At its regular monthly meeting on March 2 the Board heard reports on the status of our line of credit application and the progress made in hiring a Business Administrator. The Board also appointed a BOT Officer Nominating Committee. There was also discussion about our policy with regard to directed giving and about early Canvass returns.

For details, see the Minutes which are posted in the Commons and on our website.

When the line-of-credit loan is available, we will have a clearer picture of our financial situation. At present, we have enough money to meet current expenses. The monthly and year-to-date figures from February 29 would not give an accurate description of where we are. We have spent about $90,000 on work on Hollin Hall. This money will be repaid when the line-of-credit loan is finalized.

Our DRE, Hope Andonovska, is going to be leaving us. For family reasons, she is relocating to South Carolina. She has resigned as of the end of the church year, June 13.

She has requested an administrative leave of absence for part of her time until June. At its meeting on March 2, the Board regretfully accepted her proposal. She’ll be working with us part-time, and we’re working out the details of her assignments.

The Board and the Program Council will be bringing additional resources to bear to make sure that the RE program runs smoothly in the interim. Hope has brought some wonderful innovations to our program, and she will be greatly missed. She’ll be back with us for the YRUU Service two weeks from today and later for the Coming of Age Service and for Recognition Sunday. We send her our gratitude and also our love and support.

This year’s Annual Canvass is now in full swing. Lots of people attended the Pot-Luck Kickoff on Saturday, March 13, and made their pledges on Sunday, March 14. At the time this newsletter was written, we had 34 pledges of about $100,000, an increase of over $17,000. That’s a great start toward our goal of a $53,000 increase. If you have not yet had a chance to make your pledge, you will be contacted by a volunteer canvasser soon.

THE SPRING BOOK SALE IS COMING (and things will be different because of renovations in the Mansion)! The dates are Thursday March 25 through Saturday March 27. The sale will be held in the COMMONS. Individually priced merchandise and children's books will be for sale. On Thursday the hours are 1 pm-5 pm. Before we reopen on Friday at 10 am, additional merchandise will be added. On Friday, we will close at 3 pm. The hours on Saturday will be 10 am-3 pm. All merchandise will be half price from 1 pm-3 pm on Saturday. There will be NO BAG SALES.

On Friday, April 9th 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.

We have some updates for you regarding music events. We are looking forward to the YRUU's handling of the worship services on March 21st. And the choir will have a special presentation for morning worship on March 28th with voice, piano, bass, digital synthesizer and percussion on The Prayer, made popular by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. It is with great regret I must announce the cancelling of The Food of Love fundraiser on Sunday, March 28th at 3 pm. I strive to match our musical projects with available volunteers, and found we needed to trim some events. We look forward to trying that delightful project another year.

"What Estate Sales Can Do for You" — On March 23rd, our speaker will be Donna Bolton, who will talk to us concerning Estate Appraisals. having to do with disposition of valuable possessions when faced with making a life change.

If you have any questions or suggestions concerning Wisdom Years, please contact Ginny Endicott or Bev Southerland. Barring unforeseen weather problems, we plan our Wisdom Years group meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10:30 am - noon.

Seder April 10 (Janice Fitzpatrick)

Seder plans are underway! MVUC's annual UU Seder is on Saturday, April 10, 5:30-8:30 p. m. Heather Hartshorn is coordinating the event and is waiting to hear from those who want to help out.

For the 5 Sundays in May, the MVUC RE program is studying the curriculum "Honoring Our Mother Earth; Experiences in Native American Spirituality. " We are looking for a few good teachers—you can sign up for one Sunday or more! We encourage kids 6th grade and up to volunteer also. Copies of the curriculum are available to look at. Contact Janice Fitzpatrick for more information.

MVUC needs a nurturing, reliable nursery caregiver each Sunday morning from 8:45 a. m. until 12:15 p. m. You will have parent volunteers to assist you each week. Pay will be $75 each Sunday. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

MVUC also needs 2 people to be the Summer RE providers! These are paid positions (pay depends on age and experience) for ages 14 and up, including adults. Summer RE starts June 6 and ends September 6. Work hours on Sunday mornings are 9:30 to 11:30 a. m. Contact Janice Fitzpatrick, 703-765-5950 x 105; email mvuc-re@mvuc.org, for information on these positions.

A great time was had by all at the annual MVUC Variety Show and Lasagna Dinner on Saturday, February 21st. The entertainment was the best yet and the food was tasty and plentiful. The 8th grade Coming of Age (COA) class hosted the dinner and sold delicious homemade desserts to raise money for the annual COA trip to Boston. Thanks to many of you an amazing $1,570 was raised through the sale of dinner tickets and desserts.

A special thank you to the non-COA parents who donated baked goods - Helen Patterson, the Stumpes, Meg Clontz, Betsy Stephens, Janice Fitzpatrick, and Lucinda Mosley. The COA class appreciates the YRUU group donating their extra donuts. The COA class also thanks the Dressing and Hentges families for coordinating the dinner and the other parents who cooked, set up, served, and cleaned up.

MVUC was saddened by the death of charter member Betty Baran on February 26. Anyone wishing to send condolences to her daughters can get their addresses from the church office. Services will be held later in the year, possibly in July.

There will be a retrospective of stained glass and watercolors by Harriet Schultz at the Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory March 16, 17 and 18, 12-5 pm. A reception will be held March 18, 4-6 pm. Harriet was a long-time member of MVUC.

When Barbara Cross spoke about the 1963 bombing of her father's church in Birmingham and the deaths of her four friends she suggested some sources for more information. She has provided us with the following list of books on the bombing:

Long Time Coming by Elizabeth H. Cobbs and Petric J. Smith

Behind The Stained Glass by Christopher M. Hamlin

Until Justice Rolls Down by Frank Sikora.

The film documentary she mentioned was Four Little Girls, by Spike Lee. I've heard that Power Video at Belle View has it available for rent.

Also, Ms. Cross's father recently had some outpatient surgery, so please keep them in your thoughts.

A discussion about things we'd like to do erupted at a gathering of UUs recently which sparked a question: Who would enjoy a group for play-reading? Bev Southerland and Sally Montanari are looking for would-be thespian wannabes to share some afternoons of reading skits and plays and perhaps even join Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in the magical phrase Let's put on a show! Interested? Call Bev Southerland

In 2003, we had thirty people who helped to provide our Sunday centering pieces. This included Meg Clontz, who does flowers for trhe first Sunday of each month. So far in 2004, we have enjoyed flowers by Meg, Wendy Kilpatrick, Deborah Berger, Kathie McNeil, Sandy Peterson, and Betsy Stephens. We want to thank all of these people and to invite others to join the fun. Call Barbara Al-Turki to reserve a Sunday to remember a loved one or honor a special event.

MARCH 16 - PAM TINKER: A JOURNEY IN COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

Pam grew up in Springfield, Virginia, is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and a longtime member of MVUC. Trained as a physical therapist, she is the person who formed the Mount Vernon Hospital Rehabilitation Program and served as its Director for 18 years. Six years ago she founded the Frog Pond Early Learning Center. Recently she added work in Code Pink for Peace.

APRIL 6 - A PARK RANGER: "THERE IS MORE TO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKWAY THAN A ROAD!"

The Parkway was opened in 1932 to honor George Washington. Visitors come from all over the United States and the world with various interests. "Interpretive Rangers" familiarize them about history, nature, and many activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching and picnicking, beyond just relaxing in the beautiful scenery.

There are over twenty parks, including two Presidential Memorials, two Military Forts, the Iwo Jima Memorial and Great Falls. There are miles of planted trees and shrubs and there are also many places, such as Dyke Marsh, left to grow naturally.

Have you peeked into the greenhouse lately? What do you mean, no!!! Come on over and see what we’ve been up to.

To give us more control over our growing environment, fans and automatic openers are being installed by greenhouse expert, Donald Norton, who hales from near Raleigh, North Carolina. He has also replaced some broken windows, which has perked up our general appearance.

These improvements were made possible by all of you who have enthusiastically participated in our plant sales. We have also benefitted from the expertise of Alvin Macomber and Terry Patterson. Thank you all so much.

Now that Spring is around the corner we hope to entice you with a preview of Spring plant offerings. In spite of working in a construction zone (the installation is not yet complete) we are tending flats of marigolds, impatiens, pansies, primulas, rose campion and baptisia. By April we will have a variety of herbs, more annuals and perennials including native plants for Green Sanctuary’s Earth Day Celebration. Those heirloom tomatoes you count on each year will be available as well as flowers for Easter and Mother’s Day. If there are plants you would like us to add to the mix, please let us know now.

The Greenhouse Group is small but we would love to expand. We could especially use some help with sales on weekends starting in April. Please call Mary Barnett. We appreciate those of you who have already offered to help. You will be hearing from us. Again thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement.

Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre presents "Anne of Green Gables," March 19-28. Performances will be held March 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 pm and March 21 and 28 at 3:00 pm. This show features several MVUC youth — Eben Kuhns as Gilbert Blythe; Ilene Gillispie as Marilla Cuthbert; Megan Cleary as Bessie Wright; and Molly Adler as Minnie May. This is a great show for children and adults alike. Please come and support our talented youth!

The Pastoral Care Team at the UU Church of Arlington is offering a workshop on Saturday, March 27, from 9 am-noon. The workshop leader is the Rev. Sarah York, Interim Minister and author. Registration is $5 and includes a morning snack. Make check to UUCA, 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204. To register by phone or ask questions, call 703-892-2565 or 703-924-1450. The church is located at the SW corner of George Mason Drive and Arlington Blvd.

A media showing and conversation with Bernard Timberg, noted author and journalist, will be held Sunday, April 4, 3-5 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, Maryland (Welsh Park Drive is just south of Martin’s Lane, and right off Mannakee St. , in Rockville)

Conventional approaches to Middle East conflict stress political or military solutions. New approaches are needed. Timberg looks at individual feelings and reactions. Come and see why a more "hearts and minds" solution to the current problems of violence may be an answer. The event is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee, Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville.

Free and open to the public For further information, contact Alonzo Smith, 301-251-6604, or Steve Lapham, 301-947-1920

Thursday, April 8th, 12:30 - 2:00 pm — Join UUSJ, UU Affordable Housing and Beacon House for a joint event to showcase and celebrate regional Unitarian Universalist social justice programs. Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President, will deliver a keynote address. This is a rare opportunity to hear him speak so close to home, and an excellent chance to support our local UU-affiliated social justice organizations. Lunch will be served too! Don’t miss this fun and celebrative occasion. The event will be held at All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cynthia Snavely at CSnavely@uusj.org or at 301-588-1951.

Saturday, April 10, 2004 (the day before Easter Sunday) at All Souls Church, Unitarian. Starts at 10 am and closes down at 4 pm. Come see what Fair Trade products are available in our region from regional Fair Trade vendors, and learn more about Fair Trade issues and what we can do as individuals to help support Fair Trade.

"Bending Toward Justice: Building a Multicultural World" is our theme this year at the 100^th anniversary Joseph Priestley Conference. We are called as Unitarian Universalists to work for a more peaceful world where harmony and understanding between people of different cultures, sexes, colors, and orientations prevail in our churches and fellowships. Many of our workshops will explore this theme.

The Keynote Speaker for the conference will be the Rev. Bill Sinkford, President of the UUA. In addition to worship services and the Banner Parade, there will be over 30 workshops, with many focused on social justice; the Annual Meeting and election of JPD officers; and a Bridging Ceremony for Youth.

The conference will be held at the Sheraton Suites Hotel in Wilmington, DE. The conference brochure is available in the church office.

There will be a trip to New York, sponsored by the Answer Coalition, by bus on March 20th (a Saturday) to protest the Iraq war. There will be 3 busses leaving from Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia. If you who would like to participate, please call (202)544-3389. If you are not familiar with the Answer Coalition, there is a website:www.internationalanswer.org.

SPECTRUUM ’04

Calling all young adults, campus ministry, bridging YRUUers or anyone else - 18 to 35+. Join us for the 11^th annual SPECTRUUM Easter weekend conference, April 9-11. This weekend will be all about people meeting people, sharing ideas and activities, and most of all, having a good time! For some it will be a final fling before college exams, for others a simple celebration of spring. Activities may include nature walks, canoeing, frisbee, bonfire worship, coffee house, arts and crafts, games, music, workshops, and whatever fun you can think up. Carpools and scholarships available. Visit www.spectruum.org for online registration, details, and information.

Registration costs: First-time attendees and ages 12-18, $25; normal, $50; under 12 free. The conference will be held at Sangraal-by-the-Sea Conference Center in Wake, VA.

Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while being taken care of like royalty. 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. Spend four days with us exploring the rich history and natural beauty around the Falls. For information visit our web site : http://www.uunex. net/

AMUUSE — Adult Midwest Unitarian Universalist Singles Enrichment — sponsors three individual week-long camps for single adults, providing recreation, fun, and sharing for personal and spiritual growth. Mornings are devoted to small special interest groups on a variety of topics designed to develop new friendships. Afternoons are open for a wide range of activities, and evening activities may include a coffeehouse, parties, campfires, and dancing.

Registration is limited to 100 people per camp. The dates and locations are: June 13-19 in Loveland, Ohio; July 11-17 in Williams Bay, Wisconsin; August 1-7 in Saugatuck, Michigan. . For more details, check at www.amuuse.org.

Five Alaska UU fellowships invite other UUs from "outside" for our seventh year of UU eco-spirituality tours in June, July and August. See the REAL Alaska! Stay in UU homes, enjoy parties with the Alaskans, and see whales, sea otters, sea lions, bears, caribou, puffins, eagles and other animals in the wild from the Arctic Ocean to the Inside Passage in the south, Denali’s Mt. McKinley and Kenai’s fjords and glaciers, cruises and spectacular train trips, native arts, story-telling, dancing and totem poles. Come before ot after UUA-GA to cut travel expenses to Alaska. Visit our website www.wuurld.org, email info@wuurld.org or phone toll-free 1-888-998-8753 for brochure. Reservations due by April 1. Rev. Dick and Mary Weston-Jones, guides.

These centers have extensive programs — check their publications to see what they may offer that interests you . . .

Rowe Camp and Conference Center - Massachusetts — Summer camp for kids fourth grade and up, family and adult programs. To receive a catalog, please write UU Rowe Camp & Conference Center, Kings Highway Road, Rowe. MA 01367, call 413-339-4954, or email retreat@rowecenter.org.

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center - North Carolina — Elderhostels, adult and family programs, UU retreats and leadership training. PO Box 1299, Highlands, NC 28741; 828-526-5838; www.mountaincenters.org.