Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston

[03/31/19]   We are excited to have guest musician Julia Jones perform during worship tomorrow. See you at 10am!

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is here! This week we share about some wonderful upcoming events - such as our annual Passover Seder Celebration on April 20 and Culinary Connections on April 27. We also share information about some really great community events such as a Bluebell Walk on April 13. 💐
This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 3/28: UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Sun 3/31: Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 3/31: Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 3/31: CASA Information Session - 11:30am Sun 3/31: Garden Group Meeting - 11:30am Sun 3/31: Beloved Conversations - 11:30am Sun 3/31: UUCR Yoga - 4:30pm Sun 3/31: Annual ...

Your Church Does Not Need Volunteers

"In writing this note to my people, I wrote that it takes a whole village of volunteers to make all of this happen…. But then I found myself hitting the backspace button. Because 'volunteer' is not quite the right word for what our people do at church." 💙

patheos.com You cannot volunteer at your own church, in the same way you cannot babysit your own kid. The church belongs to you in the same way your family does.

[03/24/19]   It’s a beautiful day for Flower Communion! We’ll see you at 10am- bring flowers! 🌻🌸🌷☀️

[03/22/19]   Friendly reminder - please bring flowers on Sunday for the Flower Communion!
We welcome extra for visitors! 🌷🌼🥀

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is here! This week we remind folks to bring flowers for Sunday's flower communion. 🌹💐🌷 We also share pictures from Saturday's amazing Stewardship Gala & Cabaret. 🎼🤩

This and much more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 3/21:  Third Thursday Listening Circle - 7:00pm Thu 3/21:  UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 3/22:    Elders Lunch with Rev. Debra - 12:30pm Fri 3/22:    Community Freestyle Dance - 8:00pm Sat 3/23:   Spiritual Autobiography Reading Group - 10:00am Sat 3/23:   Newcomer Orientation - 1:...

Event: Immigration 101 - UUCA (2019-03-20)

Immigration 101: An Overview of U.S. Immigration Law
Tonight Arlington UU, 7-9pm

Do you ever wonder about immigration laws? What’s a visa, a green card, DACA? Have you ever wondered why immigrants don’t just apply for citizenship? Would you like to have a better understanding of immigration rules in a non-political format? This presentation is not about where you stand politically. It is the facts about who can have what kind of legal status and what that legal status means.

This event is free, but advance registration is required. Click below to register.

justneighbors.org Do you ever wonder about immigration laws? What’s a visa, a green card, DACA? Have you ever wondered why immigrants don’t just apply for citizenship? Would you like to have a better understanding of immigration rules in a non-political format? Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington along wit

[03/19/19]   Sunday is Flower Communion. Please bring at least one flower and place it in a vase at the front of the sanctuary!

United for Christchurch Mosque Shootings | LaunchGood

We mourn with the people of New Zealand, especially the Muslim families of those murdered at prayer. Please consider helping at

launchgood.com Support the victims and families of multiple shootings in 2 mosques in New Zealand

UUReston News

This week's eBlast is here! This week we share final details for Saturday's Annual Stewardship Gala & Cabaret. We also share some fun calendar events - like this Sunday's Annual St. Patrick's Day Scrabble - which is going to be AWESOME (which is worth 12 points!) and FABULOUS (13 points)! This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 3/14:  UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 3/15:    Women's Book Club Meeting - 7:00pm  Sat 3/16:   Stewardship Gala & Cabaret - 6:30pm  Sun 3/17:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 3/17:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 3/17:  Newcomers & Visitors Coffee - 11:30am Sun 3/17:  Beloved Co...

The Sanctuary always feels so peaceful on Monday morning.

Friendly reminder to set your clocks ahead one hour! Daylight Savings Time officially begins Sunday at 2am. We’ll see you at 10am tomorrow!

From the editor: Our story hurt people

I wanted to make sure you all saw the apology from the UU World editor to the trans and nonbinary community. I hope he follows up on the commitments he makes here. https://www.uuworld.org/articles/apology-spring-2019?fbclid=IwAR2DL0xPbiuJg9nPLMT1X4CJOem980uEOiw-LO8tobM-M8SUjhP95Pkcmg0

uuworld.org

UUReston News

Hot off the press! In this week's eBlast, we share details about upcoming events, including the ever-popular Elders Lunch on March 22! We also have all the information you'll need about the upcoming Gala (including a reminder to RSVP by tomorrow!). This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 3/7:    UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 3/8:      Girls Night Out Auction Event - 7:00pm  Fri 3/8:      Community Freestyle Dance - 8:00pm  Sat 3/9:     Hamilton Sing Along - 2:00pm  Sun 3/10:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 3/10:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 3/10:  YRU...

Gala rehearsals are underway! Make sure to RSVP by this Friday!

Centering the Marginalized: symphony and triptych – CB Beal – Medium

Dear friends, if you read the print UU World and read the recent article by a cis gender woman grappling with transgender people, please also read this https://medium.com/@jpc_cb/centering-the-marginalized-symphony-and-triptych-9dabc93cd461?fbclid=IwAR3grgVRmzdRrq-VwETpB_KImed2nU8ZhhXnS-PZ2is_MrfsBKCckeaslL4 The UU world (and the UU World) need to do better.

medium.com Prelude

Click here to support Support for Flori's Children organized by UUCF Congregation

Dear UUCR members and friends: I have just learned of this horrible tragedy at our neighboring UU congregation. I have offered my support to the minister there. If you can help support this request, I hope you will do so. I will send something from the MDF.

gofundme.com From the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax: "We were heartbroken to learn that our beloved colleague Flori Perez Diaz was killed on Mar. 2 by her husband, Vladimir Ralda, in a murder-suicide. Vladimir was also on staff at UUCF. "Flori served as UUCF's custodian for mor...

Not Your Average Joe's to Host March Fundraiser for Hungry Kids

What are you doing on Tuesday? Stop by Not Your Average Joe's for a delicious meal, mention "Helping Hungry Kids" and 15% of your bill will be donated to this amazing nonprofit organization.

Helping Hungry Kids gives food packages to more than 400 elementary school students in Northern Virginia who don’t have enough food on the weekends.

Mark your calendar for the four Tuesdays in March and support Helping Hungry Kids!

restonnow.com Diners at Not Your Average Joe's on select days in March can help raise money for a nonprofit that combats student hunger. On the four Tuesdays in March, the restaurant (1845 Fountain Drive) will donate 15 percent of bills for diners who ask to have their meals support Helping Hungry Kids. The

UUReston News

This week's eBlast is live! In this edition we celebrate Membership Anniversaries (25 years for Barbara B!). We also share details about the upcoming Stewardship Gala, including information on how to sign up for childcare and to volunteer. This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp The Stewardship Gala is just around the corner. Learn more about The Gala, including how to sign up for childcare and to volunteer!

Question Box Sermon

Rev. Debra's sermon from last Sunday is available online! Click below to listen now or to download it for another time.

uureston.org Rev. Debra's sermons are available in audio format below. You may listen to the sermon online or download for listening at a later time.  

We are excited to share that UUCR has just been designated as a 2019 Breakthrough Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association! This special designation is given to Unitarian Universalist communities that have demonstrated new and better ways of meeting the needs of people who are currently underserved or not served at all in our religious communities.

UUCR was chosen in recognition of creating and holding the first ever Reston Pride festival. To quote the notification email: "We were especially inspired by your breadth of vision and your concerted efforts to involve so many people in your own congregation, as well as from neighboring faith communities, in organizing the very first Reston Pride event. The incredible levels of participation in this first event speak to the degree to which others were inspired by the church’s leadership and felt included. There’s no doubt your groundbreaking work will help the whole Reston community grow more welcoming for years to come." In the coming months, UU World will be doing a story on the innovation UUCR demonstrated with Reston Pride.

We are absolutely thrilled to be recognized as a Breakthrough Congregation by the UUA. This recognition is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate how our congregation is growing and thriving and making a true difference in our community.

[02/17/19]   Bring your questions to church this morning! Rev. Debra will answer your questions during her Question Box sermon today. Kids can ask questions during Time for All Ages. See you at 10am!

"Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet."
- Katharine Lee Bates

Wishing you and yours a very happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is here! This week we share details on upcoming events, including the Women's Book Club meeting this Friday night and Freestyle Community Dance on the 22nd. We also share photos from last Sunday's Sundae Sunday (so much fun!).

This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 2/14:  UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 2/15:    Women's Book Club - 7:30pm Sun 2/17:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 2/17:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 2/17:  Pilot Governance Session - 11:30am Sun 2/17:  Gardener's Meeting - 11:30am Sun 2/17:  God Talk - 11:30am Sun 2/17:  UUC...

Our volunteers are awesome! Big thanks to Bruce, David and Barbara for helping fold, stuff and stamp today. Your assistance today made this job fly by and made it fun! Thank you!

[02/12/19]   Good day, UUCR! Rev. Debra here. I'd really love you to submit questions in advance of Sunday -- and I promise to answer all those submitted in advance first! It will make it more coherent if the questions are organized by topic, and I can't do that during the service. What questions do you have about our theology, history, the UUA, UUCR, even me? Send them to [email protected] if you want your question to be anonymous or to me, or drop them in my mailbox. I'll take them through noon on Friday! Thanks!

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is here. This week we celebrate February birthdays. We also share some exciting news about our gardens and information about several upcoming events you won't want to miss. This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 2/7:   UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 2/8:     Elders Lunch with Rev. Debra - 12:30pm Fri 2/8:     Films on Friday - 7:30pm Sun 2/10: Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 2/10: Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 2/10: Newcomers & Visitors Coffee - 11:30am Sun 2/10: Sundae Sunday - 11:30...

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is here! This week we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on some special volunteers that make a true difference for our church! We also celebrate February membership anniversaries (46 years for Barbara B.!!) and share details about some fun and interesting upcoming events. This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Fri 2/1:    Films on Friday - 7:30pm Sat 2/2:   Caring for Aging Parents Support Group - 10:00am Sat 2/2:   Imbolc Celebration - 4:00pm Sun 2/3:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 2/3:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 2/3:  Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30am Sun 2/3:  UUCR Yoga - 4:30...

Support for furloughed federal employees - UUCF

Here is a list of local resources for people that are financially struggling due to the partial government shutdown. Many thanks to UUCF-Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax for compiling this information.

Please share widely. This is a financial crisis for many people, especially in the DMV. The longer it goes on, the bigger the crisis will be. We are grateful to these organizations for supporting our community members in need.

uucf.org The following non-profits and local government entities offer support to those facing short-term financial challenges: Cornerstones – promotes self-sufficiency by providing support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality child care and other human services. Foo...

[01/23/19]   On Monday, January 28th, Rev. Debra will host a lunch and discussion for UUCR congregants who have been directly affected by the federal shut down. Please RSVP to Beth at [email protected] by Saturday, 26th, at 10 am. We need to have an exact count to plan meals.

UUReston News

This week's eBlast is live! This week we share details about upcoming events, including the "Voices of Inspiration" multi-faith concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, this Sunday afternoon. This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 1/17:  Third Thursday Listening Circle - 7:00pm Thu 1/17:  UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 1/18:    Women's Book Club - 7:00pm Sat 1/19:   Women's March on Washington (See article below.) Sun 1/20:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 1/20:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 1/20:  Newcom...

UUReston News

Our weekly eBlast is live! This week we celebrate birthdays and prepare for the possibility of snow! We also share details on upcoming events, including a full-day meditation retreat on January 26. This and more - enjoy!

mailchi.mp Thu 1/10:  Children's Choir Rehearsal - 5:45pm Thu 1/10:  Social Action & Justice Committee Meeting - 6:30pm Thu 1/10:  UUCR Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm Fri 1/11:    Freestyle Dance - 8:00pm Sun 1/13:  Mindfulness Meditation - 9:15am Sun 1/13:  Worship Service - 10:00am Sun 1/13:  Life - Learni...

[01/09/19]   We are excited to welcome Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church for dinner and fellowship this evening!

Intentions

Rev. Debra's sermon from this past Sunday is available online! Click below listen to "Intentions," You can also download the sermon to listen to later. Enjoy!

uureston.org Rev. Debra's sermons are available in audio format below. You may listen to the sermon online or download for listening at a later time.  

The nation’s first two Muslim congresswomen are sworn in, surrounded by the women they inspired

It was certainly a historic day yesterday!

The first two Muslim congresswoman were sworn in, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib using Thomas Jefferson’s centuries-old Quran during her swearing in ceremony.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema took her ceremonial oath of office holding her hand on a copy of the Constitution rather than the Bible.

The Pew Research Center shared the religious affiliation of the new Congress. The 116th Congress includes two Unitarian Universalists.

washingtonpost.com Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib became the first women of their faith in Congress on Thursday.

To our dear members and friends -

We wish you and yours a very happy New Year! We are so grateful for all that you bring to our church community and look forward to sharing 2019 with you.

Happy New Year!!

Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston

[12/30/18]   Good morning! We hope you join us this morning at 10am for our last service of 2018! “Cradle and Grave” will be led by Scot Hull.

[12/26/18]   Worship this Sunday, December 30, 10:00am: “Cradle and Grave”- led by Scot Hull. All are welcome, please join us!

[12/24/18]   You are invited to join us for Christmas Eve service! We have two services tonight at 5pm and 7pm.

5pm: Family Christmas Eve Service
7pm: Christmas Eve Service

The 5:00pm service will include the children’s choir and will be more oriented to children’s participation; however children are very welcome at either service.

We welcome people of any age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, family, or culture. We welcome you if you are already a Unitarian Universalist or if you are just finding out about us. We welcome you if you are Jewish, Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindi, Muslim, Sikh, – or if you are spiritual but not religious.

Please join us!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

[12/24/18]   We can't wait to celebrate Christmas Eve with you! Services start promptly at 5 pm and 7 pm. Join us!

[12/22/18]   UUCR members/friends, if the government shut down is going to mean you can't pay your bills, please contact Rev. Debra. The Ministerial Discretionary Fund can help during times of need.

[12/21/18]   Please wear your holiday sweaters (if you have one) to church this Sunday for our Carols and Lessons Service -- and we'd still love you to bring a poinsetta to help with the decorations!

Elders Wisdom

Rev Debra has a new post on her blog, Faith Aloud.

In this post she shares good advice from our church elders. This is a really special read - you may just want to take some of this advice to heart!

uureston.org Each month, I meet with a group of congregants who are at least eighty years of age.  This month, I asked them what advice they wished they had been given during their middle years…