From the Minister
E.B. White once wrote: "If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."
We cannot get too caught up in saving the world and neglect to savor it, neglect to experience the awe of being alive. Also: we cannot get too caught up in savoring the world and neglect the work of building a more fair and just world.
This is not about "balance" - as in, so much time every day (or week or month) spent experiencing awe, and so much time spent in compassionate service to others - as if they were entirely distinct activities. Instead, it's about the saving work being encompassed and surrounded and embedded within a background of constant savoring.
Let awe -- an awe such as Job experienced when he heard the voice of God speak from a whirlwind -- be always with you. Walk each moment in awe of the glory of lungs that breathe and a heart that beats. As you do so, turn toward service. Let every single moment be a moment of simultaneously savoring and saving.
If we lose that savoring then our saving work becomes joyless - and the world no longer has anything to be saved for.
Yours in the faith we share,
Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon, Minister
|
April Theme: Transformation
|
Practice of the Week:
Choose Your Spiritual Practice
Each of the other "practices of the week" have been practices that will benefit everyone. This week, however, we ask you to think about something that might not be for everyone -- but is for you. READ MORE... |
Worship: Sun Apr 26
The Wonder of Job
Rev. Meredith Garmon As we move from "broken," through "transformation," and toward "transcendence" (our upcoming theme for May), the Biblical story of Job illustrates that arc.
Sunday's Music: Adam Kent on piano. READ MORE...
Worship: Sun May 3
Youth Service
CUC Youth Group A worship service planned and led by out Youth Group.
|
Host a Coffee Hour. It's Easy!
Consider hosting a coffee hour with a few other church friends. We're seeking hosts for May 24, June 7. For more information go to: Coffee Hour Instructions. Contact Chris Nicholson to sign up: mchrisnich@gmail.com. |
White Plains Library Foundation
Adam Kent, piano Sun Apr 26 2:00 pm Pianist Adam Kent returns to the White Plains Library for the 16th annual Clarice Wilson Memo?rial Concert. On the program are works by composers especially esteemed by Clarice, as well as classics of the Spanish repertory and George Gershwin's ever-popular "Rhapsody in Blue." Come enjoy works by Schubert, Mozart, Bach/Busoni, Gershwin, and others. Reception to follow. Donations welcome to the Clarice Wilson Memorial Fund of the White Plains Library Foundation, in memory of former CUC member Clarice Wilson, Music Specialist at the Library from 1974-1999. Mrs. Wilson supported gifted, young musicians at the start of their performance careers. Contributions will be used to enhance the Library's music programming and collections.
From Russia With Love
Adam Kent, piano
Sun May 3
3:00 pm, at CUC
CUC Music Director Adam Kent performs a love letter to the Russian masters. The solo recital features classics of the Russian piano repertoire by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Mussorgsky and Prokofiev. Suggested donation of $20, $10 for seniors & students.
|
Giving Campaign Pledgers' Brunch
Sun Apr 26
READ MORE |
Featured Article
This Sunday is our Giving Campaign Brunch, and the last day we'll be setting up tables to donate. Everyone who has pledged, or pledges Sunday, will receive an admission sticker for the brunch. Pledge forms will be available for those who need the ticket to brunch. Many of you have these already!
We need everyone to support the Canvass. So far, we have raised $344,215. This is approximately $35,000 short of last year and well behind our goal for this year. So please consider stepping up on Sunday or sooner by: PLEDGING ONLINE.
See you Sunday!
~ CUC Canvass Committee
|
Sharing Sunday Offerings
April: Prideworks
Each month we share our plate offerings with outside organizations in need. In April, 25% of our collections will go to support Prideworks for Youth, an annual one-day educational conference in Westchester for LGBTQ youth and allies.
See Rev. Garmon if you have an idea for a future monthly plate share. |
Caring & Sharing
If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver from our Caring & Sharing Circle, contact Maxi Feldman 835-0541, feldmanmaxi9@gmail.com or Carole Mehta 234-6294, carole.mehta@gmail.com |
UU District Events
The 2015 District Annual Meeting
will be held May 1-2, 2015, at the Hyatt Morristown in Morristown, NJ. All Adults and Youth (9th-12th grade) from congregations are encouraged to attend. Childcare for 4 and under. Children's Programming: 4-12 years old on Saturday.
For more information
To register
Workshop info
Westchester UU Events
There are some cool events at the other UU congregations in Westchester: Hastings, Croton, Mt. Kisco, and Mohegan Lake. And they invite all UUs -- and their friends. Check out these events at:
westchesteruu.com/events
|
Quick Links
"On the Journey" (Our Journey Group Packet): cucmatters.org/p/journey-groups.html April Communitarian: cucwp.org/newsletters CUC Main Web Site: cucwp.org Boundless Way Zen of Westchester: basementzendo.blogspot.com Westchester UU Events: westchesteruu.com/events Practice of the Week: cucmatters.org/p/practice.html |
|
The Communitarian Weekly
Community Unitarian Church at White Plains
468 Rosedale Ave
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1660, www.
cucwp.org
|
Lifespan Religious Education
Dear RE Families, Teachers, and Friends,
This Sunday, join us for stories, food, and a true sense of community. Please see the following four (4) announcements:
1. This Sunday, Apr 26 Children and youth start in the sanctuary and go to their classes after the Wonder Box Story about transformation.
Classes K-1: It's Spring! 2nd-3rd: Why Do People and Animals Die? Where Do They Go? 4th: Courage and Perseverance 5th-6th: The Power of Passion 7th-8th: Hinduism & Buddhism Closing 9th: COA Credo Beginnings Youth Group: Final Youth Service preparation, including rehearsal after the service
2. So Many Ways to Be a Part of the Excitement
Support the Variety Show on Sat May 9 by:
- Performing your special act
- Showing your art work (rhondagmiller@gmail.com)
- Baking a goodie (amyswiss@aol.com)
- Soliciting and donating a raffle item
- Helping set up or clean up on the day
If you already signed up to perform, please contact Liz Suvanto (elizabethsuvanto@hotmail.com) to confirm your spot in the program.
Pre-sale raffle tickets on sale this Sunday! Tickets only $5. Great prizes already in!
The children voted for this year's proceeds to go to The Sanctuary for Animals (
www.sanctuaryforanimals.com), a family-run organization caring for over 600 exotic and domestic animals coming from abuse and neglect.
3.
Stitching In Spirit
The CUC Monthly Crafting Circle
Sun May 3 at 11:45 a.m. in the Youth Room (#14)
Fiber arts and handicrafts have figured significantly in people's communal and spiritual lives for millennia. Come join affiliated minister and avid crocheter Kelly Murphy Mason in this ongoing group exploring what it might mean for those in our faith community to be "stitching in spirit." Please feel free to bring with you any handicrafting projects you might have underway - or else just bring an open and inquiring mind. Newcomers are always encouraged to attend!
4. College Scholarships for High School Seniors
Each year CUC offers two scholarships in the amount of $250 for our graduating seniors. One scholarship is given in honor of Sylvia Schnall-Pierorazio and the other Rev. Betty Baker, both former CUC Religious Educators. Please send a short essay on your contributions and leadership at CUC, with a brief explanation of how the scholarship will be used and the names of two CUC references to dlre@cucwp.org by May 15. We look forward to receiving your applications and presenting scholarships to two deserving recipients. Please let me know how we can help you find your next area of exploration at CUC. Sincerely,
-Perry
Perry Montrose Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development
|
Children and youth cleaned out and began redesigning the inner atriums at CUC. Their work last Sunday was remarkable. Take a look this Sunday.
|
Science & Spirituality
Thu Apr 23, & May 14
For its next two sessions, the "Science & Spirituality" class will be watching and discussing the episodes of Your Inner Fish. Each episode is 60 mins and will be followed by discussion. READ MORE...
|
This Week at CUC
Sun Apr 26
11:30 am
Giving Campaign Brunch
11:40 am
UURoots Conversations for visitors & newcomers
Mon Apr 27
8:00 pm
Journey Group J (off site)
Tue Apr 28
7:30 pm
Journey Group D (off site)
Sun May 3
10:00 am
Worship/Coffee All Ages Worship
11:30 am
Welcome Committee
11:40 am
In The Spirit Of Truth
11:45 am
Stitching In Spirit
|
Contacts
Minister, Rev. Meredith Garmon minister@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x3 Director of Lifespan Religious Ed. & Faith Development, Perry Montrose dlre@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x4 Church Administrator, Liliana Keith admin@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x2 Music Director, Adam Kent music@cucwp.org 212-595-7280 Choir Director, Lisa Meyer choir@cucwp.org Community Minister, Rev. Deb Morra community-minister@cucwp.org 914-830-1509 Community Minister, Rev. LoraKim Joyner amoloros@juno.com 914-948-1696 Community Minister, Rev. Kelly M. Mason rev.kmmason@gmail.com 347-497-3741 Bookkeeper, Lisa Sommer bookkeeper@cucwp.org 914-946-1660 x7
Board of Trustees
Board Chair, Randy Marshall rsm2@cumc.columbia.edu 914-633-3115 Vice-Chair, Karen Schmitt schmitt8@verizon.net 914-921-3647 Treasurer, Nicky Klemens nsklemens@optonline.net 914-967-4419 Secretary, Johanna Bauer johbauer@msn.com 914-636-1047 |
|