|
Held by Promise, Not Creed
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
10:30 AM Sunday, August 16
in-person and online at bit.ly/sundayservicelive
No doctrine to sign, no creed to recite, no test to pass. Join us for a seeker service tracing the story of Unitarian Universalism: where we came from, what holds us together, and why any of it matters.
| Quiet Callings will resume on September 13. | |
Share the Plate: IMPACT Silver Spring
For 26 years, IMPACT Silver Spring has built trust-based relationships across Black, Latino and immigrant MoCo residents. From resident-led circles that grew into a formal cooperative, to entrepreneurship classes that turned into ongoing peer-support sessions, their work aims at strengthening individual and collective agency so people can drive their own economic opportunity, racial equity and leadership initiatives.
You may give online (now with Google Pay), via Paypal, by texting 'CLUUC $[Amount]" to 73256, or by mailing it to Cedar Lane.
| | |
Children and Youth on Sunday Morning
During the summer, childcare will be held each Sunday from 10 - 12 in the Nursery room 28 (lower level). Children of all ages are also welcome to join us in the Sanctuary for our worship service.
| | |
Our hearts go out to Jenny Crane and the Crane/Towne family on the death of Jenny’s beloved great aunt, Dr. Cara Elizabeth Richards, who passed away July 30, 2026 at the age of 99.
A Celebration of Life service for longtime member Carol Bertatut will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 4:45 PM EST (1:45 PM PST) at Mt. Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek, CA, and livestreamed for those joining online.
| | |
Cedar Lane Arts Camp
August 17-21, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cultivate creativity, compassion, and community with a thoughtfully curated arts-based summer camp experience at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Open to ages 6-12.
Visit tinyurl.com/CL26SummerCamp for more information and to register.
| |
Donations Needed: Bottles and Cans!
We are collecting both 2-liter plastic bottles and aluminum soup cans for upcoming children & youth activities. Please bring your washed bottles and cans to the collection bin in our office. Thanks!
| | |
Alliance Used Book Sale
Sunday, August 16 before and after service in the fellowship hall
The Alliance Used Book Sale is this Sunday! You may donate books in good condition or buy with cash our terrific books. All proceeds go to local charities or to our congregation.
| | |
Postcard-writing Party: Celebrate Get-Out-the-Vote
Sunday, August 16, 12:00 - 1:30pm in the Chalice House
Cedar Lane’s Democracy Action Team is hosting a postcard-writing party! Celebrate democracy with music, pizza, and writing postcards to encourage newly registered Maryland voters to vote. Sign up here
| | |
Cedar Lane Choir Retreat for existing and new singers
Saturday August 22, 9:30am - 12:30pm
The 2026-27 Choir Season at Cedar Lane is upon us! It's time for us to recalibrate, reconnect, and welcome new choir members. Coffee and light snacks served at 9:00am prior. RSVP: mholmes@cedarlane.org
| | |
Soul Circles Fall Retreat
Saturday, August 22, 1:00 - 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Let's welcome in a new season of Soul Circles at our Fall Retreat! Whether you've been part of Soul Circles for years or you'd like to know more about our monthly small group discussions, we invite you to join us on Aug 22nd. RSVP at tinyurl.com/CL26SoulCirclesRetreat
| | |
Soul Circles 2026-27 registration is open
Are you interested in thoughtful small-group discussion with spiritually engaged peers? Soul Circle groups meet once a month to connect and converse about a common theme, with resources to help us dive deep into each topic. All are welcome.
Registration is open at tinyurl.com/CL26-27SoulCircles, sign up today!
| |
|
Maker Space Returns!
Sunday, August 23 and 30, 10:45 - 11:45 am in the chalice house
Join us in exploring the big questions at Cedar Lane's Maker Space! On Sunday 8/23 and 8/30, children and youth will meet in the Chalice House for creativity and community. Ready to volunteer? Get involved at tinyurl.com/CL26MakerSpaceVolunteers
| | |
SplashDown Waterpark Youth Outing
Saturday, August 29, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Meet at Cedar Lane, carpool to SplashDown Water Park
Enjoy a fun afternoon at SplashDown Waterpark, reconnect with friends and make new ones as the school, faith formation, and youth group year starts! Youth entering 9th through 12th grade can sign up at tinyurl.com/CL26Splashdown
| | |
Sunday Morning Volunteer Training
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Save the date! Our Volunteer Training for the 2026-27 school year will be held Sept 19. This training is required for anyone who works directly with children and youth in our congregation. Lunch provided, childcare upon request. Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/CL26Volunteer
| | |
Fall Grounds Clean Up
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 am - Noon
Please join us to make the Cedar Lane grounds shine this fall. Calling all members of all ages, Cedar Lane Nursery School, neighbors, and friends. Come ready to meet new people, to get some exercise, and maybe to get a little dirty. We need all volunteers no matter if you have gardening experience. Dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and garden tools if you have them.
Questions? Contact Linda Gianessi at groundsteam@cedarlane.org
| | |
Walk with us in the Kensington Labor Day Parade on September 7!
Signups are now open for our Labor Day Parade contingent on September 7. Join us as we walk together in our orange and yellow shirts, spread goodwill, and invite neighbors to learn more about Cedar Lane. https://tinyurl.com/LaborDay26
| | |
TEXTURE, TECHNIQUE & TRADITION: Members & Friends Art Show
Opening on Sunday November 8
If you work with fiber, we’d like to display it! Cedar Lane will be showcasing all the wonderful ways we work with textiles: spinning and weaving, knitting and crochet, rug hooking and punch needle, embroidery and sewing, felting and quilting, macrame and tapestries, batik and paper - anything that can be hung on walls or displayed on a shelf.
RSVP for the Opening Reception and begin planning your submission. Submissions accepted from September 4 through October 16.
| | Updates and Announcements | | Summer ValUUes: A Whole-Congregation Faith Formation Opportunity | |
On the theme of Interdependence, Elisabetta L. reminds us, "Don't spray pesticides!"
Summer ValUUes is a whole-congregation project to find our shared UU values in the world around us. Check out all our photos at cedarlane.org/summer-valuues
Want to contribute? Send us a photo at tinyurl.com/SummerValUUes
| |
From the Immigrant Justice Ministry Team: The Power of Community
Working with Action in Montgomery (AIM), our Immigrant Justice Ministry Team hosted a legal clinic at Cedar Lane on Saturday. The clinic provided free legal counsel from four trusted attorneys to some 35 immigrant neighbors under threat of detention and deportation. Volunteers from the Standby Guardianship Project helped families arrange powers of attorney and arrangements to care for their children in the event that parents are deported.
Read the full article here.
| |
If You've Remembered Cedar Lane
Many of our members have decided to leave a legacy gift to Cedar Lane by way of an estate plan. If that's you, we would be grateful to know of your intentions.
You can inform Abhi Janamanchi, Senior Minister, or Jen Morley, Executive Director, of your plans and if your situation changes at a later date, we understand your commitment may need to change. Knowing of your plans helps us anticipate our financial picture in the years ahead and lets us quietly express our gratitude now for remembering Cedar Lane.
Information about legacy giving at Cedar Lane is available on our website or contact Jen if you would like a brochure mailed to you.
| |
Donations needed for Afghan families we support
Two young Afghan boys starting K and pre-school need school supplies - their backpacks need glue sticks, a black dry erase marker, crayons and 6x9 (or so) plastic boxes with lids.
Food and cleaning supplys are needed to supplement greatly reduced SNAP benefits. Thank you for thinking about them when you shop. There was lots of food donated last week and it was a huge blessing.
Thank you to all who donate, your gifts are appreciated! Please leave donations in the chapel hallway box.
| |
New Member Spotlight
We welcome Margaret Upton - Margaret is the daughter of Irish immigrants and has visited their birthplace many times, especially in her high school years. Her husband of over 30 years, Kyle, has recently retired and has taken up carpentry, which makes her very happy.
They are the proud parents of two adult children: Maeve and Eamon. Maeve was born in 1999 and is a brave trans woman who works as a game developer. Eamon was born in 2002 is an avid rock climber and will begin a masters program in Occupational Therapy at Towson University in the Fall of 2026.
Margaret is active in protesting against injustice. She has long been an advocate of protecting our environment, supports the LGBTQIA+ community, and fights for immigrant rights. She has enjoyed making new friends at Cedar Lane UU Church and has joined the monthly Shepherd's Table vegetable chopping group on the evenings of the first Tuesday of the month.
When she is not otherwise busy she is an architect and a small business owner, and likes to garden, but she can't sing very well.
| | | | |
Online Monday Meditation class
Every Monday from 7:30 -8:30pm on Zoom
This drop-in meditation class focuses on finding peace of mind and stress reduction through the teachings of the Buddha on mindfulness and compassion. Contact Carole Rogentine at meditation@cedarlane.org for more information and to join on zoom.
| | |
Sunday Flower Dedications
Did you know you can dedicate a Sunday service flower arrangement in honor or memory of a family member, significant other or friend, or in celebration of an event? Sign-up for a date here.
| | Ongoing Engagement Opportunities | | |
Alliance Book Club 1st Fridays from 11am-1pm in the library
Alliance Bridge Club Tuesdays 10am-noon in the Fellowship Hall
Alliance Luncheon 2nd Thursdays 11:30-2 in the Fellowship Hall
Diverse Voices book club 4th Tuesdays of each month, 7:00pm on Zoom
Fiber Arts Club Fridays, 2-4pm, online; register to receive the Zoom link
Journeywomen - on break until September
Meditation Online Class Mondays, 7:30pm, on Zoom
Men's Group 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 8:30-10:30am on Zoom
Science & Religion Group Mondays, 10am-noon, online
8PEG monthly meeting 3rd Saturday of each month, on zoom
| | |
Did you know you can become a member at any time by virtually signing the book?
Please contact Rev. Abhi Janamanchi at ajanamanchi@cedarlane.org if you would like to know more.
| | Please know we are here to provide whatever spiritual sustenance we can, and reach out to Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, ajanamanchi@cedarlane.org, 301-493-8300, ext. 203 directly if you need emergency financial assistance. The Ministers' Discretionary Fund provides confidential assistance to those facing emergency financial needs. | | | | |
Great blue heron standing on a wall near a waterfall
Rock art by Jean Schaible
| | |
Please use our online forms to schedule and promote events at Cedar Lane:
| | | | |
