The Board in brief (Jane Nelson)

At our regular meeting on 2-1-05, the Board of Trustees discussed wedding policy during constuction, reviewed the Letter of Agreement between Fort Hunt Preschool and MVUC, approved Susan B. Anthony Fund recommendations, approved a new canvass goal of $400,000 as well as finance committee recommendations for debt reduction and money for the ordination of Steve Phinney.

The board also reviewed RE council recommendations. We heard reports from the minister, DRE, and business administrator.

The full minutes will be posted in the Commons and will be available on-line once they are approved.

From the Treasurer ... (Joan Wamsley)

The January 31, 2005, financial report shows:

Coming up in RE (Barbara Gay Stoddard)

Feb. 20: Way Cool Sunday School Chapel – children grades K – 8 meet in Fireplace Room/Hollin Hall.
    FYI: Grades 6 and up are invited to stay and listen to Steve Phinney’s talk this morning if they so choose.
    PREschool group: meets in Carriage House for a lesson on Rainbows
    YRUU: Meets as usual in Carriage House

Feb. 27: Way Cool Sunday School Classes – children grades K – 3 meet in the Carriage House and grades 4-5 meet in Fireplace Room/Hollin Hall.
    FYI: Grades 6 and up are invited to stay for the Service, which is being led by the Youth Group.
    PREschool group: meets in Carriage House for a lesson on Dreams.
    YRUU: leading the service today in the Chapel.

March 6 & 13: Way Cool Sunday School Classes – children grades K – 8 meet in the Carriage House and grades 4 & up meet in Hollin Hall.
    PREschool group: meets in Carriage House for a lesson on Imagination (3/6) & My Shadow (3/13)
    YRUU: Meets as usual in the Carriage House.

OWL Class Meets: Feb. 27, March 6 and March 13 (final class). No Class on Feb. 20 due to holiday weekend.

Adult RE Happenings: Check out the flyer to see what the latest Adult RE offerings are. Join a book discussion group or a great decisions discussion. Come one, come all.

Little Persons’ Night Out (Jim Kerr)

When: Saturday, February 26, 2005

Where: MVUC Chapel

Time: 5:30 n 7:30 p.m.

What could be more fun than eating, dancing, and playing with your friends at church in your PJs! We are holding a potluck dinner and PAJAMA PARTY for the families and friends of MVUC with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Older siblings are most welcome to attend, of course. Children (and adults too) are invited to come in their pajamas. Special games, activities, and bedtime stories are planned. Please bring a Toddler/Preschooler-friendly salad, main meal, or dessert to share. $5 donation to cover costs appreciated. RSVP by February 20, 2005 to our Organizer, Suzanne McDonnell or sign up in the Commons.

“We’re on our way!” (Tony Barkume)

Our Annual Canvass to support MVUC in the coming church year will start the first Sunday in March, March 6. That Sunday, Rev. Lou will devote the services to the meaning of stewardship, and MVUC will celebrate that evening with a community dinner in the Meeting House—with special entertainment! Before the start of the Annual Canvass you will receive in the mail a question-and-answer fact sheet that gives guidelines for making your pledge, how your pledge dollars are used, and some goals our Board of Trustees have set for the congregation in the next church year.

Movie night (Marty Bredeck)

February 18: Waking Life (2001)

Waking Life follows the dream(s) of one character and his attempt to discern the absolute difference between waking life and the dreamworld. He runs into many people on his way, some of whom offer asides on life, others delving deeply into existential questions and life's mysteries. Can we control our dreams? What are they telling us about life? About death? About ourselves and where we come from and where we are going? The film does not answer these for us, but inspires us to ask the questions and find the answers, ourselves. This animated film uses "rotoscope" techniques and a variety of different artists to create a unique visual style defying simple description. Rated R for language and some violent images.

Wisdom Years (Bev Southerland)

Ginny Endicott and Bev Southerland will be meeting all members of the Wisdom Years at the nearby Paul Spring Retirement Home on Fort Hunt Road on Tuesday, February 22nd. Please let us know you will be coming, as we will be shown the facilities of the Home and served lunch, so the number of "guests" needs to be given them beforehand. Please give Ginny or Bev a call.

Looking ahead to summer ... (Janice Fitzpatrick)

The Sunday Services Committee will meet Sunday, February 27, after the second service (12:45ish). The meeting will be held in the Matisse Room, top of the stairs on the 2nd floor of Hollin Hall. Feel free to bring your lunch. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss summer services. All with ideas for a summer service are welcome to attend. Call or email Janice Fitzpatrick if you cannot attend the meeting, but have something in mind for an MVUC summer church service.

Come dance with us ... (Friday Nighters Dancing Club)

As you have welcomed us to your Church we also welcome you to join our Dances from 9:00 to midnight on the second Friday of each month from September through June. We have a band "The Family" providing the music for fox-trot, waltz, swing and various Latin dances--samba, cha-cha, rhumba etc. The dress code is coat and tie preferred except for theme dances such as Hawaiian or Halloween themes. Come and join neighbors and friends for monthly social dance to live music and bring your favorite dance partner. Admission is $12.50 per guest per dance. For more information or to make reservations contact Deborah Anderson at 703-791-6527 or e-mail deeeborah@yahoo.com.

Volunteers needed (Karna Schwimmer)

Help! Volunteers are needed to prepare coffee and refreshments for both Sunday morning coffee hours, and to clean up afterwards. Call Karna Schwimmer.

The Job Market

Babysitter needed for 2 afternoons or mornings a week for 2 small children. If interested, call Judy or Carl Lohmann.

Church Administrator for Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville; good people skills, well organized, detail oriented; supervise support staff and volunteers, manage facility; proficient in Windows XP, Microsoft Office, familiar w/data bases. Send resume to Church Administrator, Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.

UU Niagara Experience July 17-20, 2005

If you have ever wanted to visit Niagara Falls or if it is already one of your favorite places, this is a chance to experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while in the company of UUs from around the country. The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from every perspective, even safely riding beneath a tethered balloon. Spend four days with us exploring the rich history and natural wonders around the Falls.

For information visit our web site : http://www.uunex.net/ Email : info@uunex.net Telephone: (716) 791-4453 (Editor’s note: for a firsthand account of this fun experience, talk to Al and Eleanor Erickson!)

Upcoming Events, on and off the Hill

February:

18, 7:30 pm
Movie night: "Waking Life" (2001)
Meeting House Commons

22, 10:30 am
Wisdom Years
Paul Spring Retirement Home

23, 7:30 pm
“Racism Today”
UU Church of Rockville

26, 9:30 am
JPD Music and Worship Arts Festival: “Singing Outside the Box”
UU Church of Cherry Hill, NJ

26, 10 am
UUSJ Advocacy Training
Silver Spring UU

26, 5:30 pm
Little Persons’ Night Out
Remington Chapel

27, 12:45 pm
Sunday Services Committee
Matisse Room, 2nd floor Hollin Hall

March:

1, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Ron Brandt
Hollin Hall

4-6
National Leadership Gathering
Washington, DC

6, time tba
Canvass Dinner
Meeting House

9, 7:30 pm
“Islam in America”
UU Church of Rockville

11, 9 pm
Friday Nighters Dancing Club
Remington Chapel

15, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Tom Hirshfeld
Remington Chapel

Good Companions (Bev Southerland and Elaine Bronez)

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

MARCH 1 - RON BRANDT - OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS I HAVE MET

As an editor of a widely read educational journal, Ron Brandt met a number of fascinating people who tried to reform education — and mostly failed. He will talk about the interesting ideas that these people developed. Ron has been in MVUC since 1978, serving two terms as chair of the board. He enjoys most singing in the choir.

MARCH 15 - TOM HIRSCHFELD: ABOUT U.S. INTELLIGENCE REFORM.
Note: We will meet in the chapel because of preparations for the Book Sale.

Tom will explain what problems there are in the job of trying to improve intelligence. He will help us understand why this is so complex to accomplish. Tom retired from the foreign service and then was an arms control negotiator with the Soviet Union. He has been a member of MVUC since 1977 and lives in Hollin Hills.

JPD news

Singing Outside the Box- February 26

The fourth annual JPD Music and Worship Arts Festival will be held February 26, 2005, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, NJ, from 9:30 am to 4 pm. This conference is for all Unitarian Universalists interested in UU musical and worship activities. Come share, learn new ideas for music and worship in your church, and meet your JPD neighbors! We will gather at 9 am for coffee, conversation, and registration, and start with worship at 9:30.

Because the advance registration date, February 15, has passed, we cannot guarantee music or lunch. Late registration cost is $30. (MVUC: A flyer, including registration form, is posted on the bulletin board.)

JPD Spring Conference April 8-9

Attention Graduating Seniors and Parents: New programming for Bridgers announced to supplement the JPD's annual Bridging Ceremony!

Attention Young Adults ages 18-35: Learn and grow with workshops on all aspects of UU life, from young adult ministry and church membership to social change and "generational personality." Discounted Young Adult registration fee offered.

All this and more at the Joseph Priestley District 2005 Spring Conference!

Faith Development: A Life-Long Journey
April 8-9, 2005 - King of Prussia, PA

To view the full program and register, visit www.jpduua.org or call the JPD office at (800) 351-6637.

Caring Community (Betsy Stephens)

We send Jes Foster our wishes for a speedy recovery.