Volume 2, No. 3                                                                                                              January 15, 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/en011510.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   Auction Committee  Social Justice Council   Beyond Cedar Lane    Calendar

January 17, 2010
“Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
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.

Forum: Race and Diversity in the 21^st 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.

Music Notes: This morning’s music espouses singing (and ringing) as an uplifting celebration.  The Youth Handbell Choir begins with a communion song, Come, Let Us Eat, framed in two distinctly different styles; first, as a lyrical melody with some of the bells struck with mallets as they hang in the air, and later as a spirited proclamation with lots of rhythmic vigor!  Our Children’s Choir brings back a song featured during the Christmas season, I’m Gonna Let it Shine, with our special guest, Amanda Rees, accompanying on cello.  The Youth Choir ventures into four part singing with the popular Zulu song for voices of all ages, We are Singing, for the Lord is Our Light.  The Adult Choir turns to one of its favorite arrangers in delivering a familiar spiritual with some jazzed up harmonization.   Thomas Guthrie’s postlude selections embrace the tradition of all of this morning’s hymns: songs imbued with an uplifting fervor by those who have passionately sung them through the years.

Special thanks to Ms. Amanda Rees and Mr. Chris Mauro for enhancing our worship services this morning with their musical talents.

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.

IN THE LOUNGE- ◊ Alliance Books ◊ Environmental Task Force ◊ Social Justice Council Lounge Lizards ◊ UU Book Store- Beacon Press and Skinner House-Now with Gift Corner candles ◊ We serve fair trade coffee, hot chocolate, and tea ◊

Volunteers for the Service:
Greeters: 9 a.m. Sharon and Frank Adler             11 a.m. Camme Burnight and Anne Gralla
Ushers:    9 a.m. Dawn Steinfeld, Laura Pillette, and Jack & Judy Rodgers
11 a.m. Glenis Bellais, Debbie Goodwin, Lisa Chernikoff, and Sue Hosford
Coffee Servers: 10 a.m. Kate Harrison                          12 p.m. Terry Toot
Audio: Jim Weiffenbach
Visitors’ Center: 10 a.m. Nancy Bliss            
Board Member at the Desk: 10 a.m.  Kathie Bryant
The flowers in the Sanctuary are in memory of Anita Ley, given by her family. They were arranged by Nancy McKean.

Roger Fritts
When I heard that Rev. Pat Robertson blamed Haiti's 1791 slave rebellion and the voodoo origins of the Haitian Revolution for the Haitian earthquake of January 12, 2010, I felt anger, because such nonsense is deeply hurtful to the good people of Haiti who lost family and friends in the earthquake.

Why did the earthquake occur? I have heard other ministers say it is a test from God. If God is testing people, then God is a cruel and sadistic being.  At its worst the "God is testing you" answer to earthquakes implies that if people become more faithful to the church the suffering will end. In this way clergy use fear and guilt to gain support for their ministries.

To the victims of the earthquake a Buddhist might say that life is a painful journey. The very nature of human existence is inherently difficult. Our suffering is caused by our selfish cravings and our attachments. When we completely transcend selfish craving, we enter a state of nirvana and suffering ceases. Nirvana literally means "blowing out" in the way a flame or candle is blown out. What is extinguished when we attain nirvana is our craving, our attachment.  As the victims of the earthquake look at their shattered homes, a Buddhist might say to them that nothing is permanent. No form endures forever.

One Islamic religious leader wrote that often the earthquakes are God’s way of teaching us. “Many times it has happened that a sudden shock or blow in our life becomes the turning point. Mild punishments are to discipline us to save us from severe punishments. Those who are mindful take the advantage of such occurrence and change their behaviors, but those who are not watchful just cry and complain and finally meet even more severe consequences.”

What do I think? I agree with Rabbi Harold Kushner's view. I believe that natural disasters like earthquakes are random events that happen for no reason. I find the word God is useful in describing what I experience as a unity that underlies existence. I suspect that this unity gives us a mission to learn more and more about the nature of the life and the universe. And I suspect this unity is not all powerful. It cannot prevent earthquakes, or terrible storms or other such disasters.

Why do earthquakes happen? In this church each of you are free to make up your own mind. Whatever your view, we are having a special collection for earthquake relief on Sunday. I invite you to contribute generously. 

Susan Archer
The tragedy in Haiti has been such a cruel reminder of how fragile the world is as well as the lives we build upon it.   It is also a reminder of how much we all need one another, whether we in our faith community or the interconnected community that circles the earth.

It was wonderful to see the energy around the Social Justice Fair.  We are a community with a lot going on!  Add to that the work the ongoing work of CLARITY, the upcoming trip of those going down to help in New Orleans, and so much more.  Our children also continue to be active, with projects to help others locally and in faraway places!

In chapel, we have been talking about the meaning of compassion.  In November, our younger children (grades K-3) heard the story of “Nobiah’s Well,” about a young African boy whose compassionate heart could not but help itself from responding to the needs of animals he passed on his long walk from the stream.  In the end, his compassion stirred them to help his village dig the well which would ensure survival for all its people as well as the animals.   In January our older children (grades 4-6) heard the story of the work of Greg Mortensen (of “Three Cups of Tea” fame) and the people of Korphe to build a school.  One of our Bible classes had just read the story of the Good Samaritan and those children made some good observations about the compassion shown in that story.

We have also been learning the song, “May This Road Lead to Peace,” which includes the words, “May this road open wide my heart.”  Our children already have tender hearts that are open and loving.  They inspire me every day.  In the weeks to come they will be listening to their  hearts as they choose a good “cause”  to which they will send this year’s chapel  offerings.

May we all continue to work together with compassionate hearts to make our world more fair and loving.   May the compassion of our hearts and the generosity of our hands and resources also find paths to Haiti at this very difficult time.

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.

Condolences are with long-time member Bob Bauer (Neighborhood 99) as he and his family mourn the passing of his wife, Colene, who died on December 18 after a long illness. (She will be remembered through a private service in the Spring.)

A note to the congregation from Bobbie Nelson, our Minister of Religious Education Emerita, who has been recovering from a heart attack and a subsequent surgery: “Thank you for your notes, cards, and phone calls. They are wonderful for the spirit. My healing continues well and by spring I trust I will back to normal. May the New Year bring you joy.”

Our hearts also go out to John Trevithick (N16) and his family with the death of his brother, Steve, on December 3. A Service in Celebration of His Life was held at the UU church in Morgantown, WV.

And our love and care are with Tod, Lisa and Anne Chernikoff (N24) with the tragic death of Tod’s cousin on January 11. Tod writes, “Erick Pflaum was 12 years old and waged a 2 year battle for her life against a brain tumor. Her family and friends will hold a celebration of her life on January 22 near her home in San Jose, California.”

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.

We have an eventful few weeks through January and February.
On Christmas Eve all our young musicians performed during the youth and family services.  The Children’s Choir had a great time introducing Born in Bethlehem, and the Youth Choir sang the classic Carol of the Bells a capella and introduced the Swahili song Habari Nzuri or Good News!  The Youth Bell Choir rang a rhythmic arrangement of Good King Wenceslas and introduced our new chimes to the Congregation with the song In the Bleak MidWinter. The Adult Choir sang for the 10:30 PM service, presenting an assortment of Christmas songs including the Huron Carol, (with handbell and violin accompaniment), Once in Royal David’s City, and Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine (with harp accompaniment).  Thomas Guthrie performed a beautiful organ prelude on Gesu Bambino.  The musical centerpiece of the service were five movements from Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with guest harpist, Melissa Dvorak.

January 17 will be a very busy weekend.  On Saturday evening, January 16, the Choir will sing in the Totally Mozart concert to benefit John Kelly’s Children’s Hospital.  Thomas Guthrie will be at the organ console and Dr. Henry Sgrecci conducts the chamber orchestra in Regina Coeli and Ave Verum Corpus.  We expect a huge audience on hand to enjoy the Choir and Barbara Wing as they perform in the spotlight.  Sunday the Adult Choir and all the youth musical ensembles will lead Martin Luther King Sunday.  The Children’s Choir will sing This Little Light of Mine, the Youth Choir sings Siyahamba, the Youth Bell Choir will ring Come, Let Us Eat, and the Adult Choir will introduce a lively arrangement of the popular spiritual Now Let Us Sing.

January 24 the Adult Choir will sing Henry Purcell’s Lord, Have Mercy On Us, Sweet Canaan from “The Sacred Harp” hymnal and Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Eugene Butler, based upon the poetry of Robert Frost.  Hymns will include “Standing on the Side of Love” and “When I am Frightened.”

January 31 the Intergenerational Handbell Choir will begin the Call to Worship with the beloved canon “Dona Nobis Pacem.”  The Women’s Chorale will sing Malcolm Williamson’s three part song, Sweet and Low.  The Women’s Quartet will sing a lovely song in Russian called Blagoslovi by Pavel Chesnekov.

February 7 the Adult Choir will be visiting River Road Unitarian Universalist Church to sing in partnership with its Choir and Director of Music, Clif Harden.  CLUUC will enjoy music by guest artists.

On February 14, Pledge Drive Sunday, we will have the pleasure of hosting the Choir from River Road Unitarian Universalist Church.  The Choir will join with the Adult Choir of CLUUC to provide joyous and exhilarating music for the morning. 

Ad Hoc Choir will meet in the Chapel at 12:30 on February 7.  Hope to see you there. 

Tenors: Gruppo Piccolo wants you.  Contact hsgrecci@cedarlane.org to discuss.

Religious Education Notes 

Raising UU Kids: Parents as Resident Theologians and Spiritual Guides
Join Susan for a two session class to take a look at how children grow and what makes them feel connected to a larger reality. Explore ways to respond to their needs for ritual and self expression. Look at ways to nurture their natural sense of wonder, wondering and joy. And talk about ways to respond to questions about God, death, Jesus, and ethics. January 23 and 30, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Fee is $2. Childcare available, if requested 1 week in advance; $5/session. Register through Adult Programs in the RE office by Thursday, January 14.

Teacher Renewal Thanks!
Thanks to the many hands that helped make our Teacher Renewal such a success. Jenna Lordo coordinated the dinner that followed our special workshop on “The Power of Story.” We would also like to thank our interage crew who assisted in many ways: Val Carter, Sonia DeNicolo, Jan Eisner, Alex Green, Katherine Green, Elisa Klein, Sarah Kimball, Robert Manning, Herma Dupre, our very faithful building manager, Mickey Sigsbee, and our indispensable RE Administrator, Gale Luce.

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.

Community Based Shelter
Kudos to Session II 5th 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 to the shelter.

Guest at Your Table
Please return the Guest at Your Table boxes to the RE office ASAP.  We would like to wrap up the collection and send our congregational donation to the UUSC for their important work.

Holiday Craft Day Plates and Mugs are Here!
Pick up your plates and mugs in the downstairs lobby on Sundays or in the RE office during the week.  They are delightful—as always!

Youth Notes

Youth Activity Group (Grades 7 and 8)
      We had a great group of packers at Manna Food in December—32 to be exact.  That may have been our largest group of packers ever.  Good going!  Plus we found a new and tasty pizza place—Zio’s in  Gaithersburg.  Overall it was a great evening—thanks to all the packers.
        The 2010 Calendar already has a number of events for the next two months.  We hope you can attend all of them:
        January 22, Friday: Pizza & Movie at the church, from 6:30 to10:00 p.m.  We will watch 1 or 2 movies and could use some movie suggestions from you.  Call John at the number below.  Must be rated PG or PG-13.  Announcement will go out this week.
        February 7, Sunday: Super Bowl Party for all youth groups and other Cedar Lane fans and friends.  Begins at 6:00 p.m. and goes until there is a winner.  We will watch in the sanctuary on the Big Screen.  Pizza and soft drinks will be provided; you can bring your favorite munchies!  Wear your NFL shirt too!
        February 21, Sunday: Orienteering at Wheaton Regional Park with the Quantico Orienteering Club.  Will leave church at 12:15 p.m., eat fast-food in Wheaton, begin orienteering around 1:00 p.m., and return to the church at 4:00 p.m. We did this last year and it was a big hit.  Flyer will be sent in advance of the event.
        February 26-28, Friday through Sunday: Annual youth ski trip to Seven Spring Resort in Pennsylvania.  The trip will be better than ever.  Announcements and reminders have been sent out.  Get your registration materials in by January 29!  We don’t want you to miss the trip.
        The Youth Activity Group is open to 7th and 8th graders at Cedar Lane.  If you have any questions about the Group or its activities, contact John Daniel (301-946-5509), Kim Clarkson (301-587-3051) or Susan Archer.                           

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)  
      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.

Upcoming Events:
January
        17  MLK intergenerational service
        18  MLK service day*
 22-25 Winter Con*…theme - Social justice
      23  Murder Mystery Dinner* (hosted by River Road UU congregation’s youth group)

February
          7  Superbowl party
          8  Lobby Day in Annapolis*
        13  Cosmic Bowling*
        14  SHAG meeting
        19  Hang-out, pizza & movie
26-28  Ski trip at Seven Springs* Registration Deadline is January 29.
*Permission and Contract forms required.

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.
        Join other Young Adults for Brunch: Meet in the vestibule at the back of the sanctuary 15 minutes after the end of the 11 a.m. service. We will car pool to a local restaurant for lunch or brunch and fellowship.

Adult Programs Notes

Register for Spring 2010 programs NOW!  The cosmic blue brochure was mailed to your home last week with two registration cards. See the brochure for detailed descriptions and costs of classes.  It is also available on our website at www.cedarlane.org.  Register through the RE office.

Classes beginning in February:

New—Be sure to read the descriptions of these new and exciting classes, add them to your calendar and register.
            The Philosophy Club – will discuss several  philosophers.
            Does God Exist and Is the Bible True?  Is it possible to give a flawless proof for the fundamental
               teachings of Western religions?
            Go Green, Get Lean –-Explore the health and environmental advantages of eating more plant based
               foods.
            Winter Retreat for Women – Explore through readings, guided meditation, sharing into the silence
               and being witnessed.
            Photography: Composition and Style –- explore contemporary ideas to open your creativity.  
            Cedar Lane Dancers –- for dancers of all ages with just a year of ballet or modern dance experience.
            Alexander Technique (free introductory class 2/4) helps to improve posture and body awareness.

Perennial Favorites—If you haven’t participated in one of these yet, or it has been a while, the following programs encourage new participation.
        Science and Religion
        Continuing Yoga
      T’ai Chi for Beginners
      T’ai Chi Advanced
      Book Discussion
      Connection Circles

Sunday Morning Forum
The Sunday Morning Forum meets between services from 10:10 to 10:55 a.m. in the Chalice House.  Everyone is invited.
        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 Servicemember 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.
        January 31:  “America’s Love/Hate Relationship with International Law.”  The official U.S. attitude towards the prosecution of crimes against humanity and war crimes changed dramatically from the universality of Nuremberg to the exceptionalism of the ICC treaty negotiations.  Legal “realism” and “idealism” are strains of thought that pose a battle of opposites. Our speaker, Linda Bishai, will address the history of U.S. legal  thinking that has created this conceptual battle, and its implications for the present. Dr. Bishai is a senior program officer in the Education and Training Center of the United States Institute of Peace.
        February 7: “Finding a New Way Forward in Afghanistan.” Afghanistan is a country, but not a nation. Three of its distinct groups are tied by ethnicity and/or religion to one of the country’s neighbors.  The fourth group is a collection of loosely confederated tribes. Just as it did not work in Viet Nam or Algeria, General McChrystal’s “new” counter-insurgency of “clear, hold, build” is unlikely to work because it cannot be executed on behalf of another government.  Dr. Douglas Macgregor, retired army colonel, will elaborate on why he believes it would be best for us to withdraw from Afghanistan.
        February 14: No Forum
        February 21: “Health Reform:  A View from the Hill.”  An update on the progress of health reform from the perspective of a Hill staffer.  Dr. Hammonds, a pharmacist by training is health fellow to Senator Tom Harkins, chair of the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s HELP committee.

Connection Circles
As a service project the Living by Heart II Connection Circle has established a special place in the church library for a collection of books, poems and other inspirational writings for the especial, though not exclusive, use and enjoyment of Connection Circle members.  The books and poems in the collection were donated by Circle members.  The books can be checked out and the poems can be easily copied.

Most Connection Circles are on-going and are welcoming new members.  They are a great way to get to know other Cedar Laners in a small group setting, through worship and reflection.  Register through Adult Programs.

January 24, 2009
“One Year Later: Idealizing and Disappointment”
Rev. Roger Fritts
Why do so many Presidents start off with high approval ratings and end with such low ones?  I was tempted to call this sermon “Leadership as a Trial of Character.”

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 Servicemember 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.

January 31, 2009

“In Search of the Spiritual”

Rev. Roger Fritts

Over thirty-two years of ministry I have preached on this topic several years.  How has my spiritual search changed over those years?  Has yours changed as you have grown older?

January 31 Forum: “America’s Love/Hate Relationship with International Law.”  The official U.S. attitude towards the prosecution of crimes against humanity and war crimes changed dramatically from the universality of Nuremberg to the exceptionalism of the ICC treaty negotiations.  Legal “realism” and “idealism” are strains of thought that pose a battle of opposites. Our speaker, Linda Bishai, will address the history of U.S. legal  thinking that has created this conceptual battle, and its implications for the present. Dr. Bishai is a senior program officer in the Education and Training Center of the United States Institute of Peace.

It's not too late to buy tickets for the annual Afghan dinner and silent auction fundraiser for couples literacy in Afghanistan, held at the church on Saturday evening, January 23, starting at 6 p.m. This is the only fundraiser in the world for Kabultec, and besides a compelling program of speakers, our Cedar Lane lounge will be full of all kinds of items from bazaars all over Afghanistan you won't want to miss. Tickets are $50 per person. Please contact Eleanor DePaola at 301-299-6236 for tickets and information.

Loving Cedar Lane on February 14.

Celebration Sunday is coming February 14, 2010.  This is your opportunity to give love to Cedar Lane by pledging your fair share.  Everyone is invited to stay for a celebratory brunch after each service. We will be honored and excited to have Kate Braestrup as our celebration speaker.  Reverend Braestrup is a UU minister and mother of four living in Maine who entered the ministry after her state trooper husband was killed.  She has recently published her newest book, Here if you Need Me. Please enjoy this quote from the book.

“Be as loving as you can, as often as you can, for as many people as you can, for as long as you live. Why should we do this? Because."--Kate Braestrup, “Laugh, Pray, Love,” Reader’s Digest, December 2009/January 2010

Swing Into Spring!
Cedar Lane’s 2010 Auction, Saturday, March 13.

Whether you’re a first-timer or long-timer, do plan to attend this year’s not-to-be-missed Cedar Lane auction. You give. You get. Our church receives!

The auction is FUN! Its success is critical to the church’s financial well-being. We’ll provide, on request, safe and entertaining child care and rides for non-drivers. Tickets will go on sale in the lounge beginning on January 24. The price of admission ($30 per person in advance or $35 at the door) includes a splendid gourmet repast catered by the same people who won our raves last year. Raffle tickets for either the quilt or the 50/50 cash split will be $10 each—a bargain offering three chances for every two purchased in 2009! The Cedar Lane Quilters’ magnificent “Unitarian Labyrinth” will be on display in the sanctuary during the week prior the auction. Look for the auction catalog on the church website about the same time.

But first: What will you donate to be auctioned? By tradition we all give something for someone else to go home happy with. Please be thinking about what you might offer when your invitation and donation form arrive in the mail. Be creative! Can you provide a small group dinner featuring your special recipes? The use of your condo at the beach? A few hours of your professional or avocational expertise? Baby sitting, power washing a deck, relining someone’s brakes? Or . . . Can you solicit your favorite local business for a donation—a restaurant dinner for two, a couple of movie or theater tickets, a dry-cleaning bargain? Corporate donations are important, though check with Lisa Chernikoff (301-587-5992, lisa.chernikoff@verizon.net) first to avoid duplicate solicitations.

And don’t forget the Nifty-Thrifty sale. Helen Pechacek and her team will be accepting items in like-new condition to be sold for $25 or less. Jewelry, artwork and photography, decorative objects, sports and exercise equipment, DVDs, toys, games, and the like are welcomed. Please do not donate large items, books, or clothing. Call or e-mail Helen if you have questions about an item (301-384-2415, hpechacek@comcast.net).

The Social Justice Council with the support of the Board of Trustees is calling a Special Collection (100%) for disaster relief in Haiti.  SJC has received and reviewed numerous recommendations for worthy organizations to which we could contribute our special collection on Sunday.
 
The organization we have chosen is Partners in Health.  Below is text from a posting at NPR from The Nation: 
"There are numerous ways to help groups already on the ground. One of the best, Partners In Health, has been operating in the country since 1987, originally to deliver health care to the residents of Haiti's mountainous Central Plateau region. PiH now also operates clinics in Port au Prince and other major Haitian cities. With hospitals and a highly trained medical staff in place, Partners In Health is already mobilizing resources and preparing plans to bring medical assistance and supplies to areas that have been hardest hit. Donations to help earthquake relief efforts will be quickly routed to the disaster."

There is a terrific book by Tracey Kidder, "Mountains Beyond Mountains" that describes how Paul Farmer in the mid-80s single-handedly created a healthcare system in Haiti that absolutely exemplifies our first UU principle regarding the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
 
See more information on their website: www.pih.org/where/Haiti/Haiti.html and read more about them at this website: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4884

Please give generously and thank you in advance,

Betsy Devlin-Foltz,
Sandy Shaw
Co-Chairs – SJC

You are invited on SUNDAY, 12:30, CEDAR LANE AUDITORIUM to the debut of CLARITY- (Cedar Laners Against Racism and Inspired by Togetherness – Yes!)   Lunch and Viewing of “Mirror of  Privilege:  Making Whiteness Visible”  followed by a thoughtful discussion.

CLARITY is Cedar Lane’s task force committed to advancing the work of anti-racism, within and beyond our congregation, as an expression of our UU values.  CLARITY’s intention is to educate, advocate, organize, make public witness and reach out. We seek an environment at Cedar Lane where people feel safe to talk race.  We believe we need to listen carefully to each other & build community.

To assist as in planning, please RSVP by Jan. 13.  But RSVP or not, you are welcomed to join us.  If you have questions, please contact at 301-926-7649 or Jack1165@gmail.com. 

We also invite you to our next CLARITY meeting on Wednesday evening, January 20^th at 7:30PM for further discussion followed by a planning session on future activities for those interested.  No one is a beginner.  All are somewhere on a path of learning.  Each of us has something to teach and something to learn.

We are Rev. Heather Janules, Lisa Chernikoff, Betsy Devlin-Foltz, Marge Dimond, Nancy Janssen, Pat Karlsen, Arlene Schneider, Sandy Shaw, Jack Welch - and growing!

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.

Green your shopping, your home, and your world  by using Co-op America's Responsible Shopper... 

http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/

This link will send you to an internet site that provides you with the real story about abuses by well-known companies, gives you actions to promote corporate responsibility, and helps you green your life and world.  You can search hundreds of company profiles by name or by industry and quickly compare the corporate responsibility records of companies within industries.

Act to change corporate behavior: choose from dozens of campaigns to help curb corporate abuse.

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 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. 

Asbury’s Unitarian Universalists present An Inter-Faith Dialogue: A Path Toward Peace with Dr. Clark Lobenstine of The Inter-Faith Conference of Metropolitan Washington

Thursday, January 21, 2010 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Asbury Methodist Village Hefner Auditorium
417 Russell Avenue Gaithersburg, Maryland

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 15 – Sunday, January 24

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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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