We livestream our in-person worship on Zoom.

From the Music Director

In honor of our annual Flower Ceremony, this Sunday's musical selections include floral-inspired Rags as well as a tribute by our choir to renewed life in warmer weather dating back to the Middle Ages. Jewish-themed works from Hassidic traditions, the Singing the Journey hymnal, and the Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof are included as well, with Holocaust Remembrance Day in our hearts. And our choir provides a musical welcome to new members with “You've Got a Friend in Me.”... Read Adam's blog here

Our Next Minister

Last Sunday, the members of Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains unanimously elected Rev. Danielle Lindstrom to be our next settled minister. Rev. Danielle will start with CUUC on August 1, 2024. We thank the Ministerial Search Committee - Charlie McNally, Nicole Turygin, David Bowen, Lane Cobb, Ann Marie Damashek, Alex Sehdeva, and Jeff Tomlinson - for their excellent work in selecting Rev. Danielle. Until she joins us, we will continue to engage our awesome 2023-2024 interim ministry team - Rev. Kimberley Debus, Rev. Paul Langston-Daley, Rev. Deb Morra, and Rev. Patience Stoddard - for ministerial activities. If you have questions about Rev. Danielle, contact Creighton Cray (creighton.cray@gmail.com) or Terri Kung (madterri@gmail.com).

Celebration of Life for Ingrid

Celebration of Life for Ingrid Hartmann, Sat May 4, 11:00am, Sanctuary, Reception follows in Fellowship Hall

Longtime and much loved CUUC Member Ingrid Hartmann died on March 7, one week after her 88th birthday. We will gather to remember and honor her life.

Day in Place

Day in Place, Sat May 4, CUUC Lower Parking Lot

Join the PlaceKeepers at our monthly “First Saturday Practice” to experience, appreciate, and care for the sanctuary that is CUUC's outdoor grounds. You are welcome to join us at 6:30am to watch the sunrise. Or visit the Spirit Fire at 10:00am for a reading of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. After, you may socialize by the fire, walk the grounds, or help with one of our many tasks. Bring loppers (if you have them) and gardening gloves, and dress and spray knowing ticks live here too. Contact: Bice Wilson (bicewilson@gmail.com)

Flower Service

Bring Flowers this Sunday!

During our service on May 5, entitled "Prepare to Bloom," we will join in a traditional flower ceremony. We invite all ages to bring a flower that will be shared during the ceremony. The flower should delight you - whether it's store bought, grown in a hothouse, clipped from your garden, or snipped from a flowering tree. The ceremony will occur before our children go to their PlaceKeeping activity, and we welcome them to participate in the ceremony as well.

In the Spirit of Truth

In the Spirit of Truth, Sun May 5, 9:00am, Room 13 & Zoom 2210

“In the Spirit of Truth” welcomes everyone to attend their monthly meeting, this Sunday before service. ITSOT is CUUC's original listening circle, started over 35 years ago. We offer a safe space to talk about your experiences with racism, oppression, and more. There is no judgment, no argument, no conflict - ITSOT is a place to sit in covenant with other UUs and say what is in your heart. No commitment - just come be with us. Contact: Jeff Tomlinson (jefftomlinson8@gmail.com)

Add Your Note to Our Bridging Gift

Write a Note in our Bridging Youth Gift Hymnal, Sun May 5 & 12, Fireside Area

This year we have one youth, Doyle Zisson, who is "Bridging," that is, transitioning from the high school experience into young adulthood. One of the gifts our congregation gives to Bridgers is a hymnal filled with our words of encouragement and special memories. Please take a few minutes to write a note in Doyle's Bridging hymnal, which will be available in the Fireside Area on Sun May 5 and 12. If you will not be at CUUC in person, you are welcome to email a note to Tracy Breneman (cuucwptracy@gmail.com) and she will make sure it is included.

Covenant Draft Review #2

CUUC Covenant Draft Review, Sun May 5, 11:15pm, Fellowship Hall, Zoom 6161: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-6161

We have completed the second draft of our Congregation Covenant. Please take a look, then join us this Sunday after worship to offer us your feedback. You may also share your thoughts at bit.ly/CUUC-Covenant-Draft-2 (or scan the QR code) to submit responses to:

1. What do you like, or love, about this draft?
2. What is challenging for you about this covenant? What would you change?
3. What is missing from this covenant?

The Covenant Drafting Team looks forward to your comments and suggestions.

RE Meal Bags for HOPE this Sun

Religious Exploration Social Action Project: Meal Bags for HOPE, Sun May 5, RE Lobby

After our RE PlaceKeeping activities this Sunday, K-6th graders will assemble to-go Meal Bags for HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle, as part of our CUUC meal ministry and social action. HOPE proudly serves over 100 meals each night, and includes a to-go lunch bag for the next day. Our young people are proud to participate!

From Refugee Resettlement

Last Call for Girl Scout cookies! If you ordered from Muqadas Ghafoor, the eleven-year-old daughter of the refugee family our congregation has helped resettle, come pick up your cookies! Contact: Jane Dixon (lilrhodie@gmail.com)

Financial Update from the Treasurer

We are now almost 10 months in our CUUC year, and so far we are managing well financially. Even though Pledges are slightly below budget, we are doing well on the expense side, with everyone being careful about how and when to spend funds. We are finalizing the 2024-2025 budget, so it is crucial that everyone pledge, since the total pledge number affects what we can include in the budget. If you have not yet submitted a form (or pledged online) please do so today... Click here to read the full Financial Update from the Treasurer.

Science & Spirituality

Science & Spirituality, Thu May 9, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall & Zoom 7899: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-7899

We meet on the second and fourth Thursday to talk about the intersection of spirituality and science. Last meeting we discussed an article suggesting that appreciating the spiritually in science might promote a sense of well-being and higher life satisfaction. If you'd like to see if that applies to you, come check out one of our S&S discussions. Contact: Norm Handelman (yakman42@gmail.com) or Barbara Mair (barbara.k.mair@icloud.com)

Happy News from Refugee Resettlement

The CUUC Refugee Resettlement Social Justice Team wishes our new parents, Taiba and Ali Ahmadi, many joys upon the birth of their son, Sadra, on May 2. (You can read about Taiba and Ali's journey to the United States in the May 21, 2023 New York Times article, "The U.S. Left Them Behind. They Crossed a Jungle to Get Here Anyway.")

Game Night

All-Ages Game Night, Sat May 11, 5:30pm, Fellowship Hall

Bring your favorite game, or come try someone else’s, or just enjoy an evening socializing in a relaxed setting as we get to know one another better. Come at 5:30 to chat and pick your game, share a pizza dinner together at 6:00 (or bring your own meal), and then get ready to play! Family and friends are always welcome. Suggested donation for pizza: $5/person or $10/family. To help us plan food, please sign up at bit.ly/CUUC_Game_Night_Signup, or use the QR code, or contact Audra Russell (audrar631@gmail.com).

Newcomers Conversations

Newcomers' Conversation, Sun May 19, Immediately after Worship, Room 41

Learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, and help us learn more about you. Newcomers are invited to grab a coffee and meet in the lobby with Mary Cavallero and Jessica Lidh, who will lead the conversation this month. Once we gather in the lobby, we will move to 41 – downstairs in the green hallway. Childcare will be available in the nursery. Contact: Mary Cavallero (marycava4@gmail.com)

Drawing Together

NYC Urban Sketchers Workshopo: Erin Hill: People in Action, Tue May 21, 10:00am, Fireside or Fellowship Hall

The mission of Urban Sketchers is to promote the practice of location drawing, and to connect people who draw on location where they live and travel. This workshop, led by Australian artist Erin Hill will use different exercises - and humor - to teach proportions of the human figure and how to add people to your artworks. Click to learn more and to purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Contact: Marianne Milzoff (mmilzoff@optimum.net).

Feeding Our Neighbors

Meals for HOPE, Mondays, 10:00am-2:00pm, CUUC Kitchen

Help us live our congregation's mission to engage in service to transform ourselves and our world - and have fun and enjoy good company while doing it. Sign up at: bit.ly/CUUC-HOPE-Cooking-Sign-up.

From Environmental Practices Team

The start of growing season is a critical time for emerging hungry native bees, butterflies, grasshoppers and many other insects. Mowing lawns less in early spring creates habitat for them, and can lead to fewer pests. Consider participating in No Mow May, or Low Mow Spring to allow flowers that might be lopped off by the mower to flourish. (Local ordinances may regulate the length of your lawn and should be consulted.) More information, including how to seek local ordinance reform, can be found at https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may.

District Happenings - May 2024

Click here to see the May Opportunities for Connection newsletter for our Unitarian Universalist Association region, with articles and the calendar of Central East Region events and webinars

Share the Plate for May: 914Cares

This month we share half our non-pledge collection with 914Cares, a non-profit that collaborates with local partners to educate about the realities of poverty in Westchester and to encourage actionable generosity. For ten years, 914Cares has been providing basic essentials to those in need across the county. CUUC worked with 914Cares most recently on our successful Children's Clothing Drive back in January. Make checks to CUUC with the memo “Share the Plate - 914Cares” and add to the plate or mail to the office. Or click here to pay online, and select “Share the Plate.” You may also select “Other” and type in “914Cares” if you'd like your full donation to go to the organization.