eNews: April 20, 2012

IN THE LOUNGE Alliance Books ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Passport to Adventure Auction ◊ RE Council Teacher Recruitment ◊ Social Justice Council ◊

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

THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY MORNING FORUM UNTIL SEPTEMBER!

Weekly Devotional · April 20, 2012

I write these words nestled amidst the piney woods of east Texas at Camp Allen (campallen.org), an Episcopal retreat center which has hosted the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Interim Ministers' Guild for the last half-dozen years or so. I am continually amazed at the dedication, wisdom, good humor, conscientiousness and kindness of my interim minister colleagues. Although we only gather as a body once a year, this feels to me like a congregation. We worship together, we strive toward a sense of mission and to embrace a vision of the holy, and we feel bound in covenant to one another by ideals we hold sacred. We also have all the human markers of a congregation, with a budget, elected leaders, committees, and all the foibles of a congregation too: sometimes our meetings go longer than we'd like, sometimes we struggle with our sense of purpose, and sometimes we disagree with one another and still have to try to maintain relationships of respect and love. Did you know that this is just as hard for ministers as it is for everybody else - and just as needful, and, when it does fulfill a divine purpose, just as beautiful?

I am deeply grateful to do the work that I do. Every day I try to remind myself what a humbling privilege it is. I am immensely thankful to do that work with congregations that are so full of promise, so capable, so committed, and so often inspired by a vision of the possible. And I am grateful to my colleagues all over the continent who do this work and who challenge and inspire me by their example and their human goodness.

Prayer

Precious God, thank you for calling all of us to lives of compassionate service; may we never forget that as we all are thus called, we therefore do not do the work of justice and love alone. 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

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You Could be An Off-site Delegate for the UUA General Assembly!

Click here: Off-site Delegate Registration

Even if they cannot be present physically at GA this year, congregational delegates, ministers, and credentialed directors of religious education can participate in the business of GA in Phoenix, June 20-24, by serving as off-site delegates.

Off-site delegates can:

Watch live streaming video of all Plenary Sessions online.
Vote online and speak during debate in General Assembly business sessions from home, office, or congregation, or as part of a congregational cluster.
Listen to discussion and vote during business mini-assemblies.

Using a telephone and a computer with high-speed access to the Internet, off-site delegates participate in the Plenary business sessions and mini-assemblies right along with the delegates who are in Phoenix.

All delegates are required to submit a certified GA credential from their congregation. An off-site delegate will count against a congregation's total number of delegates allowed; so off-site participation is not recommended for congregations that can send a full delegation to attend GA in person. Contact nancyjanssen@peoplepc.com for more information.

Attention New Members! - This Sunday!

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 of 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.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Don't miss the sweet vocal blends of Carmina, Washington's early music vocal chorale, who will present a musical feast from the English Renaissance at Cedar Lane UU Church,

this Sunday, April 22 at 4:00 p.m.

Hear Henry Purcell's Funeral Sentences, the multiple movement work he composed for the funeral of Queen Mary II in 1694. Also included in the performance will be the motets of John Dunstable and the madrigals of William Byrd. Carmina's Director, Vera Kochanowsky, will perform at the harpsichord.

This performance is free and all are welcome. Goodwill donations will be accepted. Visit www.cedarlane.org and click concerts for additional information.

Want to contribute a savory or a light dessert to the concert reception? We welcome your contributions.

Please respond to hsgrecci@cedarlane.org.

Upcoming Sundays

April 29, 2012

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

"Over the Board"

The Rev. Evan Keely

Reflections on some life-lessons learned from playing chess. Spring B begins today.

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.

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of Helen Rosenthal (Neighborhood 25,) who died unexpectedly in her sleep on April 19th.

Helen was a teacher for 38 years, retiring in 2009. She started with threes and then teaching Bible with Wanda Van Goor for 23 years. Our condolences are with her husband Alan, their son Richard, daughter-in-law Audrey Anderson and grandchildren Eric and Andy (N21). Once a date for her memorial is known, we will share it with the congregation.

We celebrate with Susan Clark (Neighborhood 23) as her unpublished novel, The Monk Woman's Daughter, received an honorable mention in the Washington Writers' Publishing House fiction competition. Congratulations!

Those who attended Cedar Lane's Annual Meeting know that the congregation voted to ordain Glenn Farley into the UU ministry. (Glenn grew up at Cedar Lane and served as our Youth Coordinator.) The date for this rite-of-passage will be October 28th.

Our condolences go out to Bonnie Donaghy (N13) with the death of her uncle, Richard Butt, after a serious stroke.

Note: If you haven't done so already, please check out the Community Care Board in the Cedar Lane Lounge, next to the Visitors' Center. This bulletin board includes information about the Pastoral Visitors' ministry and other community care programs at Cedar Lane (like We Care and Connection Circles,) current information about community joys and sorrows, blank cards and a member and friend directory so you can easily send a card plus supportive resources beyond Cedar Lane.

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

From the Church Administrator

Sara Deshler

It is with great sadness that we report our Church Accountant, Bruce Marquette, has accepted another position. Over his 4 years with us he has brought much needed order to our daily chaos and, as Nancy Pellegrini put it, he has been so much more than a keeper of the books. He has been a keeper of kind consideration for his fellow staff members and members of the congregation.

Due to the sensitive nature of this work we will not be seeking a church member as a replacement but if you know of anyone who would be good for this position please have them contact me or see the position posting on our website for more information.

Calendar

Please visit the church calendar here.

Around the Church

Ya'll ready for this??

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

Donations for Afghan orphanages: The last day of collection will be Sunday, April 29. You can leave donations downstairs near the RE administration desk or contact Annette Scarpitta at annettecedarlane@spamex.com. Thanks!

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.

Learn how to talk about the

Maryland Dream Act

A training about the Act and how to lead

individual and small group conversations

in support of the Act and the November

ballot referendum for members of Maryland

UU Churches (and all other interested

supporters)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

9:00 to 11:30 AM

Cedar Lane UU Church

Spread the word!

training at the Social Justice table on

Sundays or email h_strang1@verizon.net

MD-IAF gratefully acknowledges funding support from UUs for Social Justice for this

event.

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).

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.

Beyond the Church

A UUSJ Workshop to

Create Climate for Change

Saturday, April 28, 1-4:50 p.m.

at The Washington Ethical Society,

16th Street, NW, Washington, DC

Look for the flyers at the SJC table on Sunday!

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 and NIH 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

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...

Honoring Wanda Van Goor...

Spring B is here!

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)

S-S May 5-6 NYC

Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12)

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...

Connection Circles...

READ ALL the RE News Here...

Music Director's Notes

Dr. Henry Sgrecci

April 22, 2012

We welcome our choirs of young musicians to the Sanctuary for the last time during this church year. The Youth Bells begin with a cheerful, jazzy rendition of the cherished Spiritual "Swing Low." As the Call to Worship the Youth Choir reprises one of its favorite songs, "We Will," composed by Jim Papoulis along with the Miami Children's Choir. The composer collaborated with the young singers to create lyrics that reflected both their fears and uncertainty and also their determination and will to move on in life. The Children's Choir has enjoyed learning about recycling in our own backyards as they have sung (with great enthusiasm) the clever lyrics of Jim Scott's song "Put Me in the Compost Pile." This morning the Adult Choir introduces a new anthem, "Anyway," based upon a poem that appears in an engraving at Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India.

Special thanks to members of the Children's Choir, Youth Choir, and Youth Handbell Choir and who have rehearsed diligently each week and who imbue their music with light, energy and ideals. Thank you to Alicetta Black, Asha Butterworth, Sonja Carlson, Miles Carr, Sylvia Eisenberg, Adam Falcigno, Linnea Hultman, Kara Liao and Tessa McCollum of the Children's Choir; Claire Bergey, Sam Brinker, Irene Burski, Sarah Falcigno, Christine Green, Lora Liao, Franni McCollum, Nell Quinn-Gibney and Emma Rauscher of the Youth Choir; and Madeleine Franke, Eric Rosenthal, Sarah Falcigno, Lora Liao, Dominic Manzella, Emma Rauscher, Claire Bergey, Adam Falcigno, Irene Burski, Sam Brinker (and guest adult ringers) of the Youth Handbell Choir. We especially wish to thank Susan Easterly for her tireless efforts as choir accompanist and last minute, emergency handbell ringer.

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

We're flipping for Cedar Lane

on Sunday evening, May 6

On Sunday, May 6, from 5:30-7:30 pm, The Board of Trustees will do the cooking for you!

So take the night off, bring a crowd or come solo - to Cedar Lane's Pancake Supper.

Individual tickets are $10, Family tickets are $25.

Purchase or reserve tickets in the lounge on Sundays, or contact Sara Deshler, sdeshler@cedarlane.org, or 301-493-8300 x 209.

Tickets will be available at the door but your advance purchase helps us know how many to expect.

We hope to serve you there!

Environmental Task Force

This April, PBS salutes Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2012, with an exciting month-long slate of new and encore programming. NOVA presents "Deadliest Tornadoes," a look back at one of the worst tornado outbreaks in the U.S. in decades, and "Secrets of the Sun," offering a greater understanding of our nearest star. New specials include ENERGY QUEST USA, inspiring stories of how ordinary citizens are making planet-friendly energy choices, and POWERING THE PLANET, an eye-opening look at sustainable energy solutions. INDEPENDENT LENS presents "Revenge of the Electric Car," a look at the global resurgence of the electric car, and "Facing the Storm," a wide-ranging history of bison and the attempts to bring them back to roam free. With other primetime premieres from NATURE and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, the weeks leading up to Earth Day give viewers the opportunity to explore the wonders of nature.

Click here to continue reading!

Click here for updated Green Tips and ETF event information!

New Members, Visitors:

Save the Date!

We are offering another Welcome Workshop on May 5, 2012 from 10am to 1pm. This is an opportunity to learn about Unitarian Universalism, our spiritual community, how we operate, what we offer, and ways to get engaged. The workshop is hosted by the membership coordinator with interactive sessions led by each of the ministers. If you are a new member, longtime member, or interested visitor, this is an ideal way to extend your knowledge of the faith, the church, and to build relationships. Lunch is provided; lunch and the workshop are free.

We ask that all new members attend a Welcome Workshop before or shortly after joining the church. Please RSVP by the end of day April 30 to Andy Streich, our membership coordinator at 301.312.4962 or

astreich@cedarlane.org.

In This Together from CLARITY

The next movie in CLARITY's film discussion series, "Beyond Black and White: Cultural Diversity in America" will be "Smoke Signals", shown on Friday, April 20, 7:00 - 9:30 pm in the Cedar Lane library. This film was the first full-length feature movie made by indigenous Americans, and won several awards including the 1998 Sundance Audience Award and Filmmakers Trophy. We are pleased to have Melissa Bisagni from the National Museum of the American Indian lead the discussion.

$5 at the door (if you have not enrolled for the series).

See our CLARITY web pages for additional upcoming

See our CLARITY web pages for additional upcoming events

"Events of Interest."

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.

* CLARITY/"Cedar Laners Against Racism -- In This Together --Yes!" is part of Cedar Lane's Social Justice Council. Our mission is to lead the process of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church becoming a welcoming, multi-cultural, multi-racial congregation.

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