eNews: April 27, 2012

IN THE LOUNGE: Alliance Jewelry ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Donuts, Bagels & Yogurt ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊Social Justice Council ◊

Weekly Devotional · April 27, 2012

[Astronomer Carl] Sagan perceived, more clearly than most, Voyager's potential to improve human perspectives. At his instigation, Voyager One looked back on Valentine's Day 1990 and took photos of all the Sun's planets as seen from high above the plane. The Earth took up just one pixel, Carl's famous Pale Blue Dot. "That's home," he wrote. "Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot."

Timothy Ferris

Read more here.

Religion, philosophy and ethics have all grappled with the question of our place in a universe which is both immeasurably vast and incomparably wondrous. Scientific exploration of the cosmos has only added intensity to our human quest to understand the significance of our existence as the stupefying immensity of our galaxy has become more apparent - and with it the recognition that ours is probably but one of perhaps hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. How could our lives possibly be of any consequence?

Yet science has also shown us that each of us is a marvelously complex collection of systems, composed of cells, which are themselves extraordinarily intricate. When we consider even a single-celled organism on the subatomic level, we are dealing with something akin to a galaxy in miniature; our bodies are composed of an astonishing number of cells. We are all almost like universes unto ourselves.

Ultimately, we must make a choice to believe that even though the universe is awesome beyond our comprehension, and that our decades of life are but an almost imperceptibly minute blip in cosmic time, that our lives mean something, if only because we choose to imbue them with meaning.

Prayer

May I live my life with the humility of knowing that I am an infinitesimal speck in a staggeringly vast cosmos, with gratitude for knowing that I am unique, and with humble thankfulness that I am connected to that infinitude all around me. 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)

Click here to view flyer

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

Registration Deadline: June 8, 2012 by 5 p.m. Eastern

Can't join Sara Deshler, Glenn Farley, John Gubbings, Mike Harris, Cathy Knapper, Mary Beth Nowinski, Gerry Peterson, and Sandy Shaw as Cedar Lane delegates in Phoenix?

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.

From the Chair and Transition Coordinating Committee (TCC):

UPDATE ON Leadership and GOVERNANCE AT CEDAR LANE

The Board continues to educate ourselves about effective governance, and to prepare for leadership transitions at Cedar Lane. We want to keep you "in the loop!" Here's the latest:

What is happening with the RE Program?

RE classes finished out the year under the extremely capable oversight of Linda Gianessi, our Temporary Religious Education Coordinator, with help from our wonderful staff and RE Council volunteers. The TCC is actively interviewing candidates for the Interim Religious Education position for a two-year term (one year renewable to two) beginning this August. We expect to make an announcement about the RE position very soon.

Was the Rev. Evan Keely's contract renewed for a second year as Interim Senior Minister?

Yes. We are grateful for Evan's capable leadership during the next church year as the Board refines its interim priorities to focus in greater depth on subjects like governance, before the congregation elects our settled Senior Minister.

Click here to continue...

Upcoming Sundays

May 6, 2012

10 a.m. in the sanctuary

"Graduating Seniors"

The Rev. Evan Keely
& 12th Graders

Come hear our 12th Graders reflect on life past, present, and future.

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.

Our condolences go out to Bob and Kate Harrison (Neighborhood 8.) Bob's mother, Marie Eader, died on April 20th at age 92 in the care of hospice.

Our hearts also go out to Mary Beth Nowinski (N12) with the death of her brother, Robert Bruce Facer.

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.

Where is Heather? The Associate Minister and Minister for Pastoral Care, Heather Janules, will be away from Cedar Lane from Saturday, 4/28 to Wednesday morning, 5/2, to serve as a guest preacher in Oneonta, NY (4/29) and to attend a clergy retreat in Lewes, DE. She will return to the church on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 2. Instructions will be left on her outgoing voicemail message at church about how to contact Heather in the case of a pastoral emergency.

Two Of Your Ministers...

Are now on Twitter:

Follow Rev. Keely @evanvwk

Follow Rev. Janules @revhkjanules

THIS WEEKEND!

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! We will also be serving donuts, bagels and yogurt, if you're feeling a little hungry.

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

Around the Church

Don't forget to check out Cedar Lane! Find us on...

The Kecklers are offering a discount for all folks in our congregation who sign-up for the CSA with the pickup on Saturday morning's at the church. If folks would like to sign up they can go to the website

www.orchardcountryproduce.com

and sign-up online.

At the checkout put in this coupon code: CEDARLA and you will get a $10 discount. It doesn't matter what size share or which session is chosen.

Dinner Discussion Group Meet-up

Many Cedar Laners love their group and have been happily gathering for years.

Want to join in?

Is your group looking for new members?

Come to an informal meet-up in the Lounge on Sunday, May 12, after the service. We'll see if we can make some new connections.

For more information:

Michael Thoryn

michaelthoryn@verizon.net

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.

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

LAST CALL:

TOMORROW IS THE DAY

UUSJ Workshop to Create Climate for Change

Sat, April 28, 1-4:50

at The Washington Ethical Society,16th Street, NW, Washington, DC

No charge. Do come--YOU and YOU and YOU!

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

Immigrant Voices Workshop

with Paula Cole Jones,

May 16, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

at Owen Brown Interfaith Center This interactive workshop honors the immigrant experience in the United States and deepens our understanding of immigration. Through the voices of immigrants in poetry and prose, we encounter their life experiences and make connections to the political, social and economic structures that have shaped these experiences. A donation of $5-$10 is suggested, but not required. Snacks provided. Childcare available upon request at least one week in advance - please send names and ages of children to childcare@uucolumbia.net. For more information, contact Carla Miller, dlgl@uucolumbia.net, 410-381-0097.

The Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville (UUCR), Peace Action Montgomery, and Pax Christi invite you to their annual Peace Luncheon on May 19 at 11:30, to benefit the Afghan Women's Fund (www.afghanwomensfund.com),

a terrific organization providing literacy, medical and other services for rural women in Afghanistan, and the national office of Peace Action (www.peace-action.org).

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 29-May 20 Spring B

Sun May 6 Graduating
Senior's Service

Sun May 20 All-Church Picnic

Spring B is here!

If you have not yet registered for class, you can do so on Sunday morning at the administration table on the lower level. Some classes are already filled!

Coming of Age

Our 9th graders did a wonderful job last Saturday, if you missed it, please pick up a copy of their personal statements, on the counter under the name tags, or the recorded CD in the library.

Dinner Discussion (D&D) Group Meet-up

RE Registration for 2012-13 Coming May 13!

Wanda Van Goor

To honor her, we are accepting donations to the Partner Church scholarship fund through May 4. Please make checks payable to CLUUC with "PCC/Wanda" on the memo line.

All-Church Retreat coming June 8-10

Youth Notes (Grades 7-12)

Youth Activity Group (YAG, for grades 7-8)

Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12)

Young Adults (Ages 18-35)

Adult Programs (AP) Spring 2012

Lots is still happening with Adult Programs! Please refer to the spring brochure or contact the RE office for more information and to register. Fees are for Pledgers/non pledgers to the church, where noted.

READ ALL the RE News Here...

Calendar

Please visit the church calendar here.

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.

Music Director's Notes

Dr. Henry Sgrecci

April 29, 2012

This Sunday morning we sing about living life with a song in our hearts, about the rock of Elijah, and about feeling comfort in God's presence. The Introit, Nada Te Turbe, was composed by Jacques Berthier for the small monastic community of Jesuit Brothers called Taizé, which takes its name from the French village. Set in Spanish, the work is representative of the body of simple songs and chants that Berthier composed between 1975 and 1995 for what has become an increasingly popular world-wide prayer culture. Elijah Rock is a rousing Spiritual that has long been a staple of concert choirs and a favorite of the Cedar Lane Choir, all of whom who delight in proclaiming the jubilant phrase "Elijah Rock, Shout, Shout! Elijah Rock, Comin' Up Lord." Finally, the Choir reprises a favorite anthem from American composer Frank Ticheli, "Earth Song." This anthem, with gently ebbing harmonies and poetry that refers to our human proclivity for war, points to the light of song as our refuge.

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Bell Canto will perform a public concert today at 2:30 p.m. for the residents of Ingleside at King Farm. We are grateful to the handbell choir's members, who work tirelessly to create such inspiring musical outreach on behalf of the Cedar Lane community.

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.

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

Did you know that there is a vast array of nasty toxic chemicals in your home right now?

Where are they? They're sitting in your cabinets, under your sink and in your laundry room. They're the cleaning products you use every day. Household cleaners often contain carcinogens, chemicals that can cause asthma & chemicals so hazardous that they can be fatal if accidentally swallowed or inhaled in a concentrated form.

Because we know how much you care about your health and safety, the Environmental Working Group is giving you a tool to help you figure out which cleaning products don't belong in your house. The EWG Cleaners Hall of Shame provides you with the names of some of the worst offenders out there, so you can begin the process of purging your home of these harmful cleaners.

Click here to get an exclusive look at the EWG Cleaners Hall of Shame. This excellent tool lists some of the most hazardous products on the market, and we're not afraid to name names!

Many EWG supporters have asked us for help navigating this minefield, so I'm excited to announce that this fall we plan to release the EWG Cleaners Database. This incredible resource will help you find out if there are dangerous substances in the products you use and will offer alternatives to keep you safe.

For our in-depth research, we scoured public sources, company websites and technical information for workers. Our ratings consider ingredient hazards, product warnings, risk of exposure, environmental concerns and how much the company is willing to tell you about what its products contain.

Like our Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, Cell Phone Radiation Report and Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, the EWG Cleaners Database will be groundbreaking in its comprehensiveness and usability. To get an idea of what's in store, check out the Cleaners Hall of Shame today!

Click here to get an exclusive sneak peek at the EWG Cleaners Hall of Shame and start learning about the dangers of some of the cleaning products you might use in your home.

Click here for updated Green Tips and ETF event information!

In This Together from CLARITY

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.

0.960691823899371

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