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"From the Minister," Fri Nov 16: HERE
On the Journey, 2018 Nov: "Hospitality" HERE |
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Practice of the Week: Everyday Relationships /It's easy to see the sacred in the stars at night or in the emotion of a great Sunday service. But how about in your most damp and oozy moments of parenting toddlers? Or in your angriest moments of conflict with a partner? There. Right there is the sacred. READ MORE. |
Religious Education
Last Sunday's RE revolved around Veteran Day and the concept of service. Students drew pictures of acts of service, and discussed ways to create a more welcoming environment. The kids learned from Jane Dixon about the CUUC Welcoming Committee, and then wrote cards to children we haven't seen recently to let them know they are missed. This Sunday all ages are in the sanctuary for our Thanksgiving worship, including cider and cornbread communion...
READ MORE.
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From the Music Director
In keeping with our desire to comprehend the Thanksgiving story from the perspective of Native Americans, several of this morning's musical selections stem from the so-called American Indianist movement... Our own Lisa Meyer and Georgianna Pappas offer a statement about hospitality from the pen of Leonard Bernstein, whose centennial is celebrated this year. And the CUUC Choir is on hand with traditional holiday fare...
READ MORE.
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Upcoming Worship Services
Sun Nov 18, 10:00 AM
"Thanksgiving" Multigeneration Worship
Rev. Meredith Garmon
We have much to be thankful for. We'll tell the (amended, corrected) story of the origin of American Thanksgiving. And let the ground of our gratitude be the soil from which grows the mighty oak of our hope!
"UU Path of Zen" - Terry Truta, Karen Mulhern, John De Matteo
Three of the regulars at CUUC's Saturday Zen group share what draws them to Zen, and what it means to them.
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Coffee in Fellowship Hall this Sunday
Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall, Sun Nov 18, 11:15am
To help us prepare the sanctuary for our Transgender Day of Remembrance, we will enjoy our coffee hour this Sunday in Fellowship Hall instead of the fireside area.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service, Sun Nov 18, 1:00am, CUUC Sanctuary
Join us as the transgender community and allies memorialize Trans lives we've lost to violence in the past year. Hosted by the LGBTQIA Team. Snacks and light refreshments provided. Contact: Tony Arrien ([email protected]).
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Congratulations to Joann Prinzivalli, who will be keynote speaker at the 2018 Westchester Senior Hall of Fame Awards on Fri Dec 7. The event celebrates outstanding older adults in Westchester for their achievements and contributions to the community, and attracts over 750 attendees. Joann will also lead a workshop, as will Tony Arrien, at the Westchester Trans Forum, Sat Nov 17, at the LOFT LGBTQ Community Center. We are honored and grateful to have these dedicated individuals as members of our congregation!
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Gently Used Children's Books and Toys Drive for the Ecumenical Food Pantry, Nov 18 to Sun Dec 9
Pl
ease help us supply the Ecumenical Food Pantry with gently used books and toys for their clients. We are also collecting stuffed animals (new or like new) for senior clients who enjoy one for themselves! Want to volunteer to distribute items at the pantry gift table? Contact: Mary Cavallero (
[email protected]).
Ecumenical Emergency Food Pantry
Cash donations are especially needed at this time of year. Send checks to Ecumenical Food Pantry, PO Box 2037, White Plains, NY 10602. Questions? Contact: Vicky Van Wert (
[email protected]).
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...a friendly looking, googly-eyed device powered by water currents and solar panels keeps Baltimore's street trash out of Baltimore Harbor and the ocean? Since 2014, Mr. Trash Wheel has collected almost 1,000 tons of trash. Learn more HERE.
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Add a Ribbon of Remembrance
The remembrance ribbons from our All Hallows Eve service are in the lobby along with markers and extra ribbons. We invite everyone who so wishes to write the name of someone you want to honor and add it to our display.
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Social Justice Opportunities
D
ocumentary Film Screening:
The Interpreters
, Sun Nov 18, Pelham Picture House, Pelham, 6:30pm refreshments, 7:30pm movie
Hear the moving stories of Afghans and Iraqis who risked their lives to support U.S. soldiers as translators and drivers, and their struggle to reach safety and rebuild their lives, in spite of the U.S. commitment to bring them to safety. Tickets (half price for veterans) at
thepicturehouse.org. Contact:
[email protected].
Find more local social justice opportunities HERE.
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Thanksgiving Day Plant-Based Potluck
"Giving Thanks for All Life" Thanksgiving Plant-Based Community Potluck, Thu Nov 22, 1:00-4:00pm, Fellowship Hall/Fireside Area
We show gratitude for all earth's beings by sharing a plant-based potluck meal followed by discussion and fireside storytelling. Bring a friend! RSVP HERE.
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Join our mission of hospitality! Make a point of saying hello to folks with bright yellow "newcomer" name tags. And watch how you stand when you chat with friends during coffee hour. When a group stands in the shape of an open "U" rather than a closed "O," it is easier for someone new to feel they can join in. Remember, welcoming UUs form a "U"!
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Hearthkeepers, Sun Nov 25 11:45am
The Hearthkeepers prepare and tend the roaring blazes in the sanctuary fireplace. Help us prepare for the season with log splitting, kindling gathering, and wood stacking. Kids 8 and up welcome! Followed by hot cider and s'mores. Contact: John Schwam ([email protected]).
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Doctrine of Discovery Presentation
"Doctrine of Discovery: Next Steps," Sun Nov 25, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall
For those who missed the Oct 7 presentation, or would like to engage a second time, Petra Thombs will again screen the film "The Doctrine of Discovery" and lead a discussion afterward. (Learn more HERE.) Presented by Racial Justice/In the Spirit of Truth Team.
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Gun Safety Forum: What's Next?, Sun Dec 2, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall
A representative from Moms Demand Action-Westchester will discuss pending gun legislation, strategies for change, and trends on gun safety issues. Q&A follows. Light lunch provided. Childcare available with advance registration by Wed Nov 28, 12:00 noon. RSVP Emily Economou ([email protected]).
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Annual Arts & Crafts Fair
Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair Fundraiser, Sun Dec 2 & 9, Sanctuary, following Worship
Unique gifts from local craftspeople for your family, friends, teachers, and everyone on your list! Contact Barbara Youngman (
[email protected]
). Proceeds support the Minister's Discretionary Fund.
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Save the Date: Parrot Fundraiser
Parrot Holiday Party Fundraiser, Mon Dec 10, 6:30-8:30pm, 87 Lafayette St, NYC
Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner invites you to a Parrot Holiday Party to raise fun and funds for One Earth Conservation, her community ministry organization. Register
HERE, or consider
donating, or share the event with this
flyer.
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Save the Date: Winter Choral Concert
Winter Choral Concert: Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" & Songs of the Season, Sun Dec 16, 12:30pm
Our concert follows the Holiday community meal, and features the CUUC Choir, with director Lisa N. Meyer, harpist Kristi Shade, and pianist Georgianna Pappas.
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Share the Plate for November: Ecumenical Food Pantry
The recipient of half our non-pledge collection is the Ecumenical Emergency Food Pantry of White Plains. The pantry was founded in 1979 by CUUC and four other local congregations as a temporary response to individuals with food insecurity, but found that the need never vanished - it just increased. Today the pantry operates 51 weeks a year supplying nutritious food to about 400 families a month with support from several congregations across faith traditions.
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Caring & Sharing Ci
rcle
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This Week at CUUC
The full calendar can be found HERE. Room numbers subject to change; please check the board on Sunday morning. To reserve a room or Zoom online meeting, contact the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, [email protected]).
Fri Nov 16 - 6:00pm OWL 5th/6th Grade-Meal; 7:30pm OWL 5th/6th Grade-Class
Sat Nov 17 - 10:00am Zen; 2:30pm Rental: WCHJ
Sun Nov 18 - 8:45am Choir Rehearsal; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour (in Fellowship Hall); 11:40am Sunday Journey Groups; 1:00pm Transgender Day of Remembrance
Mon Nov 19 - 6:30pm T'ai-ch'i; 8:00pm - Finance Committee
Tue Nov 20 - 6:00pm Animal Advocacy Meeting; 7:00pm Rental: WCSPP; 7:30pm Choir Rehearsal
Thu Nov 22 - Office Closed; 1:00pm "Giving Thanks" Plant-Based Community Potluck
Fri Nov 23 - Office Closed
Sat Nov 24 - 10:00am Zen
Sun Nov 25 - 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:30am Presentation: Doctrine of Discovery: Next Steps; 12:00pm Hearthkeepers; 2:30pm Journey Group - Rev. Joyner
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Coordinator of Religious Education: Michele Rinaldi,
[email protected], 914-946-1660 x4
Congregational & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker,
[email protected], 914-946-1660 x2
Board of Trustees
Social Justice Coordinators
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Religion begins in gratitude. It is the first and most basic spiritual practice and spiritual virtue. The difference between a secular and a religious orientation is not about what entities or supernatural powers do or do not exist - it's about the attitude we have toward what exists, whatever it is.
Robert Emmons conducted a study in which he asked people to make journal entries once a week. He randomly assigned subjects to one of three groups: the first group listed five things for which they were grateful; the second group listed five hassles or annoyances that week; the third group, the neutral group, listed five events or circumstances that affected them, and they were not told to accentuate the positive or negative aspects of those circumstances.
In the first group, typical items included: The generosity of friends; The right to vote; The God-given gift of determination; That I have learned all that I have learned; Sunset through the clouds; The chance to be alive; My in-laws live only ten minutes away.
In the second group, typical items included: Hard to find parking; Messy kitchen no one will clean; Finances depleting quickly; No money for gas; Our house smells like manure; Burned my macaroni and cheese; Did favor for friend who didn't appreciate it; My in-laws live only ten minutes away.
Emmons also asked subject to give an answer each week to two questions. One, rate how you feel about your life as a whole during the last week, from -3 ("terrible") to +3 ("delighted") Two, rate your expectations for the upcoming week, from -3 ("pessimistic, expect the worst") to +3 ("optimistic, expect the best").
At the beginning of the ten-week study period, the three groups were about the same in terms of how they felt about their life as a whole and what they expected for the upcoming week: about the same range of responses and about the same average response. By the end of the ten weeks, however, the gratitude group was scoring much higher on both how they felt about their life as a whole and on what they expected out of the upcoming week than either the hassles group or the neutral group.
It was remarkable, reports Emmons, how much difference it made to take just a couple minutes once a week to list five things one is grateful for.
Yours Thankfully,
Meredith |
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The Liberal Pulpit /New:
Index of past sermons: HERE. Index of other reflections: HERE. Videos of sermons are on the Liberal Pulpit Youtube Channel: HERE |
Your Moment of Zen: Giving /Grouse spoke up at a gathering and asked, "Mole said that a while back you said that you give away your belongings when you die. I've been brooding about this, but it still isn't clear to me." Raven said, "What isn't clear?" Grouse said, "Is there anything left?" Raven said, "Oh, lots: the moon, the wind, the crickets."
Zen at CUUC: Sat Nov 17 |
The
e
-Communitarian
newsletter is e-mailed each week.
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