Let them not say: they did nothing.

We did not-enough.

—Jane Hirshfield

The Table is Set

Greetings, South!

November is well underway as we continue our 200th Anniversary celebration of South Church past, present and future, and our mission of "faith, justice and the arts."

We celebrated the "faith" of the saints of South this past Sunday. Rev. Rachel Jack Thompson and Rev. Dorothy Muller (pictured above) returned home to South and assisted with Communion at our celebration. Following is a preview of the remaining weeks of November:

On 11/12/23, we will lift up some of the ways that South has sought out and worked for "justice."
On 11/19/23, we will look to the "arts" that beautify our sanctuary to learn more about the significance of the symbols that surround us each week.
On 11/26/23, we will shift our gaze from looking back at our history to looking forward, toward Advent and toward the future of South, how we want to be remembered by our successors.

There is still so much for us to celebrate, to learn and to do together. Let us gather in worship each week so that we may ground our faith, our justice-seeking and our expression of the arts in our relationships with God and with one another.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4

I get this!! Thank you all for your condolences and kind support this past month after the death of my father. I am especially grateful to Kris Kliemann and Robin Larkins, who stepped in to plan and officiate worship on 10/15/23, elders and deacons who took my place in various activities, and for all who have offered assistance and compassion during this time. Thank you!

-Margery

Join Us - All Welcome

We gather together on Sunday mornings

8:30 am - Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary. Join in! Contact Amir.

10:00 am - Worship service in the sanctuary.

10:15 am - Church School in Fellowship Hall. Children and teachers leave church together. Questions? Contact Marie-Louise.

11:00 am - Coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall and enjoy the art exhibit in The Donald Gallery.

Services are also streamed on Facebook.

This Sunday, November 12: Congregation Annual Meeting

This Sunday after Worship we will hold our Annual Congregational Meeting, where we will hear from Session members, Deacons, committee chairs and ministry leaders about the work that we have accomplished this past year, as well as vote on our annual budget. Please make every effort to attend.

FIND THE FULL CALENDAR HERE

Giving & Receiving

Give Online

Your support sustains our worship and service opportunities, music and arts programs, and more.

Sunday, November 5 - A Celebration of the Saints of South

Communion, Soup, Books, Music and Memories

Welcome Home to all who were a part of this special day!

Faith, Justice & the Arts

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper." - Maya Angelou

For 198 (!) consecutive editions of Miscellany between January, 2019 and October, 2023, Lenore Person has used her gift of words, commitment to mission and passion for good to bring South Church to life and meaning for us all. So we say and mean much more than THANK YOU for being the written voice and story teller of South Church, in addition to many other involvements on behalf of the Church and community.

Robin Larkins, Church Administrator, will try to carry on with the same commitment to communicate South Church's active and living Faith, passion for Justice and expression of Arts in the same spirt.

Feedback, ideas and creative suggestions always welcome. Contact office@southpres.org with your thoughts.

Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry

On October 18th, the Food Pantry was visited by Ardsley Mayor Nancy Kaboolian, shown above with Food Pantry volunteer coordinator Donna Assuma. The mayor wanted to personally acknowledge leadership and volunteers of the Pantry. She particularly highlighted the efforts of the Food Pantry as "first responders" identifying and addressing the needs of busloads of asylum seekers who arrived in June and are currently residing at the Ardsley Motel. In a matter of days, the Food Pantry was serving over 70 additional clients on a regular basis, and working to secure additional resources and solutions for ongoing food security and other needs for our new neighbors. YOU CAN HELP AND FIND OUT MORE HERE. For the latest Pantry news, click HERE.

The Donald Gallery | Creative Hearts Staff Showcase through December 10th

Peer behind the stage curtain and see what the creative minds of resident art program Creative Hearts have been working on outside of the classroom—from abstract painting and bronze sculptures to the art of hand poke tattooing! “The Creative Hearts Staff Showcase” at the Donald Gallery features works by Isabel Oliveras, Chelsea Michaelis, Bianca Troppmann, and program director, Emily Gosweiler. Exhibit runs through December 10.

The LAB | Open Mic for Teens

NEXT OPEN MIC for teens on Saturday, November 25 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome for an evening of amazing talent! MORE.

Faith & Justice Learning Lab | Leadership Lab | IG: the_LAB_OpenMic

Community Nursery School

You never know what villans and superheroes are going to show up at Community Nursery School's Annual Halloween Hoot!

Community News

Getting to know each other - Sunday October 22nd "Mixer"

The First Unitarian Society of Westchester turned the tables on Sunday, October 22 and hosted a coffee hour "mixer" with snacks and some interactive activities that brought both communities together and allowed people to get to know each other a little better. We look forward to more mixing together!

Sacred Spirit Yoga: Dancing Home with Lucia Rich

Fridays November 10th & December 8th, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, at South.

Unwind, shake loose what is stuck and step back into connection with your best Self. Organic movement and curated music lead the way in this free-form movement based process with guided instruction. There are no choreographed moves, no right way to do it. Each session is unique to you and your body's intrinsic movements. Come as you are and Dance Your Way Home.

No dance experience necessary. Open to all bodies (ages 18 and up). More / register

A 200th Anniversary Benediction

“What wilt thou have me to do? Go work today in my vineyard.

Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work,

nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Be not forgetful to welcome strangers to the house of God."

-Reverend Thornton M. Niven, Jr., South Church Minister, 1867-1902

Thank you for reading.

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southpres.org | office@southpres.org | (914) 693-0473

Church Office hours: Tuesday noon – 6 pm; Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm; Thursday noon – 5 pm; Friday and Sunday by appointment. Closed Monday and Saturday.

MINISTER: Margery Rossi

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Dr. Amir Khosrowpour

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: Robin Larkins

TECH INTERN: OPEN POSITION

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL: Linda Jo Platt

CO-DIRECTORS OF THE DOBBS FERRY FOOD PANTRY: Vera Halpenny, Gretchen Skaggs

DIRECTOR OF THE LAB: Marie-Louise Miller

LEADER OF STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ROOTS & WINGS: Lenore Lelah Person

Our mission is to aid one another in the work of becoming more fully human, in the ways that God has given us.