Nurture spirituality. Foster compassion. Engage in service.
February Theme: Love



Greetings from Monterey, California where I'm typing this -- though, by the time many of you will be reading it I'll be in the air on my way back home. I've been here at a "UUMA [Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association] Institute."

One idea I heard is: "You have to offer multiple services during the week. It's not about whether your sanctuary or parking lot are full -- it's about making different worship styles and times available to people." I am mulling this over. An evening or late afternoon service on Friday or Saturday or Sunday with a different worship style? What do you think?

Congregational Conversations: CUC and Social Justice

The first of three Congregational Conversations is scheduled to be part of our Sunday worship this Sunday (Feb 8). The SJPC (Social Justice Planning Committee -- Emily Economou, Barry Litcofsky, Ginny Strand, Jeff Tomlinson, Perry Montrose and myself) will guide the conversation as we reflect together on the third prong of the CUC mission: "engage in service to transform ourselves and our world." Transformative service includes "direct serivce" and also includes education, organizing, advocacy, and witness. READ MORE.

Feb 8: We'll break into groups to discuss general ideas.

The SJPC will then take this input and draft the rough beginnings of a plan of action.

Mar 15: Congregational discussion about the SJPC's draft. Consideration of various alternatives.

Apr 12: Congregational discussion of SJPC's revised plan. Our hope is that at that point the congregation will be ready to adopt that plan (with or without further amendments.)

CUC's social action plan should involve a balance of the five types of social justice work (service, education, organization, advocacy, and witness), and the issues will need to be selected based on grounding, accountability, fit, and opportunity. READ MORE. . . 

Love

Our February theme is love. The Journey Group packet is now available: CLICK HERE.

Saturday Zen: Sat Feb 7

Boundless Way Zen of Westchester meets at the Parsonage on Saturday mornings, 10:00 - 11:45. You're welcome to join us for two 25-min sits, tea, and a dharma talk & discussion. New to Zen or thinking about trying it? Let me know -- we can meet at 9:50 for brief orientation and how-to.  READ MORE...

Common Read: Joint Adult RE Class

Rev. Peggy Clarke (minister at our Hastings congregation) and I are teaming up to facilitate a class on this year's UUA Common Read: Paul Rasor's Reclaiming Prophetic Witness. Choose the time most convenient for you: Tue Feb 24, 7:30p, at CUC, or Wed Feb 25, 11:00a, at Hastings. READ MORE...

Doesn't Social Justice Require Organizing?

Joining an IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) organization is an important part of a congregation's social justice organizing. For a general overview of Metro IAF, CLICK HERE. Thu Feb 12, in New Rochelle, Westerchester United will be hosting a countywide assembly. It's a great way for CUC members to learn about Westchester United. Read more about this event: CLICK HERE.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Feb 8, 10:00: On Being In Public   

Rev. Meredith Garmon

"Justice is what love looks like in public." Let's talk about ways to get out love into public -- for our own sakes and for the world. Congregational Conversation will be a large part of the service.


Sunday's Music. Prelude by Adam Kent and anthems by the CUC choir. READ MORE...

 

10:00 - Prelude

10:10 - Inviting the Bell and Gathering Song

 



I look forward to spending time learning and growing together this Sunday during RE and then enjoying chili together afterward. Community and chili combine for true warmth on a winter weekend. Please see the following four (4) announcements:

1) This Sunday, February 8, children and youth start in Fellowship Hall where Liz Suvanto will present three animal protection organizations to be voted on to determine the recipient of the Talent Show fundraising. The children voted to make animal protection the focus for the event.

2) Teacher Development Day - Please RSVP
This Sunday, February 8 from 8:15-9:45 a.m.
Breakfast provided!
      • Learn more ways to engage the children
      • Further your classroom management techniques 
      • Connect your UU identity to teaching

3) This Chili Will Warm You Up!
 
Chili Brunch - This Sunday, February 8 after the service

Hosted by the 5th-6th grade class to support their social justice projects.
Cost: $5 per Adult, $3 per child, $15 per family

We are looking for a couple more people to make a crock pot of chili for the event. We can reimburse you for ingredients and your cooking donation will help the 5th-6th grade social justice endeavor.

4) Next Sunday, February 15 is RE Fun Day. Pam Cucinell will be teaching yoga and leading games for all ages in Fellowship Hall. Nursery care will also be available.
I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Then on February 22, a member of the Alvin Ailey dance group will be presenting a special movement program. This is a can't miss event!

Please let me know if you have any questions about these happenings or would like to know how you can get involved.

Sincerely,
-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development

Links & Reminders

New On "The Liberal Pulpit": Meredith's recent sermon are all up.
Jan 18: "The Spirit of Truth" -- with Youtube audio & slideshow. CLICK HERE.
Jan 25: "Welcome to Liberal Religion" -- with light bulb joke. CLICK HERE.
Feb 1: "What's Love Got to Do with It?" -- reflection on the Feb theme. CLICK HERE.

Nominate someone -- yourself, perhaps -- for a position on the CUC Board of Trustees. READ MORE...

What's In a Name Committee -- 20-min meetings are now scheduled, and we hope everyone can participate in one of them. READ MORE...

Our Child/Youth R.E. Classes Descriptions of each of our eight R.E. classes meeting on Sunday mornings: CLICK HERE.

The UUA Common Read for 2014-15 is: Paul Rasor, Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square.  Order your copy! READ MORE...

General Assembly 2015 is in Portland, OR -- Jun 24-28. GA is amazing fun, enriching, deepening, and transformative! We encourage all CUC members to begin planning now to attend.

Feb issue of the Communitarian: CLICK HERE.
Feb Journey Group Packet: "Love": CLICK HERE.
The web site for Community Unitarian Church: CLICK HERE.
The Five Foundational Spiritual Practices
 - Journal daily
 - Study daily
 - Silence daily
 - Group monthly
 - Mindfulness as much as you can
READ MORE...