Weekly Update

Sunday Service

"Our Sacred Earth"

led by Sharon Barrett and Jane Gates

What would happen if we viewed the earth as a sacred living being? Could this bring about the turning point we so desperately need as we face the climate crisis? Please join us for what is sure to be a thought-provoking service.

This service will be held in the sanctuary and on Zoom:

Join us online at zoom.us/j/89873989254

Join us by phone at 301-715-8592, meeting ID 89873989254

Masks encouraged in the sanctuary.

Board Letter

It has been exciting to watch the pews fill up more and more each week over the last six months. We’ve had the chance to meet new folks and to catch up with some familiar faces (some of whom I hadn’t seen in years). It’s also been exciting to see the consistent numbers of folks on Zoom each Sunday. It feels like we’ve climbed to the top of a big hill and can stop (for just a moment) to catch our breath. The UUCSW Board of Trustees has reflected on how far we’ve come in the last few years. We’ve been able to bring Rev. Laurel on full time and we’ve ramped up a reboot of RE (Religious Exploration). As we start back up on our walk up the hill, the Board of Trustees is thinking creatively about how to lighten workloads to avoid volunteer burnout and how to make it easier for volunteers to contribute to the UUCSW community.

Stacy Spies, Co-Chair

UUCSW Board of Trustees

Religious Exploration

NO RE CLASSES THIS SUNDAY, FEB 19

due to the long weekend and school vacation.

Our next RE class will be on Sunday, March 5.

RE classes are typically held the

FIRST and THIRD Sundays from 9:30 - 10:15 am. All are welcome! Snacks provided!

Childcare will always be available during worship!

Please use the buttons below to register your child(ren) for RE, or to volunteer to help!

All children participating in RE will need a registration form.

Thank you!

RE Child Registration Form

RE Volunteer Form

Coming of Age Info Session

Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 pm

Coming of Age is a time when our youth reflect on their core values and beliefs. This time represents the transition from childhood into adolescence, when they take responsibility for their own spiritual lives. Coming of Age is the stepping stone between the religious exploration classes of their childhoods and the increased agency and ownership that comes with high school youth group. This class is led by the minister and will culminate in the group leading a worship service together to recognize their transition into adolescence. Open to grades 7-9.

Parents of children from 7th to 9th grade are encouraged to attend!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5083662635

Meeting ID: 508 366 2635

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,5083662635# US (Washington DC)

RE Meeting Feb 22

Our next RE Meeting will be held on Weds, Feb 22 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. All are welcome! No past experience with RE or Unitarian Universalism is necessary! There are lots of ways to help our team.

Join us at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85329185317

Meeting ID: 853 2918 5317

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,85329185317#

CommUUnity Collaborative

"CommuUUnity Collaborative is a Unitarian Universalist platform created/conducted by ministers and staff teams who want to share new programs with their congregations, and beyond. Our course catalogue includes a variety of stimulating programs and workshops to help adults deepen their faith, wrestle with big questions, and nurture their souls."

Click below to find out more!

CommUUnity Collaborative Welcome Video

Giving Statements for 2022

You may review your giving and pledge history at any time through your Realm account or by contacting Susie Wells, our collector, at [email protected]. Contribution statements for the 2022 tax year were emailed to you (or mailed to your home if we don't have your email address) on 1/31. Click on the "View Your Giving Statement" link in the email to open your document.

Statements are also available for printing yourself through Realm, by clicking on "giving" and then selecting "2022 Contribution Statement" on the right-hand side of the screen. If you have questions, contact Lisa Shumway at [email protected]

UUCSW Announcements

Greeters Needed

Pull out your calendars, folks!... and please check to see which dates in February and March you will be at church and available to be a greeter. We need to have smiling faces greeting our friends at the doors. Can you help? Please sign up using this sign-up genius link: Greeter SignUp Genius Link

What does being a greeter entail? Welcoming guests at our doors, making sure they know that masks are encouraged, especially if they are going to be singing. For visitors, offer a nametag, ask a bit about them and if they have any questions. Try to take a few moments after the service to get to know them. Ask if they would like to fill out a blue card so we have their contact information.

You are also responsible for collecting the offertory during the service. The collection goes to Susie Wells who is usually sitting in the back of the sanctuary. After doing the collection, take a quick headcount of people in the sanctuary and fill in the sheet at the back of the sanctuary.

Thank you for your help in making UUCSW a more welcoming congregation.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shumway at [email protected]

Save the Date!

Special Event to Celebrate our Members and Friends

Saturday, Feb 25th

6pm

Each winter, the Membership Engagement Team holds a fun event to celebrate our community. Some examples from the past are the Birthday Bash, Talent Show and more recently, the Uupaluuza. This year we are trying something new - Soup and Salsa (Dancing that is). After we dine on some hearty soups, bread and dessert provided by the Membership Engagement Team, Laura Leones, the owner of Fiesta Dance, will lead us in a short class on Salsa and Bachata dancing. Earlier this year, Fiesta Dance Company began renting our Chapel space for lessons on Tuesday nights.

With roots in Cuba and Africa salsa dancing continues to grow in popularity largely due to the beautiful rhythmic music. Bachata dancing originated in the Dominican Republic and is now danced all over the world. Bachata music is sweet and characterized by unique guitar sounds. In the class you will learn individual footwork in the first part of the lesson that can be incorporated into dancing with a partner in the second half of the class. Don’t worry if you haven’t danced before, this is an introductory class and we will take you step-by-step. Please wear comfortable shoes that can glide on the floor easily. Sneakers are not recommended.

Don't worry if you don't want to dance - you are welcome to stay and watch or take off after dinner.

Dinner will be at 6:00, dancing will start around 7:00.

While not required, it would be helpful if you would RSVP to Lisa Shumway at [email protected].

Come join our Community Choir! Previous experience is not required, all are welcome to join us in embracing the connective healing power of communal singing. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am!

Contact Kala Farnham at [email protected] with any questions.