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From the Minister
We have a new Statement of Conscience! It's about economic inequality, and it was adopted by the delegates at General Assembly a few weeks ago. Should CUUC explicitly affirm it?
Let me explain. We Unitarian Universalists have a process for selecting, once every two years, a CSAI (Congregational Study/Action Issue) for a four-year investigation by our congregations. Thus, at any given time we are in the first two years of one issue while in the second two years of another. Our process may lead (and, so far, always has led) to drafting and adopting a Statement of Conscience reflecting what Unitarian Universalists have learned and resolve to do about the issue.
Our 2006-2010 CSAI produced the Statement of Conscience, "Creating Peace."
Our 2008-2012 CSAI produced the Statement of Conscience, "Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice."
Our 2010-2014 CSAI produced the Statement of Conscience, "Immigration as a Moral Issue."
Our 2012-2016 CSAI produced the Statement of Conscience, "Reproductive Justice."
Our 2014-2018 CSAI has now produced its Statement of Conscience -- finalized and adopted by the delegates in New Orleans a month and a half ago: "Escalating Economic Inequity." We now begin the "implementation year" for taking to heart and implementing what we have determined about this issue. (Meanwhile, we also continue our study of the 2016-2020 CSAI, selected by the delegates in Columbus at last year's GA: "The Corruption of Our Democracy.")
Here at CUUC, we have customarily not been very attentive to the CSAIs or the resulting Statements of Conscience. Perhaps we should adopt a practice of more deliberately considering our denomination's social justice commitments. CUUC has our own process for taking stands on social issues. Now that the delegates at General Assembly have adopted the "Escalating Economic Inequity" Statement of Conscience, it falls to our congregation to decide whether we want to explicitly affirm that statement. The full statement, more than 2,000 words long, is certainly worth a careful read. (Click the link, or find the Statement at uua.org/economic). Let's start talking about a process for CUUC discussing this topic -- and possibly adopting it for ourselves.
Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith |
Minister's August Schedule
Sun Aug 6: guest preaching in the UU Congregation of Rockland (Pomona, NY).
Sun Aug 13: guest preaching in Albuquerque, NM. I was the ministerial intern there 14 years ago. I've been invited to return there for the weekend as part of the celebration of the retirement of their minister, Rev. Christine Robinson, my internship supervisor.
Sun Aug 20: in the pulpit. After that service, LoraKim and I plan to fly down to take in the experience of the solar eclipse. We'll be back in a couple days.
Sun Aug 27: in the pulpit. I then plan to be out of town for a Zen retreat, Wed Aug 30 to Mon Sep 4.
Sun Sep 3: Cindy Davidson will be in the pulpit. |
Practice of the Week
Yoga
Yoga is a living, moving meditation. The series of poses settles the mind, and brings a clarity and focus that carries through the day. Besides being good exercise for strength and flexibility, yoga's Indian roots are infused with a detailed philosophy of nonviolence, selfless service, vegetarianism, breath and energy pathways, meditation, chanting, prayer, and self-inquiry. READ MORE... |
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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 [email protected] or 914-946-1660 x4.
Sincerely,
Perry
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
and Faith Development
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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, [email protected] or 914-946-1660 x2. Help us make our directory complete!
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Cat Guthrie
Our service presenter this Sunday is singer-songwriter Cat Guthrie. Cat currently directs community choirs including The Dream Choir in Garrison, NY, and the Westchester/Putnam Threshold Choir, which sings at the bedside of hospice patients. Charismatic, passionate, and persuasive, Cat works to coax the best out of everyone and to bring the gift of group singing to whomever she can. Her intention with every choir is to have fun, be joyful (and just a little irreverent), and spread the message that singing and harmony can change the world. |
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Upcoming Worship Services
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.
Refugees Are Welcome Here
Kathie O'Callaghan
The CUUC Refugee Resettlement Social Justice Team has invited Kathie O'Callaghan, founder of "Hearts and Homes for Refugees," to speak about her organization's experience assisting in the resettlement of a refugee family in Westchester earlier this year.
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Days in Place
Sat Aug 5, all day
Our summer Day in Place is a time to work and enjoy our grounds in community. We invite you to gather in fellowship for an hour or more-child, youth, and adult-to sit in the shade and share thoughts, help eradicate some invasive plants, and/or contribute to a vision of special destinations within our grounds, accessible by connecting paths. Join us and appreciate, improve, and maintain this our physical and spiritual home. Contact: Bice Wilson ([email protected]), Pamela Cucinell ([email protected]).
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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 high school youth are here to play with older children. 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.)
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In the Community
March for Justice: NYC to Albany, Sat Aug 26 to Wed Sep 13
Join
The March for Justice
,
organized by the
Alliance of Families for Justice-NY (AFJ-NY)
,
to bring attention to human rights abuses in New York State prisons and jails. The March will start in New York City and culminate in a press conference and rally in Albany on Sept. 13, the anniversary of the 1971 Attica uprising and massacre. RSVP to march or volunteer
HERE.
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 Colindrés, a 13-year U.S. resident and married father of two American children (read the article with a link to a petition HERE). Click
HERE
to help HVCC in one of four important ways,
HERE
to like and share HVCC on Facebook, and
HERE
to donate. It is important to show up now, in whatever ways we can.
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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 ([email protected]) 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!
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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.
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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 ([email protected]) or Chris Kortlandt ([email protected]).
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Share the Plate for August:
Rehabilitation Through the Arts
The recipient of half our non-pledge collection this month is
Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), which uses the transformative power of the arts to develop social and cognitive skills that prisoners need for successful reintegration into the community. Founded in 1996, RTA has expanded from a theater group at Sing Sing prison to programs in dance, visual arts, voice, music, literature, and creative writing at facilities across NY state, reaching 200 prisoners at any one time. Studies have shown RTA participants demonstrate improved behavior and anger management, and achieve high school equivalency diplomas earlier in their sentences with a three-fold increase in post high school academics. As one RTA member put it,
"
Where the prison consensus teaches that hard work is for suckers, the RTA culture teaches that nothing lasting can be achieved without effort. Where the prison culture preaches every man for himself, RTA stresses that each member is needed for the group to be whole. Where prison encourages isolation, and violent retaliation to offense insures a long life, RTA shows that communication and cooperation are vital to the health of the community."
More at rta-arts.org
.
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Caring & Sharing Circle
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact
Catherine Kortlandt (914 834-7112, [email protected]) or her backup Nicky Klemens (914 967-4419 or [email protected]).
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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. To reserve a room, please contact Pam at the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, [email protected]).
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
Mon Aug 7
4:00am Rental: Film Crew: TS (tentative)
7:00pm Rental: Straight Spouse Network
Tue Aug 8
6:00am Rental: Film Crew: TS (tentative)
Wed Aug 9
7:30pm Board of Trustees
Sat Aug 12
10:00am Zen
Sun Aug 13
9:00am LGBTQIA meeting
10:00am Summer Nursery Care
10:00am Summer Worship
11:00am Refreshments
11:30am Animal Ministry meeting
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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
Ego. What's the difference between "more ego" and "stronger ego"?
During one of the early gatherings at Tallspruce, Badger asked Raven, "How can I get rid of my ego?"
Raven said, "It's not strong enough."
"But I'm greedy," Badger said insistently. "I'm self-centered and I tend to push other folks around."
Raven said, "Like I said." (Aitken,
Zen Master Raven, adapted)
Verse
"As I was going up the stair, I met a man who wasn't there! He wasn't there again today. Oh how I wish he'd go away!" (W.H. Mearns)
Every day, climbing that stair,
Meeting the self-centered one:
The companion who acts in your name.
Not there! Won't go away!
Like an unforgettable fictional character.
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The
e
-Communitarian
newsletter is e-mailed each Thursday.
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