Volume 2, No. 7                                                                                     February 19, 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/en021910.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

 

 

February 21, 2010
Celebration Sunday: “Mango Thoughts in a Meat Loaf Town”
Rev. Meg Barnhouse
Celebration Sunday will be this Sunday, Feb. 21 and we will have a very special speaker, the Rev. Meg Barnhouse.

Meg is interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, New Jersey, and the author of several books, including Did I Say That Out Loud? Musings from a Questioning Soul (Skinner House, 2006). She is also a humorist, singer-songwriter, and commentator for "Radio Free Bubba" on North Carolina Public Radio. Susan Archer says "Meg is very funny and inspiring," and I agree.

Forum: 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.

Music Notes: Befitting this morning of celebration our music is energetic and uplifting.  The Youth Handbell Choir rings Festival Capriccio, a lively selection from noted composer Barbara Kinyon.  The young singers of our Children’s Choir share Cristi Cary Miller’s message of hope and promise in Teach the Child, Touch the Future.  The Youth Choir sings the time honored part song from British composer Martin Shaw; With a Voice of Singing.  The Adult Choir presents one of Vermont composer, Gwyneth Walker’s newest works; a robust, vibrant rendition of the traditional spiritual, Now Let Us Sing.  In addition to the singing of hymns Rev. Barnhouse will lead us in one of her own compositions, All Will Be Well.  Thomas Guthrie’s postlude offers a bright and cheerful conclusion from one of the most revered twentieth century organ composers, Gordon Young.

                              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 LOBBY/VESTIBULE- ◊ Adult Programs Registration ◊ Auction Committee (back of Sanctuary) ◊ Donuts with fair trade coffee, hot chocolate, and tea (Lobby) ◊

Volunteers for the Service:
Greeters: 9 a.m. Sharon and Frank Adler                      11 a.m. Cammie Burnight and Anne Gralla
Ushers:    9 a.m. Dawn Steinfeld, Laura Pillette, and Dianne & Perry Seiffert
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: Warren Thompson
Visitors’ Center: 10 a.m. John Gubbings 12 p.m. Bannon Preston
Board Member at the Desk: 12 p.m. Dusty Kreisberg
The flowers in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Esther Rose, mother of Ardene Shafer. They were arranged by Ellen Thompson.

 

 

 

Roger Fritts
Thursday, Feb 25, the President is holding a televised bipartisan meeting on health insurance reform. The White House has named twenty-one lawmakers the President wants to attend the Feb. 25 event: the top leaders in the House and Senate and of the committees with jurisdiction over the health legislation. The President has also invited the top four leaders to invite four more lawmakers each, for a total of twenty Democrats and seventeen Republicans.

I hope to watch at least part of the meeting. I do not expect that they will agree on health care insurance reform. Roger Fisher pointed out in his book Getting to Yes, public negotiations seldom succeed. "A good case can be made for changing Woodrow Wilson's appealing slogan 'Open covenants openly arrived at' to 'open covenants privately arrived at.' No matter how many people are involved in a negotiation, important decisions are typically made when no more than two people are in the room." Each speaker may restate his or her position and attack the other side. It could be a dull event. However, human beings are unpredictable. Genuine dialogue is always a possibility.

The health care debate is, fundamentally, a moral debate. I believe that everyone has a moral right to basic health care, proven treatments that make a difference in the length and quality of our lives. I believe that we all have a moral responsibility to help others when they are sick, to the best of our ability. In his book, The Healing of America T.R. Reid quotes a French doctor: "When we get sick then everybody is equal." That is my view. It is a moral view, based on the best teachings of the great world religions.

I will be interested to see whether any of the speakers say this. I am hoping for more than a sentimental nod intended to placate the religious community. I am hoping for the recognition of the basic issue. Is it moral to let a person die because they have no money to pay for the medical care? Do we believe we should help each other?

Heather Janules
It is common practice for ministers – Unitarian Universalist and otherwise – to take time away from their ministries for rest, exploration and continuing education, to replenish their emotional and intellectual reserves so they may better serve their community. Cedar Lane has a long tradition of granting their ministers this time, sabbatical time, recognizing the need for ministers to have this time apart and the ways that this reflection and renewal strengthen the congregation upon their return.

As I write, I am currently serving in my fifth year of ministry at Cedar Lane. Last Spring, I asked our Board of Trustees if I could schedule my first sabbatical from April to August of this year and they have agreed to my request.

While sabbaticals often occur after six years of service, ministers are eligible to begin using sabbatical time after four years. As I don’t want to be away from Cedar Lane for too long and as shared wisdom in religious leadership suggests that shorter and more frequent sabbaticals help prevent the dreaded “burn out,” I have opted to take this time after four years of service.

I have chosen this time frame – the Spring and Summer – as I have learned that this is the time when things are the most quiet at Cedar Lane, when many others are taking their own time apart from church life. While I know that I will miss a lot when I will be away, it is important to me that my temporary departure does not disrupt my responsibilities too much.

Hence, from April 1 to August, I will not be at Cedar Lane. Roger and Susan have graciously agreed to step in to a number of liaison and facilitation roles I usually fill while I am away.

Many who have heard of my upcoming sabbatical have asked me about my plans. While I am on sabbatical, I plan to spend some time at home “nesting” – cleaning, organizing and upgrading the condo I bought two years ago. I plan to spend about a month at my family’s cabin in northern New Hampshire, reconnecting with this beautiful place, writing, spending some time with my father and – I imagine – throwing countless tennis balls into the lake for my dog Luna. I plan to fly to the West Coast to officiate a friend’s wedding while also visiting friends and relatives in Oregon, California and Texas. My twentieth high school reunion will take place while I am on sabbatical and I plan to attend. Another friend has invited me to join her on a ten-day tour of Iceland in July and I plan to sign up. And I plan to attend a worship service at least once a week, experiencing the many different ways that Unitarian Universalists and other religious people gather in celebration and service.

But, as the saying goes, “when we make plans, God laughs.” I have learned from colleagues that the great gift of sabbatical is allowing time and opportunity to unfold on its own, to have the space to be better present to what we are experiencing, which often invites us into opportunities we did not orchestrate.

Sabbaticals are also good opportunities for congregations. With a minister’s temporary departure, sabbaticals offer a “ministry of absence” which creates space for other church leaders to function in different ways. At their best, at the end of a minister’s sabbatical, neither the minister nor the congregation are the same, with both having opportunities to explore new things and learn and grow.

I will miss you while I am on sabbatical and am very appreciative of how our congregation supports its ministers in this way. I look forward to the adventure that lies before me – both the planned and unplanned parts – and sharing what I discover. When it is your time to temporarily step away from church life, I hope that it also nurtures your heart and mind. May it be so!

 

 

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.

Our love and care are with the Rev. Archene Turner, Cedar Lane’s Coordinator of Youth Ministries, as she and her family mourn the death of her mother, Rufina, who died on February 12. A memorial service was held in Florida on February 20^th. (Those who wish to contribute to a memorial donation from Cedar Lane to a cause of the family’s choice may write checks to CLUUC with “Archene” in the memo line and place them in Heather Janules’ mailbox.)

Congratulations are with Janet Cromer (Neighborhood 5) as her book, “Professor Cromer Learns to Read: A Couple’s New Life After Brain Injury” has been published!

Healing wishes are with Mike Harris (N19) as he recovers from knee replacement surgery.

Condolences are with Bob and Helen Pechacek (N29) with the loss of Bob’s sister, Diane Sanderson, who died on Feb 6 after a long illness. (Due to the winter storms, Helen and Bob were not able to attend her memorial in California.)

Best wishes are with Mabel Miller (N27) as she has sold her apartment and moved to North Carolina. Until she has a permanent address, friends may reach Mabel at mabelmiller@gmail.com.

Our sympathies are with Betsy and David Devlin-Foltz (N19) with the death of Betsy’s beloved uncle. A Catholic priest, “Uncle Father Charles,” in David’s words, “had a very special relationship with all of us, and with thousands of parishioners, city officials, Archbishops and street kids over his decades of service.  He was a funny, gregarious, socially engaged and deeply devout man. We will all miss him dearly.”

Prayers are with UU minister Marlin Lavenhar, Senior Minister at All Souls in Tulsa, OK, as he travels to Uganda to stand in solidarity with their partner church in protesting the Ugandan movement calling for the execution of gay and lesbian people.

Update on Wat Stewart (N4): Wat moved from ManorCare Rehab to Suburban Hospital. After a stay in ICU, he is in the less-intensive area of the hospital, receiving dialysis. Cards of concern and support may be sent to Mary and Betsy at their home address.

Our love goes out to Cedar Lane friend, Bill Shoemaker, with the death of his sister Peggy after a three-month battle with brain cancer.

Wishes for strength: After a stay in Suburban Hospital, Phoebe Pfaehler (N6) is now receiving rehab care at ManorCare in Chevy Chase.

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.

 

 

 

What’s in a “Prelude?”  Musical preludes are intended to prepare us for worship through a few moments of undisturbed reflection prior to the beginning of the service.  The music is chosen to compliment the theme of the morning and our musicians work diligently to prepare their selections.  So that all may enjoy the music, please create an environment of quiet reflection, without speaking, once the music begins.  Thank you.

Feb. 21 - Celebration Sunday will be exceptionally exciting with the participation of all our youth ensembles.  The Youth Bell Choir will capture the upbeat spirit of the morning with Festival Capriccio.  As the Call to Worship our Children’s Choir will sing Teach the Child, Touch the Future while the Youth Choir will present Martin Shaw’s classic three part song, With A Voice of Singing, during the Offertory.  The Adult Choir will sing a very rousing and energetic Anthem on the traditional spiritual Now Let Us Sing, by American composer Gwyneth Walker.

Feb. 28 - Gruppo Piccolo and our Intergenerational Handbell Choir will lead the musical worship as Rev. Heather Janules reflects on the recent service of CLUUC members in New Orleans.  The IG Handbell Choir will ring the familiar theme from Jean Sibelius’ tone poem “Finlandia,” (which we will also sing during the morning reflection).  The Call to Worship will be Chris Massa’s contemporary setting of text by the poet Christina Rosetti, All Flesh is Grass.  During the Offertory the ensemble will sing Breaths, a song written by local composer, Ysaye Barnwell, of the popular group, Sweet Honey and the Rock.  Our Anthem, Hold Me, Rock Me, was composed in 2004, by Vancouver based composer Brian Tate.  The song, in four part harmony, combines the texts of several popular spirituals in a captivating melody that rocks gently while assuring us that we do have a place, on the other side.

March 7 - Midway in the season of Lent we feature the cello music of J.S. Bach and the sacred vocal music of Pablo Casals.  Cellist Loren Westbrook-Fritts performs the meditative sounds of J.S. Bach’s suites for solo cello during the early portion of our services.  As the Call to Worship he will offer the Prelude from “Suite No. 1.”  During the Offertory he will perform Bourees No. 1 and 2 from “Suite No. 3.”  The Adult Choir will sing Casals’ moving O Vos Omnes (O Ye People) which he composed in 1942, while in exile from his native Spain, for the monks of the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat in the Carribean Sea. 

March 14 - During this service we celebrate the coming of St. Patrick’s Day and sing the music of Puccini!  The Adult Choir leads our musical worship, singing Antonio Lotti’s motet Miserere Mei (Grant Us Thy Mercy) as the Call to Worship.  The Choir will sing O Danny Boy in four part harmony during the Offertory.  The morning’s anthem will be a portion of Gloria from Giacomo Puccini’s grand “Messa di Gloria.

Ad Hoc Choir will meet on Sunday, March 7 at 12:30 in the Chapel.  Bring your voices and your good cheer.  See you there!

 

 

Religious Education Notes

Parents, it has been a rough few weeks apart, with many activities and experiences that were lovingly planned for by teachers, ministers, youth leaders and more, being cancelled.  By the time you read this, we will have dived in once more, welcoming you and your children back into what we expect will be meaningful and enjoyable experiences here.  We have missed you and your children and youth!  Please peruse the information here and various updates you will be receiving to know if missed activities are re-scheduled and what new ones are coming!

Chapel Schedule:
February 21: No Chapel; Intergenerational beginning for all.
February 28: Gr. K-6 Chinese New Year brought to us by our Festivals classes
March 7:         Gr. K-6  TBA
March 14:      Gr. K-6  Burning Wishes at Luke’s Circle
March 21:      No Chapel; Intergenerational beginning for all.
March 28:      Gr. K-6  Passover
April 4:            No RE; Easter Services (11 a.m. best for children, egg hunt Immediately following this service only)
April 11:          Gr. K-4  TBA (Gr. 6 Growing-Up Year Presentation in sanctuary; Gr. 5 classes may want to attend; others welcome)
April 18:         Gr. K- 6  Stepping-Stone Year Ceremony

Chapel Donations: By the time you receive this, we will have voted on where we want our chapel money to go this year! Based on input from children, the ballot includes: homeless people, hungry people, education for all, endangered species, Haiti, and animal shelters.  We will let you know the results soon!

Teacher Appreciation Donations
We are still collecting from parents for our Teacher Appreciation Dinner, which is Friday, February 26.  If you haven’t already, please return your contribution to the RE office as soon as possible.  This helps support the cost of the dinner, and allows us to celebrate our teachers, assistants and other RE leaders in the most joyous way we can!  If you have a 6th grader, please let us know if they can help as a server at the dinner by returning the form you received in the mail.  Thank you for helping to make this dinner a memorable one through your support.

Save the Date! 

June 11-13, 2010
ALL-CHURCH RETREAT
at Camp Tockwogh!   

Young adults, families with children, couples, elders, EVERYBODY welcome! A time for Cedar Laners of all ages to be together in an informal, relaxed atmosphere.  Details and registration materials coming!

                         

Youth Notes

Money Matters, workshop for teens and parents on ethical and practical money management, with Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and author of award-winning book, “Raising Money-Smart-Kids.” Sunday, April 21, 2-4 p.m. There is no cost, but please register through Adult Programs. While this workshop is targeted to teens and parents, parents of younger children, grandparents and teachers may find the information useful.  Invite your friends!

Youth Activity Group (Grades 7 and 8)
        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.

Upcoming Events:
February
26-28  Ski trip at Seven Springs

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
        The SHYG has managed to get in two events in spite of the snow. On January 23, a group of youth and adults enjoyed the Mystery Theater at River Road UU church.  And on Friday, February 18, a group gathered in the Chalice House for AI, pizza, a movie, and friends.  AI or Appreciative Inquiry is the process the Break Force Task Force is using for long range planning for the church.  It was nice to get input from the teens!
        For information on the SHYG (grades 9-12) and SHAG (including parents) 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:
February
26-28  Ski trip at Seven Springs
March
        12 (Not 13!) Coming of Age Lock-in for the 9^th Gr.
        14 SHAG meeting
        19 Hang-Out and Pizza
        27-29 Boston Trip for 9^th Gr.9

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 Notes

Register for Spring 2010 programs NOW! .  Many classes are starting later due to snow cancellations.  Please call the RE office for updates. Detailed descriptions and fees are in the Adult Programs Spring 2010 brochure, which is available on our website at www.cedarlane.org.

Two Additional Programs!:
        Just Sitting: a time for silent meditation.  Tuesdays, 10 to 11a.m., in the chapel.  Cedar Lane reserves this time and space for anyone who desires a time for silent meditation with others.  At 10:45 a bell will be rung and those who wish can stay for 15 minutes of either sharing or listening to a speaker.  You are invited to sit in the pews (which are padded and have good lower back support) or on a zafu or other meditation cushion (bring your own).  A basket will be available for donations which go to the church.  Drop-in.  Registration not required.

        Money Matters #H39 is ON for Sunday, March 21, 2 - 4 p.m. with Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine.  This is a workshop on how to handle money responsibly. Older teens and those going off to college should find this session especially useful. Bodnar’s column “Money-Smart Kids”, was listed as a top online financial advice column by moneysmartz.com. Her book, “Raising Money-Smart Kids,” received a variety of awards. This free workshop is presented by Cedar Lane’s Kiplinger Committee. Everyone welcome Register through Adult Programs.

Brochure Correction
      Olive Oil Tasting is May 21 (not May 7).

Classes Beginning Soon:
      Retreat for Women-Mid-Winter Exploration Saturday, February 27, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Explore through readings, guided meditation, sharing into the silence and being witnessed.  Judith Duerk has led retreats for over 1400 women.
      Meditation This ongoing class for beginners and more experienced students draws a crowd! Students deepen their meditation and mindfulness practice through instruction in sitting and walking meditation, gentle yoga, short talks, and discussion.  Ten Monday evenings, beginning March 1.
        Act for the Best: An Appreciation of the Moral Philosophy of William James The class will read two of his essays to see if his moral outlook is relevant today. Two Monday evenings, March 1 and 8.
        Voluntary Simplicity This course offered by the Northwest Earth Institute, recently revised, addresses the difficult problem of gearing down in a busy world. Six Thursday evenings, beginning March 4.
      Ikebana for Beginners This is an amazing opportunity to explore the art of Japanese flower arranging with master teacher Sheila Advani!  She may be willing to offer more classes if we generate enough interest.  Join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 9, in the lounge.
      The Philosophy Club will discuss several philosophers, Aristotle included.  Six sessions on Tuesday evenings.  Delayed start due to snow, the first class will be Tuesday, March 9.
        The Book Discussion Group meets on the third Tuesday of the month to discuss fiction and nonfiction books, in the library. Join them on March16.
        Protecting the Earth from Asteroids and Comets While the probability of a devastating impact is low during our lifetime, they still represent the greatest natural threat to our existence.  Join Dr. Rob Gold, from JHUAPL, for one Wednesday evening, March 17, and find out the relationship between the size of the impactor and possible fatalities, what have we learned about these objects, and what can we do to mitigate the threat.
        Welcome Workshop What is Unitarian Universalism and how do I engage with the Cedar Lane community! This Saturday morning class and lunch is open to anyone interested in discovering what our community is about. March 20.
        Ethical Money Matters for Youth and Parents #H39 is ON for Sunday, March 21, 2 - 4 p.m.

Labyrinth
      The next Cedar Lane labyrinth walk will be held Sunday, March 7, at 2 p.m. in the auditorium to celebrate the spring equinox. 

Sunday Morning Forum
     February 28  How Can Muslims and Unitarians Talk to each Other? Our speaker is Zeyneb Salim, a graduate student of Religious Pluralism in the Department of Theology at Georgetown University.  Ms. Salim will share her deep interest in interfaith dialogue and building bridges among religious groups.  Her basic introduction to the Muslim faith will include the Islamic understanding of God, the core ideas of the faith, its tenets and practices, and the role of the Qur’an as scripture in the Muslim community.
        March 7: How to Minimize the Potential Effects of Toxic Plastics and Chemicals.  Our speaker is Lynn Goldman, Pediatrician and Professor in the Environmental Health Sciences Department of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  Lynn is also a member of Cedar Lane.
        March 14: Keeping Agriculture Local. Montgomery County (MoCo) produces more than $120 million annually in commercial horticulture, including: landscape, nursery, greenhouse, turf and garden center industries, as well as commercial fruit and vegetable production. Chuck Schuster, Extension Service educator, and Horticulturist, will talk about why it is important for us to maintain this “growing industry.”
        March 21: Crossway Community, Inc. with Kathleen Guinan, CEO (and husband Ed, November 2008 WETA Hometown Heroes) will discuss this organization created in 1990 to provide low-income mothers with educational opportunities and child-care options.  Crossway acts to combine the best aspects of homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and transitional housing programs into an environment that fosters community learning. The organization is a model of how public/private partnerships can support the creation of innovative and community-serving initiatives.

                                             

 

 

 

February 28, 2010
“A Season of Justice: Acts of Memory and Hope”
The Rev. Heather Janules
In January, Cedar Lane’s Social Justice Council invited our congregation to commit to volunteering in the wider community, sharing our values with the world beyond our doors. This service will celebrate the Campaign for Justice by lifting up two projects – Community Cupcakes and rebuilding homes in New Orleans with Rebuilding Together – and reflecting on the spiritual lessons these “acts of memory and hope” offer. We will also share our offering with Equality Maryland, working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in our home state, as part of our regular “50/50 Split” outreach.

February 28 Forum: How Can Muslims and Unitarians Talk to each Other?                          
Our speaker is Zeyneb Salim, a graduate student of Religious Pluralism in the Department of Theology at Georgetown University. She also holds graduate degrees in Christian-Muslim Relations from Hartford Seminary and in Oriental Studies and Law from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany.  Ms Salim will share with us her deep interest in interfaith dialogue and building bridges among religious groups.  Her basic introduction to the Muslim faith will include the Islamic understanding of God, the core ideas of the faith, its tenets and practices, and the role of the Qur'an as scripture in the Muslim community.   Following this introduction, she will welcome all kinds of questions. 

March 7, 2010
“Fairness”

Rev. Roger Fritts

Paul and Vicky Strella were the high bidders on the offer to pick a sermon title at last year's auction. The full title of the sermon is something like this: "How Do You Decide When You Are Doing Enough Good and How Do You Deal with the Feeling That You Are a Chump When Other People Appear to be Cheating, Getting Rich, Cutting in Line, and Getting Away with it? (Every time I schedule this sermon it snows. We’ll see what happens this time.)

March 7 Forum: How to Minimize Potential Harms of Toxic Plastics and Chemicals.  Our speaker is Lynn Goldman, pediatrician and Professor in the Environmental Health Sciences Department of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  Lynn is also a member of Cedar Lane.

 

 

 

Deadline to Order Name Plates for Memory Wall
Do you have a loved one whom you would like to memorialize with a name plate on the Memory Wall of the beautiful garden outside the Chalice House? He or she need not have been a member of the church. Orders for name plates to be dedicated this spring need to be in the church office no later than Monday, March 1. For applications or information, contact Lyn Peters, Chair of the Memory Garden and History Committee, at 301-881-2872 or lynpeters@verizon.net. A dedication of the newest name plates on the Memory Wall will take place on Sunday, May 30, after the single church service.

 

 

 

Please join us this Sunday for Celebration Sunday featuring The Reverend Meg Barnhouse as our speaker. Stay afterwards for a brunch following each service in the Lounge.

 

 

Swing Into Spring!
Cedar Lane Auction, Saturday, March 13, 6 p.m.

Come, do come! Cedar Lane's annual auction is the social event of our church year. Dress for a party! Advance tickets are on sale now through March 7 after Sunday services and from Bruce Marquette in the office. The admission price of $30 includes a scrumptious gourmet buffet and all activities. Need childcare? Call or e-mail Mary Farrar (301-929-9048 or maryefarrar@verizon.net to reserve a supervised, safe, fun evening for the kids in the Chalice House.

Splurge on Raffle tickets! Only $10 each this year. Multiply your chances to take home a stunning, lovingly pieced and hand-stitched quilt, called "Unitarian Labyrinth" because David Yano, its designer and Cedar Lane Quilters' guiding light, says, "This is the name the quilt had to have." Its vibrant reds, greens, and purples and bursts of varied patterns reflect the many paths available to all of us. Your winning 50-50 raffle ticket (half the proceeds to you, half to CL) could net you a sizable pot of cash.

Give- your time, talents, treasures! Find donation forms in your recent mailing, at the auction table in the lounge, or at www.cedarlane.org. Duplicate at will! Donation forms are due by February 19. What can you donate? A dinner? Services? Please also ask your favorite business to donate something or place an ad in the auction program (corporate forms available on the church website), but check with Lisa Chernikoff, 301-587-5992 or lisa.chernikoff@verizon.net, before doing so in case someone else has already contacted that business. Volunteers are still needed for a number of tasks. You can sign up at the auction table in the lounge after services.

Go "Nifty Thrifty"!  The chapel will again house our upscale cash-and-carry sale of new or gently used items priced from $5 to $25. This is your perfect opportunity to "re-gift" those second-thoughts earrings, incompatible knick-knacks, idle housewares. Bring Nifty-Thrifty donations to the chapel on Friday, March 12, 1-8 pm, and Saturday, March 13, 9 am-noon. No donation form needed-just show up with the stuff. Regular silent auction items will be accepted during the same time periods, but in the lounge.

Bid, Win, Eat, Enjoy, Rejoice at helping Cedar Lane be there for us and the wider world. Proceeds in excess of our goal will go to support the Manna Food Center.

Questions?  Ask Brian Belanger, Auction Chair, 301-258-0708, radiobelanger@comcast.net. Brian will also arrange a ride if you need one.

Participate in the Cedar Lane Auction Even if You Cannot Attend!

Are you hankering for that irresistible week at the beach or tantalizing gourmet dinner offered by your favorite Cedar Lane chefs but know you cannot make it on March 13? Try our absentee bidder system, new this year for live-auction items.

Just write or e-mail Sara Deshler (9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda 20814 or sdeshler@cedarlane.org) stating your name, address, phone number, the number and title of your desired item(s), and the maximum amount you are willing to pay for each. Make sure your message gets to the church by March 10 to ensure adequate time for processing. A surrogate will be assigned to bid on your behalf. Similar to how eBay works, the surrogate will bid the minimum amount necessary at each increment to make you the high bidder, continuing until either you gain the item or some other bidder overtakes your maximum. You will be notified if you're a winner.

Review the auction catalog, which will be posted at www.cedarlane.org by March 5 (with updates as needed), or pick up a hard copy at the church. You can also obtain a more detailed description of the absentee bidding procedure at either site. Direct questions to Brian Belanger, at 301-258-0708 or radiobelanger@comcast.net. 

If you cannot join the fun, you can create excitement vicariously-and support the church we love!

 

 

 

Let’s Eat Together … This Sunday
The Ethical Eating Study Group invites you to a Plant-Based Food Potluck Dinner on Sunday, February 21. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. Bring food for five to share and please list ingredients on a file card. Include NO animal products (vegan). For information contact Joanne Evans, joanneevans@verizon.net.

 

Rebate For Planting Trees
Kim Szwec of Stadler Nurseries (where CCV right-of-way trees are purchased) thought you might like to know about a program in Montgomery County that is providing money to homeowners to plant trees in their yard. The County is rebating up to $600 per yard ($200 per tree) to help increase our tree canopy. Additionally, some trees qualify for both a $25 coupon from the State and another $25 coupon from the County. Following is a link to a recent newsletter with details about the program and a link to the application to qualify for the rebate.
http://www.stadlergardencenters.com/growing.php?page=2010-01-09

Kim would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the program. You can reach her directly at 301-944-1190 x 1  or by email at kims@stadlernurseries.com.

Lulu Gonella, CCV Council member
Jana Coe, Town Manager

 

 

 

Benefit at Cedar Lane Tomorrow!
Please join me for a benefit event on February 20 at Cedar Lane’s Chalice House at 4 p.m.  I am holding this event to benefit Wrap Up Africa (www.wrapupafrica.com), an organization funding treatment for pediatric cancer patients in Uganda.  I was inspired to help this organization because the treatment for Burkitt's Lymphoma -the most common cancer among Ugandan children- is relatively inexpensive and very successful.  If enough of us work together, we could save one life, or even more.

At the event, clothes made by the family members of the cancer patients will be for sale along with jewelry made by Ugandans working for Bead for Life (www.beadforlife.org). Refreshments will be provided by Cosi. Attendees will be requested to make a ten dollar donation.  

I am a tenth grade student at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, and I am organizing this event for a school project.  I am currently working to complete the Middle Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Program, so I have organized this event as a community service project.  Having lived in Uganda, I feel a special connection to the people, the country and the culture.  I would like to give back to a community that was once my home.  

Thank you,
India Scribner

For more information please contact me at indiainafrica@yahoo.com

Westmoreland Music and Arts
You are invited to the next Music and Arts Event at Westmoreland, February 20, 2010 at 7 p.m.
The concert is free, no tickets are required.
Free will donations to benefit Marie Reed Learning center in DC are welcome.

Join NAMI