Sun Apr 26
2015 Spring, #6
We covenant to nurture spirituality, foster compassion, engage in service
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
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 
On the Grounds
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
9:30 am  Nursery Care
10:00 am  RE Classes
10:00 am  Worship/Coffee
11:30 am  Giving Campaign Brunch
11:40 am  Journey Group M
11:40 am  UURoots Conversations for visitors & newcomers
Mon Apr 27
6:30 pm
  Tai Chi
8:00 pm
  Journey Group J (off site)
Tue Apr 28
7:30 pm  Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm  Journey Group D (off site)
Sat May 2
10:00 am  Zen Service
Sun May 3
8:00 am  RE Council
8:45 am  Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am  Nursery Care
10:00 am  Worship/Coffee All Ages Worship
11:30 am  Budget Forum
11:30 am  COA rehearsal
11:30 am  Welcome Committee
11:40 am  In The Spirit Of Truth
11:45 am  Stitching In Spirit
3:00 pm  Adam's Concert
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