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UUReston News – October 23, 2014

Schedule

Thu, 10/23 - Handbell Choir Rehearsal - 6:45pm
Thu, 10/23 - Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm
Sat, 10/25 - Fall Worship Workshop - 9:30am
Sat, 10/25 - Healing Circle - 4:00pm
Sun, 10/26 - Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am
Sun, 10/26 - Worship Service - 10:00am
Sun, 10/26 - JULIETs Pancake Breakfast - 11:30am
Sun, 10/26 - Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30am
Sun, 10/26 - UUCR Yoga - 4:30pm
Mon, 10/27 - UU History with Rev. Barbara - 7:00pm
- More information below!
Tues, 10/28 - Knitters - 10:00am
Tues, 10/28 - Conversations in Science and Religion - 12:30pm
Thu, 10/30 - Handbell Choir Rehearsal - 6:45pm
Thu, 10/30 - Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm
Sun, 11/2 - Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am
Sun, 11/2 - Worship Service - 10:00am
Sun, 11/2 - Reading Group with Rev. Barbara - 11:30am
- More information below (under Adult Faith Development)!
Sun, 11/2 - UUCR Yoga - 4:30pm

This Sunday

Worship

October 26- "Day of the Dead," Rev. Barbara Coeyman
- One service at 10am

In the service this Sunday we remember the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). As last year, sitting in a circle, we will focus on the DOTD altar. We invite everyone to bring photos and other mementos of departed loved ones to place on the altar, enhancing the other symbols of this important celebration. During the service, as you wish, you will have an opportunity to light candles and offer brief words about anyone you wish to remember. Please place your items on the altar before the service begins.

Halloween Carnival
- Sunday, October 26th, during the Worship Service

Sunday October 26 will be our annual Halloween Carnival, held during the service. Children (and adults) are encouraged to come in costume. We will have crafts, games, a Haunted House presented by the youth group, and more! We will also be collecting money for UNICEF (to donate online, please go to https://www.crowdrise.com/uucr-cyfd/fundraiser/traceysopp). To volunteer to help with this event contact Kathy Deligianis kduucr@tuxers.net.

JULIETs Pancake Breakfast: Bring your appetite to Church this Sunday!

Don't forget the Pancake Breakfast this Sunday (October 26th) for community and family fun to benefit the UUCR operating fund.

Stay a while after the service and the Halloween fun for children and youth to enjoy a pancake breakfast sponsored by the JULIETs group (Just Us Ladies Imbibing Eating & Talking), starting at about 11:30 AM.

Menu: fresh fruit, juice, coffee, tea, link sausages, and three pancake options: regular, gluten-free, and chocolate chip.

Price: $5 per person, $15 per family, with additional donations encouraged.

Back by popular demand, and while supplies last: vegetarian quiche (at $1 per serving).

See you this Sunday!

For descriptions of upcoming worship services, click here. For more information, please visit our website at www.uureston.org.

A Message from Rev. Barbara

Important Message about Sunday Morning Worship
Creating a Team of Ushers:

As your interim minister, I have been encouraging many of you to change your habits of ushering in Sunday morning worship by creating a regular team of 8 – 10 ushers, each of whom serve roughly once a month. Recently I have come to understand two aspects of this change in UUCR’s worship practice: that you have not had organized ushering methods previously; and that you welcome more review from me about the reasons for this more structured approach to what may seem like a ‘small’ aspect of the worship service. Actually, ushers serve several important roles on a Sunday morning: this is not an insignificant way to volunteer.

You are accustomed to ushers taking up the offering: I have tried to enhance the ritual of the offering through a congregation response added to the Order of Service. Ushers can add to the ceremony of that offering through coordination with other components of the worship service. Also you already ask ushers to count attendance.

Let me add two new and important roles for ushers, which I encourage UUCR to take on. Ushers are important in welcoming folks, especially visitors, into the sanctuary. Just as you experience ushers in theaters and concert halls, ushers at church can help orient visitors --- some of whom may never have attended church before --- to the sanctuary and to locating seating near some UUCR ‘old-timers’ who can also extend welcome.

Finally, ushers play a critical role in maintaining safety and security in the event of an emergency (not wishing for disturbances which some of our UU congregations have know in recent years): whether to assist in moving people out of the building (as we will practice in an up-coming fire drill) or securing people inside the building in safe spaces, a team of ushers trained to move into action in the event of an emergency could make the different between harm and safety for members of the congregation.

Therefore, the worship committee is soliciting: 1) 8 – 10 UUCR members and friends to volunteers their services as ushers once a month; and 2) one person (not necessarily among those 8 – 10) to create and maintain this schedule of ushers. Would you consider helping? Rev. Barbara will hold a short meeting with you to explain these various responsibilities in more detail. We would like this usher team to be in place by the time of the fire drill on November 16. Please contact Worship Committee chair, Steve Ewart, scewart@verizon.net. For more information, contact Rev. Barbara, minister@uureston.org.

Music Corner

Greetings UUCR Musicians and Friends!

We're in the full swing of things now! Choir is preparing for our Day of the Dead service this week which will be full of beautiful music. Jim Scott, an incredible UU musician will be leading our service in music and message on November 2nd- we hope you can join us. Our Handbells are ready preparing for our performance on November 9th in church as well and we have a joyful, fun group! Please know there is an open invitation for EVERYONE should you wish to participate in either Choir or Handbells, email Nichole for details. As many of you know, Angie Wiswesser our fabulous accompanist will be leaving us as her family is moving to Florida in November. Angie's last week will be this Sunday, October 26th. We'll be celebrating her wonderful work for the past two years at UUCR after the service. She will be dearly missed!!! As always, if you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts during church, there's space available- seeking performers for December!!

Musically Yours,
Nichole
music@uureston.org

Lifespan Faith Development

CYFD and YRUU

Halloween Carnival, Haunted House, and Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF are around the corner! Make sure you wear your costumes to church on Sunday (10/26) for this annual UUCR event! Regular CYFD classes will not be held this Sunday, but children still start upstairs.

Adult Faith Development

UU History with Rev. Barbara begins next Monday, 10/27. Any questions, please contact Rev. Barbara at minister@uureston.org. This class will be meeting on the following dates (please note we will skip November 17th):

Monday, October 27 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Monday, November 3 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Monday, November 10 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Monday, November 24 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Sign up on the sheet in our Sign Up Corner, or email the Office Manager at admin@uureston.org by 9am Monday morning to register. Some of you have asked about reading materials for this course. If you wish to read a comprehensive history, Rev. Barbara recommends Universalists and Unitarians in America by John A. Buehrens (Skinner House, 2011), which you may order on your own.

In January, Rev. Barbara will be leading a program called “Circles of Trust: A Geography of Grace” based on the work of Parker Palmer. In preparation for this Adult Faith Development class, she will be holding three sessions to discuss and explore Palmer’s books. The first discussion group will be held on Sunday, November 2 during Second Hour (11:30-12:30) and will cover “Let Your Life Speak.” The book is available on Amazon, plus a few copies are available in the UUCR bookstore. Please feel free to attend the discussion even if you have not had a chance to read the book.

As an exercise for this month, UUCR adults are invited to share in our children's experiences by intentionally noticing kindness in our world. Please visit our Recognizing Kindness board next to the library and contribute your experiences--let's fill the whole board up! You may also take home a black sheet of paper and a piece of chalk from the west foyer to use at home for the same purpose. Happy witnessing!

The JPD's Racial Justice Conference will be held at the UU Church in Sterling November 7-8 on the theme "Inclusivity Through Joy and Creativity." See Social Justice bulletin board for more details and to register.

Upcoming Dates in Faith Development:

Oct 25: YRUU builds Haunted House
Oct 26: Halloween Carnival, Haunted House, and Trick or Treat for UNICEF; no CYFD classes
Oct. 27 at 7:00pm: first UU History class
Nov. 1: YRUU trip to Kings Dominion
Nov. 2 at 11:30: First Circles of Trust discussion group on "Let Your Life Speak"
Nov 7-8: Racial Justice Conference at UU Church of Sterling
Nov. 14, 11:30am—Second Circles of Trust discussion group: “Healing the Heart of Democracy”
Dec. 14, 11:30am—Final Circles of Trust discussion group: “A Hidden Wholeness”

Worship Workshop

Saturday, October 25, 2014; 9:30am-noon in the Sanctuary

Are you interested in getting involved in worship leadership here at UUCR? Or in otherwise serving the worship committee? Are you an experienced service leader wishing to learn more? Then consider attending the fall Worship Workshop this Saturday morning. The workshop is in modules: that is, depending on the area of interest attendees may come to any or all of the modules. Current and future lay leaders are encouraged to be present for entire workshop. Board hosts, you are welcome for the entire workshop and especially for the public speaking practicum in the second hour. Any question, contact Rev. Barbara (minister@uureston.org).

Coffee at 9:15, workshop begins at 9:30. The three modules are as follows:

9:30 a.m.: Planning Worship:

History and Philosophy of Worship
Creating an Order of Service

10:15 a.m.: Presenting Worship

Public Speaking from the pulpit: please bring a short reading of your choice to practice pulpit speaking
Moment for All Ages: what does multi-generational worship leadership look like?

11:15: Managing sight and sound

Using A-V equipment
Communications between music and worship leaders

Caring at UUCR
Healing Circle

Saturday, October 25, 2014
UUCR Library, 4:00-5:00pm

For Members and Friends of UUCR who have recently experienced grief and loss, or are currently dealing with illness, recovery, and re-framing of life goals, and …

For Any and All Member and Friends of UUCR who wish to offer support:

Please attend this time of coming together for a Healing Circle: a time of affirming community; sharing readings, prayers, and meditations; telling stories.

A bit of ritual, a bit of worship, a lot of listening to and supporting one another……

The Circle will be led by Rev. Barbara in the UUCR Library. A covenant of confidentiality will be set at the beginning of our time together.

Light refreshments will be served after the Circle.

JPD NOVA Cluster News

UUCF's Annual Ira Hamburg Memorial Lecture
- Sunday, 10/26, 12:30pm, UU Congregation of Fairfax - 2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA 22124

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax invites all members of the JPD NOVA Cluster to the Annual Ira Hamburg Memorial Lecture, this Sunday 10/26/14. The Ira Hamburg Memorial Lecture is named to honor the memory of one of the Science Reason and Religion (SR&R) Forum founders.

Date: Sunday, October 26, 2014
Time: 12:30 p.m.,
Place: UUCF Sanctuary
Address: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax -2709 Hunter Mill Rd. Oakton VA 22124
*http://uucf.org/get-directions-uucf/

“Brains, genes and morality”
What is the biological basis of morality? Scientists are just beginning to understand something of how our brain is working when we feel compassion or loyalty, or other moral emotions. This talk explores the neurobiology of morality both in terms of moral feeling and in terms of values, relating each moral feeling and value to what we know (and what we don't) about the brain function underlying it. This talk will address such questions as: is there a special place for a moral sense in a person's brain? What activity goes on in our brains when we make moral choices, or when we respond to another person with empathy? How are the brains of psychopaths different, and is this difference genetic?

Dr. Mark Reimers obtained his PhD in mathematics from the University of BC in Canada, and does research integrating statistics, computing, and neurobiology. He has worked at the National Institutes of Health, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric Genetics in Richmond. His research work currently focuses on analyzing and interpreting the very large data sets now coming out of neuroscience and genomics.

JPD Racial Justice Conference - Inclusivity Through Joy and Creativity
- Friday 11/7, 5:00pm to Saturday 11/8, 9:30pm, UU Congregation of Sterling, Sterling, VA

The 2014 JPD Racial Justice Conference is right around the corner and the JPD would like to invite you to attend! This year's theme is Inclusivity Through Joy & Creativity. Come see how slam poetry, music infused worship, aesthetics, joy and creativity can infuse your congregation with inclusivity. Come and share your passion for building the world we dream about! All are encouraged to attend! For more information, please click the link.

Save the Date!

Annual Auction: "Falling for UUCR"
- Saturday, November 8, 2014

Saturday November 8 is the “Falling for UUCR” annual auction. In addition to being our church's largest fundraiser, it is a fun-filled evening that you cannot miss! For a modest fee, you can enjoy food and drinks, listen to a live auctioneer, and bid on a variety of goods and services offered by members of the congregation including artwork, homemade jams, assorted specialty dinners, and even vacation getaways. We will have activities for the kids, so bring the whole family.
Our auction website is now live! Go to togetherauction.com/uureston to enter your bids online as well as check out what else is being offered. Paper bid forms are also available at the sign-in corner. For questions or to volunteer to help with this event contact auction@uureston.org.

Dessert at the auction is provided by a bake sale, which also benefits our CYFD program. To sign up to bring something yummy for this event, contact Caroline Ewart at caroline.ewart@gmail.com

Sunday, November 9th - Save the Date for a Community Sunday Forum.

Circle of Light: An Exploration in Spiritual Growth and Healing; Expressing Gratitude with Crystals

Saturday, Nov 15, from 12:30-3:30
Held in the Sanctuary with Diane Black, Crystal Reiki Therapist

Through meditation, creating a crystal grid, music and drumming, we will express our gratitude and love!

12:30 Expressing Gratitude with Crystals
1:15 Drum Circle
2:00 Energy Healing Exchange *

* Open to anyone that would like an energy healing session and to certified energy practitioners only.

RSVP to DBlack@Crystal-Therapist.com
$10 Suggested Donation. Part of the proceeds will go to Unitarian Universal Church in Reston

Alternative Gift Market - December 6th!

This year’s Alternative Gift Market and Craft Fair (AGM/CF) will be held on Saturday, December 6^th from 10 am to 2 pm at UUCR. We will be looking for volunteers soon so please mark the date on your calendar so you can help out and shop! Keep watching this space for additional information in the coming weeks.

Social Events

JULIETs

JULIETs (Just Us Ladies Imbibing Eating & Talking) meets every Monday at various restaurants around Reston for Happy Hour. Won't you join us for food, friendship, and conversation (imbibing not required). This coming Monday, Oct 27, we are meeting at Mon Ami Gabi at Reston Town Center, 11950 Democracy Drive, starting at 5 pm.

ROMEOs

What is a ROMEO? It stands for Retired Older Men Eating Out. You don't actually have to be retired to join us, but you do have to be available for breakfast and fellowship. The UUCR ROMEOs meet Tuesday mornings at 8 AM at the Virginia Kitchen, 450 Elden Street in Herndon, in the KMart plaza shopping center. Join us!

Weekly Spiritual Practice

Yoga with Eileen Roehr (MSN, RNCS, RYT)

Sundays 4:30 to 5:30

Join fellow UUs and bring your friends! The class is in the Anasara Style; designed to increase joint flexibility, muscle tone, and most important relaxation. I enjoying adapting for individual needs and experience levels; including using chairs vs the floor. The alphabet soup after my name indicates that I am a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist and registered yoga teacher. $10 per class.

Mindfulness Meditation: Sundays, 9:15am

Please join Steve Zappalla and Martha Patterson for a mindfulness meditation session. The group meets in the Library downstairs at 9:15am. The session lasts about 30 minutes and includes a 15 minute guided meditation.

Knitters - Tuesdays, 10:00am

The UUCR Knitting Circle meets every Tuesday morning from 10 am to noon in the UUCR Library. Although we call ourselves Knitters, all forms of needlecraft are welcome. Bring your own project or use our yarn to make a blanket square. No previous experience required - we can teach you! Come enjoy conversation and experience the soothing powers of knitting. For those who can't come during the day we are trying to form a monthly evening or weekend group. If you are interested please contact Kathy Deligianis - kathyd@tuxers.net.

Information

Learn More About Permaculture

Are you interested in learning more about Permaculture? George Mason University's Sustainability Institute, in conjunction with the Office of Continuing Professional Education, is presenting the fourth annual Permaculture Design Certification Course from March 7 to March 14, 2015, on the Fairfax Campus. A few scholarships are available.

The course introduces the practice of Permaculture. Students will have the opportunity to practice multiple design exercises and explore how Permaculture principles and strategies could be adopted to their own garden, farm, or building construction, etc. Students will learn how ecosystems work. Planners and public officials will find real solutions for land use.

Permaculture is an ecologically inspired landscape system that bonds food, energy, shelter, and water. Permaculture values provide the student with the basic knowledge needed to make educated decisions on designs of any size, from a small-scale backyard project to a large-scale project such as a farm or city development.

This course is ideal for anyone who would like to learn more about how they can be more sustainable, particularly individuals who have access to a space to grow their own food.
For information about the program and discounts, please call Carol at 703-993-8959, or Danielle Wyman 703-993-7725, or visit the program page: http://ocpe.gmu.edu/programs/green/permaculture.php

Seeking the next Ansel Adams!

Would you like to serve as photographer at a UUCR event? UUCR has a new camera, and it’s for you to use! If you would like to take pictures on Sunday morning (yes, even during worship!), there is a sign up sheet in our Sign Up Corner (next to the nametag board). To volunteer as photographer at any other UUCR event, email the Office Manager directly at admin@uureston.org. The camera is kept in the labeled hutch above the Office desk, along with the sign-out sheet. Please return it when you are done!

Second Hour Schedule

For a trial period during the 2014-2015 church year, the general plan for the 11:30-12:30 hour on Sundays will be to schedule events according a rotating schedule:

1st and 3rd Sundays -- Adult Faith Development activities;
2nd Sundays -- Congregational Meetings;
4th Sundays -- open for social events, committee meetings, etc.

Just for Fun Committee and UUCR Connect

The Just for Fun Committee is promoting the UUCR Connect website as a way to help get the word out about fun and interesting events in our church. Our committee has begun posting information gathered from the order of service on UUCR Connect.* We recommend that you draft your own event invitations if possible, to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. As the event "host" you will receive convenient RSVP notices and one of our UUCR Connect managers will activate your event for live posting. If you are on a committee or in a group that has events to post on the site, and you would prefer not to post the event yourself, you can send the information to Tracey Sopp at tabs1994@gmail.com for posting.

*If you do NOT want your event posted on UUCR Connect (Meetup.com) please, also let Tracey know at tabs1994@gmail.com.

Reminder!

When scheduling church events and meetings, even off-campus, please contact the office administrator (admin@uureston.org) to have your event put on the church calendar! Please note that this includes covenant groups!

Also, if you would like to have the door(s) unlocked for your event or meeting, you need to ask, as this does not happen automatically!

Caring Circle

The Caring Circle of this Congregation provides support at times of need, such as arranging for food and rides, organizing receptions after a memorial service, and keeping in contact with members and friends of this congregation who are ill or shut in. If you would like the support of the Caring Circle, please feel free to contact our Minister or our Caring Circle co-chairs, Dora Anderson (dorama33@gmail.com) and Linda Johnson (johngartner4@verizon.net). If you have a care or concern that you would like to have included in the pastoral prayer, please contact Rev. Barbara by phone (703-956-9155) or email (minister@uureston.org).