Universalist National Memorial Church

Thanks! from House of Ruth

The House of Ruth sent us a “thank you” for the donation we made in November. “Sharing Our Plate” allowed us to send them $110. House of Ruth provides much more than shelter; they offer a blend of many services and support in order to help women build the skills to achieve safety and stability for themselves and their children.

Board Passes 10% Resolution

At its October meeting, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to give 10% of the Sunday worship service plate offering to a neighborhood, non-profit organization. Each month the Board will designate a local charity to be the recipient.

Declaration of Faith study sessions

The lunchtime discussion of the Declaration of Faith on Feb. 26 highlighted two key aspects of our spiritual community:

• That each of the five principles in the Declaration of Faith is deeply cherished.
• That we find great joy in the freedom we have at UNMC to interpret these principles and find our own meaning in them

Accordingly, to continue the discussion, the Worship Committee is organizing meditation and study sessions around each of the principles of the Declaration of Faith for five consecutive Sundays, March 12 - April 9.

Invitation to Observe Lenten Discipline

The Beyond demands of us such a little thing that we may be shown the mystery: the lifting of the latch of the mind, the opening of the gate of the heart. For where there is the smallest space that we allow God to enter, God presses in, bringing the gift of fire to warm our coldness, the gift of mystery to awaken our dullness, the gift of mercy to forgive our sin.

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.

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.

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.

Community Food Services

UNMC is delighted to announce a new partnership. Food For All (FFA), a food service program that delivers groceries to the poor throughout the District, is moving into our building. Many of their home bound clients are senior citizens and the disabled. FFA has been serving DC for the past 15 years and recently received the Hunger Lifeline award from the Capital Area Food Bank. FFA receives food donations from Giant and the Capital Area Food Bank, and is supported by a government Emergency Food and Shelter Program grant. FFA is a program of Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, an international organization focusing on development, community assistance and disaster relief.

Religious Education for young people

Religious Education for young people starts on Sunday, September 18. Younger kids (11 and under) will be using the UUA's Reach: Kingdom of Equals curriculum about the social justice teachings of Jesus. Teachers for this group will be Lisa Harris, Paul Hannah, and Lynn Cook. Classes will meet in the second floor classroom during the second part of the Sunday worship service. Schedule to be disseminated on the first day.

The Über Fellowship of Light (ages 12 and older) will undertake a study of service to the community, with opportunities for participation in service projects that the youth, themselves, will select. The group will meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month in the youth room on the third floor with Jim Estes and Lynn Cook as facilitators.

We still need volunteers to serve as backups for both groups. Please contact Lynn Cook if you have an interest in helping our young people grow in faith.

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!

Dinner at Leland Place -- Revived

Now that the kitchen has been cleaned up, UNMC's long-standing ministry to the men of Leland Place is being revived after a hiatus of about a year and a half.

We begin on October 1 (postponed from September 17) and hope to continue monthly thereafter.

Volunteers are asked to RSVP to the office at 202-387-3411.

Third Wednesday Theology Discussion - Suggested Readings for September 21st

The September 21st Third Wednesday Theology discussion will focus on two articles by Karen Armstrong: Certainty Isn't a Sure Thing and Unholy Strictures. These articles can can be found directly at the links above or at the Guardian.co.uk website under a search for "Karen Armstrong" or the titles.

Karen Armstrong is the author of 12 books including A History of God and The Battle for God.

The Third Wedneday Theology Discussion series is open to all. Please join us at the Church at 7 p.m. on September 21st for an interesting discussion.

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”.

Congregational Covenant

At the annual meeting on May 15, 2005, the congregation voted to adopt the congregational covenant that the Committee on Ministry had developed with the support of the deacons and the involvement of the entire church community in formal and informal discussions and feedback opportunities. You can read the full text of this document of commitment in community with one another by clicking here.

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.

UNMC Assists Tsunami Victims

Members and friends of UNMC responded generously to a special collection on January 2 and 9 to benefit survivors of the December 26 tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean, killing more than 140,000. Contributions totaling $1,100.50 were mailed to the American Red Cross. A letter accompanying the donation noted our congregation’s historic association with American Red Cross founder Clara Barton.

New Childcare Provider

Please help us welcome Alberta Bridges, our new childcare provider. Alberta starts with us February 6. Check out our new and improved childcare room on the second floor. And spread the word! UNMC has childcare on Sunday mornings.

New Online Forum for Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines

UUCF-Prayer is an email discussion list organized by the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship as a respectful, affirming place to share personal prayer requests and prayers. Participants also discuss issues, stories, and different approaches to prayer -- both personal and community praying -- and to do the same with the many other spiritual practices in the broad free Christian tradition or from other traditions. To subscribe, visit UUCF-Prayer.

Covenant Disciple Group

Are you interested in exploring ways to live your
faith more fully? Would you like to get to know a
small group of UNMCers better? Do you wish for a
community that challenges and nurtures you in
your spiritual journey? Sometime in mid-October,
I will convene a gathering of individuals interested
in participating in a covenant-disciple group. We
will follow a Wesleyan model of support and
accountability. We will meet two times a month for
no more than an hour and a half. If you would like
to participate, please contact me. You may call me
at the church 202-387-3411 or
send me an email to mkmorn@universalist.org.

Special Thanks

The following is a list of our members and friends who have quietly and generously over the last few months helped to make UNMC a warm and vibrant place to worship at and enjoy fellowship.

Mary Simmons, Erin Fox, Mary Templeton, Sue Mosher, and Perry King, for eagerly welcoming congregants new and old into our church on Sunday mornings.

Perry King, Hilda Amacker, Dave Skidmore, Lynn Cook, Donna Simonton, Mary DiQuinzio, Mary O'Connell, Sue Mosher, Greg Wigle, Al and Mary Templeton, and Paul Hannah, for providing nourishment that helps sustain us during our social hour chats.

Jorn Dakin and Brian Pepper, for helping fire up the grill during our barbeque. And thank you Greg Wigle for coming up with the brilliant idea of having a front lawn barbeque.

David Fox, for securing the parking lot each Sunday after everyone departs.

As this is now a monthly Anchor column, all parishioners are encouraged to nominate similar items of public recognition and thanks. Recognition may be for recent or past contributions.

Learn About Universalism and UNMC

Inquirers' Classes will be held on three Sundays this month - July 11, 18, and 25 - for newcomers, long-time friends, and members interested in learning more about our church. The classes meet before worship at 9:00 a.m. each week and cover a wide range of topics concerning history, theology, and congregational life. You’ll also have an opportunity to tell your own spiritual story and hear those of others; this is most people’s favorite part of the classes. A brunch outing is planned after worship on the final class day. For more information and to sign up, please contact Donna Simonton or Mary Templeton.

UUCF Bible Chat Online

The Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship has launched a email discussion list that focuses on questions and responses about biblical passages, interpretations, history, theology, how it affects our personal spirituality, and how the Bible intersects with culture. It will include intentional times of studying and sharing specific Bible study as well as general chat based on the Bible. This may include chat about news and issues related to the Bible, films with biblical themes, and resource sharing and book reviews for further individual and small group study.

Children's Religious Education

After worship on March 28, our guest minister the Reverend Gina Campbell joined parishioners for an enjoyable sidewalk lunch and brainstorming session at La Frontiera Cantina on 17th Street. Rev. Campbell, an ordained Methodist minister, has considerable experience with and has served successfully as a consultant on children’s RE issues.

The luncheon party had a lengthy discussion, ranging widely from the “big picture” strategic RE issues to some specific tactical/practical suggestions Rev. Campbell offered. We noted UNMC’s obvious problems: the difficulty starting and maintaining a credible program with virtually no children and a lack of volunteers having stepped forward; the challenges of an aging building, particularly with an ever-strained and limited Church budget.

Two New Members

Longtime UNMC friends Kirk Denton, our church organist of 20+ years, and Linnea McCully formally joined the church by signing the membership book and receiving “the right hand of fellowship” during the May 16 worship service in a ceremony presided over by Head Deacon (and Linnea’s mother) Jennifer Sandberg. Watch for profiles of our newest members in a future Anchor issue.

The Pastoral Discretionary Fund (by Jennifer Sandberg)

The Pastoral Discretionary Fund, or PDF, is a source of money raised within the parish for friends and parishioners of UNMC who need a quick infusion of funds for needs such as paying a bill, health insurance or rent when out of work or disabled.  Requests for funds are considered on a case-by-case basis.  The Deacons are responsible for administration of the Fund.  Treasurer Brian Pepper keeps Head Deacon, Jennifer Sandberg, apprised of the size of the fund on a monthly basis.  The Fund is currently very low.  If you wish to donate to the PDF, please see one of our Treasurers in the office after church.  If more information is needed before you contribute, please contact Jennifer Sandberg through the church office at 202-387-3411.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

Find out more about the Universalist National Memorial Church, its history, organization, mission, and faith at an upcoming series of Inquirers Classes. The classes will include time to enjoy bagels and coffee or tea and get acquainted. The class will meet in the church library/study on the first floor 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on three Sundays – February 22, March 7, and March 14 and will have something to offer for everyone from newcomers to longtime members. Ask class leaders Jennifer Sandberg, Dave Skidmore, and Vicki Pepper for more information. Contact any of the leaders or the church office to sign up for the classes.

Interested In Starting A Visiting Music Ministry?

Some members and friends of the church have expressed an interest in starting a singing/music/visiting ministry which would visit places such as children's programs, homeless shelters, senior residences, hospices, etc. To "make a joyful noise" and to serve our community. We would like to hold our first meeting after the pancake brunch on February 22, (1:00 p.m.), some ideas are to go to Christ House or Joseph's house in the Adams Morgan area. We have also contacted "Little Friends for Peace" which teaches conflict resolution to young children in the inner city about singing and visiting with children's groups. So if you play an instrument or sing or just want to visit and bring joy to our community (anyone can play cymbals!) please join us on February 22. Perhaps you'll be leading inner city children in doing the Hokey Pokey. As Richard Hurst said at a recent children's sermon:"That's what it's all about!" Contact:Perry King or Norma Fleischman for details.

Awakening to Buddhism

The Über Fellowship of Light youth group is continuing their study of other faiths with a look at Buddhism during February. They are learning about the life of Siddhartha Gautama and his teachings, experiencing Buddhist-style meditation, and planning a visit to a Buddhist temple. In March, the youth will study fundamentalist Christianity and pay a visit to a Nazarene church.

Getting Married?

Are you looking for a place to celebrate your wedding? Consider Universalist National Memorial Church!

Unlike other churches that have tight rules or customs restricting who may be married, we welcome non-church members, including divorced persons, inter-ethnic, and inter-faith couples, and same-sex couples to explore having their ceremony here. Many local Unitarian Universalist ministers and ministers of other denominations are familiar with our sanctuary, and arrangements can be made for them to officiate.

If you are interested in having your service at Universalist National Memorial Church, contact the church office at (202) 387-3411 or office@universalist.org for a packet of information, including rules and fees.

For information about obtaining a marriage license in the District of Columbia, see this page.

The photo at lower right is of the fellowship hall, which is available for receptions.

5 Jan 2004

1 Nov 2003

1 Sep 2003

1 Apr 2003

1 Jan 2002