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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
www.cedarlane.org
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eNewsletter Volume 5, Issue 4
August 24, 2012
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Only two more weeks of summer services!
Catharine Clarenbach
Worship Associate: Lucy Lowenthal
Catharine Clarenbach is a seminarian studying to be a Unitarian Universalist minister. "Interdependence is the only game in the Universe, and it is a team sport! How do we experience our connectedness with "All That Is?" Catharine is particularly interested in anti-oppression work in the context of UU congregations.
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 10 a.m.: Cedric Powell, John Daniel, Mary Farrar, Nancy Janssen
Coffee Servers: 11 a.m.: Nancy Janssen
Audio: Jim Weiffenbach
Board Member at the Office Desk: 11 a.m.: Anne Fretz
Visitors' Center: 11 a.m.: Lyn Peters
The flowers in the sanctuary were arranged by Lyn Peters.
In the Lounge: Alliance Books ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Member Services: Kensington Parade Sign Up ◊ Rummage Sale ◊ Senior Minister Search Committee ◊ Social Justice Council table sells Palestinian olive oil to support peace in the Middle East! ◊
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Weekly Devotional · August 24, 2012
I have two sons. Today is my older son's tenth birthday. This means, among other things, that I have now been a dad for a full decade.
In his autobiographical Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin recounted the story of his remarkable experiment of posing as a black man and traveling through the Jim Crow south in 1959. A progressive white Catholic from New Orleans who was already critical of segregation, he was nonetheless shocked to discover the spiritually maiming experiences black people dealt with daily: not only the "WHITES ONLY" signs, but the hate stares from whites, the collective despair of the black community, and the lurid, invasive questions some white men felt entitled to ask him about his sexuality. Hitchhiking along a road by night, hungry, tired, lonesome and depressed, he reluctantly accepts a ride from a young white man, fearing he will once again be subjected to humiliating intrusions. Instead, what he finds in this companion is a person who appears to be totally oblivious to any reality other than that the black man in his truck is just another human being. The young white man asks Griffin about his family, and launches into a joyous paean of fatherhood, extolling the endless marvels of his own infant son. Griffin tries to deduce why this young, uneducated, non-religious white man in Alabama appears to have somehow escaped the taint of the racist venom with which their culture was saturated. "I could only conclude that his attitude came from an overwhelming love for his child, so profound that it spilled over to all humanity."
These are powerful, world-changing ideas: the love between parent and child can heal the anguish of the world; it can help us overcome the petty annoyances of everyday life, it can overcome the vicious resentments and disappointments that can point toward cruelty, it can surpass the stupid, seemingly intractable divisions of oppression. Can there be truth in such assertions? Can a parent's love for a child really wield that kind of transformative power? Perhaps it can. In the meantime, we should love our children with all our hearts and with every word we say and everything we do, whether or not it saves the world.
Prayer
O loving God, help me to be more loving with my children, not only in my heart, but in my words and deeds, and let that love spill out to all the world, a world that has need of more love. Amen.
Follow Rev. Keely on Twitter @evanvwk and as part of the UU Collective of bloggers at patheos.com.
Notes from the Ministers
It is my sad duty to report the death of my colleague and predecessor, the Rev. W. Edward Harris, who served as Interim Senior Minister at Cedar Lane during the 1992-93 church year, following the departure of the Rev. Ken MacLean and preceding the Rev. Roger Fritts. Although I did not know Ed personally, I feel great respect for his ministry, particularly in light of the brief but meaningful period in which he walked with Cedar Lane Church, a time of many changes; these included not only Ken moving on, but the disruptions of the extensive building renovations that took place during that time. Ed is remembered by many Cedar Laners for his warmth, his calming steadfastness during a time of some challenging transitions for the church, and for the depth of his caring for the congregation.
Sandra Harris posted this message on Facebook:
"I am writing to tell you that my husband of 56 years, W. Edward Harris, died peacefully on Friday, August 10, 2012. The cause of his death was a fast-growing, malignant brain tumor. Ed was 77, and, as all of you know, a magnificent human being. Our son Phillip is with me this week and our family will gather next weekend for a private service on Saturday. A memorial service for him will be scheduled at a later date at All Souls Unitarian Church [in Indianapolis, Indiana]. If you wish to respond to this, I would prefer hearing from you on Facebook or by e-mail, rather than calls or cards at this time. If you have tried to reach us and we haven't responded, please understand that it's not that we don't appreciate all the love and concern and prayers coming our way. My love and gratitude to each of you."
Please hold Sandra, Phillip, and all those who knew and loved Ed in your thoughts and prayers.
In our faith,
The Rev. Evan Keely, Interim Senior Minister
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Upcoming Sundays
September 2, 2012, 10 a.m.
Kathleen Koch
Worship Associate: Susan Clark
Ms. Koch is an award-winning broadcast journalist and former longtime CNN correspondent based in Washington, D.C. She covered Hurricane Katrina, and wrote an award-winning book, Rising from Katrina, about the recovery of her home town, Bay St. Louis, MS. Her two documentaries on Bay St. Louis's recovery received a New York Festivals Gold Medal. She also shared in the Peabody Award CNN won for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, she organized a successful effort to write and translate into Japanese letters from survivors of Katrina to survivors of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
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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.
Evelyn Myers
(Neighborhood 25) celebrated her 90th birthday on Sat, Aug 18th.
Paul Keyes
(N26) was briefly hospitalized after a fall and is now recovering on the nursing floor of Knollwood, his retirement community.
Evan Bliss
the son of Don and Nancy Bliss (N20) died suddenly on August 17th. A celebration of Evan's life was held at Cedar Lane on Friday, August 24.
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. |
From the Church Administrator
Finally! We have successfully implemented proper online giving! After years of research looking for the best system at the lowest cost we finally found and set up E-Giving. This system even allows us to take registrations for events that require payments and reservations for events that do not. Next week we will be sending out an email invitation to all our membership with an invitation to register but if you prefer not to wait you can sign up by going to our website, the link is on the left-hand side near the bottom. Or you can get there with this link. For those who have previously set up paying for their pledge with credit cards Marcia Montanio, our church accountant, will be contacting you next week to facilitate the transition to this system. Rather than having up to 5% of the amount charged go to the bank we are now looking at a charge of 2.5 to 3%. It is also possible to set up withdrawals directly from your bank account at a lower cost, 0.5%. Here's to progress! Questions? Sara Deshler, sdeshler@cedarlane.org.
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Volunteers Needed for Church Security and Lockup
Ever wondered how the church gets secured each evening after committees have gone home? A group of over 50 church members volunteer one week a year to come by the church after activities have ended to secure doors, turn off lights, and check for any irregularities. We have members who have done this for 25 years and some novices that began just last year. Due to a number of retirements, moves from the area, and over-commitments, we have several vacancies we must fill. Be assured that this is a very necessary task that must be done to protect church property. Also be assured that it is a safe endeavor that able-bodied adults can easily and efficiently perform. Do you think you'd be interested in helping with this important Cedar Lane job? It would entail just one week per year-guaranteed! To volunteer or to get more information, contact John Daniel (301-946-5509 or email: johnedaniel@comcast.net) or Terry Hoffeld (301-770-4489 or email: hoffeld@erols.com).
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Cedar Lane UU Church
Rummage Sale
Saturday, September 22
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pre-Sale for Cedar Laners
Friday, September 21
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
There are so many ways you can help....
*Donate! Clean out your closets, the playroom, the attic, the basement, and the garage! We need donations of clean and usable items. Toys, games, clothes, furniture, books, jewelry, appliances, house wares, sports equipment, bikes, and children's items are needed for the sale. Donations will be accepted at the church on September 19 and 20 from noon - 7:30 p.m. and on September 21 from noon - 5:30 p.m. If you have any questions about what we can accept, please check the web site.
*Volunteer! Consider giving two hours or ten hours to help set up for the rummage sale or work on the sale day. We will need lots of people to help take donations before the sale and work on the day of the sale. You can send an e-mail to Holly Parker at cobbparker@aol.com if you would like to help or sign up in the church lounge on the three Sundays before the sale.
*Bake Something! A bake sale will be held during the rummage sale. Make your favorite cookies, candies, bread, or cake to donate to the sale.
*Come and Shop! Church members and volunteers can come early to shop on Friday, September 2nd from 6-8:00 PM. The official rummage sale will occur on Saturday, September 22nd from 8-1:00 PM.
Please contact Holly Parker at cobbparker@aol.com if you have any questions.
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Adult Programs
Fall Brochure Coming
September 1!
Fall Programing includes classes, the Sunday Morning Forum, Labyrinth Walks, Connection Circles, the Annual Kiplinger Lecture and Dinner Discussion Groups. The Adult Programs Fall 2012 brochure will be mailed to your home and will be available on-line, www.cedarlane.org, the first of September. A registration card will be included in the mailing and can be downloaded from the website. On-line registration is available at www.cedarlane.org/apreg.htm.
Adult Programs Committee members will be in the lounge after worship services on September 23, 30 and October 7, to promote the programing, answer questions and accept registrations. Registrations will be accepted in the RE office anytime. |
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Around the Church
We Ordain
Glenn Coleman Farley
Saturday, October 28, 4 pm
At the April congregational meeting, Cedar Lane voted to ordain Glenn into the Unitarian Universalist ministry. He has completed the requirements for the UU ministry: course work, church internships and clinical pastoral education. He has been confirmed for ministry by the UUA Fellowship Committee.
Ordination is an honor only a church can choose to give. We have done this several times throughout our history starting with 89-year-old Sophia Lyon Fahs in 1959 and Betty Anastos in 1979. In more recent years we have ordained members Cory Kaufman and Archie Wainright as well as several young people who grew up at Cedar Lane in our religious education program: Cinnamon Daniel, Claire Petersberger, Claire Phillips-Thoryn and Kristin Grassel.
Glenn not only grew up at Cedar Lane, he also worked at the church. He was a custodial employee; he served as an advisor to the Junior High Youth Group under John Daniel and later was the paid Youth Director of the Senior High Youth Group for several years.
More information will be coming in future newsletters, e-News, and will be on the church bulletin boards and literature table.
Please Take Chips!!
Recent storms have resulted in great piles of wood chips again! Please help yourself to any of the large piles at the end of the lower Culver Street parking lot. We have even more piles in the RE parking lot, so don't hesitate to haul away whatever you can use.
 Calling volunteers for Classroom Cleanup on Saturday, Sept 8 from 9 am - 12 pm. We want the place to SPARKLE for the start of RE and need help cleaning out classrooms, decorating the bulletin board and organizing supplies. Helpers of ALL ages are welcome. We are flexible and invite you to give whatever time you can manage. Please contact Tish King at
kingtish@gmail.com or 301-897-8834. Senior High Youth Group Theater
When a beautiful woman claiming to be a spy is murdered in Richard Hannay's flat, he is thrust into a world of daring adventure and romance. The 39 Steps , based on the old Hitchcock movie, is a comedy of epic proportions. With four actors playing over 150 characters, this play is a hybrid of the espionage thriller genre and Monty Python. Come and see SHYG's production of this classic play September 28 at 7 o'clock and September 30 at 3 o'clock in the sanctuary. Rated PG-13! $5 tickets sold at the door.
Farm Market Stand Open this Saturday, August 25!
Saturdays, 9-1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Cedar Lane
GALA APPLES are here! Sweet & crisp!
Sugar Baby Watermelons!
We have pork - steaks, chops and 7 inch links. We now have breakfast links as well! We make our own jams and jellies.
We will also be offering cheese from Whispering Brook Farm. The cheeses are delicious with a short list of ingredients: unpasturized milk, vegetable enymes, sea salt.
Free range EGGS from our own chickens!
Check out their website for more info :)
Don't forget to check out Cedar Lane! Find us on...
If you would like your event posted on our Social Media, please e-mail us at socialmedia@cedarlane.org. Thanks!
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Participate in the 2012 Kensington Labor Day Parade! 
Cedar Laners at the 2010 Kensington Labor Day Parade.
Celebrate Labor Day with a Parade and Festival! Parade begins at St. Paul's St. and Plyers Mill. Festival located along Howard and Armory Avenues. Enjoy a day of family entertainment with a parade, live music, arts and crafts, food and kids activities. The CLUUC Member Services Committee is signing up members (and those considering membership) to participate in the Kensington Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 3, 2012. We'd like to have at least 50 people attend to help represent CLUUC during the parade and we welcome kids to parade along with the adults!
We carry a CLUUC banner, wear CLUUC t-shirts, disperse candy to kids, and enjoy promoting CLUUC in the larger Kensington community! For T-shirts, we hope to utilize the remainder of our CLUUC t-shirt stock so when you sign up, indicate whether you have CLUUC t-shirt already. If you don't, indicate your size and we'll provide you with an existing CLUUC t-shirt in that size.
For more information or to sign-up, contact Chris Garland, MSC Chair, at chris.garland@gmail.com or visit our 2012 Kensington Labor Day Parade Sign Up Sheet & Info page on Google Docs at http://docs.google.com and enter the username: msc@cedarlane.org and the password: Membership.
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Religious Education
for All Ages
Karen Lee Scrivo, Interim Director of RE
Vanessa Steck, Senior High Youth Coordinator
Gale Ginther Luce & 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...
RE registration forms are DUE!
Adult Programs Fall 2012 brochure will be mailed to homes and will be available on the Cedar Lane website on September 1!
READ ALL the RE News Here...
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Religious Education
for Children and Families
Upcoming Calendar:
Saturday Sep 8-
Classroom Clean-up Teacher Orientation
Sunday Sep 9- 9 & 11 a.m.
In-gathering Service for All Ages
(Bring a drop of water from your travels!)
Sunday Sep 16- RE classes begin
Got Forms?
RE starts September 16, and we'd like registration forms NOW! Get your registration paperwork in for the 2012-13 RE year. We want to give all teachers an up-to-date class list at their orientation on September 8, so we need your help! Forms are available at the church or click here. Registration is not final until all paperwork is received in the RE office. Thank you to the 57 families who have completed, and returned, all their forms!
Teacher Orientation
If you are on a class teaching team, or are an assistant this year, please join Karen Lee Scrivo, the Interim Director of Religious Education, and RE Council folks, at a Teacher Orientation on Saturday, September 8. Orientation will begin at 9:00 a.m., and will continue through lunch until approximately 1:00 p.m. You will be getting additional information closer to the date, but mark your calendars now! RSVP to RE@cedarlane.org, or 301-493-8300 x207. Calling Volunteers
for Classroom Cleanup
Saturday, September 8
9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
We want the place to SPARKLE for the start of RE and need help cleaning out classrooms, decorating the bulletin board and organizing supplies. Helpers of ALL ages are welcome. We are flexible and invite you to give whatever time you can manage. Please contact Tish King at kingtish@gmail.com or 301-897-8834. Older Children Welcome in Childcare!
During the summer, all children are invited to spend the hour, during worship, downstairs in childcare. In the past, it has been for children 5 years and younger, but some older children prefer not to go to worship, so we are happy to have them join the little ones!
Youth Notes (Grades 7-12)
Youth Activity Group
(YAG, for grades 7-8)
Our full fall schedule will be emailed and mailed to homes next week, and will be on our website here. 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 Karen Lee Scrivo, 3019493-8300 x206.
Our first event is:
Sep 8 Rafting in Front Royal, VA.
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 here.
Our first get-together is Sep 9: In-gathering, bring lunch and a side dish or dessert to share, 12:30-2 p.m. in the Chalice House.
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.
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From the Music Director
Dr. Henry Sgrecci
Do you have a song in your heart? Want to hear it cross your lips, or move through your hands? Now is the perfect time to be thinking about singing and ringing in our Vocal and Handbell Choirs. Rehearsals for the Adult Choir will begin on Wednesday evening, September 5 in preparation for the Ingathering Services on September 9. Our intergenerational handbell ensemble, Bell Canto, will be rehearsing on Thursday evenings at 8 pm.
Rehearsals for the Children's, Youth, and Youth Handbell Choirs will begin on Thursday, Sept. 13. Contact Dr. Sgrecci for more information: hsgrecci@cedarlane.org. Sept. 2 - Liz Brinker will join Henry Sgrecci and Thomas Guthrie in singing songs to honor the hardships of Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami victims of Japan. Liz and Henry will sing Stephen Foster's Hard Times, Come Again No More. Henry and Thom will recreate sounds of New Orleans with Just a Closer Walk With Thee and When the Saints Go Marching In. The Congregation will sing "Lean on Me" and "Building a New Way."
Sept 9 - A welcome to all as we join for the Ingathering Services and Water Ceremony.
The Choir will be on hand to lead us in Henry Sgrecci's gathering song "Together Again" and in the singing of the hymns "Gather the Spirit" and "Here We Have Gathered."
Sept. 16 - Parents, children, and teachers come together for the commissioning of our teachers and envisioning the positive effects of the Dream Act. The Choir will sing Draw the Circle Wide and Clif Hardin's Gracias por el amor (Thanks for Love). The Congregation will sing the gathering song Alle, Alle, Alle and the hymns "Morning Has Come" and "Comfort Me."
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Calendar
Please visit the church calendar here.
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New Member? Thinking about joining Cedar Lane?
It's an exciting time to be joining CLUUC! As you have probably heard, we will be electing a new minister at our annual meeting in April 2013. The Board of Trustees wants to make sure you are aware of the formal voting requirements for new members, so that you are able to fully take part in the meeting in April.
To be a voting member, our By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation require that you be at least 16 years of age on the day of the vote, have engaged in the worship and work of the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, and both signed the membership roll of the congregation and made a recorded contribution of $100 or more at least 6 months before the actual vote*.
Be sure you can join us all in the congregational annual meeting and cast your vote in April.
To become a member here's what to by October 7:
- Continue to participate in the worship and work of Cedar Lane! You may do so in any way that meets your spiritual needs.
- Sign the membership book before October 7! On the second Sunday of the month, there is a regular opportunity to sign the membership book in the library following service. If you are unable to participate in a Second Sunday signing, you may contact the church office to make an appointment with a minister and another church leader to facilitate the process at another time.
- Make a recorded contribution before October 7! You can do so by putting a check in the collection plate, giving online, or, if paying with cash, making sure you put it in an envelope with your name on it in the collection plate.
Not sure how to join? Talk to any minister or member of the Member Services Committee (at the Visitor's Center after every service) and they will help you out!
*The required contribution can be waived. Please contact a minister if this presents a hardship for you.
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Update from the Senior Minister Search Committee
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
-Please Come to a Cottage Meeting: Come to the Chapel directly after Sunday services today (or each Sunday through September 23rd) to share your views on changes needed at CLUUC, what attributes you're looking for in our new Senior Minister, and what you would like her/him to achieve within the first few years at CLUUC.
-Fill Out and Send In Your Congregational Survey: The deadline has been extended to Labor Day (September 3rd), but please complete it as soon as possible-we need to compile this information quickly to present an accurate portrayal of who we are as a congregation and what we are looking for in a new Senior Minister in order to maximize our chances of attracting and selecting the "Best Fit" candidate for CLUUC. Paper or electronic copies of the survey can be obtained by email at seniorsearch@cedarlane.org or by stopping by our table in the lounge after Sunday services.
-Email Your Ideas and Opinions to Us at seniorsearch@cedarlane.org.
-Talk to Us After Services: We will be wearing yellow name tags to help you spot us.
We thank you! SMSC members: John Gubbings, Bob Harrison, Dave Hawver, Emily Mellgren, Carolyn Morrissey, Ann Meyer, Lyn Peters
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Cottage Meetings will be held in the chapel on Sundays, as follows:
Aug 26: 11 AM -1 PM
Sept 2: 11 AM -1 PM
Sept 9: 10:20 -11:30AM &
12:20 -1:30PM
Sept 16: 10:20 -11:30AM &
12:20 -1:30 PM
Sept 23: 10:20 -11:30AM &
12:20 -1:30PM
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We look forward to seeing and hearing from you at one of the Cottage Meetings!
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Beyond the Church
Transylvania in the Fall
Join us as we travel to visit our partners in Dicsoszentmarton, Transylvania, Romania Some of us will depart September 25 and return October 8. For the first week we will engage in work projects and activities with our historic church---painting its huge iron fence, conducting video interviews with members of the congregation, celebrating Thanksgiving Sunday on September 30, participating in the reunion of our former and present scholars who are recipients of our Joseph Priestley scholarships, and simply visiting with our friends there as well as occasional side trips to the beautiful area surrounding Dicso in the Kukkollo Valley and other parts of Transylvania. Some of us will attend the Second International UU Women's Conference October 4-7 in nearby Marosvasarhely. Go to www.icuuw.org for more information and to sign up online. Fliers about our trip and the conference are available at church. Want more info? Call Charlene Belsom Zellmer, 301.530.8923or email cbzellmer7@msn.com to say you want to join us in fostering, promoting, and perpetuating our partnership!
Cedar Lane Theater Affinity Group
The Invisible Man (based on the novel by Ralph Ellison) at the Studio Theater downtown D.C., matinee performance on September 29, followed by a post-show discussion with the players, and, if interested, dinner. Contact Marlene Berg by August 30, at mgkpberg@gmail.com, or 301-704-8177.
Stroke of Genius
Mobiles and Works by David Yano &
New Work by Gallery Artists
September 4 - October 6, 2012
Waverly Street Gallery is pleased to announce the opening show of the 2012 fall season, David Yano's Stroke of Genius. This is the first show by member artist, David Yano since his stroke in 2010. The show includes mobiles, sculptures, and photographs that bridge the time frame before his most recent medical problems and throughout the two and a half years since. David Yaho will give a talk on September 8 on "Art in the Recovery Process: A Personal Experience." This talk will focus on the role art has played in his recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Stroke.
For more info, contact David Yano at 301-718-8520, and check out Waverly Street Gallery online at www.waverlystreetgallery.com.
Click here to learn about some events sponsored by friends of Cedar Lane.
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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
Detox Your Dorm: Top 10 Nontoxic Tips for College Freshmen
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Ushers Needed for 1st and 2nd Services
If you have an urge to show a welcoming smile and positive attitude, and to collect and count money, you will be an ideal usher!
Join a four-person team responsible for being the first contact many people have with Cedar Lane. To become a member of a Sunday
morning team, contact Mary E. Farrar at 301-929-9048 or maryefarrar@verizon.net for more details.
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Sara Davidson
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church www.cedarlane.org 301-493-8300
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