Getting to Know Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
A Guide to Committees, Boards and
Church-Related Groups
An Invitation to Friends and Members, Old and New ~
There are a number of ways to participate in life at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. Sunday morning services offer a partial glimpse of the church in action. This document will help you learn about many activities that take place on Sunday mornings and every other day (morning, noon, and night!) of the week at Cedar Lane. Act on your interests, share your skills, develop new ones, and you will make new friends and serve the community.
To learn more about any of the committees or activities described here, please feel free to contact the chairperson or one of our ministers A few activities on the phone/e-mail list may not be as described. Please give the chair a call to learn first hand about their work.
Whether a new member or a long-time friend of Cedar Lane, your help is always appreciated and certainly needed.
The Members Services Committee
Index to Cedar Lane Committees and
Activities
(Click on Committee
Name for Information)
CLUUC 2009-2010 List of Coordinators and Chairs ofCommittees, Boards and Church-Related Groups
2008-2009 Annual Report
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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.
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.
Other Committees Under the Adult Program Umbrella
Connection Circle Steering Committee
Meeting Dates The committee meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
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.
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
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.
The Labyrinth Committee offers the church’s canvas Labyrinth to the congregation and wider community as a tool for meditation and prayer. The committee hosted a summer solstice walk; a Thanksgiving walk with proceeds going to the Manna food drive; a new year’s eve candlelight walk featuring live harp and piano music; and a silent retreat in January facilitated by the Rev. Heather Janules.
The committee makes contributions to the church from donations received at walks and maintains the church’s membership in The Labyrinth Society. It publicizes the program within the church and to the regional UU churches and non-UU churches with labyrinths, public libraries, and local news media.
Meeting Dates The Alliance meets for a potluck luncheon and program on the second Thursday of each month, September though June.
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 by-laws 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 Unitarian Universalist principles in individual and community life.”
Regular Activities Our main fundraising activities include our dues, the Used Book Corner and the activities of the Jewelry and Collectibles Committee. We support two foster children, our Social Responsibility Committee and Denominational Affairs Committee make thoughtful donations to appropriate organizations each year, and we also contribute 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 up and serve the receptions held after a memorial service. Help for these receptions comes from other members of the Alliance, and many bake cookies for this purpose.
Other activities are the supplying of current information for our bulletin board, the First Friday Book group, the Fourth Thursday Film Series, and the Tuesday Bridge and 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 30%. About 300 auction items total were available, 20 of which were offered during the live auction. Childcare at Chalice House accommodated 18 children. Caterer My Thyme provided a spring-themed dinner buffet, wine and beer was sold, and a pianist performed during the silent auction. Two raffles were done, at $15 per ticket: a 50/50 CLUUC bucks raffle; and the Flights of Fancy quilt designed and made by the Cedar Lane Quilters.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall direction of the affairs of the church. It provides leadership, sets policy, maintains liaison with and provides guidance to major committees, and recommends specific actions to the congregation for vote at scheduled congregational meetings. The ministers report directly to the BOT. The BOT approves the church budget and has authority to commit the Church to contracts and conduct other financial transactions.
The BOT meets on the third Tuesday of the month and other times as necessary; these meetings are open to the members of the congregation. Members of the congregation are invited to bring matters to the attention of the BOT by communicating directly with the Chair or appropriate committee liaison.
The BOT, which is elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting, consists of nine at-large members elected for three-year terms; and the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are elected for two-year terms. In the spring, a Chair-Elect is chosen from among the at-large members, and serves as Chair in his or her last year of service.
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.
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 an 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.
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 around monitoring developments and issues at the UUA and JPD levels and encouraging congregational awareness and involvement. Encouraging attendance at General Assembly is another goal.
Highlights 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.
Meeting Dates The Committee has four regularly scheduled meetings annually (the third Thursday of the month following the quarter end) and additional meetings if necessary.
Mission The Committee manages two investment pools, one that includes the CLUUC Social Justice Council Fund, and the Morris Fund, the other is the Pooled Income Fund. The Endowment Fund is approximately 87% of the total pool. The committee monitors the performance of existing investments, evaluates prospective investments, sets targets for allocation of assets between stock mutual funds and bonds and bond funds, and between domestic and international investments. This allocation is maintained to maximize the return on the money invested and to insure the security of the fund. As of December 31, 2007, the total of the funds under management was approximately $2,300,000
Highlights During this fiscal year the Committee continued its heavy weighting to index funds as we believe this will maximize the return on our investment over the long term due to the significantly lower management costs of index funds compared to actively managed funds. We continued using The Vanguard Group as our custodian because of its low- cost structure. The Board established the Social Justice Fund to which the congregation contributed $2,400.
This July the Committee will distribute to the church 5% of the Endowment Fund’s asset value according to a formula which does not allow a reduction in the principal of the fund. The distribution in July 2008 will be $98,930. A distribution of $11,256 will also be made from the Memory Garden Fund according to a formula for the maintenance of the grounds. This fund balance is now over $270,000.
The Cedar Lane Pooled Income Fund distributed $6,900 to the contributors to the fund.
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.
Meeting Dates The Finance Committee meets on the 2nd 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.
The flower arrangements in the auditorium and chapel are a beautiful enhancement to our worship services every Sunday morning. The Flower Committee designs and arranges the Sunday morning flowers throughout the church, year round, as well as flowers for memorial services for church members. New members are welcome and can enhance their own skills through classes and work in flower arranging with more experienced members.
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.
Leadership Development and Nominations
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
Martin Franke, Assistant Treasurer
Bonnie Beavers, Member at Large
Kathy Bryant, Member at Large
Knick Knickerbocker, Member at Large
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.
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
- Staffing the Visitor’s
Center and greeting visitors prior to and after Sunday services.
- Work with the Membership
Coordinator to gather information on visitors and follow up communication.
- Newcomer Talks after
services on Sunday.
- Support Second Sunday
Signing ceremony for new members each month.
- New Member Welcoming
Service two to three times yearly.
- Support ministers in
Getting Started classes.
- Supported the Membership
Coordinator and church staff in the picture directory scheduling and
sign in.
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.
The Memorial Reception Committee works with the Cedar Lane staff to hold receptions for memorial services free of charge to church members and friends. Volunteers are organized in monthly teams with two co-chairs, one person who prepares flower arrangements for the food tables, and workers. The committee purchases supplies for punch, bakes cookies, and welcomes homemade cookies from the congregation. Volunteers commit three to four hours to set up, serve, and clean-up for each event.
Committee Size: 33 people plus anyone who can help
Meeting Times: On call when needed
The Ministerial-Congregational Committee is our expression of an important theme in UU life: the need to develop and maintain healthy relationships between the congregation and its ministers. By charter, it "serves as a support group for the ministers and a communication channel between the ministers and the congregation." Monthly meetings allow the committee to "help the ministers in carrying out their work, and to advise them about conditions within the congregation that may affect relationships between ministers and members." Its current members are:
Committee Size: 6 Lay Members and 3 Ministers
Meeting Time: Fourth Tuesday of each month
Montgomery County Peace Action
Montgomery County Peace Action is a chapter of the national Peace Action. Peace and social justice issues are addressed through education, political action lobbying, encouraging participation, writing letters, attending public meetings, and holding a spring luncheon with a knowledgeable speaker. Nuclear disarmament, preventing arms transfers to undemocratic human rights abusing countries, converting excessive military spending for human needs, limiting comprehensive economic sanction to weapons and war material are the focus of our attention.
The group, while not a church committee, uses the church's facilities for its monthly meetings and maintains a mailbox at the church. Anyone interested in peace issues is invited to join. Dues are $25 a year which includes mailings and information from Montgomery County Peace Action and National Peace Action.
Meeting Time: Third Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
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 (BOT) regarding the role of music in our worship and congregational life.
Meeting Dates 3rd Sunday of the month following 2nd service (date of the following meeting is confirmed at each meeting)
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
Cedar Lane News is a primary means of communication within the Cedar Lane community. It is published biweekly, except through the summer when it is published monthly. Co-editors rotate duties. Having multiple editors increases time flexibility while decreasing the individual workload. Depending on length, each issue requires 2 to 4 hours of work.
Co-editors are e-mailed compiled articles by Friday at noon (Submissions are due Wednesday at noon) from the Administrative Assistant. Articles are edited, and arranged and then sent back to the Administrative Assistant by Sunday night for printing each Monday. All co-editors need access to a computer with WordPerfect.
Every other Tuesday morning, a small group of dedicated volunteers meets to collate, fold and label the Cedar Lane News. The work takes two to three hours, depending on the number of people helping. Volunteers are always needed since not everyone can come each session. If you are interested in helping on a biweekly or monthly basis, call the Church Administrator, Sara Deshler, at 301-493-8300. It's a good opportunity to get to know a nice group of Cedar Laners and make a valuable contribution to our church.
Committee size: 8-10
Meeting
Time: Every other Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m.
(Monthly in July and August)
Pastoral
Visitors Committee
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.
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 traveled 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.
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
The Planned Giving Committee is a group dedicated to raising money specifically for the endowment of the church. The main focus of the committee is to plan a campaign that lasts the entire month of November. Gifts are accepted throughout the year with an ongoing acknowledgment program managed by volunteers. The committee hopes to schedule at least one fundraising seminar in a year to educate the congregation on the many ways of giving to Cedar Lane, including gifts through wills and other financial instruments. The Planned Giving Committee liaises with the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Committee as needed when doing long—term planning. This is a great committee to learn about fundraising and estate planning.
Committee Size: At least five, more are welcome
Meetings: As needed throughout the year, averaging six
Pledge Drive Committee
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.
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.
Religious Education is a big, exciting program at Cedar Lane and there are many areas for volunteers to assist the teachers or the Minister of Religious Education (MRE) or the Religious Education Administrator. The Religious Education Council makes policies for the religious education of Cedar Lane's children by establishing educational goals; selecting and evaluating the curricula; training and supporting teachers; and planning many family and intergenerational activities such as Spring "B" and Holiday Craft Day.
Presently the R.E. program has approximately 350 children and youth enrolled in a total of 34 religious education classes held during morning church services. All of the teachers, R.E. Council members, and room parents are volunteers. Parents (except for first year families) who have children attending R.E. classes are required to volunteer by teaching a class or assisting in many other ways.
Although parents are required to participate in the R.E. program, the R.E. Council encourages Cedar Lane members who do not have children in the program to also volunteer. In addition to helping through teaching or assisting on Sunday mornings, leaders are needed to help the children implement social action activities. Also, two of the church's most popular events, Holiday Craft Day and Spring "B", rely on craft or course leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds. Please call the R.E. Office or let an R.E. Council member know of your volunteer interest, and we will try to incorporate it into the program.
Mission Each evening a Security Check Team member inspects the church to see that windows and doors are locked and that lights and electrical equipment are turned off. Checkers also note and report any irregular situations that may compromise the security or safety of the building. The walk-through takes about an hour. Checkers serve for one week, and typically are invited to serve again in 12-18 months, though no commitment to do so is assumed. Some members have participated in this way for 10-15 years. Several experienced checkers serve as program supervisors. The program contributes to church security, by seeing that all is locked up tight, and benefits the church budget, by keeping lighting and heating bills down.
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.
Unitarian Universalist Singles of the Greater Washington Area is a social group which provides opportunities for single adults to develop friendships and participate in activities that are interesting and fun. Social events for the year are planned at a kick-off dinner held in September. Although the group is based at Cedar Lane, it is open to all UU singles and friends. The group is guided by a Steering Committee that endeavors to have representatives from other UU churches.
Regular event: Video nights at Cedar Lane on the second Saturday of each month.
The Cedar Lane Social Justice Council is an elected body that provides opportunities for members and friends to translate into action their shared commitment to the ideals of justice, peace, freedom, compassion, and service to those in need. The SJC establishes the annual social action agenda and provides opportunities to engage in social ministry — including helping others face to face and contributing funds, goods, and services to a wide range of social service agencies and groups.
The SJC sponsors and facilitates the activities of several special Task Forces. Task Forces include:
- Environment: Coordinates hands-on
projects to improve the environment and creates a greater awareness of how
each of us can change the world into a cleaner, healthier, more beautiful
place to live.
- Gay and Lesbian Rights: Promotes awareness,
understanding and acceptance of bisexuals, lesbians, and gay men through
activities designed to make our congregation a more welcoming place for
everyone.
- Homelessness: Coordinates
participation in the Congregation Based Shelter, Bethesda Cares, Bethesda
Men's Shelter, and projects of the Community Ministries of Montgomery
County.
·
Legislative: Coordinates telephone and letter-writing campaigns, direct
lobbying, and educational activities on legislative issues, particularly in
Montgomery County and the State of Maryland.
·
Response to
Religious Right: Works with other groups,
such as the Interfaith Alliance, to remedy the unbalanced media coverage that
often surrounds issues raised by religious groups representing extreme
conservative positions.
·
Martha's Table: Over 50 volunteers have prepared meals each month, for
nearly 20 years, for food kitchens in Washington, D.C.
Sponsorship of Students for the Ministry
The committee makes recommendations to the Board of
Trustees regarding congregational sponsorship of members of the Cedar Lane
community who are seeking formal candidacy for a possible career in the
Unitarian Universalist ministry. Further, the committee maintains contact with
the church-sponsored ministerial candidates through their time in seminary. The
committee is a resource for Cedar Laners headed for the ministry or merely
exploring the possibility of embarking along this path.
Sunday mornings present a variety of opportunities to assist the congregation and our visitors. In most cases, you will serve once a month on a specific Sunday (e.g., the first Sunday each month), though helping more often is always welcome!
Greeters arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to the service. They greet
all who come. They also provide directions to the Visitors Center or religious
education registration. After the service, greeters are encouraged, along with
all members of the congregation, to seek out visitors and extend a special
welcome.
Ushers serve to seat and assist the congregation at Sunday morning
services. They add chairs when needed, take up the offering, and generally
insure that the sanctuary is comfortable for the congregation. This is a great
opportunity for new members to help out and get to know the Sunday routine.
Substitutes are also needed, and are not committed to any one Sunday, but may
be called on to serve when others can't make it.
Coffee Servers are
needed after each service to pour coffee during the social time. The church
staff prepares the coffee, sets up the table, and cleans up. The role of the
server is to pour the coffee and offer a warm smile. It's a great opportunity
to see our church members and to make our visitors feel welcome.
All of us are moved to assist
other members and their families in time of need, and to be a caring presence
whether with a cake or casserole, a greeting card, a sympathetic phone call, or
by helping in a temporary crisis. This makes every member of Cedar Lane a de
facto member of the We Care Committee.
The
congregation is divided into a network of about 40 neighborhoods, each with a
chairperson who is notified when the church becomes aware of needs. The
chairperson calls other members in the neighborhood to alert them to ways in
which they might be of help.
Meeting Dates: No regular
meetings, but we do a lot of telephoning and offer occasional training
opportunities, such as a workshop on death and grieving.
Regular Events: Neighborhood
chairpersons make occasional contact with all members in their neighborhoods
just to keep in touch. Some neighborhoods plan an annual brunch, supper or
other activity.
The
Worship Committee advises and consults with the Board of Trustees, ministers
and music directors on matters affecting the form and content of worship
services. It provides a conduit for the sharing of personal ideas, visions and
inspirations within the congregation. One of its practical charges is to
plan and organize the summer services.
Committee size: 9
Term of service: 3 years
Meeting Time: Fourth Thursday of every month