At a special meeting on March 30 the Board hired a Business Administrator, established Search Committees for a new Director of Religious Education and a new Music Director, and heard a report on Hollin Hall repair projects. For details, see the Minutes, which are posted in the Commons and on our website.

The March 31 financial statement showed there was $59,572 in the operating account. We have been self-funding the work in Hollin Hall with the help of a $50,000 short term loan from a church member. The line-of-credit loan has been finalized and $200,000 was transferred to our account on April 1. The member loan will be repaid.

The spring book sale was held in the Commons, since Hollin Hall was unavailable. We made a bit over $4,600. Many thanks to all who helped make this a success.

MVUC has hired Farhi Chaudhry as our primary nursery care giver. She works at the Fort Belvoir North Post Child Develpment Center for her full time job and comes to us well-recommended. We are still looking for volunteers to be in the Nursery with her once per month at 9 a.m. and for the 3rd Sunday at 11 a.m. There need to be 2 adults with the children during each service.

STILL NEEDED: TEACHERS FOR WAY COOL MAYMESTER (4 Sundays in May). Sign up in the Commons. One can volunteer to teach one Sunday or more.

On March 28, Way Cool Social Sunday School social action kids picked up 2 bags of sticks and 1 bag of trash from the grounds during 9 a.m. RE. During 11 a.m. RE, the Way Cool kids walked down to Fort Hunt Rd. and picked up 12 bags of trash along the bike path. Many thanks to Kathie Watson and Kristin Calhoun for organizing and to Judy Stevens, Becky Brandt, Lauck Walton, and David Watson for helping out. A job well done!

RE staff and the Partner Church Committee give a big thanks to Lindsay Arnold, MVUC 5th grader, for donating 2 boxes of art supplies for the school in our Romanian partner village. Donations are still be accepted. The donations will be delivered by MVUC folks traveling to Romania in July.

All resident members (those who have signed the membership book) are reminded of the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 25. The event will begin at 5:00 pm with confirmation of membership and proxy votes, followed by a potluck supper at 5:30 pm. Each family please bring a dish for 12 plus $2 per person for paper products, beverages, child care. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm. A resident member who cannot attend the meeting may authorize in writing another voting member to vote for him or her. Each resident member in attendance may hold only one proxy vote.

Nursery Care and Child Care provided at no extra cost to parents. Care for infants up to three years old will be provided in the nursery from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Child care will be supervised in the Carriage House by an adult and teenagers. Activities will include a movie geared for younger children, and a movie geared for middle-years children. Pizza and lemonade will be available in the Carriage House at 5:00 pm. Those needing Nursery Care or Child Care must sign up using the sign up sheet in the Commons or call the office no later than Wednesday, April 21.

The Congregation will be asked to act on a resolution by the Facilities for the Future Task Force to approve the design of an addition to the Meeting House and authorize a Financial Confirmation Study for a Capital Campaign. In addition the Congregation will also elect three new members of the Board of Trustees as well as Program Council members and delegates to the General Assembly and approve the proposed operating budget for the MVUC fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004.

The Board of Trustees and the Facilities for the Future Task Force will hold open information meetings after each Sunday morning service on April 11 and 18; on April 14, 7:00 - 7:30 pm; and on April 20, 7:30 pm to answer questions and seek comments on these items. For more information call Anne Bredeck in the church office at 703-765-5950 x 100 or Linda Jemison (e-mail at bot@mvuc.org).

Celebrate Earth Day in style by taking part in MVUC’s second Earth Day Fair on April 18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. (immediately following the single 10 a.m. Earth Day service). Those who participated two years ago will recall the information, activities, food and fun for all ages. Demonstrations, displays, and Fair Trade coffee are only a sample of what’s planned.

You guessed it —the time for the annual MVUC Flea Market is fast approaching. We will be accepting items at Hollin Hall beginning Monday, May 3, in readiness for the big sale on Saturday, May 8. Bring your fleas early so we will have plenty of time to sort and set them out. Call Pat Jackson or Betsy Roderick if you have any questions.

At least 60 people attended the Holiday Shop Tea on January 31, where we celebrated the accomplishment and contributions of Holiday Shop, and brainstormed ideas for its continued health. Holiday Shop, which has evolved and grown over the last 40 years, can be strengthened by contributions from a wider base of the congregation. The Every Thursday Women’s Group, sponsoring group of Holiday Shop, welcomes new energy and new ideas to continue to make each Holiday Shop better than the one before.

There is the beginning of a history of the 40 years of HS on the Commons credenza, along with a form for suggestions. If more people give history and memories, we can make a small book about this important part of MVUC. And we will meet on Saturday April 24 at 10:00 am in the Commons to follow up on the bounty of ideas and firm up some changes.

A strong theme was a desire for craft workshops for adults, at varied times and places. The urge to create, and to do it in community, is alive and vibrant. Holiday Shop is community and generosity of spirit in the flesh, every year. If you would like to be a part, contact Sally Joy Remington. Or leave a note in the Holiday Shop box by the office.

April 24 is also the date for the annual concert to benefit Bryant Early Learning Center. Once again, Cleve Francis and Herb Tyson will sing their hearts out to help raise funds for this important community endeavor, which MVUC has for many years supported with generous gifts of money and time.

You can help us reach our goal of raising $5000 to support the BEL Center by becoming a sponsor, urging your friends and neighbors to attend the concert, and planning to be there yourself. For sponsorship information, call Debbie Halla, or reserve tickets by calling Esther Dickinson. Tickets will be on sale in the Commons on Sunday, and at the door.

Ginny and Bev will be offering an exciting program on April 27th from 10:30 til noon. Our Presenter will be Maureen McHugh, who teaches the Feldenkrais Method. Since the program is about "a way to feel better by helping you move better," she will lead us in a series of exercises that will illustrate the Method. Bring a mat or blanket with you, as the exercises are done lying on the floor, moving gently and slowly. (Those of you who find it difficult to get up and down at first may observe as the rest of the group goes through the suggested movements).

Maureen has been here before, and she was highly recommended by those who attended her earlier demonstration. Anyone who wishes may attend this program and be most welcome. Wisdom Years includes many of us, whether wise or not!

Questions? Call Bev or Ginny or ask to see Maureen's informational sheet with more information.

The church community was saddened by the recent death of Doug Masterson’s father Donald Masterson, who lived in Florida.

Jean Hinman is now living at the Gables of Mount Vernon, 3709 Shannons Green Way, Alexandria. She welcomes visitors.

Kris Rosenthal is at home recuperating from a broken hip. She welcomes calls.

Our condolences to the family of Marjorie Erdman, a long-time member of MVUC, who died March 29. Her memorial service will be held May 16.

Betty Stafford, a long-time friend of MVUC, is at home recuperating from a broken pelvis. She welcomes calls.

Born in New York City of Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Alex spent much of his childhood at the Ferrer Colony in Stelton, New Jersey, where the schooling was free thinking, unregimented and atheist. He transferred to public school in the eighth grade, two years behind his age group, but worked hard to catch up. On graduation from high school he gained competitive admission to Cooper Union in New York City, where he earned an electric engineering degree.

He married Eleanor Royer in 1947 and they moved to the Tauxemont community a year later. Eleanor, who died in 1999, was a founding member of MVUC. Alex, due to abiding skepticism about formal religion, did not join until January 1956. He served on the boards of MVUC and the Tauxemont community. After retirement he volunteered as a tutor of math and English for high school graduate equivalent candidates.

He is survived by children Edward Lehrer of Alexandria, David Lehrer of Oakland, CA, and Dana Lehrer Mitchell of Annandale, a sister, Miriam, and a brother, Robert. Rev. Linda Olson Peebles conducted a memorial service at MVUC March 21.

NOTE: THE ORIGINAL APRIL 20TH PROGRAM WITH DOUG MACCLEERY HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

APRIL 20 - TIA BREEDING: UPDATE ON HOMELESSNESS IN MOUNT VERNON.

Since Tia last spoke to us, she has become Supervisor of our local Homeless Services Team of the Mental Health Center. A comparatively small number of people are called "situationally homeless." But there has finally been a recognition that 85% of the homeless are severely mentally ill or substance abusers, or both. Various agencies of Federal, State or Local agencies are coordinating plans and services to carry out a big ten-year plan to find ways to eliminate homelessness of both chronic and situational homeless.

Tia is a long-time member of MVUC and enjoys singing with the choir when her schedule permits.

MAY 4 -- CHUCK MORRISSEY: Code Makers War, Part II

After World War II, Chuck worked 15 years as a consultant for defense contractors who used and developed code-making control methods that were initially introduced during World War II; and then further updated during the cold war era.

He will discuss the importance of code-making and code-breaking which was used during World War II. Many of these code making techniques were originally developed during World War II. Chuck will include different kinds of codes such as secret codes, secret ciphers, secret and concealed writing. This is a follow-up to his recent presentation of ENIGMA code-breakers.

The canvass has begun! Many MVUC members and friends have already pledged. Many others will be meeting with canvassers over the next couple of weeks. And some members and friends will simply drop their pledge cards into the big green Canvass box in the Commons. When we pledge, we demonstrate our commitment to MVUC, our liberal, welcoming religious community. Please take the time to consider — and make — your pledge for the coming year.

UCM Transitional Housing Programs are in immediate need of furniture and household items for our families entering the program from homeless shelters. The transitional housing programs provide a two-year housing placement, case management, and supportive services for homeless families. These families strive to gain greater independence and eventually move into permanent housing of their own. The families are in need of the following items to furnish their apartments:

1 queen/double bed and frames; 2 twin beds and frames; 2 toddler beds; 2 dressers; 8 lamps; 2 dining room/kitchen table and chairs; 2 sofas or loveseats; bedding –– blankets, comforters, twin or queen sheet sets; pots, pans, dishes, cups, utensils.

UCM is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit human services agency that has served the community for over 34 years. UCM's mission is to help others achieve self-sufficiency and its programs have helped thousands of individuals help themselves. UCM and its programs are made possible through the generous support of the community. Over 100 churches in UCM's service area have provided support to the agency. For more information on UCM and its programs, or to make a contribution, provide in-kind goods or services, or volunteer, please contact Capri at (703) 768-7106, x325. Again thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement.

Retired State Department official Stephen Buck will assess the situation in Iraq a year after the invasion during a public discussion at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston (UUCR) on Monday, April 26, at 7:30pm. The discussion is part of a series on events in the Middle East presented under the auspices of UUCR's Forum for Free and Responsible Discourse, which promotes the examination of issues that have religious and/or public policy implications.

Mr. Buck, an expert on the Middle East, retired in 2002 after a 39-year Foreign Service career. He served in Baghdad from 1986 to 1988 as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires, and later as Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 1996 to 1999. He also served at U.S. embassies in Algeria, Lebanon, Yemen, Kuwait, and Mauritania. Mr. Buck is a graduate of Yale University and has a graduate degree in Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University and in international relations and international economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Save the Date! On Saturday, May 8 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice will host a workshop, Feeding the Flame of Justice II: A workshop for Social Justice Leaders. The event will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia at 7246 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD. Both those who attended the first Feeding the Flame workshop and others interested and/or currently working on social justice issues in our UU congregations are invited to attend.

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston (UUCR) is sponsoring a fundraising raffle for which first prize is two tickets for a seven-night cruise of the Western Caribbean aboard the smoke-free Carnival Paradise. For information call (703) 742-7992.

The Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke, VA, is again sponsoring an end-of-summer trip. This year we will be going to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We are inviting other area UUs and friends to join us. Call Ginny Moser 703-451-7469.