Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains, NY
Spirituality   ·   Compassion   ·   Service
From the Minister

There's a saying I've mentioned before: the purpose of congregations is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. This would be a more manageable endeavor if we could separate the comfortable from the afflicted. The truth is, probably every one us is both comfortable and afflicted. That is, there are some ways that we have allowed ourselves to become complacent, basking in our comforts inattentive to the plight of others -- in need of affliction by some pangs of conscience. In other ways we are hurting, struggling, and need some support and comfort. We all carry wounds of disappointments, self-doubts, and we could use some friendly presence from others.

This something to reflect on as you make your way to CUUC on Sunday morning. Ask yourself: In what ways have I grown too comfortable? What new challenges could I be rising to meet though doing so would require sacrificing some of my comfort? And: in what ways am I hurting today? What is the healing that I might get from my faith community?

After some reflection on these questions, I want to suggest that you turn the same questions outwards, directed to the other members of CUUC. In what ways are others possibly too comfortable? How might I be a part of encouraging them, and CUUC collectively, to new levels of compassion and service? And: In what ways are others possibly suffering? What burdens might they be bearing that I could ease, if only temporarily?

The latter questions require attention. Perhaps you, like many CUUCers (including me), are more on the "comfortable" side, but as any congregation, CUUC includes people at various places in life. Maybe a spouse or a child was just diagnosed with incurable cancer. Some may be wracked with loneliness, beset with financial anxiety, weighed down with depression, or gripped with addiction. They might or might not want to talk about it. Let us bear in mind that the struggles of any given member might far exceed our assumptions, approach everyone in a way that invites them to share of themselves, and be ready to offer what help we can.

And if you're among those going through hard times, it may be helpful to talk it over with your minister. Let me know. It's what I'm here for.

Yours in the faith we share,

Meredith
Practice of the Week

Accept the Limits of Your Influence

You don't have the power to make something happen if the prerequisites aren't present. For example, you can't grow roses without good soil and water. If you've been pounding your head against a wall for a while, it's time to stop, accept the way it is, and move on. READ MORE...
Lifespan Religious Education

Summer means fun and games! CUUC is no exception, so join us on Sundays. High school youth are there to play games with children of all ages and childcare is provided during the Sun services. When the weather is warm, there may even be water balloons, so be ready for summer fun on Sunday mornings.

Please see the following two (2) announcements: 
 
1) Summer Sunday Games During the Service 

Children of all ages are invited for:

  • outdoor games
  • basketball
  • playground play
  • water balloons
  • board games
You are also welcome to attend services as a family in air-conditioned Fellowship Hall. The childcare room is also air-conditioned.

Nursery care is available.

2) Bring your special interest to life...in our Religious Education Ministry.  

What lights up your heart, stirs your soul, or sparks your creative thinking? Tell us your passion and we will find a way to help you share it with others.

Creative arts, spiritual practices, social justice causes, hobbies, religious traditions, and life stories have all been turned into activities, projects, classes, or presentations for children, youth, or adults.

Contact Perry at dlre@cucwp.org or 914-946-1660 x4. 
 
Sincerely,  
Perry  
Director of Lifespan Religious Education  and Faith Development
Kevin Jagoe   

Our guest preacher this Sunday is Kevin W. Jagoe, a Candidate for Ministry with the UUA. He holds a BA in anthropology and criminal justice as well as a Master in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University in Saint Paul. He is a graduate of the Humanist Institute and is currently studying for his Master of Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
Upcoming Worship Services

Sun Jul 30
Community Can Be Holy Now    
Kevin Jagoe   
In our covenantal tradition, the very act of gathering together is a religious and holy one. So how do we create community and sanctuary that is ever more expansive? Kevin Jagoe serves First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn as their Ministerial Intern, and the Church of the Larger Fellowship as a Learning Fellow.

Sun Aug 6 
Harmony      
Cat Guthrie   
This interactive worship explores harmony, the great equalizer where each voice is as important as every other. Singing together unites us, improves our health, and may just help change our world. Cat Guthrie leads harmony workshops at corporations, directs three community choruses and a Threshold Choir serving hospice patients, and is a founding member of BlisSing, a sacred singing duo.  
Days in Place    

Sat Aug 5, all day
On four Saturdays a year, we come together to honor earth- and nature-based faiths, celebrate the traditions of the seasons, and celebrate the heritage of CUUC's building and land. This is our opportunity to gather in fellowship--child, youth, and adult--to appreciate, improve, and maintain this our physical and spiritual home. Contact: Bice Wilson (bicewilson@gmail.com), Pam Cucinell (pamelajcny@gmail.com)
Summer Services in Fellowship Hall  

Sundays, 10:00am Worship (Prelude music at 9:50am), Fellowship Hall
 
    
Keep the flame alive (while keeping your body cool) by attending our Summer Services in air-conditioned Fellowship Hall. Prelude music will start at 9:50am and Worship starts promptly at 10:00am. These Sundays are informal and intimate so people can participate more and get to know one another better. Services are led by Members and Friends of CUUC, outside speakers, and guest ministers. Music is provided by our talented musicians and special guests. The nursery is staffed for young children and older children can play games with our high school youth. After worship, stay for light refreshments and conversation. We look forward to seeing you! (Regular services and religious education classes begin again Sun Sep 10.) 
Are YOU in the Directory?   
 
Take a look HERE or pick up a printed version at Sunday services. If you don't see your picture or address included and you would like them to be, contact Pam at the CUUC office, admin@cucwp.org or 914-946-1660 x2. Help us make our Directory complete!  
In the Community

Rally for Farmworker Justice, Wed Aug 2, 12:00pm, Renaissance Plaza (corner Mamaroneck Ave and Main St), White Plains 
Join activists, allies, and members of the community as we stand together in solidarity with farmworkers across New York State. Learn more on Facebook HERE and HERE. For information, contact: Hannah Van Dolsen, hvandolsen1@gmail.com, 914-420-7954. This rally is cosponsored by WESPAC, engaging with the public at a common space where policies are threatening our neighbors and communities.  

A Message from Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
 
The Hudson Valley Community Coalition (HVCC) asks for our help in preventing unjust deportations such as what is happening to Joel Colindres, married seven years to American Samantha and father of their two American children. Joel must leave the country Aug 17 despite having no criminal record. (A rally is planned at 10am today, Thu Jul 27, at ISAP, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT). Click HERE to help in one of four important ways, and HERE to like and share the HVCC Facebook page. You can also click HERE to donate. It is important to show up now, in whatever ways we can. 
CUUC Neighborhood Socials    

Sun Oct 1, 4:00 - 6:00pm 
You asked for more opportunities to gather together informally and we listened! On Sun Oct 1, the first of our Neighborhood Socials will take place at locations throughout the community. We are looking for hosts willing to open their homes to CUUC families living nearby. Contact Jane Dixon (lilrhodie@gmail.com) to learn more. If you cannot host, please save the date and join us as a guest. Guests bring light snacks or beverages to share. Details to come--stay tuned! 
Denomination News

2017 UUA GA Online
On-demand video, transcripts, and workshop materials from this year's General Assembly, including the printed GA program book, are now available at the UUA website HERE
Matching Giving Opportunity
 
The Wake Now Our Vision Collaborative Campaign Legacy Challenge is designed to strengthen the future of Unitarian Universalism through planned giving. Thanks to a generous grant from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, new legacy gift intentions designating a UU congregation are eligible for a 10% matching cash gift--paid by or before 2020--up to $10,000 per donor. New legacy gift intentions made between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2020 will qualify for the Challenge (see FAQ HERE). This is a unique opportunity to spark a powerful and enduring legacy program for CUUC! Contact: Tom Wacht (tjwachtesq@aol.com) or Chris Kortlandt (kortlandtbunch@gmail.com).
Share the Plate for July: Black Lives of UU
 
The recipient of half our non-pledge collection in the month of July is Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism. Formed in the wake of several conversations among Black UUs at the July 2015 Movement for Black Lives Convening in Cleveland, OH, the BLUU Organizing Collective works to provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists. They also work to expand the role and visibility of Black UUs within our faith. Learn more at blacklivesuu.com.
Caring & Sharing Circle

If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact Catherine Kortlandt (914 834-7112, catherinekortlandt@gmail.com) or her backup Nicky Klemens  (914 967-4419 or nsklemens@optonline.net).
This Week at CUUC

The full calendar can be found here. Room numbers subject to change; please check the board on Sunday morning. To reserve a room, please contact Pam at  the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, admin@cucwp.org).   
 
Sat Jul 29
10:00am   Zen
 
Sun Jul 30
10:00am  Summer Nursery Care
10:00am  Summer Worship
11:00am  Refreshments
 
Mon Jul 31
  6:30pm  T'ai-ch'i
 
Wed Aug 2
  8:00am  Rental: Film Crew IR (tentative)
 
Sat Aug 5
   All day  Day in Place
10:00am  Zen
12:30pm  Journey Group Facilitators
  4:30pm  Rental: WCHJ
 
Sun Aug 6
10:00am  Summer Nursery Care
10:00am  Summer Worship
11:00am  Refreshments 
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: Dean Silverberg, Dsilverberg@ebglaw.com, 212-351-4642   
Vice Chair: Karen Dreher, KMDreher55@gmail.com, 914-235-7845
Treasurer: Chris Kortlandt, kortlandtbunch@gmail.com, 914-834-7112
Secretary: Steve Miller, obitsman@gmail.com, 914-723-0982
Quick Links

Your Moment of Zen

The Pivot. We have various ways of describing. Sometimes we describe the function of a thing. (What does it do? What is its purpose?) Or we describe its material. (What it is made of?) Or its aesthetics. (How beautiful is it?) Its origin (How did it come to be?) or its form. Taking away all the different types of description, what are you?
After zazen one evening Porcupine asked, "We examine turning points as our practice. What is the pivot on which this study turns?"
Raven said, "The large intestine."
Porcupine asked, "So, it's all physical?"
Raven said, "All physical, all mental, all moral, all spiritual, all void, all material."
Porcupine thought about this and finally asked, "What's the upshot?"
Raven said, "Trout in the pool, lilies on the bank." (adapted from Robert Aitken, Zen Master Raven)
Verse
Everywhere: things in their place.
Everywhere: things turning --
themselves, each other,
thee and me.
Nowhere: a place that isn't a turning point.
The e -Communitarian newsletter is e-mailed each Thursday. 
Please send submissions to admin@cucwp.org by noon on Tuesday.
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