Joining Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

Joining the church is a highly personal decision. Membership implies a sense of belonging and feeling at home. Placing money in the collection plate on Sundays, while greatly appreciated, does not fully connect a person with our faith community. Filling out a pledge card confers the status of "Friend" of the church. Many people choose to be a pledging "Friend" until they are ready to join, and we also greatly appreciate all of our "Friends." However, to be considered a full-fledged member of the Cedar Lane community, you must make the symbolic gesture of signing the membership book. We strongly encourage anyone who has been coming regularly to Cedar Lane to take the next step of signing the book and becoming a member.

Membership requires a minimum monetary donation or pledge. We ask for an amount sufficient to cover church expenses for each membership, including mailings and amounts contributed annually to the Greater Washington Association of UU Congregations, the Joseph Priestley District and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Members can always be excused from pledging in case of financial hardship by contacting a minister.

Members receive all official church mailings. They are also entitled to vote in congregational meetings six months after signing the book and making a monetary donation. The Annual Congregational Meeting is usually held in April, and members who have signed the book by the previous October are eligible to vote. Members are also eligible to chair an official church committee. Committee work is one of the best ways to get to know other church members. Members also receive discounts on any fees charged for Adult Programs classes – another excellent way to become connected with other members.

Members are assigned to the Cedar Lane "We Care" network arranged by neighborhood. The We Care network joins neighbors and families together in times of crisis and difficulty when extra help, such as meals or transportation, is needed. The "We Care" system is perhaps the most concrete illustration of the mutual commitment conveyed by membership.

Ministers regularly perform weddings and memorial services for members and their families. Committed groups within the church such as the Alliance provide assistance for members’ memorial services. Ministers and specially trained church members make pastoral visits to members in need.

Last but not least, members receive a permanent nametag to be kept in the wooden cabinets on the wall in the sanctuary. Wearing your nametag with your "We Care" number on it is an excellent way to meet fellow Cedar Laners and realize you are an integral part of a unique and wonderful community.

How Do I Join?

To become a voting member of Cedar Lane, you must be age 16 or over and make a minimum contribution as determined by the Board of Trustees. Each person or member of a couple signs on a separate line of the Membership book.

The second Sunday of each month is Second Sunday Signing -- our somewhat formalized process of joining Cedar Lane by signing the membership book during a small ceremony in the church library, with at least one minister present along with members from the Board of Trustees and the Member Services Committee on hand to answer questions, explain and help fill out the New Member packet of materials, take a snapshot to be displayed with those of other new members, and help celebrate. For those who prefer to join privately, a member of the Board of Trustees can assist with these same procedures at the reception desk in the office on Sunday morning after each service.

After joining, all new members are invited to be recognized before the congregation in the next "Welcome to Cedar Lane" service held approximately three times per year. New members will be introduced by the minister, receive a chalice pin, repeat a few words of affirmation along with the congregation, and attend a reception in their honor in the church lounge after the service.

Please come to any of the informational orientation sessions that take place in the library each Sunday after each service, led by the Ministers. The topics of the talks cover the history of Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalism and Spirituality, life span religious education as well as information about the history and structure of our congregation. You will meet with the ministers and other members of our congregation and have many of your questions answered, so we encourage attendance.