Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains, NY
Spirituality   ·   Compassion   ·   Service
May issue of On the Journey: Truth -- CLICK HERE
Practice of the Week: Honor Your Temperament. When the fit between your temperament and an environment is not good, it's hard to function at your best-whether it was in school as a kid, or in an intimate relationship or at work today. Additionally, it's natural to feel at some level that there must be... READ MORE
From the Minister. I learned as a child that truth was an elephant that I couldn't see. The best I could hope for was to feel my way around a small bit of it. But imagine instead, as the origins of our language indicate, truth is a tree -- and, as the origins of our species indicate, our progenitors lived in trees, lived in truth.... READ MORE
Lifespan Religious Education  Norbert Capek, a UU minister who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, was looking for a way to unite his congregants through a spiritual experience together. In 1923, he created the flower ceremony that we hold each year. Just as we bring different flowers to the service, we each bring our unique self to... READ MORE & RE NEWS
From the Music Director   Musical guest mezzo-soprano Anna Tonna joins us with selections from Latin American and Spanish sources. The CUUC Choir is also on hand with the life-affirming message of "What a Wonderful World" and a Navajo text that speaks to harmony within the natural world. P lease stay after brunch and hear more of Anna and our choir!... READ MORE
  • Minister's Tuesday Coffee Chat - On Tue May 8th find me at Red Mango, 1924 Palmer Ave, in Larchmont
  • Check out the two Common Reads for 2017-18 HERE. See especially recommended passages HERE.
Upcoming Worship Services
    
Sun May 6, 10:00am 
"Flower Service"  
Our flower celebration for all ages affirms that we are better and more beautiful together. Bring a flower to share! Our Pancake Brunch fundraiser and Choral Concert follow. 
 
   
S un May 13, 10:00am
"Truths Be Told"
Cindy Davidson, Ministerial Intern 
"You can't fool Mother Earth!" What can we learn by retrieving voices of the feminine divine, and lifting up the voices of today's women activists?  
 
In Case You Missed It
 
Click the pic for last Sunday's "Truth" sermon by Meredith Garmon.

For video of a number of past sermons on our YouTube channel,  CLICK HERE
Special Congregational Meeting Recap 

At our special congregational meeting on Sun Apr 29, CUUC members voted on three motions that came from our social justice teams:
  1. From the Economic Social Justice team, a motion that CUUC take a position regarding Escalating Economic Inequity in the United States. The proposed position is  HERE . A summary is HERE .
  2. From the Women's Social Justice Team, a motion that CUUC take a position in support for a woman's right to contraception. See the motion  HERE .
  3. From our LGBTQIA Social Justice Team, a motion to approve our congregation's renewal of our Welcoming Congregation certification. Learn more  HERE .
All three motions passed with the requisite majority. Thank you to all who participated in the process, helping us live our fifth UU principle: to affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large.

Let's Journey Together
 

2018 Annual Giving Campaign
Your contributions power CUUC's activities both inside our congregation and out in the wider world. Please do all you can to continue funding our work and our aspirations. If you haven't yet, please return your pledge forms or pledge online at cucwp.org/giving. Contact: Barry Litcofsky (barry.litcofsky@gmail.com).  
Day in Place

Sat May 5, Sunrise to Sunset, CUUC
Join the PlaceKeepers in tending the CUUC grounds, our spiritual home. Come any time to stroll or work. Potluck lunch at 12:30pm. Among other tasks, we will be irrigating the Memorial Garden to prepare for the plants donated to us in memory of Betty Landauer.  
Pancake Brunch!
 
Pancake Brunch RE Fundraiser, Sun May 6, After Worship, Fellowship Hall
There will be flowers in the sanctuary and flour in the kitchen! Join us after the Flower Celebration service for a variety of pancakes. Our Special Friend pen pals will finally meet at the specially decorated tables. Hosted by Youth Group to support The New American Children's Cultural Enrichment Fund. $5/adult, $3/child, $15/family.
Young Adult Gatherings

Sun May 6, 11:45, Room 43
All young adults interested in meeting one another and engaging on issues and interests are invited to participate. Contact: Cindy Davidson (intern@cucwp.org, 781-710-1640).

CUUC Choral Concert

"CUUC in Song!" Sun May 6, 12:30pm, Sanctuary
Join us for a concert of wonderful vocal music. Mezzo-soprano Anna Tonna sings Spanish and Latin American favorites accompanied by Adam Kent. The CUUC Choir, directed by Lisa N. Meyer and accompanied by Georgianna Pappas, performs music of Harold Arlen, featuring favorites like Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Get Happy. Suggested Donation $20; Students/Seniors $10; Children 13 & Under $5; Max Family $45. Tickets at cucwp.org/concert-series. Free childcare available with advance reservation.
Variety Show FUN-draiser! 
 
CUUC's Variety Show, Sat May 12, 5:00pm, Sanctuary
Come one, come all to our 6th annual evening of fun and fundraising! Members, friends, family, and relatives - all are welcome. Enjoy performances (kids AND adults), bake sale, and much more! Sign up in the RE lobby. If you are soliciting raffle donations from local businesses, a letter explaining the show and CUUC is HERE . Raffle tickets on sale Sunday. Contact: Liz Suvanto (elizabethsuvanto@hotmail.com).
From the Auction Committee
 
Help us transform the sanctuary into an underwater paradise for the Under the Sea auction in the fall! Our decorating team needs empty 2 liter soda/water bottles and PAPER egg cartons that will magically morph into beautiful sea creatures. A collection box will be located in the lobby. Contact: Claire Flower (allegoryflowers@aol.com). 
Nominating Committee Members Wanted
 
The Board of Trustees is seeking two Members to serve on the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee for a three-year term beginning this June. The Committee selects candidates from our membership to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees. The Committee can also sponsor leadership development activities for the Congregation. Nominees should be familiar with our current membership. Contact Board Chair Dean Silverberg (DSilverberg@ebglaw.com, 212-351-4642). Deadline is Sun May 6 . 
Lifespan Religious Education   

Faith Development Friday - Fri May 18, 6:15pm Pizza dinner, 7:00pm Programs  
Programs include: Faith Like a River   This adult RE class explores the people, ideas, and movements that have shaped our faith heritage. You may also join this program online via Zoom video conferencing a https://zoom.us/j/2898507899; Youth Social Night  High school youth gather for a night of fun and community; Family Journey Group   Parents discuss the monthly theme while children gather for related activities. (Adults without children are welcome in the parents' group.) You are also welcome to simply attend for Pizza and Conversation in Fellowship Hall, and stay after the programs to enjoy Coffee & Conversation . RSVP to cuucEvents@gmail.com .
From Animal Advocacy   
  
"Predators in the Landscape," Thu May 24, 7:00pm, Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Dr, Croton
Learn how larger predators interact with changing landscapes. Join Animal Advocacy team members at CUUC to carpool, grab a quick bite, and attend this free Saw Mill River Audubon presentation. Learn more HERE. Contact: Joe Majsak (jmajsak@verizon.net). Another fun outing!
Save the Date
 
P ride March, Sun Jun 24, 11:00am gathering time, New York City
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley (UUCHV) in Croton has registered to march in this year's NYC Pride March , and is inviting CUUC and other UUs to join them. Find updates on Facebook HERE. Contact: Tony Arrien (arrien@optonline.net).
Our Faith Family

The family of Leah Kuczinski, the late niece of CUUC members Ted and Claire Kuczinski, is establishing a fund in her honor. Leah, a high school sophomore, died in a tragic accident in February. The fund will be used to create a scholarship, support children with special needs, and protect animals. Donations may be sent to the Leah Kuczinski Legacy Foundation, 1980 Miller Place, Merrick, New York 11566. Learn more HERE.

In the Community

2018 Riverkeeper Sweep, Sat May 6, 100+ locations along the Hudson River and in NYC
 
Join Riverkeeper for their annual day of service for the Hudson River and its tributaries! Info HERE . 
UU Summer Camps
 
Built upon the seven principles,  Unirondack gives youth the opportunity to perform in talent shows, paint with watercolors over a wild Adirondack lake, swim and canoe in nature, and let their imagination run wild in theater and music. Our high school sessions are full but our sessions for 12-14 and 14-16 year olds still have room. Contact Director@unirondack.org. Find more UU summer camps and conference centers HERE .  

Share the Plate for May: WCC Student Aid Programs
 
In the spirit of our vote responding to escalating economic inequity, we will donate half our non-pledge collection this month to programs that support local low-income college students. Westchester Community College (WCC) realizes that support for tuition alone is not enough to help students whose everyday needs, such as transportation and even meals, are not being met. The college has therefore established an Emergency Transportation Fund to offer metro or bus passes to eligible students as needed, and a Food Pantry to support students with food insecurity. This school year, the Transportation Fund distributed $4,500 in metro and bus passes, and the Food Pantry assisted over 1,000 students and their families. Gratitudes to Jim Cobb and the CUUC Racial Justice Team for researching and identifying these opportunities for us to make a difference. We plan to raise additional funds for these programs again in October.
Caring & Sharing Circle

If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact Liz Laite (914-366-4211, em.laite@verizon.net) or her backup Nicky Klemens (914-967-4419, nsklemens@gmail.com). 
UU Westchester Earth Day Worship Video
 
If you missed the "Shared Earth, Shared Faith" special all-county UU worship service here on Sunday April 22, you can watch the video of this historic gathering. Go to the CUUC Facebook page, facebook.com/cucwp/, and click on Videos . (Note: the video shows the pulpit, so you can see the ministers and hear the musicians. Follow along with the order of service, HERE.)  
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, contact Pam at the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, admin@cucwp.org).

Fri May 4 - 5:00pm Rental: WCSPP Meeting
Sat May 5 - Day in Place; 10:00am Zen; 10:00am Environmental Practices Group; 11:00am Choir Concert Dress Rehearsal; 12:30pm Journey Group Facilitators
Sun May 6 - 8:15am RE Council; 8:45am Choir Rehearsal; 9:00am Animal Advocacy SJT meeting; 9:00am Hunger & Homelessness; 9:00am Variety Show Rehearsal; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:30am Pancake Brunch; 11:45am Young Adult Gathering; 12:30pm Choir Spring Concert
Mon May 7 - 6:30pm CANCELLED T'ai-ch'i; Rental: Straight Spouse Network; Legacy Giving Zoom meeting; Rental: Amnesty International
Tue May 8 - 3:00pm Minister's Tuesday Coffee Chat; 7:00pm Rental: WCSPP; 7:30pm Choir Rehearsal 
Wed May 9 - 7:30pm Board of Trustees
Thu May 10 - 11:30pm Science & Spirituality Group; 7:30pm Journey Group - P. Montrose
Fri May 11 - 11:00am Journey Group - C. Davidson; 4:30pm Variety Show Rehearsal
Sat May 12 - 10:00am Zen; 5:00pm Variety Show
Sun May 13 - 8:45am Choir Rehearsal; 9:00am LGBTQIA meeting; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:40am Racial Justice/ITSOT
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, getreal714@verizon.net, 914-830-1509
Community Minister: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, amoloros@gmail.com
Ministerial Intern: Cindy Davidson, intern@cucwp.org, 781-710-1640
Youth Program Coordinator: Chandeerah Davis, cuucypc@gmail.com
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
Social Justice Coordinators
Jeff Tomlinson, jefftomlinson8@gmail.com
Mary Cavallero, marycava4@gmail.com
Pamela Cucinell, pamelajcny@gmail.com
Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org
Quick Links

On The Journey (current and past issues)
Social Justice Teams
Practice of the Week (current and all past)
The Quarterly Communitarian
CUUC Main Web Site
Liberal Pulpit Index
The Liberal Pulpit Video
Boundless Way Zen of Westchester
Your Moment of Zen. Porcupine came to Raven for a special interview and said, "Last night when I was putting little Porky to bed, I suddenly realized that everything is completely open and clear to the very bottom. Raven asked, "What about you?" Porcupine was silent. READ MORE
Zen at CUUC: Sat May 5.
The e -Communitarian newsletter is e-mailed each Friday. 
Please send submissions to admin@cucwp.org by noon on Tuesday.
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