Critical Mass Newsletter

... encouraging UU Young Adult activity in the greater Washington area

News and events for UU's and Friends 18-35

May, June, July 1997

Newcomers welcome at all events

OUR WEB PAGE:

www.erols.com/ecarlson/uuyan/
If you want to find out more about Critical Mass contact
Peter Dahlstrom at (703) 620-0055, or dahlstrom_peter@prc.com

RSVP's & RIDES

It is a good idea to call the host of an event to verify the meeting place and time. It also gives the host a better idea of how many people will show up.
If you need a ride to an event, please call the event host in advance to see if he/she can find someone in your area who is driving.

Events being planned
(please call)

Various events (Annapolis)

The ANNAPOLIS GROUP is planning a bunch of events. Contact the group for details. (See group contacts list.)
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Every Tuesday, 8pm (Arlington)

GROUP DISCUSSION at the Arlington Church. (See group contacts list.)

Spring 97 (Arlington)

Annual Arlington Young Adult POT LUCK DINNER AND DISCUSSION with Rev. Joan Gelbein our UU Minister. Location: Alev Volkan's Apartment in Ballston. (See group contacts list.)
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Late Apr/Early May (Columbia)

POTLUCK DINNER at Mike & Kerri's place on one Fri or Sat eve. (See group contacts list.)

Sometime in June (Columbia)

Trip to the VISIONARY ART MUSEUM.(See group contacts list.)

Sometime in July/Aug (Columbia)

OTHELLO play at the Ellicot theater July 11-Aug 3. (See group contacts list.)

Sometime in July/Aug (Columbia)

MD RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL July/Aug. (See group contacts list.)
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Sooner or Later (CritMass)

Critical Mass Business meeting. Will include pizza or pot-luck. Contact Peter Dahlstrom or Eric Carlson. (See group contacts list.)

Other Arlington Events

APRIL

Sun, Apr 27 (Arlington)

YOUNG ADULT SERVICE. Young adult lay-led worship service at 9:30am and 11:15am. Please join Pam Heer, Kim Arnette, and Rebecca for this special event. Call Rebecca (703) 892-7793 (not after 9:00 PM)

Sun, Apr 27,1-3pm (Arlington)

YOUNG ADULT PICNIC after second YA service. Come on lets party. Call Eddie Powers (703)379-2745.

Wed, April 30 (Arlington)

Inquiring Friends Orientation Classes. If you want to learn more about the UU church, history, beliefs and how the UUCA works, you should attend. (See group contacts list.)

MAY

Sat, May 3 (Columbia)

Trip to the National Gallery of Art. (See group contacts list.)

Sat, May 3, 6pm (CritMass)

RETREAT PLANNING MEETING / POT-LUCK at Eric's house in Reston. Call Eric Carlson (703)834-0356, ecarlson@InvisibleRobot.com, or Karl Zielinski (301)891-1667, IrshGrEyes@aol.com.

Sat, May 3, 11am (Arlington)

Come join us for a pleasant walk among the spring flowers at the NATIONAL ARBORETUM. Meet us at the church at 11:00 AM so we could car pool to DC. Location near route 50 and 295 in eastern DC. Call Andrea Beard (703)578-1871.

Sun, May 4, 9am-4pm (Arlington)

BAY BRIDGE WALK. Call Steve Cantor (703)820-2972 or Sarah Kniepple (703)527-5186.

Wed, May 7 (Arlington)

Inquiring Friends Orientation Classes. (See April 30)

Fri-Sun, May 9-11 (Arlington)

UUCA ANNUAL YARD SALE. The bulk of the selling will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11. However, we are planning a special "sneak preview" event for Church people on Friday evening, May 9. The sneak preview will include supper and an "auction" of some of the nicer (or more outrageous) yard sale items.

Fri, May 9 (Arlington)

BAD MOVIE NIGHT AT BARDOS. Join Steve Cantor as he host the YA group in watching Bad Movies at Bardos. Bardos is a micro brewery located in Arlington near the Court House.
For Details Contact Steve Cantor (703) 820-2972.

Sat, May 10, 7:30pm (Arlington)

Glen Echo Park FOR SWING DANCING. This is always one of the most fun events that the YA's attend. Meet at the Church between 7:15 and 7:30 PM if you wish to car pool. We will leave promptly at 7:30 PM so don't be late. You can also meet us there. Cost $8 to $10.
Lessons start at 8:00 PM. If you are new to West Coast Swing dancing you should take the lessons. Saturday is always the "Big Night Out" at Glen Echo Park. Anywhere from 250 to 500 people attend these very popular dances.
Most Saturdays feature swing dance music from Big Band to Rhythm n' Blues.
The second Saturday of the month features the Louisiana-based sounds of Cajun and zydeco music.
A one-hour dance workshop precedes almost every dance. The workshop is geared towards the beginning dancer and is included free in the price of admission. The workshop runs from 8 to 9 PM and the dance follows from 9 until midnight.
Call James Chang (703)671-7739.

Wed, May 14 (Arlington)

Inquiring Friends Orientation Classes. (See April 30)

Fri-Sun, May 16-18 (JPD/CritMass)

JPD Young Adult SPRING RETREAT. (See enclosed flyer, or contact the editor or the emissary)

Sat, May 17, 6-9pm (Arlington)

MOUNT VERNON WINE FESTIVAL. Taste wines of 12 Virginia vineyards, learn more about George Washington wine making efforts, watch glassblowers and other artisans, and enjoy sunset tours from 6 to 9 PM at the estate. Cost $15 (before May 7) or $18 at the door. Call Ed Powers (703) 379-2745.

Wed, May 21 (Arlington)

Inquiring Friends Orientation Classes. (See April 30)

Sat, May 24 (Arlington)

Going away party for Wahid Hermina. Yes Wahid is returning to New Mexico after his temporary duty here in DC. Details are TBD and if you would like to help plan this contact, Ed Powers (703)379-2745 or James Chang (703)671-7739.

Sun, May 25, 11-5 (Reston)

Wolf Trap Irish Folk Festival! Lots of great Irish music and hangin' around outside with neat folks (maybe Fizbee!). Will include Sean Keane, Celtic Thunder, Champion Step-Dancers and many many more. Tickets will be $14. Call Peter (703)620-0055, dahlstrom_peter@prc.com for info, or before May 15 so he can get tickets!

Sun, May 25, 7pm (Fairfax)

Book discussion/pot-luck. The Game of School by Robert L. Tripp. The author is a member of the Fairfax church. Call Eric Carlson (703)834-0356, ecarlson@InvisibleRobot.com.

Mon, May 26 (Arlington)

Free MEMORIAL DAY JAZZ FESTIVAL at Jones Point in Old Town Alexandria. Call Ed Powers (703)379-2745.

Sat, May 31 (Arlington)

An afternoon of BIKE RIDING (Details TBD). Call Robert Barnett (703) 893-9271.

Sat, May 31 (Fairfax)

KING'S DOMINION TRIP (http://www.pkd4fun.com/). Remember those wonderful summer days of going to the amusement park with a group of friends and riding ALL DAY on everything? Come and Kick-off the summer the right way and join me at King's Dominion on Saturday, May 31st. Meet at the Fairfax UU church at 9am and we will carpool down to the park. Call Erin Eichelberger (703) 385-7282, eeichelb@pen.k12.va.us

JUNE

Sat, June 7 (Reston)

BLACKIE'S -- Howdy! Anyone interested in learning some new dances? Are you looking for an active evening out with friends? Well I've got the place to be! Blackie's in Springfield, VA has country line dancing lessons every night (starting at 7:30, band starts at 8:00) Come and learn some new dances and practice them all night. If country is not your thing, connected to Blackie's is DEJA VU which plays more modern/club like dance music. If you are more the observer type and not dancer, there are PLENTY of people to watch and you can still enjoy the wonderful company of fellow UU Young Adults (and other young/old adults). So come one -- come all to a night of merriment and movement. Call Erin Eichelberger (703)385-7282, eeichelb@pen.k12.va.us.

Sat, June 14 (Arlington)

Red Cross River Festival Old Town and music concert. Call Wendy Casper (703)578-4157.

Sat, June 21 (Arlington)

CANOE TRIP to a TBD location, maybe somewhere in the Shenandoah Mountains. Call Greg McFarland (703)671-2717.

Sat, June 21, 8am (Fairfax)

HERSHEYPARK Amusement park and Chocolate factory in Hershey, Pensylvania http://www.800hershey.com/. Meet at the fairfax church. Cost about $28. Call Eric Carlson (703)834-0356, ecarlson@InvisibleRobot.com, or Heidi Foster (410)354-0560, hfoster@juno.com.

Sun, June 22, 1pm (Arlington)

Wolf Trap Jazz & Blues Festival! Cost $16 in Advance and $20 at the door. Call Andrea Beard (703)578-1781.

Sun, June 22, all day (Reston)

Wolf Trap Jazz & Blues Festival! 2 stages, lots of great jazz & blues music and hangin' around outside with neat folks (maybe Fizbee!). Tickets will be $16. Call Peter @ (703)620-0055, dahlstrom_peter@prc.com for info, or BEFORE June 1 so he can get tickets!

Sun, June 22, 7pm (Fairfax)

Book discussion/pot-luck. Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. Call Al Colvill (703)690-6823.

Sat, June 28, 3pm (Everyone)

Greater Washington area Young Adult Picnic Potluck.
EVERYONE is invited to the GWA-YA potluck. If you are a newcomer to the Young Adult group this is a perfect opportunity to meet other YAs in the area. If you are an active YA come and share your wisdom and meet YAs from other church groups.
We hope to encourage everyone in the area to gather and make contacts with the other YAs in the GWA. It will also put some faces to all those names you read or hear about from people. It will be a pot luck picnic/dinner most likely at the Mt. Vernon UU church.
What to bring: If your last name begins with A-F: Entree, G-L: Desert, M-R: Salad. S-Z: Snacks. BYOB
For more information please contact Eddie Powers (703)379-2745, arky@erols.com, Erin Eichelberger (703)385-7282, eeichelb@pen.k12.va.us.

JULY

Fri, July 4 (Arlington)

FIREWORKS AND MUSIC on the Mall. (See group contacts list.)

Sat, July 19, 8:30pm (Reston)

The National Symphony Orchestra will perform HOLST'S THE PLANETS, along with other stellar compositions, while displaying NASA images from Voyager, Magellan, and Hubble! I will attempt to get seats in the pavilion -- they'll be $23 apiece. Call Peter (703)620-0055, dahlstrom_peter@prc.com for info, or BEFORE MAY 15 so he can get tickets!

Sun, July 20, 7pm (Fairfax)

Book discussion/pot-luck. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.
Call Dave Tripp (703)834-3151, trippdb@aol.com.

UUMAC - Aug 3-9

UUMAC UUMAC UUMAC! This year's theme is Theological Diversity: Doing the Puzzle in Pencil. One of the workshops will be led by our very own Rus Funk -- From the Privileged Side.
Other activities for the intergenerational week are worship, rafting, 8 other fantastic workshops, local tours (including a brewery & a Crayola factory), Fizbee and Night Owls (including the newly introduced Jazz and Club nights).
August 3-9 at Allentown College. Scholarships available. Come out and enjoy an amazing, loving community. For more information or a brochure, call Peter Dahlstrom, (703)620-0055, dahlstrom_peter@prc.com.

OPUS '97- Aug 10-16

Continental UU Young Adult Conference. "Wedging the Clay, Kneading the Dough." Camp Wilmot, New Hampshire, August 10-16. $175 before July 15, $200 after.
Call the OPUS hotline 1-800-741-7400 box #6787 (Opus) for details and a registration form.

Vespers

Anyone out there interested in Sunday evening Vespers services? Anyone out there interested in helping out with readings, songs, music, ideas, time, etc.? I'm thinking of 1 service per month, but am not locked in to any idea. Call Peter Dahlstrom (703)620-0055, dahlstrom_peter@prc.com.
(Note: Sunday night Vespers idea stolen without permission from the powerhouse who is Caitlin Anderson -- just giving credit where credit is due)

Campus Ministries Meeting

Caitlin Anderson and the Rev. Vanessa Southern lead a Campus Ministry workshop on April 12. [Campus Ministries are kinda like YA groups for a particular college or university campus.] Over a dozen people showed up!
We brainstormed about reasons for starting up Campus Ministries (ex. It's a time when folks are questioning things, It can be a difficult time, It's a giant gap in what the church provides, etc.). We then investigated some UUA resources for starting CM's, visited U of MD's campus, and then brainstormed about start up activities for such groups. People were very enthusiastic.
If you're interested or want more information, call Erin Eichelberger at (703)385-7282. (Meeting summary written by Peter Dahlstrom)

WANTED: CAMPUS MINISTRY COORDINATOR

The Joseph Priestley District Campus Ministry Pilot Project is looking to hire a full-time Campus Ministry Coordinator.
The coordinator will be responsible for developing a campus ministry program in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and in furthering campus ministry throughout the Joseph Priestley District. The coordinator will work in tandem with an area-wide campus ministry council, with congregational campus ministry outreach teams, as well as with the men and women on the participating campuses. The coordinator will provide training to participating lay people, and is expected to have the gifts of vision and enthusiasm, the skills of follow-up and administration, and the flexibility to support all aspects of the programming.
The applicant should be a committed, experienced, and articulate Unitarian Universalist with administrative and campus experience. Master's level training and experience in volunteer management. Those with Masters in Divinity degrees, ordained in the UU tradition, are also encouraged to apply. For further information, including job description and application deadlines, please contact Pat Carol at the JPD office, (302) 478-1018.

JPD Spring Conference Summary

Karin K. and I spent the last weekend (4/18-4/29) being "adults" at the JPD Spring Conference in Bethlehem, PA (so near to Allentown College UUMAC is held Aug. 3-9).
Yes part of the weekend was spent sitting and listening to things we were clueless about and voting on business type stuff, but the majority of the weekend was spent networking with other UUs around the district.
We learned from each other to see what other congregations are doing. We also learned that other congregations are still trying things out and they are not any closer to an answer than we are.
There were workshops, worship, concert, powerful speeches, eating together, and visiting. One large thing that was missing was the amount of YOUNG ADULTS present. There are maybe under 15 people in the Young Adult age range.
If we want the churches to meet our needs we need to be a part of the decision making and discussions that educate others what we want in a congregation. If we are going to be members of these churches we need to also become involved at a district level. So I hope to see you at the next JPD conference/event.
If you have any questions on how you can get more involved please contact me. Erin Eichelberger (703) 385-7282.

JPD/Women and Religion Committee Fall Conference

October 17-18 at Cedar Lane. Our presence is being requested. Come share your ideas and thoughts with the rest of the UU community. Thandeka will be part of the Fall conference and we want to have a majority of the attendance to be Young Adults.
It will be a day of gathering and sharing information in a variety of interest groups. Reserve this date in your day planner. If you have any topics that you would like to see discussed and any questions can be directed to Helen Popenoe (301)229-0549 or Erin Eichelberger (703) 385-7282.

ARCHIVIST UPDATE

If you have any pictures or flyers from your events (ancient, past, recent), please send me copies so I can include them in our scrapbooks. Call Erin Eichelberger (703)385-7282.

THE EMISSARY

"Emissary" is really an overblown title, meaning general point of contact. If you have any questions about YA activity in the area, contact the Critical Mass Emissary, Peter Dahlstrom (see group listing).

THE EDITOR

If you have any questions, suggestions, addresses, or events, contact the editor, Eric Carlson (see group listing)
Also, my e-mail address has changed to ecarlson@InvisibleRobot.com

GETTING YOUR EVENTS LISTED

All you have to do to get your events listed is give the editor (Eric) write-ups of them. Please include time, cost, and contact information.
If you would like to be notified when we are collecting events for the next Critical Mass, please contact the Emissary (Peter).

DONATIONS

It costs over $150 to print and mail this newsletter. To make a donation, please make a check out to GWA-UUYAN and send it to the editor. Donations are appreciated, but not required.

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