Volume 2, No. 2                                                                                                                January 8, 2010

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/en010810.htm where it has been posted as a web page.

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   Music Notes   Education for all Ages    Upcoming Sundays   Around the Church    Pledge Drive Committee   Social Justice Council   Beyond Cedar Lane    Calendar

January 10, 2010
“The Prophetic Tradition”
Rev. Roger Fritts
Moses was a politician. Buddha was a prince. Mohammed was a business and military leader. Jesus was a leader of the oppressed. Gandhi led a revolution. As inheritors of these prophetic traditions, what is our role in the world today?

Forum: Terry O'Neill, President of the National Organization of Women (NOW) will find another platform here at her own church to discuss the mission of NOW, the largest organization of feminist activities in the United States.  Founded in 1966, NOW's goal has been to bring about equality for all women.  It works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in all sectors of society; secure abortion , birth control, and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women, and eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia.  Who well has it succeeded?  What are its current priority issues?  Who better than Terry O'Neill to give us the answers?

Music Notes: We are grateful to pianist, Barbara Wing, and her contributions during this morning’s Offertory.   Barbara offers the following thoughts on Mozart’s “Andante Cantabile.”

The slow movements of Mozart’s piano sonatas often resemble an operatic aria.  Not only are they tuneful and singable, but they contain feelings of emotional depth.  The second movement of Piano Sonata K. 330 is written in three parts: A (major), B (minor) and a returning A section with a coda based on B.  Notice how each section begins with the same three repeated notes but each delivers a very different feeling.

We are also grateful to our chamber choir, Gruppo Piccolo, for its presentations during the Call to Worship and the Anthem.  Mozart composed his motet, Ave Verum Corpus, for his friend, Anton Stoll, who was musical coordinator of a church parish near Vienna.  It is extremely brief, only forty-six measures in length, lyrical in its construction with only the briefest exclamation at the end, and portrays the true beauty of simple choral singing.  Completed in 1791, just six months prior to his death, many view Ave Verum Corpus as one of the single most beautiful works ever composed.

The Rose is a ballad made popular in the 1979 movie of the same name by pop diva, Bette Midler.  The song became a gold recording for its composer, Amanda McBroom, selling over one half million copies, and with her performance Ms. Midler won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.  In the arrangement sung by Gruppo Piccolo this morning we hear the warm, close harmonies made possible through chamber singing.  

As his prelude Thomas Guthrie performs Daniel Pinkham’s arrangement of a traditional southern hymn from the Sacred Harmony hymnal, “The Morning Star.”

You may hear Barbara Wing perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 414 at our Mozart benefit concert on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 8:00 PM.  Barbara and the Adult Choir will be featured.  Admission is free. Donations will be gifted to John Kelly’s Children’s Hospital Campaign.  To learn more visit the Social Justice table in the lounge.

Gruppo Piccolo is excited to be welcoming three new members to its ranks:  Kate Harrison, Kate Curtis, and Perry Seiffert.  The ensemble is still seeking a tenor (Henry Sgrecci is not supposed to be a “regular”).  Inquiries may be made to hsgrecci@cedarlane.org

Ad Hoc Choir will meet in the Chapel at 12:30 today. 

Where is Heather, the Associate Minister? Due to an out-of-town memorial service, Heather Janules will not be at church on Sunday, January 10.  She will return to Cedar Lane on Monday, January 11.

Welcome, Visitors to Cedar Lane. We invite you to stop by our Visitors Center in the Lounge service to say hello, find out more about Cedar Lane and Unitarian Universalism, sign up for our mailing list, and/or pick up pamphlets about our faith.

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 WeCare 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 on 301-493-8300 ext. 301, astreich@cedarlane.org, or you could reach Lisa Chernikoff, Members Services Co-Chair, on 301-587-5992 or lisa.chernikoff@verizon.net.

Bagels and Donuts Are Back! The You and UU (9^th grade) classes travel to Boston in just 2 months to learn about their UU roots. Support their pilgrimage by buying bagels and donuts.

IN THE LOUNGE- Donuts & Bagels; Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea; Social Justice Fair: A Wider Circle ◊ Action in Montgomery ◊ Beacon House ◊ CLARITY (Anti-racism task force) ◊ Community-Based Shelter and Bethesda Men’s Shelter ◊ Community Food Drive ◊ Congo Clothing and Electronics Drive (7^th grade RE) ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Ethical Eating Study Group ◊ Friends of Chernobyl Center US ◊ Housing Unlimited ◊ Interages ◊ Kabultec ◊ Kakenya Center ◊ Kensington-Parkwood Tutors ◊ Martha’s Table ◊ Open Door ◊ Partner Church Committee ◊ Peacemakers ◊ Rebuilding Together ◊ Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry MD ◊ Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice

Volunteers for the Service:
Greeters: 9 a.m.          Marion Carlson                             11 a.m.  Maurine and Paul Mink
Ushers:    9 a.m.  Norman Grossblatt, Betsy Wilhelm, Joanne Evans, and Bob Harrison
11 a.m. Phil Schwartz & Lyn Peters and Rick & Julie Offner
Coffee Servers: 10 a.m. Emily Holdenried                  12 p.m. Kate Curtis
Audio: Jim Weiffenbach
Visitors’ Center: 10 a.m. Laurie Richardson             
Board Member at the Desk: 10 a.m. Nancy Bliss 12 p.m. Maryann Dillon
The flowers in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Ed Delaha. They are donated and arranged by his wife Lois. Betty May Cleary arranged the flowers in the Chapel.

Roger Fritts

Here is an e-mail I am sending to the neighbors:

Friends,

A brief reminder about the cell phone tower meeting: we will be having a meeting at church to hear from neighbors Monday January 11, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

I want to emphasize that we value our relationship with you. In addition to what you say at the meeting, we are taking your e-mails, petitions and lawn signs seriously.

The two concerns expressed most often are these:

First, aesthetics. At the meeting, we will have an image simulating what the tower will look like. In case you cannot make the meeting, I have attached the image to this email. [we cannot do attachments in the church e-mail newsletter.]

Second, health. As someone who is not a scientist or a medical doctor, I turn to independent experts. In addition to a British web site that I mentioned in a previous e-mail:

http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/pdf/makingsenseofradiation.pdf

I find the following from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Environmental Health and Occupational Health Assessment helpful:

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/cell_phones.pdf 

Some of you may have seen “Whitman community considers cell tower” in the Gazette. According to the article “Ten MCPS schools currently have cell towers, including Sherwood, Albert Einstein and Springbrook high schools and Tilden Middle School . . .” In my previous e-mail I said that in our area (according to Antennasearch.com) the closest cell tower is on the south side of Grace Episcopal Day School, on Connecticut Avenue. One of our members who had worked at the school tells me that the school did have a cell tower, but it no longer exists.

We invite you to the meeting here at the church, Monday, January 11. We are not going to make any decisions until after we hear from you.

In the meantime, I wish you a Happy New Year.

Rev. Roger Fritts

Senior Minister

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

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.

Healing wishes are with Wat Stewart, husband of Mary and father of Betsy Stewart (N4,) who broke his knee in a fall. Wat is recovering at ManorCare on Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda.

Update on Pat Wigginton (N7): After recovering from some surgical complications, Pat is scheduled to be discharged to home on Friday.

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.

Concerts at Cedar Lane is gearing up for its benefit concert on January 16, 2010; an all Mozart program with orchestra, the Adult Choir, and special guest, Barbara Wing, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major.  The performance is free and all donations will be gifted to John Kelly’s Children’s Hospital Campaign.  To learn more visit CedarLane.org and click on Concerts at Cedar Lane.

Ad Hoc Choir - Start the new year out with a sing-for-all.  Everyone is invited because we love to hear your voices!  The next gathering will be on Sunday, January 10 at 12:30 in the Chapel.  Hope to see you there!

Religious Education Notes

HOORAY for our compassionate and passionate children!  Session II 7^th grade is fully underway collecting clothing for the Democratic Republic of Congo.  See the article elsewhere in the newsletter for details about how you can help. 

And kudos to Session II 5^th grade for their help during our week of support at the Community Based Shelter. The class made 36 bag lunches, organizing and executing the entire process themselves.  Thanks to Alexandre, Jack, Lukas, Meg, Shannon and Stefan.  And thanks to their families for providing the food items and Celia Nathan and Sara and Clara Joyce for delivering it all to the shelter.

Abundant thanks to many for special holiday contributions to the spirit of the season through events sponsored by RE and others.  We have already thanked the many who helped with Holiday Craft Day, but I lift up again the extraordinary leadership of Chris Black and Celia Nathan who brought together the whole she-bang, and to Dave Hawver and Emily Holdenried for capturing so much of it in photos.  More thanks to organizer Jenna Lordo and others who leant strong hands to make the Holiday Potluck such fun; and to the 19 children who presented “The Grinch Who Came to UUville!”  Our Youth, Children’s, and Handbell Choirs, under the leadership of Henry Sgrecci, added to the amazing spirit of our Christmas Eve early services.  Special giving projects were undertaken by classes and by families and other Cedar Laners for Beacon House and elsewhere.  There are two bulletin boards of photos and reminders of some of the wonderful good will and loving, happy spirit of our community. Look by the Admin desk on the lower level. 

Holiday Craft Day plates and mugs have arrived!  They will be in the downstairs lobby for the next few Sundays, and in the RE office during the week. Come get your’s now! They are delightful, as always!

Guest at Your Table boxes:  Please bring in your Guest at Your Table boxes, if you haven’t already!  We’d like to get them all returned by Sunday, January 17, so that we can deposit the money and send a check to the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee).  Our donations CAN make a difference in the world, and the UUSC can make that happen!  

Teacher Renewal
Teacher Renewal will be held this Sunday, January 10, 4-7 p.m., for all teachers, assistants, and youth group leaders.  There will be a special program “The Power of Story,” with a wonderful outside facilitator, followed by light supper. Mark your calendar, you won’t want to miss it!

Parents of Children Up Through Grade 6
Ever wonder how to respond to those really pesky questions, like “What is God,” or “Why did my cat die?” or “My friend says I am going to hell,” or so many more.  Do you ever wonder how to help your child or your family develop a sense of spirituality?  Is ritual something that would strengthen your family time together?  What kinds of faith learnings are appropriate at different stages of child development?  Come meet other parents for two sessions with our Minister of Religious Education, Susan Archer, on January 23 and 30, 9:30–11 a.m.  Register through Adult Programs, “Raising UU Kids: Parents as Resident Theologians and Spiritual Guides.” Childcare available if requested one week in advance of program.

Youth Notes

Annual Ski Trip
The ski trip for our two youth groups, Youth (gr 7-8) and Senior (gr 9-12), will be February 26-28, 2010.  Forms are available at the church and on the website www.cedarlane.org. The deadline for registering is fast approaching, so get your forms in now!

Youth Activity Group (Grades 7 & 8)
               In December, thirty-two individuals packed food boxes at Manna and put in about 64 hours of work!  Beforehand, we all ate pizza together at Zio’s in Gaithersburg for nearly an hour. We pack at Manna four times each year (on the months with a fifth Tuesday--in 2010 we pack in March, June, August and November). Often, we have a number of parents who want to volunteer and we never turn a good person down. Packing at Manna has been the Group’s main service project for more than 15 years.  Cedar Lane can continue helping Manna by filling the Blue Box by the chapel doors with canned and dry boxed food items.  The church has been generous and when we put out a special call, we can count on our congregation to respond.
               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, call John Daniel (301-946-5509), Kim Clarkson (301-587-3051), or Susan Archer.

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) (Grades 9–12)
               The SHAG (Senior High Action Group) meeting will be this Sunday, January 10, at 12:20 p.m. in the Chalice House.  This is our time for parents and teens to come together and plan our spring activities. Hope everyone can join us!
               For information on the Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) contact Archene Turner at 301-493-8300 x205, aturner@cedarlane.org or archene@gmail.com.
Details of activities and permission forms are on our website at www.cedarlane.org.

Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
        The UU Young Adults of Maryland (UUYAM) group plans activities for local UU Young Adults. Visit http://groups.google.com/group/uuyam to join the UUYAM e-mail list and view schedule of upcoming events. For resources and information on Joseph Priestly District (JPD) Young Adult events, visit the JPD Young Adult Network at www.jpduuyan.org.

Adult Programs

The Adult Programs Spring 2010 brochure is in the mail!  Classes begin in February and registrations will be accepted after services on Sundays, January 24 and 31, and in the RE office anytime. 

Sunday Morning Forum
      January 10:  Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization of Women (NOW) will find another platform here at her own church to discuss the mission of NOW, the largest organization of feminist activities in the United States.  Founded in 1966, NOW’s goal has been to bring about equality for all women.  How well has it succeeded?  What are its current priority issues? 
      January 17: Race and Diversity in the 21st Century What is racism and ethnocentrism, and what are some of the different viewpoints? To what extent does the recent election of Barack Obama mean that we are moving toward a "post racial society"? Are there new issues that face us in the 21^st century that didn't in the 20th?  How does our country compare with others in dealing with these issues?  These are a few of the questions to be discussed by our speaker, Alonzo Smith, Ph.D., Professor in the History & Political Science Department at Montgomery College. 
        January 24: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell—“Why Everything About This Law Is Contrary to Everything UUs Stand For.”  Captain Joan Darrah, USN (Ret.), a member of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church and of the Military Advisory Council at the Service member Legal Defense Network, will talk about some of her experiences as a gay service member living under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell— the law that prohibits gay people from serving openly in the U.S. Military.  She will also provide an update on the progress to repeal this law and talk to us about how UUs can help get the law repealed.

Labyrinth
        The annual Silent Retreat will be held TONIGHT from 7 p.m. Friday, January 8, to 6 p.m. Saturday, January 9, led by the Reverend Ellen Swinford. It will begin with an ingathering service and end with reflections and refreshments. The labyrinth will be available during the entire event.  Fast if you like, or bring your own food.  Participants may sleep over at church or return in the morning.  Registration is required by calling 301-493-8300 x207.  For more information call Miriam Pemberton at 301-495-3429.

January 17, 2009
“Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King”
Rev. Susan Archer
Cedar Laners of all ages will gather to celebrate in song, story and affirmation of the values that unite us and call for our commitment. The service will be lead by clergy and laypeople. NO RE classes. Childcare available for ages 5 and younger.

January 17 Forum: Race and Diversity in the 21st Century What is racism and ethnocentrism, and what are some of the different viewpoints? To what extent does the recent election of Barack Obama mean that we are moving toward a "post racial society?" Are there new issues that face us in the 21st century that didn't in the 20th?  How does our country compare with others in dealing with these issues?  These are a few of the questions to be discussed by our speaker, Alonzo Smith, Ph.D., Professor in the History & Political Science Department at Montgomery College.

January 24, 2009
“One Year Later: Idealizing and Disappointment”
Rev. Roger Fritts

January 24 Forum: Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- "Why Everything About This Law Is Contrary to Everything UUs Stand For." Captain Joan Darrah, USN (Ret.), a member of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church and of the Military Advisory Council at the Service member Legal Defense Network, will talk about some of her experiences as a gay service member living under Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- the law that prohibits gay people from serving openly in the U.S. Military.  She will also provide an update on the progress to repeal this law and talk to us about how UUs can help get the law repealed.

Cell Phone Tower Proposal - Meeting with Neighbors.  The entire congregation is invited to attend a meeting with the neighbors about the proposed cell tower on our property.  The meeting will be held on Monday January 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  This meeting is intended for neighbors to express their views about the proposal.  Cedar Lane members will not be speaking with the exception of members of the cell tower committee in response to comments from the neighbors.  In the event that the Board of Trustees chooses to proceed, the congregation will be asked to discuss and vote on whether to enter negotiations with T-Mobile at a congregation wide meeting.  If this occurs the neighbors’ opinions are something the members of this congregation should consider.  Please come.

Save the date! The next Afghan dinner and silent auction to sponsor couples literacy in Afghanistan will be at the church on Saturday evening, January 23. Details to follow. For more information, contact Annette Scarpitta, 301-493-8566.

The Reverend Kate Braestrup's award-winning memoir Here If You Need Me, won the hearts of readers across the country with her deeply moving and deftly humorous stories of faith, hope and family.  Braestrup is a UU minister and is a chaplain in the Maine Warden Service, which conducts search and rescue operations when people are reported missing.  She will be the speaker for Cedar Lane's Pledge Drive Sunday on February 14.   Her latest book, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, comes out this month, making her a particularly appropriate speaker for Valentine's Day.   We will be encouraged to make our 2010-11 pledges on that day, and everyone is invited to stay for a celebratory brunch after each service. 

Help the People in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Start the New Year off right by cleaning out your closets for a good  cause!  The 7th Grade Session II class is collecting clothes, shoes and electronics for people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  All types of clothes (casual, work, dressy) and electronics (including  computers and analog TVs) are welcome.  Please bring your donations to church and drop in the designated boxes; receipts will be available.  If you have questions, please contact Lisa Kaeser (class room parent) at l_kaeser@yahoo.com, or look for us at the Social Justice Council Fair on Sunday, January 10.

New Year’s Resolution: Make Time for Social Justice!
The Social Justice Council (SJC) invites Cedar Laners of all ages to share how you will give time to create a more just and peaceful world.  SJC will be collecting information about how individuals, families, and groups in the congregation plan to be involved in service, advocacy, or other social justice activities between January and March. Of course, we hope this is just a start and that you’ll stay involved for the whole year!  How many of us can get involved? How many hours can we commit? Please stop by the SJC table beginning in January and share your plans with us.

Need some ideas? Come to the Social Justice Fair in the lounge this Sunday, January 10, 9am-1pm. The following groups will be available to inform and inspire you: A Wider Circle, Kakenya Center, Community Based Shelter/Bethesda Men’s Shelter, Friends of Chernobyl  Centers US, Rebuilding Together, Kabultec, Ethical Eating Study Group, Peacemakers, Martha’s Table, 7^th Grade RE Clothing Drive for the Congo, Housing Unlimited, Partner Church Committee, CLARITY, Environmental Task Force, LGBT Task Force,  Action in Montgomery, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. There are a few slots left. Email betsy@devlin-foltz.com if you’d like to organize a table.

A McGraw-Hill Report identified eight green product standards and certification programs as the primary market movers [for the green building movement]. These programs apply to various products and their environmental attributes as follows:

• ENERGY STAR - identifies efficient products that reliably deliver energy savings and environmental benefits
• WaterSense – identifies high performing, water efficient products and practices
• Cradle to Cradle - certifies products based on lifecycle of materials used to construct a product and the overall lifecycle of the product
• GREENGUARD Certification Program - certifies products and processes for their low chemical emissions and low toxicity
• Green Seal - certifies products and practices for their low toxicity and overall environmental impact
• GreenSpec Directory - a published resource on environmentally preferable products
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)- certifies wood products coming from forests managed to meet social economic and ecological needs
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) - certifies wood products coming from well-managed forests and responsible procurement practices

A new report, titled “Primary Green Product Standards and Certification Programs: A Comparison” has been issued by Aerias, an international resource of indoor air quality and green construction information. This extensive report compares the objectives of these leading green product programs; it also details program accreditations, product qualification processes and qualified or certified products. See www.aerias.org for the complete report.

from: The Green Guard Institute

Fridays, January 8, 15, 22, 29, 7-10 pm.  "Films That Make You Think" are showing along with popcorn, discussion, and socializing at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  Films are typically well-done but little-known, independent, and some foreign, that present interesting issues for discussion. Come to as many as you would like. 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD. www.rruuc.org 301 229-0400. $2 for popcorn, no fee for movie.

Doors open at 7:00; popcorn at 7:15; films start at 7:30, followed by discussion.

January 8 (2008): "Frozen River" -- drama that takes place on Mohawk reservation near Canadian border--moral dilemma theme as needy woman takes risks to make ends meet. Melissa Leo nominated for best actress Academy Award.

January 15 (2007): "The Band's Visit" --  cross-cultural comedy unfolding as Egyptian police brass band lost in Israel's lesser known parts finds a cautious welcome."Uncertain Regard prize" at Cannes.

January 22 (2003): "Normal" -- shown in sequence with the next to show how different communities react when a member they thought they knew  changes in ways they don't understand.  Both set in small, mid-western towns). This drama, painful at times, shows "sometimes, love is enough." Nominated for Golden Globe TV awards. Jessica Lange, Tom Wilkinson.

January 29 (2007): "Lars and the Real Girl"--What appears a "quirky film" goes much deeper to be a "touching and heartfelt film" which "delivers one of the most effective messages of patience and tolerance ever seen."  Ryan Gosling nominated for Golden Globe best actor award. 

30^th Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing
Sunday, January 31, 2010 12:30 – 5 p.m.
University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus Building II
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland

Pre-registration is required. General Admission fee is $10. For more information, please contact the Montgomery County Commission for Women at 240-777-8330 or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw.

 

Calendar
Week of Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 17

If you want to remove yourself from this mailing list,
you can send mail to <Majordomo@cedarlane.org> with the following
command in the body of your email message: 

    unsubscribe news 

If you ever need to get in contact with the owner of the list,
(if you have trouble unsubscribing, or have questions about the
list itself) send email to <owner-news@cedarlane.org> .

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.
© 1998-2012, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
Webminister