Nurture spirituality. Foster compassion. Engage in service.
December Theme: Hope



The encouraging thing about the protests against police violence is that they aren't going away. This level of sustained public pressure might actually encourage police departments to make some changes in the way they do business.

I'm hoping to be able to participate in the "Millions March NYC" event in on Sat Mar 13, at 2:00pm in Washington Square Park. I hope you can be there, too. It might be too chilly for our yellow "Standing on the Side of Love" T-shirts (Don't have one of those T-shirts? To order one, CLICK HERE), but wear as much visible yellow as you can.

More info in the "Millions March NYC" event: CLICK HERE.

Practice of the Week: Don't Take It Personally 

""Don't Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering." (Miguel Angel Ruiz) Most of what bumps into us in life-including emotional reactions from others, traffic jams, illness, or mistreatment at work-is like an impersonal log put in motion by ten thousand causes upstream. READ MORE...

Saturday Zen: Sat Dec 13.

Zen practice at the Parsonage. 10:00 - 11:45a on Sat Dec 13. Come around to back door. New to meditation? Come 10 minutes early for a brief orientation. READ MORE...

Sat Jan 10: Film and Discussion: "Virunga"

Rev. LoraKim Joyner will host this movie and discussion about the efforts to save the mountain gorilla in the Congo. READ MORE...

Opportunities for Giving: CLICK HERE.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Dec 14, 10:00: Hope     

Rev. Meredith Garmon

Wishful thinking is generally not such a helpful thing. Nor is living in the future instead of the present moment. So what's so great about "hope"?

Sunday's Music
Piano music by Adam Kent & Choral music from the CUC Choir. More info: CLICK HERE.

10:00 - Prelude
10:10 - Inviting the bell & gathering song

 



There is a buzz of excitement at CUC during this holiday season and the opportunity to find moments of peaceful reflection. We hope you find social connection, the meaning of holiday giving, and a further spiritual journey in our congregational community. Please see the following five (5) announcements:

1) This Sunday, Dec 14, children in K-4th grade begin in Fellowship Hall for a special Holiday Children's Worship, led by Amy Swiss. Mark the ways light is celebrated at this time of the year and join in a Chanukah and Christmas ritual. Regular RE classes will follow.

5th-6th grade has OWL in Room 21, 7th-8th grade is going to Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Coming of Age meets in Room 11 for Personal Histories, and Youth Group meets in Room 14 for Journey Group.

Please note that I will be away this Sunday. If you have any issues during RE, Liz Suvanto, Chair of the Teaching RE Support Team, will be in the RE wing.

2) Deck the Halls in the sanctuary again this Sunday after RE.

Have your children stay for a half hour after RE to make a craft in the sanctuary that will be hung up at CUC for the holidays.

Arts & Crafts Fundraiser Sale also again this Sunday after the service.
Gifts for family, friends, and teachers.
Proceeds go to the Minister's Discretionary Fund.

3) Opportunities for Giving in December
  • Remember to bring in a gift for the children of inmates at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. No need to sign up, just bring in an unwrapped gift. For more info on appropriate gifts, CLICK HERE.

  • This Sunday, sign up to bring a gift or gift card for school-age children at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains. Stop by the information table. Bring the wrapped gifts to CUC by Dec 21.

  • Toiletries, socks, men's underwear (large and x-large) are needed for residents of local shelters. Take a look at the great posters made by the 4th grade RE class and drop your toiletries in the box.

  • The Mitten Tree - mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for all ages and in all sizes are collected until New Year's. Put them under the tree in the sanctuary.

4) On Sun Dec 21 at 10am, everyone is in...

...The No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant!

As the story unfolds, you become Mary, Joseph, goats, sheep, cows, horses, angels, shepherds, and wise folk.

Costumes provided; just bring a joyful spirit.

After the worship service on Dec 21, stay for the Fiesta Italiano Holiday Brunch and then the CUC opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors: A Musical Christmas Miracle Story. Children and youth of all ages will enjoy this performance.

5) Talking to Your Children About the Holidays
Dec 21 at 11:40am, meet at the special table during the holiday brunch.

A discussion with Rev. Meredith and DLRE Perry about explaining the holidays from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. Bring your questions and thoughts.

Please let me know if there are ways we can bring more peace and meaningful connection to your holiday season.

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

Journey Groups. Get the Dec packet, "Hope": CLICK HERE. If you're not in a Journey Group, sign up online: CLICK HERE.

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.

Dec issue of the Communitarian: CLICK HERE.
The web site for Community Unitarian Church: CLICK HERE.

The Liberal Pulpit 2014 #4 (six sermons): CLICK HERE.
"My Spiritual Journey" by Rev Meredith Garmon: CLICK HERE.
The Five Foundational Spiritual Practices
 - Journal daily
 - Study daily
 - Silence daily
 - Group monthly
 - Mindfulness as much as you can
READ MORE...