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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church Newsletter | ENewsletter Volume 4, Issue 14
September 30, 2011
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We have two services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Childcare is available. Religious Education classes have begun!
October 2, 2011 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"From Fear to Faith" Evan Keely, Interim Senior Minister
In this time of changes and renewal in our congregation, we are blessed with the challenge to be driven not by our anxieties but by our deepest yearnings. This will be UUA Association Sunday, The UUA requests all congregations to recognize and support, both spiritually and materially, the national work of the Association. "Association Sunday" - is a day during which thousands of UUs across the nation are simultaneously celebrating our shared commitment to Unitarian Universalism.
To learn more about Association Sunday, visit www.uua.org/giving/sunday/
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 9 a.m. Carol and Terry Ireland, Dianne and Perry Seiffert
11 a.m. Jane Barton, Rick & Julie Offner, and Marion Carlson
Coffee Servers: 10 a.m. Carol and Terry Ireland
noon Helen & Bob Pechacek
Audio: Chris Dupre
Board Member at the Office Desk: 10 a.m. Liz Nadeau
noon Knick Knickerbocker
Visitors' Center: 10 a.m. Chris Garland noon John Gubbings
Beacon Books Cart: 10 a.m. Bob Harrison noon Carol Edwards
The flowers in the Sanctuary were arranged byEllen Thompson. The flowers in the chapel were arranged by Betty May Cleary.
In the Lounge: * Adult Programs * Alliance Jewelry * Beacon Books Cart * Environmental Task Force * Fair Trade Coffee and Tea * Living the Mission * Music Committee * Social Justice Council Lounge Lizards *
Sunday Morning Forum:
Why the Massive Honey Bee Die-Off? Bees pollinate a huge portion of US crops, and scientists estimate that we are losing a third of our population of bees and other pollinators every winter. Our speaker is Harriett Crosby, Board Member of Friends of the Earth and an environmental activist who is coordinating efforts to ban major contributing causes of Colony Collapse Disorder.
10:10 in the Chalice House Main Room (between services).
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| From the Ministers
Association Sunday
Along with hundreds of other Unitarian Universalist congregations nationwide, CLUUC will observe the fifth annual Association Sunday on October 2. Association Sunday is a celebration of our shared dreams and goals as a people of faith and of the tradition of our religion as it lives and breathes in the over one thousand member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). This year's Association Sunday is a partnership between the UUA, the UU Ministers Association, and the Liberal Religious Educators Association, aimed at strengthening professional religious leadership throughout the denomination. Toward that end, we will be taking a special collection on Sunday to support funding for scholarships and continuing education for our religious professionals. Giving generously to these efforts means making an investment in the future of our faith. Please join us on Sunday for this spirited celebration!
Rev. Evan Keely
"Indigenous Peoples Day"
The Unitarian Universalist Association is calling for Unitarian Universalists across the United States to join in celebrating "Indigenous Peoples Day" on October 10. The idea is to transform "Columbus Day" such that on this day we lift up the cause of justice for indigenous peoples rather than validating colonialism and oppression. Since the idea was first conceived at a U.N. conference in 1977 there has been a move afoot to appropriate "Columbus Day" as "Indigenous People's Day." The states of South Dakota, Hawaii, and Alabama, as well as many cities, have changed the name of the holiday.
This proposal particularly resonates with me because last January I spent a week participating in an intercultural immersion at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. There were signs of hope and progress on the reservation but predominantly there was extreme poverty. I continue to be haunted by images of the dilapidated trailers where people lived, the rusting cars in the yards, and the thin stray dogs that prowled outside.
What's in a name, you might ask? Is this really important? As described by Rev. Dr. George Tinker, Professor of American Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions at Iliff School of Theology, in the book Soul Work, the celebration of "Columbus Day" constitutes a denial of the violent history of conquest in the United States and serves to sustain the structures of oppression and racism. We need to be honest about how we look at ourselves and our history in order to reimagine a better future.
What can you do? Maybe you can just start a conversation about this subject to increase awareness when you hear someone talking about "Columbus Day." Maybe you would like to get involved with trying to change the name of the holiday in Maryland. Maybe you would like to join in efforts to change the name of the Redskins football team in our nation's capital. Maybe you would like to help support efforts to improve conditions on the reservations. For more ideas see the Take Action page in the Justice for Native Peoples on the UUA website: http://www.uua.org/multiculturalism/history/uua/nativeamerican/117131.shtml
Nancy Pellegrini, Intern Minister
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Congregational Dialogue
The Board of Trustees is organizing a series of open meetings for the purpose of "Congregational Dialogue". The first such meetings will take place in the library after both services this Sunday. The focus will be on the six month period of Lay Ministry after the Rev. Susan Archer leaves in January and may be of particular interest to the RE community. Members of the BOT's Transition Coordinating Committee will be available to answer any questions regarding plans and schedules for ensuring that our current ministerial transition process is managed in a calm, prudent, and thoughtful manner. Cedar Lane is the proud home to a wide range of programs and activities; but a problem is that many of them do not interact. Future meetings may be thought of as opportunity for us to get to know each other and ourselves better; to talk about what we are and what we want to become. In this moment of our history when change is inevitable let us now dialogue together; to express our anxieties, to reveal our failings, to express our dreams, and to be one church together in deeper spiritual community. |
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We Care
The We Care program is a network led by volunteers who reach out to address short-term needs - food deliveries, rides to doctor's appointments, a listening ear in the event of a loss. The Cedar Lane congregation is organized geographically by "neighborhoods"; each neighborhood has at least one chairperson to coordinate support. Look at your nametag or the map in the church office to find your neighborhood.
Congratulations to Jeff and Cal Leonard (Neighborhood 8) for being one of this year's recipients of the Montgomery County Executive's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities! (Another recipient, Christylez Bacon, winner of the Outstanding Artist award, will be performing at Cedar Lane on February 18th as part of the Concerts at Cedar Lane series.)
Should you know of a member of our community in personal need, you are encouraged to reach out to them. If you learn that this person wishes to receive a response from the church, please contact Heather Janules at hjanules@cedarlane.org. All ministers offer pastoral care to our members so you are also encouraged to contact any member of the ministerial team. |
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Upcoming Sundays
October 9, 2011 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"Optimism in Hard Times"
Susan Davison Archer, Minister of Religious Education
In this time of changes and renewal in our congregation, we are blessed with the challenge to be driven not by our anxieties but by our deepest yearnings.
Forum: Saving the Chesapeake: The Problems, the Politics, and the Law with Russell Stevenson, the founder of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance.
October 16, 2011 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"Blessing of the Animals"
Heather Janules, Associate Minister, Minister for Pastoral Care
"Who Rescued Whom? A Celebration of the Bond Between Humans and Other Animals"
Forum: Immigration 101. For background, Knick Knickerbocker will review the main features of our country's immigration policies and practices from colonial times up to recent days.
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Music Notes From the Director of Music Dr. Henry Sgrecci October 2 This morning, as part of our celebration of Association Sunday, we introduce a new gathering song, "Together Again" to the Congregation. The song has four verses, each verse closing with the same refrain that will be easy to sing and easy to remember. In honor of Yom Kippur, which occurs later in the week, the Choir sings Alan Naplan's "Al Shlosha D'varim," a lovely setting of a phrase from the Pirkei Avot (Jewish morality laws - see translation in the OOS). This work was commissioned in 2000 by the Combined Choir of the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, in honor of Austin H. Kiplinger. "Go, Out!" by UU composer Elizabeth Alexander of St. Paul, Minnesota has become a staple of the Choir in celebrating Association Sunday. Ms. Alexander's text contains pertinent phrases of the eighteenth century American pioneer minister, Rev. John Murray and his radical religion of tolerance that he called universalism: "Go out into the highways and biways, and give the people something of your new vision..." "Go Out" is bright, hopeful, and filled with the enthusiasm of Rev. Murray's message.
Special thanks to soprano soloist Susan Clark for her lovely introduction of "Al Shlosha D'varim." |
From the Church Administrator
Work on the area outside the kitchen has continued as Mickey has found time to work his magic around his other many commitments. The Grounds Committee has been performing magic of its own, I hope you have a chance to see the work that is being done on the Memory Garden and the Courtyard. It is lovely.
Sara Davidson has been learning the duties of the Administrative Assistant position, please take a moment to stop by and say hi to her if you get a chance. We have not yet determined a good way to distinguish between the two Sara D.s, if you have any ideas please let us know. Sara Deshler |
Living the Mission
On October 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., we will welcome members, families and friends to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church with many opportunities for learning, growth, and celebration. "Living the Mission" is a multi-generational event planned to appeal to all members of our church community. We are organizing morning activities and workshops, performances and a dance, and offering food and beverages, along with a brief worship gathering and an anniversary tree planting.
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Member Services
Join Us for lunch!
 Join the Member Services Committee for October's Community Lunch! Lunch will start following the end of the second service on Sunday. Come to the Chalice House for potato soup, salad, cookies and soda. Bring your appetite - first-come, first serve while supplies last. |
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Calendar
Please visit the calendar here.
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Social Justice Council
Environmental Task Force Sign letters opposing the tar sands pipeline at the Environmental
Task Force table this Sunday.
The LGTB Task Force
National LGBT History Month (October) at Cedar Lane
During October, the LGBT Task Force will be hosting a number of activities in honor of National LGBT History Month and of National Coming Out Day (October 11th). All members of the Cedar Lane Community (and friends from the larger community beyond Cedar Lane) are welcome to participate in these events.
* A highlight for the month will be a celebratory exhibit in the main building vestibule area featuring a preview of the newest (and still evolving) photo-text exhibit by Family Diversity Projects--WE HAVE FAITH. The focus of this new exhibit is on LGBT faith leaders, some of whom are well known to Cedar Laners.
* Angels in America: Play Reading, Pizza and Beer: Participants will engage in a "table reading" of the play (no acting experience necessary) plus a stimulating discussion accompanied by a festive snack and an opportunity to socialize. Friday, October 7th from 7:15 to 9:00 PM. (See page #23 in the Adult Programs Brochure for details)
* Film showing and discussion of "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin"--Friday, October 14th 7:15 to 9:30 PM: "A master strategist and tireless activist, Bayard Rustin is best remembered as the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in the United States. He brought Gandhi's protest techniques to the American civil rights movement, and helped mold Martin Luther King Jr. into an international symbol of peace and nonviolence. Despite these achievements, Rustin was silenced, threatened, arrested, beaten, imprisoned and fired from important leadership positions, largely because he was an openly gay man in a fiercely homophobic era. Five years in the making and the winner of numerous awards, BROTHER OUTSIDER presents a feature-length documentary portrait, focusing on Rustin's activism for peace, racial equality, economic justice and human rights." ($5.00 entrance charge at the door. Refreshments will be served.)
For further information about any of these events, contact Stephen Colgan smcolgan@hotmail.com or Marge Dimond Margeryjd@aol.com.
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Beyond the Church
Camp Fire USA scouting Club: Cedar Lane continues to host the Bethesda-DC Camp Fire USA Family Club which meets on the 1st Sunday of the month from 5-7 PM. The club has 2 levels: Starflight for Gr K-2 and Adventure for Gr 3-6. The first meeting is Sunday, October 2 from 5-7 PM. We have a hike day planned for Sunday, 10/23 and field trip to Patuxent 4H on 11/6. For more information and to join, please contact Eileen Kane at Ekane98@aol.com or call her at 202-686-4152. Click here to learn about some events sponsored by friends of Cedar Lane.
Arts and Crafts Sellers Wanted Artists and crafters are wanted for UU of Rockville's new fall fundraiser, NovemberFest, being held on Saturday, November 12. For a seller application and full information about the event, please visit our website, www.uucr.org/novemberfest or contact novemberfest@uucr.org.
An Opportunity ...
Cedar Laners have happily volunteered for four years now to work with students of Kensington-Parkwood Elementary School on Saul Road, very near church. Come join us!
This year KPE needs:
First grade: One person every weekday from 2 until 3:20 pm. (It doesn't need the same person each day; it could be as many days as you'd like.)
Third grade: One person Monday - Thursday from 2:55 until 3:20 pm. Here again, you can "mix and match" any combination that's good for you!
The bulge of demographics is in the elementary schools. This is where 90% of the 359 portable classrooms are - and 50% of the new principals. (source: MCPS).
Questions? Please contact Nancy Janssen at: nancyjanssen@peoplepc.com or 301-588-1488.
When your annual workplace giving campaign kick offs this year, please select UU charities. Beacon House, UUSJ and OpenDoor Housing Fund are neighborhood organizations formed by UUs from local congregations, and UUSC is an international human rights organization. If you give through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), please remember:
OpenDoor Housing Fund ID# 65151 www.opendoorhousingfund.org
UUSC ID # 11685 www.uusc.org
UUSJ ID # 17271 www.uusj.org
Beacon House ID # 85145 www.beaconhousedc.org
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HELP WANTED
Article Subheading
 To bridge the six-month continuation of the 2011-12 Religious Education year following the Rev. Susan Archer's departure January 1, until our RE Interim begins next August, the Board of Trustees is actively seeking congregants to assist with the ongoing tasks of the RE program from January through June 2012 - including a paid supervisor to oversee the entire RE program and volunteers willing to help. Recognizing the long history and strength of our current RE program and the many talented Cedar Laners who have longstanding experience with it, we will complete the upcoming RE year through a combination of lay-led ministry and increased staff support. More information is forthcoming, including an information session in the library after both services this Sunday. Please contact Sara Deshler, sdeshler@cedarlane.org , if you are interested in helping on a paid or volunteer basis toward our common goal of a continuously strong RE program. |
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EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES
Susan Archer, Minister of Religious Education Vanessa Steck, Coordinator of Senior High Youth Ministry Gale Ginther Luce and Jeannette Wilson, Administrators For information and to register for classes and programs Religious Education for Children (RE)
Register, Register, Register!!
We still have not received all the RE registration forms for children enrolled. Please bring them this Sunday, or mail them to the RE office this week.
Parents: After Sunday School
Children in 4th grade and younger should be picked up by a parent or another designee (please tell the teachers who) at their classrooms. Babies B Pre K, should be picked up by 10:15 or 12:15; grades K-4 should be picked up after they have returned from chapel (about 10:20 or 12:20). This enables teachers to participate in coffee hour, part of the Forum, or give them planning time. Please be clear with your older children (5th grade and above) where you will meet! Many thanks, Susan
Family Triads: for RE Families
Want to get to know other families? This program pairs you with 2 other families with a commitment to get together 3 times between now and May. Each family hosts one gathering (at their home, a park, the zoo, whatever!). A great way to deepen connections among adults and children. Let Susan Archer know or complete a form (under name tags or on RE Admin Desk downstairs), and send to the RE office. This is the last week to sign up before assignments are made. A second round of assignments, for latecomers to the program, will be made by November.
Families! Don't Miss this Once in a . . .
60 Year . . . Opportunity.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the variety of activities for Cedar Laners 60th celebration, Living the Mission, on Saturday, October 22. Come for an hour or for the whole day! But, do take this opportunity to mark your calendar NOW! Moon bounce, pumpkin painting, singing, dancing, more!. . . check it out! An event for all ages to do TOGETHER!
Just for Children and Youth
Do you enjoy helping when we have worship services in the sanctuary? If so, please sign up to be a Worship Associate. This program, that began a few years ago, integrates children into our worship services. They may be asked to: ring a chime to signal the beginning of the service; light the chalice (perhaps as a family); do a reading (occasional, as appropriate, with rehearsal); assist with greeting; or do artwork for the order of service or for the big screen. Children and youth can always say "No thanks!" if it is something they do not want to do. Sign up forms are in the downstairs lobby, or just contact Susan! I look forward to hearing from you! Love, Susan (sarcher@cedarlane.org)
Youth Notes
Youth Activity Group (YAG, for grades 7-8)
Our full schedule is on our website at, www.cedarlane.org/rep/YouthActivityGroupSchedule.htm Watch your email and mail for additional information on events and permission forms. If you have questions about the group or its activities, contact John Daniel (301-946-5509), or the Rev. Susan Archer.
Senior High Youth Group(SHYG, grades 9-12)
For information about the SHYG contact Vanessa Steck, Coordinator of Senior High Youth Ministry, at vsteck@cedarlane.org. Please visit our web link at
http://www.cedarlane.org/srhigh.htm
Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
The UU Young Adults of Maryland (UUYAM) group plans activities for local UU Young Adults. Visit http://groups.google.com/group/uuyam to join the UUYAM e-mail list and view schedule of upcoming events. For resources and information on Joseph Priestly District (JPD) Young Adult events, visit the JPD Young Adult Network at www.jpduuyan.org.
Adult Programs Is about to Launch its Fall Session!
There are so many interesting offerings and a few that are looking for higher participation. Consider enrolling in some of the following:
Meditation Mondays: Want to reach a calmed centeredness of mind and body especially during these challenging days, then don't pass up on a chance to bring the river of discord in your life down to a rippling brook. Take one class, or all ten. Tuesday Evening Beginning Yoga: Have you said to yourself, "Gee, maybe I should learn to do yoga?" Don't let another opportunity pass without giving it a try. Stretch your mind and body. Eight classes. Thursdays and Confucian Thought: Who wouldn't want the answers to the ultimate questions: reality, human existence and the path to an ideal world? How is Confucianism relevant to our world today? Take the class and ask the big questions. Two classes. Sexuality and Our Faith on Fridays: So you think you know all you need to on this subject? We are all sexual beings from cradle to grave. Where ever you are on your life's journey, this class will give you broader insight into yourself and the creative forces in your life. Six classes. Friday evening with the Angels in America: Play reading, stimulating discussion, pizza and beer, how can you resist this for fun. And, you don't have to act to say a part. One class. Saturday Evenings as a Celestial Tourist: Dr. Who is not the only one who can travel the universe at will. You can too. Turn your eyes to the heavens and sort out the tangled web of stars hovering above you. Get swept up into the power of the cosmos. Five classes. Sundays with St. Augustine: Who was this famous religious leader? What connection does he have to todays discussion of religion. Meet the man, the myth and the mystery. Two classes. Tuesday's Contemporary American Poems on Faith: For those of you who find poetry a path to your own truth or have an interest in the deeper meaning of your own spirituality, this class explores spirituality through the poems of contemporary American poets. Four classes. Look through your Adult Program brochure today and register for these interesting classes. Find the brochure on line at: www.cedarlane.org/ap/REVFALL11.pdf Download a registration card at: www.cedarlane.org/ap/RegistrationCard2011-12.pdf More Adult Programs Sunday Morning Forum Everyone is invited to participate on Sunday mornings between services, 10:10 to 10:55 a.m., in the Chalice House. Just drop in, there is no registration, and coffee is served! Upcoming topics: This Sunday, October 2: Why the Massive Honey Bee Die-Off? Bees pollinate a huge portion of US crops, and scientists estimate that we are losing a third of our population of bees and other pollinators every winter. Our speaker is Harriett Crosby, Board Member of Friends of the Earth and an environmental activist, who is coordinating efforts to ban major contributing causes of Colony Collapse Disorder. October 9: Saving the Chesapeake: The Problems, the Politics, and the Law. Our speaker, Russell Stevenson, will discuss what is ailing the Chesapeake Bay, why we have made so little progress in dealing with its problems over the last three decades, and the promise of current legal efforts to clean it up. Mr. Stevenson is the founder of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, whose mission is to provide free legal services in support of efforts to protect and improve the Bay by matching lawyers willing to do pro bono work with clients needing legal help. Connection Circles (CC) Want You Start the RE year by joining fellow Cedar Laners in an engaging circle! Connection Circles are an opportunity to gather in a small group with a facilitator. You meet on a regular schedule, talk, read, listen and develop caring relationships. Many ongoing groups welcome new members, and here are new groups forming in October: A is for Aging Connections BA Short-term Group Raised Catholic Raising the Spirit for Parents with Young Children Seasons of Loss Living the Full Rainbow Flag This group will meet to connect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members and allies in the UU community who face oppression for supporting full LGBT equality. The rainbow flag is a symbol of LGBT pride and has been used since the 1970s. The original flag consisted of 8 stripes with specific meaning; hot pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic/art, indigo/blue for serenity/harmony and violet for spirit. Members of this group will relate significant developments in their lives at Acheck-in@ and develop a topic of mutual interest based on one of the eight themes of the rainbow flag. The group will be meeting on the second Tuesday of the month, November through June. For a full description of all our Connection Circles, please refer to the Adult Programs Fall 2011 brochure. There is a group for everyone! Questions can be sent to the RE office, or referred to the Rev. Heather Janules, hjanules@cedarlane.org. To register: complete an Adult Programs Registration card and send it to the RE office. All CC participants register and pay a fee, Pledgers $15; non pledgers $20, one time per year. |
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Around the Church
Please remember our Manna Food donation box this Sunday! Manna needs our help more than ever.
Our Junior High Youth Group Rocks!
Wow! What an opportunity! Interested in the rockingest junior youth group you could imagine? We are looking for someone to partner with our amazing volunteer junior (grades 7-8) youth coordinator John Daniel on a host of fun and service activities (non-Sunday mornings) throughout the year. John has been doing this for many years (you can sight "his" returning graduates, now adults, on some Sunday mornings!). If you want to know how important this function is, check in with a youth who is participating in this, or did it in the past! Or check in with a parent to know how this has affected their kid's life-in terms of growing friendships, building connections with their faith community, and developing self-confidence-all grounded in a deep sense of acceptance and growing responsibility. Want to know more? Talk with Rev. Susan or with John! Non-(current) parents are especially encouraged to apply!
Bridge Anyone?
The Alliance of Cedar Lane sponsors two Marathon Bridge groups of eight pairs, one in the evening and one in the daytime. We play once/month between October and May. Each player hosts a foursome one or two times during the season, playing twenty hands. We use the Modified Chicago Scoring System. We need many players for the daytime group, and one pair for the evening group. Players should be experienced. Contact Jeannette at 301-838-9554 or jwilson@cedarlane.org. |
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Sara Deshler
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church |
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