Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
2020 Sep 20 | Summer #14
Nurture Spirituality · Foster Compassion · Engage in Service

Our building may be closed, but our congregation is open! Please join us virtually. Visit our website cucwp.org for more information.
CUUC Zoom Meeting Rooms
For links to our online meeting rooms, scroll down to "This Week at CUUC." Links are also in the Event Calendar (click on event) at our website, cucwp.org.
On the Journey
For the September issue of On the Journey: "Journeying & Wandering" - Click HERE
Upcoming Online Worship
Sun Sep 20, 10:00am
Moral Revolution?
~ Rev. Meredith Garmon

Sun Sep 27, 10:00am
Make it RAIN
~ Rev. Meredith Garmon

To Join Our Online Worship: click HERE
or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923 · Webinar: 761 321 991 · Passcode: 468468
Gathering Music starts at 9:50am. Welcome at 10:10am
 
After Worship, Join our Virtual Coffee Hour: click HERE
11:30am Inquirer Series: "Social Action & Community Service" click Rm 6161

Additional Program & Zoom Information Listed Below
Revisit past services anytime at our YouTube Channel. Subscribe to be alerted of new content.
Messages from Ministry

Practice of the Week: Train in the Three Difficulties
“Train in the three difficulties” is a slogan to keep us engaged with working on our various default habits: those unsuccessful yet compelling attitudes, thoughts, and actions that seem to keep coming back, over and over again, despite our best intentions... Read more HERE.

We are excited to begin a new year of Religious Education (RE)! This Sunday, we will catch up and talk about our theme, Justice & Equity. Online classes are in Zoom 8428 breakout rooms:
  • 11:30am, K-4th Grade with Laura Goodspeed, Laura Sehdeva, Norm Handelman (Hunger & Homelessness leader Nicole Turygin)
  • 11:45am, 5th-7th Grade with Denice Tomlinson, Alex Sehdeva, Gail Johnston (UU the Vote, Democratic Participation leader Karen Leahy)
  • 12:00pm, 8th-12th Grade with Cyndi & Daniel Tillman, Sophie Mitra (Racial Justice leader Jeff Tomlinson)

All classes will choose a social justice action to share with the congregation this fall. The weekly RE newsletters will have at-home materials for families who need a weekend break from online activities, as well as a new at-home curriculum for PreK families. Click HERE for the Fall 2020 overview and schedule. Sign up to receive RE newsletters HERE.

This Sunday’s musical selections reflect the desire of many classical composers to give voice to the musical expression of indigenous peoples. Folk music--orally transmitted, frequently tied to agricultural economies--found some degree of permanence in works of Unitarian composers Edvard Grieg and Bela Bartok, and the British-born composer of African descent Samuel Coleridge-Taylor... Read more HERE.
Congregation & Community News
Reopening Survey Results

Thank you to all those who filled out the survey. Your feedback is vitally important as we try to make the safest decisions we can for the congregation.

We received 103 responses
  • 22.3 percent Yes (23 responses)
  • 35.9 percent Maybe (37 responses)
  • 41.7 percent No (43 responses)

As you can see, the survey showed that the vast majority of you do not feel comfortable attending an indoor service at this time. Many of you who said you might have considered it, recognize that the service would not feel the same with all the covid restrictions, and so wonder if it would be worth having an in-person service at all.

Some of you said you would be willing to try an outdoor service. We were hopeful that we could arrange such a service in the fall, but unfortunately, the October schedule is completely packed, and November is too cold. We will try for an outdoor service in the spring. We are going to continuously revisit the idea of returning to indoor services by asking you to again fill out a survey. (The next one will be even more brief, and will be sent out in November).

We welcome any and all comments and suggestions, and thank you for your patience and understanding as we try to navigate these rough waters together. Contact: Aimee Katz (katzaimee@aol.com), Tim Lynch (timo@tlync.com)
Inquirers Series This Sunday

Inquirers Series Session 2: Social Action & Community Service, Sun Sep 20, 11:30am, Room 6161 
Join us to find out how and why Unitarian Universalism calls us to respond to injustice with social action and community service. Learn more HERE. And Save the Date for Session 3: Faith Development for Children and Adults on Sun Oct 4. Contact: Ginny Strand (vcs165@gmail.com).
Newsletter cut off? Check the bottom of your email for a link to "read more" and click.
Winter Coat Drive for Refugees

The Westchester Refugee Initiative (WRI) is collecting winter coats and boots for refugee and asylee families. WRI can only accept coats and boots in good condition, and they are not accepting any other clothing items at this time. Don't have a coat or pair of boots to contribute? Gift cards to Burlington or Target are also great! Drop donations off at:
  • Sat Oct 3, 9:00am-5:00pm: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 4 Fountain Square in Larchmont
  • Mon Sep 21 - Fri Oct 2: CUUC - place items in sturdy trash bags and put in bins near front door
See flyer HERE. Contacts: Jane Dixon (lilrhodie@gmail.com) or Robin Rocchi (robinandal@verizon.net)
Volunteer Driver Needed

Starting Tue Sep 22, the Hunger & Homelessness team needs a Volunteer Driver to transport meals to HOPE Kitchen in New Rochelle on Tuesday afternoons around 2:00pm. This is a biweekly commitment (every other week). Drivers need a car that can take up to 20 full trays of food. We are also looking for Cleanup Volunteers to wash pots and clean up the CUUC kitchen on Mondays after 3:00pm. Contact: Nicole Turygin (nturygin@gmail.com) or Steve Miller (obitsman@gmail.com).
Science & Spirituality Group

Science & Spirituality, Thu Sep 24, 11:30am, Room 7899
We are reading Oliver Sacks' An Anthropologist On Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales. Join us! Contact: Barbara Mair (barbara.k.mair@icloud.com).
UU the Vote: Call to Action

Sept Call-in to Florida Voters, Tue Sep 29, 6:00-8:00pm EDT
We’ve made over 150,000 calls to voters through our UU the Vote national actions! Join the next national phonebank with UUs in Florida and our partners at New Florida Majority. Help make sure voters have the information they need to cast their ballot safely and overcome any attempt at voter suppression. Learn more HERE. RSVP HERE.
Animal Blessing

Virtual Animal Blessing Service, Sun Oct 4, 4:00pm, Rm 2210
Bring pictures and your animal friends to this online event, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry. Participants include Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, CUUC Community Minister and Wildlife Veterinarian. Service features a special message recorded just for us from Dr. Jane Goodall. Learn more HERE.
Share the Plate Applications

Since there are only 12 months in the year and no end to the number of good causes that our congregation could support, the Social Justice Coordinators have adopted a process for making requests. This year the deadline for applications is Mon Oct. 26. Learn more HERE.
Children's Story Time

Thursdays, 7:15pm, Room 4635
Story time continues with Barbara Mair reading part 4 of The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright. Click HERE for a description of the story and coloring sheets. Listen to recordings of past readings online HERE. Story time is 7:15-8:00pm. Log in at 7:05pm for check in. Contact: Tracy Breneman (cuucwptracy@gmail.com).
Sign Up for Journey Groups

The CUUC Journey Groups are a way to deepen our understanding of life and strengthen our connections to one another by exploring monthly themes together. Click HERE to select the group that works best for you. For the September issue of On the Journey: "Journeying & Wandering," click HERE
Disaster Relief

The UUA Disaster Relief Fund helps congregations that face losses due to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Learn more about the work of the UUA Fund HERE.

The UU Service Committee (UUSC) response to disasters is focused on getting help to those most likely to be left out of major relief responses. Learn more HERE.
Board Minutes
 
While our building is closed, we can't post our board minutes in the lobby for all to read, as we usually do. If you would like to be emailed a copy, please contact the office: admin@cucwp.org.
Caring & Sharing 

If we can help you or someone you know in our congregation, please reach out to Paula Meighan (914-924-0204, paula.meighan74@gmail.com) or Liz Laite (em.laite@verizon.net, 914-366-4211). You may also contact the CUUC office (admin@cucwp.org). To join our C&S Circle of helpers, contact Astrid Rogers (astridrogers@aol.com, 914-946-2026).
Share the Plate: WCC Student Emergency Fund
In September we share half our non-pledge collection with the Westchester Community College Foundation Student Emergency Fund. In these unprecedented times, WCC students who are low income are facing unanticipated hardships. Our donations will help meet their immediate needs, covering expenses such as food, laptops, online access, and rent so these students can continue their education during this challenging period.
Online Offering
You can pay your pledge, donate to the Share the Plate, or contribute to our Benevolent Fund or Minister's Discretionary Fund via PayPal by clicking "Donate" at our website cucwp.org. Or click the button below.
PASSCODES REQUIRED
All our Zoom gatherings now require passcodes. The CUUC passcode is 468468. For one-click links to our online meeting rooms, see below. Links are also in our online Events Calendar (click on event) at cucwp.org.
This Week at CUUC

Visit cucwp.org/calendar on our website and click on an event for login information. To reserve an online meeting room, contact admin@cucwp.org.
 
ONLINE MEETING ROOMS

Worship Space 1991 - one-click login (passcode embedded): us02web.zoom.us/j/761321991?pwd=MWVmdzJaSzMzZDMvOVdaU0dsdlgvQT09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/761321991 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 646-876-9923 · Webinar: 761 321 991 · Passcode: 468468
 
Room 2210 - one-click login (passcode embedded): zoom.us/j/3369562210?pwd=c21oYkVjczF3Vk9UcVRSWkVILzdPZz09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/3369562210 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 929-436-2866 · Meeting: 336 956 2210 · Passcode: 468468 
 
Room 7899 - one-click login (passcode embedded): us02web.zoom.us/j/2898507899?pwd=TW5sV2lUYUltT0xxZ3JXMUxxU24xQT09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/2898507899 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 646-876-9923 · Meeting: 289 850 7899 · Passcode: 468468

Room 3131 - one-click login (embedded passcode): us02web.zoom.us/j/3131953131?pwd=b293emZtenc4SzQya1had3pkaFB4dz09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/3131953131 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 646-876-9923 · Meeting ID: 313 195 3131 · Passcode: 468468
 
Room 6161 - one-click login (passcode embedded): zoom.us/j/6161636161?pwd=Y0NPUitWcGw3SVRraEtITWZwTUZ2Zz09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/6161636161 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 929-436-2866 · Meeting: 616 163 6161 · Passcode: 468468

RE Room 4635 - One-click login (passcode embedded): us02web.zoom.us/j/602164635?pwd=M044dXhrSnlBL2FwTEF0RXd3Yzg1dz09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/602164635 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 646-558-8656 · Meeting: 602 164 635 · Passcode: 468468
 
Room 8428 - one-click login (passcode embedded): us02web.zoom.us/j/817388428?pwd=eWZyc3Ywbk42dEdyV0d5eEs0QUpEZz09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/817388428 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 646-558-8656 · Meeting: 817 388 428 · Passcode: 468468 
   
Room 5149 "A Tempo with Adam" Live Concerts - one-click (embedded passcode): zoom.us/j/93960775149?pwd=N1luZHJWUjdabG1mOVczUzhQOVh1QT09;
or two-step login: zoom.us/j/93960775149 + Passcode: 468468;
or phone (audio only): 929-436-2866 · Meeting: 939 6077 5149 · Passcode: 468468
Please mute your microphones.
   
Sat Sep 19 - 10:00am Zen Online (Rm 7899)
 
Sun Sep 20 - 10:00am Sunday Worship (Rm 1991); 11:00am Coffee Hour (Rm 2210); 11:30 Inquirer Series (Rm 6161); 11:30am K-4th Gr RE (Rm 8428); 11:45am 5th-7th Gr RE (Rm 8428); 11:45am Journey Group: Freiberger (Rm 3131); 12:00pm 8th-12th Gr RE (Rm 8428); 1:00pm Auction Committee (Rm 2210)

Mon Sep 21 - 3:00pm "A Tempo with Adam" (Rm 5149)

Tue Sep 22 - 10:00am Music Appreciation Class (Rm 5149); 7:30pm Choir Rehearsal, Soprano/Alto (Rm 3131)

Wed Sep 23 - 9:00am Past Prime Time Dance Party (Rm 8428); 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, Tenor/Bass (Rm 3131); 7:30pm Board of Trustees Check-In (Rm 7899)

Thu Sep 24 - 10:00am Journey Group: Traber (Rm 6161); 11:30am Science & Spirituality (Rm 7899); 7:00pm Journey Group: Van Hoomissen (Rm 2210); 7:15pm Children's Story Time (Rm 4635); 7:30pm Journey Group: Majsak (Rm 6161)

Fri Sep 25 - 9:00am Past Prime Time Dance Party (Rm 8428); 3:00pm "A Tempo with Adam" (Rm 5149)

Sat Sep 26 - 10:00am Zen Online (Rm 7899); 4:00pm Journey Group: Leahy (Rm 2210)

Sun Sep 27 - 10:00am Sunday Worship (Rm 1991); 11:00am Coffee Hour (Rm 2210); 11:45am 5th-7th Gr RE (Rm 8428); 11:45am Journey Group: Miller/Walkup (Rm 6161); 1:30pm Adult RE: Discussing Democratic Participation with Children and Youth (Rm 7899)
Contacts
Minister: Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x3
Dir of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development: Tracy Breneman, cuucwptracy@gmail.com, 914-434-7539
Community Minister: Rev. Deb Morra, getreal714@gmail.com, 914-830-1509
Community Minister: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, amoloros@gmail.com
Music Director: Adam Kent, music@cucwp.org, 212-595-7280
Choir Director: Lisa Meyer, choir@cucwp.org
Choir Pianist: Georgianna Pappas, georgianna.pappas@gmail.com
Children's Music Director: Lyra Harada, musicalyra13@gmail.com
Congregation & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker, admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2
Bookkeeper: Diane Pearson, cuucwpbookkeeper@gmail.com, 946-1660 x5
Board of Trustees
Board Chair: Joe Majsak, jmajsak@verizon.net
Vice Chair: Debra Manetta, debramanetta@gmail.com
Treasurer: Chris Kortlandt, treasurercuucwp@gmail.com
Secretary: Terri Kung, madterri@gmail.com
Social Justice Coordinators
Mary Cavallero, marycava4@gmail.com
Emily Economou, emily.economou@gmail.com
Jeff Tomlinson, jefftomlinson8@gmail.com
Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org