May 8 Service: Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

"Reverence Without a Creed"

Mother's Day

Outreach Sunday: Women for Afghan Women (WAW); Brown Bag Bible Study; nUUners; Needlework Circle; Choir Rehearsal; Youth Work Day; Bluegrass Concert

We have Sunday service at 10:00 a.m. We welcome all members, friends and visitors to our Sunday services. Our Chalice Children (Toddlers and Preschoolers) and Faith Activities (Kindergarteners through 5th Graders) meet on Sunday mornings during the worship service. A nursery is provided for infants. Check the AUUC Web site, www.accotinkuuc.org or newsletter for more information.

Upcoming services:

May 8

Reverence Without a Creed—Mothers Day

Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

How do we cultivate a reverent attitude to people and to this life without a demanding theology of God and divine law? Indeed, reverence is more important when we do not have an orthodox, rigid theology that tells us what to believe. Join Reverend Scott in exploring how to cultivate an air of reverence towards the world and all life.

Remember When Speaker — Marsha White

Choir; Outreach Sunday: Inquirer's Class: Women for Afghan Women (WAW); Brown Bag Liberal Bible Study

May 15

Call Me Rebel: The Power of Gathering People for Justice
Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

Saul Alinsky is a very misunderstood American leader. Lately he has been vilified by talk shows and political partisans. But Alinsky, a very complex man, created a method of organizing people and money to give common people the power to fight both big business and big government. Come explore the life and motivation of this colorful American icon.

General Assembly Agenda Review; Brown Bag Liberal Bible Study

May 22

Whose Are We??

Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

We live our lives cast amid myriad relationships and commitments. How do we know which of the world's competing demands on us deserves our allegiance and attention? Join us as we mine the depth, breadth and height of the various valid claims on our lives, and how we can nurture our connections to the forces, communities and values we serve and the spirit which serves us.

Remember When Speaker—Dick Foster

Choir; Inquirer's Class; FORUM; Brown Bag Liberal Bible Study

May 29

Guest Speaker

See "This Week at Accotink" for details.

Brown Bag Liberal Bible Study

This Week's Calendar

Sunday, May 8

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

10:15 a.m. RE classes and Chalice Children, and Nursery (9:55 a.m.)

11:30 a.m. Review UUA/GA Agenda

noon Brown Bag Bible Study

4:00 p.m. Fontneau Party

Monday, May 9

11:00 a.m. nUUners

7:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, May 10

9:15 a.m. Needlework Circle

Thursday, May 12

7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, May 14

2:00 p.m. Youth Work Day

8:00 p.m. Bluegrass Concert

Announcements for the Upcoming Weeks

Brown Bag Bible Study – a Liberal embrace of our religious roots every Sunday noon - 2:00 p.m.

Our wildly popular Bible Study series is improving. Beginning March 13, we will begin using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) to guide our study. This will put us on a much easier schedule to follow for those who want to follow along and drop in and out – and it puts us in conversation with our Christian neighbors (who use the RCL as well.) The RCL can be found in numerous places online, such as this one – http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ . We are currently in Year A, and we will begin March 13 with the readings on Lent. Bring a friend and find out how we can embrace the tradition while respectfully critiquing it!

May Outreach Collection Benefits Women in Afghanistan

Women for Afghan Women (WAW), an organization committed to ensuring the human rights of Afghan women, sponsors a range of programs in Afghanistan and in the U.S. WAW advocates for the representation of women in all areas of life in Afghanistan: political, social, cultural and economic. Through its Afghan Women's Fund (AWF ) WAW raises funds and provides technical assistance for survival and rebuilding projects in multiple provinces of Afghanistan, mostly in rural areas. WAW and AWF are committed to keeping overhead to a minimum – in fact AWF is all volunteer – in order to raise funds for these and other humanitarian projects in Afghanistan.

Fahima Vorgetts, the volunteer director of the Afghan Women's Fund, addressed us several years ago. However, on May 8 she will be in Afghanistan doing AWF work – ensuring that funds get to where they are intended, delivering supplies and equipment, tending to relationships with local partners, checking on current projects and evaluating options for new ones. Instead, we will welcome Alicia Lucksted, a longtime volunteer and organizer for AWF, as our guest and speaker. Please come and welcome her to our fellowship. Before and after the 10 a.m. service Alicia will host a sale of handmade jewelry, embroidered goods, and other crafts from Afghanistan in the gallery. All proceeds go directly to AWF projects. Sales will accept cash, check, or credit. For more on WAW and AWF's work, go to www.womenforafghanwomen.org or check the article in Accotink's May newsletter.

On May 8 you are also invited to place a contribution in the outreach collection. Checks may also be mailed to the AUUC office. Make your tax-deductible check payable to:WAW/AWF or to AUUC with "Outreach Sunday" on the memo line. Sponsored by the AUUC Social Justice Committee.

Come to Pete's Graduation and Pete and Karin's Anniversary Party on Sunday, May 8, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at AUUC. More than one reason to celebrate: Pete and Karin have been together 40 years and Pete is (finally) graduating from Wesley Theological Seminary. All church welcome. RSVP 703-440-9628, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

nUUners May Meetings

This popular AUUC informal discussion group meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the church gallery at 11:15 a.m. We bring bag lunches and enjoy desserts provided by members of the group. The discussion on a topic of interest is led by the program leader for the day. All are invited to come and participate. Members all help set up and prepare for the event and help clean up. We share camaraderie and lunches until 12 noon, at which time our program begins. Our programs in May are as follows:

May 9 Our discussion leader for the day is Fred Surls. He has chosen the topic "Globalization--Is It Good for Us?" It should provide some interesting ideas to ponder. Fred will also furnish the dessert.

May 23 John Allen will discuss "Introduction to Anarchy," a subject that interests him greatly and on which he has many ideas to share. John also will bring the goodies for the day.

Needlework Circle in May

You can help us prepare a few items for the church auction in the fall of 2011, or bring your own hand work. We meet most Tuesday mornings in the AUUC gallery. For occasional e-mails reminders/cancellations or notification of needlework events in this area, contact Marsha White.

May 10: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; May 17: 9:30a.m. to 11 a.m.; May 24: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

May 31: no meeting

Future Announcements and Other Information

Get your tickets for the Bluegrass Maestros concert featuring Leon Morris and Orrin Star on May 14th at 8 pm. To reserve your tickets email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (703) 503-4579.

Join the AUUC Brunch Buddies on May 15 at approx. noon at Panera on Rolling Road (near Old Keene Mill behind Whole Foods), and meet other Accotinker's while sharing a meal. This is a family get together so everyone is invited and Dutch treat. It is an impromptu get gathering (no rsvp needed). Contact: Jackie Weisman

Celebrate Spring at Sacred Circle Dance
All are invited to celebrate spring, a time of birth and renewal, with Sacred Circle Dance on Saturday, May 14, at Accotink, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. As in ancient times, we join hands and dance to connect to the earth and our own spirit. Each month we lead dances to mark the turning of the year, honoring our multicultural and interfaith sources.
All steps are low-impact and easy to learn, so beginners are always welcome. There's no charge, but feel free to bring something for the centerpiece or munchies to share if you like. (Keep in mind that Accotink is a nut-free zone and, for those with chemical sensitivities and allergies, please remember not to use perfumes or scented items.)
Future dance events will be on June 11. For more information, contact facilitators Judy Robison or Barbara Stiffler, or go to the Google site: CircleDanceDCMetroArea

Drumming Circle Open to All

How can we use sound energy from the drum to create rhythms that restore and realign the mind, body and spirit? Find the rhythm of your heart at Accotink's Drumming Circle, which meets Sunday, May 15, at 4 pm in the sanctuary. The group generally meets on the third Sunday of each month, with the next date on June 19. The facilitator is Brian Lewis, an experienced drummer who welcomes all beginners. (Drums are available to those who don't have an instrument.) It's free and open to everyone, so bring your friends and neighbors. For more information, contact Judy Robison.

Book Discussion Group Doubles Up In May
Two books will be reviewed at the May 16 meeting of Accotink's Book Discussion Group. The selections are The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (postponed from the April meeting, which was canceled) and A Strange Eventful History: The Dramatic Lives of Ellen Terry, Henry Irving and their Remarkable Families by Michael Holdroyd. Nancy David will host this discussion, starting at 1 p.m. The next discussion on June 20 will be on The Help by Kathryn Stockett, with Mary Kringer as host.
In the May and June meetings, the group will also be voting on book selections and will consider changing the monthly meeting day for the 2011-2012 reading calendar. Please contact Judy Robison with your suggested titles or for more information.

Spirit in Practice Group

Spirit in Practice was created to help Unitarian Universalists develop regular disciplines, or practices, of the spirit— practices that help them connect with the sacred ground of their being, however they understand it. Spirit in Practice affirms religious diversity while seeking unity in our communal quest for meaning and wholeness. Our Wednesday morning Spirit in Practice group will offer a forum for learning, sharing, and growth that will enrich your faith journey.

With Sarah Edelson Baskin, Wednesdays, May 18 and June 1 & 15

Friday Night Film Series Presents "Blue Gold" on Friday, May 20

Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m.; a discussion follows the film

Looking for more community at Accotink... join an Accotink Extended Family! What's an Extended Family? An Extended Family is a small group of ten to twelve Accotink people who get together monthly or bimonthly for fun and talk and good food. Extended Families get together for picnics and visit to art museum or concerts or go on fall leaf walks together. They have potlucks or cook together. They laugh and sing and dance. Sometimes they just sit down together. People in extended families call each other when they're sad or happy or when they need help. Extended Families have children and grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles and teenagers, too. Everybody is welcome. Talk to Diana Wilson if you are interested in joining an Accotink Extended Family

EScrips If you use a loyalty card at Safeway, ShopRite, or other major stores, take a few minutes to tie your card to benefit AUUC. It is an easy, onetime step that can raise money for the church at no cost to YOU! http://www.escrip.com/ Group ID: 1045380

REMINDER that AUUC is a "peanut free" building. If people want to bring nut breads, chocolates, or other food with peanuts to the auction winners at AUUC they must be exchanged and stored outside of the building. We have posted and announced that we are a "peanut free" building and we can't be ignoring that and bringing peanuts and products with peanuts inside AUUC. This raises not only health issues, but liability issues. Your assistance will be deeply appreciated.

Honoring our 30th Anniversary

As we reach our 30th Anniversary in 2010, the Endowment and Bequest Committee wants to remind everyone of our "30/30 Challenge"! This initiative was launched to inspire members and friends to make additional contributions to the AUUC Endowment Fund, to total at least $30,000, as a unique way to honor of AUUC's founding as a congregation 30 years ago. The Endowment and Bequest Committee wants to thank everyone who has generously invested in the future of our church. We are getting closer to our December 2010 goal!

A public display of all past and present contributions to the AUUC Endowment Fund Giving Circles has been installed in the foyer entrance, to coincide with AUUC's August 2010 anniversary. Giving Circles, named for significant male and female UU's, note contributions that meet specific minimum donation tiers. Contributions to the Endowment Fund can be made to honor individuals, an event, or even anonymously. The Endowment display reflects contributions received to date, but will be revised to reflect additional contributions in the future as well.

Please remember that a gift to the Endowment Fund truly keeps on giving! For more information, contact any member of the Endowment and Bequest Committee: Ann Smith, Chair; Ed Jaffee, Sally Wilklow, Ray Burmester and Pam Cox.

Check out the new website of the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center Without Walls (BSSCWoW) at: http://scwow.org. A list of spring classes and activities – scheduled to start in early April – will be posted on the website in the near future. For more information, call (703) 250-9181.

ECHO has an urgent need for a very special volunteer- or team of volunteers- to work with our Teen Program. We need one, two or more adults who would like to supervise up to 10 teen volunteers on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 until 9:00 as they carry out tasks such as packing food, sorting donations, tidying the facility, or greeting donors at the door. A team of adults could share the responsibility, each taking one or two Wednesdays per month. If you like working with young people and have an interest in learning more about this opportunity, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fairfax County's Volunteer Solutions program needs volunteers to help older adults with transportation to medical appointments. Contact 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and link to Volunteers. Volunteer Solutions is part of the Department of Family Services' Division of Adult and Aging Services.

Local farmers food now delivered at our church! How can you easily find nutrient-dense food, support your local economy, have delicious food choices, help control global warming, promote food-safety, spend less time on grocery shopping, protect small farming, and build community? Farmer Girls, LLC has made it simple to be this good by creating an online farmers' market which delivers fresh local food to savvy local people. At www.FarmersOnlineMarket.net you can read about the farmers you are purchasing from and learn about their healthy methods of raising food and animals. Registration is now open for delivery to our Church! Customers can order from Sunday afternoons (1 pm) till Wednesday mornings 8 am and the products will be delivered on Thursday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. When you order select Burke for drop of point.

Please check the 2011 Flower Chart posted in the gallery. Pick a date when you would like to bring flowers for Sunday service to honor, remember or celebrate a person, a date or a special event.