THEME OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY: CREATION

Nurture! Foster! Engage!

Sun Jan 12, starting during the latter part of the Worship Service, we're having a congregational meeting to vote on the mission statement.

The mission proposed by the Mission Committee (Mary Cavallero, Joe Majsak, Randy Marshall, Al Rocchi, & Janice Silverberg) is:

CUC is a welcoming, multi-generational congregation that embraces diversity. Our mission is to:

Nurture each other in our spiritual journeys,
Foster compassion and understanding within and beyond our community, and
Engage in service to transform ourselves and our world.

Just remember: "Nurture. Foster. Engage." But nurture what? Foster what? Engage in what? Then remember: Nurture spirituality. Foster compassion. Engage in service.

Please review the Mission Committee's Update Report of 2013 Dec 19. CLICK HERE.

What happen if we pass it? Ah, then the work begins -- the work of growing and deepening and living into our mission. This work never ends, for it is the work of life and the work of love.

Having a Mission is only step 1 of becoming a Mission-centered congregation. To take the next steps, our Board and Program Council will need to begin a careful and extensive discernment. What programs need to be created or expanded to fulfill our mission? What programs do we curtail or eliminate because they are distractions from our mission?

I know that, even if the Mission Committee's proposal is supported by 67%, or even 99%, of the congregation, that still leaves some folks who might not feel called to commit their energies to this mission. That's OK. Those folks will always be welcome. They'll be able to continue enjoying what they have always enjoyed about congregational life. But many of us yearn to move forward -- and we should not be held back by those who are comfortable not moving at all. I believe there's a crying need in our world for Unitarian Universalists who do choose to take on a mission of embodying a spiritually deepening liberal religion.

Practice of the Week

Week #2

Take in the Good.

The brain has a built-in negativity bias. This had survival advantages for our ancient ancestors. Today, it limits our happiness -- unless we intentionally practice compensating for the negativity bias with a focus on the positive. Look for good facts and turn them into good experiences. Really enjoy the experience. Intend and sense that the good experience is sinking into you. READ MORE.

Sun Jan 12 -- 10:00am

Worship Service: "The Ecospiritual Challenge"

Environmental Bill McKibben has noted that when we speak of the environment, it's common to invoke grandchildren. "Preserve the planet for the sake of our grandchildren," we say. Or, "Let's not let our grandchildren have to deal with the problem with which we should be dealing." McKibben, however, says, "Forget the grandkids; it turns out this was a problem for our parents."

The issue isn't what's going to happen to the planet, but what already has.

Prelude begins at 10:00. Entering song at 10:10.

The Jan 5 Bird Walk

. . . was great fun for all who participated! Read the report HERE.

The next Bird Walk will be on Sun Feb 9.

DRE Search

Lily Rappaport's two-year term as our Acting DRE will be coming to its close on Jun 30. A Search Committee is now at work to find a settled DRE to take over after Lily. The Search Committee consists of Joe Magnus, Jeff Blatt, Karen Schmitt, Tom Ryan, and myself. If you have thoughts you believe the Search Committee should bear in mind, contact any of us.

Science and Spirituality

I've been enjoying lively and informative discussion at the "Science and Spirituality" meetings at CUC every 2nd and 4th Thurday of the month, 11:30 - 1:00pm.

Next meeting: Thu Jan 23, 11:30 at CUC.

We'll be discussing Michael Shermer, The Science of Good and Evil. Join us!

Sun Feb 2:

In The Spirit of Truth with Stuart Perrin

The next ITSOT ("In The Spirit of Truth") gathering will be on Sun Feb 2. We'll be hearing from Stuart Perrin about the sex trafficking industry.

Stuart, with Kristina Jones, founded a safe house in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1992 and has worked tirelessly for many years in the international effort to end human trafficking.

His multicultural suspense novel, Little Sisters, is "a story of four sisters and how each of them is transformed by the horrors of life in a Mumbai brothel in dramatically different and unpredictable ways."

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

1. "Our Story, Our Faith"

A Two-Session Course
Sat Jan 25 & Sat Feb 1
Noon - 2:30p @ The Parsonage

What is Unitarian Universalism? Where do we come from -- and why? Every UU needs to review (and look with fresh eyes at) UU history and UU theology (yes, there is such a thing!). This five-hour workshop/class (two sessions of 2.5 hours each) explores the nature of Unitarian Universalism -- where we've been, where we are, and how to articulate your UU faith

Contanct Liliana in the church office to sign up. We'll email (or postal-mail) you the readings to look at in advance of the class.

2. The UUA Common Read: Behind the Kitchen Door

One Session

Sun Feb 23

11:35 - 1:00p @ CUC

Saru Jayaraman, Behind the Kitchen Door (2013) tells the stories of ten restaurant workers in cities across the United States as it explores the political, economic, and moral implications of eating out. READ MORE...
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As always, I know you have a choice when you worship, and I thank you for flying Unitarian Universalist!

Yours in the faith we share,
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister

"C.U.C. Matters"

Meredith's draft of a general vision and plan for C.U.C.: CLICK HERE

Other Reflections: CLICK HERE.
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"The Liberal Pulpit"

Meredith's sermons and other reflections. CLICK HERE.

"Basement Zendo"

You're welcome to sit with, and hear Zen talks by, Meredith at the Basement Zendo in the Parsonage. CLICK HERE.

FACEBOOK

If you haven't yet "liked" the CUC Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

1. Click "Like."
2. Hover mouse over "Liked" button (without clicking). A menu will pop up.
3. Select "Get Notifications" and "Show in News Feed."
4. Select "Settings..." and select "All Updates."

TWITTER

On Twitter, follow "CUCWP."

OF ONGOING INTEREST

Christian and UU? The UU Christian Fellowship has a local chapter that meets monthly. READ MORE...

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Voices in Unitarian Universalism. Three fascinating anthologies explore what it means to be Buddhist & UU, Christian & UU, and Jewish & UU. READ MORE...

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Unitarian Universalism must adapt or die. But what would adapting look like? READ MORE...

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Westchester United is an interfaith organization working for social justice in Westchester County. Should CUC join? READ MORE...

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Spiritual Practice. The primary starter practice is widely varying, and what works for some folks won't work for others. The five secondary, support practices are universal. READ MORE...

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List of Lists. Here are a dozen lists for understanding Unitarian Universalism and our shared congregational life together. READ MORE...