Upcoming Events

• Saturday, September 20, 9:00am, Wednesday, September 24, 7:00pm Meditation Group ~ FUSW. Contact Deen

(mashuq.deen@gmail.com).

• Sunday, September 28, 12:00pm, Community Open House ~ FUSW

RSVP to admin@fusw.org.

• Friday, October 3, 12:30pm, Daytime Women's Group ~ FUSW. Contact Theresa Reynolds

(ntdelise@optonline.net).

• Friday, October 3, 7:30pm, Men’s Group ~ FUSW and on Zoom. Contact Paul Gross

(paulrubengross@gmail.com).

• Friday, October 3, 7:30pm, Evening Women’s Group ~ on Zoom. Contact Diane Guernsey

(dianeguernseyuu@gmail.com).

Upcoming Worship

• Sunday, September 28, 10:30am, ~ Rev. Arlin Roy

• Sunday, October 5, 10:30am, ~ Dr. Mindy Fullilove

About Our Guest Speaker

Benjamin Van Dyne works as a union organizer for the faculty union of Connecticut State University. He studied theology and social ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Fordham University, where his work focused on the interconnections between evolving concepts of race, personhood and death. He also taught undergraduate classes in religion and theology and served on the coordinating committee for the labor union of Fordham’s graduate workers. Prior to studying theology, Benjamin worked as a community organizer in Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, New York City and Long Island. He grew up in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia and serves as a frequent guest preacher at congregations of many denominations. He lives in the Bronx with his two children. 

Memorial Service for Jacqueline Tynes

Saturday, September 20 | 2:00pm-5:00pm, Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Tynes family is hosting a memorial service for our treasured, longtime FUSW member, Jackie Tynes, on Saturday, September 20, from 2-5 pm, at the White Plains Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 468 Rosedale Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605. All are invited to attend. Jackie died on July 31, 2025, after a long illness. She was 92. Reverend Arlin Roy will officiate. Her obituary, published in the Journal News, can be found here: https://www.lohud.com/obituaries/pnys1252404

The Tech Team Needs Your Old Cell Phone!



If you've purchased a new cell phone and have no need for your old device, the tech team could use its camera for our services. Please contact Paul Gross (paulrubengross@gmail.com) for details.

Meditation Group with Mashuq Deen

Saturdays, September 20, October 18 | 9:00am-10:00am; Wednesdays, September 24, October 1 | 7:00pm-8:15pm at FUSW

Meditation is a “practice,” meaning it’s more of a journey than a goal. We work to develop our capacity for curiosity and an open mind. Whether you are new at this or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. Gentle instruction will be offered before guided and walking meditation, followed by shared reflections. If you have a meditation cushion, please bring it with you. There will be chairs available for those who need them. Here is a helpful video about how cushions and props can help you find a comfortable posture that is both active and relaxed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwhP-veUubk). There will be an invitation to remove your shoes for the meditation; please bring socks if necessary. A thin blanket can be helpful to either sit on or wrap around yourself for warmth.

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 at mashuq.deen@gmail.com.

Building Your Own Theology

Sundays, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 15 12:30pm-2:30pm at FUSW

Unitarian Universalists are definitely happy heretics. We choose to “do theology” in a liberal religious mode. But if we are living, breathing, hurting, laughing, crying, questing human beings, it is impossible not to be theologians. Theology traditionally deals with the study of God or divine things. Still, there is another definition. It can mean “a field of study, thought, and analysis that discusses religious truth.” 

Theology is involved with our ultimate concerns and commitments, regardless of the names we give them. While theology can be, and often is, stuffy, deadly dull, and unutterably boring, it can be, and often is, exhilarating, exciting, and endlessly fascinating. Why? Because it deals with the "stuff" of the human experience and the meaning of being and becoming. 

Arlin and Sarita Roy are offering a six-session course called "Building Your Own Theology" beginning Sunday, October 12, at 12:30 pm-2:30pm. Because this course is discussion-based, there is only one hour of suggested “homework.” A notebook and a personal credo are recommended. 

This course is in response to several inquiries and has been updated from its previous version to include value clarification exercises. There is a limit of ten participants.

Contact Arlin Roy to register at arlinroy@yahoo.com.

Reading Black Lives Book Group

Now Reading: Come & Get It by Kiley Reid

Saturday, November 1 | 1:15pm – 3:30pm at FUSW

Acclaimed author Kiley Reid’s fresh and provocative story about desire, consumption, and bad behavior.

It's 2017 at the University of Arkansas, and Millie Cousins—a super-senior resident assistant at Belgrade Dormitory—just wants to graduate, get a job, and buy a house. So when Agatha Paul, a writer and... Click here to read more.

The Reading Black Lives Book Group looks forward to discussing Come & Get It with you in November.

Check out our page on FUSW.org or contact admin@fusw.org for further information.

Street Fairs Anyone?

The Community Outreach Team wants to compile a list of all outdoor fairs, festivals, harvest celebrations, etc. that are happening in priority areas such as Hartsdale, the Rivertowns, and lower Westchester County. We want to get the word out about FUSW.

Please send whatever info you may have (including dates and contact people if you happen to know them) to Lenore at lenorel@aris-comm.com.  

Justice and Inclusion: Unitarian Universalist Association Responds to U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security

The UUA responds to an inquiry received by the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security by asserting that, as a moral and religious commitment, UUs reject any violations of the human rights and dignity of immigrants, regardless of citizenship status. Click here to read the House Committee Letter Response.

Source: UUA.org

Sermon Archive

Rev. Arlin Roy and Rabbi Shoshona Leis have shared their sermons from the July 13 and September 7 services, "Finding a Way Toward Peace" and “Identity and Spirit."

If you missed the service or would just like to read the sermon, see the information below:

• 7/13/25 Rabbi Shoshona Leis, "Finding a Way Toward Peace"
• 9/7/25 Rev. Arlin Roy, "Identity and Spirit"

We are Unitarian Universalists!

We are Unitarian Universalists, people of many backgrounds who have different beliefs, but shared values. Together, we offer a guided path towards a better you and a better world. Get to know us in this short animated video. For more information contact info@uua.org.

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 from harm and false accusations and to provide a safe environment for children. Our aim is to minimize risk and foster spiritual well-being in a trusting atmosphere. Click here to view our Congregational Policies.

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. If you wish to attend, please check with a board member or the administrator, because the schedule sometimes shifts. Click here to join the Board 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). For Zoom meetings, please include the purpose and preferred date/time. Articles for The Scoop are due by Wednesday at 10:00am. 

Administrative Office Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; 10:00am - 3:00pm.

Please call ahead or schedule an appointment by clicking here, should you need to connect with Karmesha, our Office Administrator, in person at 210 North Central Ave.

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