Sun Mar 15
2014-15 Winter, #13
Our CUC Mission: Nurture spirituality; Foster compassion; Engage in service
From the Minister

We had a great round of Congregational Conversation about Social Justice on Sun Feb 8. Our second round is this Sunday, Mar 15. The projected third and final round is slated for Sun Apr 12.

Be a part of the process! I love seeing our group discernment at work.

Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon, Minister
March Theme: Brokenness
Practice of the Week:
Meditate
What are the benefits of meditation? For starters, meditation lowers high blood pressure; reduces anxiety; reduces stress and tension-related pain; improves mood; improves the immune system; increases energy level; improves emotional stability; increases creativity, intuition, happiness, and clarity and peace of mind. How do I meditate? There are a number of options. Get the scoop on sitting still and being quiet. CLICK HERE.
Worship: Sun Mar 15
The Gift of the Shadow
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Your "shadow side" could make big problems for you and those around you. Appropriately embraced and worked with, though, the shadow is revealed as a gift.

Sunday's Music: Adam Kent and the CUC Choir. CLICK HERE

Worship: Sun Mar 22
Mothers and Lovers of Souls
Rev. Kelly Murphy Mason
Who were the Desert Mothers and what can they teach us about living soulfully today? There's much wisdom to be gleaned from the extreme places they went - and also from the great lengths they then took to stay put. These remarkable women may help us better understand the unique spiritual insight often emerges from the remotest locales of our world.


From The Chair's Chair
by Randy Marshall, Board of Trustees Chair

 

From Merriam-Webster: hunker down: to crouch or squat, to settle in for an extended period, to assume a defensive position to resist difficulties. It feels like we have done quite a bit of hunkering in February. Record breaking low temperatures and blistering wind had many of us literally or figuratively hunkering. And yet some positive notes have come from this difficult time. The best quote of the month for me came from a junior colleague. He grew up in Mexico and did his medical training in Miami. Running into him outside the hospital in the bitter cold and wind last week, he said, "This is so exotic! I can't wait til tomorrow morning to see what '3' actually feels like." That put things in perspective. And despite the cold and difficult traveling conditions, attendance at CUC Sunday worship was surprisingly good. And Journey groups continued to serve many in our need for community and interactive spirituality, So even as the weather pushed us toward reclusiveness and grumbling, there were bright points and sparks of hope. One note of gratitude: our Brunch Committee -- led by the indefatigable John Schwam --  which has enhanced our sense of community in the last couple of months by bringing forth scrumptious offerings out of our newly renovated kitchen. Thanks to John and all who have helped with these efforts!

 

The monthly Board of Trustees meeting in February included a visit from the Music Committee, with presentations from Adam Kent and Lisa Meyer about this year's accomplishments to date and plans for next year's programming. We may look forward to UU inter-congregational choir activities and another interesting holiday production for next year that once again invites participation from talented members of our congregation. We also heard from the What's in a Name Committee and learned that many of the congregants surveyed would favor consideration of a name change. A congregation-wide discussion about this will take place in the coming weeks. The Social Action planning committee is also continuing to consider options about how to proceed with a cohesive plan for congregational involvement in Social Justice.

 

March will kick off our Giving campaign for CUC. Every year a dedicated group of CUC members -- this year led by Jeff Blatt -- brings us to the table to consider why we are here and how we can continue to sustain the excellent programming and activities that make our congregation such a wonderful community. Financially our congregation is in good shape this year, with pledges from last year coming in as expected, and a strong showing from our investments which is keeping our endowment stable and growing. Look for posters and flyers around the church, and testimonials from the pulpit. We are hoping for another year of generosity from everyone.

 

Hang in there everyone. Spring is around the corner!

Concert Series
Sunday with Rodgers and Hammerstein, 
March 22, 1:00 pm, following BRUNCH
Join the CUC Choir and the Fellowship Choir of the Hudson Valley UU Congregation in a program of solos, duets, and choral arrangements from some of the most iconic and beloved Broadway musical ever written. 

Suggested donation: $20 adult ($10 seniors and students)
Pancake Brunch
Sun Mar 22, After Service

The youth are making a big flap about this brunch, but they won't jack up the price. So be there for flapjacks and fun, while supporting our youth program. $3 children, $5 adult, $15 per family.

UUA General Assembly

Be a part of the larger UU world. Experience what it's like to be in worship with thousands of UUs. 

General Assembly in Portland, OR registration is now open:

SCHEDULE - June 24 to June 28

General Assembly's opening celebration is Wednesday evening, June 24. It concludes on Sunday, June 28. Detailed information can be found here:Program Schedule

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: The 2015 Ware lecturer is prominent and provocative democratic intellectual

Dr. Cornel West.

 

 FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION 

The UUA is committed to the goal of making GA accessible to the maximum number of attendees possible.  Go to uua.org/ga to learn about scholarship and volunteer opportunities (work in exchange for registration). 

Honor or Remember

With Flowers

Consider dedicating a bouquet of flowers for any Sunday service of your choosing in honor or memory of a loved one. For $65 the flowers will be displayed, and mentioned in service notes materials. Contact the church office at admin@cucwp.org or 946-1660.

Caring & Sharing
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver from our Caring & Sharing Circle, contact Gail McLeod 235-8212, gail.w.mcleod@gmail.com or Maxi Feldman 835-0541, feldmanmaxi9@gmail.com.
Sharing Sunday Offerings
Each month we share our plate offerings with outside organizations in need. This month, 25% of our collections will go to The LOFT - the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center and Services for the lower Hudson Valley. The LOFT provides regularly scheduled Peer Support Services that are vital to our community. In addition to educational programs, The LOFT does advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. It celebrates! Winterfest, the annual Gala, and Membership luncheons to bring our community together for important social events. See: www.loftgaycenter.org.

See Rev. Garmon if you have an idea for a future monthly plate share.
The Communitarian Weekly
Community Unitarian Church at White Plains
468 Rosedale Ave
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1660, www. cucwp.org
Lifespan Religious Education

Dear RE Families, Teachers, and Friends,

As the weather shifts, we are opened up to new possibilities. Our time together this Sunday and during the upcoming events offers opportunities for those possibilities to blossom. Please see the following seven (7) announcements:

1. This Sunday, Mar 15
K-4th grade start in Fellowship Hall.
5th-12th start in their classrooms.
Classes
K-1st: My Family: Families Change
2nd-3rd: We Care for Our Planet Earth
4th: Moral Tales
5th-6th: Kiva and Social Justice
7th-8th: Hindu Trip to Sri Ranganatha Temple in Pomona- http://www.ranganatha.org/
9th: Spiritual Practice
Youth Group: Worship and Pancake Brunch Planning

2. RE Community Chat
Have your voice heard! 
This Sunday, Mar 15, after the service join the Committee on Ministry for a Community Chat in Fellowship Hall. This is an opportunity to give feedback about Religious Education.
Bring your coffee - we'll have some cookies!

3. Our Youth Need You
We need responsible adults who like to have fun to help out as chaperones at Youth Cons. A Con is a district-wide youth social event that includes workshops, worship, lots of food, and a welcoming social atmosphere. Our high school youth have one coming up in April and the Junior High youth need an adult to join them Sat-Sun Mar 21-22. Please contact Perry at dlre@cucwp.org or 914-946-1660 x4 for more information.

4. Pancake Brunch
Don't be square! Be around for pancakes...Sunday, Mar 22 after the service. (See box below.)

5. Passover Seder
Family-friendly event for all ages on Sat Mar 28. RSVP by Sat Mar 21. (See box below.)

6. Child Dedication
Sun Apr 5. Sign up with Perry by email at dlre@cucwp.org. This is a Unitarian Universalist ritual honoring your family's commitment to the congregation and a promise by the congregation to support and nurture your child's spiritual life. For a further description of UU Child Dedications, CLICK HERE.

7. Sing? Juggle? Dance? Tell Jokes? Bake? Paint ?
Sign up to share your talent with us at the Third Annual CUC Variety Show Fundraiser on Sat May 9.
 
The children voted for this year's proceeds to go to The Sanctuary for Animals ( www.sanctuaryforanimals.com), a family-run organization caring for over 600 exotic and domestic animals coming from abuse and neglect. Contact Liz Suvanto at elizabethsuvanto@hotmail.com to join the show.

I look forward to seeing you all soon in beloved community.

Sincerely,
-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development 
"Let all who are hungry come eat."
The Cooperative Seder Is Back!
Sat Mar 28, from 5-7pm
Come join us for a UU version of an authentic seder! We'll learn about the story of Passover through story, song and ritual. A wonderful communal experience for all ages!

We ask everyone who attends to bring a dish to share. Please go to PerfectPotluck.com where you can look up our Seder by last name--Haran and password CUC. Alternatively, there will also be a written sign-up sheet outside of the Sanctuary. Please note that there will also be a small fee to cover expenses.

Because this cannot be a walk-in event, we ask that everyone sign up by Sat Mar 21. 

If you have any questions or would like to come on board to help out with this fun event, please contact Christine Haran at Christineharan@yahoo.com, (917-216-5359) or Aimee Katz Zipkin at KatzAimee@aol.com or 914-874-4497.
Environmental Film Series at UUCHV
Here's a great chance to learn and network with other Westchester UUs about planning climate activism.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley (Croton) is hosting a showing of seven episodes of the Showtime documentary series, "Years of Living Dangerously." The series starts on Fri Feb 27, with another episode every 2-4 weeks. See the full schedule: CLICK HERE.

Each episode is one-hour, followed by discussion and coffee.
This Week at CUC
Thu Mar 12
11:30a/R24 - Science & Spirituality
Sat Mar 14
10:00a/Parsonage - Zen Service
Sun Mar 15
8:45a/Sanctuary - Choir Rehearsal
9:30a/R32 - Nursery Care
10:00a/Sanctuary - Worship & Coffee
10:00a/Fellowship Hall & Classrooms - Rel. Ed.
11:30a/Fellowship Hall - Community Chat
11:40a/R12 - Journey Group H
Mon Mar 16
6:30p/Fellowship Hall - Tai Chi
8:00p/R41 - Finance Committee Meeting
Tue Mar 17
7:30p/Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall - Choir Rehearsal
Sat Mar 21
10:00a/Parsonage - Zen Service
Sun Mar 22 COMMUNITARIAN DEADLINE
9:30a/R32 - Nursery Care
10:00a/Sanctuary - Worship and Coffee
10:00a/Fellowship Hall - Rel. Ed.
11:30a/Fellowship Hall - Pancake Brunch
11:40a/R12 - Journey Group M
1:00p/Sanctuary - Choir Concert

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
Church Administrator, Liliana Keith admin@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x2
Music Director, Adam Kent music@cucwp.org 212-595-7280
Choir Director, Lisa Meyer choir@cucwp.org
Community Minister, Rev. Deb Morra community-minister@cucwp.org 914-830-1509
Community Minister, Rev. LoraKim Joyner amoloros@juno.com 914-948-1696
Community Minister, Rev. Kelly M. Mason rev.kmmason@gmail.com 347-497-3741
Bookkeeper, Lisa Sommer bookkeeper@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x7
Board of Trustees
Board Chair, Randy Marshall rsm2@cumc.columbia.edu 914-633-3115
Vice-Chair, Karen Schmitt schmitt8@verizon.net 914-921-3647
Treasurer, Nicky Klemens nsklemens@optonline.net 914-967-4419
Secretary, Johanna Bauer johbauer@msn.com 914-636-1047