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Who Does What at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church--> See our office Telephone Directory. <--
The mission of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church is “to explore the eternal, to nurture community and to build a more just world.” Our congregation seeks to fulfill this mission through an amazing array of programs, projects, services and events. Together, our rich and diverse ministries create a strong liberal religious presence, offer inclusive sanctuary to individuals and families coping with the many challenges of life and give voice to the long-practiced UU values of religious freedom, the use of reason, compassion and tolerance.
To best fulfill our mission, the congregation employs a number of staff. Staff members are specialists in their areas of responsibility and are charged with collaborating with and empowering community members to fulfill their service to the congregation and the wider world. While two staff members are ministers, everyone in the congregation – members, ministers and staff – play a crucial role in the many ministries of Cedar Lane.
As our website is often the first way newcomers begin their relationship with Cedar Lane, perhaps it is best that web visitors first “meet” our Membership Coordinator, Allison Cox. The Membership Coordinator works with our Member Services Committee to help welcome newcomers to the congregation and, for those who find a spiritual home in Cedar Lane, to support their integration into the church community. The Membership Coordinator and Member Services leaders offer talks after each worship service called “Cedar Lane in Six Minutes” and a Welcome Workshop a few times a year for folks new to Cedar Lane.
The Senior Minister is charged with general stewardship of the institution and our Sunday morning worship ministry. This year, we are fortunate to have The Rev. Evan Keely, as our Interim Senior Minister. Interim ministers have a unique charge in leading congregations through the transitional period between settled ministers. (We anticipate calling a new Senior Minister in the spring of 2013.) We invite you to learn more about Evan and his ministry.
The Rev. Heather Janules is our Associate Minister and Minister for Pastoral Care. As the Associate Minister, Heather collaborates with Evan to nurture the overall well-being of the congregation. She is also charged with consulting to and guiding our many avenues of spiritual and personal support. We invite you to learn more about Heather.
As ministers, Evan and Heather (and Louise, in Heather's absence) are available to Cedar Lane members and friends so they may: · Learn more about the Unitarian Universalist tradition · Explore spiritual questions · Talk about a personal difficulty and/or to receive pastoral support (Ministerial counseling is generally short-term. We are fortunate to have many trained professional counselors in the area if a long-term referral is necessary.) · Plan a rite-of-passage ceremony (such as a memorial service, wedding – heterosexual or same-sex, child dedication) · Share an idea or concern about congregational life Contact them directly for an appointment. They love to hear from members and friends!
Religious Education is one of the most cherished ministries at Cedar Lane. For decades, we have offered inclusive classes with the goal of nurturing young minds and souls so they may grow into confident, compassionate and justice-minded women and men.
Our overall Religious Education leadership is also in an interim period. (We anticipate welcoming a new Minister or Director of Religious Education in the spring of 2014.) Until then, we are fortunate to have Karen Lee Scrivo as our Interim Director of Religious Education. Karen is an experienced Interim DRE currently studying for the Unitarian Universalist ministry. We invite you to learn more about Karen.
Karen collaborates with a number of other staff and volunteers towards the effective leadership of our large, complex and dynamic RE program:
General inquiries regarding the program, registration, and scheduling may be directed to the Religious Education Administrators -- Gale Ginther Luce and Jeannette Wilson. They may be reached at RE@cedarlane.org. Our Senior High Youth Group (grades 9 to 12) is led by the Senior High Youth Coordinator, Vanessa Steck. The Junior High Youth Group (grades 7 to 8) is led by long-time volunteer, John Daniel.
Religious Education is not just for children and youth. Our Adult Program offerings are plentiful, unique and meaningful opportunities to grow, learn and connect. The Adult Programs Committee is always interested in new ideas for programs and individuals who can teach or facilitate them.
Jeannette Wilson and Gale Luce, our Religious Education Administrators, support these programs in registration, scheduling, and preparation of the program booklets. You may contact them with inquiries at RE@cedarlane.org
Our Music Program is also a cherished and vibrant tradition at Cedar Lane. We are fortunate to have Dr. Henry Sgrecci as our Director of Music. Henry directs the Cedar Lane Adult Choir (an adult choir of 50+ singers), the Youth Choirs, the Handbell Choirs (bell ringers), and Gruppo Piccolo (chamber ensemble) when not playing the trumpet. Learn more about Henry Sgrecci.
Henry has been joined by our accomplished Organist & Accompanist, Thomas W.D. Guthrie. Thom plays both organ and piano.
These many ministries and services depend on a number of administrative staff members to ensure smooth daily operations:
The Church Administrator is Sara Deshler. Sara has the overall responsibility of managing the regular functioning of the church office and coordinating all the administrative and financial activities of the congregation. Sara is happy to assist in answering questions about administrative or financial issues. Sara Deshler also schedules memorial services, both for members of the congregation and non-members. Our Communications and Facilities Coordinator, Sara Davidson, oversees a number of essential functions. Contact Sara Davidson if you wish to: · Notify the congregation of information or an event through our: o Weekly eNews. The Cedar Lane eNews is sent out on Friday afternoons. If you have information to be included in the eNews please send it to newsletter@cedarlane.org by Thursday, 3 p.m. o Monthly newsletter. Submissions should be sent to newsletter@cedarlane.org. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Wednesday before the publication date. Click here to view the current schedule. o Facebook page o Twitter account o Order-of-Service. (The Order of Service has the primary purpose of guiding us through the Sunday Service and indicating the names of the individuals who help to make it happen. Other announcements as space permits will be included with priority to the most current.) · Schedule an event on the church calendar. Call or e-mail Sara at the church office with scheduling requests or questions, ext. 202 or email her at sdavidson@cedarlane.org. Please note we only rent to non-profits. · Schedule a wedding. All weddings, whether for a member or a non-member, are scheduled with Sara Davidson. Members who are planning to be married at the church and wish for one of our ministers to officiate should contact the minister directly.
The church database and mailing lists (including the newsletter, church mailings, RE mailings, Adult Programs, committee lists and others) are maintained by Lucy Dubinsky, the Database Assistant.
The Director of Facilities is responsible for the coordination of the maintenance of the church facility and grounds, with support from the Facilities and Grounds Committees. Our Director of Facilities is Gerry Castillo. Gerry maintains the building and grounds with invaluable support from Jeremy Newkirk (Facilities Technician), as well as Pedro Diaz and Joey Lincoln (both part-time custodians).
Money in all its forms is tracked and recorded by the Church Accountant, Marcia Montanio. Marcia sends out statements on pledge commitments. Questions regarding pledges, payments or discrepancies should be directed to Marcia. If she is unable to resolve your question you may always call upon Sara Deshler, or Rick Offner, the 2012-2013 Treasurer of the church.
The Office Receptionists are all volunteers. They are coordinated by church member Jeanne Pearson. They aim to be aware of scheduled events and can answer routine questions. If you are not sure whom you need to speak with, the receptionists will be able to refer you to the right person. They take messages for the ministers and the staff and seek to provide a warm welcome to all who contact the church.
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Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist
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