The Scoop - Sunday, June 1, 2025

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FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF WESTCHESTER

The Scoop

Sunday, June 1 10:30am Worship Service

"Gender and Spirituality"

~Anthony Arrien

Join us as we examine how gender has influenced different spiritual and wisdom traditions, and how our view of spirituality can transcend gender roles and physical embodiment as we age and feel a 'shift' in our own life's purpose.

As we begin to shift away from achievement, ambition and ego in the morning of our lives, and become more aware of the need for service to others and social justice in the afternoon of our lives, there is also a need to find a balance of self care and acknowledgement of our own identities, and achieve a more peaceful abiding in this world in our latter years.

Sunday, June 1, 2025, 210 North Central Ave, Hartsdale 10530

Click here to join us online, or call 646-558-8656.

Meeting ID 921 3956 4302, Passcode: 266397

Click here for the Sunday, June 1, Order of Service

Please check our website fusw.org and Facebook page for the latest info and updates about our Sunday services and other events.

Upcoming Events

Friday, June 6, 12:30pm, Daytime Women's Group ~ 210 North Central Ave, Hartsdale.

Contact Theresa Reynolds

(ntdelise@optonline.net).

Friday, June 13, 7:30pm, Evening Women’s Group ~ on Zoom. Contact Diane Guernsey

(dianeguernsey.uu@gmail.com).

Friday, June 27, 7:30pm, Men’s Group ~ 210 North Central Ave. Contact Paul Gross

(paulrubengross@gmail.com).

Saturday, July 12, 1:15pm – 2:45pm, Reading Black Lives Book Group ~ 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale. Reading The Wedding by Dorothy West. See below for book description.

Contact: Claudia Gisolfi (cgisolfi8@gmail.com).

Upcoming Worship

Sunday, June 8, 10:30am, "What Drew Us In: Our Path to UU" ~Scheuneman Program Group

Sunday, June15, 10:30am, "Gratitude" ~ Rev. Arlin Roy

About Our Guest Speaker

Anthony Arrien has been a member of CUUC in White Plains since 2015 and has served as Chair of the CUUC LGBTQIA Social Justice Team when they renewed their UUA Welcoming Congregation status in 2019. He is also an LGBTQIA+ Educator who currently serves as the Co-chair of GLSEN Lower Hudson Valley and was a past board member of The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center for four years. In addition to being a panelist and moderator, he has given LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency trainings for many years in various K-12 Schools, PNWBOCES, SWBOCES, Colleges, the Westchester Mental Health Association, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Hospitals, Ambulance Corps, and various other agencies and nonprofits.

Anthony is an "out" transgender man who has done presentations on trans and non-binary identities and intersectionality since 2018 at various conferences such as Philadelphia Trans Wellness, Hudson Valley Trans Forum, First Event in Boston, PrideWorks and TransLives: The Intersection of Health and Law in Connecticut.

Tony facilitated the LOFT's Adult Transgender Peer Support Group for a period of 8 years has been an ongoing activist and public policy warrior for LGBTQ+ issues and legislation in New York State, such as GENDA (The Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act), the Gender Recognition Act, the prohibition of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth in NY, the elimination of the so-called "Panic Defense" and many others.

Congregational Annual Meeting

Sunday, June 1 | Noon- 1:30pm at First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale

The matters to be considered are the election of officers and trustees, adoption of a budget, and such other matters as may, consistently with our bylaws, be acted upon by a religious corporation of the State of New York.

Bread for the People

Sundays & Tuesdays | 8am-9am

Consider volunteering an hour a week to provide Bread for the People. Pick up day-old bread at Stop & Shop in Dobbs Ferry, and bring to the Sharing Community in Yonkers on Sunday mornings between 8 and 9. Contact: Ken Perry for further details. (krperry@gmail.com).

Row for Silent Meditation

Sundays before and during Service at First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale

At the suggestion of June Sidman, we are pleased to announce that there will be a designated (and labelled) Row for Silent Meditation during FUSW services. This row is for people who would like to sit quietly and undisturbed (without chit-chatting) before and during services.

If someone is seated in this row, please don't try to engage them in conversation. And if you are seated in this row, please maintain silence while seated there, but you are free to rise, come to the front for a joy or concern or personal sharing. You're also free to move to another row if your need for silence has been satisfied.

Tea, Talk, Tasks!

Tuesdays in June | 4pm-6pm at 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale

Susan Greenberg will host an informal gathering on Tuesdays in June from 4pm to 6pm. Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be available. Join us as we greet our neighbors in 210 North Central Ave.!

Calling All Religious Educators--this means you!

We are putting together a list of adults to assist at RE lessons. You can sign up for occasional Sundays or more often, if you wish.

If you enjoy talking with delightful young people about

life and the finer points of UU, please contact Craig Butler (craigbutlerUU@gmail.com).

Invitation to Join Meditation Group with Mashuq Deen

Wednesday, June 4 | 7:00pm-8:00pm at First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale

Meditation is a practice, meaning it’s something we practice at. Our aim is not to “get it right,” or be “good at it,” but rather to “try again” with curiosity and an open mind. During meditation, we bring our body to stillness and bring our awareness to what rises within. Meditation can help us to be more accepting of ourselves in the present moment. Over time, meditation can contribute to lower stress levels and an improved body/mind relationship.

Whether you’re new at this, or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. Gentle instruction will be offered for a few minutes at the beginning, a combination of both seated and walking meditation will be offered, and at the end, we’ll save a little time for questions. If you have a meditation cushion, please bring it with you. There will be chairs available for those who need them. There will be an invitation to take your shoes off for the meditation, bringing socks if necessary. A thin blanket or sweater can be helpful.

Deen has been meditating for almost 25 years, has experience with multiple meditation methods as well as mindfulness body practices, and is a certified yoga teacher. He’s currently enrolled in a Zen Buddhist chaplaincy training program. Please email Deen if you’re interested in attending or with any questions you might have at (mashuq.deen@gmail.com).

Our Summer Services with UUCHV

Saturday, July 12 | 1:15pm-2:45pm at 210 North Central Ave., Hartsdale

In her last novel, Dorothy West, an iconic member of the Harlem Renaissance, offers an intimate glimpse into the African American middle class. On the island of Martha's Vineyard in the 1950s there exists a community known as the Oval, made up of the best and brightest of New York's and Boston's Black bourgeoisie. A doctor and his wife are mortified that their daughter Shelby is set on marrying Meade Wyler, a white jazz musician.

Equally alarmed is Lute McNeil, a successful Black furniture maker who is new to Oak Bluffs. Lute has fallen in love with Shelby, and he will stop at nothing to pull her away from Meade. As the day of the wedding approaches, the tension surrounding Shelby, Lute, and Meade builds, climaxing in an act that will forever change the lives of three families.

This is an unforgettable history of the rise of the Black middle class, written by a woman who lived it. It was edited for Doubleday by the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“A beautiful and devastating examination of family, society and race” The New York Times

“Populated by appealing characters who wrestle with the nuances of race at every stage of their lives, West's first novel in 45 years is a triumph” Publishers Weekly

Contact: Claudia Gisolfi (cgisolfi8@gmail.com).

Our Summer Services with UUCHV

Beginning June 22, 2025

FUSW will again take turns presenting lay-led Sunday services with the UU congregation in Croton (UUCHV).

FUSW's service dates are:

June 29
July 13 and 27
August 10 and 24

If you'd like to present a service on one of these dates, please contact Diane Guernsey at (dianeguernsey.uu@gmail.com).

Scam Alert!

Over the past few weeks, scammers have tried to get FUSW congregants to give the password to our "members only" page and to get “help” with Venmo and Zelle (i.e., asking for money).

They’ve done this by sending letters that appear to have been signed by our pianist in residence and by our president. Don’t be fooled! The giveaway, as with most scamming emails, is the return email address. But in any event, don’t email anyone money or private information.

If you’re unsure about an email, forward it to our administrator, Karmesha, and she will help you figure out whether it’s legitimate. (admin@fusw.org)

Commisssion on Social Witness Proposed AIWs Feedback Requested!

June 2,3,4,5,8 | 7pm ET via ZOOM

Learn more about the five proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs).

An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) is a statement about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU member congregations and groups. Learn more about AIWs and the social witness process at uua.org/socialwitness.

2025 Proposed Actions of Imediate Witness (AIWs)

Feedback Sessions

There will be discussion/feedback sessions offered via zoom for each of these AIWs. Delegates and congregations are invited to attend these sessions to both learn about the proposed AIW and to provide some feedback to the proposers.

June 2 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET:

We Declare and Reaffirm: All People Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights.

June 3 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET:

Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom.

June 4 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET:

Bringing a Feminist and Womanist Lens to Resistance and Activism.

June 5 at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET:

Funding Global LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Crisis: A Call for Immediate Action and Solidarity.

June 8 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET:

Voter Justice and Racial Equity for the Citizens of the Nation’s Capital. Register to join.

Next Steps

AIWs will be posted at discuss.uua.org so that delegates can engage in discussion online about each of the proposals.
Delegates will vote on which AIWs to advance to the General Assembly. This vote will happen BEFORE General Assembly. The three AIWs with the most votes are the ones that will advance.
During General Session II on June 19th the CSW will move to admit the three AIWs to the agenda. 2/3 of delegates must vote in favor of letting the AIWs be admitted.
During General Session IV on June 21st there will be a call for a vote to adopt each of the AIWs. 2/3 of delegates must vote in favor of adopting each AIW.

A Convocation of the Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Unity Action Council: Race and Class: Intersections and Differences

Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 12pm - 2:00pm EST

Join us to hear three authors as Featured Speakers who will discuss this timely topic:

Prof. Toure' F. Reed - author of The Case Against Race Reductionism
Assoc. Prof. Olufemi O. Taiwo - author of Elite Capture: How The Powerful Took Over Identity Politics
Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove - co-author, with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, of The Third Reconstruction and White Poverty

To register, individuals should send an email expressing interest to (uumuac@gmail.com).

Sophia Fahs UU Camp on Lake George

August 10-16, 2025 | Silver Bay, Lake George, NY

Get ready for the 2025 Sophia Fahs Camp! We are returning to the idyllic Silver Bay on Lake George for a week of faith, connection, and FUN! Start planning now for this intergenerational experience.

Learn more about Sophia Fahs UU Camp by clicking here.

Safe & Sacred: Creating Safe Spaces for Everyone

The First Unitarian Society of Westchester strives to provide a safe environment for all. The Board of Trustees has implemented a policy to prevent and address sexual harassment and abuse. The goal of this policy is to ensure a respectful community and fulfill our legal duty to protect members, especially children, from harm and false accusations. Our aim is to minimize risk and foster spiritual well-being in a trusting atmosphere.

FUSW Contacts & Information

Questions, Concerns, or Compliments for FUSW? Reach out to any member of our Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees - The Board usually meets on the third Monday of each month via Zoom at 7:45pm. Click here to join our meeting on Zoom. Meetings are open to any member of FUSW. For confidential matters, non-Board members will be asked to leave temporarily. At the end of the meeting, there will be an open forum, during which non-Board members can speak about topics of concern, limiting remarks to two minutes. To access the minutes from previous meetings, visit the Members page of fusw.org and click on Board Minutes Archive.

Scheduling Zoom Meetings or Submitting Information for The Scoop and FUSW Calendar - Contact our Administrator, Karmesha Peake (admin@fusw.org). Office hours are T-Th, 10:00am-3:00pm. For Zoom meetings, please include the purpose and preferred date/time. Articles for The Scoop are due by Wednesday at 10:00am.

We are a liberal religious community shaping the world in our image of love:

Deepening Spirituality · Nurturing Community · Advancing Justice

fusw.org / 914-478-2710