 |
The Windmill |
 |
| Online | ||
| March 1, 2005 |
|
|
The Windmill |
|
| Online | ||
| March 1, 2005 |
To affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person
by The Rev. Louis V. Schwebius
“We must
give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that
produce the generous harvest.”
—Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924)
Dear Friends,
Recently, a much older friend of mine told me what her life was like when she was a child. Her family was very poor—so poor, in fact, that she and her siblings all went to work after school and on weekends to help their mother make ends meet. They lived in a tiny house with no indoor plumbing and cracks between the floorboards so wide that if you looked down you could see the ground underneath the house.
My friend’s mother made about ten dollars a week at her job as a food service worker. Each week on payday, she would come home and divide up her funds. Five dollars went to pay the rent on their tiny home. Four dollars would be used to buy food to supplement what they grew in their backyard garden. And the last dollar went, without fail, into an envelope set aside for their church. My friend said that she and her siblings never felt bad about the money that went to the church. On the contrary, it was a source of pride. “No matter what happened to us,” she said, “No matter how bad things got, we always knew that in our family, we were givers.”
Our Annual Canvass begins this month. It is a time to consider why it is we give, financially, to support this church community—a time when we challenge ourselves to make a pledge that genuinely reflects our commitment to MVUC and to Unitarian Universalism.
I give to MVUC out of a deep, rich gratitude that here I can be part of something larger, more whole, and more lasting than I could ever be alone.
Something that is alive and creative—something that is built in an on-going way by the hands and hearts and spirits of each generation of Unitarian Universalists. We are the builders of that creative, alive, liberal religious community. We build it with our lives as a way to make real in the world what we imagine in our hearts. The gifts we bring to this place are a physical embodiment of a spiritual life and a moral commitment.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” That’s the basic principle of a religious community like ours. Giving to MVUC is an act of radical confidence, compassion, and generosity—an act of community-building that can deepen and transform our lives.
I remain deeply grateful for all of the time, talent and treasure that you each bring to this congregation—the spiciness of your ideas, the sweetness of your laughter, and the nourishing richness of your presence!
In faith and love,
Rev. Lou
Program Highlights
Good Companions
Tue, Mar 1, 11:45 am
Ron Brandt: Outstanding Educators I Have Met
Hollin Hall
Tue, Mar 15, 11:45 am
Tom Hirschfeld: About US
Intelligence Reform
Hollin Hall
National Leadership Gathering
Fri, Mar 4–6
Wyndham City Center
Washington, DC
(Details on Page 6)
Canvass Dinner
Sun, Mar 6, 5:30 pm
Meeting House
Islam in America
Wed, Mar 9, 7:30 pm
UU Church of Rockville
Friday Nighters Dancing Club
Fri, Mar 11, 9:00 pm
Remington Chapel
(Details on Page 4)
Movie Night
Fri, Mar 18, 7:30–10:30 pm
Koyaanisqatsi - 1983
Mark Your Calendars
Good Companions
Elaine Bronez and Bev Southerland, coordinators
Meetings will be held in Hollin Hall, Dining Room and Fireplace Room.
11:45 to 12:45—BYO Lunch; coffee and tea provided
12:45 to 1:45—Speaker
Ron Brandt: Outstanding Educators I have met—March 1
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 these people developed.
Tom Hirschfeld: About US Intelligence Reform—March 15
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. After retiring from the Foreign Service, Tom was an Arms Control Negotiator with the Soviet Union. He has been a member of MVUC since 1977 and lives in Hollin Hills.
Canvass Pot-Luck Dinner—March 6
We’re On Our Way this Sunday evening. Please come to the traditional potluck dinner that celebrates the start of the annual canvass at 5:30 pm on Sunday March 6. No canvassing or pledging that night—just a few songs (with special guest vocalists!) fellowship, and good food. Of course, you bring the food: your choice of hot dish, salad, or dessert—enough for eight. There will a donation at the door of $1 per person for incidentals. There will be a signup sheet at Sunday services that day but if you plan to attend, please respond to the email message you will get this week.
—Tony Barkume
MVUC Variety Show and Lasagna Dinner—March 12
Dinner and a Show! Dust off your bongos, practice those pirouettes and work on your arpeggios; the 2005 edition of the MVUC Variety Show is coming! The annual Variety Show will be held Saturday, March 12, at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. This will follow the Lasagna Dinner at 5:30 pm. The OWL class is sponsoring both events which will benefit a worthy cause to be determined in the coming weeks. Adults and children, young and old—all are welcome to perform. Contact Linda Jemison (the emcee).
Good Friday Tenebrae Service—March 25
On Friday, March 25, at 7:30 pm, Rev. Lou will lead a Unitarian Universalist-style Tenebrae Service in the Chapel. This Tenebrae service is adapted from the Christian tradition and commemorates the life and spirit of Jesus of Nazareth. It reflects on the solemn side of Easter Week and the resiliency of the human spirit through the Passion Story. All are invited to come to the Chapel and share in a time of biblical readings, special music, and candlelighting.
Religious Education
by Barbara Gay Stoddard, Interim Director of Religious Education
Have you ever done this kind
of work before? What is an Interim DRE? What kind of work will you be doing
after this? Those are just a few of the questions I get periodically, so I
thought I’d take this moment to address them. Have I ever done this work and
will I still do it after my stint as MVUC’s interim? The answer is yes to both.
I have 8 years experience as a paid professional Religious Educator. I have a
degree in Business Management and Elementary Education. I have taken advantage
of many continuing education courses in Religious Education and Volunteer
Management andam currently pursuing the position of Credentialed DRE. In my
previous professional life, I was an office manager and volunteer coordinator. I
have had over 30 years as a volunteer both in UU Religious Education,
Crisis Management (for Rape and Abuse victims), and Mental Health. I have been a
performing folk singer and all-around stage ham for more years than you need to
know. Being a Religious Educator is my profession as well as my ministry. I am
proud to be a part of this profession and proud to bring my experiences and
capabilities to your community for however long that may be.
Now, what is an Interim
DRE? He/she is a professional agent for reflection and change. The interim helps
the church assess what they have done in the past, take the good, improve it,
suggest new ideas and assist in their implementation. All of this is done with
the volunteers directly involved and with the support of the church community at
large. The interim Religious Educator is here to help the church assess what it
needs and wants from the permanent Religious Educator that it will eventually
hire. As your interim, I am here to help move your Life Span RE Program forward
and to aid in your assessment of your needs. I am not here to create a job for
“me” personally. As an interim—I am not a candidate for the permanent position.
Now due to the fact that the interim is a paid professional staff member and not
“called” like a minister, the congregation does have the option of changing the
interim’s title to acting and thus making it possible for them to apply for the
job if they so choose. I have been hired as your interim for another year,
extending my contract through June 30, 2006. I will, as I have for the last 8
months, help develop your ever-changing RE program. The work I do is for you and
this community—not for my ego. My personal agenda is that I do a job that will
bode well for
my future positions as a UU Religious Educator and that I will be remembered by
you as having done a “great job.” Any and all “Atta-Girls” are accepted.
You have a new search committee that will now begin the search and hiring process for a permanent Religious Educator who would begin work on July 1, 2006. The BOT if they so choose, can change my position to acting but they should do that no sooner than January of 2006. If they change my status to acting at that time, I may apply for the permanent position here or I may not. I will definitely be applying for a new position somewhere as either an interim or permanent DRE because this work is my ministry, my heart, my soul and my profession.
Now it is up to you to pay attention to what is happening around here, volunteer to not only satisfy your soul but to help this community in its ministry, and to get involved with the future of MVUC in the best way you know how. It is important to stop complaining about what may have happened in the past and to start looking forward in a positive frame of mind. So pay attention to the announcements of what’s going on, attend meetings about programming and construction and growth, and sing and dance and find time to hug each other as we move forward in our quest to provide ourselves and our children insight into who we are and how we fit into this thing called life. Blessed Be.
Check out the enclosed flyers about upcoming events in Religious Education for children, youth, and adults.
Joseph Priestley District Spring Conference
Attention Graduating Seniors and Parents: New programming for Bridgers announced to supplement the JPD’s annual Bridging Ceremony! Attention Young Adults ages 18–35: Plan to attend the JPD conference April 8–9 at King of Prussia, PA. Learn and grow with workshops on all aspects of UU life, from young adult ministry and church membership to social change and “generational personality.” All this and more at the Joseph Priestley District 2005 Spring Conference! A discounted Young Adult registration fee is offered. The theme is Faith Development: A Life-Long Journey. To view the full program and register, visit www.jpduua.org or call the JPD office at 800-351-6637.
Help!
Volunteers are needed to prepare coffee and refreshments for both Sunday morning coffee hours and to clean up afterwards. Call Karna Schwimmer.
Goodbye to All That, Thanks, and a Tip
Guess what? The Long Range Plan is no longer long range and no longer a plan! It’s here, now. Everyone knows that on Sunday the 6th of February, we took an important congregational vote to continue our building program, but not everyone knows we did something else as well—we pretty well completed the Long Range Plan and closed out our last LRP Task Force. Now the Construction Task Force will take us home.
Over many projects over several years, with lots of committees, and a lot of great volunteers, we developed and carried out the LRP to improve our operations, tighten our financial processes, improve our staffing, upgrade our facilities, and support the community that is MVUC. We’ve made some really important changes that will pay dividends for a long time. These are also changes that recognize we are fully a midsize church with a growing membership, new programs, and small groups all over the place doing interesting things. Well done, everyone! Dozens of you pitched in and we all benefited accordingly. Thank you.
A lot of us in the LRP had not been all that involved on the Hill before. Getting involved even a little taught us the wisdom of Rev. Lou’s words—give of our time, our treasure, and our talents and in return, get so much more back in community and friendship. All the fun is on the other side of the commitment line. So, here’s that tip: If you are just showing up on the occasional Sunday, you have no idea how much you are missing. Dive in, just a little; give some time, devote some talent, part with a little more treasure, join in. There is much to be done and great people to do it with on the Hill. I promise you, you’ll be glad you did.
—Bill Clontz
Mark Your Calendars!
Mark your calendars to attend the annual church retreat at Prince William Forest Park (a few miles south just off I- 95). Cabin Camp 3 is reserved for June 24–26, 2005. The approximate cost will be $35 per individual and $95 per family. This includes a bed in a cabin, bathroom with showers, and all meals. All you need to do is bring bedding, towels, eating utensils, games, puzzles, etc., to share. Pets are not allowed in the park. Entrance to Cabin Camp 3 is through the park’s main entrance, so a $5 park entrance fee must be paid (unless you have a national park pass). Interested in coordinating this beloved event? Contact Jim Kerr, 703-765-5950 x108.
The Spring Book Sale is Coming!
Save the dates: March 24–26. Donate your books, records, videos, and puzzles now. Ginny Endicott will be recruiting volunteers to help set up and clean up. Dotty Ann McClelland will be recruiting cashiers for the sale. Students on spring break can earn community service hours by helping with the sale. The proceeds from the sale go to the operating budget. For more information, contact Joan Wamsley.
Wisdom Years—March 29
On Tuesday, March 29, we will have a speaker, Marty Corso, from Edelman Financial Services. He will give us advice about making the most of our finances after retirement, including Long-Term Care. The lecture will include a Power Point presentation and he will take questions. We hope you will all come to this special lecture and invite your neighbors to join you. As always, this will be held from 10:30 am til noon, in Hollin Hall.
MVUC 50th Anniversary—How to Celebrate
September 2005 will mark the 50th anniversary of MVUC’s founding when a few people answered the question “Unitarianism, Anyone?” posed in the Hollin Hills community newsletter. How do we want to mark this occasion? A Homecoming Picnic? A church-wide social justice project? Many ideas have been proposed and many more will be proposed but what do you (yes, you) want to do? From 2/20 thru 3/13/05 you will have the opportunity to let us know. Check out the bulletin boards at the back of the Chapel and do the following: First of all, place a sticky dot (provided) beside the events and projects listed that you would attend or participate in; second, sign up on the sign-up sheets provided for events and projects you personally want to work on; and, finally, add your ideas on the large sheet provided. Contact Linda Jemison at fifty@mvuc.org.
The Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is composed of five members, three of whom were elected at the 2004 Annual Meeting, and two subsequent replacements appointed by the BOT. They are:
Bonnie Brandt (chair),
Tamara De La Camp
Jo Jackley
Pat Jackson
Bill Means
They are currently meeting and will come up with a slate of nominees to present to the congregation at the Annual Meeting on April 24. They will be looking for three adult members to serve 3-year terms, one member to serve a one-year term, and a youth member to serve for one year.
They also will be nominating one member for the Endowment Committee, a Property Coordinator for the Program Council, and 5 members for next year’s Nominating Committee. Contact any one of them if you have suggestions for a nominee, or would like to volunteer.
A Plan for “Growth”
Are You Ready to Vote on This?
As a member of the regional UU Growth Planning Committee, I met in January with 17 other members of MVUC to explain a proposal for promoting Unitarian Universalism in the region. Our Committee has prepared a plan that we are explaining in a series of meetings with representatives of each of the 27 UU congregations in the Baltimore-Washington area. (For example, besides MVUC, I have met with interested members at the Loudoun, Shenandoah Valley, and Silver Spring churches.) The five-year plan provides for a series of activities leading eventually to extensive publicity and advertising campaigns throughout the area but beginning with efforts to make sure our churches are “vital congregations” prepared to welcome visitors and make them want to return and join us. (This emphasis is advised in the UUA’s “Uncommon Denomination” program, which you can learn about by going to the UUA’s website.)
Each UU congregation in the region is being asked to endorse the plan and be ready to participate as it gets underway next year. We’re hoping that each congregation— including MVUC—will take action at its annual congregational meeting. In the next couple of months the MVUC Board of Trustees will decide whether to put the item on our agenda; if so, at the April 24 Annual Meeting you will be asked to vote on the resolution the Board proposes.
In our meetings with UU congregations, we have found that the word “growth” is controversial. Some congregations need to become larger just to sustain themselves, while others are already using their current facilities to capacity. Some people in local congregations want more members, while others want to stay as they are. Those of us working for “growth” do not necessarily expect every congregation to get bigger. We simply want to “spread the word” about UUism and what it offers. We’re glad we found a church that emphasizes religious freedom and individual responsibility, and we want this way of thinking and living to be available to other people who would welcome it if they knew about it.
Along with representatives of the MVUC Board, I will hold meetings for discussion of the proposed regional project and what it would mean for MVUC after each service on Sunday, April 3. If you would like to see a copy of the draft plan (which will be put in final form after the meetings we have been holding), I can provide it or you may download a copy from http://jpd.uua.org/metro_south; click on Draft Report.
—Ron Brandt
RE Youth Birthdays!
March
1 Tommy Arnold
4 Alexi McHugh
Ben Roberts
5 Anjum Choudhury
7 Tristan Colaizzi
11 Madeleine Boel
Preston Tower
16 David McDonald
18 John Stewart
19 Sydney Bergen-Hill
21 Kelsey Dressing
25 Katie Tyson
Sam Bair
Chelsea Nicole Lynde
28 Dena Lougee
29 Helen Joy Kitrosser
31 Kelly Watson
Caring Community
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to:
Jes Foster, and to Barbara Morrill who is currently in INOVA Alexandria Hospital.
Our thoughts are with Pete Solt who remains seriously ill.
Condolences: Dorothea Fischbach, Anne Ulm’s mother, has died. She was a 50-year member of the UU Church of Arlington.
The Caring Associates provide support for members of the congregation who may need temporary assistance. This includes help with a ride to an appointment, shopping, picking up prescriptions, or delivery of meals due to an emergency. Caring Associate members wear green name tags during Sunday services, and there is always a member on call to respond to your needs, as noted in the Order of Service. Kindly notify the on-call associate or the church office if you know someone who may need assistance. Call Betsy Stephens if interested in joining us.
OUR LARGER WORLD NEWS
Social Justice Programs at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
Love is the Teaching of this Church ... And Service is its Prayer
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
Getting Our House in Order
Please join the 9th Annual National Leadership Gathering of The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) as we meet in Washington, DC (Friday, March 4, 5:30 pm–Sunday, March 6, 12:30 pm) under a theme of Getting Our House in Order. The gathering will be held at Wyndham City Center, 1143 New Hampshire Ave, NW, and is open to the public and all members, activists and supporters of TIA.
As we enter a year that will be filled with contentious policy issues, we must ensure that our work in the interfaith community is clear, coordinated and effective. We're looking to you, the activist, the advocate, the ally to help us determine how we can be of help to you on the local and national levels, and how you can participate in the TIA movement more effectively.
The gathering will be a provocative and progressive engagement with the interfaith movement. For those of you who are looking for basic skills-building, come early Friday morning and spend the day with us at the Emerging Affiliate Institute. Sunday Brunch ends our Gathering with a continuation of tough discussions, hard issues and an engagement in the work we all care so deeply about. Take advantage of this opportunity to:
Join hundreds of
activists from around the nation;
Receive expert training in fundraising, media, the internet;
Formulate strategy on important public policy issues;
Discuss vital election-year issues central to religious liberty and a
healthy democracy;
Plan interfaith efforts to promote a healthy role for religion in public
life.
Use code AD001 for a $25
discount. Your registration of $150 (with discount) is your ticket to the
Institute, the National Leadership Gathering, the Bishop Murphy Awards Dinner,
and most of your meals. Questions should be directed to Jenny Davis at
jdavis@interfaithalliance.org
or 202-639-6370
(x107). Register online at
www.interfaithalliance.org/NLG.
Banner Contest
UUSJ wants to have a banner to represent this regional organization of nineteen congregations at events such as General Assembly and so we are sponsoring a contest. In addition to receiving recognition there will be prizes: first place $50, second place $25, third place $25. This is a great chance to show your creativity. For more information see the UUSJ web site at www.uusj.org/documents/banner_contest.pdf.
Social Justice Pilgrimage
Plan to attend the first
Social Justice Pilgrimage sponsored by Unitarian Universalists for Social
Justice (UUSJ) April 23 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This will be a spiritually rich
day, designed to help you explore the spiritual foundation work for social
justice, transform your UU values into action, and
become more energized for social justice work.
The Social Justice Pilgrimage will begin with a special worship service at All Souls Church in the District. This will be followed by a bus tour in which participants will experience directly some of the inspiring work UUs are doing in local communities. In particular, you will have a chance to talk with persons who have benefited from the after-school programs of Beacon House and from the community development work of UUs for Affordable Housing. Once we return to All Souls, we will eat lunch and then have the afternoon for reflection, conversation, music, and inspirational speakers.
There is no cost to
participate, although registration is required. You can register on the UUSJ Web
site (www.uusj.org) or by completing the
registration form available on the web site and sending it to
UUSJ, 8730 Georgia Ave., Suite 306.
To contribute to OLW News, please contact Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson
Chips from the Board
Karen Tyson, Chair, MVUC Board of Trustees
These are exciting times. At its special meeting, the congregation gave a ringing endorsement to the building program. We’re planning to construct a major addition to our Meeting House, which will improve Sunday morning traffic flow within the building and provide additional space for church programs. I want to give my special thanks to all who helped with our Facilities for the Future Task Force, which worked long and hard to bring us to this point.
But, in the midst of all this excitement, tough choices are beginning to present themselves. We expect the design and permitting process for the project to take place over the next year. Before ground is broken, the congregation will have another opportunity to vote on whether to go forward.
Our MVUC construction experts have pointed out that, once construction begins, the contractor will require a staging area for equipment and materials. The most logical location for such an area is the hardstand in front of the Carriage House.
A Board subcommittee
has been appointed to work with the Preschool to revise our letter of agreement
to accommodate
these changes. In particular, construction equipment, materials, dust, noise,
and vehicles entering and exiting the site will make it impossible for MVUC to
guarantee safe access to the Carriage House during this time. Because of this,
we have come to the painful conclusion that the Fort Hunt Preschool should
consider preparations to temporarily relocate its operations for the 2006-2007
school year. The relocation should be anticipated for at least one school year.
For some time, we have left the Preschool uncertain about its year-to-year stability at its current location. At the same time, MVUC’s construction program will go a very long way toward fulfilling our space needs, but may not completely resolve the shortfall. We are providing this information now to give the Preschool a measure of predictability. In this way, the Preschool will have ample time to plan for these changes and decide its own future. We will do our best to assist the preschool in this transition.
For over 40 years, FHP has provided a needed community service, quality education for pre-kindergarten children at a reasonable cost. In recognition of that valuable community service, MVUC has provided space to FHP at or below our cost. We honor and value this relationship, which has been a good one for MVUC, FHP, and the Mount Vernon community.
Construction is also likely to interfere with our ability to use the gardens and the Meeting House for weddings. The Board has decided that MVUC will accept bookings for large weddings up until July 2006, with the possibility of continuing later as our schedule becomes clear. During construction, we should still be able to have small weddings in Hollin Hall.
General Assembly: A UU Summit, Convention, Seminar, Extravaganza!
Last June, I attended my first GA. I was attracted by a direct invitation to all congregational presidents from President Bill Sinkford, as well as by fortuitous circumstances, including my daughter Katie’s interest and a West Coast business trip the week after. Katie and I spent a wonderful mother-daughter week in Long Beach, California—each of us attending sessions of our own interest but coming together for meals.
Previous attendees had wonderful advice that I mostly followed. Prioritize, people said, and I did. I decided to concentrate on sessions covering church leadership and growth of the UU movement. Congregational presidents (or, in our case, the board chair) were invited to a special workshop led by Bill Sinkford and UUA Moderator Gini Courter. I left with a deeper understanding of the things we share with other UU congregations, and also with great confidence in our UUA leadership. I learned a great deal from the speakers and other participants in sessions like Lessons from Megachurches, Policy Governance for Congregations, and Presidents’ Forum. I completely skipped the plenary sessions that pass resolutions and deal with study/action issues, but my fellow MVUCers were able to fill me in on those when we assembled for lunch midway through the convention.
My other priority was Katie. Youth have their own meeting area and programming, with the highlight a nightly worship service that began at midnight(!). I stayed with her to make sure that she didn’t walk back to the hotel alone. Since regular sessions began at 8 am, this wreaked havoc with my sleep routine. But I was privileged to experience a part of GA that some adults don’t get to see. The youth influenced the delegates in the selection of the threat of global warming as the 2004 study/action issue.
Another piece of good advice was to pick at least a couple sessions for self-enrichment and fun. The one I enjoyed most was A UU-Friendly Meditation Method. I still receive “thought for the day” emails from the folks at the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation in Tomales, CA.
One afternoon, I stopped at the tourist information desk inside the convention hall, and the volunteer there asked me a question—who was the kindly-looking man she had just directed to the ballroom? “I know I’ve seen him on TV,” she gushed. It was Robert Reich, there to discuss his latest book. “Politics is the applied form of democracy,” he reminded the audience. You never know when you’ll run into a celebrity at GA! General Assembly is a great way for UUs to broaden their horizons and deepen their commitments to liberal religion. It’s not too early to be thinking about GA 2005, June 23–27, in Fort Worth, Texas.
—Karen Tyson
Sermons for Your Re-hearing and Reading
Each Sunday’s service is recorded on audio tape. If you would like a copy for yourself, a friend, or one of our church’s shut-ins, please speak to Raleigh Romine or Joanne Ell. The texts of most of Rev. Lou’s sermons are also available at www.mvuc.org.
Stirrings From Windmill Hill
Deadline for the mid-month newsletter, Stirrings from Windmill Hill, is the 5th of each month. Material should be submitted to Mimi Stevens by email (mimis@erols.com) or left in the Newsletter box by the Church Office.
A Month of Sundays
All services at 9:30 am and 11:15 am (except where noted) in the Remington Chapel
March 6
“A Culture of Generosity”
Rev. Louis V. Schwebius
March 13
“We’re All Environmentalists Now.”
John Passacantando, Executive Director,
Greenpeace, USA
March 20
“Does Jesus Matter?”
(A Palm Sunday Reflection)
(Special Second Collection for MVUC’s Partner Church Program)
Rev. Louis V. Schwebius
March 27
“Weaving Hope for a New Tomorrow”
(Easter Intergenerational Service)
Barbara Gay Stoddard, DRE and Rev. Louis V. Schwebius