Quest. Spend Sunday Mornings at Your Summer Place! Sunday Worship UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF ROCKVILLE. UUCR Summer Service Schedule

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1 Sunday Worship Services at 10:00 a.m. July 1 Dick Rhorer An Engineer Looks at Science and Religion Engineers often take others scientific work to develop practical, workable designs. Dick will combine several sources with his own experiences, to look at topics such as evolution and creationism. No Children s Worship; Nursery through 5 th grade go directly to classes in Bldg. 3; 6 th 8 th graders are in Room 50. July 8 Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. OPINIONS R US Some say Unitarian Universalists don t believe in anything, but at times we Unitarian Universalists can be opinionated, self righteous no italls. How do we develop and share our authentic, life affirming message? Rev. Crestwell is minister of Davies Memorial UU Church in Camp Springs. Davies is working to become multiracial and has been recognized by the UUA as a 2007 Breakthrough Congregation. No Children s Worship; Nursery through 5 th grade go directly to classes in Bldg. 3; 6 th 8 th graders are in Room 50. July 15 Deborah Kahn, Director of Religious Education We Must Go Into the Desert From Time to Time No Children s Worship; Nursery through 5 th grade go directly to classes in Bldg. 3; 6 th 8 th graders are in Room 50. Quest The Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, Maryland: A Welcoming Congregation Volume L, Number 20 Editor: Alberta Maschal Desktop Publisher: Lisa Petrovich Smith Spend Sunday Mornings at Your Summer Place! UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF ROCKVILLE UUCR Summer Service Schedule Date Speaker(s) Topic June 17 Rev. Don Robinson Neglect is the Primary Cause of the Problems of Our Youth June 24 Dr. Yinong Chong How to Harmonize Your Mind, Body and Spirit July 1 Dick Rohrer, Science and Religion Grace Methodist Church July 8 Rev. John Creswell Opinions R Us July 15 Deborah Kahn We Must Go into the Desert from Time to Time July 22 Rev. Lynn Strauss Annie Dillard August 29 Jim Blue, Cynthia Taylor Small Group Ministry August 5 Gerald Konohia Putting UU Values into and Mary Fenelon Action an Affordable Housing Success Story August 12 Rev. Lynn Strauss Life s a Beach August 19 Elaine Diamondidis Pursuing Happiness August 26 Suzanne O Hatnick, Does America still have National Religious Moral Authority? Campaign Against Torture September 2 Immigration and Labor Quest deadline: Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:00 p.m., for mailing July 18, ( to Alberta Maschal, bertam2628@aol.com)

2 Quest Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville 100 Welsh Park Drive Rockville, MD Staff Minister: Rev. Lynn Thomas Strauss Director of Religious Education: Deborah McGrady Kahn Director of Music: Jennifer Rodgers Beach Pianist: Paul Heins, interim Youth Coordinator: Anthony Severo Church Administrator: Lisa Côté Administrative Assistants: Keashia Bennett, Ginny Scher Childcare Coordinator: Vacant Sexton: Vacant Summer Schedules... The UUCR office will be staffed Monday Thursdays 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Reverend Lynn can be reached in an emergency on her cell phone Have a safe and relaxing summer! Don t forget to collect water for our Ingathering Water Ceremony on September 9 th! Board of Trustees Terrie McNulty, President; Jill Asman, Vice President; Jo Wilson, Secretary; Dave Marks, Treasurer; Karen Malley; Katie Calder; Mark Burton, Trustees; Sharrill Dittmann, Immediate Past President Officers Secretary: Jo Wilson Treasurer: Dave Marks Assistant Treasurers: Eric Burch Dick Gilbert Quest Staff Editor in Chief/Coordinator: Lisa Petrovich Smith, quest@uucr.org Editors: Martha Beyerlein, Phyllis Leonard, François Martzloff, Alberta Maschal, Genie Tillisch Desktop Publishers: Beth Irikura, Lisa P. Smith Proofreaders: Karl Irikura, Ginny Scher Quest, the regular newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, is published semimonthly at the church office at 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, and distributed without charge to members, guests, and friends. Postage is paid at Rockville, MD. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Circulation Manager, Quest, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD Summer Reading Don t forget to visit the UUCR Bookstore on line for your summer reading. UUCR receives a percentage of sales made through our web site link to Amazon.com. Check out featured books including: This I Believe (Audio Book) Edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman Bestseller God s Politics : Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn t Get It by Jim Wallis The Kids Guide to Working Out Conflicts: How to Keep Cool, Stay Safe, and Get Along by Naomi Drew Use the link to browse and buy virtually anything else Amazon.com sells. 2 Quest

3 Lifespan Religious Education REflections Like Martin Luther in 1517, theologian Matthew Fox has written 95 Theses, or as he says, 95 faith observations drawn from my 64 years of living and practicing religion and spirituality, in his recent book, A New Reformation. A few of his edited Theses follow for your summer reflection along with an invitation to write your own 95 Theses. 1 God is both Mother and Father. 5 All names we give to God come from an understanding of ourselves. (Eckhart) 7 Everyone is born a mystic and a lover who experiences the unity of things and all are called to keep this mystic or lover of life alive. 8 All are called to be prophets, which is to interfere with injustice. 11 Religion is not necessary, but spirituality is. 24 All religions agree humanity s most God like activity is compassion. 39 Unity of church does not mean conformity. There is unity in diversity. 45 Joy is the human s noblest act. (Aquinas) Is our culture promoting joy? 61 Interconnectivity is not only a law of physics and nature, but forms the basis of community and compassion. 66 Evil can happen through every people, every nation, every tribe, and every individual human, and so vigilance and self criticism and institutional criticism are always called for. 69 Loyalty and obedience are never a greater virtue than conscience and justice. 76 Consumerism is today s version of gluttony. We need to create an economic system that works for all peoples and all earth s creatures. 78 Inner work is required of us all. The spiritual practice of meditation helps in calming the reptilian brain. Silence, contemplation, and learning to be still ought to be taught to children and adults. 81 Another test of right action is this: Is what I am doing beautiful or not? 84 The Dark Night of the Soul is a learning place of great depth. Stillness is required. 87 Authentic science can and must be one of humanity s sources of wisdom, for it is a source of sacred awe, of childlike wonder, and of truth. 95 True intelligence includes feeling, sensitivity, and beauty. Humor is a gift of the Spirit and paradox is its sister. I am at General Assembly June 19 June 25 and on vacation July 1 8 and August 4 18, as of now. The church office will always have my current schedule. Other than vacation, I am mostly on study leave which means I will be in the church office some and working at home some. May your summer include renewing times of reflection and relaxation. Blessings, Deborah Quest 3

4 Peace Pole is on its Way to UUCR By Jeanine Braithwaite A six sided peace pole (English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic and Hungarian) is on its way via UPS to UUCR. A total of $762 was raised through a combination of donations ($512) and the church s 2007 allocation to peace/social justice ($250). A desktop pole for our UUCR welcome table (English, Russian, Spanish, Japanese) and an indoor display stand for the six sided pole (until it is planted in its permanent outside location in the inner courtyard) were also ordered. The Peace Studies Group will plan a ceremony to commemorate 9/11 and will use the peace pole as a physical manifestation of our congregation s commitment to peace making, which is also being taken up this year and next year at UUCR. Thanks to all who donated: Louise Freidenberg, Nancy Grissom, Jeanine Braithwaite, Mary Caroline Colletti, Alonzo Smith, Judy and Jack Eisenhauer, Steve Lapham, Alberta Maschal, Sue Hedges, Joe Goss, Liliane Floge, Irene Ekstrand, Chuck Fenimore, Laura Huff, Charlie Braun, Terrie Barr, Dorothy Millon and Dave Marks. (Apologies to couples whom I noted only one partner). Social Justice Manna and Soup Kitchen Youth Servers Thanks to the efforts of Children s Worship and a very generous congregation, over 500 pounds of food was delivered to the Manna Food Center this church year! This represents an increase of 250 pounds compared to last year! Please continue to support this extremely important organization with your donations of food and money, and watch our chalice flame barometer grow. A special thanks to our dedicated UUCR youth Soup Kitchen volunteers: Maddie Barnes, Max Barnes Ethan Carleton, Jake Corfman, Amanda Cox Rosen, Rachel Cox Rosen, Michael Gellman, Julie Gellman, Liam Hurlbut, Christina Stiles, and Dan Stiles. They worked very hard this church year to serve less fortunate members of our community at The Lord s Table Soup Kitchen in Gaithersburg. If you are in the 6 th through 12 th grade, and would like to join them next year on the third Monday of each month from September through May after school, please contact Dolores Barnes. Thanks for your support. Dolores Barnes and Chuck Fenimore, Hunger Task Force Statement from Rev. William Sinkford President, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Boston June 14, 2007 Today s decision by Massachusetts lawmakers to defeat the marriage amendment is a cause for great rejoicing. On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I want to thank the legislators who did the right thing by preserving the Massachusetts Constitution and keeping our marriage laws free from discrimination. This decision makes a profound difference in the lives of thousands of couples and families in this state, and it shines as a beacon of hope for same sex couples across the country. Marriage is a civil right. Grocery Coupons By Judy Plumb, Finance Committee We will be selling grocery coupons/ gift cards for Giant and Magruders each Sunday following the service. Be sure to purchase yours denominations of $20, $50 and $100. Profits help our Operating Budget. Thanks!! 4 Quest

5 Partner Church News By Louise Friedenberg We were very honored to have Bishop Arpad Szabó, leader of 120 Transylvania Unitarian churches for the past 10 years, visit Rockville June 14. Branka Kienstra, Fred Beckner, and Louise Friedenberg were pleased to meet him at UUCR at 10:00 a.m., tour with him the entire day, leaving him at the Dupont Circle Metro stop at 6:30 p.m., just in time for him to deliver a talk in Hungarian to the Hungarian American Federation at Massachusetts Ave. & 20th St. Sharing the Ministry At GA in Portland, Bishop Szabó was the 2007 recipient of the Louis C. Cornish Living the Mission Award for his contribution to the international partner church program. He also was the speaker at several workshops. theater to students of all ages, both in a private studio and in classes at the Reston Community Center. Her directing experience includes six years as a church choral director (First Baptist in Ithaca, NY and St. Matthew s Episcopal in Hyattsville, MD) and music/stage direction including the Young Actors Theater of the Reston Community Center and the Summer Repertory Company of the Finger Lakes. Jen is also cofounder of Plunge! Cabaret, a performance and artistic residency program for institutions of higher education and for community service organizations. Deborah Kahn gave the Bishop a tour of our new Sanctuary, and Maude McGovern gave the historic overview of Rockville at her Peerless Rockville office in the old red courthouse building. He toured the new Rockville Town Square area, including the new library. Audrey Koch hosted a lunch for the group. We then proceeded to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, where we were greeted by the Executive Director, David Denton, and the Director of Community and Public Relations, Lexi McKenzie. Bishop Szabó was able to visit the 3 levels of services independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care as well as many of the beautiful facilities and grounds at Asbury. He met with about 20 UU residents of Asbury in the community room, took questions, and joined them for dinner in the Hefner Dining Hall. Before flying to Portland for General Assembly (GA), Bishop Szabó met with Rep. Tom Lantos (D CA), had lunch at the Universalist Church on 16th St., attended a potluck reception at the Cedar Lane Church, toured Annapolis and met with their Partner Church Committee, attended a reception at the Fairfax Church, and spoke at the Mt. Vernon Church on Sunday. Welcome New Music Director (Fall 2007) On June 10, after a lengthy search, Jennifer Rodgers Beach was introduced to the congregation as our next Director of Music. Our current Director, Dr. Myra Tate, is retiring after serving UUCR for 13 years. Jen s formal education includes a degree in Voice Performance with a minor in Acting (B.M. summa cum laude, Ithaca College) and a degree in Opera Theater (M.M., University of Maryland). She teaches voice and In addition to music, Jen has 10 years of experience at the University of Maryland, primarily in fundraising research and internal consulting. Her experience with small businesses spans a variety of areas: music (Plunge! Cabaret), business consulting (Icarus Evolving), and board and card games (Cheese Weasel Logistics). Jen can be reached at jrbeach@uucr.org. Men s Spirituality Exploration Group Forming The first meeting of a newly forming Men s Spiritual Exploration Group will be Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. All UUCR men are welcome. Rev. Strauss will facilitate the first meeting only. Plans will be made for the fall. Quest 5

6 Calendar Quilter s Group: FH 2 PM Family Support Group: Rm 44 7 PM Choir Rehearsal: Sanctuary 10:30 AM Writers Group: Members Home June/July AM Meditation: Rm AMWorship Service: Sanctuary 11:20 AM Youth Adult Committee (YAC):Rm.50 11:30 AM Facilities Management Task Force:Rm.53 11:30 AM Peace Studies Group:Rm.44 4 PM Rainbow Youth Alliance Mtg: Rm PM Planned Giving Committee Mtg: FH 10 AM Craft Group: FH 7 PM Committee on Ministries: FH Social Justice Comm. Mtg.: Rm.44 Independence Day 7 PM Choir Rehearsal: Sanctuary 10:30 AM Writers Group: Members Home 11 AM Women s Spirituality Group (open): Rm AM Membership Committee Mtg: Rm.53 9 AM Meditation: Rm AM Worship Service: Sanctuary 7 PM Youth Group Meeting: Room AM Meditation: Rm 44 9 AM Membership Committee Mtg: Rm AM Worship Service: Sanctuary 11 AM Art Show Reception (Tentative) 11:30 AM Publicity Committee Mtg: Rm PM Amnesty International UUCR: Rm 54 4 PM Rainbow Youth Alliance Mtg: Rm.50 7 PM Drumming Circle: WH 12 PM Amnesty Int l: Rm 44 Church Council Mtg: FH Aesthetics Meeting:Rm.52 Finance Committee: FH 10 AM Craft Group: FH Adult RE Comm.Mtg: Davies Fellowship Hall 10 AM Craft Group: FH Religious Education Comm:Rm.44 Worship Committee. Meeting: FH 2:30 PM NAMI MC Family Support Group: Rm.44 Quilter s Group: Fellowship Hall Quilter s Group: Fellowship Hall 2 PM Family Support Group: Rm :30 AM Writers Group: Members Home 10:30 AM Writers Group: Members Home UUCR Book Group: Rm 44 8 AM Gardening & Weeding: UUCR Grounds 11 AM Women s Spirituality Group (open): Rm.44 S M T W T F S 6 Quest

7 Thinking of You By Judy Plumb, Caring Resources Committee It is with sadness that I share the news of the death of Roy Torcaso. He died peacefully on Saturday night June 9, 2007 at the age of 96 years young at his rest home in Olney. He missed wife Eileen since her death in February They were married for more than 60 years. We will have an article about his long and full life and contributions in a future issue of Quest. The family is planning a memorial service at UUCR in late August or September. Our thoughts and prayers are with Roy s children (Bill and Linda), family and all those who knew him at UUCR. Memorial donations may be made to UUCR, or to the American Humanist Association at We are grateful to the Virginia and Jay LaMarche and the Brian Conelley families who have contributed a lovely bench in memory of Margaret Conelley. It is located near the Memorial Garden between building 4 and the sanctuary...a wonderful place for some reflection. Do check it out. Sharing the ministry The latest report from Shady Grove Hospital (as of June 20) is that Kay Weis is recovering from pneumonia and an infection and will be going to the Wellness Center at Asbury. Her daughter Barbara Weis, son in law Mark Stiles and family are on an extended trip to Korea and Japan. Barbara would appreciate anyone who is able to please visit Kay. Get well cards to Kay would be nice. Oh, and please remember to shower Emma Wilson with a Happy Birthday card as she will celebrate 100 on July 4th. Enjoy the summer, stay cool and remember to send me your news. Don t forget to collect water for September 9, 2007 Water Ceremony In the fall we will celebrate our water ceremony in which we all bring water either from our travels, or from a sacred place in our lives and pour it together, as we speak the name of the place where it was gathered...the ritual will be up in the front with all ages participating. It is a celebration of our return to religious community and an honoring of the earth s blessings. RECEIVE QUEST VIA E MAIL! Please contact the church office if you wish to receive Quest by e mail rather than a hard copy. You can send your request to uucr@uucr.org with your e mail information and the office staff will be glad to make the change. When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix Quest 7

8 Quest Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville 100 Welsh Park Drive Rockville, MD RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROCKVILLE, MD PERMIT NO. 121 DATED MATERIAL Our Vision The vision of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville is to bring progressive religion to our community and beyond through words, acts, and invitations; to grow as a healthy, vibrant congregation that embraces a diversity of people and ideas; and to create a center for intellectual, spiritual, and creative exploration. Our Mission The Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville provides a liberal religious home in Montgomery County, welcoming all who share our journey to seek truth, meaning, fellowship, and wholeness with open hearts and minds. Using Unitarian Universalist values as our guide, we strive to Nurture intellectual, spiritual, and creative growth, Transform belief into action, Inspire insight and a sense of wonder through worship and religious education, Engage in social justice, community service, and global outreach. 8 Quest

9 Contents SUNDAYWORSHIP... 1 Summer Schedules Summer Reading... 2 LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION... 3 REflections... 3 SOCIAL JUSTICE... 4 Peace Pole is on its Way to UUCR... 4 Manna and Soup Kitchen Youth Servers... 4 Grocery Coupons... 4 Statement from Rev. William Sinkford... 4 SHARING THE MINISTRY... 5 Partner Church News... 5 Welcome New Music Director (Fall 2007)... 5 Men s Spirituality Exploration Group Forming... 5 CALENDAR... 6 Thinking of You... 7 Quest 9