any questions you can contact Stiven Foster at [email protected].

Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5AA2FA6FB6-48161884-uuca

UUJME Online Gathering to Listen and Learn

UUJME (Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East) invites you to a gathering on Monday, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. We will meet via ZOOM. This will be a safe space to listen to each other, learn more about the UUA statement of 2/14/2024 ( UUA Condemns Violence Against Gaza, Urges Immediate and Total Ceasefire | Press Releases | UUA.org), and share information about actions being taken by UUs and other faith communities. Come and join us. We’ll talk about where you are and how you are feeling. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link: email Rev. CTC at [email protected].

We hope you will attend additional gatherings on Monday, April 15th and Monday, May 20th.  

Help Build our Young Community!

Religious education needs you. It needs you to volunteer to help build the foundation for the next generation of Unitarian Universalism. It needs you to help our younger members find community and connection within the Church. And, yes, sometimes it needs you to help inform them about our faith in an entertaining way. Everyone is searching for community, religious education allows you to lead the children in finding their own communities, but also offers a community where you can participate in one of our most important jobs as a Church. Could you be that person? We think so!

Religious education requires four things: 1) you must want to become part of a basic ministry of the church: caring for our children and youth. 2) the ability to show up and lead once a month, and to show up to help once a month. 3) excitement about your faith, and other people. 4) to contact us at THIS EMAIL to sign up today for next year!

Calling UUCA Teachers and Facilitators 

Have an idea, program, workshop, or class you would like to share with our community through the Faith 360 program? Submit a proposal here.  

Faith 360 Classes: Register Now!

These programs all start the beginning of March. See which one suits YOU!

Click here for full catalog and registration.

Check Out These Faith 360 Classes Starting Soon

Faith 360: "On Being" Podcast Discussions 

Join us to discuss selected “On Being” podcasts which are interviews with various authors, poets, spiritual leaders, advocates and others conducted by Krista Tippet, host of the former NPR program. We will enjoy the wisdom from these conversations and then discuss and share reflections with each other. How it works: once you register, you will be sent a link to the 45 min. podcast a week before the meeting. You can either listen to the podcast, or, if you prefer, there will be a link to read a transcript of the interview. We will meet for an hour to reflect on and discuss what we have heard. We meet the 3rd Wed of each month @ 7:30 via zoom.

Facilitator: Janet Mascia

Chalice Theater Ministry: Panel Discussion / Show Enrichment

Chalice Theater, a ministry of UUCA, is producing the show _Seussical_ in the James Reeb Center from March 1-16, 2024. Like the children's books of Dr. Seuss, the show has plenty of silliness and light-hearted mischief, but underneath the Cat's Hat are some serious questions and lessons, too!

You are invited to join the director, D. Ohlandt, for one or two special panel discussions to explore some of the questions and issues the show raises. Panels will consist of UUCA members and cast members of the show and discussion will be facilitated by D. Ohlandt. No pre-registration is necessary-- come to one or the other or both! Attendance at the panel does NOT require having seen the show, and it DOES NOT include a ticket to the show; please buy your ticket to Seussical

separately.

Show Panel #2: The Military and Progressive Values

Saturday March 9, 4:15pm - 5pm (following the Saturday 2pm show)

In the show, a child is admonished for "creative thinking" and sent to military school to be taught how to conform. In the real world, how does military training and service intersect with creativity, courage, and progressive values?

Film Screening: I Am Not Your Negro

Raoul Peck’s fluid documentary uses the timeless anger of James Baldwin to animate his history of the black experience in America, from Hollywood stereotypes to police brutality. BFI (British Film Institute), 2020. Raoul Peck’s documentary brings to life James Baldwin’s urgent ideas about race in America, even if it leaves out a key aspect of the writer’s life and work.

Led By: The Racial Justice Task Force

Meets: Sunday, March 17, 2024, Time: 12:45—2 pm, In Person

The (Boundaried, Hopeful, Systems-Oriented) Wisdom of Ted Lasso

Join Rev. Amanda for this three-part class, in which you'll explore the lessons we can learn from the hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso...from a family systems perspective. We'll watch an episode during each class. No prior knowledge of the show is required!

Led By: Rev. Amanda, Meets: April 9, 16, 30, Time: 7—8:30 pm, In person, Reeb Center

"Love Unites; Stories Ignite" at the 2024 UU General Assembly 

Embrace a new world of connection and inspiration from anywhere. Attend the virtual UU General Assembly.  Dive into a groundbreaking experience from the comfort of your own space. 

When: June 20 - 23 Workshops will also be available on demand between May and August. 

• Gain insights from influential voices in the UU community and beyond. 
• Explore your faith and perspectives with fellow attendees. 
• Discover opportunities for meaningful engagement on social justice, climate justice, and other initiatives. 
• Celebrate the beauty of UU community through dynamic worship services. 
• And be inspired to make a difference in the world. 

Register Online at: https://www.uua.org/ga

Registration rates increase March 15. If you have questions, please contact: Mary Pike at [email protected] And, if you register, please let her know as the Nominating Committee is looking for those who wish to be delegates at GA. 

Peace Camps in the Metro Area

With enrollments full for UUCA Peace Camp, you might be interested in the other locations of peace camp this summer . So here is the full list of camp locations and dates in the metro area. Email [email protected] or call MJ Park at 240-838-4549 with questions.

• July 8-12, Kittamaqundi Community Church in Columbia, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia, MD 21044
• July 15-19, Church of the Brethren in University Park, 4413 Tuckerman St, University Park, MD 20782,
• July 22-26, Greenbelt Community Church, 1 Hillside Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770
• July 29-August 2, St. Francis International School in Silver Spring 1600 St. Camillus Dr., Silver Spring, MD, 20903.



Peace Camp is a day camp that helps youth (ages 5-14) connect with themselves, others, and the world around them. Through sharing, art, cooperative games, stories, a Peace museum, and nature, we teach tools to help regulate emotions and prevent and address conflicts. Register at www.lffp.org/peacecamp.  

LFFP Peace Circles continue via Zoom

If you enjoyed LFFP’s Peace Circle during in the recent “Wanderings” service, consider joining our Wednesday Night Peace Circles at 7:30. Our Zoom link is Wed. Peace Circle at 7:30, ID: 863 717 5637, passcode: peace. Upcoming themes are:

Feb 21st - Art of Loving

Mar 6th - Art of Seeing others Deeply

Mar 20th - Art of Being Deeply Seen 

And the series continues on Apr 3rd, Apr 17th, May 1st, and May 15th.

For more information, come visit our table in Fellowship Hall after the service or see Peace Circles Flyer.

Book Groups

African American Book Sharing Circle

Fri., March 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

We will discuss The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph, a book that has been selected as an “all-church read.” Joseph calls up race-related anecdotes from his past, explaining why they were hurtful and how he might handle things now. Each chapter features voices of activists and artists, touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, "reverse racism" to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism.

Save the date: On April 19, author Jeffrey Blount will join us to discuss his new book, Mr. Jimmy from Around Here. Last year, we had a lively discussion with Mr. Blount about The Emancipation of Evan Walls.

Zoom link: https://uucava-org.zoom.us/j/86431166987?pwd=Q2VWazBQcnRVTzgvOEFibERHYXQ2dz09

For additional information, contact Pat Findikoglu ([email protected]) or Ann Ulmschneider ([email protected].)

Early American To 21st Century Black Women Writers

Wed., Mar. 20, 7-9pm on Zoom

Come and join our discussion of essays and poems by Audre Lorde (1934-1992), self-described “black, lesbian, feminist, mother, warrior, poet.” Lorde dedicated her life and talents to confronting all forms of injustice, as she believed there could be "no hierarchy of oppressions."  No advance reading; Gay Gibson Cima is facilitating and will provide brief biographies and texts. All are welcome! Contact: [email protected].

Zoom link: https://uucava-org.zoom.us/j/86431166987?pwd=Q2VWazBQcnRVTzgvOEFibERHYXQ2dz09

Cozy Reads Book Club

Next Meeting: Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m., Zoom.

Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month 

Did you happen to make a New Year's Resolution to read more books? Or do you want to make some new connections here at UUCA? Join the Cozy Reads Book club at the next gathering. The discussions are lively, enlightening and not always about the book! 

April Read: The Cloisters, by Katy Hays

List of books for Sept. 2023-March, 2024 with book covers. Questions: [email protected]

Recurring Events

Buddhist Fellowship

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: 

• Deadline is 10 a.m. each Tuesday.
• Submit article requests to [email protected], subject line: Connections
• Questions about Connections? Contact [email protected].