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"From the Minister," Fri Nov 30: HERE
On the Journey, 2018 Nov: "Hospitality" HERE |
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Practice of the Week: Letting Go, Moving Forward /Ecospiritual. We let go. Of the idea of an endless, unlimited Earth. Of faith in silver-bullet solutions. Of our addiction to stuff, to consumerism, to symbols of success and status. Of quiet desperation. Of "more is better." Of thinking of ourselves and our actions as disconnected from the larger whole. Of...READ MORE. |
Religious Education
Last Sunday all ages demonstrated their creative talents making decorations to Deck our Halls, led by Sabrina Cleary and Janice Silverberg. Sincere thanks to Craig Hunt and family for hanging the greens in the sanctuary despite Craig's knee injury. This Sunday is Music For All Ages, a Wonder Box Story, classes, then Deck the Halls. All are welcome to decorate alongside students...
READ MORE.
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From the Music Director
No, it's not a typo. TWO pieces entitled "Curious Story" kick off December's monthly theme of Curiosity. And, for those of you brimming with sufficient curiosity to arrive by 10 a.m., a family-friendly "Music for All Ages" presentation looks at the connection between invention and curiosity in music written by J. S. Bach for his eldest son nearly 300 years ago. The CUUC Choir is also on hand with music from diverse religious traditions...
READ MORE.
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Upcoming Worship Services
Sun Dec 2, 10:00 AM
"Curiosity and Dead Cats"
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Curiosity killed the cat? Somehow, I don't think so.
"Justice on Earth: People and Environments"
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Drawing on a few of the ideas from this year's UUA Common Read, "Justice on Earth."
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Opportunity for Young Voices to Sing with the CUUC Choir
Does your kid love to sing? Children and youth have an opportunity to join the CUUC Choir for a song in their Winter Choral Concert on Sun Dec 16, at 12:30pm. The kids may rehearse with the choir on Sun Dec 2 and Sun Dec 9 from 9:30-10:00am. Choir director Lisa Meyer needs to finalize musical selections, so
please RSVP to
cuucre@gmail.com
by Fri Nov 30
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Gun Safety Forum: What's Next?, Sun Dec 2, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall
A representative from Moms Demand Action Westchester will discuss pending gun legislation, strategies for change, and trends on gun safety issues. Q&A follows. Light lunch provided. RSVP Emily Economou (emily.economou@gmail.com).
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Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair Fundraiser, Sun Dec 2 & 9, Sanctuary, following Worship
Unique gifts from local craftspeople for your family, friends, teachers, and everyone on your list! Contact Barbara Youngman (
bvy1948@yahoo.com
). Proceeds support the Minister's Discretionary Fund.
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Remembrance Day for Lost Species
Remembrance Day for Lost Species,
Sun Dec 2, 2:00pm, Fireside Area
We will gather by the fire and share stories, music, candles, readings, and remembrances for those beings that have gone extinct. Bring pictures and other items to share. Revs. LoraKim Joyner and Meredith Garmon will host. Contact Rev. Joyner (amoloros@gmail.com).
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The Winter Communitarian is Here!
The Winter Communitarian Magazine has been published, full of updates from your ministry, teams, committees, and musicians. Find out all that's going on in our faith family! See it online HERE. Printed copies are also be available in the lobby.
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Gift Cards for Coachman Family Center, Sign Up Sun Dec 2 & Sun Dec 9, Bring in Wrapped & Tagged Gift Cards Sun Dec 16
Help a family at Coachman! Sign up to purchase a $25 gift card for their school-age children. On Sun Dec 2 and Sun Dec 9, we will have lists available with the age and gender of the children, and the type of card they prefer. Please box and wrap the gift cards, tag with child's name and room number, and bring to CUUC by Sun Dec 16.
Contact: Ray Messing (raymessing@gmail.com).
Personal Items for Shelter Residents, Sun Dec 2 - Sun Dec 30 New socks, men's underwear (L & XL), women's underwear, and toiletries will be collected throughout December for residents of local shelters. Posters from our Religious Education students help spread the word! Contact: Ray Messing (
raymessing@gmail.com).
Gently Used Children's Books and Toys Drive for the Ecumenical Food Pantry, through Sun Dec 9
H
elp us supply the Ecumenical Food Pantry with gently used books and toys for their clients to give as gifts. We also accept stuffed animals (new or like new) for senior clients to keep for themselves! Want to volunteer? Contact: Mary Cavallero (
marycava4@gmail.com).
The Mitten Tree is Coming! We will decorate the tree with your donations of mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves for all ages and sizes. Share the gift of warmth! We will be collecting throughout December. Contact: Ray Messing (raymessing@gmail.com).
Ecumenical Emergency Food Pantry
The volunteer staff of the pantry in White Plains serve over 1,000 people each month. Money donations are especially needed. Mail checks to Ecumenical Food Pantry, POB 2037, White Plains, NY 10602. Contact: Vicky Van Wert (
victoriavanwert@gmail.com).
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Pamela Cucinell and Mario Pardillo, members since 1999, will soon be leaving Westchester - and the US - to move to their new home in Mexico. Over the past 19 years, Pam has been involved in many CUUC activities, including the Religious Education Council, the Board of Trustees, the Social Justice Coordinators Committee, and the PlaceKeepers who care for our beloved building and grounds. Mario, in addition to attending and supporting Pam, has provided us with our beautiful poinsettia display each year at holiday time through his Earthborn Indoor Gardeners. Their contributions and spirit will be so greatly missed. We wish them all the best in their new adventure and look forward to their return visits.
Read more on p9 of the
Winter Communitarian.
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...that the fire season in the U.S. West is now 105 days longer than in the 1970s? Hotter years typically have more fires. For every 1 degree Celsius of warming, lightning strikes happen 10% - 12% more often. The Camp Fire in Butte County, CA, has destroyed 11,713 homes this season. See photos
HERE.
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Faith Development Friday, Fri Dec 7, Fireside Area & Classrooms
Our evening of learning, spiritual growth, and community. 6:15pm Pizza & Salad Dinner; 7:00pm Programs; 8:30pm Coffee. Programs include Adult RE and Family Journey Group. Adults may also just come for a slice and unstructured social time together. All may stay after to share coffee and a chat. RSVP to
CUUCevents@gmail.com.
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Winter Choral Concert: Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" & Songs of the Season, Sun Dec 16, 12:30pm
Our concert follows the Holiday Community Meal, and features the CUUC Choir, with director Lisa N. Meyer, harpist Kristi Shade, and pianist Georgianna Pappas. Childcare available with advance reservation to
concert@cucwp.org. Tickets available online at
cucwp.org/concert-series. Discount tickets sold at coffee hour.
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Donate to Our Poinsettia Display
The sanctuary will again be decorated with festive red, white, and pink poinsettias. You may contribute to our display as a way to honor a person, event, or group. Please send donations of $15 per plant to the office (make checks out to CUUC with the memo "poinsettia") with wording for the message you would like included in the Christmas Eve order of service. Contact: Pam Parker (admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660, x 2).
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Parrot Holiday Party Fundraiser, Mon Dec 10, 6:30-8:30pm, 87 Lafayette St, NYC
Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, one of our community ministers, invites you to a Parrot Holiday Party to raise fun and funds for One Earth Conservation, her community ministry organization. Join her by registering
HERE
, and if you can't attend, please consider
donating
, or advertising for the event with this
flyer
. Thank you!
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Social Justice Opportunities
Midnight Run, Fri Dec 7, 7:00pm, First Unitarian Society, Hastings
Make a difference in the lives of those in need. Come help us prepare food, pack clothes, and distribute and interact with the homeless in NYC. You can also support us with donations of clothing and food (learn more HERE). Contact: Art Lowenstein (arthur.lowenstein@gmail.com).
Find more local social justice opportunities
HERE.
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Share the Plate for December: Coachman Family Center
The recipient of half our non-pledge collection this month is the Coachman Family Center. Located in downtown White Plains, the Coachman is a 100-room shelter that provides housing, healthcare, and services to local families in need. The center is affiliated with Westhab, a nonprofit organization serving Westchester County. The Coachman offers support and activities for children, including after-school homework help, arts and crafts, music, and recreation.
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Caring & Sharing Ci
rcle
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact Joan Traber (914-617-4929, joantraber@yahoo.com) or Anita Mann (914-819-7751, fourmanns@gmail.com). Or contact the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, admin@cucwp.org).
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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 or Zoom online meeting, contact the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, admin@cucwp.org).
Fri Nov 30 - 6:00pm OWL 5th/6th Grade - Meal; 7:30pm - Class
Sat Dec 1 - 10:00am Zen; 12:30pm Journey Group Facilitators; 2:00pm Crafts Fair Setup
Sun Dec 2 - 8:45am Choir Rehearsal; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:30am Craft Fair; 11:30am Gun Safety Forum; 11:45am Building Committee;2:00pm Remembrance Day for Lost Species; 3:00pm Refugee Resettlement Leaders Mtng
Mon Dec 3 - 6:30pm T'ai-ch'i; 7:00pm Rental: Straight Spouse Network; 8:00pm Rental: Amnesty International
Tue Dec 4 - 7:00pm Rental: WCSPP Town Hall; 7:30pm Choir Rehearsal
Wed Dec 5 - 7:30pm Program Council; 7:30pm Rental: WCSPP
Thu Dec 6 - 7:30pm Journey Group Facilitators
Fri Dec 7 - 6:00pm OWL 5th/6th Grade - Meal; 6:15pm Faith Development Friday - 6:15 Pizza, 7:00 Programs, 8:30 Coffee; 7:00pm OWL 5th/6th Grade - Class; 8:00pm Rental: WCSPP Scientific Meeting
Sat Dec 8 - 10:00am Zen; 1:00pm Rental: Hoff Barthelson
Sun Dec 9 - 8:00am Crafts Fair Setup; 8:45am Choir Rehearsal; 9:00am Environmental Practices; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:20am Newcomers' Conversation; 11:30am Craft Fair; 11:40am Sunday Journey Groups; 11:40am 8/9 OWL Parent Orientation; 3:00pm ICNA Reception
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Director of Faith Development: Perry Montrose,
RE@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x4
Coordinator of Religious Education: Michele Rinaldi,
RE@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x4
Congregational & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker,
admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2
Board of Trustees
Social Justice Coordinators
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During this holiday season, we will frequently see, hear, and perhaps say the words, "Peace on Earth." Unitarians have been noticing that the words do not match the reality at least since Unitarian poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" in 1863: "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men," wrote Longfellow. The challenge to us is to take the words, "Peace on Earth," to heart, reflect on what we've done in the past year to build peace, and what we will commit to do in 2019.
Let us attend, as well, to Justice on Earth, for peace and justice are intricately interconnected. There will be no peace without justice (for human beings systemically denied justice will agitate for it, including turning to violence when there is no other recourse) -- and, too, no justice without peace (for human beings under attack focus on defending themselves, not fairness to others). I take this not as a chicken-and-egg insoluble dilemma, but as indicating the need to gradually build both at the same time. On the "Justice on Earth" side, I recommend a book of that title.
Our Unitarian Universalist Association selects a Common Read every year, which all UUs are urged to read. The Common Read for 2018-19 is: Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom, Eds., Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and Environment (Skinner House Books, 2018). Here's what UUA says about it:
"At a time when racial justice, environmental justice, and economic justice are seen as issues competing for time, attention, and resources,
Justice on Earth explores the ways in which the three are intertwined. Those on the margins are invariably those most affected by climate disaster and environmental toxins. The book asks us to recognize that our faith calls us to long-haul work for justice for our human kin, for the Earth and for all life. It invites us to look at our current challenges through a variety of different perspectives, offers tools to equip us for sustained engagement, and proposes multiple pathways for follow-up action."
The book is available from the UUA bookstore (HERE), or Amazon (HERE). Let's read it, talk about it, engage with these ideas, and learn how we can more skillfully contribute to the building of a world of justice and peace.
Peace and Justice to you -- on Earth and in your home this holiday season,
Meredith |
Your Moment of Zen: Reading /Granddaughter asked Grandma, "I've heard that some Zen teachers advise their students not to read. What is your opinion?" Grandma said, "Read." Granddaughter asked, "What should I read?" Grandma said, "Watch for your name." Turkey told Raven about this. Raven asked, "How is that for...READ MORE
Saturday Zen at CUUC, Sat Dec 1: HERE |
The
e
-Communitarian
newsletter is e-mailed each week.
Please send submissions to admin@cucwp.org by noon on Tuesday.
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