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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church 2008-2009 Annual Report Table of Contents
Officers and Members: Dian Belanger, Chair; Duncan Ferguson, Chair-elect; Lisa Chernikoff, Secretary; Nancy Derr, Assistant Secretary; Tom Nixon, Treasurer; Bob Pechacek, Assistant Treasurer; Val Carter, Ted Gryder, Terry Hoffeld, Mary Karimi, Dusty Kreisberg, Jim Laurenson, and Karen Lerner, members-at-large. Meeting Dates: Third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., year-round. Mission: The Board of Trustees provides leadership, resources, stewardship, oversight, and policy guidance to support and advance the mission of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. Cedar Lane Mission: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church is a liberal religious community committed to individual freedom of belief, the search for truth, spiritual nourishment and the celebration of life. We honor our history by proclaiming and teaching our UU principles and values. We seek to transform our beliefs and mutual caring into action to support our members, strengthen our community and promote social justice. Regular Activities: Hold monthly meetings, attend committee meetings as liaisons from the board, staff the reception desk after services, report regularly to the congregation via the Cedar Lane Newsletter and posted minutes, convene a Committee Chairs Roundtable to encourage information sharing and collaboration among groups, offer and implement a Dinner with the Board for the annual auction, plan and convene the annual congregational meeting. Highlights: The board
and/or the chair- Approved the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to form a search committee to select an Interim Music Director and the latter’s recommendation of Dr. Henry Sgrecci for the position. Approved the hiring of Thom Guthrie, organist. Participated in a facilitated discussion among representatives of primary stakeholders on moving forward toward engaging a permanent Music Director. Approved the Personnel Committee’s formation of a Search Committee to select a permanent Music Director. Supported the reconstituted Music Committee’s proposals to present a music-focused Sunday service and to survey the congregation on music preferences. Continued support of the Breakthrough Task Force, which seeks long-range congregational direction through Appreciative Inquiry and other means to break through to a new level of excellence and vitality. Approved a revised and updated charter for the Member Services Committee and an online congregational survey that will interface with Cedar Lane’s new ACS database. Provided Board of Trustees information as required for Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) leadership of a Social Justice Empowerment Workshop, attended in January by 110 persons, including a majority of the board. Directed the Social Justice Council to develop guidelines for continuing a 50-50 split of plate collections with appropriate charities. Approved Cedar Lane’s participation in a Baltimore/Washington Area UU Marketing Campaign, later refocused in view of the economic downturn on internet-based methods. Approved participation in Association Sunday to help the UUA raise funds to support lay leadership and excellence in ministry. Invited, on request of the Partner Church Committee, the minister, his wife, and two other leaders of our partner church in Dicsoszentmarton, Transylvania, to visit Cedar Lane in April. Approved the request of Rev. Heather Janules to form a special task force to lead further anti-racist, multicultural work at Cedar Lane. Welcomed the revival of the Denominational Affairs Committee, with thanks to Heather’s persistence. Approved the DAC’s recommendation that the UUA Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking go forward at General Assembly (GA), with reservations and suggestions for alternate wording. Approved Heather’s proposal that Cedar Lane offer Bed & Breakfast for UUs wishing to experience the historic inauguration of President Obama, a mechanism that enabled us to host Tuskegee Airman Joe Gomer and his wife, who were special inaugural guests, and, with 200 Cedar Laners and others, hear of his experiences in World War II. Opened the church to members and friends to watch the inaugural activities and share potluck lunch. Promoted the Rev. Heather Janules to Associate Minister. Agreed that Cedar Lane should host an Intern Minister every three years, earmarking a third of the cost in each year’s budget. Conferred sacramental authority on Pam Gehrke, this year’s Intern Minister, to permit her to officiate weddings. Represented the congregation in honoring Glenis Bellais on her retirement as Religious Education Administrator after nearly four decades of service. Formed an ad hoc committee on Information Technology to assist with addressing, prioritizing, and budgeting for technology needs. Heard with favor the Personnel Committee’s plan to revise Cedar Lane’s Personnel Manual by adapting the UUA model document. Approved a proposal of Hadrien Haber-Sage to design and build a Fire Circle for Cedar Lane as an Eagle Scout project. Attended a UUA stewardship workshop and supported stewardship training, with several board members participating, toward a pledge drive centered on personal visits. Approved the request of the Auction Committee to donate auction proceeds beyond the budgeted goal of $40,000 to Manna Food Center as an incentive to generous participation. Approved a two-year forbearance of repayment by the financially distressed Sugarloaf Congregation of its loan from the Cedar Lane endowment (with interest to accrue). Jay Schneider, representing the Endowment Committee, oversaw the drafting of a new loan agreement and a lien on the Sugarloaf property. Approved a substantially more favorable alternate proposal to upgrade the sound system in the sanctuary, which has been successfully installed. Among other expenditures, approved the capital cost to double-pane the library windows for energy-efficiency while retaining the original design for aesthetic and architectural integrity. Agreed to the Capital Budget Task Force’s proposal to solicit ideas for capital projects from members or groups. Received a bequest for the endowment from the Angie Skinner estate of nearly $350,000, and an unrestricted gift from the John Skinner estate of $64,000. Received a proposal from T-Mobile to build a disguised cell-phone tower on the property and are considering it as a revenue source for Cedar Lane.
Treasurer’s Report The current church fiscal year runs from July 31, 2008 through June 30, 2009 and this report will cover the first nine months. The final fiscal report will be in the Cedar Lane Newsletter after the fiscal year ends on June 30. We began the year anticipating a deficit of projected income over projected expenses of approximately $29,000. It now appears that there may be a much smaller deficit or no deficit at all due to a generous gift from the estate of one of our deceased members. This year is proving to be a challenging one financially for Cedar Lane. The economic downturn has adversely affected our endowment funds and the revenue that we have historically utilized in funding our capital budget. Funds available from the endowment fund for the capital budget will be substantially less for the next fiscal year and perhaps longer. There will doubtless be competition for available funds between the operating and capital budgets. Some capital budget projects may have to be deferred to future dates. One immediate budget casualty is that of the ministerial intern. This position was funded last year from the endowment fund allocations. As these will be far less for the next fiscal year and perhaps longer, the Board of Trustees (BOT) determined that going forward the ministerial intern position will be funded only once every three years. Our number of pledge units has declined slightly but the average pledge has increased. Although the current pledge drive is still ongoing, a number of Cedar Laners have substantially increased their pledges in spite of a worsening economy. The recently completed spring auction has generated more income than last year, so there is some positive news. In addition, staff, in conjunction with the Finance Committee, has been successful in identifying and collecting prior year rental income which had been either uncollected or under-collected. Last year the BOT decided that on one Sunday a month the collection plate proceeds should be split 50-50 with an identified charity. This seems to have worked quite well and it is anticipated that the church’s share will exceed that amount budgeted for this fiscal year. By seeking multiple bids for some projects and making use of volunteer labor for others, capital budget funds have been stretched further. Some examples of this are the new speaker system in the sanctuary and the new energy efficient windows along the library wall and Heather’s office. The process for proposing items for capital budget funding has been revised to be more inclusive so that all areas of the church might have an opportunity to propose projects which might be covered by the capital budget. Two years ago the BOT made a committed effort to bring our staff salaries up to the UUA guidelines over a three year period. In the first year we were able to close the pay gap by 33%, but, for this current budget year, only by 16.5%. It was the intent to close the pay gap entirely by the next fiscal year. Although diminished, our cash position remains healthy. Interest income has declined due to the reduction of our cash position over the last year and the decline of interest rates in general. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Treasurer this year. The Finance Committee continues to work hard in planning the budget for next year and in its continuing oversight of the Church’s finances. I thank them for all their diligent hard work and all that they do for Cedar Lane. Special thanks are due to you, the congregation, for your continued generosity and support in making Cedar Lane the strong and fiscally sound church we are.
Senior Minister Worship: For a second year, we are learning how to use a screen effectively in worship, for memorial services and other events. A report from the December UUA Excellence on Ministry Summit (which Susan Archer attended) said, “30 % of today’s churches [of all denominations] use projected images in worship; yet of those considered ‘thriving’ 75% do.” I thank those of you who said “not right now,” to my call for Cedar Lane to build a sanctuary. If we had done so, we would now be in difficult financial shape because of the economic down turn. Someday when the time is right, we will build a dedicated sanctuary, in keeping with the plans of the church founders. Music in worship: Richard Darne became our Music Director in 1967, and served the church well for many years. On June 3, after a long and thoughtful discussion, the Personnel Committee voted to "communicate to Dick Darne our desire that he retire effective June 30, 2008, with honor and dignity.” At the end of June, Dick submitted his resignation. The Personnel Committee was interested in exploring with Mary Darne, Dick's wife, professional partner, and our Assistant Music Director, the possibility of her becoming the church’s Director of Music. However, after an initial conversation, Mary decided to resign also. Many in the congregation were upset by the departure of Dick and Mary Darne and by the way in which the departure occurred. The Personnel Committee is reviewing its personnel policy manual, and will likely adopt much of the model Personnel Policy Manual for Unitarian Universalist Churches that can be found on the UUA web site. The provisions in the Manual are derived from state and federal legal requirements. In addition, some of the provisions are simply good management practices. As part of my own continuing education, I joined the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network and I attended their August conference to understand better what makes for a healthy relationship between a Music Director and a church’s ministers. Henry Sgrecci was selected as our Interim Music Director and Thomas Guthrie as our organist. They have both done excellent work and they both have my deepest thanks. A search is currently underway for a permanent music director. Membership: Kristin Grassel and the Member Services Committee have worked to use our limited advertising budget effectively and to increase public awareness of the church. We are holding our membership steady at around 865. In May, working with the other Unitarian Universalist Churches in the area we created a plan to raise $700,000 to do an advertising campaign in September 2009. In December, I called a meeting of the Senior Ministers serving the five largest churches in the Washington Area. Over lunch, we decided that with the economic downturn, this was not a good time to try to raise the money, so the advertising campaign is on hold. We hope to explore ways of advertising on the Internet that are less costly. Administration: In May, Bill Shoemaker completed his service as our bookkeeper and was replaced by Bruce Marquette. In July, Chaula Butterworth left the position of Administrative Assistant and Corinne Woodward took on the role. However, the big staffing change was the departure of Glenis Bellais as our Religious Education Administrator. Gale Luce and Jeannette Wilson are splitting the position. I put a hold on the idea of a weekly e-mail newsletter and a monthly paper newsletter. This year we have continued with the twice a month paper newsletter. Last year’s pledge drive was successful, but we entered the fiscal year with a deficit budget, that we will resolve by using the income from a onetime gift from a deceased member. With the downturn in the economy, we expect that next year’s budget will require some hard decisions. Thank you to all of you for your financial support of the church. Denominational Commitments: I have enjoyed working with Pamela Gehrke, our student intern from Thomas Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. I serve on the Board of Starr King School, this year as the Treasurer. I am also serving as the Senior Minister Representative on the large congregation Staff team at the UUA, which meets three times a year in Boston. In the next year budget cutbacks will likely result in these meetings being conference calls. I encourage Cedar Lane members who can afford to do so to attend the UUA General Assembly in Salt Lake City in June and vote for the candidate of their choice in the election of a new UUA president. Both candidates are excellent. Social Action and Community Involvement: Sermons commenting on social issues have long been part of the tradition of Unitarian and Universalist preaching. In the past year I've preached on global warming, on the presidential election, on the question “Does everyone have inherent worth?,” alcoholism, interviewed a transgender political leader in our community, and explored the topic of illegal immigration. In addition, I continue to support the church's involvement in Action in Montgomery County and our partner church relationship with a Unitarian congregation in Transylvania. When the history of this past year is written, at least in terms of the United States, two events will stand out: the election of the first person of color to the presidency and the beginning of an economic crisis. Our role in the first event has been to celebrate. On January 20, we showed the inauguration on our screen in the auditorium while 200 members of the congregation watched and applauded. Our role with regard to the economic troubles is reminding people that happiness does not come from having a lot of money and to remain calm. In thinking about all of you in the congregation, these words come to my mind: "I wish for you not riches, but a sense of your own worth.” Each of you is of worth; each of you contributes to our religious community. Thank you.
Minister of Religious Education This year has flown by! I returned in August after 5 months of sabbatical plus vacation much renewed and ready to “dig in” and greet both old and new Cedar Laners. I believe I brought back a richer sense of “spirit” (I was pretty tired when I left!) and commitment to bring to my work a greater sense of connection to nature and to the interconnection of all life. I have highlighted below some of the work that has engaged my time and energy this year. Worship: I have enjoyed leading several services for adults as well as ongoing chapel experiences for children. In the fall one sanctuary service tied some of my sabbatical experiences to the theological themes of grace, gratitude and commitment. Another explored the meanings across cultures and history of “waiting.” The nature of religious community was a natural theme for the Sunday we all thanked Glenis Bellais for her long staff tenure. It is always a pleasure to share worship leadership with the other ministers when I can. Our year in chapel (grades K-6) has been a delight for me, as always. Some of this year’s themes have included what it means to be a UU, compassion, courage, feelings, inherent worth, inner resources, death and loss. We also had a service for young children to celebrate Martin Luther King, while older ones participated in the service for all ages in the sanctuary. In the second part of the year we invited children who wanted, to help lead worship by offering their own preludes. Our 6th graders regularly light our chalice and offer opening words. Our kids are quite amazing, not only smart, but inquisitive and compassionate. They chose “helping animals” as a destination for their chapel collections this year. I also have the pleasure of leading worship at other times of gatherings, such as teacher trainings. One ongoing issue has been to what degree we should try to include all ages in worship, not just for a few minutes, but for whole services, well-integrated times together in the sanctuary. The ministers will be working on this during Spring B and at other times throughout the year. Religious Education Ministry with Children and Youth:
We understand this ministry to be what happens in religious education classes
and all the other ways of being together in our faith community! The Religious
Education Council Our Adult Education Ministry: It has been a pleasure to work with the Adult Programs Committee under the very able leadership of Julie Offner. The Committee has offered well-balanced arrays of program possibilities with many outstanding volunteer teachers! See that report for details. Likewise, the Kiplinger, Labyrinth, Forum, Connection Circles, Dinner Groups, as well as Spring B and more, have provided opportunity for deepening and broadening who we are. All of these happen because of the many volunteers who not only work hard, but bring their own inspiration and creativity to the task of program implementation! William Ellery Channing, I believe, would say that we Cedar Laners take seriously our inner capacities and ways to develop them! Pastoral Care: One of the nicest parts of working in a large church is having ministerial colleagues! We are fortunate to have Heather doing the biggest share of and providing direction for much of the pastoral care efforts at Cedar Lane. However, pastoral care is a part of the work of all of us ministers. This year I have done one memorial service, and have had many pastoral conversations with people of all ages. This is always a privilege and responsibility in my ministry. Other Committee/Group Work: In addition to providing staff support to the Adult Program Committee, the Kiplinger Committee, and RE Council, this year I also have worked regularly with the Glenis Celebration Committee, the Safety Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the Ministerial-Congregational Committee. I meet weekly in separate staff meetings with the RE Administrators, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, the Ministers, and All-Staff. And, of course, I meet in ongoing ways with teachers of children and youth individually, in teams, and in two major teacher gatherings. Beyond Cedar Lane: In June, I concluded my last of three years as President of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA), our continental UU religious educator professional organization. I continue to serve on a LREDA special committee, the RE Education Futures Committee, which will meet for one more year to establish a plan for ensuring excellent educational depth and variety in RE education for professionals and all ministers. I continue to be active in our UU Ministers Association and local religious educator groups. Looking forward: One hope I have is for increased numbers of children and youth in the year to come. The RE Committee shares that hope. For the past three years our numbers in our classes for our littlest children has been down. We are generating ideas and will be looking at how to implement them in the months to come. Your ideas are welcome! All of my work has been in partnership with very many people, those named above, and hundreds of other Cedar Laners. We are indeed an amazing congregation. I learn much from you every day. And I am very grateful to every one of our staff members. We enrich and help one another constantly, with confidence in each other’s motivations and competence. Each has a vital role. The RE staff plays a part daily in my work and I lift up here my special gratitude to Gale Luce, Jeannette Wilson, and Archene Turner, and to Glenis Bellais, newly retired.
Associate Minister and
Minister for Pastoral Care The 08-09 church year echoed the preceding year as it was a time of great change at Cedar Lane. Some of these changes were changes in leadership. We, again, said goodbye to long-time staff members – Dick and Mary Darne and Glenis Bellais – and also to Chaula Butterworth, our Administrative Assistant. We welcomed Dr. Henry Sgrecci as our Interim Director of Music, Corinne Woodward as our Administrative Assistant and Bruce Marquette as our Bookkeeper. We also had the good fortune to welcome back to the staff Jeannette Wilson, as she and Gale Ginther Luce now share the RE Administrator position previously held by Glenis. This year was also strengthened by the presence and ministry of our Intern Minister from Starr King School for the Ministry, Pam Gehrke. But, perhaps even more noteworthy, is the overarching change we experienced as a nation. Together, we bore witness to the historic election of Barack Obama as President and the call for “change” that helped him win this high office. We also saw – and felt, on so many levels - the dramatic downturn of our economy. This season in our lives together is marked by both great optimism and many deep concerns about our present and future. While this time has both inspired and challenged us, what I take from this year is the spirit of new energy at Cedar Lane. This energy is evidenced in the formation of a “Breakthrough Task Force,” focused on discerning what we cherish about Cedar Lane and – through the process of Appreciative Inquiry – finding ways to make our congregation even more vital. I see this energy in the Social Justice Council’s Empowerment Workshop, a weekend with high attendance, high engagement and a renewed commitment to leading our social justice ministries with integrity. And I feel this new energy – on Sunday morning, in committee meetings, in conversations with newcomers and long-time members alike. There is a sense of generosity and curiosity alive in the congregation that – above all the details of the past twelve months – inspire me to name this year as a good one in the life of the church. But, yes, there are details. Below, please find a summary of the individual activities of my ministry for the 08-09 year. (Please note that, due to the theft of my laptop in November of 2008 and the subsequent loss of my calendar, this record of my activities may be slightly incomplete.) New Initiatives Ministry with Elders · Participating in the annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service at the Leisure World Interfaith Chapel · Attending the holiday dinner and celebration · Leading a program about my experiences with Rebuilding Together in New Orleans, titled “The Soul is Waterproof” · Offering pastoral and organizational support as needed Asbury Methodist Village: In March of 09, I led worship with the UU group at Asbury. That month, I also served as a guest preacher for Asbury’s Sunday evening worship service for the community-at-large. Pastoral Visitors – I continued working with these dedicated, compassionate volunteers who meet with members of the community in need of companionship. Pastoral Visitors joined me in leading the “Grieving a Loved One Through the Holidays” sessions in December of 08. We are looking to the 09-10 church year to bring in additional Visitors and expand our circle. We Care – Along with meeting with new neighborhood chairs (coordinators) when they sign on and sharing information about Cedar Lane “neighbors” as needed, in March of 09 I convened a meeting of the chairs to discuss ways to strengthen the We Care program even further. As of the writing of this report, this conversation is leading us to form a short-term working group to determine how to shape the program from here. Stay tuned! Aging Support Groups – This year, I continued facilitating two aging support groups. The members of these groups continue to inspire me with their wisdom, humor and resilience. General Pastoral Care Connection Circles · Facilitator Training – In January of 09, I led a half-day Connection Circle Facilitator training for four people, preparing them to lead Connection Circles of their own. · Living Alone, Living with Loss – For much of this year, I served as a co-facilitator for a connection circle begun last year for individuals dealing with bereavement and/or the challenges of living alone. The group came to a natural conclusion in March of 09. Living with Cancer – I continued leading this bi-weekly support group for members and friends in cancer treatment. While small in number, the group continues to offer needed support and is going strong. Short-Term Programs: For the fourth year in a row, in mid- and late December, I led drop-in discussions on bereavement, “Grieving a Loved One Through the Holidays.” I also organized a one-time discussion in February of 09, “Money, Faith and the Future: A Pastoral Conversation about the Economy.” This year (with appropriate permission) the other ministers and I began naming individuals who are experiencing significant joys or sorrows during the prayer in Sunday morning services. Worship By the end of the 08-09 year, I will have led worship six times: · In September of 08, the Building the World We Dream About class and I led a service about questions of racism and multi-culturalism in church life (see “New Initiatives”) · In November of 08, I drew on Van Jones’ GA Ware Lecture to reflect on the connections between racial, environmental and economic justice. · In January of 09, Archene Turner and I led the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service – “A Litany of ‘Bending Towards Justice’” · In March of 09, I led a service based on the PostSecret project. We were fortunate to have the organizer of PostSecret, Frank Warren, lead a conversation and program after the second service. · In May of 09, Kristin Grassel and I will lead a service about our experiences on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in New Orleans · In June of 09, I will preach my “auction sermon” about the meaning of love in Unitarian Universalism. Rites-of-Passage Memorials – I officiated eight memorial services, one to remember a woman who was not a member of the church, two for relatives of Cedar Lane members (Betty Inserni and Vera Glaser) and five for members of the congregation (Jim Philapy, Marcia Sward, Lori Murray Sampson, Eric Metzger and Dolores Acquista.) As always, it was remarkable to discover the countless ways these individuals touched the lives of their loved ones and the community-at-large. Weddings – I officiated five weddings – four for couples outside the congregation and one for a couple who met and fell in love at the church! Adult Programs Ministry Beyond Our Walls Professional Change and Development In the Fall of 08, I learned that the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association granted me Final Fellowship, meaning that I no longer needed to be evaluated by the denomination on an annual basis. In response, the Cedar Lane Board of Trustees voted to promote me by changing my title from “Assistant Minister” to “Associate Minister.” I am ever-thankful to serve such a supportive and appreciative congregation! With the spirit of renewal alive in our community, I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for us!
Intern Minister The visit of the Reverend Mark Morrison-Reed to Cedar Lane on Celebration Sunday struck me as a poignant reminder of how much this congregation has contributed to the Unitarian Universalist movement over the years by way of its embrace of intern ministers. I feel privileged to have been invited into this tradition. As Intern Minister I’ve had opportunities to officiate a wedding and several memorial services, contribute in various ways for Sunday services, plan worship for five Sundays at Cedar Lane, lead children’s chapel, and offer guest preaching at nearby Unitarian Universalist congregations. Meeting regularly with the ministers and church staff, I’ve been gaining valuable insights with every personal connection. Over the course of the year I’ve attended meetings in almost all spheres of congregational life, both to get better acquainted with individual members and to learn something about how the various committees and councils operate. Most consistently, I’ve been involved with the Social Justice Council and the LGBT Task Force, and I have also frequently attended meetings of the weekly Science and Religion group. I regularly attend Alliance luncheons and meetings of the board. On occasion, I’ve facilitated support groups, and have paid calls to several Cedar Lane members in their homes. I especially enjoyed participating in the Social Justice Empowerment Workshop, and I look forward to helping with the “Breaking the Silence” LGBT youth summit planned by Cedar Lane Youth Minister Archene Turner. In April, I will begin teaching a six-week adult program from the UUA “Tapestry of Faith” project, “Spirit in Practice.” Along with the benefit of developing relationships within the Cedar Lane community, I’ve appreciated participating in the Chesapeake UU Ministers Association (CUUMA) monthly gatherings, as well as a meeting of the Greater Washington Area Religious Education Council (GWAREC) that was held at Cedar Lane. I’ve been able to take advantage of a number of interfaith events in the Washington area, including a panel discussion on “Homosexuality and Islam” at George Washington University. There I met a number of community leaders, including Brother Daayiee Abdullah, whom I later invited to speak at a Cedar Lane Sunday morning forum. That it has been such an extraordinary time to be in the nation’s capital makes me even more grateful to be spending my internship year at Cedar Lane, where I continue day by day learning new ideas and developing inner resources for my future ministry.
Community Minister for Pastoral
Counseling I am a Unitarian Universalist minister and a mental health professional. My Community Ministry is endorsed by the Board of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. My present work is called a community ministry because it extends to individuals and organizations within the larger community in which Cedar Lane Church resides. I am not on the staff of Cedar Lane. My credentials include a Ph.D. in clinical social work from the Institute for Clinical Social Work of Chicago, as well as two theological school degrees, one from Tufts University and one from Boston University. In the past I have served as a religious educator, a parish minister, a minister on the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and a counselor on the staff of several ecumenical pastoral counseling centers in Chicago and Washington, D.C. In my private practice as a Pastoral Counselor and Psychotherapist, I work with individuals, couples and families. Every human life phase or experience presents it own challenges and sometimes pastoral counseling can provide the extra support needed to navigate through that time. People come to see me for many reasons. They may be looking for some extra support or guidance. For instance, they may be getting married and be looking for pre-marital counseling. They may be seeking marital or partnership counseling. They may be experiencing a death in the family or among friends. They may have lost a job, or begun a new one. They may be experiencing infertility, or facing parenting issues that are confusing or complex. They may have just had a child. They may be adult children of aging parents. They may be struggling with an ongoing mood disorder such as anxiety or depression. They may be wrestling with compulsive behavior (for example, alcohol, drugs, sex, internet pornography) or someone they know may be in such a struggle. They may be experiencing social pressures and prejudices in the form of homophobia, racism, sexism, or classism. They may need to sort through those pressures as they seek to live a full life. In other words, I work with persons who are facing many challenges and are often in emotional pain. Often insurance covers part of my fee. I also have a patchwork of other commitments as a Community Minister. I serve on the Board of the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (ICP&P), a professional group of humanistic psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists. This past year we have sponsored the following workshops that were open to the public: Facing the Inevitable: Psychoanalytic Reflections on Mortality; Capturing the Image of Mother-Infant Interaction: Links to the Clinical Encounter; Sensuality and Sexuality Across the Divide of Shame; and Collaboration and Integration: Principles and Practices for Working with Groups. In the coming year, the organization is sponsoring a four weekend Institute called Relational Perspectives. Information about the Institute can be found at the ICP&P website. I am a Clinical Faculty Member of the Institute for Clinical Social Work of Chicago, my alma mater. I provide consultation services to Unitarian Universalist ministers, religious educators, and churches. I work part time as the Non-denominational Chaplain at the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) Hospice Program. I enjoy the stimulation and collegiality of the JSSA interdisciplinary team as we seek to provide comfort and consolation to families who are facing the death of a family member. Thank you, Cedar Lane, for your continuing support of my ministry as it expands and moves in new directions.
Interim Director of Music The Cedar Lane UUC Music Department has enjoyed many fine moments during the 2008-09 church year. Perhaps one of the most noticeable facets is the marvelous sounds of the Cannasara organ wafting through the Sanctuary. We are indeed fortunate to have an organist of the skill and experience of Thomas Guthrie. Since arriving in November, Thomas has dazzled us with a tremendous array of Postludes from the Baroque to the Romantic to the Contemporary. We offer Thomas a hearty and heartfelt welcome! The Adult Choir has provided inspiration, joy, and a high level of musicianship throughout the year as we have worked our way through the various seasons. High points have included singing portions of John Rutter’s Requiem in observance of All Soul’s Day, with assistance from Bethesda based cellist Adam Gonzalez. We observed Advent season with an Appalachian inspired anthem, I Hear the Prophet Callin’, so impressive that Rev. Heather Janules invited the Choir to reprise it on Martin Luther King Sunday. We enjoyed singing the seasonal chorales of J.S. Bach and Michael Praetorius leading up to a joyous and uplifting Christmas Eve service in which the Choir presented American composer Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata with brass quintet and organ accompaniment. Along with the Congregation, the Choir enjoyed preparing and presenting the special music for Sunday, February 22 when Roger Fritts discussed the importance of music during worship. The Choir presented something old from G.F. Handel, something new from Gwyneth Walker, and something quite unusual, a tune from the Sacred Harp hymnal sung using the traditional “shape note” syllables. Susan Clark also offered an improvisatory hymn, Peace Like a River, during which she encouraged the Congregation to join in and sing as the spirit moved us. Easter Sunday was particularly memorable as the Choir sang from the front of the Sanctuary. In addition to excellent masterpieces such as Mozart’s Lacrymosa and William Byrd’s Renaissance song Haec Dies, the Congregation joined with the Choir in singing GF Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. What a glorious sound to hear the entire Sanctuary filled with such full throated “joyful noise” unto the Lord! The Youth Choir and Handbell Choirs made their presence known in a most positive manner too. The Choirs participated in worship services each month. The Youth Choir sang mass parts in Latin, a spider song in support of Rev. Roger Fritts’ sermon on Darwin, and celebrated Palm Sunday with a song called The Rivers are Running Again. The Handbell Choir performed seasonal music for Thanksgiving and Christmas, performed Mozart’s lovely motet Ave Verum, and learned two lively contemporary songs, Praise and Come, Let Us Eat. And what a wonderful contribution our youthful musicians made during the “Music in Worship” service when Lora Liao and the Youth Choir led the entire Congregation in Michael Praetorius’ round, Jubilate Deo. On Easter morning we unveiled the newest addition to the Music Program, the Intergenerational Handbell Choir. With only three rehearsals, the neophyte adult ringers were able to hold their own with the more experienced youth in a medley called Easter Proclamation. Our chamber choir, Gruppo Piccolo, has made a number of appearances during worship, providing a more intimate setting of voices in both period and contemporary music. The ensemble’s presentation was never more delightful than on the first Sunday in March when we heard Maurice Durafle’s Latin motet Ubi Caritas followed by a very stylish version of the hit pop tune Stand By Me. In closing I will offer a heartfelt thank you to all who have offered praise and encouragement to our musicians during this transitional period. They want the Congregation to be proud of their efforts and they have responded enthusiastically, with their hearts, their minds and their many talents. I think it shows. Don’t you? PS - We continue to be on the lookout for those who would like to spread their musical wings by becoming a part of the music program here at CLUUC. Feel free to get in touch with me at 301-493-8300 or hsgrecci@cedarlane.org.
Church Administrator The table below shows the Cedar Lane staff as of April, 2009. The table below does not include the Ministers and Interim Director of Music who each prepare his or her own Annual Report.
The staff members all attend the first staff meeting of each month and share their covenant, which includes promises to communicate directly, to have patience with one another, and to share a meal together away from the church once a quarter. (The other staff meetings during the month are attended by the ministers, the interim director of music, the administrators, the administrative assistant, the coordinators, and the building manager.) The support staff is a vital part of the church community and, although behind the scenes for the most part, plays an active role in the sustenance of the congregation. We again experienced many staff changes over the past year. Chaula Butterworth resigned last summer so she could stay home with her children. Corinne Woodward, a recent college graduate, was hired to take her place. Corinne has done a wonderful job putting together the weekly Orders of Service and the biweekly Newsletter in addition to scheduling of the building. Robin Larkin, our web goddess for many years, has been teaching Corinne to update the Cedar Lane website so Corinne will now be responsible for that function. Over this next year we hope to reduce costs by going to a monthly newsletter supplemented with a weekly bulletin that would be available online, for pick up at church, or inserted in the Order of Service. Corinne will be the person responsible to complete the weekly bulletin. Bruce Marquette, our Bookkeeper, has just completed his first year with us. Over that year he has handled the paperwork to process: two retirements, 3 employee resignations, 5 new hires, and one intern, setting them up for payroll, and signing them up for benefits. Bruce and Corinne have worked together to update billing for our outside rentals. He has implemented a change in how monies are deposited by utilizing online banking software so all checks received are scanned in for immediate deposit rather than having to be hand carried to the bank. Bruce has worked on writing up policies and procedures for the staff that should prove useful in any future staff transitions. He has been working with the new database system for tracking pledges in addition to keeping entries current in the existing system. The staff is still in the process of changing the data base system from one utilizing Microsoft Access to a comprehensive church software database system, ACS. ACS will allow members of the congregation to be able to pledge and pay their pledges online as well as sign up for classes and events on line. Lucy Dubinsky, our Database Assistant, has been working hard on the implementation with the assistance of Andy Streich, a new member and software guru, whose extensive knowledge and warm sense of humor has facilitated the process. We hope to make the switch in the next month and plan for extensive staff training as well as making training available for our members. Andy Streich, along with the Interim Technology Chair, John Daniel, is working to set up a Web Site Task Force. The task force will look at web content, member/non member access to data, and ways to facilitate committee and council access to and the management of their pages on the website. There has also been discussion of having one person assist Corinne with the website by serving as an editor to insure continuity of style and content throughout the website. Over this past year the offices and library were refurbished with new wall coverings, the carpeting was replaced, and new couches were installed in the library and Heather’s office. The Leonards kindly donated a gorgeous oriental rug for the Library. It is such a lovely room, marred only by the presence of tired, well used chairs. Those chairs are still in use in the library because we were in the process of choosing their replacements when the economy went into ‘The Great Recession.’ Once the Capital Reserve budget permits, we will make the purchase. Mickey Sigsbee, our Building and Grounds Manager, has once again outdone himself. When Vicky Strella needed wooden display stands for the auction and was unable to purchase them, Mickey made them for her. When the decision was made to replace the windows in the Library and the cost to have them installed was deemed too high, Mickey along with Ernie Carlson, Pedro Diaz, and some stalwart volunteers figured out how to install the replacements at half the original cost. When our ancient folding machine breaks down, it is Mickey who coaxes it back to life. When new locks are purchased, it is Mickey who has figured out how to rekey locks rather than the need for a locksmith to be hired to do it. When pipes break in walls, it is Mickey who patiently repairs the pipes as well as mending the walls. When repairs were needed for the Chalice House elevator and we weren’t able to find someone to service them, Mickey, with help from Ernie Carlson, took the elevator apart and fixed it. We are getting five new environmentally friendly replacement toilets. Do we call a plumber to install them? No, we are lucky enough to have Mickey instead! Our Membership Coordinator, Kristin Grassel, will be resigning her position this summer. Kristin grew up at Cedar Lane, being active in the Religious Education program and the choir. She will be moving to Texas to serve as an Intern Minister as part of her training to become a UU minister. We have gained much from her youthful perspective, how else would Cedar Lane have gotten its own Facebook page? Kristin has worked hard with the Member Services Committee to make Cedar Lane a welcoming place for visitors and to facilitate the assimilation of new members into Cedar Lane. We will miss watching Kristin on Sundays greet visitors, then run to give out pens to newcomers, then race to sing in the Choir or to play handbells. On behalf of the staff and myself, I wish to thank the congregation for the opportunity to be of service, to be permitted to perform meaningful work in such a place of beauty. Imagine the joy of working while listening to Henry blowing off steam after choir practice by making lovely music playing his trumpet, or to hear Thom preparing for the upcoming service by practicing the piano and organ, gloriously, for hours, to hear Pedro’s whistle so clear and happy, and to hear Gale and Jeannette’s continual peals of laughter while miraculously getting their jobs done. We all feel fortunate to be a part of Cedar Lane. 1Reports to Senior Minister 2Reports to Minister of Religious Education
Membership Coordinator As the Member Services Committee report reflects, this has been a productive church year with regard to Membership. Both our visitor and new member statistics show slight increases from last year. We have noticed a particular increase in young visiting families. I am grateful to the chair, Don Cleary, and the rest of the Member Services Committee for their commitment, collaboration, and hard work throughout the year. In addition to hosting weekly Newcomer Talks for visitors, I have facilitated three orientations for newcomers to the Cedar Lane church community. I updated both the membership nametags and the brochure given to visitors, and my work with the Member Services Committee in the design and production of a new Cedar Lane picture directory continues. In my work with the Public Awareness Committee, Cedar Lane has increased its visibility online and in print media. Cedar Lane’s Facebook group page continues to engage a small but growing number of Cedar Lane members and friends. Cedar Lane ran one advertisement in the Washington Parent magazine shortly before the winter holidays, and design is currently underway for a springtime ad in the Washington Blade magazine. The work of making others truly welcome, whether they are visitors or longtime Cedar Laners, is an important part of our personal and congregational spiritual practice. While my professional tenure with Cedar Lane will conclude at the end of June, the practice of hospitality in this congregation and my support in that work is ongoing.
Officers: Julie Offner, Chair; Helen Worth and Donna Runyan, Co-Vice Chairs; Marilyn Hathaway, Secretary; Catharine Kaufman, Treasurer; Dusty Kreisberg, Board Liaison; Susan Archer and Jeannette Wilson, Staff. Members: John Bellinger, Kate Curtis, Maureen Donnelly, Eileen Haley, Knick Knickerbocker, Sharon Marcus, Mike McKenna, Ed Meyer, and Jim Ogle; Also attending late winter meetings as members who will officially join the committee in September were: Sarah Bever, Abe Brody, Dick Haddad, and Stephanie Simpson. Meeting Dates: The full committee meets on the third Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., September through May. The Executive Committee (officers plus the Rev. Susan Archer and Administrator, Jeannette Wilson) meets as needed, on the first Wednesday, this year, at 6:30 p.m. Mission: The mission of the Adult Program Committee (APC) is to organize and present an integrated program of courses to our congregation and the community in the areas of spiritual search; social, economic, and political issues; personal development; and arts, literature, and hobbies. In each area, we endeavor to meet the needs of our members for greater personal enrichment, spiritual satisfaction, and communion as Unitarian Universalists, as individual human beings, and as members of a society as we journey through our life quests. Regular Activities: Now in its 35th year, the Adult Programs Committee offered more than 24 classes and drew 301 participants in the fall 2008 session. Additionally, an interim meditation class had nearly 20 enrollees. The 25 winter/spring 2009 offerings attracted more than 220 participants. Courses covered topics of spiritual search, social, economic, and political issues; personal development; and arts, literature and hobbies. Classes included yoga, T’ai Chi, and an evening of Wii bowling and cow racing. Venues included tours, hikes, and dinner discussion groups. In addition, a large number of participants attended the weekly Sunday Morning Forum presentations at the Chalice House offering speakers and opportunities for discussion of current political and social issues. The Kiplinger Ethics Lecture attracted 112 attendees. Approximately 60 people participated in ten Connection Circles, where they formed new friendships in an intimate setting. Course participation extended beyond the immediate congregation helping us to reach out to the greater community. Committee members put extra effort into publicizing classes by putting announcements for classes starting in the upcoming month on the Cedar Lane web site and in the newsletter, and posting a select number of general interest classes on neighborhood e-mail lists, which brought in several neighbors. APC members serve a three-year term. Regular events include a potluck in May where we honor APC “graduates” and introduce new members, a June retreat for new and continuing members to organize and plan for the upcoming year, and a new member orientation in September. Another potluck in December allows members to socialize and celebrate the holidays. APC members also pitch in to stuff brochures, help with registration, and serve as course liaisons. 2008-2009 Highlights: Weekly gatherings of the Science and Religion Discussion Group remain popular averaging more than 35 participants each session. Inaugurated in the fall session, a “Beyond the Beltway” series featured reflections of Washington Post reporter John Kelly, and Ruth Kelly, attorney and university professor, during a session entitled, “A Year in the News: The UK Press from a U.S. Perspective.” In the winter-spring session, the “Beyond the Beltway” series will feature, Montreal, A Quebec Gem. A Meditation Class has developed a large following averaging about 25 participants in both fall and winter/spring sessions. Popular classes during the fall session included: the Messenger Mission to the Planet Mercury, and a Smithsonian American Art Museum tour. High enrollments classes during the winter/spring session included Kayaking on Little Seneca Lake, Side by Side: Mothers and Daughters, and Olive Oil Tasting. Adult Programs is the only standing committee at Cedar Lane that received no funds from the operating budget. All of its funds come from modest fees paid by class participants. The available surplus in fiscal year 2008 contributed to the purchase of needed equipment for the church. The committee donated a Night at the Opera and Dinner for Four at Trattoria Sorrento to the annual Cedar Lane Auction. At the end of December, the Adult Programs Committee said good-bye to long-time Religious Education Administrator, Glenis Bellais, who retired.
Connection Circles Committee Connections Circles Committee: Michael Thoryn, Chair; Eileen Haley, Adult Programs Liaison; Mary Butler, Beth Cavett, Margery Dimond, and Kate Harrison. Facilitators: Coralie Adler, Len Adler, Frances Dearman, Ellie Goodwin, Barbara Gressman, John Gubbings, Bob Harrison, Nancy Janssen, Heather Janules, Pat Karlsen, Catherine Kaufman, Maury Merkin, and Mary Beth Nowinski. Staff: Heather Janules and Jeannette Wilson Meeting Dates: The committee meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. (Never on Thanksgiving.) Mission: Grow and maintain connection circles in which members are invited to share matters of the heart and mind and their spiritual journeys, develop caring relationships, and minister to one another and the larger world. Vision: A Cedar Lane community strengthened by small groups which create supportive connections among members in a safe and caring environment in the context of Unitarian Universalist principles. The Connections Circles Committee is a committee within Adult Programs. It promotes and encourages the development and success of Connection Circles within the church. We have an ongoing program that we would like to grow by reaching more Cedar Lane members and friends. As of March, there are ten groups with about 70 participants. Highlights from the year: -- Changed the name from Covenant Group Steering Committee to make groups more welcoming to new members. -- Started short-term groups so people can try a group without a year-long commitment. Heather led “Gratitude, Wonder, and Slumber” from December to April every other week. We also plan to offer a weekly short-term group during Spring B. -- Trained four new facilitators who now have a better understanding of group dynamics and are open to facilitating a group in the future.
Forum Committee Members: Dusty Kreisberg, Co-Chair; Marion Torchia, Co-Chair; Len Adler, Charlotte Brewer, Ken Jones, Knick Knickerbocker, Karen Lerner, Bob Pechacek, and Carol Zachary. Meeting Dates: From mid-September to April 5, the Sunday Forum met at 10:10 -10:55 a.m. at the Chalice House. The forum has achieved institutional status. Highlights: Attendance has increased; a core group of faithfuls plus new faces show up every Sunday. Coffee is served; more creative, colorful posters in designated places announce the forums; an e-mail list is being developed to inform participants of upcoming forums; special e-mailings go to targeted church groups; and finally, efforts have been successful in coordinating with other committees on programs of common interests, e.g., the UUA draft on peacemaking. Programming rose to another level of excellence and included the October energy alternatives series, Middle East prospects for peace, Red Cross disaster preparedness, US military operations abroad, and various religious and social concerns. Attendance was healthy most weeks (30-40+ persons), and on ten Sundays numbered in the 50s and 60s compelled by such relevant topics as the 2008 Presidential election, Montgomery County problems, Maryland State legislative issues, solar energy, and the new President's health care agenda. A presentation on separation of church and state drew 69 attendees, a record for the year.
Kiplinger Committee Members: Betty May Cleary, Chair; Harvey Lerner, Secretary and Chair-elect; Gerry Peterson, Treasurer; Tom Bugenhagen, David Devlin-Foltz, Jim Hostetler, Knick Knickerbocker, Bob McClusky, Marion Torchia, Wanda Van Goor, and Bill Zellmer. Staff: Susan Archer, Glenis Bellais, Gale Luce, and Jeannette Wilson. Highlights: In November 2008, the Kiplinger Committee sponsored the eighth annual lecture in the Kiplinger Lecture Series on Ethics in American Society. Dr. Timothy Fort, Executive Director of the Institute for Corporate Responsibility and the Lindner-Gambal Professor of Business Ethics at George Washington University Business School spoke on the topic: “How Ethical Business Practices Can Contribute to World Peace.” In April-May 2009, the committee will offer a two-session adult class, “Choosing Civility,” which will be lead by Kelli Shimabukuro, Howard County Librarian. The 2009 Kiplinger Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Paul B. Rasor, Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College. The activities of the Kiplinger Committee are supported by a grant from the Kiplinger Foundation in memory of Willard M. Kiplinger, the founder of the Kiplinger Letter and an early member of Cedar Lane.
Officers: Martha Lisle, President; Jean Schaible, Vice-President; Beryle Lednicer, Recording Secretary; Beverly Warner, Corresponding Secretary; Ernie Carlson, Treasurer; Bruce Douglas, Vice-Treasurer. Meeting Dates: The Alliance meets for a potluck luncheon and program on the second Thursday of each month, September through June. Len Adler, as Program Chairman, has presented interesting programs throughout the year. Committees: The Alliance has 19 active committees and their chairpersons are members of the Alliance Board, which meets monthly on the Thursday following the luncheon. We have 105 members. Mission: Our bylaws provide that the Alliance be an organization where the members may “find valued companionship and mutual support, and where they may participate in useful, cultural, charitable, and communal programs that promote the application of the Unitarian Universalist principles in individual and community life.” Regular Activities: Our main fundraising activities include collecting dues, the Used Book Corner, and the sales held by the Jewelry and Collectibles Committee. We support two foster children by collecting money each month at the luncheons. The Denominational Affairs Committee has been giving scholarships to the current ministerial students who are members of our church. The Social Responsibility Committee has given money to Mobile Med, Sophia House, and Crossways this year, and a special gift was given to So Others May Eat, who sent a speaker for our program. We have just voted to send Manna a special gift also. We also donate annually to the CLUUC Operating Fund and the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. The Alliance Committee on Memorial Receptions is very active, and pairs of members set and serve the receptions held after a memorial service. Help for those receptions comes from other members of the Alliance, and many of the members bake cookies for this purpose. Other activities include supplying current information for our bulletin board, the First Friday Book Group, the Fourth Thursday Film Series, and the Tuesday Bridge and the Marathon Bridge.
Meeting Dates: The full committee met monthly, December through March; the planning group met approximately every two weeks, and other meetings with specific auction task chairs were held in the month before the auction. A debriefing/post-auction celebration meeting will be held.
Mission: Organize the yearly auction, which makes a major contribution to Cedar Lane’s operating budget and provides an enjoyable all-church event for Cedar Lane adults.
Regular Activities: Determine auction theme, raffle items and ticket prices. Recruit volunteers to assist with all auction tasks. Publicize auction to congregation and friends. Solicit and collect donations. Produce Auction Catalog. Sell admission and raffle tickets. Develop and implement arrangements for auction set up, evening’s program, take down and closure of auction purchases.
Highlights: The Auction was held from 6 – 9:30 p.m. on March 21, 2009, with a new theme, “Swing Into Spring.” This year’s fundraising goal was set by the Finance Committee at $40,000 (an increase of $3,000 over 2008’s auction fundraising goal). The BOT in February 2009 approved a proposal made by the auction committee to donate any amount raised in excess of the $40,000 goal to Manna Food Center. As of April 15, Auction net proceeds were $41,085.
Auction ticket sales were up slightly over last year, as was attendance, with
more than 250 guests. Ticket prices remained the same price as last year’s -
$30 pre-sales and $35 at the door. The committee successfully recruited about
100 congregants to assist with the auction. A solicitation mailing went to a
new list of some 700+ local businesses. Advertising was sold for the catalog,
for the second year in a row, and this year’s ad income was higher. Nifty
Thrifty, begun last year as a cash-and-carry room of new/slightly used items
under $25, exceeded its first year sales by about
Officers and Members: Rich Clark, John Daniel, and Steve Spector, Co-Chairs; Len Adler, Ernie Carlson, Mary Darne, Sara Deshler, John Gubbings, Nancy Janssen, Heather Janules, Robin Larkin, Peter Lowenthal, and Paul Mink. Meeting Dates: We meet irregularly when there is business to conduct. Mission:
The Committee works without a charter but its mission is to improve the
audio/visual (A/V) capabilities of the Regular Activities: We work with the Board of Trustees, ministers, staff and outside consultants/vendors to propose, promote and implement plans for improving both audio and visual equipment in the Sanctuary and in the Church.
2008-2009 Highlights: During the past year, the Church has made increasing use of the new back screen projection system for the Sanctuary that allows the visual and audio projection of videos, power point presentations, photos, photomontages, movies, television and cable broadcasts, either individually or together. This system was fully installed and working in late summer 2007. Improvements to the Sanctuary sound system were installed in fall 2008. There are ten new loudspeakers- four in the main sitting area, two above the choir loft and four in the lobby below the choir. Two multi-directional microphones are on the lectern and improved cordless mikes have been acquired. The one main speaker in the Sanctuary, which was believed to be 50 years old, was suffering from paper fatigue, and directed toward the choir not the audience; one of the two choir loft speakers burned out; and the two speakers under the choir loft were discovered to be intended for office paging. Designing a sound system has been tricky since the Sanctuary is acoustically very “alive” with many flat and smooth surfaces for sounds to bounce off. The new mikes should pick up soft voices of diminutive speakers, tall baritones, and speakers who tended to miss speaking into the old single microphone altogether. The improved placement of the loudspeakers also minimizes feedback, the unpleasant effect when a microphone picks up the sound from the loudspeaker. Our volunteer audio operators continue to tweak the controls to optimize the sound quality and attend to other expected issues. Other plans call for the installation of a video recording and broadcasting system using fixed location cameras. This would interface with the projection and sound systems discussed above. Another phase of our plans would allow images from services in the Sanctuary to be web cast live or through archiving on the Cedar Lane website. In fall 2008, the Board of Trustees created the Interim Information Technology Committee to consider improvements to technology used or needed by the Church. That committee will undertake the task of providing advice to the Board and Congregation on the question of installing video recording and broadcasting equipment in the Sanctuary and improving the Church website to support web casting of services in the Sanctuary.
Officers and Members: Len Adler, Chair; Bob Harrison, Marilyn Hathaway, Edwina Hoffeld, Jack Mauro, Mary Beth Nowinski, Laura-Leigh Palmer, Gerry Peterson, and Catherine Schuler. Activity: Book and bumpers sticker sales before and after second service on Sundays. Mission: Promote UUA publications, especially Beacon Press and Skinner House books. Highlights of the Year: Selling books by guest ministers Mark Morrison-Reed and Forrest Church.
Officers: Dick Messalle, President; Ed Starr, Vice-President; Frank Adler, Secretary; Sharon Adler, Treasurer. Members at Large: Susanne Caviness, Ken Cohen, Leah Mazade, Louis Pangaro, Michael Platt, Lyn Peters, Burke Peterson, Jim Robertson, and Rita Scheeler. Meeting Dates: Once a month except perhaps in July and December annually Mission: To support excellent productions of the classics of dramatic literature, old and new, as well as rarely performed works by well-known writers and theatrical “gems” often overlooked by other groups. Produce a Summer Sampler of One-Act plays where new playwrights, directors and actors have a chance to develop their skills. Provide an exceptional theatrical experience for CLUUC members and the local community at affordable prices. Regular Activities: We continue our 51st year with two major full-length productions, one in the Spring and one in Fall. The Summer Sampler of One-Act Plays is performed during the weekends from mid-July to mid-August. Support the Auction program with either a direct cash contribution or an auction item of show tickets and a catered luncheon. Support the Adult education program by offering a pre-show or post show discussion with the director and cast. 2008-2009 Highlights: This year we are delighted to be celebrating our 51st anniversary and continuous involvement with CLUUC. In April 2008 we produced Shakespeare's “King Lear," a tragedy of misunderstood love, arrogance and upsetting the natural law and order. In the Fall, we produced “The Vertical Hour” an English drama by David Hare, an area premier, about what it means to live a heroic life and asked the audience to examine their beliefs and passions- intellectual, personal, and political. It also gave some biting commentary and British perspective on the Iraq War. The Summer Sampler of One-Act Plays was a success and provided needed funds. We entered the one act play by a local playwright, "Off the Grid," about a homeless woman, in the Maryland Community Theatre Festival Association, a competition of eleven Maryland Community Theatres in January 2009.
Committee on Ministerial Formation Officers and Members During the Year: John Daniel, Chair; Carolyn Grassel, Secretary; Harvey Lerner, Secretary; Joyce Casso, Cathy Knapper, Maury Merkin, Helen Petersberger, Dawn Steinfeld Meeting Dates: We meet monthly as schedules of members and the Intern Minister permit. Mission: The Committee’s enlarged charter and new name were approved by the Board of Trustees in 2007. The Committee continues to be charged with making recommendations to the CLUUC Board of Trustees as to whether the congregation should grant “congregational sponsorship” (as that term is defined and understood by the UUA Ministerial Credentialing Office) to candidates for the UU ministry who request sponsorship from Cedar Lane. It is a requirement of the Ministerial Credentialing Office that each candidate for the UU ministry receive sponsorship from some UU congregation. Briefly, this can be thought of as the congregation telling the UUA that we know this person and recommend her or his candidacy. Once sponsorship has been granted, the members of the Committee follow and support the candidate’s progress. Two years ago, members of the Cedar Lane community urged the Committee to reinitiate Cedar Lane’s commitment to preparing seminarians for UU ministry. While Cedar Lane has a legacy of producing UU ministers, we had not recently provided internship experience to aspiring seminary students. With the support of the Board of Trustees and the ministerial staff, the Committee assisted in the engagement of an Intern Minister beginning in 2007. This Committee serves as the internship committee and the Committee’s charter now incorporates this responsibility. Regular Activities: We respond to requests from the Board of Trustees to make recommendations to it regarding the appropriateness of sponsorship of ministerial student candidacies. The Committee also assists the Cedar Lane ministerial staff in interviewing and selecting candidates for appointment as Intern Minister, and then serves as the Ministerial Internship Committee to support and mentor the Intern Minister. 2008-2009 Highlights: For the second year, Cedar Lane is hosting an Intern Minister, Pam Gehrke, a third-year student at Starr King School for the Ministry, in Berkeley, California. She joined us in September and has become a vital member of our church staff and community. The Committee meets with Pam each month and informally more often to offer our guidance and support to her ministry. The committee provides feedback to Leslie to assist her preparation to gain approval of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee to be ordained as a UU minister. Pam’s internship will continue through May. In 2008, the Board of Trustees requested the Committee’s advice regarding the request of Kristin Grassel to be sponsored by Cedar Lane as she progresses through the UU ministerial credentialing process. The Committee voted its strong support for sponsoring Kristin, which the Board approved. The Committee continues to communicate with Kristin and support her journey to becoming a UU minister. She leaves this summer to gain experience as an Intern Minister in a Texas Unitarian Universalist Church. Another Cedar Lane young adult, Glenn Farley, is a student at Starr King School for the Ministry. The Committee continues to keep abreast of his journey to become a Unitarian Universalist minister and offers encouragement and support. For the past two years, the Board of Trustees has financed the stipend and other expenses of the Intern Ministers through allocations from the Endowment Fund annual payouts. Because of the significant reduction in the Endowment Fund principal during the last year and the expected strain on the Church operating budget for next year, the Board determined that Cedar Lane would not engage a new Intern Minister for the upcoming church year. But the Board continued its commitment to supporting seminarian education and approved engaging additional Intern Ministers every third year. The Board agreed to approve funds each year to pay for the stipend and other costs of the next Intern Minister.
Denominational Affairs Committee Officers and Members: Brian Belanger, Co-Chair; Dino Drudi, Co-Chair; Susan Archer, Dian Belanger, Mike Benefiel, Sara Deshler, Roger Fritts, Kristin Grassel, John Gubbings, Mike Harris, Heather Janules, Pat Karlsen, Cathy Knapper, Robert McClusky, Liz Nadeau, Connie Nissley, Dawn Steinfeld, and Archene Turner. Meeting Dates: Typically mid-week, usually the last week of the month, four to six times a year. Mission: The committee was recently reconstituted. A new charter is under development. Regular Activities: The new charter now under development will define these activities more thoroughly. Currently the committee’s activities center on monitoring developments and issues at the UUA and JPD (Joseph Priestly District) levels and encouraging congregational awareness and involvement. Encouraging attendance at General Assembly is another goal. Highlights of the Year: Under Rev. Heather Janules’ helpful guidance, Cedar Lane's long-dormant Denominational Affairs Committee revived. In the fall, the Committee selected Brian Belanger and Dino Drudi as co-chairs and immediately got to work drafting a charter to submit to the board, arranging a congregational discussion moderated by David Devlin-Foltz and developing input on the peacemaking Statement of Conscience, beginning outreach to the JPD, and giving General Assembly a higher profile with the congregation. Rev. Janules arranged a GA-oriented service in November.
Officers and Members: Jack Rodgers, Acting Chair; Norm Lauben, Board Liaison; Mickey Sigsbee, Staff; John Wing, Finance Liaison; Frank Adler, Nancy Bliss, Ernie Carlson, Carrie Meyer, and Sandy Shaw. Meeting Dates: First Monday of every month Mission: The committee provides oversight and advice on the maintenance of the church buildings and other structures. It works closely with the Building and Grounds Manager to plan for expenditures from the capital budget and oversees other more routine maintenance projects and keeps tabs on energy consumption and utility bills. Highlights: A major goal of the committee is to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and continue our part to being a "green" church. This past year the library windows were replaced with energy-efficient panes. Mickey Sigsbee worked with volunteers from the Facilities Committee to install the windows for half the cost of having the work done by a contractor. The committee also explored better ways to manage the fireplace in the library and addressed problems with the balance of heat distribution in the church building. A major development this year, which was led by John Wing, the Finance Committee liaison to Facilities, was to revamp the process by which the Capital Budget is planned and capital projects are selected. Under his leadership, Facilities and Finance approved a new Capital Budget Procedures, which opens up the process to make it possible for any church member to make suggestions for projects. The most serious problem that arose this year was the sharp decline in the value of our endowment due to the current financial crisis. Since capital projects at Cedar Lane, such as energy efficient windows and the office renovation are funded from an allocation from our endowment, we had to freeze capital projects and conserve our limits funds for emergencies. The allocation for 2010 is $34,000 instead of the expected $73,000 and we have to plan for the possibility of no allocation in 2011 and following years. This crisis may postpone most major capital projects until the endowment recovers from the severe turndown. The good news is that our facilities are in great shape at the present time. A stroll around the buildings and grounds reveals that we are in better shape now than we have been in a decade. The parking lots and sidewalks are in great shape and the offices and library were recently renovated. We have also made substantial progress in putting efficient new windows where they were most needed. The Committee is not aware of any major building component, which is expected to need investment in the next year or two. Peter Lowenthal stepped down as Chair of the Committee this year. We thank him for his hard work and good ideas during his term as Committee Chair. In the meantime, Jack Rodgers has stepped in as Acting Chair of the Committee.
Members: Cathy Knapper, Chair; Tom Nixon, Treasurer; Bob Pechacek, Treasurer-elect; Carol Bertaut, Lyn Peters, Gerry Peterson, Jack Rodgers, Barbara Wilson, and John Wing. Meeting Dates: The Finance Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Mission: The Finance committee serves as the financial advisor to the Board of Trustees. We prepare the annual operating budget in conjunction with the personnel committee, program chairs and staff for presentation and approval to the Board of Trustees at their June meeting. We also monitor the approved budget monthly of revenues and expenses and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees as needed. Additionally we work with the Facilities Committee to prepare and present the capital budget for church facilities for approval by the Board of Trustees. The committee also monitors, reviews or audits the financial records and activities of the church including, but not limited to, the monthly treasurer’s report and any special funds that the Board of Trustees may authorize. In overseeing church funds, the Committee formulates policies and procedures as needed to manage the financial affairs of the Church.
Officers and Members: Helen Pechacek, Chair; Jean Schaible, Vice-Chair; Fred Guenther, Secretary; Rebecca Lee-Duffell, Treasurer; Bob Pechacek, Board Liaison; Penny Douglas, George Durland, Rusty Flint, Dean Gibson, Merrillyn Gibson, Jennette McCarthy, Marjorie Melton, Carrie Meyer, and John Woodward. Meeting Dates: Second Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. Mission: The committee provides oversight and advice on tree maintenance and appropriate landscape development of the church grounds. It coordinates and directs the planning and design of any changes or improvements to the grounds in light of the provisions of the 1985 Master Site Plan. Regular Activities: Auction Donation of ten hours of yard work, fall workday, spring plant sale, spring grounds cleanup day. The committee budget covers tree maintenance and snow removal. 2008-2009 Highlights: The committee continues to rehabilitate the woodland areas of the CLUUC site, removing invasive and planting native plants. Committee members watered vulnerable plants on a weekly basis during the summer drought. At the fall workday, members and volunteers planted 300 spring flowering bulbs on the berm of the memorial garden. They also removed leaves from the grounds and planted mums in the front entrance bed. The committee reviewed the early plans for a fire pit and benches to be built in an area near the RE parking lot. The project will be led by an Eagle Scout candidate and church member. Susan Archer came to a meeting and reviewed the safety procedures that will be followed. After discussion of concerns, the committee voted to approve the plan contingent on Nursery School approval. Shifflett Tree Service did the annual tree trimming in February. While most of the fall leaf clearing was done by volunteer crews and committee members, the Denchfield Landscaping Company was contracted to do leaf removal from the grounds. This company also will do routine spring clean up work in April.
Interim Committee on Information Technology Members and Liaisons During the Year: John Daniel, Chair; Sara Deshler, Staff Liaison; Roger Fritts, Ministerial Liaison; Kristin Grassel, Staff Liaison; Abraham Brody, Chris Cavett, Lisa Chernikoff, Rich Clark, Nancy Derr, Ted Gryder, John Haber, Catherine Kaufman, Robin Larkin, Ariel Mora, Julie Offner, and Andy Streich. Meeting Dates: We meet at least monthly per scheduled dates. Mission: The Board of Trustees in the fall of 2008 created the Interim Committee on Information Technology to examine information technology (IT) issues facing Cedar Lane. The Interim Committee is to report its recommendations to the Board of Trustees to permit addressing, prioritizing and budgeting for resolution of the issues. The Board appointed members and leadership of the Interim Committee to represent the Church membership, as well as programs and committees which are large users of IT: Cedar Lane web master, Newsletter Editor, Adult Programs, Pledge Committee, Music Committee, Religious Education Council, Audio/Visual, the Board, Church Ministers, and Staff. In addition, members with particular expertise in information technology were appointed to membership. Regular Activities: The Interim Committee has met and conferred with: Cedar Lane’s IT users such as Church staff, Adult Programs, Religious Education Council, Music Committee, Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee; and vendors of services and equipment. 2008-2009 Highlights: The Interim Committee was charged to address a number of specific issues and work has been undertaken on all of them: · Integrate the Church’s new database system (the ACS program) o Support for pledging o Database updates by members o Registration online by members § All of these will be addressed through the ACS Database implementation which should be complete by the end of April o Design of open access and “members only” right to use the ACS Database § This is being addressed by the Web Task Force · Network server adequacy o The recently acquired in-house server was determined to be adequate and a vendor is being engaged to connect current IT users to the server · Website server needs o The Web Task Force will address this issue, with a bias for online hosting offsite · Address whether to move current offsite server capacity onsite o This has been determined not to be a preferred approach; offsite hosting is viewed to be more stable and secure · Remote access for employee computers o Staff needs for access to files and databases are being defined · Online access to website by Members for personal data input and retrieval o This is being addressed through the ACS Database implementation · Wireless (Wi-Fi) access improvements for Church campus o This has been funded and equipment has been specified; installation and operation should occur soon · E-mail lists- creation and maintenance o Church-wide lists o Committees o Programs o Subscribe/unsubscribe capability o Policies § These matters will be addressed by the Web Task Force · New weekly email newsletter update o While this has been approved by the Board, implementation issues must be addressed by Staff and Ministers · Revamping of current website o New Graphics o New organization and layout; pull-down menus o Ability of committees and programs to update their own pages o Committee and program ability to upload photos, videos and related information o Registration for events and classes in Religious Education, Adult Programs and other activities o Process and policies for determining what can be posted and by whom § Some of this work is underway; all matters will be addressed and coordinated through the Web Task Force · Integration with Sanctuary A/V systems o Web casting o Archiving o Broadcasting on Church campus § A proposal for funding the equipment, installation and training to address this has been submitted to the Capital Funding Committee for consideration by the Finance Committee and the Board · Training on all IT system elements for staff, A/V volunteers, committee and program designees, general volunteers o Some of this training is underway but will be comprehensively addressed as each new system comes online · Operation of current Sanctuary A/V systems o Training and procedures § Additional work is required o Policies for use and operation o Rate schedule for rentals to include A/V o Payment of volunteer operators for outside rentals § These tasks are complete but require updating and maintenance · Web Task Force o Membership is being solicited now—if you are interested please contact us o Identify ideas and wishes from programs and individuals o Create a practical design o Select software and web host o Implement the new website o Provide direction for it use, maintenance and growth · Identify other emerging IT issues about which the Board should be informed o This is a continuing work in progress
Leadership Development and Nominations Committee Officers and Members: Helen Pechacek, Chair; Lyn Peters, Vice-Chair; Bill Cooper, Secretary; Duncan Ferguson, Board Liaison; Nancy Janssen, Robin Larkin, Harvey Lerner, and Carole Richardson. Meeting Dates: Second Monday of every month from October to March Mission: The Leadership Development and Nominations Committee conducts searches for candidates, maintains a roster of candidates, and nominates qualified persons from among the active membership of the church as candidates for election to the Board of Trustees by the congregation at the Annual Meeting. The Committee also searches for appropriate candidates to fill unexpired terms on the Board of Trustees, and on other church committees as requested. Finally, it is responsible for recommending new members of the committee, itself, subject to the approval of the congregation at the annual meeting. Highlights: The committee identified and secured the consent of the following appropriate nominees to fill the membership of the Board of Trustees: Laurie
Richardson, Assistant Secretary The committee identified and secured the consent of candidates to fill its own membership for three year terms: Lisa Chernikoff, David Devlin-Foltz, Jack Rodgers, and Dawn Steinfeld.
Officers and Members: Margaret Levchenko and Donna Runyan. Meeting Dates: Friday mornings Mission: The primary purpose is to maintain the library collection in a manner convenient for both the Religious Education teachers as well as the general congregation.
Officers and Members: Donald Cleary, Chair; Kim Murray, Secretary; John Gubbings, Public Awareness Liaison; Kristin Grassel, Staff Liaison; Heather Janules, Ministerial Liaison; Lisa Chernikoff, Board Liaison; Eric Carlson, Nancy Janssen, Rita Pittillo, Bannon Preston, and Jean Schaible. Meeting Dates: Second Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m. Mission: The Member Services Committee exists to promote hospitality to visitors, facilitate the path to membership, integrate new members into church life, and maintain caring contact and support with members of Cedar Lane. Regular Activities:
2008-2009 Highlights: Since July 2008, we have welcomed 100 first time visitors to our worship services and 95 to adult programs classes for a total of 195 visitors. During this period, 35 individuals have joined the church and we lost a total of 17 members (10 deaths, 6 relocations, 1 terminations of membership). Current membership is at 867.
Memory Garden and History Committee Officer: Lyn Peters, Chair Mission: The Memory Garden and History Committee is responsible for administering the Memory Fund, the Name Wall in the Memory Garden, and other history-related activities of the church. Regular Activities: We schedule dedications of new name plates in May each year, but family members can order name plates at their convenience. Newsletter announcements alert members of the congregation to the deadline to order name plates for the specific dedication service. Family members or groups of interested individuals may make arrangements for a name plate. The names of all who have contributed to the Memory Fund, either through a name plate for a deceased family member or friend or through a contribution in memory of someone are recorded in a book, which is located in the library. Highlights: Fourteen name plates will be dedicated in May 2009, bringing the total name plates to 195. The Memory Fund now totals $272,000. The income from the fund is available for the maintenance of all the church grounds or for preservation of the church’s archives. Over $11,000 is currently available in the Grounds Maintenance Reserve Fund, which came form the Memory Fund earnings.
Officers and Members: Ariel Mora, Chair; Jean Schaible, Vice-Chair; Patty Fitzgerald, Secretary; Leslie Backus, Jean Bergey (youth and bell choirs), Susan Clark, and Jay Schneider.Meeting Dates: Third Sunday of the month following the second service (date of the following meeting is confirmed at each meeting)
Mission: The Music Committee, in conjunction with the Director (currently the Interim Director) of Music, actively supports and facilitates the operation of all aspects of the CLUUC music program, as well as overseeing long-term goals and direction. The Committee promotes communication among congregation, choirs, ministers, and the Board of Trustees regarding the role of music in our worship and congregational life. Accomplishments this year: In Spring 2008, following the abrupt departure of the Director and co-Director of Music, the Music Committee stepped up to a much more significant role than in past years, taking on responsibility for temporarily running the music program and facilitating the transition to an Interim Director of Music.· Arranged facilitated meetings for adult choir members, and instituted e-mail bulletins to keep choir members informed · Collaborated with Worship Committee and ministers to arrange music for summer and September worship services · Coordinated with ministers, BOT, Personnel, and the Interim Director Search Committee · Became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network (UUMN) and sponsored Kathie Bryant to attend the UUMN National Conference · Recruited volunteers who cleaned and organized the music office · Set up or formalized administrative processes to maintain budget, choir roster, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) reporting, and the music library. Modified our ASCAP membership to reduce annual fees based on no current concert series. · Provided basic orientation to the September interim director and to the newly hired Interim Director of Music · Recruited additional Music Committee members and established monthly meetings · Designed a music library database and coordinated data entry efforts of volunteers (80% of the adult choir library has been populated) · Initiated a process to evaluate and recommend changes to the Music Program. Surveys of the congregation, ministers, adult choir, and youth choir will be completed in March 2009. The Music Committee will meet shortly thereafter with a consultant to begin appraising our current program and developing the future vision. · Updated the CLUUC website information for both the Music Committee and Music Program · Committee Chair Ariel Mora attended a “Journey Towards Wholeness” meeting and recommended further networking on music topics · Initiated a rewrite of the music committee charter to reflect our transformed role and mission. Work has begun and will hopefully be completed before next year, including approval by the BOT.
Goals for next year: · Nominate and choose committee membership for next year in accordance with the revised committee charter · Continue communication and coordination in support of our mission · Facilitate the transition to the permanent music director · Continue to appraise, recommend, and support appropriate changes to the ongoing music program · Enhance the completeness and accuracy of the music library database by comparing the database to the physical files · (With the Music Director and Organist) evaluate the music library holdings and identify and prioritize any obvious deficiencies to be addressed · Enhance the music program presence on the CLUUC website · Expand our involvement with the UUMN
Editors: Nancy Derr and Robin Larkin Mailing Crew: Marion Carlson, Martha Lisle, Jeanne Pearson, Lyn Peters, Virginia Rehbehn, Patricia Spriggs, and Terry Tretter. Meeting Dates: Alternate Tuesday mornings Mission: To prepare the Cedar Lane News on a bi-weekly basis, September through June, and monthly July and August
Partner Church (Transylvania) Committee Officers and Members: Carol Bertaut, Co-Chair; Ibolya Ignat, Co-Chair; Sharon Adler, Secretary; Karoly Viragh, Treasurer; Jim Laurenson, Board Liaison; Carol Elliott, Roger Fritts, Heather Janules, Nancy McClusky, Marjorie Melton, Marcia Phyillaier, Gisella Pollock, Marilynn Smith, Bill Zellmer, and Charlene Zellmer. The committee continues to seek additional active and associate members, who do not serve designated terms but have interest in participating in the work and benefits of partnership. Meeting Dates: First Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Mission: The Transylvania Partner Church Committee is committed to strengthening ties between Cedar Lane and its partner church in Dicsoszentmarton, in the Transylvanian region of Romania, where, despite many difficulties, Unitarianism has been a continuing presence since the 16th century. The committee provides leadership in sustaining a mutually enriching dialog with the Dicso congregation and its minister by providing some economic assistance and developing exchanges between the two churches. Highlights: We began the year with a repeat brunch fundraiser following the now-traditional Jazz Service in July to raise additional funds to support the Dicsoszentmarton community. Over the summer, we assisted Lenke Kertesz (one of our Joseph Priestley Scholars) find summer housing through the Easton UU Fellowship while she was working in Easton, Maryland. We also hosted her on a couple visits to the D.C. area during her summer stay, including showing her a “D.C. 4th of July.” On September 27, we held our annual Auction Dinner serving traditional Transylvanian foods for a lively crowd of enthusiastic guests. Generous funds that had been raised for the Joseph Priestley Scholars were sent to Dicso, where a committee of their church members distributed the funds to 16 deserving college students. This spring we are again asking for contributions toward the expenses of 16 scholars for 2009-2010. Our associate minister Heather Janules, member Carol Bertaut, and youth members Julia and Katherine Bertaut travelled to Transylvania over the summer, spending several days in Dicsoszentmarton. A particularly meaningful part of the trip was participating in the Dicso service commemorating the 440th anniversary of the Edict of Torda declaring religious tolerance in Transylvania, which included sermons by the Transylvanian Unitarian Bishop and Heather Janules, and dedication of their own kopjafa commemorating the partnership with Cedar Lane. This year we have been working to bring the Reverend Endre Nagy and Mrs. Nagy, along with members of their Board of Trustees, to visit Cedar Lane in April and learn more about our interests and concerns as well as “church polity” at Cedar Lane and UU churches in the United States. Finally, under the leadership of Bill Zellmer, we continued with a re-examination of our committee’s mission, including potentially expanding our partnership to include another UU community or project, possibly on another continent.
Members: Sharon Bradley, Edith Confehr, Mimi Grimm, Heather Janules, Karen Lerner, Maury Merkin, Jim Ogle, Marie Powell, and Jean Schaible. Meeting Dates: Second Friday of the month at 11 a.m. in the Library. Mission: The committee is dedicated to assisting the Associate Minister with her pastoral duties. We regularly visit the people who are unable to come to church and provide them with a link to the church and friendship. Regular Activities: Meetings always include a personal check-in and support for the visitors as well as updates on those we visit. Continuing education and discussion of issues concerning shut-ins and the aging are a regular part of each meeting. The committee welcomes new members. There is a short training course run by the Associate Minister and attended by some current committee members.
Officers and Members: Rick Offner, Co-Chair; Peter Mathers, Co-Chair; Karen Lerner, Board Liaison; Roger Fritts, Ministerial Liaison; Sara Deshler, Staff Liaison; Chris Cavett, Linda Gianessi, Mickey Grossblatt, Judy Hautala, Ken Jones, Robin Larkin, Carole Richardson, and Judy Rodgers Meeting Time: First Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. Mission: In close coordination with the Board of Trustees, to help the staff be a success in serving Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. Overseeing the Personnel Budget and Management: · Developed various budget scenarios for the Personnel budget for FY 2010; a final approved Personal budget will be presented to the Finance Committee for inclusion in the FY 2010 CLUUC budget · Reviewed personnel budget status monthly and year-to-date actuals and balances · Provided decision-making on contingency budget approvals for budget variations and unanticipated costs · Completed a review of the CLUUC Personnel Policy Manual, and incorporated updated material from the model Personnel Policy Manual for Unitarian Universalist Churches provided by UUA. Updated provisions in the Manual that are derived from state and federal legal requirements. Proposed revisions to the CLUUC Personnel Policy Manual will be submitted to the BOT for approval. · A PC Committee member attended monthly Finance Committee meetings during budgeting period from January to June 2009 · A PC Committee member attended and provided committee updates at BOT meetings Maintaining Communication with Church Staff: · A PC Committee member attended monthly CLUUC all-staff meetings · Held the annual Personnel Committee Staff Appreciation Breakfast in February 2009 · Received monthly reports from the Sr. Minister and Church Administrator · Sent holiday cards and gifts to the staff in December · Performed annual staff interviews between January and May 2009 Overseeing Human Resources: · Prepared ministerial agreements for 2009-2010 · Completed a search for an Interim Music Director and selected Henry Sgrecci to serve in this capacity through July 2009 · Completed a search and hiring process for hiring a replacement of the RE Administrator · Named a search committee and initiated a search process to recruit and hire a permanent Music Director
Officers and Members: Susan Clark, Chair; Sara Deshler, Staff Liaison; Dian Belanger, Board Liaison; Mike Brudin, John Daniel, David Devlin‑Foltz, Pat Karlsen, Ed Moot, Kim Murray, Andy Streich, and Michael Thoryn. The committee should have at least 12 members and it does not; interested members of the congregation are encouraged to contact the chair. Meeting Dates: Second Thursday of every month, more often during Pledge Season Mission: On behalf of our religious community, the Pledge Drive Committee seeks to encourage members to support their values through annual financial support of Cedar Lane. The Committee works to educate its members and the congregation about the church’s budget and financial needs, with the primary goals of providing fair salaries and benefits to staff, vigorously supporting programs, and caring for the grounds and facilities. Regular Activities : Conduct annual pledge drive; follow up on obtaining pledges from new members and non‑pledgers. 2008-2000 Highlights: · Trained 30 visiting stewards to assist in conducting Pledge Drive; similar training is planned for next year. · Featured Reverend Mark Morrison-Reed as speaker on Pledge Drive Sunday, February 8.
Officers and Members: Chair and 3 members. Meeting Dates: At the present time the committee has no regular meeting schedule. Two members meet regularly with the Membership Services Committee Mission: The Public Awareness Committee seeks to make the surrounding community aware of Cedar Lane and attract new members. Regular Activities: Buys ads in publications and does advertisement mailings. Free advertising available in many news publications is used to make the community aware of the activities and functions at Cedar Lane to which the general public would be welcome. Highlights of the Year: Successful ads in Washington Parent magazine. We adopted a road (Cedar Lane near NIH) and will get a sign put up soon. CLUUC supported a Chalice Lighter grant to conduct an internet ad campaign to draw those who need our faith to UU congregations in our region. To do this: We look for new and innovative ways to reach out to those that need our faith.
Officers and Members: Mary Farrar, Co-Chair; Susannah Vesey, Co-Chair; Ame Enright, Secretary; Michael Lentz, Treasurer; Val Carter, Board Liaison; Silvia Balderas-Saari, Elizabeth Boa, Linda Daniel, Maria Dinger, Herma Dupre, John Haber, Beatrice Kelly (teen), Elisa Klein, Sarah Kobrin, Alyson Krogh, Jenna Lordo, Nancy Manning, Emily Mellgren, Mariah Perry (teen), and Vanessa Steck. Staff: Rev. Susan Davison Archer, Minister of Religious Education; Rev. Archene Turner, Senior High Youth Minister; Gale Luce and Jeannette Wilson, RE Administrators. Meeting Dates: First Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., September through May. A retreat is held in June on a mutually agreed upon Saturday. Mission: To formulate the Church’s policies towards religious education, and to organize and carry out all programs, services and events relating to such education. Our program goals are to help our young people (1) develop a sense of self-worth; (2) develop an appreciation of religious, ethnic and cultural diversity; (3) develop a sense of belonging through participation in the Cedar Lane community; (4) develop an appreciation of something larger than self and a sense of responsibility toward others and the environment; (5) develop an identification with Unitarian Universalism and our religious heritage; (6) ponder and celebrate the mysteries of life by participating in worship experiences; and (7) feel guided and supported in the development and expression of personal religion in everyday life. What we do:
New initiatives:
· All-church retreat. Recharged her sabbatical last year, Religious Education Minister Susan Davison Archer is planning an all-church weekend retreat at the YMCA’s Camp Tockwogh on the Eastern Shore the last weekend in May.
Nostalgic farewell and a warm welcome: In January we welcomed Gale Luce and Jeannette Wilson. They are dividing the work week and Glenis’ RE and Adult Education responsibilities between them. We welcome their cheerful smiles and look forward to many years ahead!
Coordinator: Norm Lauben Supervisors* and Checkers: Len Adler, Ben Bernstein, Mike Burski, Ernie Carlson, Joyce Casso, Paul Ceruzzi, Tod Chernikoff, Rich Clark*, Susan Clark, Don Cleary*, John Daniel*, Sandy Dawsey, David Devlin-Foltz, Chris Dupre, George Durland, Mike Ford, Martin Franke, Linda Gianessi, Len Gianessi, Herb Grassel, Stu Grubman, Ted Gryder, John Gubbings*, Fred Guenther, David Hawver, Terry Hoffeld, Terry Ireland, Nancy Janssen, Jim Laurenson, Peter Lowenthal*, Doug Mader, Wayne Mara, Peter Mathers, Turner McCallum, Neal McKelvey*, Ed Meyer, Michael Morse*, David Narsavage, Peter Nissley*, Mary Beth Nowinski, Rick and Julie Offner, Russ and Judy Parker, Ron Peterson, Robert Price, Alan Remaley, Carole Richardson, Jay Schneider, John Schumacher, Phil Schwartz, Sandy Shaw, Lincoln Stanley, Paul Strella, Jake Thompson, Warren Thompson*, Carl Thomsen, Jim Weiffenbach, Kevin Williams, and Bill Zellmer* Mission: The security committee has the responsibility of locking up the church, turning off the lights and checking other equipment after everyone has completed their activities for the day. Checkers serve for one week a year and supervisors for one month a year. The purpose of this activity is to provide security for the church and help to keep the church “green” and safe. 2008-2009 Highlights: Thanks to all the supervisors and checkers. Some have been on the job over 20 years, and some are new. It’s a big job and we need everyone. We are always happy to have new volunteers. It makes the burden lighter.
Coordinator and Members: Rev. Archene A. Turner, Coordinator Members: All youth signed up for Sunday School, grades 9‑12 are welcome. We have an ‘active’ membership of 15‑20 youth. Meeting Dates: First Sunday of the month for social time & various times during the weekends Mission: The Senior High Youth Group is to foster spiritual depth, and create a safe space for youth to be themselves. It is to be an environment where the clarification of both individual and universal religious values as part of a growth process is encouraged. Furthermore, our purpose is to provide and manifest a greater understanding of Unitarian Universalism, and to encourage the flow of communication between youths and adults. In so doing, we shall nurture the freedom and integrity of the questioning mind, and embrace all persons of diverse backgrounds. We shall encourage the development of a spirit of independence and responsibility. We shall strive to support youth with educational resources, a communications network, and with radical acceptance and love. We shall also strive to prepare our youth for the world outside of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. 2008-2009 Highlights: · Camp Tockwogh Retreat · Baby shower for youth advisors · Fall lock-in and cosmic bowling · UU area food drive for Thanksgiving, All Souls Church, Unitarian · Christmas lights at Brookside Gardens · “Home for the Holidays” to welcome back college students · Collection of musical instruments to help Community Cupcakes fundraiser · Ski Trip to Wisp Resort in Western Maryland · Cedar Lane’s social justice conference · Glenis Bellais’ farewell celebration · Multigenerational Super Bowl Party · JPD youth cons · Equality Maryland’s Lobby Day · DC Green Film festival · Breaking the Silence conference for Maryland LGBT & ally youth · Maryland Day
Members: Betsy Devlin-Foltz, Co-Chair; Sandy Shaw, Co-chair; Connie Nissley, Treasurer; Heather Janules, Ministerial Liaison; Nancy Derr, Board of Trustees Liaison; Michael Benefiel, Marion Carlson, Marge Dimond, Karen Goozner, Nancy Janssen, Pat Karlsen, Kay Scott, Helen Strang, and Rebecca White. The driving force of social justice activities at Cedar Lane is the passion, the leadership, and initiative of task force members who address a variety of activities on particular issues. The SJC supports these groups by providing: · Financial assistance from the SJC budget to fund their activities and selecting a social justice organization once-a-month to receive the 50-50 split of the Sunday offering · A weekly listserv on which any member of the list can post informational messages about social justice events and issues · The Lounge Lizards for Social Justice table after each Sunday service at which members and friends can gather information about events and opportunities for service through task force activities and community happenings and engage in conversations related to social justice with SJC members, task force supporters, and involved members of the wider community. Highlights: In 2008-2009, these groups concentrated on (1) diversity issues, (2) environmental issues, (3) international concerns, (4) local community issues, and (5) peacemaking. The SJC also supported social justice activities of UU organizations. The principle activity in 2008-09 for the SJC itself was Rekindling Social Justice at Cedar Lane: Moving from Concern to Action, a workshop facilitated by Rev. Carole Ann Cole and Rev. Arthur McDonald, facilitators with the UUA Social Justice Empowerment Workshop Program. Other groups within Cedar Lane—the Alliance, Religious Education classes, the Forum, and Adult Programs—are recounting their social justice activities in their individual submission to this report. We also know that individually many Cedar Laners promote justice in the world through professional and voluntary activities. Activities of Task Forces 1. Diversity Issues
·CLARITY (Cedar Laners Against Racism
Inspired by Togetherness, Y-not)
·Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Task Force
·Arranging informational activities
with other CLUUC entities. At an Alliance luncheon, Dr. Dana Beyer, a
retired eye surgeon who is currently Senior Policy and Legislative Advisory to
County Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg, spoke on Social Justice and
Gender Rights. ·Lobby Day chartered bus trip to Annapolis. Members of CLUUC and other area UU churches filled the bus. The ticket price included bus costs, food, and a contribution to the Rainbow Youth Alliance (RYA), a support group for LGBTQ teens and their allies sponsored by the UU Church of Rockville. The $400 proceeds from the trip, which included "spirit tickets” bought by individuals who could not join the trip, went to RYA, which received this year a UUA challenge grant. ·Support of the LGBT Youth Summit (for LGBT youth and their allies). This event, sponsored by The Reverend Archene Turner and the Cedar Lane High School Youth Group is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Cedar Lane. This gathering of youth from Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties will focus on the needs of students in grades 9-12. · LGBT Family Film Night at Cedar Lane on Saturday evening May 16. The films on the theme “Being Different” are suitable for all ages, young children through adults. Board, card, and table games will be an additional choice, and food and beverages will be available. 2.
Environmental Issues ·To promote sustainable living by reducing, reusing, and recycling. The group has met with representatives of church committees to review progress toward more sustainable use of our resources. It provided an indoor composting pail and an enclosed outdoor compost bin for kitchen vegetable wastes, including coffee grounds. The ETF initiated washing and using ceramic coffee cups on Sundays and hopes to expand the number of volunteers willing to wash the cups in the kitchen dishwasher and to encourage other church groups to use non-disposable items at functions, thereby reducing trash and saving money. They have provided a collection point for safe disposal and recycling of fluorescent lights and batteries and sold LED Christmas lights and stainless steel water bottles. ·To support organizations that help the environment and reduce global warming, the task force sponsored the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) for a 50-50 split collection in April, 2008 and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL) in March 209. ·To educate all ages, the ETF has done the following: Sponsored environmental-related forums and a Spring “B” class; regularly published tips for sustainable living in the Newsletter; sponsored in Spring 2009 an Adult Program class, Menu for the Future, which discusses issues surrounding food and is related to the current UU Congregational Study Action Issue, Ethical Eating; organized fall and spring Rock Creek clean-ups; advocated the use of less toxic cleaning solutions, starting with spray bottles of vinegar and non-toxic detergent. 3. International Concerns Coalition (formerly Global
Task Force) ·Alternate Giving catalogue. In a departure from past practice, the 2008 catalogue concentrated on international projects in which Cedar Laners are heavily involved, supplemented by a few Alternative Gifts International (AGI) projects. The following list identifies those projects and, where applicable, their Cedar Laners supporters: ·Children in Vietnam (Jean Moyer)
·Couples literacy in Afghanistan
through Kabultec (Molly Hauck, Nancy Janssen, Norm and Sally Lauben, Barbara ·Creole Pigs in Haiti (AGI) ·Darfur Stoves (2007–2008 7th grade 2nd session classes, led by Annette Scarpitta and Donna Messersmith Jones ·Fair Trade in Central America through TransFair USA (Ginger, John, and Linda Daniel) ·Global Emergency Disaster Relief (AGI) ·Kakenya Center for Excellence in Kenya (Annette Scarpitta) ·Pueblo a Pueblo in Guatemala (Nancy Derr) ·Scholarships for Transylvanian Students (Carol Bertaut and the Partner Church Committee) ·Self-Employment for Indian Women through the UU Holdeen project (Barbara Wilson and Don Cleary as liaison) ·Trees for Food, Health, and New Life in Malawi (AGI)
·Water for People-Global (2008-09 7th
grade, 1st session class, led by Maryann Dillon, Debra Klein, and Susan ·Afghan Dinner and Silent Auction. This fundraiser at Cedar Lane is the only one in the world for Kabultec, an organization founded by Nasrine Gross and dedicated to the women of Afghanistan. In addition to working for women’s rights, Ms. Gross offers couples literacy classes for women and their husbands in impoverished areas of Afghanistan. In 2008, thanks to her nomination by Cedar Laners Molly Hauck and Eileen Haley, Ms. Gross received a $10,000 Purpose Prize. ·Kakenya Center for Excellence. This school for girls in Enoosaen, Kenya, founded by Kakenya Ntaiya, who has spoken of this dream at Cedar Lane, received a donation from one of the 50-50 split Sunday collections. The Member of Parliament from the region in which the school is located has pledged financial and moral support for the school, which is set for completion in May and will offer a traditional academic curriculum, leadership training, health education, and community interaction. The first 30 girls have been selected as students. To have their daughters attend the school, parents must pledge that their daughters will not undergo female genital cutting, a traditional Maasai practice in the region. With its new name, indicative of a broadened scope of activity, the International Concerns Coalition welcomed the Partner Church Committee under its umbrella, although the Committee remains an independent group. Don Cleary’s activities with Friends of Chernobyl Centers, U.S. Inc. (FOCCUS) have also become part of the International Concerns Coalition. In September 2009, FOCCUS will host in Montgomery County professional staff from five Chernobyl Community Centers in Ukraine for a week of orientation on the operation of nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Don Cleary is the FOCCUS host coordinator for the program, which involves family home stays and local cultural events. ·New Initiatives. With its expanded emphasis, the Coalition plans to unveil new initiatives, perhaps new web pages, links from the Cedar Lane SJC website, featuring links to the groups that Cedar Lane supports through the Alternate Giving program. In addition, because RE classes generated two projects in the 2008 Alternate Giving catalogue, the Coalition invites youth to join, either to chose an existing international project or to be inspired about new projects. 4. Local Community Initiatives ·$52 million for affordable housing and a commitment by the County Executive to increase funding in 2010. ·$29
million to renovate four community centers—Scotland, Ross Boddy, Plum Gar,
and Good Hope. All these centers, in ·A half-mile,
$306,000 sidewalk on Cape May Road that will allow hundreds of families to
safely access busses, In early 2009, AIM voted to join its sister organizations in Baltimore and Howard County to form a joint group called MD IAF, thus giving the three organization state-wide power and enable them to work together for a voice in how the federal stimulus dollars are spent in Maryland. ·Beacon
House ·Bethesda
House ·Community-based
Shelter ·Manna Food
Packing
·Martha’s
Table
·Maurer Scholarship 5.
Peacemaking Activities of UU Organizations Unitarian Universalist
Service Committee Families in the RE program participated in the Guest at Our Table program. Unitarian Universalists
for Social Justice (UUSJ) ·Provides leadership training and skill building workshops for social justice activists and future activists ·Had a booth at the Green Festival in Washington, DC ·Held the
First Annual Social Justice Award Benefit Gala, the proceeds from which
established the Collaborative Fund to ·Is one sponsor of
Money, Values and Impact: A Conference on Ethical
Investing for UU Congregations to be held in ·Publishes UUSJ E-News, a twice-a-month listing of social justice activities events in the region. Rekindling Social Justice at Cedar Lane: Moving From Concern to Action Planning for the January 9 and 10 event began in the spring of 2008. It included a comprehensive assessment of the congregation’s past work in this area and highlighted the following goals: •To develop a vision of Cedar Lane’s potential to be a strong social justice force in the community and act on it •To provide ways to integrate our social justice program
into the life of the church- into worship, religious education, and •To examine the “structures” we have set up for our social justice work and determine whether they are serving us well. SJC’s intensive outreach began in November 2008 and resulted in broad congregational representation at the workshop. The ministers, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees turned out in force. In addition to involvement in the substance of the workshop, many others shared gifts of music, soup, salad, cookies, chocolate, and spinach lasagna. The Green Dishwashing Team reduced the workshop’s carbon footprint; other groups set up, cleaned up, and helped in numerous large and small ways. The workshop began with dinner on Friday evening and plenary sessions that continued on Saturday morning, focusing on the spiritual–philosophical foundations for social justice work in the UU context, different kinds of social justice activities, and criteria for successful social justice projects. Participants also reflected on the history of Cedar Lane’s social justice work and provided feedback on the current social justice structure. On Saturday afternoon, breakout groups gathered to focus on specific issues and create proposals on the following topics: • The social justice program structure and making social justice more central to the life of the congregation • Environmental issues • Global Poverty and education • Diversity • Peacemaking • Local poverty • Other issues Each group assessed the congregation’s current work in the focus area and created proposals that were shared in a final plenary session. These proposals are now available on the website, on the bulletin board, and in a binder at the SJC table in the lounge. Excitement following the workshop was palpable. Catching the momentum generated by President Obama’s Inauguration and the stark realities of a deepening economic crisis, Cedar Laners are rising to the occasion. Social justice is informing conversations and committee work; new projects are taking shape. We have mentioned above some ways in which established projects are re-energized. Other highlights are the following: ·More
than $1200 was raised with less than a week’s notice for the Neighbors in
Need Montgomery Fund the Sunday ·Cedar Lane is developing a relationship with the non-profits A Wider Circle and Rebuilding Together. ·SJC has created a new processes to support on-going social justice groups and “incubate” new ideas ·SJC
has created new or enhanced existing communication tools in the form of a Social
Justice flyer, increased ·The
Auction Committee recommended and the board approved the dedication to the Manna
Food Bank, any funds raised · The Worship Committee is exploring new ways to integrate social justice into Sunday services. ·A
Festival of Justice event is being
explored for the coming year.
Officers and Members: Bonnie Beavers, Coordinator –
bbeavers@kkblaw.com Meeting Dates: Every Sunday, including Spring “B” and summer. Mission: To ensure the smooth-running of Sunday services, and to provide friendly hospitality and outreach to visitors and guests. Regular Activities: Ushers work alongside greeters to make sure everyone is warmly welcomed and knows where to go. Ushers arrive 15-20 minutes before the service to prepare the sanctuary. They hand out the order of service, encourage people to sit up front and not skip seats, and assist with finding a seat, including latecomers at the appropriate time in the service. They also assist with listening devices for the hearing impaired, take an attendance tally, pass the plates to take up the collection for the good works of Cedar Lane, deposit the collection and record checks, return hymnals to the stands and put them away after second service. Coffee servers are stationed in the lounge after each service, and pour coffee or tea for those who desire it. They are careful to look for visitors with special mugs obtained at the visitors’ center and make sure visitors are welcomed especially warmly to our community. 2008-2009 Highlights: Ushers and coffee servers took an active role in making sure that Sunday mornings go smoothly, and their comments are essential to making needed adjustments from accommodating latecomers to providing first aid assistance. There is increasing recognition at Cedar Lane and in the UUA about the importance of Sunday morning teams on a number of levels. In the wake of the tragic shooting of the head usher at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in July, 2008, there is increased focus among all congregations concerning the role the Sunday morning teams can have in preventing and reacting to emergencies of all kinds. The CLUUC Safety Committee is currently at work on formulating a plan to address these issues, and it is expected that the usher teams will eventually participate in a training program following issuance of the Safety Committee recommendations. In the meantime, Cedar Lane is grateful for its consistent and dedicated Sunday Morning Teams who perform their important role each week. We strongly encourage both longstanding AND new members to join these “pillars at the church” and be at the forefront of UU and CLUUC outreach by serving as ushers, coffee servers, and substitutes. Please contact the coordinator anytime during the year.
Officers and Members: Arlene Goldman, Chair; Marion Carlson and Robin Larkin, Coordinators; Neighborhood Chairs; and Co-Chairs. Meeting dates: As needed Mission: Develop closer connections between individuals and the Cedar Lane congregation, create a community culture where people feel safe to ask for what they need by creating opportunities for members and friends to come together, and by responding to our neighbors with help in times of difficulty or loss. Regular Activities: Updates of neighborhood rosters are mailed to chairs and coordinators three times per year. Chairs keep in touch with members and initiate occasional social gatherings. Highlights: A We Care Meeting was held in March. We were invited to help revision the We Care program to make it even more effective. Many suggestions were given by those in attendance and by those who later responded by e-mail.
Officers & Members: Nancy Janssen, Chair; Rev. Roger Fritts, Staff Liaison; Terry Hoffeld, Board Liaison; Brian Belanger, Dino Drudi, Cathy Knapper, Ben Leon, Maxine Leon, and Peter Salsbury. Additional members are very welcome. Mission: Our charter is to focus on the quality and mechanics of worship services at Cedar Lane. We advise the Board of Trustees and ministers on matters that affect worship services. We serve as a conduit for members of the Congregation to express their views and feelings about worship services. We coordinate with other committees and groups that are responsible for various aspects of worship services and related activities. We are also responsible for planning and organizing the summer services, including engaging guest ministers and other speakers when our own ministers are not conducting a summer service. In addition to honoraria, our expenses include supplies for worship such as candles and, previously, new hymnals and support of the Audio-Visual project. Highlights: During the summer of the 2008-09 fiscal year, our Committee had the pleasure of working particularly closely with the Music Committee. We thank this group of talented and devoted Cedar Laners which responded so generously to bring you beautiful music. Also this FY, our committee improved the template for the services. This template is a guide for planning the smooth flow of the services. Our Sunday services for FY 2008-09 were: July 6: Jazz Service: Capital Focus Jazz Band (with
brunch by Partner Church Committee)
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Cedar Lane Unitarian
Universalist Church |
