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December Theme: Hope



Thanksgiving week began with the news from Ferguson that a Grand Jury had decided not to indict officer Darren Wilson. Many are interpreting this Grand Jury finding as a signal that black lives don't matter.

Unitarian Universalists have strong feelings and strong thoughts about justice. I have spent a number of hours this week reading many articles and reactions. As we each sort out the issues and reflect on what we might be ready to commit to do, let me point you to three pieces that might be helpful to take a look at.

First, the many and conflicted feelings that so many of us have were beautifully summarized by NFL football player and African American man Benjamin Watson, whose Facebook post was picked up the news: CLICK HERE. 

Second, while it is clear to many of us -- including me -- that there is a racial bias generally in our nation's policing, as well as in our sentencing and corrections, many of us doubt whether the Michael Brown case is the best example on which to focus our hopes for reform. Indeed, the problem is that there isn't just one, but many cases of police misuse of power. John McWhorter, writing for Time magazine, made that point eloquently: CLICK HERE.

My own analysis of the case and what the root issues really are was posted this week on The Liberal Pulpit: CLICK HERE.

CUC has a wonderful and established monthly process for bringing together our members and friends to reflect honestly and thoughtfully about the ways that race and prejudice play out in our lives. It's called "In the Spirit of Truth" and it meets monthly at CUC, just after the worship service, on the the first Sunday of the month. Please plan to join me and other CUCers to share in this process of growing and deepening awareness on Sun Dec 7, starting at 11:40 in room 41.

Practice of the Week: Relax Anxiety about Imperfection 

"All conditions, no matter how imperfect, are perfectly what they are: the bed is perfectly unmade, the milk is perfectly spilt. I don't mean morally or pragmatically "perfect"-as if it would be just perfect to tear a shirt or start a war-but that all conditions are utterly, thoroughly themselves. In this sense, whatever is the case-from dirty diapers and everyday hassles to cancer and plane crashes-is the result in this instant of the perfect unfolding of the entire universe." READ MORE...

Saturday Zen: Canceled for Nov 29. Resumes 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.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Nov 30, 10:00: Living from Our Wholeness 

Rev. Daiken Nelson

Our guest speaker this Sunday began Zen Practice 26 years ago in Iowa, where he was born. He is a fully ordained Zen Buddhist priest in the White Plum lineage of Taizan Maezumi, roshi & The Zen Peacemaker Order. Prior to focusing on Zen, Daiken was a social worker; working with those with chronic mental illness & substance abuse issues. In addition to Zen, Daiken is a reiki master, yoga instructor, counselor, photographer & writer.

Sunday's Music
Piano music by Adam Kent. More info: CLICK HERE.

10:00 - Prelude by Adam Kent
10:10 - Inviting the bell & gathering song

 



I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and wish you moments of peace over the holiday. Safe travels to those of you on the road or in the air. I look forward to seeing you when you return. For those of you in town, there is a fun project for children this Sunday. Please see the following five (5) announcements about Sunday and other upcoming happenings:

1) This Sunday, Nov. 30, is an RE Fun Day at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Led by Pam Cucinell, the children will make crafts for Deck the Halls, happening the following week, and also play games. Please join us if you are in town. It will be great to have older children and youth  making decorative crafts of their own and helping out the younger children.

2) Help needed this Sunday for Fun Day and for Deck the Halls on Dec. 7
Please let me know if you are able to assist Pam in helping the children make crafts this Sunday, or can assist with the craft-making after the service on Dec. 7. This is a great way to have some fun spending an hour with the CUC children.

3) Sunday, Dec. 7, after the service and RE...

Deck the Halls
Help us decorate the sanctuary for the holidays.
Children will make crafts and then get to hang them.

Arts & Crafts Fundraiser Sale
Gifts for family, friends, and teachers.
Crafters needed, if interested contact Barbara Youngman at 914-948-2973
Proceeds go to the Minister's Discretionary Fund.
The Craft Fair will also take place on Dec. 14.

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.

5) In case you missed it, to view my reflection and resources for families on Forgiveness from the Journey Group packet, CLICK HERE.

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.
November Monthly Theme Packet, "Forgiveness": CLICK HERE. Or CLICK HERE.
November issue of The Communitarian: 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...