Religious Education & Family Ministry News  
January 19, 2017  
First Unitarian Society of Westchester

This Friday, January 20th
Congregants of all ages are welcome for Community Night where we enjoy informal fellowship, small group ministry and the youth groups meet.
We look forward to deepening the ties of community with you!  
  • Community dinner is open to everyone at 6:30pm. *Bring your dinner* and a plate to share if you are able, and enjoy fellowship time.
  • The Junior High and Senior High Youth Groups meet 7:00-9:30pm. Bring $7 for pizza dinner. Patricia and Brian are leading the JR group. Tracy is leading the SR group to finalize worship planning for the January 29th worship service. SR youth who are participating in worship should attend this planning session.  
  • The Men's Group and Women's Group meet at 7:30pm
  • The sanctuary is open until 9:00pm for community fellowship. Bring your favorite board game and board games - bring your favorite games.
Click here for the schedule. To schedule your group in a classroom on Friday night, contact Tracy Breneman ( DRETracyB@gmail.com). 

De-Escalation and Non-Violent Resistance Training
Calling all youth and adults! Are you looking for tools to disrupt and de-escalate hatred and bigotry? Are you searching for non-violent ways to resist the growing culture of dehumanization? Come train with the 5 UU congregations in Westchester and create direct action expert Monica Hunken.

When: Sunday January 22, 2017, 1pm-4pm  
Where: UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester (236 S. Bedford Rd, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549) 
RSVP via Facebook, click here

Invite your friends! Can't make it this Sunday? The workshop will be repeated from 1pm-4pm Sunday, January 29th at the Community UU Church in White Plains.  
Introducing the FUSW mUUsicians Orchestra!!
A UU orchestra for all generations and skill levels under the direction of Richard Slade, FUSW Choir director, and Cynthia Reynolds. Our very first meeting and rehearsal is Friday, February 10th, in the FUSW sanctuary.

What do you need to join in?
* An instrument (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion)
* A music stand -  *  A stand light if you have and need one
* An ability to read music ( middle school orchestra or band level minimum )
* A desire to play music and build UU community!
 
RSVP.  In order to plan appropriately, please email Irene Jong at ijongFUSW@outlook.com  by January 25 with your interest and the following information: 1) which instrument(s) you play, 2) when you last played regularly, and 3) at what level you play (e.g., high school band, Suzuki book 4, professional, etc.). 
 
Links to music will be emailed to mUUsicians prior to our meeting. If you can't make it on February 10th but are interested, send Irene your information and she will add you to the e-mail list for future rehearsals.  

Clothing for a Syrian Refugee Family
Hearts and Homes for Refugees is excited to welcome a Syrian family to Pelham mid-January. The family consists of two parents and four children (girls ages 13, 5, and almost 2; and a boy age 12). We're gathering clothing donations to help them get started. This is a great way to donate clothes your family is no longer using and help this family feel welcome here.

As soon as possible, please drop off at FUSW new or gently used items for each member of the family: warm winter coat, snow boots, waterproof gloves, everyday gloves, snow pants for the children, polar fleece for all,- light coat for all, hats and scarves, sneakers, casual shoes, dress shoes.  Sizes:
  • Men's clothing - size XL, shoe size 10
  • Women's clothing - size L/XL, shoe size 8.5
  • Boy's clothing - size boys 12, shoe size 5/5.5
  • Girls' clothing x 3: 
a) size adult M, shoe size women's 8.5 
b) size child 6, shoe size little kid 11.5/12 
c) size child 2, shoe size toddler 6/6.5


THIS SUNDAY
January 22, 2017
 

Childcare is available in room 5
with Laurie Schneider and Aimee Haas 
z

PreK - 2nd Grade Wonderful Welcome   
Begin in the worship service. In class, Julia Caldarola and the children will talk about the gift of spirit, session 14 of the Wonderful Welcome curriculum. Parents can view the curriculum by clicking here. *Children should bring coins for the collection basket in class.       

3rd - 7th Grade Love and Justice 
Begin in the worship service.  In class, Irene Jong will lead discussion about being fair about gender, building on the lesson last Sunday. Craig Butler is the Helping Hand. 

8 th - 9th Grade Coming of Age 
Carol Ehler is leading discussion human nature and whether people are born good or bad, or whether they become one way or another through life experiences. Nancy Eisenman is the Helping Hand. 
      
10th - 12th Grade Youth
Youth attend worship. 


Please let your children and youth know we have a wonderful morning  
planned for them. On the way home Sunday, we hope you will ask them  
about their conversations and activities. Your active interest helps  
demonstrate your support of their spiritual growth and affirms our  
shared journey in faith community.


Contacts       
 
Director of Religious Education, Tracy Breneman. Tracy's First U hours are weekday afternoons, occasional evening meetings and some Sundays. Tracy does not see e-mail Saturday or Sunday mornings.  Contact via e-mail at DRETracyB@gmail.com
 if you can wait one or two days for a response. 
For time-sensitive matters, call her home office, 914-402-4430.
 
RE Family Ministry Team Chair, April Castoldi 
 
Youth Group Advisors,  
 
First U Minister,  
Rev. Peggy Clarke 
(on sabbatical January - May 30, 2017)

First U Sabbatical Minister, Emily DeTar 
 
Rita Ruotolo, Office Administrator
914-478-2710 
 


Important Links        


The RE Family Ministry Team meets the second Monday of each month at 8:00pm on Zoom (video chat).  Our next meeting is February 13th.

We welcome your participation! 

Join us on video chat here:
https://zoom.us/j/163726726
or by telephone at 646-558-8656 using Meeting ID: 163 726 726.

Contact April Castoldi for more information.