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Getting Heated
OK, it was on the chilly side in the sanctuary last Sunday. Sorry about that. I think we're now set to be warmer on Sun Jan 26 -- and subsequent Sundays for the rest of the winter. While our total gas capacity is still reduced -- and will be for another month or two, probably -- we've figured out how to heat only the classrooms we need and channel the rest of the heating capacity to the sanctuary on Sunday morning. I'm thinking you'll be able hang your coat in the hall, like usual!
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Practice of the Week
Week #4
Relax
"Whether you're stuck in traffic, wading through an overflowing in-box, or having a tough conversation, being able to relax your body at will is a critically important inner skill." Deliberately relaxing makes you more peaceful -- "and you'll become more resilient when things hit the fan. For example, researchers have found that practicing relaxation actually increases the expression of genes that calm down the stress response."
READ MORE.
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Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
At the end of last Sunday's sermon (Jan 19), I said: "Our Unitarian Universalist history from the 60s shows us that it's not enough to want to be compassionate, to want to stand for justice. We have to learn how. We have to learn the skills to hear each other with compassion. Cognitive brain learns quickly. Limbic brain is slow and needs a lot of practice, and it's limbic brain that needs the training. There are weekend workshops that we could have here. We could create practice groups meeting monthly to gradually hone the skill of hearing each other with compassion. We can make that happen if we want to. Tell me. Shoot me an email, give me a call, catch me after the service. If we have the interest, we'll make it happen."
So far a half-dozen folks have expressed interest. How about you? Send me an email at [email protected] if you're ready to commit to a monthly practice group for deepening and strengthening your NVC skills, or would come to weekend workshop.
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Sat Jan 25 - Noon - 2:30 @ The Parsonage
Part 1 of "Our Story, Our Faith"
A Two-Session Course
(Part 2 will be on & Sat Feb 1)
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
The Readings Packet: CLICK HERE.
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Coffee Hour Conundrum
What if we had a coffee hour and nobody came? Or, more to the point, what if they came, but there wasn't a coffee hour?
We need few volunteers for this week's coffee hour (Sun Jan 26). Can you help out? If so contact Diana Echevarria at [email protected]
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Sun Jan 26 -- 10:00a
Worship Service: "Behind the Kitchen Door"
When I was growing up in the 60s, restaurant dining was a rare and special event in family life. Today there's hardly a week that goes by that I'm not in a restaurant a couple times.
"Ethical eating" -- reflecting on the ethical import of the ways we eat -- is an increasingly vital practice in our modern world, where we have so many options. In fact, delegates at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly 2008, selected "Ethical Eating" as the study-action issue for a multi-year process. (Only one study-action issue is approved every two years.) The process culminated in an official Statement of Conscience which was approved by a 2/3rds vote of the delegates at General Assembly 2011. Read the Statement: CLICK HERE.
How often we eat at restaurants, which restaurants we choose, and how we interact with the restaurant once we're there are all questions of practical ethics. On Sunday, I'll explore some of them.
Children's Worship (Fellowship Hall) and Prelude (Sanctuary) begins at 10:00. Gathering song at 10:10.
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Sun Feb 2 -- 11:45a
In The Spirit of Truth with Stuart Perrin
The next ITSOT ("In The Spirit of Truth") gathering will be on Sun Feb 2. Stuart Perrin will talk about wise and compassionate action to end the human trafficking and child sex slavery, why he co-founded and ran a safe house in Kathmandu from 1992 to 1996, and why he wrote Little Sisters, his novel about four sisters transformed in different ways by the horrors of life in a Mumbai brothel.
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Sun Feb 9 -- 8:30a
Bird Walk
8:30 - 9:40a
Starting at the Parsonage, back door
466 Rosedale Ave
White Plains, NY 10605
After last month's successful and fun bird walk, we will now look to having bird walks on a regular basis - probably monthly to begin with.
READ MORE
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Wed Feb 12 --
Stop Gun Violence
Westchester United is focused on a limited number of particularly important local issues. In 2013, Westchester United member communities began exploring ways to impact gun violence. Westchester United has since joined with sister organizations from a variety of states that are taking a market-based approach to influencing the gun industry. This is part of a national effort asking police departments and the military, the largest block of buyers of firearms and ammunition, to use our tax dollars to request reasonable reform in the gun industry.
Westchester United has organized an event which I hope most CUC members and friends will try to attend. I'm planning to be there. Come stand with me to encourage gun industry reform.
Wed Feb 12 at 7:15p (doors open at 6:30)
St Bart's Episcopal Church
82 Prospect Street
White Plains
READ MORE
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Sun Feb 23 - 11:35a - 1:00p
Adult Religious Education
The UUA Common Read
Behind the Kitchen Door
One Session
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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DRE Search Website
Check out the website we've constructed for our DRE Search. CLICK HERE.
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* * * Carry on, good people!
Yours in the faith we share,
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister |
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"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.
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"Basement Zendo"
You're welcome to sit with, and hear Zen talks by, Meredith at the Basement Zendo in the Parsonage. CLICK HERE.
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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."
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TWITTER
On Twitter, follow "CUCWP."
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