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Sun Mar 19 2017 Winter #13
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From the Minister
In Praise of Sadness
If you haven't seen the cartoon movie, "Inside Out," I recommend it. It's about an 11-year-old girl, Riley, and the feelings inside her head: Joy, fear, disgust, anger, and sadness. As the movie begins, Joy is the primary organizer in charge, and Joy doesn't see any purpose for Sadness. She wants to keep Sadness contained within a small space so she won't touch anything. Joy doesn't want anything to be touched by blue Sadness. She takes a piece of chalk and draws a circle and tells Sadness stay inside that circle. Perhaps you have wanted to relegate sorrow to a distant corner of your life.
Our culture teaches us to force happiness, and this ends up making us more unhappy - because we get unhappy about not being happy, which compounds the unhappiness. But being sad wouldn't still be with us if it didn't help us survive.
Mild, temporary sadness helps us cope with various aspects of life. The evidence suggests that humans evolved with sadness because our ancestors who got sad when faced with a difficult situation, could withdraw from the distractions of excitement and wonder, and were thus better able to work through the problem.
Over the course of "Inside Out," Joy learns that Sadness can do things she can't. When Bing Bong, Riley's imaginary friend, speaks of his traumatic past, all Joy can say is "Cheer up, get over it." It's Sadness who can be with - without trying to fix. It's Sadness that can empathize - Sadness that can be an accepting presence. When Joy offers only distraction, Sadness offers comforting, accepting presence.
Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith |
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Practice of the Week
Stop Blaming
"Eat the blame, and it will make you strong." Stop blaming anyone for what happens, even if it's actually someone's fault. Everything that happens, no matter whose fault it is, has a potential benefit. That's the nature of something happening, that it has a potential benefit. Even if the benefit never comes close to outweighing the harm, your job to find the benefits and do all you can to maximize them.
READ MORE...
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Lifespan Religious Education
This Sun is a special day when our youth lead the service and tackle the topic of
education. Come be inspired by our high schoolers and hear the youth/adult band, along with other youth performers.
Please see the following five (5) announcements:
1) This Sun Mar 19
K-7th start in the sanctuary for a Wonder Box Story and music during the Youth Service.
8th-9th start in classroom for slides.
Classes
Pre-K - Chalice Children
K-1 - A Discovery Year: It's Spring!
2nd-3rd - Free to Believe: Why Do People and Animals Die?
4th-5th - Toolbox of Faith: Justice
6th-7th - Riddle and Mystery: Life As Mystery
8th-9th - Our Whole Lives: Slides
10th-12th - Youth Group: Youth Service in the sanctuary
2) And the Variety Show fundraiser recipient is...
The Prospector Theater
The Prospector Theater, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, that provides meaningful employment to people with disabilities through the operation of a premium,first-run movie theater located in the heart of historic downtown Ridgefield, CT. Their employees, known as Prospects, live a higher quality of life through meaningful employment, and are encouraged to sparkle, shine, and turn their passions into professions.
Variety Show is on Sat May 13, 5-7 p.m.
Decide how you will participate. SIGN UP BEGINS NOW.
Will you PERFORM?
contact Liz at elizabethsuvanto@hotmail.com
Will you BAKE?
contact Irene at irene.cox@gmail.com
Will you create a piece of ART?
contact Rhonda at rhondagmiller@gmail.com
This is not just for children to partake in - this is for EVERYONE AND ANYONE AT CUUC.
3) Child Dedication Apr 2
Contact Perry or Rev. Meredith today if you would like your child to be included
in this Unitarian Universalist ritual that honors your family's commitment to the congregation and a promise by the congregation to support and nurture your child's spiritual life.
For a further description of our ceremony and UU Child Dedications,
CLICK HERE.
4)
The Sock Hop Is Coming Apr 2 at 1 p.m. after the brunch.
CUUC Choir leads this family fun event. See ad below.
5)
Family and Friends Weekend
A group of CUUC families are headed to Unirondack Camp & Conference Center for Memorial Day weekend.
This is a great opportunity to get to know other CUUC families in a fun UU atmosphere. Get away together!
For info about the weekend and to register,
CLICK HERE.
Contact Rebecca Rugg at rebeccaruggbiz@gmail.com to connect with the other CUUC families attending.
Sincerely,
Perry
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
and Faith Development
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Upcoming Worship Services
Sun Mar 19
Education is the Key
CUUC Youth Group
In this year's edition of the annual youth service, our high schoolers explore issues in our educational system and how variability in the system affects us all. They share their personal experiences with education.
UUA Common Read: The Third Reconstruction
Rev. Meredith Garmon
This year's UUA Common Read is William Barber,
he Third Reconstruction. After the first reconstruction in the post-Civil-War era, and a second "reconstruction" in the Civil Rights era of the 1950s and 60s, this hopeful book describes how our nation may be coming into another, and much-needed, reconstruction of racial justice.
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Social Justice Opportunities
Up & Up (UUAI) Group Meetings, Today, Thu Mar 16, 7:30pm, UU Congregation of the Hudson Valley (UUCHV), 2021 Albany Post Rd, Croton-on-Hudson
Up & Up Action Initiative is an outgrowth of social justice teams from the five Westchester UU congregations. UUAI groups meeting tonight: Healthcare, Local Politics, Impacting the Administration, Human Rights. to RSVP click here. To j
oin a group click here.
Please come prepared to take initiative!
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), Tue Mar 21, 7:00pm, S Presbyterian Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
SURJ is an organization that's involved in education and action for social and racial justice. To RSVP for the March meeting of the Westchester Chapter, click here. (Entrance to parking lot is on Oak Street, just south of the church.)
Beloved Community Potluck Dinner, Mon Mar 27, 6:30-8:30pm, Memorial United Methodist, 250 Bryant Ave, White Plains
The MLK Institute for Nonviolence hosts its third meeting of the Beloved Community Dinner for Resistance and Resilience! This month, our focus will be on Dialogue Tactics. Please bring a dish to share for 6-8 people OR donate $5/person. Please bring a table setting for yourself (plate, silverware, cup) so we can save money and the earth's resources! Contact us at (914) 949-6555 or connect@mlkwestchester.org.
Justice Mondays, Mon Apr 3, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Renaissance Plaza (Main St & Mamaroneck Ave), White Plains
Join the Westchester Social Justice Community for our weekly Justice Monday gathering. This week's theme is protecting our environment. We'll be urging Senator Schumer to resist plans to cut the budget for environmental protection and weaken environmental laws. And we'll be calling on Governor Cuomo to cut ties to fossil fuels and transition to renewable sources. Please bring signs, but do not put them on sticks or poles. To RSVP, click here.
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Clarifying the Future Vision of CUUC
On Sat Mar 18,
we will be hosting Visioning Sessions that we hope all Members and Friends will attend. The Visioning Sessions are designed to help our congregation clarify and articulate its 10-year vision as a statement, and create a starter list of goals that can later be incorporated into a long-range plan. It is a highly participatory process, designed to involve as many Members and Friends of the congregation as possible in small group sessions.
During either a morning or afternoon session on Sat Mar 18, you will be invited to take part in a workshop that will address the most basic questions about our shared sense of purpose: What are we individually called to do? Where do we want to go together? What vision of the future do we have for the congregation? How can we get there? A member of our congregation recently described the goal of the visioning process to me in a perfectly succinct way: "How good do we want this place to be?" Food will be provided at each of the sessions.
You can still sign up online at
cucwp.org/searchforthefuture. Childcare will be provided (please indicate if you will need childcare when you sign up). If you have further questions, please contact Creighton Cray (creighton.cray@gmail.com, 914-830-0987).
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Social Justice Training
Introduction to Active Nonviolence Workshop, Sat Mar 18, 9:30am - 12:30pm, First Baptist Church, 456 North Street, White Plains
Are you new to activism or experienced and want to brush up your skills? This workshop covers the purpose and technique of active nonviolence. Offered by the MLK Institute for Nonviolence. $20 pp or $5 for students/the currently unemployed. Only 20 spaces remaining so register now
mlkiworkshopanv.eventbrite.com. Contact: connect@mlkwestchester.org, 914-949-6555.
De-Escalation and Non-Violent Resistance Training
, Sun Mar 26, 1:30-4:00pm, CUUC
Presented by the five UU congregations of Westchester. 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 creative direct action expert Monica Hunken. RSVP via Facebook by clicking
here
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Music at CUUC Concert Series
"Let's Go to the Hop" with the CUUC Choir, Sun April 2, 2017, 1:00pm
Shine up your penny loafers and dust off the poodle skirt, a SOCK HOP is coming to CUUC! As soon as you finish your brunch prepared by the fantastic Brunch Committee after service on Sunday, April 2nd, head back into the
'50s in the Sanctuary for a fun time for cats and kittens of all ages. Join Lisa N. Meyer and pianist Georgianna Pappas with the CUUC Choir, soloists, duos, and trios for a concert full of popular Rock 'n' Roll from the
'50s Sock Hop era. Golden oldies such
as "Rock Around the Clock," "Rockin' Robin," "At the Hop," and "Blue Suede Shoes," among others, will be included in the event. Dancers as well as listeners of all ages are welcome -
wear your poodle skirts and bobby socks! !!Discounted tickets will be sold at coffee hour after service in March!! Or purchase online at cucwp.org/concert-series.
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Community Ministry
Nurture Nature Community, Sun April 9, 2:00 pm, Parsonage
A small group gathering, facilitated by Rev. LoraKim Joyner. Our theme for the month is Compassionate Communication, which grows our emotional and social intelligence. We will introduce the fundamentals of this relational and spiritual practice, and offer tools that will help nurture you and your relationships. To help nurture us we will also move outdoors for part of the time to connect to the beauty within and the beauty without. Space is limited and information packet is sent out in advance, so please RSVP to Rev. LoraKim Joyner (amoloros@gmail.com) or at meetup.com/Nature-as-Spiritual-Practice/events/237857506.
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Denomination News
Unitarian Universalist "Common Read" for 2016-17:
The Third Reconstruction
A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations.The UUA Common Read for 2016-17 is The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear by The Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. For more information, click here.
The Third Reconstruction will be the topic Rev. Garmon's sermon on Sun Mar 26, a
nd stay tuned for announcement on the date and time of Adult RE discussions on the book.
Live Stream of
UUA Presidential Candidates Forum, Sat Apr 1, 10:00-11:30am, UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester, 236 South Bedford Rd, Mt Kisco
The Central East Region is hosting the three UUA Presidential Candidates in a forum in Bethesda, MD on Apr, and Weschester congregations can view the live stream at UUFNW in Mt. Kisco. Hear the Rev. Alison Miller, the Rev. Jeanne Pupke, and the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray present themselves and answer questions. To learn more about the Presidential Election process click here or click here. If you would like to submit questions for consideration of the candidates to answer, you can do so on this form.
General Assembly 2017, June 21-25, New Orleans, LA
Registration is open! General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend. Housing is available now and fills up quickly and registration rates increase May 1, so register now.
uua.org/ga/registration.
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Neighboring Congregations
Breakfast Run, Sun, Mar 19, 7:00am meet, 8:20am leave for NYC, 10:00am return, First Unitarian Society of Westchester (FUSW), 25 Old Jackson Road, Hastings-on-Hudson Like the Midnight Runs only in the daylight. Clothing donations needed along with volunteers to prepare, pack, drive, and deliver. Clothing and toiletries can be dropped off in advance using the white bin on the CUUC porch. Contact: Annie Patton (914-588-4782), Art Lowenstein (
arthur.lowenstein@gmail.com
, 914-844-4189, or 845-424-3638).
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Board of Trustees Notice
Nominations for the Board of Trustees
The Nominating Committee is now accepting applications for nominations to serve on the Board of Trustees beginning in June of this year. Openings include Treasurer (1-year position), Secretary (1-year position) and three trustee positions (each for 3-years) as well as one trustee position for a 1-year term (to fill an open trustee position). If you would like to self-nominate or have questions about the requirements and responsibilities, you can speak with any member of the Nominating Committee (Janet Bear, David Bowen, Scott Damashek, Jane Dixon, Cynthia Heller, or Drew Swiss) or email Cynthia Heller at hellerc@optonline.net.
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Plate Share for March
Westchester Coalition for Police Reform
In the month of March, we share half the non-pledge Sunday collection with the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform. The WCPR was started by organizations and individuals in the White Plains area after the death of Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. at the hands of the White Plains police. WCPR holds monthly meetings that are open to the public, and hosts regular events that explore the issues around police oversight and accountability. WCPR has started meetings with local governments regarding the development of civilian oversight boards. In April, the WCPR will be convening a conference involving leaders and experts on police-civilian review boards from around the state, at Pace University Law School. WCPR.org
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Caring & Sharing Circle
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact Gail McLeod (914-235-8212) or her backup Liz Laite (em.laite@verizon.net or 914-366-4211
).
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Step Right Up
...and be a CUUC Coffee Hour Host
You or your group can support our mission of hospitality by hosting Sunday morning coffee hour after worship. It's easy - click here! Hosts currently needed for Apr 9, the month of May, and more. If you cannot host, consider bringing a snack to share. Contact: Pam Parker (admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2).
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This Week at CUUC
The full calendar can be found here. Room numbers subject to change; please check the board on Sunday morning.
Thu Mar 16
7:30pm
Journey Group - B. Kurth
Fri Mar 17
6:00pm
Searching for the Future Facilitators
Sat Mar 18
9:00am
Search for the Future: Visioning Sessions
10:00am
Zen
Sun Mar 19
8:00am
RE Council meeting
9:30am
Nursery Care
10:00am
RE Classes
10:00am
Worship
11:15am
Coffee Hour
12:00pm
Searching for the Future Facilitators
Mon Mar 20
6:30pm
T'ai-ch'i
7:30pm
Journey Group - A. Rocchi
8:00pm
Finance Committee
Tue Mar 21
10:30am
Building Rental
7:00pm
Building Rental
7:30pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thu Mar 23
10:00am
Journey Group - L. Taylor
11:30am
Science & Spirituality Group
Fri Mar 24
6:30pm
Journey Group - Families
Sat Mar 25
9:00am
Metro NY Junior Youth Con - Montclair
10:00am
Zen
2:00pm
Building Rental
Sun Mar 26
8:00am
Metro NY Junior Youth Con - Montclair
8:45am
Choir rehearsal
9:00am
Women's Issues SJT
9:30am
Nursery Care
10:00am
RE Classes
10:00am
Worship
11:15am
Coffee Hour
11:15am
UU Roots Conversations
11:40am
Refugee Resettlement
1:00pm
De-Escalation and Non-Violent Resistance Training
5:00pm
Journey Group - C. Hunt
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UU Camps & Conference Centers
Star Island is an all-inclusive family camp and conference center owned by a non-profit organization founded on the principals of Unitarian Universalism and the United Church of Christ. For over a century, Star Island has provided a welcoming community in the liberal religious tradition for people to enjoy the ocean, find inspiration, and connect with nature and each other. Located seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, Star Island is one of the nine Isles of Shoals. To learn more,
click here
or contact Ted or Claire Kuczinski at tadex@optonline.net.
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Contacts
Minister: Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x3
Director of Lifespan Religious Ed. & Faith Development: Perry Montrose, dlre@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x4
Community Minister: Rev. Deb Morra, community-minister@cucwp.org, 914-830-1509
Community Minister: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, amoloros@gmail.com, 914-948-1696
Ministerial Intern: Cindy Davidson, intern@cucwp.org, 781-710-1640
Youth Program Coordinator: Chandeerah Davis, ypc@cucwp.org
Music Director: Adam Kent, music@cucwp.org, 212-595-7280
Choir Director: Lisa Meyer, choir@cucwp.org
Congregational & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker, admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2
Bookkeeper: Diane Pearson, cuucwpbookkeeper@gmail.com, 914-946-1660 x5
Board of Trustees
Board Chair: Tom Wacht, tjwachtesq@aol.com, 914-949-5741
Vice Chair: Ann Marie Damashek, scottam@verizon.net, 917-623-0624
Treasurer: Chris Kortlandt, kortlandtbunch@verizon.net, 914-834-7112
Secretary: Amy Swiss, amyswiss@aol.com, 914-273-3445
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Your Moment of Zen
Clop, clop, clop, crossing the bridge,
All us beasts of burden treading on
Always crossing, never crossed,
Or always already crossed, still crossing
From things to no-things, no-things to things
One step, one stone, one step, one stone.
For more about Saturday morning Zen practice, CLICK HERE.
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The
E-Communitarian
newsletter is e-mailed each Thursday.
Please send submissions to admin@cucwp.org by noon on Tuesday.
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