Sun May 17
2015 Spring, #9
We covenant to nurture spirituality, foster compassion, engage in service
From the Minister

The times keep on a-changing. Across the US, new ways of "doing church" are emerging, with deeper inter-congregational collaboration. Unitarian Universalists, too, considering alternatives to the long-held model of the isolated "silo" congregation disconnected from its UU neighbors. That model may not be the best way for our movement to thrive in the years ahead. New models range from:
"Yoked" congregations: Two (possibly more) congregations share some staff, while they retain distinct bylaws, budgets, and boards.
To:
Fully-merged, multi-site congegations: Distinct buildings scattered around a region (each of which looks like, and perhaps used to be, a separate stand-alone church building) each hold worship service on Sunday morning and various programs through the week, yet one staff serves all the sites and one board, one set of bylaws, and one budget governs all the sites. It's truly one congregation with multiple sites.

Here in Westchester, the ministers of the five UU congregations have been in conversation for over a year about closer collaborations. One result of this conversation was the 5-way pulpit swap last Sun Mar 29. Another result was the creation of website for all five congregations: westchesteruu.com.

Further collaboration: planned to begin on Fri Sep 18, Rev. Peggy Clarke and I expect to begin offering a meditative worship service every Friday evening. The idea (still tentative) is that the location of these services will alternate between CUC and the First Unitarian Society of Westchester (1USW, in Hastings). In the interests of transcending "turf," I'll lead the Friday services at 1USW and Rev. Clarke will lead the services at CUC.

Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon, Minister
May Theme: Transcendence 
Practice of the Week:
Get More Sleep
Almost everyone needs more sleep. More sleep lowers risk for car accidents, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and unwanted weight -- and improves performance in paying attention, learning, and staying motivated. Plus, it just feels better not to be foggy, groggy, tired, and irritable. The key is consistency: getting good rest every night, not trying to catch up on weekends or holidays. READ MORE...
Worship: Sun May 17
What Has Queer Theory Done for You Lately?
Rev. Meredith Garmon
A framework for LGBT issues, and insights for all of us from the "queer theory" front. If you think you've heard it all, there may be some surprises for you.

Sunday's Music: Adam Kent plays pieces by composers "who would be defined as 'gay' by today's definitions" READ MORE...

Worship: Sun May 24
War, Peace, and Memorial Day
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Remember the soldiers, honored dead. They enlisted for various reasons, and as soldiers they died. It's not clear why. They were young, and they were taken from us. We remember them. We grieve our loss.
CUC Band Forming!
Thursday Evenings, Starting Thu May 21
Experienced band director and CUC member Christian Force is now putting together a contemporary ensemble to bring rock/pop/folk music to CUC. The initial goal is to prepare a few things for summer services. A possible Sunday afternoon "Contemporary Worship" at CUC is also under consideration, at which the band would be a key part.

What is needed? Some good core guitar/bass players, vocalists, and percussionists would be a great start, but any instrument is welcome. Christian can make up/write out parts on the fly as needed. Guitar, flute, tuba, and bongo? We can find a way to make it work!

Thu evening rehearsals start on Thu May 21. Join the band! Email Christian Force at force2k1@yahoo.com and mention:
- What you play? Or, what's your voice part? Or both?
- What kind of music is most inspirational to you? (Genres or even specific songs.)
Or, just show up on Thu May 21 with your instrument!
Vote to Change Name of CUC
The What's In a Name committee has completed it's work and found that the majority of those surveyed are in favor of a name change for CUC. All members have the opportunity to vote on the motion at the annual meeting on Sun Jun 7. Members' input favored changing "Church" to "Congregation," and adding "Universalist." Thus, the motion is to change our name from "Community Unitarian Church at White Plains" to:
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
Please attend the meeting and cast your vote.
Going to Clearwater?
The Clearwater Festival is Jun 20-21 at Croton Point Part, Croton-on-Hudson. This year, there's a UU table, shared by the five Westchester UU congregations. If you're going, can you spare some time to help staff the UU table? That'd be great! If you can help out, please contact Janet Bear (jsbear1@gmail.com).
Social Justice Teams 
Meetings you can attend

Our Social Justice Teams are up and going! 

Food/Shelter/Clothing ("Hunger & Homelessness") Team meets on May 17. 

To learn more contact Jeff Tomlinson at jefftomlinson8@gmail.com or Barry Litcofsky at barry_litcofscky@ml.com. Or speak to Rev. Garmon.

Sharing Sunday Offerings
May: Furniture Sharehouse
Each month we share 25% of our plate offerings with outside organizations in need. Furniture Sharehouse provides individuals and families with the basic household furnishings they need free of charge, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity.

See Rev. Garmon if you have an idea for a future monthly plate share.
Caring & Sharing
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver from our Caring & Sharing Circle, Carole Mehta 234-6294, carole.mehta@gmail.com or Adine Usher at 328-2307 or adineusher@verizon.net.
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,

We look forward to coming together for a moment of pause and the energy of community this Sunday. Please see the following four (4) announcements:

1. This Sunday, May 17 

K-6th grade start in Fellowship Hall. 7th-12th start in classrooms.

  

Classes

K-1st: Discovering Our Church: Getting to Know My Church and the People In It

2nd-3rd: How Did Life Begin? Part II 

4th: The Bird Book  

5th-6th: The Power of Persistance

7th-8th: Wiccan Visit 

9th: Credos

Youth Group: Journey Group on Transcendence 

  

2. College Scholarships for High School Seniors

Each year CUC offers two scholarships in the amount of $250 for our graduating seniors. One scholarship is given in honor of Sylvia Schnall-Pierorazio and the other Rev. Betty Baker, both former CUC Religious Educators. 

 

Please send a short essay on your contributions and leadership at CUC, with a brief explanation of how the scholarship will be used and the names of two CUC references to dlre@cucwp.org by Fri May 15.

 

We look forward to receiving your applications and presenting scholarships to two deserving recipients.

 

3. CUC Young Adult Group

First meeting on Sun May 31 at 12 p.m.

Please RSVP to Sara Caldwell at rozeghost@yahoo.com so we know how much pizza to get.

Spend some time with a group of your peers after the service! We are open to anything: discussing current events and spirituality, volunteer work, even just hanging out!

Pizza will be served. 

(Young adults are defined as ages 18-35 (out of high school) by the UUA.)


 

4. Save the Date

RE Sunday is coming on Jun 21.
A worship celebration of the year in RE, including:
  • Participation by all ages
  • Special music 
  • Bridging Ceremony for graduating seniors
As we head down the homestretch of the congregational year, please let me know how we can make it a joyous time for you.

Sincerely,
-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development 
On the Grounds
The yellow flower is the invasive, Lesser Celandine, which unfortunately crowds out all the natives. It is pretty, but...  It is mainly in our woods below the parking lot. - Yvonne Lynn
Bird Walk
Join Rev. LoraKim Joyner and others on a bird walk on Sun May 24. We start at 8:30am, behind the Parsonage.
Science & Spirituality
Thu May 14
For its next session, the "Science & Spirituality" class will be watching and discussing the last of the three episodes of Your Inner Fish. Each episode is 60 mins and is followed by discussion. READ MORE...
UU District Events
Nepal Earthquake: UUSC-UUA Response & Relief Fund

Westchester UU Events
There are some cool events at the other UU congregations in Westchester: Hastings, Croton, Mt. Kisco, and Mohegan Lake. And they invite all UUs -- and their friends. Check out these events at: westchesteruu.com/events
This Week at CUC
Sun May 17
9:30 am  Nursery Care
10:00 am  RE Classes
10:00 am  Worship/Coffee
11:40 am  Journey Group H
11:45 am  UU Musicians' Group
12:30 pm  SJ- Hunger & Homeless team Mtg
5:00 pm  Journey Group I (off site)
Monday, May 18
11:00 am  Journey Group B (off site)
6:30 pm  Tai Chi
7:30 pm  Journey Group C (off site)
8:00 pm  Finance Committee
Tuesday, May 19
7:30 pm  Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm  Journey Group E (off site)
Wednesday, May 20
7:30 pm  Database Mtg
7:30 pm  Worship Committee mtg
Thursday, May 21
7:30 pm  Journey Group F (off site)
7:30 pm  Journey Group G (off site)
Saturday, May 23
9:00 am  YAC CMT
10:00 am  Zen Service
3:00 pm  Journey Group L (off site)
Sunday, May 24
9:00 am  YAC CMT
Communitarian Deadline
8:30 am  Bird Walk
9:30 am  Nursery Care
10:00 am  RE Fun Day
10:00 am  Worship/Coffee
11:40 am  Journey Group M
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