eNews: April 13, 2012

Some religious people in various traditions make great sacrifices for their faith. Some people fast, for hours or even days at a time. Some dedicate themselves to long hours of prayer or meditation. Some make long journeys. Some give a great deal of money to organizations. Some even give up their lives.

These measures of intense devotion are by no means unknown among Unitarian Universalists. Over the years I have known people who give a lot of their time and energy in our congregations; I've known some who tithe to their UU congregations (yes, that means giving 10% of their income); And even our faith has its martyrs. Viola Liuzzo and Norbert Čapek are among those who risked and eventually lost their lives for our faith.

A common assumption is that people who give a lot for their religious beliefs do so out of fear and guilt. From time to time I hear slight variations on a theme that sounds like this: "Well, we UUs aren't good at raising money, because we can't threaten people with damnation if they don't give generously." I have never found this persuasive. The idea that the absence of the prospect of punishment leads to lack of motivation doesn't bear up. I've known way too many deeply devoted UUs and other religious liberals who gave freely and fully with nary a thought of hellfire to prompt them. While guilt and fear are perhaps factors for some, I think that most people of any faith (including ours) who give generously of their time, energy or money do so because they really believe in what their faith represents and what it does in the world. Joy and gratitude are generally better motivators than guilt and fear.

What really matters to us? Every day we must make choices. We do not have an infinitude of time, energy, money, or attention, so we have to choose how to spend these things.

Prayer

May each of us look within and discover the wisdom that helps us devote our lives to what really matters to us. May our devotion be expressed in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Amen.

Follow Rev. Keely on Twitter @evanvwk.

Are You Coming to Justice GA?

Join Sarah Deshler, Glenn Farley, John Gubbings, Cathy Knapper, Mike Harris, Mary Beth Nowinski, Gerry Peterson, Sandy Shaw and our ministers at the UUAGeneral Assembly, Phoenix, AZ, June 20-24!

Things are heating up in Arizona -- between the Department of Justice investigation of Sheriff Arpaio of Marcipa County and the expected Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of SB1070 sometime in June. There will be many opportunities to make a difference in Phoenix. Early registration is going on now until April 30th at www.UUA.org. Let Sara Deshler (sdeshler@cedarlane.org), our Church Administrator, know if you're coming so you can get your Cedar Lane delegate credentials.

Click here to continue...

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2012 UUA JUSTICE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ORIENTATION & BRIEFING FOR PROSPECTIVE GA ATTENDEES

(Sponsored by the Chesapeake UU Growth (ChUUG) Committee)

Saturday, May 12, 2012, At Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, Maryland

(in Chalice House above main building)

11-11:30 a.m.: FREE Coffee, juice, bagels and fruit,

as well as some lunch type food.

11:30-1 p.m.: GA Preview, Orientation, Q&A

Leader: Natalia (Natty) Averett (UUA Trustee)

Click here to view flyer

Attention New Members!

If you have formally joined CLUUC as a new member by signing the membership book and have not yet been recognized as a new member during a Sunday service, you and yours are invited to attend Cedar Lane's Welcome and Recognition for New Members held as part Sunday services, April 22, 2012. This is a joyous occasion in the life of the church in which the congregation, the Ministers, and representatives of the Member Services Committee will speak in recognition of your new membership. During this celebration you and other new members will be invited to come forward to receive a small gift. Cake will be served in the lounge after the service.

To help us prepare, if you have not been participated in one of these and can attend on Sunday, April 22, please let our membership coordinator Andy Streich know by 5pm on April 11 which April 22 service (9 or 11) you will be attending -- astreich@cedarlane.org or call him at 301.312.4962. If you have children they are encouraged to be recognized with you.

If you are shy or uneasy about being recognized like this, please note: Being a member of Cedar Lane is a very special thing. While each person is responsible for their own spiritual path, we are together as a community to support each other in our individual spiritual growth, to celebrate our joys, and to share our sorrows. To do these things together we need to know and acknowledge everyone who is part of our community, and with more than 800 members that isn't easy. Our little ceremony on Sunday is a way to formally acknowledge new members and for the congregation to state their commitment to including them. Please be a part of this even it is a bit of a personal stretch.

Upcoming Sundays

April 22, 2012

9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary

"Parables of the Parking Lot: How Do We Respond to Difficult People?"

The Rev. Heather Janules

Worship Associate: Jim Laurenson

Karen Holden, a poet and teacher, begins a prayer with "The hardest part is people. So...help me face them without rancor or disappointment." At the invitation of an auction sermon winner from previous years, this service will reflect on the difficult but real challenge of staying in relationship with those who seem to be following a different set of rules than the rest of us. How do we face others without rancor or disappointment? How do we respond from a place of integrity?

Forum: Maurine Beasley, Professor of Journalism at the University of Maryland, will discuss her new book, Eleanor Roosevelt: Transformative First Lady.

Click here for future forums

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.

We rejoice with Herb and Carolyn Grassel (Neighborhood 18) who are grandparents for the first time! Their daughter, Kristin Grassel Schmidt (who grew up at Cedar Lane, served as our Membership Coordinator and was ordained by our congregation) and her husband, Christian Schmidt welcomed Chester James Schmidt on April 10th. Hooray!

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.

Two Of Your Ministers...

Are now on Twitter:

Follow Rev. Keely @evanvwk

Follow Rev. Janules @revhkjanules

Music Director's Notes

Dr. Henry Sgrecci

April 15, 2012

Today's music features some of our young musicians and a cameo appearance by Whatever Four. Jacqueline Zito is an eleven year-old sixth grader who attends North Bethesda Middle School. She performs Freiderich Kuhlau's Sonatina in C Major. Born in Germany, the son of a military bandsman, Kuhlau was surrounded by music and became a prolific childhood pianist. In his teen years he composed works for solo piano and then began composing works for other instruments which he could sell for a profit. It is said that performing Kuhlau's works is good preparation in approaching the masterpieces of Beethoven, whom he met and befriended later in life.

Click here to continue reading...

Special thanks to our musical guests; Jacqueline and Jessica Zito, Eric Rosenthal, Rashad Balashov, Whatever Four, and Kate Curtis. We are grateful for the vitality and musicianship that they have contributed to today's services.

Concerts at Cedar Lane hosts Carmina, Washington's early music chorale, next Sunday, April 22 at 4:00 p.m. Click here to view the flyer.

Around the Church

Ya'll ready for this??

Cedar Lane is leaping into the 21st century...

The Music Committee is seeking a new member to serve a three-year term beginning in September of this year. The Music Committee, in conjunction with the Director of Music, actively supports and facilitates the operation of all aspects of the CLUUC music program, as well as overseeing long-term goals and direction. The Committee promotes communication among the congregation, choirs, ministers, and the Board of Trustees regarding the role of music in our worship and congregational life. We meet at least every other month through May or June. If you have never served on a Committee this is great way to start. No musical skills required. All expressions of interest are welcomed and should be sent to music@cedarlane.org.

Why does one of the 7th grade session 2 teachers, Annette Scarpitta (joined occasionally by students) keep selling those Paper to Pearls beads? Something about Congolese kids? Yes, the AMCAV project has blossomed with the last 3 classes and now enables 150 stigmatized children born of rape to attend school for the first time. Help us remain a sustainable project by giving generously at this week's 50-50 collection. Questions, or to learn more about the complex but amazing story, contact Annette Scarpitta (annettecedarlane@spamex.com).

You are invited to the

DREAM Action Team Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, April 17

TIME: 7:30 - 9 p.m.

WHERE: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda

AGENDA: DREAM Training, Latest Messaging & Strategy Discussion

RSVP: Please RSVP at

ActionInMontgomery@gmail.com

New! Affinity Groups at CLUUC-Theater!

If interested in joining the Theater Affinity Group's next two events, contact Marlene

Berg at mgkpberg@gmail.com, or 301-704-8177. Saturday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. to see the Capitol Steps in downtown

Washington D.C. http://www.capsteps.com/live/ and on Saturday, July 21, to see a murder mystery at the Blair Mansion Dinner Theater in Silver Spring, doors open at 6:00 p.m. http://www.blairmansion.com/category/

dinner-theater.

UU UNSUNG HEROES WANTED!

The Cedar Lane Board of Trustees is seeking nominations for individuals who have made exceptional contributions of their time and talents to ensure that Cedar Lane remains the vibrant community it has been for 60+ years. We need your help in nominating those whose service deserves the title of "Unsung Hero."

Nominees for these awards should not have been honored in this way during the past five years, nor have received compensation for the services for which he/she is being honored. To nominate an Unsung Hero, please contact Board member Debbie Goodwin at 301-340-1935 or by email at goodwink@comcast.net with the name(s) of nominee(s) and an explanation of why you believe that person or persons should be recognized in this way. Deadline for nominations is Friday, May 4. The Board will vote on the nominees at it May 15th meeting, and the Unsung Heroes will be honored at a Sunday service in June.

On Sunday, May 6, at 5:30-7:30 p.m., members of the Board of Trustees will be flipping and serving (pancakes and assorted accompaniments) for members of the Cedar Lane community. Individual tickets are $10. Family tickets are $25. To purchase in advance (which will help us know how many to expect), please contact Sara Deshler or a board member in the office on Sundays.

Beyond the Church

Deadline nears for

Justice & Peace Workshop

Date: April 21, a week from Saturday

Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Place: Kresge Center (Refectory), Wesley Theological Seminary, 4500 Mass. Ave. (Lots of parking)

Cost: $15 (Jerusalem Restaurant catered lunch included)

Sponsor: Sabeel DC Metro

Registration Deadline: April 16

To register: Call Susan at 703.751.5646 or email at avocets@bell.nu

The NIH Community Orchestra

Daniel Walshaw, Musical Director/Conductor

"A Little Bright Music"

Join us for our spring performance featuring

Brahms' Academic Festival Overture

Beethoven's Romance in F

Strauss' Emperor Waltzes

Borodin's Symphony No. 2

Sponsored by:

The NIH Recreation and Welfare Association andNIH Charities - Children's Inn at NIH, Special Love, and Friends of the Clinical Center

Saturday, April 28, 2012, 6 p.m.

at Cedar Lane, in the sanctuary!

Free Admission

How to Make Peace in the Holy Land Workshop sponsored by Sabeel DC Metro on April 21, 2012, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Kresge Center (Refectory) at Wesley Theological Seminary, 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Cost: $15 (includes lunch). Registration deadline April 16. Mail check, payable to Susan Bell/Spring Workshop, 1324 Kingston Ave., Alexandria, VA 22302. Please include your name, address, phone, e-mail, and name of your congregation (optional). For questions about registration, call 703-751-5646. If you feel called to work for peace and justice,come participate in this workshop.

Cedar Lane member is looking for partner(s) for 30' Bristol sailboat, which was in this year's auction. Training is provided but prior sailing experience is necessary for a year commitment to sail 2 weekend days and 5+ weekdays a month from May to October. The boat is at the Holiday Hill Marina in Mayo off the West River, 5 miles south of Annapolis. Call John Ruthrauff at work 202-552-6523, home 301-270-2193 or email to jruthrauff@interaction.org.

Click here to learn about some events sponsored by friends of Cedar Lane.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

FOR ALL AGES

Linda Gianessi, Temporary RE Coordinator

Susan Clark, Chapel Coordinator

Vanessa Steck, Coordinator of Senior High Youth Ministry

Gale Ginther Luce and Jeannette Wilson, Administrators

For information and to register for classes and programs call 301-493-8300 x207 or e-mail RE@cedarlane.org.

READ ALL the RE News Here...

Spring RE

Sun Apr 15 Growing Up Year

presentations during

first part of service

Sat Apr 21 Coming of Age Service/

Potluck

Sun Apr 22 Stepping Stone

Ceremony/last RE class!

Sun Apr 29 Spring B begins

Coming of Age invitation...

Spring B is coming!

Spring B runs from April 29 through May 20. Register for classes on Sundays, April 15 and 22. Hope you will join us!

Teacher Recruitment...

7th grade, Session 2, Social Justice Project

Youth Notes (grades 7-12)

Youth Activity Group (grades 7-8)

F-Sat Apr 20-21 Sleepover w/sharks

S-S May 5-6 NYC

Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12)

Tu Apr 17 Stress Busting

Workshop, 6:30 pm

Sat Apr 21 COA Ceremony and

Dinner

Young Adults (18-35)

Adult Programs (AP) Spring 2012

We stll have lots to offer this spring!

Our program is open to non-church members, so invite friends! Please register in advance.

Classes beginning soon...

On-going classes-drop in!...

Three NEW AP classes...

Brochure Corrections...

Sunday Morning Forum...

Connection Circles...

READ ALL the RE News Here...

Calendar

Please visit the church calendar here.

THIS SUNDAY!

Cedar Lane Annual

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, April 15, 12:30 p.m.

Lunch is served!

This is an important time in the life of our church. Please plan to participate by attending.

Plan to attend to VOTE for our MINISTERIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE, new members of the Board, the Social Justice Council and Leadership Development Committee members. We'll HEAR reports from the Board and other leadership committees.

Last Chance for Auction Goodies!

If you missed the auction this year, here is your final chance to get in on the fun. Unsold items will be displayed in the lounge after the services on Sunday, April 15. Don't miss these vacation getaways and At Your Service opportunities. And there are still a few choice Wining and Dining openings, including a special Pancake Supper on Sunday, May 6 - a church wide, family event. Don't miss it!

* Opera with a Twist on May 26

* After-Church Brunch on June 17

* New Members' Brunch on June 3

* Cocktails and Chopin on May 12

* Sushi and Sake Night on May 19

* Jazz Service Brunch on July 1

* Transylvanian Thanksgiving

* Celebration on Nov 4

Check out the auction table in the lounge on April 15, or call Sara Deshler in the church office to make a purchase.

The Stewardship Committee is hosting three dinners this weekend!

Click here to RSVP last minute to attend one of our stewardship dinners.

Or click on the date below to which you would like to RSVP:

Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 14, 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 15, 5:30 p.m.

Child care is available but you must let us know in advance.

Dinners will include wonderful food from My Thyme. Wine will be available. Plan on meeting new people, engaging in fun discussions and help your church earn the money it needs to thrive and continue its good work. Join the fun! Attending a dinner is the best way to insure that you are helping Cedar Lane grow while having a great time with your friends.

The JPD Assembly is this Friday-Sunday!

Joseph Priestley District Assembly

Looking Backward, Moving Forward: Celebrating

50 Years of the JPD

April 13-15, 2012

Key Bridge Marriott, Arlington, VA

Keynote Speaker:

Rev. Peter Morales, President of the UUA

Click here to go directly to our online registration page.

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GOING TO THE UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JUNE 20-24,

in PHOENIX?

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!

Click here for an application.

Please note date corrections below!!

Now that the first bulbs are in bloom, and the trees in flower, it's time to spruce up the gardens of Cedar Lane as well as our own flower beds. The Grounds Committee invites you to help.

On Sunday, April 29, from 9:30-12:30 p.m., the Grounds Committee will host a spring plant sale, so plan to be there! There are always lots of great buys, and the proceeds will be used to further beautify the CLUUC grounds. Please bring cash or checks, as we cannot accept credit cards. We need your plant donations! Please take a look at your gardens, thin out your beds, and bring your donations to CLUUC on Saturday, April 28, from 9-12 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you this spring.

The Grounds Committee

Environmental Task Force

Earth Day lands officially on April 22 in 2012. That's when everyone celebrates a healthy planet and joins with other Americans to do something to improve our environment. It's a chance to express our appreciation for reasonable rules that help us keep our air and water clear and clean, go farther in our cars on a gallon of gas, rely more on clean, renewable sources of electricity, and protect a lasting legacy of our natural heritage. It's the one day that crystalizes for everyone our collective yearning to enhance the quality of our lives today and to leave the world a better place for those who will follow us.

Prepare to join us and do your part!

Click here for updated Green Tips and ETF event information!

In This Together from CLARITY

The initial "Beginning the Journey: Ally-ship" workshop was held on March 31 and received an enthusiastic response. Invitations to this session were focused on Cedar Lane's board members and social justice leaders, and 14 of them participated.

The "Ally-ship Training" program was created by Veronica Adams, a UU and professional trainer, and customized to meet CLUUC's needs. Primarily designed for those who identify as European-American and want to become more effective allies in the face of racism and xenophobia, this workshop provides deeper, more experiential training than is typically available in anti-racism training. The initial session was co-facilitated by Veronica and CLARITY members Ariel Mora and Michael Benefiel. The greatest gift from Veronica is that CLARITY will be able to continue to present this program at Cedar Lane.

Members and friends of CLUUC who are committed to our work of anti-racism and multi-culturalism are encouraged to become part of our team. If you are ready to join, send a request to CLUUC-CLARITY-subscribe@yahoogroups.com (We use this Yahoo group for CLARITY emails, meeting invitations, etc.)

CLARITY meetings are generally held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 in the Chalice House.

For details on upcoming events, see the CLARITY

"Events of Interest."

0.960691823899371

Sara Deshler and Sara Davidson
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church www.cedarlane.org 301-493-8300