The Board in brief (Doug MacCleery)

At our regular meeting on December 7, the Board heard a report from Tony Barkume, Chairman for the 2005-2006 annual pledge campaign, on the proposed strategy and timeline for the campaign. Karen Tyson gave an update on the Capital Campaign, which will be completed early next month. Linda Walton discussed the recommendations to the Board flowing out of the fall retreat of RE Council. Nance Cedar summarized a visit by members of the Green Sanctuary Committee and Board to view an innovative “green roof,” which reduces energy costs and run-off and may be a viable option for the prospective addition to the Meeting House. Reports were received from the Minister, DRE, Business Administrator Program Council and Treasurer.

For details, see the minutes, which will be posted in the Commons and on our website after approval at our next Board meeting.

From the Treasurer ... (Joan Wamsley)

The November 30, 2004, financial report shows:

Something to celebrate (Ron Brandt and Joanne Masterson)

What a wonderful way to end 2004 — we have gathered $1,260,000 toward building new space at MVUC.

While our stretch goal of $2 million seems a far reach, we HAVE made it within the range our UUA consultant outlined for a successful Capital Campaign. This is indeed something to celebrate. With $1.26 million, we can make a real difference in building a new, stronger future for our church community. Our celebration is scheduled for January 9, details to be forthcoming.

Want to join in with your support? Just call one of us at the number below and we'll add your pledge to those who've made such a difference for MVUC — Thank you!

Joanne Masterson; Ron Brandt; Donna Bledsoe (703-765-5950)f

Coming up in RE (Barbara Gay Stoddard)

WINTER PAGEANT DRESS REHEARSAL - Saturday, December 18 from 10am (sharp) – 12 noon. Be on time and we’ll be able to start on time and get out early.

Please note that the Winter Pageant is the service on December 19, 2004, and that it will be held at 10:00 am.

There will be no RE on Sundays Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

INTERGENERATIONAL EVENTS

Jim Kerr is coordinating the ever popular MVUC “Games Night” on Saturday, Jan. 8, starting at 7 pm in Hollin Hall.

ADULT RE

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness n A mini-movie night series.

Join us for a movie and discussion on Fridays - January 7, 21, and 28 at 7:30 pm in the Commons. Jan. 7 - SANKOFA - a spiritual journey of an African-American woman. Jan. 21 n SALT OF THE EARTH n called by some “the only blacklisted American film” and written in 1953. Jan. 28 n UNCONSTITUTIONAL n a new documentary about the current rollback of civil liberties since 9/11. Films and discussions to be led (in order listed above) by Pam Tinker, Al Searle, and Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson.

Special services in December: Dec. 21 - 7 pm; Dec. 24 - 5:30 and 7:30 pm; Dec. 31 - 5:30 pm

Solstice service December 21

On Tuesday, December 21st at 7:00 PM, Barbara Gay Stoddard, Nance Cedar, and Rev. Lou will lead a celebration of the Winter Solstice. All are invited to come to the Chapel and participate in this service, which honors both the darkness and the light..

Christmas Eve services

MVUC will hold two services on Christmas Eve. At 5:30 pm, there will be a service especially for families with children, led by DRE Barbara Gay Stoddard and Rev. Lou. Anyone interested in having their child dedicated at the 5:30 PM Family Service on Christmas Eve should speak to Barbara Gay Stoddard, our DRE, or Rev. Lou as soon as possible.

Wherever the Star May Lead will be the topic as Rev. Lou leads the 7:30 service. A special offering for UCM will be received at both services.

Wisdom Years (Bev Southerland)

On December 28th, after all the gifts have been stored away and the "tree" is down, Ginny and Bev will present a program about the many questions those of us in the Senior category have in planning for our future.

Steve Gold, an attorney and member the Memorial Society of Northern Virginia Board, will address these subjects and take questions. As usual, we'll be meeting in Hollin Hall from 10:30 til noon. Come join us!

New Year’s Eve Vespers

On Friday, December 31st at 5:30 PM, Rev. Lou will lead a special New Year's Eve Service. All are invited to come to the Chapel and share in a time of readings, music, and meditation.

Partner Church committee news (Janice Fitzpatrick)

THANK YOU to all who helped make the November 28 brunch a great success. A special thanks goes to Sarah, Kelly & Kathie Watson, Amanda Griffin, and Ilene Gillispie for being such great cooks!

The perfect chance to discuss your holiday activities and New Year's resolutions with your church friends will be at the January 2 Partner Church Committee brunch. The brunch will take place right after the 10 a.m. church service in Hollin Hall. $10 for all 7 and over; $5, under 7. This is a benefit for your well-being, plus, for our partner congregation in Romania.

As usual, members and friends of MVUC have shown great generosity in supporting the scholarship program for students in Szentháromság. We have just received word that one additional sponsorship is needed. An additional $220 is requested for a high school student who is working during the day and attending evening classes. If you would like to help, please contact Janice Fitzpatrick.

An invitation... (Jeanne Simuro, President - Fort Hunt Preschool)

Please Join Us for a Family Heritage Potluck Dinner!

Fort Hunt Preschool would like to invite the members of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church to join us on Saturday, January 15th for our second annual Family Heritage Potluck Dinner. Dinner will be held in the Carriage House from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The supper serves dual purposes - to honor Martin Luther King and to celebrate the diverse heritages (or ones we admire) of our Fort Hunt Preschool community. Last year, on what must have been the coldest day of the year, we had a pretty good turnout. As each family walked through the door, those of us who had already settled in waited in anticipation to see what type of dish was arriving next. We certainly had some delicious dishes to choose from. So please bring your family! Bring a dish that reflects your heritage or one that you admire. Bring a beverage - we'll supply cups, napkins, plates and utensils. (No alcoholic beverages please.) And if you want costumes or native dress would be fun! (The kids love this part.) We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 703-799-8255.

Save the date - January 22 (Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson)

The Reverend Richard Gilbert, UU minister to several churches, for over 30 years minister to the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, author of several books such as The Prophetic Imperative, Building Your own Theology 1 & 2, and others, will present a major forum on social justice at MVUC on February 12, 2005 from 10:00AM to 2:00 PM.

As we get close to the actual date we will announce further details. We hope to be able to provide copies of his book The Prophetic Imperative at or near cost. So stayed tuned for more on this important event..

Summer 2005 (Janice Fitzpatrick)

Do you enjoy MVUC's lay and guest speaker led church services? It is our custom to have these types of services in the summer months. If you are interested in helping plan the summer services, consider joining the Sunday Services Committee. We are looking for a variety of church services for summer 2005 and it is not too early to begin planning. The Sunday Services Committee will next meet in early February. Contact Janice Fitzpatrick.

Upcoming Events, on and off the Hill

December:

21, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Per Jartby
Hollin Hall

21, 7 pm
Solstice Service
Remington Chapel

24, 5:30 pm
Family Christmas Eve Service
Remington Chapel

24, 7:30 pm
Christmas Eve Service
Remington Chapel

25 CHRISTMAS!

28, 10:30 am
Wisdom Years
Hollin Hall

31, 5:30 pm
New Year’s Eve Vespers
Remington Chapel

January:

2, after service
Partner Church Brunch
Hollin Hall

4, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Peg Bartel
Hollin Hall

8, 7 pm
Games Night
Meeting House

15, 5:30 pm
Fort Hunt Cooperative Preschool Potluck
Carriage House

22, 10 am
UUSJ Advocacy Training
Silver Spring UU

22, 2 pm
End of Life Choices meeting
Sherwood Hall Library

Good Companions (Bev Southerland and Elaine Bronez)

11:45 to 12:45 - BYO lunch; program - 12:45 to 1:45 in Hollin Hall

DECEMBER 21 - PER JARTBY - WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT SWEDEN

PER will describe the experiences of Christmas in the winter darkness of his home. He also will show slides and tell us what it was like to grow up in Stockholm. Per has been a teacher for over 30 years in several countries. While he was in Botswana, he first met his wife, Julia. They live in Tauxemont, and he now teaches math locally

JANUARY 4 - PEG BARTEL - AN UPDATE ON IRAQ

PEG worked with Dr. Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress. She lived in Iraq for a year during much of the upheaval. She has been very active here at MVUC, especially in the RE area where she leads a meditation group.

Mildred Elizabeth Hamilton (1909 - 2004)

Mildred grew up and was educated in Missouri, graduating from Warrensburg State Teachers College. She met and married Daniel Russell (Russ) Zimmerman, and they soon moved to the San Francisco, California, area, where their two daughters, Oma Lynn and Sandra Ann, were born. Subsequently, they moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey, where they enjoyed many happy years as prominent members of that community while raising their children. In their later years, they returned to Missouri, settling at Gladstone, near Kansas City. After Russ’s death, Mildred moved to live near Oma in Alexandria. While living at Paul Spring Retirement Community, she married John Hamilton. They enjoyed several years of happiness before he passed away.

Mildred will be especially remembered at MVUC for her significant sponsorship of the restored windmill on the church grounds. She was an inspiration to her friends, neighbors and extended family members.

Caring Community (Jo Jackley)

Heather Harts’horn is at home, following knee surgery. We wish her a speedy recovery.

MVUC extends condolences to the family of Ric Sears, whose father died December 5.

We offer heartfelt best wishes to Steve Phinney who on Friday, December 3, 2004 received Preliminary Fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Ministry! Steve and his wife Cynthia traveled to Berkeley, CA, where Steve had his interview with UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee. The Committee overwhelmingly gave him their approval for fellowship in Parish Ministry. Steve is planning to have his ordination sometime in the spring of 2005. And rumor has it that our congregation might be asked to be involved in the proceedings. . . . Congratulations, Steve!

UCM — Community solutions (Bev Southerland)

United Community Ministries is THE not-for-profit community based social service agency in the Route One corridor. Their mission is to assist families and individuals to improve the quality of their lives in a manner which builds their self-esteem and fosters their ability to function at the greatest level of their capacity - socially, economically and emotionally.

It is this agency to which we donate food and clothing on a weekly basis. Over the past five months we have donated a total of 964.5 pounds of food to UCM. Before we congratulate ourselves, let's make a pledge to continue this work as a promise to the future of the families who count on us.