What’s happening at UUCF

Here are the events happening at UUCF in the coming week and beyond. Click on the event titles for more information. Click the links below to find other announcements on specific topics. Submit announcements to Communications Specialist Sarah Creel to be featured below, in the Thursday email and in the Sunday bulletin. To receive our Thursday email announcements, click here.

This week
Heads up
Children
Youth
Volunteers needed
Social actions

Save the date/signups
Adult classes
Ongoing meetings
Caring news
Kudos
From our friends

This week

Check out this week’s events on the scrolling calendar or get details in the list of this week’s events. To view the full calendar click here.

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

"The Vagina Monologues" auditions

UUCF Music & Arts presents: "The Vagina Monologues." One performance only, Sat., Feb. 2, 2019, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary. Auditions: Thu., Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m. Social Hall. No audition appointment needed; just show up. Auditions are open to women (trans, cis and women-identifying), non-binary and gender fluid, 18 years and older. This play is read and no memorization of lines is needed. Theatrical experience is appreciated but not required. All who audition are invited to be involved in other ways even if not cast. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals. No preparation is needed before auditioning other than signing up for a slot. Crew Needed: For all aspects of production including publicity, fundraising, house management, tech, etc. To help with this specific production, contact Susan Bennett. Proceeds: Proceeds go to V-Day and Artemis House, Fairfax County's only 24-hour emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. TACT: "The Vagina Monologues" is a first production of the new UUCF Theatrical Arts Coordinating Team (TACT). For general information about TACT, contact Laura Weiss.

Ending gun violence vigil

Fri., Dec. 14, 10-11 a.m., National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax. Contact Bob Hatfield. Signs provided. Park on Fairfax Ridge Road. Vigils are held at the NRA the 14th of each month in memory of the victims of Sandy Hook, Dec. 14, 2012, as a public reminder that the American people want safe and sane gun laws.

Return Guest at Your Table boxes

You may drop off Guest at Your Table boxes at the UUCF office any weekday through Fri., Dec. 14. Thank you for participating in this year's program, which supports the important social justice work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

UUCF People of Color Caucus holiday potluck dinner

Fri., Dec. 14, 6:30-9 p.m., Social Hall. Please RSVP here. For more information about the UUCF POCC, email pocc@googlegroups.com or look for the group in the Realm database and ask to join. For all in the UUCF community who identify as people of color. We will enjoy each other's company while sharing thoughts and experiences on Unitarian Universalism and UUCF. Families welcome.

PCC scholarship deadline - Dec. 14

Questions? Contact Leslie Beard. Thanks to your generosity, the Partner Church Circle (PCC) is halfway to its goal of providing scholarships to students at our partner church in Transylvania and class sponsorships at the Puriang Unitarian School in India. There’s still time to meet our goal and their needs. Please mail a check by Dec. 14 to Leslie Beard, 1911 Hyannis Ct., Apt. 202, McLean, VA 22102-1979 or stop by our table in the Commons. No donation is too small.

Racial Justice Steering Committee

Sat., Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Library. Meets the third Saturday of the month, unless otherwise noted. Contact RJSC co-chairs Kaye Cook or Sharon Johnson. Through education, service, advocacy and witness, the Racial Justice Steering Committee (RJSC) - a subgroup of the UUCF Social Justice Council - is dedicated to identifying and alleviating the root causes and effects of racial injustice and racial discrimination. Find out about the group's Second Principle Project and other ways the RJSC is working toward these goals at uucf.org/racial-justice.

Angel Trees - deadline is Dec. 16

Questions? Contact Kerry Fraser, 703-255-5844. We have two Angel Trees - one in the Commons, the other in the Program Building - aimed at brightening the holidays for people in need. On both trees you will find tags with guidelines for making online monetary donations to Britepaths, which supports Fairfax families, or purchasing a gift for a child at Beacon House, which works with at-risk kids in Northeast DC. Gifts for Beacon House should be left, unwrapped, under either tree by Sun., Dec. 16.

SR&R - Dec. 16

Science, Reason & Religion. Illness, Wholeness and Spirituality. Sun., Dec. 16, 12:30-2 p.m., Sanctuary. Contact Don Yacoe. Speaker: John Monroe. What matters most to us? How do we find the strength to endure suffering? How do we live with fear? And where do we turn for comfort? John Monroe, a UUCF congregant and former ministerial intern, will share insights into human condition that he gained from his recent experience as a hospital chaplain. He also will offer thoughts on the purpose of a faith community (and will explain what he means by "faith").

Mother-Daughter Group

For mothers of teen daughters who are sensitive. Fourth Sunday of the month, unless otherwise noted. Sun., Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m., location TBD (please contact Jennifer). (Note: Date change.) Who: Cisgender, trans or gender-expansive mothers/guardians and their sensitive teen daughters (cis, trans or gender-expansive). Size: 3-8 mothers. Questions? Contact Jennifer. Join a small group of women to explore how we can help each other nurture our sensitive daughters through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. The group’s intention is to support each other as mothers, nurture our relationships with our daughters, help them thrive as girls and young women and welcome them into a community of women. Our goal is for each of us to shine in their own identity, not in any prescribed or limited one. We want our daughters to appreciate their many gifts, learn to use them wisely and to emerge from adolescence full of their own choices and desires. As our primary guide, we will use the book, “The Mother-Daughter Project: How Mothers and Daughters Can Band Together, Beat The Odds and Thrive Through Adolescence” by SuEllen Hamkins, M.D. and Renée Schultz, M.A. We will also draw on ideas and resources each of us brings to make this project uniquely our own. To start, we will meet as mothers alone for six meetings, then we will add gatherings for mothers and daughters together.

Women's Personal Growth Group

Tue., Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Contact Connie Drapeau. Meets monthly to share issues of personal concern. All are welcome.

Meditation Practice Group

Tue., Dec. 18, 7-8:30 p.m., Chapel. Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month, unless otherwise noted. Contact Karen Monroe. Join us in supporting each other in our meditation practice. No expectation to attend every meeting.

Wednesday Morning Book Club

Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Library. Third Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted. Contact Betsy Bicknell. Reading "My Ántonia" by Willa Cather.

Men's Fellowship Group

Thu., Dec. 20, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Meets the first and third Thursdays of the month. Accepting new members. Contact David Heagy. We offer a safe space for group members to be themselves and to discuss, in confidence, issues we face as men. Each member may determine the issues he wishes to discuss and whether he wants feedback from the group. We also discuss other topics of interest. Members are expected to attend regularly.

Young Adult Beliefs & Bevs

Fri., Dec. 21, 7-9 p.m., Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax. Open to all young adults (ages 18-35) from inside and outside UUCF. Contact Pippin Whitaker. Beliefs & Bevs is a chance for young adults to hang out and talk about big ideas and questions. Auld Shebeen has food, coffee, adult beverages and a kid-friendly environment.

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Heads up

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Share the Plate

The December Share the Plate recipient is Beacon House, whose mission is to provide children in the Edgewood neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC, with a safe, nurturing and life-expanding community in which to increase their academic achievement, discover their talents and to grow into healthy adults who achieve their greatest potential. Beacon House was founded by UU Rev. Donald Robinson and has received critical support over the years from the Beltway UU churches.

"Exciting" Auction items sought

The UUCF Auction team is seeking donations of trips/vacations, vacation homes, experiences, exclusive club membership entries, hotel stays or any other "big" or "exciting" items for the live auction of the 2019 UUCF Auction planned for Mar. 2. These items are often valued at $500+ and ensure that we have a fantastic offering for the final, live portion of the auction! If you have something to donate that fits this description, contact us now: auction@uucf.org.

Beacon House Christmas request

Contact Kerry Fraser, 703-255-5844. Beacon House is asking the region's UU congregations to give its neediest kids special attention at Christmas. Beacon House has asked UUCF members to help with 10 of these kids. Eight of the neediest kids have been spoken for. You would be expected to spend $50-$100 on the child. If you would like to help with one of these children, contact Kerry Fraser. If you would like to help but prefer a smaller commitment, please check the Angel Trees in the Sanctuary Commons or the Program Building.

Program evaluation of RE

Each year the Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) evaluates one UUCF program area and submits a report and recommendations to the Coordinating Team. This year's evaluation of the Religious Exploration program is available here. Thanks to team members Mary Butler, Torie Gorges, Mark Magee and Kathy Smerke Hochberg.

Received your pledge statement?

Pledging members and friends should have received a personalized email statement detailing their contributions for the current congregational year. If you don't see it in your in-box, please check your spam folder. If it's not there either, contact Mary Foster.

CAG plastic bag-recycling campaign

Want to help prevent plastic bags and other plastic materials from ending up in our oceans, landfills and in the stomachs of our wildlife? The UUCF Climate Action Group (CAG) is launching a campaign to send these items to Trex, a composite decking company. Please start saving plastic grocery bags, LDPE/HDPE films, newspaper bags, bread bags, product wrap, cereal liners, food storage bags, ice bags, pellet bags, produce bags, dry cleaning bags, grocery bags, case overwrap, packaging air pillows and salt bags. While it is still best to refuse and reduce use of these plastics, we now have a constructive way to dispose of them since many local waste recycling companies won't accept them. More information coming soon about where to drop off your plastic bags at UUCF. Visit the Commons table after services to learn more about this campaign. Questions? Call Loretta Rowe.

Sunday morning child care changes

During Sunday worship services, child care for infants 6 months old to children 3 years old will now be located in the Program Building when RE classes are in session. The new space is larger and has access to the toddler playground. We hope parents will find it more convenient to have all their children in the same building. The Sanctuary Nursery will remain open for parents caring for newborn infants. As always, parents are welcome to keep their children with them during services. When RE classes are not in session, child care during worship services will be held in the Sanctuary Nursery.

Are you 70 1/2 or older?

At age 70 1/2, individuals must start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their 401(k)s or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Normally, the full amount of the RMD is taxable, but if that amount is designated to a charity, it is not. In the past, some UUCF members have paid their pledges or made special gifts to UUCF with these disbursements. To redirect your RMD disbursement to UUCF or another charity, contact your tax professional.

Nominating Committee seeks potential candidates

Know a member you think would be a perfect fit for the UUCF Board of Directors or the Endowment or Nominating committees? And how about yourself? Send names and why you think these people should serve to Nominating Committee co-chairs John Kun and Dennis Zimmerman by Jan. 9.

UUCF office closing

The UUCF office will be closed Dec. 25-Jan.1, 2019. Regular hours will resume Jan. 2.

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Children

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Beacon House Christmas request

Sunday morning child care changes

Angel Trees - deadline is Dec. 16

PlaygroUUp

Tue., Dec. 18, 10-11:30 a.m., Prog. Bldg. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted. Contact Leah Ruffner. For all families with an infant or child to age 5 and their siblings.

RE family potluck

Sun., Dec. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Questions? Contact Laura Higgins or Matt Higgins, higfamily7@gmail.com, 571-314-0851. Meets the fourth Sunday of each month, unless otherwise noted. All UUCF RE families welcome.

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Youth

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Beacon House Christmas request

Angel Trees - deadline is Dec. 16

HS cookie baking & decorating

Sun., Dec. 16, 2-6 p.m., Sanctuary Kitchen & Commons. UUCF high schoolers will cut out and bake cookies early and then decorate them once they have cooled, so come for as much time as you have available. Please sign up to participate and bring either cookie dough, frosting or decorations. (Adult assistants also needed.) Snacks are welcome (especially vegetables)! The categories this year are: most UU cookie, cookie with the best backstory, holiday-themed cookie, musical/Disney-themed cookie and cookie with the best disguise. Start planning your decorating now as prizes will be given.

Youth-Adult Committee meeting

Tue., Dec. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Questions? Contact Courtney Firth. Open to all youth and youth advisors.

RE family potluck

High School OWL sexuality education

Fri., Jan. 25, 2019, 6 p.m.-Sun., Jan. 27, 2019, 12:30 p.m., including overnights Friday and Saturday. Cost: $75, includes five meals. UUCF youth receive a 25% discount. Scholarships available. Register. Questions? Contact Diana Tycer. The Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality education course will be offered as a weekend intensive. Targeted at high school juniors and seniors, the course is open to high school youth from any UU congregation and explores more deeply topics introduced in 8th Grade OWL. The course focuses on sexual health, building healthy sexual relationships, and exploring sexuality and social issues. Strong emphasis is placed on educating the youth about power and responsibility in relationships, sexual harassment, consent and sexual exploitation.

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Volunteers needed

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

FACETS Hot Meals

Sat., Dec. 22, 9-11 a.m., Sanctuary Kitchen & Commons. Sun., Dec. 23, 6:30-8:30 a.m., Sanctuary Kitchen and deliveries in the community. Questions? Contact Viki Mutarelli. UUCF's last Hot Meals commitment for 2018 will be Dec. 22-23. Sign up here to help. This holiday season, in addition to food donations, we are also collecting hats, socks and gloves for the clients we serve. FACETS provides hot meals to Fairfax City-area homeless 365 evenings a year and one Sunday breakfast a week in partnership with about 30 area churches. UUCF helps with a breakfast on the fourth Sunday of even months.

Hypothermia Prevention Program

Feb. 10-17, 2019. Contact Jeff Snyder, 202-486-6433. For 14 years since the Hypothermia Prevention Program began, UUCF has provided food and shelter in an interfaith cooperative effort. This year we will again partner with Vale United Methodist Church and volunteers from the Latter-day Saints next door and our neighbors from Unity of Fairfax. We will shelter up to 40 guests during the week of Feb. 10-17. We have appreciated your past support and are again counting on you to help make this a warm, comfortable experience. Please stop by our sign-up table after services to learn about the project and how you can help. We need volunteers (dinner captains, overnighters), donations, and we have a wish list for in-kind donations. Sign up to volunteer.

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Social actions

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Ending gun violence vigil

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Save the date/sign-ups

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

FACETS Hot Meals

Winter Solstice Service

Sat., Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary. Haunting and beautiful melodies with Munit Mesfin, Sarah Jebian, Cami St. Germain, Carol Campbell, Beth Trivette, John Graham, Andre Enceneat (from the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet) and others give this Winter Solstice Service a tranquil and mystical tone.

Christmas Eve Services

Mon., Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), 4, 6 & 8 p.m., Sanctuary. 4 p.m,. Nativity Pageant - Features Young Arts program participants in lead acting roles and the Merry Makers children's choir. 6 p.m., Revolution Ringers handbell ensemble will once again stir us with their gorgeous sound. 8 p.m., Catalyst choral chamber ensemble will warm our hearts with the musical stylings of John Rutter and Alice Parker.

Newcomers/visitors reception

Sun., Jan. 6, 2019, 10:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m., far end of the Sanctuary Commons. If you're new to UUCF, join us for coffee and conversation.

Young Adult brunch

Sun., Jan. 6, 2019, 12:30-2 p.m., meet in the Sanctuary Building lobby after the service or meet at Tropical Smoothie (2918 Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton). Open to all young adults (ages 18-35) from inside and outside UUCF. Brunches held the first Sunday, unless otherwise noted. Questions? Contact Pippin Whitaker. Join the YAF Facebook page for more updates and connection. Join the Young Adult Fellowship group for brunch and conversation.

Beloved Conversations

Immersive retreat. Fri., Jan. 18, 6-9 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Ln., Bethesda, MD. (NOTE: Friday bus leaves UUCF at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday at 8 a.m.). Eight, 2-hour facilitated small-group sessions. Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m. - Feb. 4, 18; Mar. 4, 18; Apr. 1, 15, 29; May 13 OR Sunday afternoons, 3-5 p.m. - Feb. 3, 17; Mar. 3, 17, 31; Apr. 7, 28; May 5. Led by Dr. Mark Hicks, Meadville Lombard Theological School Professor of Religious Education. Registration is FREE! Deadline is Jan. 13. REGISTER HERE. UUCF is excited to offer Beloved Conversations - a rich, experiential program for exploring the role of race and ethnicity in individual and congregational lives. The goal of Beloved Conversations is to re-form the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior, ushering in spiritual healing for ourselves and our community. New ways of being will be learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue. For more information, contact Rev. David A. Miller.

Winter blood drive

Sun., Jan. 13, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Bloodmobile. Registration will be held in the Music & Arts Room. Did you know that each donation can help save up to three lives and that donating is easy and safe? Did you know that our area has a chronic shortage of blood and that most healthy people are eligible to donate? Did you know that donating can actually be fun in a loving a caring community setting such as UUCF? Thank you in advance for helping us to save lives! Three ways to sign up: Go to the INOVA website where you can lock in your favorite time slot. You can see open slots and schedule your appointment. If the page asks for a “Sponsor code,” use 0686 (the leading zero is important). Note: You will have to “sign-in” – in many cases you already have a donor ID (and your password will be your birth date if you’ve never set it before). There are links on the sign-in page that will allow you to discover if you already exist in the INOVA web database (see “I forgot my Donor ID”). Email Ken Foley at BloodDriveUUCF@gmail.com or call him at 703-242-0258, and give three possible times slots, indicating your first, second and third choices. Ken will register you and send you an email confirmation. Sign up at the table in the Commons after services.

New Day Rising Conference

Identifying Your Congregation's Next Steps in the Struggle with White Supremacy Culture. Sat., Jan. 26, 2019, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at UUCF. Register here. Fee: Sliding scale $20-$30-$40 (waiver for $10 fee as needed - just ask). Lunch included. Child care available - $5 per child. Please indicate your request for child care on your registration. Join UUs in the Central East Region for this day of learning, growing and rising. Sessions include: Why Do We Use the Words White Supremacy Anyway? with Revs. Megan Foley and Ian Evison There’s an Elephant in the Room: How to Have Difficult Conversations at Church with Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson Leading Racial Justice Work as UU People of Color with Rev. Sunshine Wolfe Identity Development With Children and Youth with Shannon Harper Why Is It So Hard to Get Others in My Community Interested in Racial Justice Work? A Look at the Intercultural Development Inventory with Rev. Renee Ruchotzke Experienced UU Antiracist Get-Together with Paula Cole Jones Identity-Based Group Caucusing Stories of Struggle and Success - 15 congregations share brief TED-style talks about what worked for them and what didn’t!

Hypothermia Prevention Program

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Adult classes

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

The Afterlife in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Tue., Wed. & Thu., Dec. 11, 12 & 13, 7:30-9 p.m. Led by John Rybicki. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Concepts and characteristics of God, as well as an understanding of the development of divine justice, mercy, compassion and punishment, have been important in the development of thoughts on the afterlife in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We will study how these religions understand the ways that God balances and prioritizes each of these elements, which are instrumental to understanding their views about the afterlife. The course will review three differing concepts of God to better understand how they conceptualize the afterlife. We will also consider whether the God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is the same God.

Gentle Yoga

Tue., Dec. 18, 6:30-7:30 a.m., Chapel. Class started Sep. 11. Led by Ravi Kaur (Christine Mason), cmason@edimprovement.org. Drop-ins welcome. This course is designed for UUCF and includes stretching, Kundalini yoga sets, relaxation and meditation. Ravi has taught yoga at UUCF since 2001. Dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

Needlework Group

Third Thursday, 2:30-4 p.m., and first Tuesday, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Next Thursday session is Dec. 20. Next Tuesday session TBD. Contact Mary Paxton. No registration required; just show up. This newly gathering (and hopefully ongoing) group welcomes all parties interested in schmoozing over their needlework or other portable projects on an “as possible” basis. There will be no formal instructor, but the members will assist each other (including beginners) in mastering new techniques and planning future projects, while they get to know each other better. To accommodate all who may be interested, those available will meet twice a month, once during the day and once in the evening.

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Ongoing meetings

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Climate Action Group

Wed., Jan. 2, 7:30-9 p.m., Social Hall, or via conference call to 1-563-999-2090, access code 308302#. Contact Eric Goplerud. Everyone welcome.

NAMI family support meeting

Thu., Jan. 3, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Meets each first Thursday, unless otherwise noted. Contact Joanna Walker. Support meeting for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness.

Partner Church Circle

Sun., Jan. 6, 2019, 12:30-2 p.m., Library. Contact Dick Van Duizend.

Poetry Club

Sun., Jan. 13, 4-6 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Meets the second Sunday of the month, unless otherwise noted. Contact Barb Dutchak.

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Caring news

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Condolences

Polly Feuer died at home on Dec. 3. She joined UUCF in 2005 and was an active member of the Wednesday Morning Book Club. Polly is survived by a daughter, Vicky, a son-in-law, a stepson and daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, a large family and many friends.

Condolences

Condolences to Christy Clarke Choi and her children Ben and Necie, on the Nov. 26 death of Christy's mother, Judith W. Clarke, at age 76. A memorial service will be held at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke on Sun., Dec. 9, at 1 p.m.

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Kudos

Click on each heading to see the full description and links.

Check back later for gratitude and congratulatory announcements

From our friends

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UU Annapolis seeks business administrator

UU Church of Annapolis is actively soliciting resumes for a full-time business administrator. Click here for details. Salary range is between$55,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience. Send a cover letter and resume to Interim Senior Minister Rev. Kathleen C. Rolenz by Dec. 13.

WES seeks interim director of lifelong learning

For questions or to apply, please contact Senior Leader Amanda Poppei. The Washington Ethical Society (WES), a humanist congregation in Washington, DC, is seeking an interim director of lifelong learning (DLL) or similar to begin immediately. We are open to someone working anywhere from 20-40 hours a week; if the position is closer to 20 hours we would expect primarily general administration of the Sunday School program; if closer to 40 hours we would ask for change management/interim work as well. Our hope would be that the person filling the interim position would be able to stay with us through June 2019. We have a great program at WES, with about 100 children and youth registered and about 40 currently regularly showing up on Sundays. We hold two services, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., except in the summer, with similar but not identical programming at both services. We have an RE assistant, who works about 12 hours a week and is a fantastic support. The DLL position reports to the senior leader (minister). WES is a member congregation of both the Unitarian Universalist Association and the American Ethical Union. The Washington Ethical Society is a humanist congregation that affirms the worth of every person. Our community has a stated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression work, and we bring those values into our workplace. We seek to create a staff whose diversity reflects our neighborhood and city. All successful candidates must be willing to support and promote our Statement of Purpose and Congregational Ends.

SCOV names new executive director

The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) Board of Directors has named Susan D. Garvey as its new executive director. Ms. Garvey has an extensive nonprofit background with over 30 years as an executive, fundraiser and volunteer. Some of the organizations she has represented include; INOVA Health System Foundation, INOVA Kellar Center, Best Buddies Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Association and Cornerstones. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated the ability to foster meaningful connections and partnerships with leaders in our community. In addition to being the public face of SCOV, Susan’s duties include managing the annual budget, overseeing a three-person staff and dedicated volunteers, who last year devoted 9,900 hours of service in support of our communities. Susan and her husband raised their two daughters in Reston. She has been the primary caregiver to her 92-year-old parents since she moved them to the area in 2016.

Buy a Christmas tree, feed the hungry!

Starting on Nov. 24, buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree from Vale United Methodist Church in Oakton (the little white church on the Corner of Vale and Fox Mill roads), and your purchase will provide, on average,100 lifesaving meals for hungry children and families around the world. For the eighth straight year, proceeds from Vale Church’s tree sale will be donated to the global relief organization Rise Against Hunger, as well as being used for local anti-hunger efforts here in Fairfax County. The high-quality trees come in a range of sizes and varieties, including fraser firs, douglas firs and canaan firs. Wreaths and pine garlands are also available. Enjoy free hot cider and cookies while you shop for the perfect tree for your Christmas home. Mention that UUCF sent you and receive a 10% discount off your tree. Hours are from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays (special hours until 9 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 1), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, and 6-9 p.m. Mon-Fri. For more information, call 703-620-2594 or email office@valechurch.org.

Children's bookstore events

Community events for new children's bookstore, Stories Like Me. We are partnering with Britepaths to allow our customers to purchase a book for a child this holiday season. To learn more, contact co-founder Helen Hendricks, 703-679-7940. First pop-up: Sat., Nov. 24 (Small Business Saturday), 2-4 p.m., Cameron's Coffee & Chocolates, 9639 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. Sat., Dec.1 and Sun., Dec. 2, 3-6 p.m., Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax. Stories Like Us will be represented at local author Heather Gray's Love and Devotion book tour. Fri., Dec. 14-Sun., Dec. 16, Fairfax City Holiday Market, Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA. Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m.; Dec. 15, 12-6 p.m.; Dec. 16, 12-4 p.m. Instagram: Stories.Like.Me. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storieslikeme/ Stories Like Me's mission is: To foster a literary community where all children to see themselves in a story. To believe that all people, no matter their circumstances, deserve to be celebrated and recognized. To curate our book collections through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion. To share beautiful books, and promote writers and illustrators from all backgrounds. To encourage dialogue among community members and beyond. To make the world a more equitable and inclusive place.

UUSJ seeks administrative assistant

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) seeks an administrative assistant. Job description here. Shows of interest and referrals welcomed at info@uusj.org. More info coming soon.

BRUU hosts bluegrass performance

Fri., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6), Bull Run Unitarian Universalists, 9350 Main St., Manassas, VA. Tickets are $20, general admission, all ages. Buy tickets here. Facebook event page here. For more information or with questions, contact bluegrass@bruu.org, 703-732-1000. Award-winning bluegrass group Nothin’ Fancy was formed in 1994 to compete in a bluegrass competition. After discovering the undeniable camaraderie among its members, the group has continued working together and gained a large fan base of loyal followers. The band has released 11 full-length albums and continues to perform at festivals across the United States and Canada, and even in Norway.

Vienna Choral Society's "Sounds of the Season: Wonder"

Sat., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA . Tickets available at viennachoralsociety.org. Cash and checks accepted at the door. The box office opens at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets: $25/adults, $20/seniors (65+) and students (15-18). Youth ages 14 and younger attend for free when accompanied by a ticket-holding patron. Families and young children are welcome! Questions? Contact Executive Director Sohini Baliga, info@viennachoralsociety.org, 703-349-7150. Come enjoy the Vienna Choral Society's "Sounds of the Season: Wonder." The repertoire ranges from the iconic medieval “Twelve Days of Christmas” to the modern “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” from the hit Broadway show, "Elf." The centerpiece of the evening will be Sarah Quartel’s "Snow Angel," a moving masterwork that embodies the childlike wonder, joy and mystery that marks this time of year for many. Vienna Choral Society will be joined by the talented singers of the West Springfield High School Madrigals, directed by Dustin Brandt. We will share the stage with several youth accompanists. About Vienna Choral Society: Vienna Choral Society is Northern Virginia’s best known teaching choir. The choir, led by artistic director Mike Horanski, is now in its 31st season, and boasts singers and audiences from all ages, stages and walks of life from across the DC-Metro region.

SCOV Caregivers Support Group

Thu., Dec. 20, 10-11:30 a.m., Prog. Bldg. For caregivers to adult family members with dementia. Meets the first and third Thursdays of the month. Free. Hosted by Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna. Click here for flier. Contact facilitator Jack Tarr, 703-821-6838.

Shepherd's Center needs volunteers

Contact volunteer@scov.org, 703-281-0538 or visit the website, scov.org. Are you able to donate your time, talents and friendship to older adults in our community? The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna welcomes your assistance in many ways: medical driver, companion driver, friendly caller or visitor, handy helper, and office and technology assistants. Volunteers are needed year-round.

Saturday morning yoga

Sat., Dec. 15, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 23, 9:30-11 a.m., Prog. Bldg. (No class Dec. 22, Dec. 29 or Feb. 16.) Contact Ravi Kaur (Chris Mason), 571-213-3192, to register or for more information. Ten sessions: $110. Sign up for four or more classes at $11/session. Drop-in rate: $15/session. Senior discounts available. Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Sessions include yoga sets, breathing, stretching and meditation. Increase your flexibility, relax and be energized.

Youth Ministry Revival

"Answer the Call of Love." Fri., Mar. 1, 2019-Sun., Mar. 3, 2019, Cedar Lane UU, Bethesda, MD. The Youth Ministry Revival is a national senior high youth event that started in 2016 in Portland. It moved to Chicago, in 2017 and this year the Central East Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association will host it in the DC area. This is bigger and different from a regular con. We encourage congregations to send teams of youth and adults (specifically adults that don’t normally go to youth events but are interested in multigenerational justice and worship teams). We’ll be bringing in local partners as well as UU religious professionals and youth leaders from all over the country to lead workshops on justice, activism, organizing and community care; share spiritual practices that nurture and sustain us in the work; and weave worship, music and ritual into the very fabric. This event is designed to introduce, inspire and encourage going deeper both personally and as a congregational team. More information to come.

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