News and Notes from

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22307
703.765.5950; fax 703.765.1237; info (at) mvuc.org

Mimi Stevens, Editor

The Board in brief (Jim McGovern)

At its regular monthly meeting on January 6, the Board approved the hiring of the Cole & Denny architectural firm to review the current conceptual design for capital improvements. The 2004-2005 Canvass Team was appointed and a mid-year budget adjustment was adopted. The Board set a goal of $360,000 for the upcoming Canvass.

For details, see the Minutes, which are posted in the Commons and on MVUC's website.

The December 31, 2003, financial report shows:

A mid-year adjusted budget was approved by the board at its January meeting.

The expense figures shown above include $38,882 of unfunded improvements that should be repaid from the line-of-credit loan.

Requests for funding from SBA should be in the ET/SBA box by the end of this month. A meeting to discuss recommendations will be scheduled sometime in February. There is $2,331 to allocate. As specified in the SBA charter, $10,000 has been put in "cash reserves".

Hollin Hall closed for renovations (Russ Stumpe et al)

As mentioned in the December Stirrings insert article, all Hollin Hall activities need to be held elsewhere while the renovation work is in progress. The work started as scheduled on January 5, 2004, and is expected to be completed by the middle of April. The Breakfast Porch will be available for some meetings. Please coordinate with the office before scheduling any activities in that room, and be aware that entrance and exit will have to be from the Breakfast Porch side door.

Mark Zimmerman will be in his Hollin Hall third floor office only occasionally. Best to reach him at home.

If you have questions, please call any one of the Building Committee Renovation Team: Russ Stumpe, Betsy Roderick, Terry Patterson, or Pat Jackson.

RE classes meet in Carriage House (Hope Andonovska)

Because of Hollin Hall renovations, the following changes have been made in class space. Please look for your child's room and prepare him/her appropriately:

9 a.m.: PreK Room 6; K/1/2 Rooms 3 and 5; 3-7th Way Cool Chapel

11 a.m.: PreK Room 2; K/1 Rooms 5 and 6; 2/3 Room 8 (upstairs CH); 4/5 Way Cool Chapel; 6/7 Room 3; 8th Breakfast Porch (Hollin Hall); YRUU Teen Room CH

What does MVUC mean to you? (Linda Davidson, Canvass Chair)

What draws you to the hill? Maybe it’s the inspiring sermons and uplifting music that bring you here. Maybe it’s our liberal religious education, one that encourages the natural curiosity of children and youth as they explore new ideas. Or maybe for you it’s the adult classes, which challenge you spiritually, intellectually, creatively, and sometimes even physically. Maybe you particularly enjoy the camaraderie of group activities - gathering for intergenerational events such as the Holiday Craft Workshop and dinner, singing in the Choir, working on social issues with Our Larger World, meeting weekly with groups such as the Every Thursday group and Good Companions, or participating in any of a wide variety of church community events. Last but certainly not least, maybe you are drawn to a religious community where your individual beliefs are welcomed, heard, and honored.

We value MVUC for many reasons. In a few weeks our annual canvass campaign will begin. When you consider your annual pledge, please remember all that MVUC means to you. Give from your heart to support your vital, flourishing, liberal religious community.

Family Games Night January 17 (Marty Bredeck)

Games Night will be held Saturday, Jan 17, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Come and match wits and luck in friendly competition: Scrabble, Cribbage, Backgammon, Boggle, Cranium, and many more options are available for this intergenerational event. Bring your own favorite games (and snacks) or join in any of those provided by your emcee, Marty Bredeck. Join us for what always proves to be an enjoyable time!

MVUC Choir in VIC Choir Festival January 18 (Mark Zimmerman)

I would like to invite you to attend a special musical evening. Our choir will be participating in the ninth annual VIC Choir Festival, honoring the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be 19 area choirs performing, with an exciting massed choir to close the performance. It will be Sunday, Jan 18th, at 7pm, at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, 7836 Fordson Road, Alexandria (at Sherwood Hall Lane). What a great way to learn of other religions, hear great music, and meet the neighbors!

Bowling for Columbine - January 23 (Marty Bredeck)

This Academy Award-winning documentary examines the gun culture of the U.S. from the point of view of acclaimed film maker Michael Moore. Influences in the world surrounding the Columbine tragedy, comparisons between Canada and the U.S., and a remarkable interview with Charlton Heston, actor and NRA spokesperson, are all included. Discussion to follow the film.

Wisdom Years (Bev Southerland and Ginny Endicott)

Ginny and Bev are presenting a member of the Police who will speak to us about the prevalence of Identity Theft and ways to prevent someone else using your identity, as well as tips on how to protect yourself. As always, everyone interested is invited to join us. The meeting will be in the Remington Chapel from 10:30 til noon on Tuesday, January 27^th.

Caring Community (Jo Jackley)

Congratulations to Marlene Shaw and George Churchill, who were married December 29.

A memorial service for James L.Grahl will be held Saturday, February 7, 2004, at 11:00 am. He was a founding member of the church and an original and longtime resident of Hollin Hills.

Our sympathy to Lucinda Mosley and her family on the sudden and unexpected death of her mother.

The Caring Associates is a group at volunteers at MVUC who offer short term assistance to anyone with special needs. These include services such as rides to medical appointments, prescription pick up, grocery shopping, etc. If you or someone you know could benefit from our assistance, please call the church office (703-765-5950) or one of the following associates:

Meg Clontz, Jes Foster, Mary Barnett, Betsy Stephens, Esther Dickinson, Hal Holtzclaw, Isa McGuire, Kathryn Moore, Bette Hines, Curtis Hunter, Jo Jackley

Holiday Shop Wrap-Up January 31 (Sally Joy Remington)

This year’s Holiday Shop on the Saturday before Thanksgiving was, in many ways, a wonderful successful experience. We cleared after expenses $12,331. Many of those who were involved felt it was the easiest Holiday Shop ever. We included those who volunteer each year in the same position and those who had never worked at Holiday Shop before.

But during the week of Holiday Shop there were conversations of whether this was the last Holiday Shop ever. Each year we have these conversations and each year we have the next Holiday Shop. It is important to honor these concerns and look to see if we can come up with creative ways to add to Holiday Shop’s year long preparation. I want those who are concerned that this will be the last one to know that even if they do a little less this year, Holiday Shop will still happen as it has for the last (probably) 40 plus years.

Kris Rosenthal will facilitate this discussion. We will celebrate the successes associated with Holiday Shop, share creative ideas of how to make it even better, easier and more inclusive, and make decisions of what to do next. Please plan to attend and contribute your ideas.

All Church Retreat? (Janice Fitzpatrick)

The All Church Retreat at a Prince William Forest Park cabin camp, scheduled for June 18-20, may not happen. The Park has nearly doubled the rental fee. We will have to charge $65 per person for all persons, age 5 and up, to meet the expenses and will need commitment from 50 people (age 5 and up). If you are willing to commit to attending this retreat, please call or email Janice Fitzpatrick, 703-765-5950 x 105; mvuc-re@mvuc.org, as soon as possible (the fee needs to be paid soon to confirm our reservation.)

We still want fleas! (Betsy Roderick)

While Hollin Hall is closed, Flea Market donations may be left at the church office. The Flea Market is scheduled for May 8.

Good Companions (Bev Southerland and Elaine Bronez)

11:45 to 12:45 - BYO lunch; program - 12:45 to 1:45

January 20 - Julia Majaha-Jartby: Botswana, Jewel of Africa

Julia sees her country as doing well economically and politically. She grew up and was educated in Botswana and studied Economics and Statistics in their University. She works for the International Monetary Fund and her focus is on the finance sector. She is now assigned to Laos and Kenya.

Mike works as a lawyer in the Environmental Protection Agency.After hours, he enjoys his "fun job" as he puts on a costume and goes onstage at the Kennedy Center. Recently he was in two shows: with the Kirov Opera and the ballet from Russia. It is great fun to hear him describe his experiences!

More music notes (Mark Zimmerman)

New's Year's Greetings to MVUC! I would like to congratulate the children who participated in "Spirit of the Christmas Tree" for an incredible job last month. We sure have some great young singers here! And I would like to thank the members of the Adult Choir who generously shared their Christmas Eve with MVUC to sing two services. What a lovely night it was. I received so many holiday cards and remembrances - thank you all for making my first Christmas here so wonderful.

MVUC is not, at this time, taking any clothing donations for UCM. We are, however, always grateful to receive food donations. You can take clothing donations to UCM's Back Porch thrift shop on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is located at 7838 Richmond Hwy, in the same mall as Old Country Buffet and next to Gold's Gym. They take donations behind the store. The telephone number is 703-799-7015.

RE Social Action Coat Project (Leah Choudhury)

Wow! This is the best year we've ever had for collecting winterwear! Coats: 115 Sweaters: 48 Hats: 31 Gloves: 20 Boots: 4 Thank you for helping keep our community warm!

Scholarship sponsor needed (Janice Fitzpatrick)

The Partner Church Committee needs one additional sponsor or sponsors for Anna Regian. Anna is attending technical school in a city far enough away to have to board during the week. $337.50 is needed to complete her support--or $168.75 from two donors. Közsönöm szépen. Contact Janice Fitzpatrick or Lisa Gillispie.

Godspell, Jr. (Lisa Gillispie)

Godspell, Jr. will be presented by the Aldersgate Church Children’s Theatre (ACCT2). MVUC youth Ilene Gillispie (on Jan. 17, 18 & 19) and Eben Kuhns are members of the cast. Performances are at Aldresgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, on January 17, 23, and 24 at 7:30 pm and on January 18, 19 and 24 at 3 pm. Tickets may be purchased by calling 703-799-7061, or on-line at www.presaleticketing.com. Advance reservations recommended.

Beyond the Hill

Living the Seventh Principle: A Gathering of Washington Area UUs

On Monday, January 19, 2004 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Washington area UUs will gather at River Road Unitarian Church for a meeting sponsored by The Seventh Principle Project of the UUA and the Environmental Task Force of RRUC.

Agenda: Morning: "Green Sanctuary Workshop: Progress and Potential for Greening Our Congregations" ­ Rev. Katherine Jesch, Director of the Seventh Principle Project. Noon: UU "Communion Service" - Pot Luck Lunch Afternoon: "Protecting Native Sacred Lands is an Environmental Imperative" - Slide presentation and talk by Native American activist Suzan Shown Harjo, President of The Morning Star Institute.

For additional information access the following web address: http://www.uusj.org/calender.htm Then click on the "ETF-SSP Conference Flyer..." entry under the January 19th calendar item.

UUSJ to meet at Arlington January 24

SAVE THE DATE: On the morning of Saturday January 24 at 9:00 a.m. the UUSJ board will meet at UU Church of Arlington. UUSJ (UUs for Social Justice of the Baltimore/Washington/Northern Virginia Area) is a regional social justice organization of which MVUC is a member. The meeting will be set up so that substantive parts of the program will be grouped together at the beginning and business items toward the end of the meeting. Anyone with an interest in social justice is invited.

Unitarian Universalist Affordable Housing Corporation awarded $200,000

UUAHC sent a delegation of three to the state house in Annapolis on December 16^th to receive an award of $200,000 from the Maryland Community Legacy Neighborhood Intervention Funds. Gene Mulligan, President; Richard Madaleno, Loan Committee Chair; and Richard Dunn, Loan Officer were present for the ceremony representing UUAHC. These funds are designated for work improving and creating low-income housing in the communities of Mt. Rainier, Cottage City, and Hyattsville, Maryland. Awarded through a competitive process, this is the first year the Legacy funds were made available to community development loan funds.

UUAHC’s fund now stands at $3.2 million and the corporation has a goal of reaching $4 million in 2004. 1,215 units of affordable housing have been produced with UUAHC loans. Hundreds of tenants have been assisted to purchase their own units. The number of active loans has tripled over previous production and the fund needs to grow.

Individuals and churches are encouraged to invest some savings or investment funds with UUAHC to help reach the $4 million goal for the fund. Contact Gladys Clearwaters, Director of Development for more information about UUAHC. Clearwaters@uuahc.org. 301-588-5533.