Nurture spirituality. Foster compassion. Engage in service.
THEME OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY: RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY
Go to G.A. 2014!


What are you doing this upcoming Jun 25-29? I'll be in Providence, RI, and it sure would be great to have you there with me!
  • General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association.
  • Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
  • Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates.
  • Most General Assembly events will be held in the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.
Theme for 2014 GA: "Love Reaches Out"
We believe that our faith provides a path for each of us to unlock our transformational capacity to serve the world with love. We will gather in 2014 to help our association live into a future where Love Reaches Out - to share our faith both within and beyond our congregations' walls.

Outstanding Programming
General Assembly will offer just shy of 200 programming choices over the 5 days of GA. The 2014 Ware lecturer will be Sister Simone Campbell, a religious leader, attorney and poet with extensive experience in public policy and advocacy for systemic change. In 2012, she was instrumental in organizing the "Nuns on the Bus" tour.

Providence is a Fitting Place for UUs to Gather
Known as "The Creative Capital", Providence is a vibrant Renaissance city. UUs will essentially take over the compact downtown, where you'll find history, natural beauty and vibrant culture wherever you turn.

WaterFire Providence�
On Saturday, June 28, the UUA will co-sponsor this community event and public art phenomenon. This is an amazing opportunity for us to participate in the local culture of our host city while simultaneously witnessing our faith.

Multigenerational and Inclusive
There is an active youth and young adult contingent at GA. Scholarship and Volunteer Opportunities, Childcare, and Accessibility Services are available.

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Practice of the Week
Week #5 
See the Good in Yourself

"If you do twenty things in a day and nineteen go fine, what's the one you think about?...Recognizing the good in yourself, you'll feel better inside, and reach out to others with less fear of rejection."

READ MORE...

 
Pete Seeger: Remember, and Honor

The great Pete Seeger, who packed our hall at CUC last March, died on Mon Jan 27.

The concert Pete and Jim Scott gave at CUC was to support the UUSC -- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

I'd like to see all members of CUC also members of UUSC. If you haven't joined, consider doing so now.

In honor of Pete Seeger.

And if you are a member of UUSC, consider an additional donation as a memorial to the great voice of social conscience that Pete Seeger was.

CLICK HERE: www.uusc.org


Adult R.E.: "Our Story Our Faith" Part 2
Sat Feb 1 -- Noon - 2:30
The Parsonage 

Second session of a two-Session course 

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.
Reading for Sat Feb 1: pp. 24 - 54 in packet.

Please bring your own brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

 
Sunday Worship: "Who's In Charge Here?"
Sun Feb 2 -- 10:00a

UUA's Commission on Appraisal issues major reports about every four years. Last summer their report examined the ways that issues of authority play out in UU congregations.

Children's Worship and Prelude begin at 10:00. Gathering Song at 10:10.


Program: In The Spirit of Truth 
Guest Speaker: Stuart Perrin
Sun Feb 2 -- 11:45a
Fellowship Hall

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.

 


 
Local Event: Service for World Interfaith Harmony Week
Sun Feb 2 -- 3:00p
Ethical Culture Society

In 2010, The U.N. declared the first week in Feb, "World Interfaith Harmony Week."

Since then, every early Feb, an interfaith prayer service has been organized in the north Metro area. This year it's in White Plains, hosted at the Ethical Culture Society (7 Saxon Wood Rd).

I'll be speaking, representing the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Speakers from eleven other faith traditions will also offer words.

Please attend what is sure to be a moving and interesting service -- and let White Plains see that CUC cares about interfaith harmony.

 
Program: Bird Walk
Sun Feb 9 -- 8:30a

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. 
(Note: The Bird Walk is on Sun Feb 9 -- not Sat Feb 8, as a previous email indicated.)

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Social Action: Stop Gun Violence
Wed Feb  12 -- 7:15p
St. Bart's Episcopal Church

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.

St Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
82 Prospect Street, White Plains

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Adult R.E.: "Behind the Kitchen Door"
Sun Feb 23 -- 11:35 - 1:00p
Fellowship Hall

Saru Jayarman, Behind the Kitchen Door is the UUA Common Read for 2013-14.

1. Order the book (from Amazon: CLICK HERE).

2. Read the ROC (Restuarant Opportunity Center) Diner's Guide to Ethical Eating: HERE.

3. Check out the UUA 2011 Statement of Conscience on Ethical Eating: CLICK HERE.


DRE Search Website
 
Check out the website we've constructed for our DRE Search. CLICK HERE.


* * *
Be well, my friends. Do good work. And never miss a chance to nurture each other on our spiritual journeys, foster compassion, and engage in service to others.

Yours in the faith we share,
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
"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.
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OF ONGOING INTEREST

Index page for all the articles on "CUC Matters." CLICK HERE.