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December Theme: Hope



With "hope" as our December theme -- and our awareness of the reality that killed, among many others, Michael Brown in Missouri, Trayvon Martin in Florida, John Crawford and Tamir Rice in Ohio, Oscar Grant in California, and Amadou Diallo, Eric Garner, and Kenneth Chamberlain in Metro New York -- we may be wondering what basis for hope there may be for racial fairness in our land. We need to talk about this. We need to share our thoughts and, more, our hearts. Fortunately -- indeed, blessedly -- CUC has a program in place for exactly that:

In the Spirit of Truth: Sun Dec 7, 11:40, room 41

In the Spirit of Truth (ITSOT) remains, as it has been for decades now, CUC's hopefulness project for addressing the wounds, too often carried silently, of prejudice. ITSOT consists of a forum on the first Sunday of each month. I urge all CUC members to make a regular practice of attending. The forums provide an avenue for introspection and honest and confidential dialogue about race and other diversity issues, so that members may grow in understanding themselves and in their ability to relate to those who are different from themselves; discussing and reacting to events in the larger community having to do with race or ethnicity, allowing creation of an agenda for cooperative action against bigotry.

Practice of the Week: Respond, Don't React 

"Most reactive mode activations -- pushing you off home , base-are mild to moderate. But they're frequent and relentless in the lives of most people, leading to a kind of inner homelessness that can become the new normal....Each time you rest in your brain's responsive mode, it gets easier to come home to it again." READ MORE...

Saturday Zen: Sat Dec 6.

Zen practice at the Parsonage. 10:00 - 11:45a on Sat Dec 6. Come around to back door. New to meditation? Come 10 minutes early for a brief orientation. READ MORE...

December Journey Groups

Our December theme is Hope. Get the packet now to prepare for your December Journey Group: CLICK HERE. And if you're not in a Journey Group, please select and register for one: CLICK HERE.

Opportunities for Giving: CLICK HERE.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Dec 7, 10:00: Reverence for Life   

Rev. LoraKim Joyner

Albert Schweitzer, physician, theologian, musician, and philosopher, gave to the world the Reverence for Life Ethic.  More than anything his life was his argument. How can we live like he did, with deep reverence for all of life in ways that nurture and save ourselves, as we save the world.  Come join one another as we reflect upon this, and what it means to be human in a multispecies world.

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

10:00 - Music for All Ages with Adam Kent
10:10 - Inviting the bell & gathering song

 



I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and the holiday spirit of December fills you with a sense of hope to carry you through all that the season brings. During this time, CUC brings you opportunities for spiritual reflection, caring connection, and holiday fun. Please see the following announcements and the possibilities they hold for your family:

1) This Sunday, Dec 7, Music for All Ages with Adam starts at 10AM in the sanctuary. Children and youth may come up front for the program: "You've Got Rhythm!" An exploration of music, time, and our perceptions of both.

Children and youth go to their classes after the first part of the service that includes a heartwarming video about trans-species friendships, set to Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

2) Last Sunday, children and youth began making holiday crafts with Pam Cucinell. This Sun Dec 7, it continues after the service and RE in the sanctuary...

Deck the Halls

Children will make holiday crafts and decorate the sanctuary. Fun for all ages. Join us in the back of the sanctuary.

Arts & Crafts Fundraiser Sale
Gifts for family, friends, and teachers.
Proceeds go to the Minister's Discretionary Fund.
The Craft Fair will also take place on Dec. 14.

3) Opportunities for Giving in December
  • Remember to bring in your gift for the children of inmates at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, if you signed up for one. 
  • 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 December 21st.
  • 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) Sunday, December 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.

I look forward to seeing you all after the holiday. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make these days more joyous for your family.

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

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.

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...