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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
www.cedarlane.org
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eNewsletter Volume 5, Issue 4
August 31, 2012
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The last week of summer services is this Sunday!
September 2, 2012, 10 a.m.
"The Power of One"
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.
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 10 a.m.: Lyn Peters, Phil Schwartz, Dianne & Perry Seiffert
Coffee Servers: 11 a.m.: Helen & Bob Pechacek
Audio: Rick Lohmeyer
Board Member at the Office Desk: 11 a.m.: Tim Persons
Visitors' Center: 11 a.m.: Maryann Dillon
The flowers in the sanctuary were arranged by Betty May Cleary.
In the Lounge: Alliance Books ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Member Services: Kensington Parade Sign Up ◊ Rummage Sale Signups ◊ 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 31, 2012
As the Labor Day holiday has evolved in our culture, for many it has come to signal the end of summer, a season we tend to think of as a time of leisure. It's an amusing irony that Labor Day, which celebrates the dignity of labor and the indispensable contributions to our civilization by working people, is associated in the minds of so many as a time to say farewell to leisure and to "get back to work."
The ancient editors who put together that anthology we know as the Bible decided to begin it with a story about work and rest. Genesis opens with God laboring to bring creation into being, and then resting when that work is done. Later in the story, Adam and Eve disobey God and eat from the tree; God's chastisement to Eve concerns labor in the obstetric sense of the word: "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children." Adam's sentence also involves labor: "cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground."
One thing that I appreciate about this ancient story is how it very humanly displays our complicated and often conflicting attitudes toward work. God's labor is seen as noble, dignified, glorious. And even God gets to rest. Then, when it comes time to punish Eve and Adam, they are told, in essence, about the hard work they'll have to do in order to survive and procreate. Apparently before "the fall," they didn't have to work in the Garden of Eden. Sounds great, right? A non-stop vacation! All of us long for this sometimes. Yet we also know that life without meaningful work would be empty, miserable. Too much work and too much leisure are both bad for us. We need to devote our lives to something that really matters to us, but we also need to avoid solely working for that one thing.
Prayer O God of good works, strengthen us to work in ways that benefit us and all creation; help us to balance work and leisure, for we need both; empower us to work for a world in which all those who work may do so in justice. Amen. Follow Rev. Keely on Twitter @evanvwk and as a blogger in the UU Collective on patheos.com |
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Upcoming Sundays
Sept 9, 2012, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
"Ingathering"
The Reverend Evan Keely, Interim Senior Minister Worship Associate: Travis Ploeger
We celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a new church year. This service will celebrate the life-giving nature of water itself. Please bring some water to add to the common bowl, reflecting the many gifts you offer and the blessings of the places we know of as home.
Childcare (for ages 5 and younger) is available for those who choose it, but all ages are very welcome at this joyful regathering of our faith community.
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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. We mourn the passing of long-time member Margaret "Peggy" Weaver (Neighborhood 30,) who died on August 25th after a serious fall. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 5th at 2:00 pm at Asbury Village, in the sixth floor lounge of the Kindley Building (333 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg.) All are welcome. Our hearts go out to Marjorie Rynas (N30) and her family with the death of Marjorie's husband, Steve, after a long decline. A Service in Celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 7th at 4:00 pm in the Cedar Lane Chapel. All are welcome. We also extend deepest condolences to Mary Hunter and Bryan, Booker and Seamus McCann (N11) with the recent death of Mary's brother, due to a fast-moving cancer. 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. |
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We Ordain
Glenn Coleman Farley
Saturday, October 28, 4:00 p.m.
Glenn is in Arizona, where he has taken up his responsibilities as consulting minister to the Sedona congregation.
Although Glenn has met all the academic, internship and pastoral requirements for ministry, has been granted preliminary fellowship by the UUA Fellowship Committee, marched with others in preliminary fellowship at the service of the Living Tradition at the UU General Assembly in Phoenix this summer, and has been called by the Sedona congregation, he cannot yet wear the title of "minister." The next step is ordination, an honor which only an individual church can bestow.
Glenn has invited Cedar Lane, the congregation he grew up in to ordain him into the Unitarian Universalist ministry. We voted to accept this special honor at the congregational annual meeting in April.
Put the date on your calendar now, and plan to join the congregation to participate in the service to ordain Glenn Coleman Farley. |
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Cedar Lane UU Church
Rummage Sale
Saturday, September 22
8:00 AM - 1:00 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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Kiplinger Lecture, November 3
Civil Conversations: Bridging the Divide over Life and Choice
Save the Date: Saturday, November 3!
The Kiplinger Committee is proud to present the Annual Kiplinger Lecture, Civil Conversations: Bridging the Divide over Life and Choice, with Frances Kissling. Ms. Kissling is a lifelong woman's rights advocate, former nun, and a recent scholar a the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. The lecture will be an intelligent approach to civil discourse about women's health rights and practices. The cost is $10;students free, and Cedar Laners can bring a friend for free! Visit our website for more information at http://www.cedarlane.org/kiplinger.html. |
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2012 UUSJ Awards
The UUSJ (Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice), the partnership of UU congregations in the Baltimore, Washington, and Northern Virginia region that is committed to furthering social justice causes and concerns, has recognized a Cedar Lane individual and a group as part of their annual awards program. Both recipients work under the umbrella of the Social Justice Council. Following is information about the awards and the work that was done to receive this recognition.
Cedar Lane member Mike Burski received the Affordable Housing Award (forcongregational program that made a significant contribution to supporting, advocating for and creating safe and affordable housing for the homeless or those of low or moderate income.) Mike is being recognized for his five years of inspiring and leading Cedar Lane's work with Rebuilding Together in Montgomery County and New Orleans. These projects have repaired and improved the residences of low income and elderly homeowners to assure they are safe, warm and dry. In June Mike also received the 2012 Cedar Lane Unsung Hero Award for this work.
The Cedar Lane group CLARITY (Cedar Laners Together Against Racism - In this Together-Yes!) received the Journey Toward Wholeness Award (for work and witness that has increased the understanding and helped heal the brokenness of racism and oppression - individual, cultural, and institutional.) Led by Ariel Mora, this group of dedicated Cedar Laners is being recognized for their efforts to raise individual and congregational awareness of the continued existence of racism in our society and for promoting steps to create a congregation that embodies a diversity of cultures, races, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. During the past year some of the events they organized and sponsored include:
- Presented two adult Program film discussion series: "Racism Then and Now" and "Beyond Black and White: Cultural Diversity in America".
- Organized the "Mapping the Journey Toward Multicultural Wholeness" workshop at which over 50 Cedar Laners evaluated where our congregation stands with respect to inclusion of different types of people.
- Presented four "Tree of Life" Coffee Houses that provided a place for volunteers to share music, poetry and other forms of expression on the topics of freedom and diversity.
- Met with the Worship Committee and the Membership Services Committee to brainstorm how to broaden our welcome to visitors from more diverse backgrounds.
Many thanks go out to all Cedar Laners for your interest, encouragement, and support of Rebuilding Together and CLARITY. Awards will be presented at the UUSJ Gala Dinner on Sunday, October 14 at a restaurant in Bethesda. Look for details in future eNews.
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Denominational Affairs
"Hold up those lights"
The Unitarian Universalist Association gathers in Phoenix to challenge the treatment of immigrants.
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In This Together from CLARITY*
If you are a supporter of our anti-racism/multicultural efforts, you are warmly invited to a potluck dinner on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7pm. We will have an open conversation about goals and plans for the year. We'd like to hear your ideas. (No obligation to make an ongoing commitment!) Just join us for food and conversation! Contact Ariel Mora (ariel_mora1@hotmail.com) if you want to attend.
We're thrilled to announce that CLARITY has received the Joseph Priestley District's 2012 Journey Toward Wholeness group award! The award will be presented on October 14.
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's mission is to lead the process of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church becoming a welcoming, multi-cultural, multi-racial congregation. |
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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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Around the Church
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
or 301-897-8834.
Farm Market Stand Open this Saturday, September 1!
Saturdays, 9-1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Cedar Lane
We will be offering cheese from Whispering Brook Farm. The cheeses are delicious with a short list of ingredients: unpasturized milk, vegetable enymes, sea salt.
Red potatoes! Green Beans! We have chicken! FRESH!
HEIRLOOM TOMATOES! -
Cherry and Pear tomatoes!
PEACHES! NECTARINES! GALA APPLES are here!
Red beets and Gold beets! SWEET CANDY ONIONS! cabbage, kale, Swiss chard! Time for stir fry! Banana, Pumpkin, and Zucchini breads We make our own jams and jellies and natural applesauce. HONEY! Get ready for the grill! We have BEEF! Our own lean pasture-raised beef grown slooowly the way it should be!
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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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 for Children and Families
Upcoming Calendar:
- Saturday, Sep 8, Classroom Clean-up & Teacher Orientation
- Sunday, Sep 9, In-gathering Services for All Ages, 9 & 11 a.m. (Bring a drop of water from your travels)
- Sunday, Sep 16, RE classes begin
RE Registration Down to the Wire!
Where will your child/ren be on Sunday,
September 16? If they are registered for RE, they will be happily greeting friends in their classrooms at church. If they aren't registered, they will be packed into the hallway, with you, completing all the forms necessary for registration.
BUT. . .you can prevent downloading all the forms now, completing them, and turning them into the RE office! Forms are available at the church or click here. Registration is not final until all paperwork is received in the RE office. Teachers will be gathering together for orientation on Sep 8, and would appreciate knowing who and how many will be in their classes. Let's show Karen, our new DRE, how important RE is to our families by making opening day the happiest and smoothest ever! RE Council folks, at a Teacher Orientation on Sat, Sept 8. Orientation will begin at 9:00 a.m., and will continue through lunch until approximately 1 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.
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. 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, 301-493-8300 x206.
Our first events is:
- Sep 8 Rafting in Front Royal, VA
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG, grades 9-12)
The fall schedule has been emailed and is on our website. For additional information contact Vanessa Steck, Coordinator of Senior High Youth Program at vsteck@cedarlane.org.
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)
to join the UUYAM e-mail list and view schedule of upcoming events. For resources and information on Joseph Priestly District (JPD) Young Adult
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Adult Programs (AP)
Fall Brochure Coming September 1!
The Adult Programs Fall 2012
brochure will be mailed to your home and will be available online,
www.cedarlane.org, the first of September. A registration card will be included in the mailing and can be downloaded from our 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.
Classes starting early:
- Science and Religion: Mon, Sep 10, at 10:00 a.m.
- The Sunday Morning Forum: Sun, Sep 16, at 10:10 a.m. Book Discussion Group: Tues, Sep 18, at 7:15 p.m.
- Alexander Technique, Free class: W, Sep 19, 7:30 p.m.
- Beginning Yoga: Tues, Sep 25, at 7:00 p.m.
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Manna Food - THIS Sunday!
This Sunday, September 2, is the first Sunday of the month so it is our Manna Food collection day. Empty out your cupboards to fill the Blue Boxes by the chapel. |
From the Music Director
Dr. Henry Sgrecci
Sunday morning's music celebrates the vibrancy of the human spirit and its ability to rebound and triumph following adversity. "The Poseidon Adventure" was a movie about a large ocean liner that capsized at sea after being struck by a tsunami wave.The theme song, There's Got to Be a Morning After, was sung by a then-unknown singer named Maureen McGovern. The song's lyrics are hopeful and encouraging: "There's got to be a morning after, if we can hold on through the night. We have a chance to find the sunshine, let's keep on looking for the light." Just A Closer Walk With Thee is a popular Spiritual that has been recorded both vocally and instrumentally by numerous artists. Synonymous with New Orleans, we feature the song as a slow ballad in the style of a funeral dirge.
Liz Brinker and her guitar join Henry Sgrecci in Stephen Foster's song Hard Times, Come Again No More. This song speaks of the many injustices endured in one's life and looks ahead to a future of hope and times of well being. Iko Iko is a most unique song and its origination has been the subject of lawsuits between James Crawford and the Dixie Cups. What is known is that it is a delightful, energetic song comprised of Indian chants that were sung by faux Indian tribes during Mardi Gras parades. Since its earliest rendition released by the Dixie Cups in 1965 the song has been recorded and performed by numerous stars including Dr. John, the Grateful Dead, and more recently Cyndi Lauper and New Orleans' favorite son, Aaron Neville. It's easy to learn - everyone can join in!
Special thanks to Liz Brinker for her talents and delightful musicianship which enliven Sunday's service.
Want to sing with our Choir, or involve your children in CLUUC Music? The Adult Choir will begin its rehearsals on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 in the Choir Loft. The Children's, Youth, and Youth Handbell Choirs will begin rehearsals on Thursday, September 13. Contact Henry Sgrecci for more details - hsgrecci@cedarlane.org.
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Calendar
Please visit the church calendar here.
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Update from the Senior Minister Search Committee
From the Senior Minister Search Committee - WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
-Please Come to a Cottage Meeting: Come to the Chapel directly after the service on any 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.
-LAST CHANCE to Send In Your Congregational Survey: The deadline has been extended to Labor Day (September 3rd), which is only FOUR DAYS from now. We need to compile this information 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 this Sunday's service. PLEASE fill one out TODAY! It only takes about 20 minutes.
-Email Your Ideas and Opinions to Us at seniorsearch@cedarlane.org.
-Talk to Us During Coffee Hour in the Lounge: We will be wearing yellow name tags to help you spot us.
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Cottage Meetings will be held in the chapel on Sundays, as follows:
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
We look forward to seeing and hearing from you at one of the Cottage Meetings!
SMSC members: John Gubbings, Bob Harrison, David Hawver, Emily Mellgren, Ann Meyers, Carolyn Morrissey, Lyn Peters
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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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Help Wanted at River Road
UU Congregation
River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation is seeking a part-time Publications Coordinator.
Link for position description: www.rruuc.org/job
Email to send cover letter and resume rruuc-job@rruuc.org.
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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.
 emma's revolution concert!! Saturday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis 333 Dubois Road Annapolis, MD Directions: www.uuca-md.org Fresh from their outstanding performances at the 2012 General Assembly in Phoenix, Emma's Revolution has graciously agreed to give a benefit concert to aid UULM-MD in its work in support of the marriage equality and DREAM Act referenda scheduled to appear on the November 6, 2012 ballot in Maryland. For more information about the group and their music, go to their website, www.emmasrevolution.com. ------------------------------------- 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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