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Sun Mar 26 2017 Spring #1
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From the Minister
This year's Common Read for Unitarian Universalists is William Barber,
The Third Reconstruction. Speaking in 2015 Jun, Barber explained that multiracial, multifaith, nonviolent coalitions are essential right now:
"What many extremists are trying to do is abort the third reconstruction. That's why they are telling America this myth... You want a great America? Deny public education, deny health care, deny living wages, deny labor rights. You really, really want a great America? Deny immigrant rights. Deny LGBTQ rights. Deny women's rights. You really want a great America? Deny the right to vote. You really want a great America? Turn everybody against everybody. Pit Muslims against Christians and women against men. Call the president everything you can but a child of God... And if you really, really, really, really want a great America, make sure that people can get a gun quicker than they can vote.... And I stopped by to tell you that in this moment we better know who we are and where we are, and that in this moment of a possible third reconstruction we are called to speak truth in times like these... Dr. King said: 'The dispossessed of this nation - the poor, both white and Negro - live in a cruelly unjust society. They must organize a revolution against that injustice, not against the lives of their fellow citizens, but against the structures through which the society is refusing to deal with the issues of injustice.' And I want you to know it's your time, and we can learn from the past."
It's our time, and the revolution needs us. Please read,
The Third Reconstruction. You may want to warm up with Barber's article from the Winter 2015 issue of
UU World, "The New Fusion Politics."
CLICK HERE.
Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith
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Practice of the Week
Spiritual Intimacy
"The Spiritual Intimacy Experience" consists of fifteen questions that partners can ask each other to develop a deeper connection. Many have found that answering these questions with their mate led to the most profound experience of intimacy they had ever had.
READ MORE...
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This Week on
The Liberal Pulpit
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Lifespan Religious Education
Spring is here! The weather may not agree yet, but this Sunday we will all be blossoming anew. Join us to share in the first signs of spring and our own renewal.
Please see the following four (4) announcements:
1) This Sun Mar 26
K-5th start in Fellowship Hall for Children's Worship.
6th-12th start in their classrooms.
Children's Worship includes an offertory. The money collected goes to The Prospector Theater, this year's social justice organization as voted on by the children.
Classes
Pre-K - Chalice Children
K-1 - A Discovery Year: Discovering the Meaning of Passover
2nd-3rd - Free to Believe: Where Do People and Animals Go When They Die?
4th-5th - Toolbox of Faith: Resiliency
6th-7th - Riddle and Mystery: What to Believe
8th-9th - Our Whole Lives: Pregnancy, Parenting and Teenage Parenthood
10th-12th - Youth Group
2) And the Variety Show fundraiser recipient is...
The Prospector Theater
(
prospectortheater.org
).
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.
The Variety Show is on Sat May 13, 5:00-7:00pm
Decide how you will participate. SIGN UP BEGINS NOW.
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 1:00pm after the brunch.
The CUUC Choir leads this family fun event. See ad below.
Sincerely,
Perry
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
and Faith Development
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Upcoming Worship Services
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.
Stewardship
Rev. Meredith Garmon
A steward is "a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others." We are all the stewards of CUUC -- managing and administrating on behalf of others. The "others" are the other members now -- as well as the future members who haven't yet found their way to us, but will, if we are good stewards for them.
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Science & Spirituality Group
Science & Spirituality, Today, Thu Mar 23, 11:30am
Our meeting will be off-site, so contact Barbara Mair ([email protected]) for details.
We are reading Jared Diamond's
The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies
? (Learn more
HERE
.)
Get a copy and join us!
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Social Justice Opportunities
Up & Up (UUAI) Group Meetings, Today, Thu Mar 30, 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. All UUAI groups meeting tonight: Human Rights, Environment, Healthcare, Local Politics, Impacting the Administration. to RSVP CLICK HERE. To j
oin a group CLICK HERE.
Please come prepared to take initiative!
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 [email protected].
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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Social Justice Training
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED. STAY TUNED!
De-Escalation & 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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Helping Hands Project
As part of an ongoing donation to Cultural Care's Kids First Foundation, we will be making hands and generating money! For every paper hand we send in during the Youth Uplift Challenge, the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $1.90--up to $500,000--to Save the Children's programs empowering youth in Nicaragua and Indonesia to rise into a life they dream for themselves. Cultural Care will then match the donation by 100%. It's simple to do. Please stop by our activity table after service and make as many hands as you can to help us.
- Place your non-dominant hand near the center of the paper.
- With your pen or marker, outline your hand, starting near your wrist and continuing along to the opposite side.
- With your pen or marker, connect your start and end points to close the hand.
- Take your time and decorate your paper hand--use vibrant colors or create interesting designs!
- Cut out your hand along the outline.
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Music at CUUC Concert Series
"Let's Go to the Hop" with the CUUC Choir, Sun April 2, 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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Grow with Us!
Fund the CUUC Programs!
Let's reach our goal of $425,000. Your contributions of time, talent, and financial resources will continue to power our mission to nurture spirituality, foster compassion, and engage in service in the year ahead. We ask that you do all you can to help fund our aspirations so that all aspects of congregational life and our commitment to the wider world remain healthy and viable.
CLICK HERE
to
pledge online and to learn more about CUUC budgets and priorities for the 2017-2018
fiscal year
. Or you can pledge at the Annual Giving Campaign kick-off brunch on Sun Apr 2. Enjoy a wonderful meal followed by the CUUC Choir's Sock Hop concert. For more information about the Annual Giving Campaign and the financial health of our congregation, contact Campaign Chair Creighton Cray ([email protected]).
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Community Ministry
Nurture Nature Community, Sun April 9, 2:00pm, 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 ([email protected]) or at meetup.com/Nature-as-Spiritual-Practice/events/237857506.
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Save the Date
Renewal of Wedding Vows by Janet Press and Bob Indra, Sun May 28 during Worship, followed by a Celebration Luncheon in Fellowship Hall
On Christmas Eve 2003, Janet and Bob first attended a service at CUUC and knew they had found their spiritual home. They signed the book not long after and became the active and vibrant members they continue to be today. This year they will celebrate 25 years of marriage with a renewal of their vows here in the presence of their family--which includes their
CUUC
faith family! In gratitude for all this congregation has meant to them over the years, Janet and Bob invite everyone to stay after the service and be their guests at a celebration luncheon. Please RSVP to Jane Dixon ([email protected]).
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Denomination News
Unitarian Universalist "Common Read" for 2016-2017:
The Third Reconstruction
A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read builds 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 2016-2017 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 this Sunday. S
tay tuned for announcements 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.
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
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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 ( [email protected] 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 ([email protected], 914-946-1660 x2).
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Lost and Found
Missing a pair of gloves, a travel mug, or a tripod? Check the turquoise plastic bucket in the coat hallway. For smaller items like jewelry and keys, look in the upper corner of the entryway bulletin board. Lost items are here just waiting to be found!
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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 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
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
5:00pm
Journey Group - C. Hunt
Mon Mar 27
6:30pm
T'ai-ch'i
Tue Mar 28
10:30am
Building Rental
7:00pm
Building Rental
7:30pm
Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm
Journey Group - J. Majsak
Sat Apr 1
10:00am
Choir rehearsal
10:00am
Zen
12:30pm
Journey Group Facilitators
5:00pm
Building Use
Sun Apr 2
9:00am
Environmental Practices Group
9:30am
Nursery Care
10:00am
RE Classes
10:00am
Worship
11:00am
Choir Warmup for Concert
11:30am
Racial Justice Team/In the Spirit of Truth
11:30am
Canvass Brunch
1:00pm
Music at CUUC Concert
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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. All are welcome to explore the island for a day, enjoy a meal, spend the night, or attend a conference. Whether you find yourself mesmerized by the sunset in a rocking chair on the porch, exploring Gosport Harbor in a kayak, or learning about their innovative environmental programs, Star Island is unforgettable. Pamphlets are available in the RE lobby. To learn more,
click here
or contact Ted and Claire Kuczinski at [email protected].
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Contacts
Director of Lifespan Religious Ed. & Faith Development: Perry Montrose, [email protected], 914-946-1660 x4
Congregational & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker, [email protected], 914-946-1660 x2
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Your Moment of Zen
"The activity of buddha is carried on together with the whole earth and all lving beings. If it is not activity that is one with all things, it is not buddha activity." --Dogen
For more about Saturday morning Zen practice, CLICK HERE.
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The
E-Communitarian
newsletter is e-mailed each Thursday.
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