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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
www.cedarlane.org
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eNewsletter Volume 4, Issue 52
June 22, 2012
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This is the first Sunday of summer services!
June 24, 2012
10 a.m. in the sanctuary
"A Prayer by Any Other Name"
Rev. Karen Gustafson
Worship Associate: Jim Laurenson
Do Unitarian Universalists pray? This is a question asked with many motivations - as a faith test by a non or not yet UU trying to find a way in or a way out; as a way of defining us as "other"; as a source of genuine curiosity. It is a different question when we ask it of ourselves. What is the function of prayer? Does it need a "to whom" or a "to what"? What are we rejecting when we reject the very notion of prayer? What do we gain by reframing prayer in a different light?
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 10 a.m.: Kay Bugenhagen, John Daniel, Nancy Janssen, Marilynn Smith
Coffee Servers: 11 a.m.: Nancy Janssen
Audio: Rich Clark
Board Member at the Office Desk: 11 a.m.: Kathie Bryant
Visitors' Center: 11 a.m.: Lyn Peters
The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Carol Edwards in loving memory of the 68th wedding anniversary of Earl & Lucile Scharper. The flowers were arranged by Lyn Peters.
In the Lounge: Alliance Books ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Social Justice Council ◊
First Sunday Smart Sacks collection for Manna are NEXT Sunday. Drop off donations into either the blue or red bins. Thanks!
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UUA General Assembly, June 20-24, in Phoenix AZ
For full coverage and live streaming go to www.uua.org/ga. You are also invited to Cedar Lane's library to view the following GA sessions on our large screen (EDT):
- Fri 6/22, 11:30 - 1:15 p.m., Plenary
- Fri 6/22, 8:00 p.m., Service of the Living Tradition
- Sat 6/23, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Plenary. (Late dinner or a potluck to be planned Friday.)
- Sat 6/23, 8:15 p.m., Ware lecture
- Sun 6/24, noon, Sunday Service
- Sun 6/24, 5:15 - 9 p.m., Plenary. Bring food (plans to be made on Friday and Saturday). Note: Currently, all debate and voting are planned for only this plenary.
Questions? Contact Nancy Janssen, at nancyjanssen@peoplepc.com.
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Weekly Devotional · June 22, 2012
This week, thousands of our co-religioners are gathered for the Unitarian Universalist Association's annual General Assembly (or just "GA," yet another of the many acronyms and abbreviations that we Unitarian Universalists - I mean UUs - seem to hold so dear), a meeting held in a different US city each year; this year it is in Phoenix. Since Arizona has been an epicenter of the national tensions around immigration, this year's GA has a special justice focus, and will feature acts of public witness in solidarity with immigrants and advocacy for a fairer immigration system.
Issues like immigration are enormously complicated. Yet we cannot escape the reality that these complexities include the mean-spirited and fearful attitude of some of our fellow citizens, and the willingness of some politicians to stoke those embers of fear and distrust. When we look at problems like this, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless and hopeless.
Author and Unitarian Minister Edward Everett Hale made a remark familiar to many of us (perhaps because it is reading #457 in our hymnal Singing the Living Tradition): "I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." That is a worthy attitude for us to have as individuals, but it is also important for us to remember that we can usually achieve far more when we organize ourselves in communities of purpose. That is a core idea of gatherings like GA, and of a community like a church. Our collective wisdom and strength is often greater than the sum of its parts.
Prayer
God of justice and compassion, empower me to do what I can, with the humility of knowing that what I can do is limited, and the confidence and courage of knowing that I can still do something. And turn my heart and mind unto communities of faithful and caring souls, that we may act in concert for what is right, knowing each of us is stronger in community than in solitude. Amen.
Follow Rev. Keely on Twitter @evanvwk and as part of the UU Collective of bloggers at patheos.com.
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Top 10 Reasons for Governance by Policy
"What is it?" "Why do we need it?" "What's wrong with the way things are?" As outgoing Board Chair I hope to rise to the challenge of explaining governance by policy ("GBP"), and why our decision to pursue it will mean a better future for Cedar Lane. The Board's journey to GBP is described on the Cedar Lane website (see the GBP link on the home page). You may also want to peruse the UUA materials on Policy Based Governance. (Note that "Governance by policy," "policy governance" and "policy based governance" refer to the same principles and are often used interchangeably.) But let's start with a brief-as-possible description: GBP is structured so that a Board of Trustees focuses on mission, policies, and oversight to guide the organization. The Board delegates to an Executive Team, usually some combination of minister(s) and top-level staff. Staff and volunteers are empowered to make day-to-day decisions within clearly articulated boundaries. These are the principles of GBP; details of the structure vary by organization. Why are we promoting this change at Cedar Lane? Herewith is my Top Ten List, which I hope may enlighten and reassure... Click here to read! |
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Upcoming Sundays
July 1, 2012
The Capital Focus Jazz Band
Worship Associate: Bob Harrison
The Capital Focus Jazz Band continues a 14-year Cedar Lane tradition with our Jazz Sunday on Independence Day weekend. CFJB is the Youth Learning Program of the Potomac River Jazz Club. This talented ensemble has performed at the White House, the Capitol, the Kennedy Center, the National Mall, the Pentagon, the Smithsonian, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Preservation Hall in New Orleans, and, of course, Cedar Lane!
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Calendar
Please visit the church calendar here.
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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 name-tag or the map in the church office to find your neighborhood. Our condolences go out to Jeannette, Andy, Sandy and Katie Wilson (Neighborhood 25) with the death of Jeannette's father, Angel Inserni, on June 17 after a long illness. We celebrate with Glenn Farley, who grew up at Cedar Lane and will be ordained at the church on October 28, who will be recognized in the Service of the Living Tradition on Friday, June 22 at the UUA's General Assembly in Phoenix, AZ for receiving preliminary ministerial fellowship by the denomination. As previously named in the eNews, we contributed to the Prague Unitarian Congregation's "virtual Flower Communion," celebrating that community's 90th anniversary, by sending a photo of Tom, Erik and Kay Bugenhagen standing by a Sunday morning flower arrangement created by Cathy Knapper. You may see and learn more about this celebration held on June 10 here. Of particular interest may be the "bouquet" of "virtual flowers" that includes Cedar Lane's contribution, which you may see here. 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. |
Congratulations Graduates!
Juliet Anderson, daughter of Bonnie Beavers and Peter Mathers, graduated from B-CC High School with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate and will attend Eckerd College in St Petersburg, FL this fall.
Ben Austin graduated with honors from Boston University and will be studying in Ireland this coming year. His parents are Ken and Lucie Austin of Silver Spring, and his grandmother is Martha Lisle. Sebi Devlin-Foltz, son of Betsy and David Devlin-Foltz, has returned to the DC area after graduating from Occidental College in LA on May 20 with a double major in Economics and International Relations.
Kevin Haaga graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Parents Candice & Dave Haaga will join Kevin there for the celebration. Kevin plans to continue living and working in Olympia. Arman and Kian Karimi, sons of Mary and Hamid Karimi, graduated from Walter Johnson High School. They will both attend St. Mary's College of Maryland in the fall.
Abby Klinedinst, daughter of Donna and Phil Klinedinst, graduated from Rockville High School with an IB Diploma. She plans to attend Boston University beginning in August.
Madison Ruppenthal, who graduated from Einstein Senior High with an IB Diploma, will attend Guilford College in North Carolina this fall. Her proud parents are Bannon Preston and John Ruppenthal.
Andrew Simon graduated from Gaithersburg High School and will attend the University of Maryland, Clark School of Engineering in the fall. The family wishes him well: parents Kate and Mark Simon, grandparents Barbara and John Wing, and aunt Pat Karlsen.
In memorium, we remember Luke Carter Schlep who would have graduated from high school this year.
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Do you have a graduate in your family whether from high school or college? Please contact Linda Gianessi (lgianessi@cedarlane.org) if we can announce their name, school and future plans in the next newsletter. |
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Around the Church
Stewardship Update for FY 2012: We have $916,000.00 in pledges with approximately $866,551.00 paid. PLEASE get the remainder of your pledge in before June 30. Now on to the upcoming FY 2013: We currently have pledges adding up to approximately $768,132.00 and we need $146,868.00 more. Please help Cedar Lane today. If you have not yet pledged, please call Sara Deshler in the church office (301) 493-8300 to pledge. You can also pledge online through our web site. Just scroll down the left side of the screen until you see the button for "Pledge Today." If Cedar Lane members and friends in the aggregate give the equivalent of $2,000 for every member, we will not only balance our budget but have a little extra to dogood work. For those of you with children in our RE programs, please try to support the program by pledging at least $750 per child.
It is so easy to give Cedar Lane the amount you plan to pledge for our new fiscal year which starts this July. We need to hear from you so we can plan the budget. Click here to pledge online.
If you have already pledged, thank you!
Meditation June mini series meets in the Chalice House four Mondays in June, 7:30-9 pm. Drop-in's welcome. All levels welcome.
JOIN the Joseph Priestley District's Jubilee Anti-Racism Training
When: Fri, August 3 (6 pm to 10 pm); Sat, August 4 (8:30 am to 9 pm); Sun, August 5 (8:30 am to 5 pm - with a break for worship service).
Do you wish to nurture your congregation's multicultural future in the face of opposing cultural currents? Do you wish to deepen your understanding of how race and ethnicity play out in our institutions and our daily lives?
Jubilee Anti-Racism Training helps participants understand what is involved in nurturing a multicultural community and working against racism in all of its forms.
Click here to continue...
Farm Market Stand Open this Saturday, June 23!
STRAWBERRIES and RHUBARB are almost over! Get them now!
Sweet CHERRIES! These are the early small dark ones! We have spinach, spring onions, radishes, lettuce, salad greens, asparagus, and spearmint tea. Arugala, stored potatoes. ..the list goes on!
Don't forget to check out Cedar Lane! Find us on...
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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.
- Congratulations Graduates!
- RE Registration for 2012-13
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
READ ALL the RE News Here...
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Music Director's Notes
Dr. Henry Sgrecci
June 24, 2012
Today's music presents a diverse palette of prayer. Kyrie Eleison is a prayer that comes from the Roman Catholic Mass. Its brief repetitive text has been set to music by scores of composers through the centuries. The simple melody that we sing this morning was composed in 1987 by Dinah Reindorf, then the Music Director of Ridge Church in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The melody came to her while she was attending a gathering of the World Council of Churches and participated in a blindfolded "Passion Walk," tracing the steps of Christ's footsteps to the cross. The harmonization that we sing was created by Dr. Ysaye Barnwell, who presented it during her Community Sing at CLUUC in 2011. In following the true oral tradition, we sing from memory.
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need is a familiar sacred melody, appearing in several nineteenth century hymnals including William Walker's "Southern Harmony" hymnal (it appears in the UU hymnal as #79, "No Number Tallies Up Nature"). In 1938 Virgil Thomson was in the vanguard of contemporary American composers endeavoring to steer away from European staples to create music that was uniquely American. His arrangement of My Shepherd... from the collection "Four Southern Hymns," is a cherished favorite among choristers.
The Prayer has enjoyed prodigious popularity since its introduction in the Warner Brothers hit movie "Quest for Camelot." The song, sung by a mother and her daughter, won a Golden Globe award as best original song during 1998. It is best recognized as a duet between Canadian singer Celine Dion and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, hence the Italian lyrics. Ironically, each artist recorded the song separately before creating a later "virtual" duet with Dion live in concert, and Bocelli appearing via video screen. Each singer has gone on to sing it with other artists.
Special thanks to Susan Clark and Kevin Miller for bringing The Prayer duet to life.
Come out of the shower and into the Choir! Summer Choir will meet at the front of the Sanctuary at 9 AM to prepare music for services on July 8, 15, 22, and 29. Low pressure, low commitment Just send advance notice to Henry Sgrecci at hsgrecci@cedarlane.org, so that he can prepare a folder for you.
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In This Together from CLARITY
Event this Monday, June 25,
7 p.m. at Cedar Lane!
Be among the first to hear Steve Jones' new musical "Love Songs From the Liberation Wars"!
The musical tells the amazing story of an overturn of Jim Crow laws at the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco plant in Winston-Salem, N.C.. You won't want to miss the foot-tapping rhythms, catchy melodies, and witty lyrics! Monday, June 25, 7pm, Cedar Lane chapel, suggested donation $10.
Don't delay registering for "Jubilee" diversity training to be held right here at Cedar Lane August 3-5. Specially trained leaders have been lined up, and there are limited spaces available. This program is the crown jewel in the Joseph Priestley District's recommended diversity training, and it's been a long time since it has been offered locally. Register at http://www.jpduua.org/news-and-notes/jubilee-anti-racism-training or by mail. Limited funds are available for financial assistance. Contact Ariel Mora (ariel_mora1@hotmail.com) regarding financial support, or with any other questions about this program.
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 p.m. in the Chalice House.
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Partner Church Scholarship Fundraising 
We are still accepting donations! Please click here to view the full listing of all of the students we are sponsoring this summer. |
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Environmental Task Force
MOM's Organic Market - New location, as of May 1
5612 Randolph Road (at Nebel St.)
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 816-4944
MOM's Purpose is to Protect & Restore the Environment
Celebrating 25 Years
In 1987, Scott Nash founded MOM's at the age of 22 with an initial investment of $100. He started the company as a home delivery business based in his mother's garage in Beltsville, MD.
- MOM's (then called Organic Food Express) first sale was on July 2nd, 1987 - a delivery to a customer on Evelyn Drive in Rockville. The total was $52.34.
- The company was family owned and operated from the beginning... Scott's mother taught him to properly prep, store and display leafy greens; his sister sold him a used station wagon for late-night deliveries; and his brother Mike built the first checkout counter.
- MOM's likes to promote from within. Today, the Leadership Team includes people who have been with MOM's 10+ years, and who started working as a cashier, a grocery buyer and a cooler stocker.
Jeans Recycling Drive Bring in your old jeans and denim! From 6/11 - 7/31 2012, MOM's is collecting used denim to be recycled at the Phoenix Denim Recycling Facility in Arizona. The material will be shredded and recycled into Ultra-Touch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation. To learn more about the process, click here. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Click here for updated Green Tips and ETF event information! |
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Beyond the Church
2012 CCÉ Musical Arts & Dance (MAD) Week, July 9 - 13, 2012at Cedar Lane! We're more than happy to pass on $50 discount to anyone from the parish who can join us full time for the week - $370 instead of the current $420 rate. We're featuring an exceptional faculty again this year and are offering the following classes: Fiddle - beginning, intermediate, advanced Flute - beginning, intermediate/advanced Whistle - for rank beginners Uilleann Pipes - Irish "elbow" pipes Bodhran - Irish drum Tenor Banjo - 4 string Guitar Accompaniment - alternate tuning (dadgad) Singing/Songwriting Harp - introductory class on Thursday Accordion - workshops on Wednesday Set & Sean-nos dancing! For more information, including daily schedule, faculty bios and registration forms, please see our website. Note: The online shopping cart application will not convey the $50 discount we'reoffering Cedar Lane members. Please download and complete the registration form and send with your check to the address provided. Please mark form and check "Cedar Lane Member." Discount does not apply to half day registrations. ------------------------------------- Click here to learn about some events sponsored by friends of Cedar Lane.
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Sara Davidson
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church www.cedarlane.org 301-493-8300
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