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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
www.cedarlane.org
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eNewsletter Volume 5, Issue 18
December 7, 2012
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December 9, 2012, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"The Servant Leader"
The Rev. Evan Keely, Interim Senior Minister
Worship Associate: Terry Hoffeld
What do we expect from our leaders - in our church, in our community, in our world? What are the qualities of just and effective leadership?
Volunteers for the Service:
Ushers: 9 a.m.: Norman Grossblatt, Tod Chernikoff, Joanne Evans, Bob Harrison; 11 a.m.: Phil Schwartz & Lyn Peters, Nancy Janssen
Coffee Servers: 10 a.m.: Mike Benefiel; noon: Kate Curtis
Audio: Rich Clark
Board Member at the Office Desk: 10 a.m.: Betsy Devlin-Foltz
noon: Tim Persons
Second Sunday Signing: 10 a.m.: Chris Garland; noon: Maryann Dillon
Welcome Center: 10 a.m.: Brent Garland; noon: Lyn Peters
The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Maryann Dillon in loving memory of her mother, Rosemary Peter Dillon, on the 10th anniversary of her passing. The flowers were arranged by Lyn Peters. The flowers in the chapel were arranged by Isabel Marbury-Mauro.
In the Lounge: Alliance Books ◊ Alternative Gifts ◊ Beacon Books Cart ◊ Creative Connections for Congo Kids (paper jewelry) ◊ Donuts & Bagels ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Fair Trade Coffee & Tea ◊ Fred Bowen Book Signing ◊ Palestinian olive oil for sale to support peace in the Middle East ◊ Senior Minister Search Committee ◊ Social Justice Council
This Sunday's Morning Forum: Going to Tehran: Why the United States Needs to Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett.
This Sunday's 50/50 Split Plate:
HOUSING UNLIMITED, INC. (HUI) is the designated recipient of the 50/50 collection on Sunday, December 9. HUI offers safe, affordable, independent housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities in Montgomery County, MD. HUI was founded in 1991 (with seed funding from NAMI Montgomery County) by parents of adults with psychiatric disabilities.
Through the Tenant Empowerment Program, HUI provides education and training on the privileges and obligations of being a responsible tenant as well as a member of a shared living community.
Discover more about HUI, our tenants, and how you can make a difference by visiting the HUI website.
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Weekly Devotional · December 7, 2012
Part of the cultural narrative concerning this time of year is that it is a busy time. This may indeed be true for many people. Parties, events, family travel, some religious observances and, of course, shopping might take up more of our time. This mythos of business is especially applied to clergy. In this season, it's not unusual for me to hear things like, "Oh, Rev. Evan, I don't want to bother you, because I know you're especially busy at this time of year." I remember having an almost clandestine-feeling conversation with a colleague about this some years ago: I admitted to her that I don't necessarily feel any busier in December than any other month. "Yes, I think very often we're even less busy during December, because people leave us alone, thinking that we're too busy for them." She added that if anything, we might sometimes be busier in January and February, when the holidays are over and people find themselves coping with post-holiday blues.
There is a certain seductiveness about being busy. Maybe it makes us feel important, like we must be working so hard because without us, things would go to pieces. How useful we must be to be so busy! Maybe busyness distracts us from things that are deeply bothering us. Sometimes that can be good, but sometimes it can divert us from addressing problems in a constructive way. On the other hand, some of the things that make us busy can be deeply rewarding. If we are spending extra time and energy on things that matter the most to us, isn't that what this season of the year is supposed to be about?
Prayer
Loving God, help me to steer clear of being too busy - or thinking that I'm too busy - to attend to the people and things I care about the most. Amen.
Follow Rev. Keely on Twitter @evanvwk and as part of the UU Collective of bloggers at Patheos.com.
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Upcoming Sundays
December 16, 2012, 9 a.m. and
11 a.m.
"The Reason for the Season"
The Rev. Evan Keely
Worship Associate: Jim Laurenson
At this time of year, the blending of various cultural traditions serves as a backdrop for our own often complicated relationships with this season's many meanings.
December 16, 2012, 5 p.m. in the chapel
Winter Solstice Vespers Service
Organized by Members of Journeywomen and other Connection Circles
Click here to view the flyer.
Forum: Author Dr. James Lieberman discusses his book, How Facing Death Enhances Life: Insights from Sigmund Freud and Otto Rank.
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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. It is with sadness that we share the news that long-time Cedar Lane member, Paul Johnson (Neighborhood 7), died on December 5th after a long struggle with cancer. Our thoughts are with his wife, Terrie Nelson, their family and many friends. Cedar Lane friend Liz Gomer, wife of Tuskegee Airman Joe Gomer, died November 4 after a recurrence of cancer. She was greatly admired in their Duluth, MN community and remained an active community leader until early September. A tribute video to Liz by their daughter Phyllis debuted at her December 6 memorial service and will be available online soon.  Grieving a Loved One Through the Holidays: At their best, the winter holidays are joyous times with family and other companions. However, the death of a loved one can make the holiday season a difficult time of grief and renewed sadness. As is our annual tradition, on December 23rd at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel, there will be a gathering of those who wish to share their thoughts and feelings about the people they miss this holiday season. Contact Heather Janules at hjanules@cedarlane.org or x204 with any questions. 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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Save the Date!
Lunch & Learn: Sunday, Dec. 23, 11:15 a.m., Chalice House
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
DVD with discussion moderated by Sandy Shaw, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Featured on The Tavis Smiley Show, Bill Moyers Journal, Democracy Now, and C-Span's Washington Journal, The New Jim Crow sparks a much needed conversation about ways in which our system of mass incarceration has come to resemble systems of racial control from a different era.
This is free - all welcome - no reservations needed.
*Members and friends of CLUUC committed to our work of anti-racism and multi-culturalism are encouraged to become part of CLARITY's team! Join our group distribution list by simply sending a request to CLUUC-CLARITY-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. We use this Yahoo group for CLARITY meeting invitations, minutes, email notifications of events of interest, etc.
Questions?
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Please join us for our candlelit New Year's Eve labyrinth walk on Monday, December 31, 6 to 9 p.m., featuring live piano & harp music by Meg Baker.
The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year's arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. Please join us to continue New Year's Eve traditions by taking time for spiritual reflection and renewal before the coming new year by walking our candlelit labyrinth accompanied by light meditative music.
Click here to view the flyer! |
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Around the Church
THIS SUNDAY, DEC. 9!
UU Young Adults at Cedar Lane
(20s/30s): Interested in socializing with a newly formed Young Adults Group at Cedar Lane? We'll congregate after the second service this Sunday, Dec. 9, in the vestibule (in front of the library door) and then head off for brunch in the area. Sponsored by the Membership Services Committee. Questions? Contact Marlene Berg of the MSC at mgkpberg@gmail.com.
The January Paper Newsletter Deadline for submissions is next Wednesday, December 12 at noon! Please e-mail items to newsletter@cedarlane.org.
Alliance Day is Thursday December 13 at 11:30 a.m. Join us for a
potluck lunch. Turkey and ham will be provided; please bring a
vegetable, salad or dessert to serve six or eight. We will welcome
Susan Clark and Leslie Backus for our third annual Christmas Music
Program. Thomas Guthrie will provide piano music. All are welcome. For additional information, contact Jean T
hompson, Alliance President at 301-5893390; jptjpt@verizon.net.
Community Based Shelter: Cedar Lane's annual week begins on Sunday, December 30. During this week our volunteers will prepare and serve the evening meal for 35 women in the Rockville shelter. The SJC budget pays for supplies and food for breakfast and lunch. We have six slots for food preparation each day. We also need people to prepare 25 sandwiches each day. If your family would like to volunteer, please contact Sandy Shaw; 301-642-0083 or alexandersha@gmail.com, or look for the CBS poster at the SJC table in the lounge after service on Sunday. Please sign up early, as both Dec. 23 & 30 are single service days when attendance is lighter. 
Gifts for Beacon House: Share the spirit of giving with children and teens (ages 5-18) at Beacon House by bringing new, unwrapped gifts to church later than noon on Sunday, Dec. 16. Toys, books, puzzles, coloring books, crayons, sweaters, hats, gloves, sweatshirts and sweat-pants are needed. There are collection boxes upstairs by the front door and downstairs in the RE Administration area until the morning of Dec. 16, which will be the LAST day to bring them. If you can help with delivering gifts, contact Interim Director of Religious Education Karen Lee Scrivo at kscrivo@cedarlane.org.
What Is a Child Dedication?
Most faith traditions have a way to welcome young ones into our spiritual community. Our Child Dedication service is an opportunity for all of us - parents, family, friends, church - to promise to the child and to each other that we will love and nurture her or him, that we will teach the best of what we know, dedicating ourselves to this responsibility of raising a child and joyously celebrating the possibilities of a new life.
On Sunday, Dec. 23, we will have a dedication ceremony within the regular worship service, which will be at 10 a.m. and include all ages because of holidays. If you and your family would like to participate, please contact Interim DRE Karen Lee Scrivo at
kscrivo@cedarlane.org or (301-493-8300) by Dec. 16.
A Win-Win Holiday Gift Idea:
Got a young sports fan on your shopping list? You can get the perfect gift and help Cedar Lane at the same time. Church member Fred Bowen, who writes sports fiction (ages 7-12), and the weekly Washington Post/KidsPost sports column has donated 100 of his books to Cedar Lane to sell during the holidays and he will be signing them in the book corner this Sunday, December 9. The books are $5 each and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Cedar Lane general fund.
Don't forget to check out Cedar Lane! Find us on...
If you would like your event posted on Cedar Lane's social media, please e-mail socialmedia@cedarlane.org. |
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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:
Sat Dec 8 Family Potluck Cancelled
Sat Dec 9 Time for All Ages, last
part of service in the sanctuary; St. Lucia Day brought to us by our Festivals classes (3rd grade)
Welcoming Guest at Your Table
Gifts for Beacon House
Sundays, Dec. 23 and 30
Youth Notes (Grades 7-12)
Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
Adult Programs (AP)
The Sunday Morning Forum
New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk
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From the Music Director
Dr. Henry Sgrecci
We are pleased to welcome Gruppo Piccolo to the sanctuary with a wonderful spectrum of works for chamber choir. Susannah Vesey sets the stage for the lighting of the Menorah with an arrangement of the familiar Israeli folk song Shalom Chaveyrim, meaning "Peace my friends, until we meet again." The popular song Lo, How Rose e'er Blooming began as a poem by an anonymous 16th century author. It was set in a choral harmonization known as "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" by composer Michael Praetorius in the early 17th century. The English translation was made by Theodore Baker in 1894 and during Advent and Christmas seasons the song can be heard sung in both languages in churches throughout the world.
Lights Upon Our Souls is a recent composition by Boston-based song leader and composer, Nick Page. Commissioned for his own choral ensemble, the Mystic Chorale, he describes the work as "a contemporary shape note anthem." The text he has written uses the imagery of light from the sun and moon and stars shining into our souls. The compositional style he employs draws upon the stark harmonies of the Appalachian shapenote singers but with the added warmth of a chamber choir. In the traditional spiritual Plenty Good Room, Gruppo Piccolo is joined by percussionist Chris Mauro to give the song an extra dose of rhythm and drive!
Special thanks to Gruppo Piccolo and Director, Richard Shrager; Susannah Vesey, pianist; and Chris Mauro, percussionist, for their colorful contributions to this Sunday's service.
Click here to view the flyer for our next concert on January 19!
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Winter Solstice Celebration
Vespers Service -
Music, Readings & Poetry
Sunday, December 16, 5 p.m. in the Cedar Lane chapel
(snow date = January 6)
Organized by Members of Journeywomen and other Connection Circles
Music Provided by:
Vera Kochanowsky, professional musician and leader of the group Illuminaire, Harpsichord
Margaret K. Turner, Baroque Blockflote
Winter solstice brings the longest night of the year and the start of the new light of the lengthening days. Join our vespers celebration with music, accompanied by readings and poetry of the mystery of darkness and the joy of light. Following the service, light seasonal refreshments will be served in the library (no dinner). Optional donations for Beacon House will be ac-cepted - hats, scarves, mittens, unwrapped new toys, or cash.
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From the Senior Minister Search Committee
WE HAVE REAL CANDIDATES!
We're now receiving expressions of interest from ministers who have responded to our Congregational Record*!
Out of respect for applicants, we will not divulge names under consideration or details of our discussions. Why? Ministers settled in a parish may not have told their present congregation that they're contemplating a move. Their members are entitled to hear the news from their own minister at the appropriate time. "Leaks" of information can compromise a candidate's relationship with his/her present congregation and could jeopardize our chances of attracting that candidate.
WHAT'S NEXT? During the month of December we will review Ministerial Records and Packets, check references and conduct comprehensive phone interviews with those candidates whom we feel may meet the hopes and expectations of Cedar Laners, as expressed in the Congregation Survey, Cottage Meetings and conversations with SMSC members.
In January and February we will meet off-site with individual "pre-candidates" over the course of separate three-day weekends. On March 15, we will invite our recommended candidate to meet the congregation during Candidating Week, Sunday, April 7 through Sunday, April 14. At a congregational meeting on April 14
th we will discuss the candidate and vote on extending a formal invitation to be our next Senior Minister. It all sounds so simple, doesn't it?
Thank you all for your support and involvement. Finding our next Senior Minister is a team effort!
SMSC members: John Gubbings, Bob Harrison, David Hawver, Emily Mellgren, Ann Meyer, Carolyn Morrissey, & Lyn Peters
*The Congregational Record (CR) reflects what you shared in the Congregational Survey, Cottage meetings and in scores of comments and conversations with SMSC members. The CR, available for your reading, is included in a comprehensive Information Packet about Cedar Lane found in a 3-ring binder on a table opposite the reception desk in the church office. We will also place information on our website.
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We also encourage all the check out the final 2012 SMSC Congregational Survey results. Click here to view!
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International Concerns Coalition
Thanks to everyone who purchased alternative gifts in the lounge on Sunday. Feel free to come by our table for a catalogue and order form. We have a lot of good causes to choose from, including many "regulars" long supported by Cedar Lane. We'll be in the lounge from now until Christmas. Questions? Contact Annette (annettecedarlane@spamex.com).
The 7th Grade Session 2 Holiday Craft Fair table was a great success thank to you! On that day, we were able to raise enough money to send one of our 150 children to school for the academic year! Our gingerbread house raffle winner was a very young but very happy Carolina; congratulations, and thanks to Christine and her friend for their creation! Come by our "Creative Connections for Congo Kids" table to support more Congolese kids while doing some holiday shopping for others or for yourself. The paper beads are unique and colorful. We also have some very enthusiastic and effective student sellers.
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SIGN-UP DEADLINE approaching to join our 6th
annual New Orleans rebuilding crew!
There's still time to join the 17 Cedar Laners already committed to be on our New Orleans work crew in NOLA January 19-26, to help rebuild its much needed housing. Sign-up Deadline is December 19.
For info, come to our 1st crew meeting between services Sunday, December 16 in the Library, or look for trip veterans in the lounge on Sundays, or email team leader extraordinaire Mike Burski:
mga1960@earthlink.net. Make this your year to be in NOLA.
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Environmental Task Force
Recommended Green Event this week:
Have you been thinking of doing something to save energy around your house? Feeling a bit overwhelmed about where to start or what to do next? Wondering if low-cost actions can really save that much energy?
Come to a home energy saving presentation on Monday, December 10 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., where these and other questions will be answered!
Come prepared to talk about what you hope to do in your own home and to share what you have already done. You'll leave with ten energy saving tips and information on incentive programs that can set you on course to reduce your electric and gas bills by 30%, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
What: Montgomery County Sierra Club
Home Energy Saving Presentation
When: Monday, December 10, 2012,
7:30-9:30 pm
Where: 10209 Menlo Avenue, Silver
Spring, MD 20910
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Beyond the Church
The NIH Community Orchestra
Daniel Walshaw, director
The NIH Community Chorus
& The East Avenue Ensemble
W. Robert Johnson, director
present
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
and other music of the season, including Sing-Along Choruses from Handel's Messiah
Featuring the NIHCO Brass
Judith Bourzutschky, director
Free admission.
Donations accepted for the NIH charities
Sunday, December 9, 2012 - 3:00 pm
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
9601 Cedar Lane
Bethesda, Maryland
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Dec. 9, 2012 UULM-MD Victory Celebration Party Postponed!
We hope you aren't too disappointed, but it was necessary to postpone the Victory Celebration Party that was planned to celebrate the passage of Questions 4 & 6, at the home of Don Chery and the Rev. Ginger Luke in Bethesda, Maryland, on Sunday, December 9, 2012. It will be rescheduled for 2013, when schedules aren't so filled with holiday events and football games!
Please plan to join UUs from around Maryland for a major UULM-MD celebration of Maryland's becoming the first state to end marriage discrimination against same gender couples and to pass a version of the DREAM Act by popular vote. The UULM-MD Board of Directors wants to thank you and your congregation personally for making a difference with these victories.
On Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, the Annual UULM-MD Legislative Meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the UU Church of Annapolis. The snow date will be Saturday, Jan. 26. Legislators and our coalition partners will be invited. Final plans are being made and will be sent out soon, so please hold the date. If you would like to help in organizing this celebration, please contact us at info@uulmmd.org.
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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