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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
www.cedarlane.org
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eNewsletter Volume 5, Issue 6
September 14, 2012
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September 16, 2012, 9 and 11 a.m.
"DREAM. Act."
The Rev. Evan Keely
Worship Associate: Duncan Ferguson
As a new season of Religious Education begins under the leadership of our new Interim Director of Religious Education, Karen Lee Scrivo, we reflect together on the liberating power of education.
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 9 a.m.: Michael Morse, Jack & Judy Rodgers, Laura Pillette
11 a.m.: Glenis Bellais, Debbie Goodwin, Fred Bowen
Coffee Servers: 10 a.m.: Marilyn Hathaway; noon: Glenis Bellais
Audio: Rick Lohmeyer
Board Member at the Office Desk: noon: Kate Curtis
Visitors' Center: 10 a.m.: Maryann Dillon; noon: Marlene Berg
The flowers in the sanctuary were arranged by Maria Dinger. The flowers in the chapel were arranged by Ellen Thompson.
In the Lounge: Alliance Books ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Palestinian olive oil for sale to support peace in the Middle East! ◊ Rummage Sale Sign-ups ◊ Senior Minister Search Committee ◊ Social Justice Council ◊
This Sunday's Morning Forum: A Report on the June UUA General Assembly, with Cedar Lane members Mike Harris, Nancy Janssen, and Sandy Shaw.
This Sunday we will have a split plate! 50% of the collection plates will be donated to CASA de Maryland in support of the DREAM Act. Please make your check payable to "CLUUC" with the notation of "CASA de Maryland."
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Weekly Devotional * September 14, 2012
My heart breaks for the family, colleagues and friends of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and the three other Americans who were killed in senseless violence in the Libyan city of Benghazi earlier this week. The shadowy origins of the amateurish film that supposedly sparked this outrage cast further aspersions upon those who made it and their apparent intention to deliberately cause offense, but of course even the most hateful movie, image, speech or writing can never justify pointless acts of vandalism and murderous assaults on other human beings.
The film seems to be getting a lot of blame, but it is hard for me to believe that that is what is at the heart of this. On one level, it seems the protesters are incapable of distinguishing an amateur film from an official pronouncement of the U.S. government; well, in many countries the ideal of free speech, which often seems as essential to us Americans as breathing, is a truly alien concept. State-controlled media are the norm in many places, and of course even our media have their own limitations (which often have more to do with greed than censorship). But the ire of these violent protesters in Libya, Egypt, Yemen and several other nations is taking its vengeance on widening targets. The German embassy in Khartoum has been threatened. Some Lebanese demonstrators chanted in protest against a planned visit by the Pope; surely the don't see the Vatican as having anything to do with an obnoxious YouTube video? It's more likely that this offensive movie clip has been an excuse to vent some pent-up rage. Perhaps some of that anger is justified on some level, though undoubtedly some politicians and religious leaders have stoked that rage for their own cynical gain. And throwing rocks or grabbing guns, unfortunately, can often seem easier to the enraged than the messy, complicated and slow processes of negotiation, political reform and democracy.
I salute the people of Libya and all the peoples that have been swept up in the remarkable changes of the Arab Spring. Like the founding generation of our own country, they have liberated themselves from tyranny, and like our ancestors, they are struggling to cope with what comes next. Even our forebears, for all their great achievements, made many blunders and errors and had to cope with the human realities of their situation. Their future has much promise, but there are many obstacles to overcome. This week's miserable displays of destructive fury are a sobering reminder of how long the road to true freedom is.
Prayer
Liberating God, you want all your children to be free - free from fear, free from oppression, free to seek you, each in her or his own way. May we find the wisdom to use our freedom with courage, dignity and compassion, and to work so that all your children may be free. 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 23, 2012, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
"Like Fallen Leaves"
The Rev. Evan Keely
Worship Associate:
Brian Belanger
The Jewish High Holy Day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which begins at sundown on September 25th, challenges the faithful to reflect on commitments made and yes, commitments broken. What are our commitments, and how have we lived up to them?
Forum: Responding to the Global Water Crisis, with Ken Conca, Professor in the School of International Services, American University.
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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 hearts go out to Steve and Terry Tretter (Neighborhood 29) with the death of Steve's father, George Tretter, on September 10 after a long illness. We celebrate with Perry and Dianne Seiffert (N2) as their son Paul and Birchie Whitman wed at Cedar Lane on Saturday, September 8th. Congratulations! We hold in the light Charlene and Bill Zellmer (N6) and their family as they travel to be at the bedside of their nephew, David Cochiara, who is not expected to survive recent injuries. Special birthday wishes are with Mort Foxe (N29) as he celebrates his 90th birthday this weekend. Condolences are with our Partner Church in Dicsöszentmárton as the community mourns the sudden death of Mezei Sandor, a young man who was one of our Joseph Priestley scholars. 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. |
 We Ordain Glenn Coleman Farley
Sunday, October 28, 4 p.m.
ABOUT GLENN at CEDAR LANE
- Graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BA in psychology in 2000.
- He worked at Cedar Lane as part-time sexton during his college years
- He was involved in UU Campus Ministry, Joseph Priestly District, under the leadership of the Rev. Kent Matthies.
- He worked in the financial investment field for six years.
- Provided consultation to the Cedar Lane endowment Committee
- Glenn knew that he wanted his life to take a new direction. In 2007 he acted entering the Starr King School for the Ministry (UU affiliated) to follow his bliss and start the journey towards the UU ministry.
More next week.
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New Member? Thinking about Joining Cedar Lane?
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 eligible to vote at the April 2013 meeting. To be a voting member of Cedar Lane, you must be at least 16 years of age on the day of the vote, have engaged in the worship and work of the church, and both signed the membership book and make a recorded contribution of at least $100* at least 6 months before the vote (which in this case is October 7, 2012).
Be sure you can participate fully in the April 2013 congregational meeting and vote by:
- Continuing to participate in the work and worship of Cedar Lane! You may do so in any way that meets your spiritual needs.
- Sign the membership book by October 7, 2012. You may contact the church office anytime to make an appointment with a minister and another church leader to sign the book. Your last chance to sign the book in order to vote for the new minister at the April 2013 congregational meeting will be on October 7, 2012. The Member Services Committee will be hosting the October Signing Ceremony on October 7, 2012 in the library following the 9 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
- Make a recorded contribution of last least $100 before October 7, 2012. You can do so giving on-line at www.cedarlane.org or by putting a check in the collection plate during any of the Sunday services. If you are making a cash contribution, make sure you put it in an envelope with your name on it before you put it in the collection plate.
Not sure how to join? Talk to any minister or member of the Member Services Committee (at the Visitors' Center after every Sunday service) and they will help you out!
*The required minimum contribution can be waived. Please contact a minister before October 7, 2012 if this presents a hardship for you.
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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.
Click here to continue. The article can be found just after the Rummage Sale announcement.
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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.
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Around the Church
Ushers Needed for 2nd Service
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.
Sunday Parking
Please remember that the back parking lot is reserved for RE teachers on Sunday mornings, beginning next week, September 16!
The paper newsletter deadline for submissions in next Wed, September 19, at noon! The newsletter must be 10 pages or under, so please be considerate and keep your articles/blurbs succinct.
For submissions, please e-mail Sara Davidson at sdavidson@cedarlane.org.
Farm Market Stand Open this Saturday, September 15!
Saturdays, 9-1 p.m.
in the upper parking lot of Cedar Lane
Stop in, look around and take home some fresh greens, vegetables, berries, and baked goods!
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
Upcoming Calendar:
Sun Sept 16 Children start in
sanctuary, RE classes
begin
Sun Sept 23 Parent Orientation after
each service
Sun, Sept 30 Parents encourage to
attend Cottage Meeting
with Ministerial Search
Committee; childcare
provided
Start in Sanctuary on First RE Sunday! Our RE program starts Sep 16, but with a bit of departure from the usual routine. Since the service will be about the DREAM Act-which provides in-state tuition for qualified Maryland immigrant students-we will all begin in the sanctuary for the first 15 minutes of service and we will sing the children, youth and their teachers to their classes. Parents are welcome to leave with their child/ren to help them settle into their classes and then return to the service. Arms Are Open Administrators, RE Council members, Karen, Gale and Jeannette will be downstairs on Sunday morning with open arms to welcome you! We will also be there to accept registrations and all the required paperwork to complete your children's registrations. To keep everyone safe and happy: teachers will be looking for health and permission forms , the office needs the Code of Ethics, and youth leaders need conduct contracts. They are all available to download on-line-so please bring them ready to place in our open arms! RE Parent Orientation September 23: Step it up parents!
Youth Notes (Grades 7-12)
Youth Activity Group (YAG, grades
7 & 8)
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG, grades 9-12)
Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
Adult Programs (AP)
Registration is Open!
A brochure and registration card were mailed to your home. They are also available on our website at www.cedarlane.org/apreg.htm and on the counter under the name tags in the sanctuary. 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. On-line registration is pending
Classes beginning in September
AP Brochure Corrections & Additions
Sunday Morning Forum
Connection Circles
Kiplinger 12th Annual Lecture, Nov 3
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From the Music Director
Dr. Henry Sgrecci
We celebrate with music that welcomes, that embraces, and that acknowledges grateful thanks. Alle, Alle, Alle is a joyous and energetic folk song from the Caribbean Island of Jamaica that is easy to learn and fun to sing, for all ages! Clif Hardin's beautiful setting of the song Gracias por el amor comes from UUA's new songbook, "Las Voces del Camino" (Voices on the Journey). Clif's four part arrangement for choir exploits the changing colors of the various voices as they weave the melody through the counterpoint in the beautiful Spanish language. Our Offertory this Sunday, Draw the Circle Wide, is a contemporary, Christian-based song whose strong message of togetherness and unity embraces all peoples; "Draw the circle, draw it wide. No one stands alone, we'll stand side by side."
Special thanks to the singers of the Children's and Youth Choirs and to soprano Emma Vawter and baritone Kevin Miller for their wonderful music in this Sunday's services.
Concerts at Cedar Lane returns to the Sanctuary on October 7. Pick up a flyer in the lounge on Sunday! And, check out the line-up here!
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Calendar
Please visit the church calendar here.
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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 30 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.
- 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 16: 10:20-11:30AM &
12:20-1:30 PM
Sept 23: 10:20-11:30AM &
12:20-1:30PM
Sept 30: 10:20-11:30AM &
12:20-1:30 PM
We thank you! SMSC members: John Gubbings, Bob Harrison, David Hawver, Emily Mellgren, Ann Meyer, Carolyn Morrissey, Lyn Peters
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Cedar Laners.....
It's Not Too Late to Help!
Cedar Lane UU Church
Rummage Sale
Saturday, September 22
8 AM - 1 PM
*Donate! One week to go to 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 19th and 20th from 12 noon-7:30 and on September 21st from 12 noon-5:30. 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 this Sunday.
*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 for more information or check out the Cedar Lane web site.
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Phone banking at Cedar Lane related to the Maryland marriage equality referendum vote in November!
Starting next Tuesday, September 18, Cedar Lane will be hosting weekly phone banking sessions. These sessions will continue until the November election, and they will be organized and supervised by staff members from Marylanders for Marriage Equality (MDFME). The phone banking sessions will take place in Rm 32-35 (downstairs) from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. LGBT Task Force liaisons will be helping with the sessions. If you are interested and available to help with this work, please plan to join the phone banking sessions whenever you can. Volunteer callers are asked to bring their own cell phones to the sessions (if possible). Refreshments will be served.
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Environmental Task Force
NEXT Sunday 9/23 at 2 pm -
Green Your Congregation Workshop with the City of Alexandria
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2 - 5 pm
Grace Episcopal Church & School
3601 Russell Rd, Alexandria VA
Speakers, including our director Joelle Novey, will discuss the benefits of conserving energy, water, and other resources at your house of worship. The workshop will explore case studies from several local congregations, and you will hear from a panel of green team leaders from the area who will share their own experiences as green shepherds in their faith communities.
To read the story of Mount Vernon and all of the area's solar congregations, download our booklet here.
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Beyond the Church
The Maryland New Horizons Clarinets are pleased to announce residency at Cedar Lane. This ensemble currently has eight members and we'd like you to consider joining us if you play or have played clarinet in the past. This very welcoming group meets here at the church on Thursday evenings, room 3, 7-8:30 p.m. For information contact: Jack Mauro, 240-499-8991, thinkclarinet@aol.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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