Volume 1, No. 7                                                                                                               October 9, 2009

Hello, here is an ENews for the week.  If you have any interest in printing a copy of this please go to http://www.cedarlane.org/enarch09/en100909.pdf where it has been posted as a PDF.

This ENews has been bookmarked to allow fast access to sections.  To jump to the bookmarked sections please press control and click on the following to access these bookmarks.   Thanks, Sara sdeshler@cedarlane.org  

Sunday’s activities   From the Ministers   We Care   From the Membership Coordinator   
Music Notes   Education for all Ages    Upcoming Sundays   Around the Church    Kiplinger  
Grounds   Cedar Lane Stage   Social Justice Council   Beyond Cedar Lane    Calendar

October 11, 2009

"Association Sunday: Standing on the Side of Love" Rev. Roger Fritts Association Sunday is one day each year when congregations across the country recognize the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The sermon will tell the roots behind the UUA’s public advocacy campaign "Standing on the Side of Love."

10:10 a.m. Forum: Rethinking the War on Drugs with Charles Thomas, Co-Founder and President of The Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative. We will see two brief videos critiquing the War on Drugs, one featuring retired law enforcement officers, and the other featuring religious leaders. Then Mr. Thomas and Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn, the new Exec­utive Director of IDPI, will lead a discussion on how to move from prohibition laws toward rea­sonable and compassionate drug regulation, education and treatment.

Music Notes: Our music for Sunday morning celebrates love and the many ways that it touches us all.  Love is the Spirit of This Church was written in 1990 by long time UU composer and member of the Neighborhood UU Church of Pasadena, Thomas Yeakle.  An engineer by trade, Mr. Yeakle was remarkable in his dedication to music and his church, for whom he wrote numerous anthems, organ preludes, and other published works.  The text of his anthem, in obvious reference to the welcoming manner of his church, aptly applies to CLUUC.  Mr. Yeakle passed away in 2007.

“Kindle the Gift of God” was composed by Gerre Hancock in 1999, and dedicated to the Reverend Frederick M. Morris, former minister at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on 5^th Avenue in New York City where the two had served together in the early 1970's.  The text comes from the second book of Timothy: “Kindle the gift of God which is in thee, by the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love.”

“The People Had No Faces” is a tune from the 1960's, sung by the Blues Magoos rock band.  Composer Rick Shorter was one of the very few African American musicians to succeed during those times as a straight ahead “rock” musician.  The lyrics of his song should give us all pause to consider what it might be like if we were - all the same.

Thomas Guthrie’s prelude and postlude give different and unique treatments to our final hymn, “Shall We Gather at the River, “also known by its tune title, “Hanson Place.”

Concerts at Cedar Lane has a table in the Lounge. Please stop by and pick up a flyer for yourself, and for your neighbor! The first con­cert is THIS SUNDAY afternoon; October 11 at 4 p.m. Katrine Anderson and Friends will be our featured artists.

Cedar Lane Stage will have representatives available in the Lounge to discuss their upcoming production "Doubt: A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley.

We care most about you, not about your money. Still, it does take money to sustain a religious community. Each year in the spring we hold our annual pledge drive. Because wonder­ful volunteers work on this, we can keep our doors open. We invite you become one of these wonderful volunteers. To help you make a deci­sion, we invite you to attend a workshop Satur­day, October 24, here at Cedar Lane, called “Beyond Fundraising, A Complete Guide to Congregational Stewardship.”  Susan Clark, who attended last year, will be at a table in the lounge after the service to answer questions. If you sign up to attend, the Pledge Drive Commit­tee will BUY YOU A DONUT!

IN THE LOUNGE    Alliance Jewelry   Break­through Task Force   Cedar Lane Stage   Concerts at Cedar Lane   Donuts and Bagels   Environmental Task Force    Social Justice Council Lounge Lizards Stewardship Training   UU Book Store- Bea­con Press and Skinner House Books-Now with Gift Corner candles    We serve fair trade coffee and tea

Volunteers for the Service:
Greeters: 9 a.m.: Marion Carlson 11 a.m.: Maurine and Paul Mink
Ushers: 9 a.m.: Norman Grossblatt, Tod Chernikoff, Gail Riley, and Bob Harrison
11 a.m.: Phil Schwartz and Lyn Peters, Marion Carlson, and John Daniel
Coffee Servers: 9 a.m.: Emily Holdenried   11 a.m.: Kate Curtis
Board Member at the Desk: 10 a.m.: Knick Knickerbocker 12 p.m.: Bonnie Beavers
Audio: Steve Spector
Visitor’s Center: 9 a.m.: Mary Farrar

The flowers in the Sanctuary were arranged by Sarah Reese. They are given in loving memory of Robin Kreisberg from his mother, Dusty Kreisberg, his brother, Dr. Roderick Kreisberg (aka Guin) and his family, Lynn, Zack, and Emma.

Chapel Service this Sunday for Grades K-3, “Under the Big Sky,” a story about one person’s search for the secret of life. All adults are invited; please sit in the back pews. 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

Bagels and Donuts Are Back! The You and UU (9^th grade) classes travel to Boston next March to learn about their UU roots. Support their pilgrimage by buying bagels and donuts.

Open Houses continue this week.  There will be open houses for parents with children in the S1 6^th and 7^th grades, and children in the S2 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades.  Please join your child’s class and enjoy!

No RE classes Sunday, October 18, 2009! It is an intergenerational service, “The Blessing of the Animals.”  There will be childcare for children 5 years old and younger.

Roger Fritts

I am looking forward to the Scottish music concert, Sunday, October 11 at
4 p.m., in our main worship space. I hope to see you there.

Conversations With Roger: The first gathering will be Wednesday afternoon, October 14, 1:30-3:30, in the Library. I invite you to join me.

I am also looking forward to “Breakthrough Day” Saturday, October 17.
Time: 9-3:30 (coffee at 8:30) Place:  Cedar Lane Sanctuary. Our 1996 Long
Range Plan called on us to convert the parsonage into the Chalice House (so
we could expand our adult education, have a dedicated room for our high school
 youth and a room to store our archives), create the Memory Garden, and raise
the money to hire a youth coordinator, and a membership coordinator.  We did
it all. Now, 13 years later, building on what we love about our church, what is your vision for our future?

Susan Archer
One of the major themes of the RE Council this year has been “Connections.” 

Many ideas have been emerging that include ways we can get connected more broadly and deeply within and beyond the congregation.  One focus has been on connecting families to one another.  We have started one new adventure to help make this happen in a very focused way.  We are calling it Family Triads.  And, although we are beginning this year with families with RE children, down the road we hope to expand it to all families (couples, singles, elders, etc.) who wish to participate.  Each family who signs up is matched with two other families.  You become a Cedar Lane Family Triad for the year, October – May.  During that time each family invites the other two to an event – a dinner at one’s home, a backyard picnic, a hike in the woods, a visit to a zoo, etc. – that will be an easy, no frills, no fuss way to be together and have fun, get to know one another, build connections.

I like this in part because it reinforces that often the most wonderful experiences of life are person-to-person experiences that cost little, that don’t require much preparation.  In a world of too much stress and stuff and too little unmapped time this kind of experience can be precious.  I will “match” families; you just need to register your own.  REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 16.  Call or e-mail if you need a form or just want to tell us you want to be part of this!  (sarcher@cedarlane.org; 301-493-8300 x206)

The We Care program is a network led by volunteers who reach out to address short-term needs – food deliveries, rides to doctor’s appointments, a listening ear in the event of a loss. The Cedar Lane congrega­tion is organized geographically by “neighborhoods”; each neighborhood has at least one chairperson to coordinate support. Look at your nametag or the map in the church office to find your neighborhood.

Rev. Roberta (Bobbie) Nelson, our Minister Emerita, served our congregation as
minister of Religious Education from 1987 to 2001. Now retired living in Maine, Bobbie
had heart attack in August and unrelated to the heart attack, surgery Sept 30, for an
intestinal blockage and a hernia and surgery October 2, for bleeding after the first
surgery. She is in Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, and expects to move
out of the ICU and onto a surgical floor soon. We do not know when she will leave the
hospital, but she probably will go into a rehabilitation facility when she does. You can
send cards to her home address: 41 Astbury Lane, Sedgwick, ME 04676-9724. Chris
Nelson said that the many cards she received after her heart attack lifted her spirits.

We celebrate with Peggy Jackson and Fred Bowen (N23) as they celebrate the marriage of their son Liam to Megan Bever. The couple married on October 4. The family writes, “It was an outdoor wedding and the weather was spectacular!” Hooray! 

Healing wishes are with Karl Grimm (N10) as he recovers from muscle weakness in his legs. After a brief stay in Suburban Hospital, Karl is now in rehab to regain his strength.

Should you know of a member of our community in personal need, you are encouraged to reach out to them. If you learn that this person wishes to receive a response from the church, please contact Heather Janules at x204 or hjanules@cedarlane.org. All min­isters offer pastoral care to our members so you are also encouraged to contact any member of the minis­terial team.

Reminder of the Second Sunday Signing this week. 
If you are contemplating joining Cedar Lane UU Church, we invite you to come to the library after the service to become our newest member(s).  You will get to enjoy the many benefits of membership: ministerial support, your We Care community, no charge family weddings and memorial services.  Your vote will be counted at our annual meeting in April.  As a Cedar Lane member you could serve as a committee chair or on the Board of Trustees, or even represent Cedar Lane at General Assembly.

Andy Streich, our Membership Coordinator, will be there with others from the Member Services Committee ready to answer questions and get you started on this membership path.  If you have questions Andy can be reached at 301-493-8300 ext. 301, astreich@cedarlane.org, or you could reach Lisa Chernikoff, Members Services Co-Chair, at 301-587-5992 or lisa.chernikoff@verizon.net.

Dear Friends,

Welcome back!  After a summer of excellent Sunday Services we are back to two services, and Religious Education is three weeks into the new year.  This time of ingathering is a good time to look at some past successes, reestablish our sense of belonging to our church, and look forward to our new church year in anticipation some of the great things that the work of past years has made possible.  How have these things been made possible?  By you, the members and friends of Cedar Lane.  How have you made them possible?  Through your good work, your love for, and your financial contributions to Cedar Lane.  You are the life and blood of Cedar Lane.  You are the spiritual and ethical community of Cedar Lane.  You are Cedar Lane.  This is your church.  So.... The next time you walk into our beautiful church building, walk in like you own the place, ...because you do! 

Our Financial Success:  As you may remember, at last spring’s congregational meeting on April 19^th, it looked as though we would not be reaching our financial goals, since our pledge drive was at that point more than $100,000 dollars short of our goal of $890,000.  We voted as a congregation to have a supplemental pledge drive, and an anonymous donor volunteered to match supplemental pledges, and to match new pledges 2 for 1.  What happened in the next six weeks was amazing; the combination of pledges, supplemental pledges, one-time gifts, and matching funds gave us a total of $937,229—more than our goal!  With those funds we will be able to maintain our current level of staffing and benefits -- including keeping the membership coordinator position now filled by Andy Streich -- plus provide an increase in salary for Heather Janules in recognition of her promotion to Associate Minister.  Thanks go to our members and friends, to Susan Clark, Pledge Drive Chair, Dian Belanger, our past Board Chair, and to all who volunteered to be “Stewards” for our church.  I feel compelled to add that although financial success is important, to those who could not pledge, or could not increase your pledge: we care more about you than we do about money. 

Our Music Leaders:  We also conducted a search for a permanent music director, choosing our interim director, Henry Sgrecci.  Now we look forward with excitement to the music program that Henry is building, along with our gifted organist Thomas Guthrie. 

Our Coming Year:  There is energy in the air a Cedar Lane!  There is a newfound energy and enthusiasm at Cedar Lane that has welled up over the past year. People here step up and do what needs to be done, the supplemental pledge drive being just one example.  People are getting involved, things are happening.  This will continue. I want to encourage you to get involved wherever your interests and passions lie. 

I want to your attention to just some of the things that are going on at Cedar Lane:  An active Environmental Task Force with a pending application for Green Sanctuary status; A new Concert Series; a new Ad Hoc Choir; Clarity, our anti-racism task force; Child and youth involvement in Sunday Services and other innovations in worship; our Kiplinger Lecture “When, If Ever, Is the Use of Military Force Morally Justifiable?” with Dr. Paul Razor; thought provoking Sunday Forums; an Active Alliance; a reenergized Social Justice Council; an active LGBT Task Force; an active Denominational Affairs Committee; a new Membership Coordinator: Andy Streich; The possibility of a cell tower on the grounds that would generate income (this will not happen without the congregation’s prior approval); a new website under development; an active pastoral visitors committee; and the Break Through Task Force that wants to engage you in Cedar Lane’s future.  And in RE: New “Family Triads,” new Open Houses for parents, a lively High School Youth Group, excellent Adult Programs, and much more.  - Just to mention a few of the things going on at Cedar Lane.   So, again, get involved wherever your interests and passions lie.

A special event:  Cedar Lane’s Break Through Task Force (BTF) invites YOU to help craft Cedar Lane’s future.  Saturday October 17th starting at 9 am in the Sanctuary the BTF will guide you, the members and friends of Cedar Lane to craft our future.  Come on October 17th, and when you do, walk in like you own the place - because you do!

I want to extend a special thanks to our Ministers and Staff for their boundless energy and commitment to Cedar Lane.  They are our inspiration, and our support.  They work day in and day out, often above and beyond the call of duty, to keep our church active and vibrant.  We owe them our gratitude. 

Thank you, Duncan Ferguson, Chair, Board of Trustees

“Live” music is alive at Cedar Lane!!!
Lovely sounds are bursting at the door panels around Cedar Lane in the month of October.  Katrine Anderson and her band will christen “Concerts at Cedar Lane” Sunday afternoon, October 11 at 4 p.m. as she performs several Scottish ballads and turns her band mates loose for some high energy instrumental wizardry.  What a great way for live music to return to our home!  Admission is free (donations are gladly accepted) so come early to get a good seat!

Ad Hoc Choir
This informal group of singers met for the first time on Sunday, October 4 after the second service and sang through a host of songs from “Singing the Journey” and “Singing the Tradition.”  Some were experienced singers, some not so.  Dr. Sgrecci gave a primer to help the less experienced singers recognize those strange symbols that make up music on a page.  All elements will be reviewed each time the group meets.  The goal is to help our Congregation become comfortable with the range of hymns and songs that we sing during worship.  The choir will meet on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 12:30 in the Chapel.

Youthful Musicians on October 18
The Children’s Choir will make its debut on Sunday, October 18 as they sing “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir” during the blessing of the animals.  The Youth Choir will sing “Let the Whole World Cry Alleluia” during the Offertory.  The Youth Handbell Choir will perform “All Creatures of Our God and King” during the Prelude.  The Congregation will sing the hymn of the same title as the children process into the church with their animals.  The Adult Choir will sing the “Prayer of St. Francis” in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and champion of the environment.

Music for the Environment on October 25
October 25 is a day when the world will acknowledge the need to generate better care of our environment.  The Intergenerational Handbell Choir will make its debut performing “Ancient Mother” arranged for handbells by Dr. Sgrecci.  Steve Jones will perform during the Offertory and the Cedar Lane Vocal Quartet will debut with the popular gospel tune, “Turn Your Radio On.”  The Congregation will sing the hymns “Ancient Mother” and #207, “Earth Was Given as a Garden” (Hyfrydol).

Fauré Requiem on November 1
We will celebrate All Saints and All Souls days by performing music in tribute to those who have gone before us on Sunday, November 1.  The CLUUC Adult Choir, soloists and chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Henry Sgrecci, with Thomas Guthrie at the organ, will perform Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” during the 9 and 11 a.m. services.  If you would like to remember a departed loved one in a special way, we invite you to attend worship services on Sunday, November 1.

Religious Education

Family Triads:  Extra forms are on the administration desk and upstairs under the nametags.  Deadline for registration is Friday, October 16.

RE Closings: Storm season is here and, hate to say it, but snow and ice season will follow!  When a decision to cancel RE is made, Sunday school Room parents will call families.  If you think there might be a cancellation and have not heard, call the church line for a message or check the website.

Holiday Craft Day            Saturday, December 5, 2009;
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mark your calendars now for this year’s Holiday

Craft Day to be held at Cedar Lane. This family friendly event is for all ages and abilities. Spend a day with family and friends making great holiday crafts that can be used in your own home or given as gifts. Registration will begin in November in the lounge after both services or in the R.E. office. The registration fee will be $10 per person or $20 per family (some special crafts will have a nominal additional charge). This fee covers the cost of the crafts, a great deal of fun, and a bunch of handmade gifts that you can share with others. If you would like to get into the holiday spirit, we would love to have volunteers to either lead crafts or be a helper in one of the craft rooms. Please contact Chris Black or Celia Nathan, if you would like to be part of this festive event.

Youth Activity Group: On to Gettysburg, Then Rafting
               Our youth proved to be great food packers at Manna. All 192 boxes were filled for needy families throughout Montgomery County. And the Retreat to Camp Tockwogh couldn’t have been better: wonderful weather, a full moon for midnight hiking, ropes course and zip line, motor boats, kayaks, canoes, basketball and Frisbee, enjoyable kids, plus three first-time chaperones—
Mandi Mader, David Meredith and Mary Snieckus—who were just great, thanks to all of them.
                Our next event is a weekend trip, on October 17 and 18, to Gettysburg to explore the Battlefield and its history, learn the significance of the hallowed ground and President Lincoln’s Address, and take a ghost tour to a haunted house and cemetery.  We’ll stay at the Gettysburg Unitarian Church.  An announcement with forms has been mailed to all 7^th and 8^th grade students.  Then we will raft the Shenandoah River near Front Royal, VA on Saturday, October 24. Watch your mail for an announcement.
               The Youth Activity Group is open to 7^th and 8^th graders at Cedar Lane.  If you have any questions about the Group or its activities, contact Susan Archer, John Daniel (301-946-5509) or Kim Clarkson (301-58-3051).

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)

Standing on the Side of Love
               This Sunday, October 11, thousands of people will gather here in Washington to march and rally for equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Our UU faith has been struggling for justice for the LGBT community, for more than 40 years. Our newly elected President of the UUA will be joining the many UUs who are coming in from around the country to stand and be counted this weekend. Cedar Laners will be there at the rally, including our youth group! Our senior high action group meeting this Sunday is CANCELLED.
               SHY who would like to join us should meet at the Chalice House at 12:15 p.m. (after 2^nd session) and have pizza for lunch. The LGBT task force has donated “Standing on the Side of Love” T-shirts for youth who will participate in the rally.  Details have been emailed to teens and parents.

Adult Programs

What’s going on? 
               That is the question often asked when people come to Cedar Lane—during the day, in the evenings, and on weekends.  Cedar Lane is a busy place! 
               Many people are here to participate in Adult Programs.  Our classes are fun, interesting, informative and healthful.  Below is the list of classes starting this week.  There are many more beginning in the coming weeks, and some which have started and still have room for participation.  For more information, please refer to the Adult Programs Fall 2009 brochure, which is on our website, www.cedarlane.org.  Register through the RE office, by mailing a registration card or calling 301-493-8300 x207.

Classes starting this week:

Death in the Family: Practical Realities—the goal of this course is to improve end of life care by helping families prepare themselves in advance of a death. One session, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Conversations with Roger— this is the first meeting of informal gatherings with the Rev. Roger   
      Fritts. The first topic will be the economy and the essay “The Joy of Less.”
               Meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of the month, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Alexander Technique—Learn to intercept the habits of thought and movement that interfere with
      coordination.  Six Thursdays beginning, October 15, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

Connection Circles
               For new “Connections,” consider a short-term Connection Circle, starting October 18.
Because we are a large congregation, we encourage Connection Circles, small supportive groups of ten or less, to enable people to make new connections in the Cedar Lane community and build deeper relationships.  Most of our Circles are open-ended and continue with stable membership for years.  For people new to Cedar Lane and those seeking new connections, we’re starting a short-term connection circle.  It begins Sunday, October 18, and meets on the first and third Sunday through early April, from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
               If you are interested, there is still some room.  To reserve a place, write to re@cedarlane.org or call the church at 301-493-8300 x207. See the Adult Programs booklet page 32, course G 29, Connections--a Short-term Group. 
               Topics: We will focus first on what gives meaning to our lives—friendship, family, hope, faith, gratitude.  But it’s flexible—after the group settles in, members can chose topics.  Meeting time and place can be changed by members after the group is formed.
               For more information contact Michael Thoryn, michaelthoryn@verizon.net, Chair of the Connection Circles Committee and one of the facilitators for the group.

October 18, 2009
“To Bless the Animals”
Rev. Heather Janules and Rev. Susan Archer 

Photos of Your Furry (or Scaly or Slithery) Loved Ones Wanted!
This intergenerational service will be a celebration of all of the creatures with whom we share the Earth, a time to dwell on our interconnected relationship with the natural world and how the animals in our lives bless us with their presence and, sometimes, their charm and kindness.

Both services will include an animal parade. All are invited to bring symbols of animals in your lives (photos, drawings or stuffed animals) for both services. However, if your vaccinated, leashed and friendly pet would like to come in person, live animals are welcome in the 11:00 service. So that all the animals we are celebrating can be seen by the congregation, please e-mail photos of deceased pets or pets best left at home to Heather at hjanules@cedarlane.org by October 11 for inclusion in the service.

To be in the animal parade, come to the courtyard by 15 minutes before each service. We have animal puppets to lend if you didn’t bring an animal. All folks bringing live animals to the 11:00 service should plan to gather with their animal friends in the front courtyard by 10:45.

October 18 Forum: Einstein, Faith and Reason with Walter Isaacson, President and CEO, The Aspen Institute. The basic tenet of quantum mechanics is that we can never know anything with abso­lute certainty: everything is probabilistic. Albert Einstein famously said that “God would not play dice with the universe.” In this particular case, he relied on faith, and it turned out (probably) that he was wrong. Drawing on research for his best-selling biography, “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” Walter Isaacson will discuss Ein­stein’s fruitless search for a spirituality and in­tellectually satisfying “theory of everything.”

October 25, 2009
“Countdown to Copenhagen”
Rev. Roger Fritts

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will open on December 7. Secre­tary General Ban Ki-moon has said, “Failure to reach broad agreement in Copenhagen would be morally inexcusable. The sermon will look at what is at stake.

October 25 Forum: China: The People’s Republic Turns Sixty, with Harry Harding, Dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and Professor of Politics and Public Pol­icy, at the University of Virginia. October 1 is the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Harding will review the major trends in China’s evolution over those six decades, as the country has experienced an of­ten dizzying blend of domestic upheaval, dra­matic change in development models, rapid economic growth, and ultimate rise to major power status. Americans face a very different China now than they did sixty years ago, or even twenty years ago. How must our approach to China change to match the dramatic transformation of China itself? Earlier this year, Dr. Harding served as a visit­ing professor at the University of Hong Kong, and from 1995 to 2005 he was Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

Join us! The Breakthrough Task Force needs you!
Help our church break through to a new level of excellence! The Breakthrough Task Force invites you to join us for Breakthrough Day. We want to engage you, the congregation, so that together we can discover what is most important and meaningful to us as a church community as we move forward.

We will meet in large and small groups in a wonderfully positive and affirming process called Appreciative Inquiry (AI). It works – you’ll see! We’ll ask for your vision of Cedar Lane. What are your dreams? What are your ideas? Tell us what you like now and what you would like to see in the future for worship, religious education, social justice, governance, grounds, facilities, music, and any other areas of congregational life that are important to you.

Breakthrough Day is a day of listening, sharing, imagining, discovering, and designing.

How: Come to Breakthrough Day; When: Saturday, October 17
Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm, (coffee at 8:30) Where:   Cedar Lane Sanctuary

Over the past year, we’ve talked to groups, committees, and individuals, but now it's time for all of us to come together--even if you have previously partici­pated. Our charge from the Board of Trustees, and our wish, is to hear as many voices as possible.

You will leave Breakthrough Day knowing that your visions, best hopes, and specific ideas will help shape Cedar Lane’s future.

 REGISTER
Call the church office: 301-493-8300, or email: breakthrough9601@gmail.com

Lunch, snacks and beverages will be served. Child care will be provided on request

WAR & MORALITY—ANY CONNECTION?
Can there be such a thing as a “just” war? Save Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. for some answers to that question!

Come to hear Paul Rasor give his answers!  Cost--$10, students free.

Grounds Fall Work Day

October is here. Morning temperatures are crisp, leaves are falling, and it’s time to mark your calendars for the Grounds Committee Fall Work Morning on Saturday, November 14 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon.

Join us for a few hours as we rake, mulch, and generally tidy up our beautiful grounds. If you have favorite tools, bring them. The church also has yard tools that you are welcome to use.

Cedar Lane Stage presents John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Doubt: A Parable, produced here by Cedar Lane Stage, challenges the audience to question the very foundation of their beliefs. In this brilliantly conceived and written piece, Sister Aloysius (CLUUC’s own Jane MacFarlane), a principal, at a parochial school in the Bronx in 1964, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects a priest of improper relations with a young black male student. In the wake of an electrifying series of confrontations with the novice nun, the accused priest, and the mother of the alleged victim, her world view is challenged.

Come see!
Dates: Oct 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 at 8 p.m.
           Oct 18, 25 at 2 p.m.

The Stage is also looking for volunteers to help the stage manager. Contact Dick Messalle at
RMCedarLane@verizon.net or call 301-681-5069.

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, Equality Across America (www.equalityacrossamerica.org) is sponsoring a National Equality March in Washington, DC.  People from all across America will gather with the goal of achieving full equality for all LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

The UUA has officially endorsed the March, and UUA President Rev. Peter Morales will lead the UU delegation at the Rally.  Members of UU congregations nationwide are encouraged to join the UU delegation for the March and Rally or to host "Standing on the Side of Love" solidarity events in their own communities.  At Cedar Lane, information about the National Equality March has been posted in the vestibule area as part of a photo-text exhibit honoring National LGBT History Month.  Also, after the second service on Sunday, October 11, an intergenerational group of Cedar Laners (including members of the Senior High Youth Group and of the LGBT Task Force) will be traveling to DC by Metro to connect with the larger UU group for the Equality Rally. If you are interested in joining this Cedar Lane group, contact Marge Dimond (margeryjd@aol.com) or Stephen Colgan (smcolgan@hotmail.com) for further information. The March is scheduled to begin at Noon, and the Rally (on the West Lawn of the US Capitol) will start at 2 p.m. 

An additional "Standing on the Side of Love" activity at Cedar Lane during the month of October will be the collection of signatures (by members of the LGBT Task Force) for a UUA "Standing on the Side of Love Petition for Full Equality" in support of full equality for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.  This petition will be available for signing at the SJC Lounge Lizards table following Sunday services and on a table in the vestibule area in an ongoing way.  At the end of October, our signed petition will be submitted to the UUA for use in the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign at key moments in the struggle for full equality under the law for LGBT Americans.  The petition can also be signed online at www.standingonthesideoflove.org.

Don’t forget The Second Annual Social Justice Awards Benefit Gala, Sunday, October 25,
Ten congregations, 20 nominations, amazing feats of faith and justice.  We commend our winners and all nominees.  We hope you will join us in celebrating these leaders and in hear­ing their inspiring stories.

5:30, Sunday, October 25 at Positano Ristorante Italiano in Bethesda. Contact Rev. Cyn Snavely at info@uusj.org or 301‑588‑1951. Tickets are $80 for a 4 course dinner. The Second Annual Social Justice Awards Benefit Gala feeds the UUSJ Collaborative Fund. Go to uusj.org for details.

 ROCK CREEK CLEAN UP
October 25 (Rain Date Nov. 1) 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Organic picnic lunch at 1 p.m.

We want to provide enough food: Please e-mail or call:
Charlotte Brewer Jarvischarlot@aol.com Phone: 301-656-0467
Molly Hauck Mollyhauck@verizon.net  Phone 301-949-0178

Join with the FORCE (Friends of Rock Creek) to maintain our CLEAN Rock Creek waterfront.

Come for as long as you can. Wear old shoes.  Come to the teachers’ parking lot on the Beach Drive side of our church for gloves and bags provided by the Montgomery County Parks and Planning Dept. We will also gather nuts (seeds) for the Potomac Conservancy to germinate and plant to stabilize creek and river banks. 

GREEN TIPS
Environmental Task Force

Residential Battery Recycling
Have old batteries and don’t know what to do with them? Consider customer take-back programs at retail stores such as Home Depot, My Organic Market, and Radio Shack. Visit www.rbrc.org (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) for details and additional locations.

Taken from http://www.co.ho.md.us/DPW/recycling_batteries.htm

An opportunity to meet the New UUA President:
This, Saturday, Oct 10 - 5-7 p.m. Reception with UUA Presi­dent Rev. Peter Morales and other special guests at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 Sixteenth Street NW  Washington DC 20009.

This is one of the “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender March for Equal­ity” events taking place in Washington, DC, on October 10-11.

The March at 2 p.m. Sunday conflicts with our special concert at 4 p.m. We hope you will attend our concert. However, we have nothing on our church schedule for Saturday night, October 10, so we encourage you to visit this very interesting Universalist church and meet our new association President.  Click here for more info and to RSVP.                        

All Souls Concert
An Afternoon of Elegance featuring Angela Powell, Soprano. 3 p.m. Sunday, November 1
All Souls Church, Unitarian, 16^th and Harvard St, NW, Washington, DC

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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4099
Tel: 301-493-8300    Fax: 301-897-5713
e-mail: office@CedarLane.org
Sunday Services at 9 and 11 a.m.
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