The Board in brief (Jane Nelson)

At its regularly scheduled meeting on April 5, 2005, the MVUC Board of Trustees heard a presentation from OLW regarding a resolution for congregational approval at the annual meeting on April 24, 2005. The Board endorsed the resolution to develop an integrated social justice program at MVUC using the model developed by Rev. Richard Gilbert. Also, in preparation for the annual meeting, the Board endorsed the slate of candidates presented by the nominating committee, and gave its approval for the resolution on the plan for vital congregations submitted by Ron Brandt. The Board also approved the budget proposed by the finance committee, and discussed and approved a letter of agreement with Fort Hunt Preschool agreeing to work cooperatively and constructively to address safety issues during construction in 2006-2007, with a view towards FHP's continued operation at MVUC during that school year. The Board heard reports from our professional staff and was told of a generous, unrestricted gift of $20,000 from the estate of Helen Coulter.

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 March 31, 2005, financial report shows:

Coming up in RE (Barbara Gay Stoddard)

PRESCHOOL (Preschoolers meet in the Carriage House) — Apr. 17: Snack for our Families; Apr. 24: Passover. GOOD NEWS: May is Teddy Bear Month in Preschool. May 1: Teddy Bear Month: Friendship and May 8: Teddy Bear Month: Fixed. Watch for more information – children are asked to bring their favorite Teddy Bear to class in May.

WAY COOL Chapel: (For grades K – 8)— Apr. 17: UU Flower Communion. Meet in Hollin Hall.

WAY COOL JUSTICE: Apr. 24: Social Justice Sunday/Earth Day (come prepared to pick up trash.)

WAY COOL GOINGS-ON: (For grades K – 8 at 9:30 and grades K-6 at 11:15)— May 1: Meeting UU Ancestors: The story of John and Judith Sargent. May 8: The story of Julia Ward Howe and Mothers’ Peace Day.

NEIGHBORING FAITHS 7th & 8th Graders (11:15) — May 1 & 8 - Meet in Hollin Hall

YRUU —Meets as usual, Sunday morning, Apr. 17 & 24. MystiCon at UU Congregation of Fairfax, Oakton, April 29 – May 1. Features drumming circles, tarot cards, reflexology, yoga, gemstones, etc.

Annual Meeting April 24 (Karen Tyson)

All resident members (those who have signed the membership book) are reminded of the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 24. 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 will be provided at no extra cost to parents. 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 20.

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, 2005.

Movie night (Marty Bredeck)

April 22: "Down by Law" 1986

A story told in black-and-white of three disparate characters who wind up sharing a jail cell, but made of all the various scenes any "normal" prison movie would have cut out--and not containing some scenes they would have had! Quirky, realistic, humorous, and somber all at the same time, it is propelled by the characterizations rather than a standard plot. Starring Tom Waites and Roberto Benigni, directed by Jim Jarmusch. Not rated, but contains coarse language.

Earth Day Fair Sunday, April 24 (Suzanne Cleary)

Celebrate Earth Day at MVUC on Sunday, April 24 from 12:30 - 3:00. Join us for children's activities, food, Native plant sale, presentations on green roofs and the Little Hunting Creek watershed, birdhouse sale, demonstrations of Earth-friendly hybrid cars, labyrinth walk, and more! For more information, call Suzanne Cleary.

Wisdom Years (Bev Southerland)

On Tuesday, April 26, we have arranged a tour of the Senior Center, located in Hollin Hall, from 10:30 til noon. We will be told of their many programs and shown the facilities. We can park at the parking lot in front of the Safeway store and walk down together. All are welcome to join us.

MVUC’s 50th Anniversary Holiday Shop

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2005

Seems a long way off? Plans are already underway to recruit principals and apprentices to make the 50th Anniversary Holiday Shop the best ever.

General categories for helping are: Country Kitchen; Kids Only Shop; Lunch; Jewelry sales; Vendor relations; Quilt project; Gingerbread House; Greenhouse; Holiday greenery; logistics; and more!

Want to be part of MVUC’s major fund raising and community building event? It’s not just for retired people! Contact Mary Barnett.

The Planning Group is meeting regularly. We welcome you to join us.

Circle Suppers return to MVUC (Mike and Laura Walker)

The Next Circle Supper is set for October 15th.

A big “thank you” to all those who hosted and participated in the first MVUC Circle Supper event in more than a dozen years. A unique tradition in many UU churches, a Circle Supper is an informal dinner gathering, pot-luck style, in someone’s home, for 6-8-10 people, all taking place on the same date. Fellowship and conversation are paramount, although good food and delicious desserts are important, too.

Hosting our circle supper tables on March 19th were Dorothy & Ron Brandt, Birgit & Albert Robbert, Wendy & Bill Burns, Karna Schwimmer, Russ & June Stumpe, Mary Barnett, Sally & Joe Remington, Ruth Bennett, Meg & Bill Clontz, Sandy & Rolf Peterson, Esther & Rob Dickinson, Ken & Pat Krogh, Al & Eleanor Erickson, and Marge Witting. Peg Bartel hosted a supper group on April 2, and Laura & Mike Walker hosted a circle breakfast and a circle lunch. In all, an estimated 145 people were able to participate in this church-wide effort.

Our goal was to have every member in the church directory receive a personal invitation to participate. We hope we were successful, but know we may have missed a few of you...some numbers had been disconnected, sometimes we could only reach answering machines, and some homes appeared to have kids on dial-up Internet non-stop! If we missed you for any reason, please let us know how we can include you in the next Circle Supper, scheduled for Saturday, October 15th.

If you would like to host a dinner in October, please contact Laura or Mike Walker.

If you want to simply attend the autumn circle supper, you can let us know or just wait for your phone call in October. It will be our intention to affirmatively reach out to everyone in the church community for each and every Circle Supper.

Flea Market May 7 (Pat Jackson)

Our annual Flea Market is May 7. Please note the flyer. We will be setting up every day in Hollin Hall starting Monday, May 2. Bring your donations to the Mansion kitchen from 9 to 3. Call Betsy Roderick or Pat Jackson if you have questions.

Caring Community (Betsy Stephens)

Kelly and Chris Lohman, Judy and Carl Lohmann's son, just had a baby boy, Christopher "Jack" Lohmann, born March 18.

Jean Hinman is now living at home and welcomes calls and visitors.

Upcoming Events, on and off the Hill

April:

17, 4 pm
Stephen Phinney Ordination
Meeting House

17, 1:30 pm
Mount Vernon Crop Walk

17, 2 pm
Compassion and Choices open meeting
Cedar Lane UU

19, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Senator Joe Gartlan
Hollin Hall

22, 7:30 pm
Movie night: “Down by Law”
Meeting House Commons

24, 12:30 pm
Earth Day Fair
MVUC grounds

24, 5 pm
MVUC Annual Meeting
Meeting House

26, 10:30 am
Wisdom Years
Hollin Hall Senior Center

May:

3, 11:45 am
Good Companions: Paul Weeks
Meeting House

7, 9 am
Flea Market
Hollin Hall

7, 1 pm
FOCCUS Chernobyl fundraiser
Cedar Lane UU

13, 8:30 pm
Friday Nighters Dancing Club
Remington Chapel

Friday Nighters time change (Dave Noon)

The Friday Nighters Dancing Club has changed the time of the dance. It will remain the 2nd Friday of each month but the time will be 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM. The previous time was 9 PM to 11 PM.

UU SC Holiday Card Programs (Sonja Bloom) (via the Book Nook)

UUSC sends thanks to all of you who participated in the 2004 Holiday Card Program. MVUC raised $360 from the sale of the cards this year. Over the past 12 years, we have raised a total of $3297.50 for UUSC programs. UUSC invites members and friends of all ages to submit a design for a new holiday card for the 2005 holiday season. Submissions must be received by UUSC on or before May 6, 2005. For submission guidelines, see the notice on the bulletin board outside the church office or call Sonja Bloom.

On the death of Pope John Paul II

Statement by the Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, April 2, 2005

Our hearts go out to faithful Catholics everywhere as they mourn the loss of their beloved spiritual leader. We honor the example that John Paul II set in our religiously pluralistic global community by reaching out to other faiths in a spirit of peace and reconciliation. In our still violent world, John Paul never failed to witness on behalf of the innocent victims of conflict and war. His deep compassion will serve as a lasting legacy and tribute.

UUSC creates Weblog on tsunami relief and recovery

UUSC staff members Martha Thompson and Sofia Romero are traveling to Indonesia and Sri Lanka to visit victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami and colleague and partner organizations. They are getting first-hand accounts of the impact of the tsunami, assessing the needs of the survivors and determining how UUSC might be able to further assist in their long-term relief and recovery. They arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, March 21. As they travel, they are writing about their experiences and observations, and posting them to an online Weblog. To read their accounts and add your own comments, visit http://www.uusc.org/blog/.