Universalist National Memorial Church

Let's Go to the Baysox!

On Friday July 28, UNMC will have a Baysox baseball outing to say goodbye to Rev. Jim Morgan and to enjoy the game, fireworks, and each other.

Game time is at 7:05 pm at Baysox Stadium in Bowie, Maryland, with fireworks following the game.

Annual Church Meeting - May 21, 2006

Our annual church meeting will be held May 21, 2006 after our 11:00a.m. Worship Service. There are several issues of vital importance to us that will be considered at that time. One of these is our Declaration of Faith. Your presence is needed in order for us to have a quorum that will make our voting count. Do come prepared to stay. You can bring sandwiches or a covered dish.

Candlelight Concert on April 30

Ilya Sinaisky, our pianist and student majoring in collaborative piano at the University of Maryland, will present a concert of classical piano masterworks at UNMC on Sunday, April 30, at 7 p.m. Invite your friends and relatives to what we hope will begin a new concert series at UNMC. If you have ideas for other concerts (which can be of any musical genre, on any day of the week, and not necessarily evening candelight) or would like to be part of a Concert Committee, contact Donna Simonton.

Brunch Bunch with Special Guests

One Sunday a month, UNMC members and friends go out to a local restaurant after church and have brunch together, but on Saturday, April 8, you have the chance to have brunch in the UNMC parlor with members and friends of Paint Branch and Oakton (Fairfax) Unitarian Universalist congregations. Both these congregations auctioned historic UNMC tours and brunch as part of their annual fund-raising auctions. The church tour is at 10 a.m. with brunch to follow. For more information or to confirm attendance, contact Donna Simonton.

Lenten Schedule

Forty days to prepare – for what? For a resurrection, to be sure! The Lenten Season is for reading, thinking, meditation and for solitude. It is a time to be raised from the ruts and graves we have dug for ourselves and find new life. It is a space in our calendar to be used to nudge us toward God. It has ever been so, from the early Church and on into this century.

Plan to join in the celebration this year and experience a new birth for yourself. One thing is certain — participation in Lent will certainly make Easter a very different and joyful event.

The lenten schedule at UNMC began with two Ash Wednesday services and continues as follows:

Ash Wednesday Services

There will be two Ash Wednesday Services, March 1st, at the church. One will be at 12:00 noon for those who work nearby and the other at 7:00 p.m. for those who cannot make the 12:00 noon service.

A time of silence for introspection will be offered — to identify those things in our lives which need to be cleansed for our Lenten journey. There will also be the imposition of ashes for those who would like them. A short homily on the disciplines for Lent will be part of the worship. A meal of soup and beverage will be provided after the 12:00 noon service. This is an excellent way to begin the celebration of the entire Lenten experience, which will end with Easter on April 16th. Join us in this festival.

What We Say Here

Each Sunday morning, the worship liturgy that gathers us together includes the voluntary recitation of what we've come to know as the Declaration of Faith, an affirmation adopted by Universalists in 1899 and so sometimes known also as the “Five Principles of 1899.”

Last fall, the Worship Committee took on the task of shepherding a process to involve the entire congregation in an examination of the Declaration of Faith. The Third Wednesday theology group already has had some good discussions, which have revealed a wide range of opinions and attitudes.

The next step in the process is to meet as a congregation, over lunch, on February 26, and explore two key questions together:

. What meaning does the Declaration of Faith that we recite in worship have for you personally?

. What role does an affirmation such as the Declaration of Faith play in our worship today, and what role should it play?

Third Wednesday Theology Discussion

Our regular Third Wednesday Theology Discussion in January saw six persons in attendance with a spirited discussion on "The Certainty of Just Retribution for Sin" from our declaration of faith statement. A wide diversity of opinions were displayed, but the most consistently raised point which often comes up in any discussion of sin, justice, and universal salvation was how a certain historical figure named Adolf Hitler would fare when and if justice is meted out. Some persons feel that Hitler got his punishment for sin in this life while others feel that justice is a continuing and eternal process leading to the final reconciliation of all souls with the divine.

Gala Gathering

On Sunday, November 20th, after the 11:00 a.m. Morning Service, we will have a Gala Gathering to celebrate our past and look forward to our future. We will have a great catered meal and special entertainment to assist us with our connecting to both pieces of our rich history/dreams.

There will not be a charge for this experience, but we do need to know how many you will be bringing with you. Either call the office or send us an e-mail. We want it to be a highlight for us, so bring family/friends and come prepared to rejoice with "all the saints." It is also Thanksgiving Sunday. What a splendid way to honor the Day, giving thanks to God for all that God has done for us and will continue to do for us.

Special Presentation: Troublesome Words in the Bible

Come and hear Jim Adams, founder and president of The Center for Progressive Christianity, decode the myths and meanings of troublesome words in the Bible. Adams will be discussing his newest book, From Literal to Literary—The Essential Reference Book for Biblical Metaphors, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, at UNMC. Adams, who is also the author of So You Can't Stand Evangelism?, which the UNMC Welcome & Membership Committee has found very useful, is the former pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. For more information, contact the office at 202-387-3411.

Make Your Dinner Reservation at Leland Place

Our Leland Place dinners are cooking along nicely - so to speak. After something of a lapse, we've revived our decadelong ministry to Leland, a halfway house for men recovering from addictions and homelessness. It is part of S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat).

At our first dinner, on October 1, seven Leland residents ate heartily (as did the volunteers!). The menu: Midwestern meatloaf, Asian string beans, mashed potatoes a la Bill Baker (10 lbs. of them!), salad, iced tea, Italian bread and, for dessert, ice cream, pound cake and strawberries.

A New Look at the Old Testament

Beginning Wednesday, November 9, and for five additional weeks, we will host a Study of the Old Testament from an entirely new perspective. It will explore the way materials were gathered, edited and finally put into its present form. It will deal with the use of history as a medium for revelation and the understanding of the prophets in the context of Israel's need for a sense of community. The course will examine the psalms and the wisdom literature and establish their place in the Covenant given by God.

The course will begin at 7:00 p.m. and run until 8:15 p.m. with a time for questions and interaction. The course is designed for those with a limited knowledge of the Old Testament as well as for those who are advanced. There will also be some refreshments at the end of each session.

Our Pastor will be teaching the course, which will end in December. Plan to be with us.

Community Plant Swap and Book Sale

Have your hostas taken over? Are your spider plants having more babies than you can support? Have you been envying your neighbor’s green thumb? Bring the “extras” and “babies” from your perennials and houseplants to a community plant swap Sunday, October 16, 12:30 - 3 p.m. at UNMC. Trade plants with church friends and neighbors, or, you can take home a plant without bringing one to swap. A book sale will take place at the same time, with a variety of fiction and non-fiction volumes available. Refreshments will also be available, along with tours of the church, including the tower. Everyone is invited to come help us celebrate autumn!

Exhibition of Adolf Cluss, Architect

Adolf Cluss was the architect of the Church of Our Father, which was the First Universalist Church of Washington, DC, from 1883 until 1925. Among other public buildings, he was the architect of the Eastern Market, several public schools, and the red Smithsonian building. The organizers of this exhibit went to great lengths to get pictures of the buildings that are no longer standing, including the Church of Our Father. Adolf Cluss: From Germany to America, Shaping a City Worthy of a Republic continues through Feb. 28, 2006, at the Charles Sumner School Museum, 1201 17th St. NW. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free.

Third Wednesday Theological Discussion

On Wednesday, October 19, the study will focus on “Sexual Diversity” and will cover the important aspects of this subject for the life of the Church. If you are interested at all in the current climate and its impact on the future of the church, do join us. Everyone is welcome. Come for a lively discussion and fellowship. 7:00 p.m. coffee and fellowship. 7:30 to 8:30 topical discussion.

Inquirer's Class

Beginning Sunday, September 18, there will be an Inquirer’s Class for new or frequent visitors who want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our own faith community. It will begin at 9:30 before the church service. All are welcome!

Meet UNMC's New Interim Minister

Everyone is invited and encouraged to take the opportunity to stop by the Church after work or the day's other activities from 6:30 - 8:30 on Wednesday, August 17. UNMC's Committee on Ministry will host a "wine and cheese" reception to provide the congregation an early chance to meet and get to know Jim Morgan, our pastor for the next year, and his wife Beverly.

Third Wednesday Theology Discussion

Four persons were in attendance for our Third Wednesday discussion on "Create your own five principles." Thanks to Jennifer Sandberg for her thoughtful submission which follows. Our next discussion (on July 20th) will look at the parallels and differences between Humanism and Christianity drawing on the work of Abraham Maslow, "Toward a New Psychology of Being" and Paul's letter to the Galatians. Readings will be available on the table in the church parlor. Come for a lively discussion and fellowship starting at 7:00pm. For more info contact the office at office@universalist.org.

Third Wednesday Theology Discussion

Seven persons were in attendance for the May discussion where we discussed the 1899 Universalist Declaration of Faith and the Seven Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We started the meeting with a prayer quoting our mission statement: “We respect individual beliefs as we grow together.” This statement is the guiding principle of all our theology discussions as there is always a wide variety and different degrees of belief in our discussions.

Participants were asked to start with stating their basic approach to these UU statements. Some individuals reported more identification with Unitarianism while some identified more with Universalism. There were varying degrees of belief expressed with some making strong theistic affirmations while others expressed “hopeful agnosticism”.

Ministerial Search Committee Focus Groups

On Sunday, June 12th, following the Youth-led service, everyone is invited to join an informal focus group-type discussion of UNMC's search for its settled Minister. We hope as many members and friends of UNMC as possible can join us for a light lunch and conversation with each other and members of the Search Committee in Perkins Hall. By that time, the Committee will have had a chance to review completed surveys and hence be able to share some of the results. They will also respond to any questions you may have concerning the process and timetable for the search. The discussion will begin immediately following the service, and we will plan to meet for no longer than an hour. Please plan to join us.

Third Wednesday Theology Discussion

Thanks to frequent visitor Lisa Harris for leading us in a discussion of Marcus Borg's "Meeting Jesus for the First Time". This book calls for a new understanding of Christianity as founded by a "human" Jesus, not a God. One of the most memorable statements from this discussion which Lisa said was: "Who can claim or try to be a disciple of God?; But we can be disciples of a man who lived in history called Jesus." Borg challenges us to see the "pre-Easter Jesus" rather than focus on the distortions of the Christ of faith and thus see him in a new light.

Our Third Wednesday discussion on May 18 at 7:00 pm will follow up on Rev. Morn's sermon at All Souls on April 17: "Glad and Generous Hearts" by looking at our Universalist Declaration of Faith of 1899 and the Seven Principles and Purposes of the UUA. We will focus on the question of how can we find unity in diversity while maintaining the spirit of Rev. Morn's challenge to us in her sermon. We will also discuss the history of the two statements and their applicability to our practice and worship today.

Mini-Revival May 14: “Being Present”

Members of the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) in the Joseph Priestly and Thomas Jefferson districts invite you to attend an all-day mini-revival at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church in Charlottesville on Saturday, May 14. This first-ever regional UUCF gathering is a wonderful opportunity to experience the same worship, learning, and lively conversation that takes place at the continental UUCF Revival conferences, but in a one-day format, close to home!

Adult Religious Education at UNMC

UNMC has a new adult religious education program with our Third Wednesday theology discussion.

In February we discussed the theology of Martin Luther King, particularly his moving from a liberal to more neo-orthodox view of sin. As Martin's life progressed he abandoned the liberal view of humans as basically good and came to see them as complex persons with sinful inclinations in need of redemption. One of the biggest factors in this shift was his disappointment with white clergy for not being more supportive of the civil rights struggle. We discussed how this tied in with our own statement of faith regarding "the certainty of the just retribution for sin."

In March we held a discussion of the theology of Charles Hartshorne led by UNMC member David Burton. His theology presented a "logical case for the existence of God" related to the idea of deism. We then branched out into a discussion of modernism and postmodernism and how this related to the present diversity of UU theology.

A Progressive Christian Response to the Role of Religion in Politics

Spend an evening with Jim Adams, founder of The Center for Progressive Christianity, of which UNMC is an affiliate. On Thursday, February 17, Jim will be at the Sanctuary Retreat Center in Beallsville, Maryland, inviting us to reflect on the ways that progressive Christians might respond to the influence that religious beliefs have had on recent American political dialogue and policies.

The Art of Listening Well

If you’ve always wanted to “be present” for family, friends, and fellow church members as they go through life’s ups and downs, plan to attend a workshop on Saturday, September 25, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on “Listening Skills for Congregational Caregivers,” organized by the UNMC deacons. This workshop will be presented by the Rev. Don Lowe, who preached at UNMC earlier this year, and Deaconess Kathy A. Garrison, R.N., and is drawn from their “Art of Pastoral Care” curriculum. The $20 fee covers snacks and course materials. Flyers are available at the church and online, or you can contact Sue Mosher at office@universalist.org or 202-387-3411 for more information.

Be a Good Dupont Circle Neighbor

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 17, noon – 5:00 p.m., when the Dupont Circle House Tour will take place in the area roughly centered around the triangle formed by New Hampshire, 19th and T Streets. To welcome visitors to our neighborhood, UNMC will hold a short vespers service at 5:30 that evening. (Maybe someone would also like to organize a dinner outing afterward?)
 
The house tour committee is looking for volunteers. Maybe you’d like to volunteer with a friend and get to know other people in the neighborhood! On the day of the tour, you could work in one of the individual tour houses or help organizers get everything ready in the morning; contact Jim Mears at JHMears@aol.com or (evenings) at (202) 332-3220. Or, in the days and weeks before the event, you could make some phone calls, sell tickets, or distribute flyers; contact house tour committee chair Maureen Donovan at md48@erols.com.
 

To be a Pilgrim

Our third annual pilgrimage to Washington National Cathedral will take place the evening of Tuesday, August 31. Summer is a wonderful time to visit the cathedral, when its cool stone walls contrast so sharply with the heat outside. Walk the labyrinth inspired by live music and sung chant, participate in an expert-led discussion on an issue of public concern, and enjoy a sacred arts program. This is a great outing for inviting friends! We even have a flyer you can print out and share.

Here is the schedule for the evening; there is no charge for any of these activities:
 
5:30 p.m.         Evensong (early evening worship)
6:00 – 8:40 p.m.   Labyrinth
7:00 - 7:20 p.m.   Centering prayer
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.   Discussion
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.   Arts program
8:40 p.m.              Compline (late evening worship)
 
Plan to meet at the cathedral before the 5:30 p.m. evensong service and stay as long as you like. The cathedral museum store (one of the best religious bookstores in town) stays open until 7:30 p.m. for a light supper. Contact Sue Mosher through the church office at 202-387-3411 or by email at info@universalist.org for more information.

Denominational Affairs

Jesus in 21st Century Spirituality
 
What role does Jesus play in 21st century spirituality? How does devotion to Jesus fit within the broad diversity of contemporary Unitarian Universalism? Join the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship for a free-wheeling exploration of these two questions at the Revival 4 conference November 4-7 at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester (MA). Featured speakers will include UUA President the Rev. William Sinkford and the Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, author of Teacher, Guide and Companion: Rediscovering Jesus in a Secular World. Brochures will be available soon at the church. In the meantime, you can visit the UUCF web site for more information.  
 

Notice of UNMC Annual Parish Meeting

Please make plans to attend UNMC's Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, May 16, 2004 in the Romaine-van Schaick Room after our worship service that day.
 
Although only UNMC Members and Associate Members may vote at the meeting, all UNMC members and friends are welcome to attend.  A light lunch will be served.  The agenda will include the following items:
 
Election of Church Officers
Pursuant to Art. III, Section 6 of UNMC's Bylaws, the congregation will elect church officers and trustees.

Lunch Bunch

After worship on Sunday May 2, we will be holding a "lunch bunch" get together. We will provide soup (veggie and non-veggie) and beverages. Seating will be arranged in "spring quartet style" with tables of four persons. Each table will have a hot topic for discussion on a religious education theme. First time visitors and newcomers are especially invited. Join us after worship for hot topics and hot soups.  To contribute food (optional), please contact Donna Simonton by leaving a message in the church voicemail box at 202-387-3411.

Holy Week 2004

Our services begin Sunday, April 4, Palm Sunday when Ben Van Dyne, a young newcomer to our community, will be preaching and we will have a special activity for children. We’re doing something different on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; our evening services will be held jointly with our neighbor up 16th Street, All Souls Church, Unitarian. On Maundy Thursday, the Rev. Rob Hardies, senior minister at All Souls, will join our head deacon, Jennifer Sandberg, in the UNMC side chapel, presiding over a family-friendly communion service, followed by a pot luck dinner. Then the Friday night Good Friday service will be held at All Souls. We will also have a noon Good Friday service at UNMC.

Spring Fling

Had enough of winter? Ready to welcome spring? Spend the morning of the first day of spring, Saturday, March 20, starting at 9 a.m., helping the Welcome & Membership and Building & Grounds Committees spruce up the church inside and out to get ready for Easter. Drop in just for an hour if that's all the time you have. Bring your lunch to share at noon. All are invited to stay for the Welcome & Membership Committee's regular meeting at 12:30 p.m.

3rd Annual Pancake Brunch February 22

The Über Fellowship of Light youth group hosts its third annual Pancake Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 22, after the worship service. Pancakes have traditionally been served in the days leading up to Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 25, in order to use up the eggs and butter that some Christians shun as part of an austere Lenten observance. Expect a feast with many different kinds of pancakes, plus coffee, tea, juice, and fruit. Plan to stay after church to enjoy this wonderful fellowship opportunity, which will take place in Perkins Hall downstairs.

Clara Barton Commemorative Service

We invite those interested to join us for our second Sunday of Advent Service on December 7, 2003 honoring Clara Barton and other women in service. The theme of the service is hope and the expectation of peace and the order of service — still very close to that of 1867 — will feature hymns and anthems of the period. We extend a special invitation to attend to those in the reenactor
community who are interested in the medical and nursing services, in their
uniforms and period dress if they so desire.

Please contact Robert A. Mosher at with any questions.

Revival 2003 Schedule

The Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) held its third continental Revival conference at UNMC in 2003. (read more)

Revival 2003 Sunday

Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) Revival 2003

Photos:

Sunday service, at the offering
Shrove Sunday brunch in the fellowship hall

(read more)

Revival 2003 Saturday

Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) Revival 2003 Retrospective: Saturday

Photos:

After the snow
UUCF Board members
Revival theme speakers, the Rev. Gwen Buehrens and the Rev. John Buehrens

(read more)

Revival 2003 Thursday and Friday

Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) Revival 2003

Photos:

The Revival choir
Will this snow ruin everything?

(read more)