IN-PERSON WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY & LIVESTREAM

From Our Minister ~ Rev. Danielle Lindstrom

We left last Sunday exploring what it might feel like in the belly of the whale. This week, some may feel we are still there, wondering what’s to come, others spat upon the beach, reeling from the experience, and others ready to continue the work to cocreate the beloved community, others somewhere in between. This coming Sunday, we will create space to breathe, to celebrate the tremendous efforts of both our members and our association, and to continue to explore how story and community can help us explore our monthly theme of healing. 

From the response of our association,

“Americans chose democracy over oppression, pluralism over white supremacy and Christian nationalism, and love and hope over hate and fear. They also voted for religious freedom, diversity among those who govern, bodily autonomy, and so much more. We believe that means that together, we are moving towards love. We also know that not every result was positive – for instance, we are still fighting to ensure that the trans, nonbinary, and intersex community can claim their fundamental right to live with dignity and equality. It remains necessary for people of faith and good will to continuously work for a multiracial democracy in which all people, including the most vulnerable, are safe and free.” 

Part of our ongoing commitment to building that world is through building interfaith relationships and partnerships. On Sunday, at 2pm, we will be hosting the final faith250 conversation at CUUC. We will gather to discuss Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.” The handout for the event can be found here: https://faith250.org/multifaith-event-resources

On Wednesday, November 18, at 7pm at Kol Ami, we will gather for an interfaith celebration and ritual honoring the faith250 conversations. Members of CUUC are part of the interfaith choir. All are invited, whether you were able to attend the conversations or not, to be part of the closing service. 

We are building a community with love at the center that can hold all of us, as we are, as we are becoming. May it be so.

From Our Minister of Faith Formation ~ Rev. Tracy Breneman

We do not include personal contact information in our newsletter. If you need help reaching someone, please contact the office at admin@cuucwp.org or 914-946-1660 x2.

Accessibility Ahead! We are well into the work for our Building Accessibility and Safety Project! During this time of transition, some CUUC events may need to move or be rescheduled. Please check ahead with your contact person.

Changed Traffic Pattern at CUUC

Enter at 466 Rosedale (by the Montessori sign) instead of Sycamore Lane

Recently, we have gotten some complaints from the neighborhood around CUUC, especially those living on Sycamore Lane, after some of our TV/Film crew rentals. To reduce their traffic, our neighbors have asked that all rentals and events enter and exit using the parking lot road between the Montessori sign and the Parsonage (466 Rosedale Avenue) instead of Sycamore Lane. Going forward, we will have all our rentals sign agreements to only use the entrance/exit by the Parsonage.

TV/Film rentals are an important income source for CUUC, and are helping in part to pay for our accessibility project. It is important that we do all we can to ensure these rentals continue and so provide funds to maintain our beautiful buildings and grounds.

As much as possible, we ask our CUUC congregants to follow the same traffic pattern, and minimize or avoid using Sycamore Lane. If you are driving to our upper parking lot, use the 466 Rosedale entrance to drive through the lower parking lot and turn onto Sycamore briefly before going up the driveway by the drop-off sign. We hope this will alleviate our neighbors’ concerns. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

Instructions for Newcomers - If you are new to CUUC, please put 466 Rosedale Ave into your GPS instead of our official address of 468 Rosedale Ave. If you are driving up to the building either for pick-up, drop-off, or accessibility parking, use the same 466 Rosedale entrance, turn left, drive through the lower parking lot, turn right onto Sycamore, and then turn right at the "drop-off" sign and drive up.

Caring for Our Land

PlaceKeeping First Saturday, 10:00am & throughout the day, CUUC grounds, Next Gathering: THIS SATURDAY, Nov 7

Join the PlaceKeepers for our monthly outdoor gathering to explore, appreciate, improve, and care for the grounds of CUUC, our spiritual home. Join us by the Spirit Fire (near the lower parking lot) around 10:00am to give gratitude for all life, followed by (optional) hands-on gardening and land maintenance. Wear closed-toe shoes, and bring your family and friends! Contact: Cynthia Roberts, Eileen Macholl, Ben Chonigman

Our Interfaith Community

We are hosting the faith250 conversation at CUUC THIS SUNDAY, November 8! The faith250 program invites faith leaders and communities across the country to form clusters of congregations to act as sacred spaces for listening to one another, clarifying our shared civic values, and celebrating our hopes for America. Please register and participate in deepening our connection to our interfaith community: https://nykolami.shulcloud.com/form/WPFaith250.html.

Congregation Forum

Relationship Building in Community: An Interactive Discussion led by the Partners in Covenant (PIC) team, THIS SUNDAY, Nov 8, 11:30am-12:30pm, Fellowship Hall

Join us to learn about the services offered by Partners in Covenant (PIC) and to participate in conversations that invite us to consider how we can care for our relationships in this community, especially when a misunderstanding arises. Contact Rev. Tracy or Karen Dreher.

Science & Spirituality

Science & Spirituality, 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 11:30am, Fireside Area & Online: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-7899, Next date: Thu Nov 12

We discuss books and articles that explore the relationship between science and spirituality. We are reading Peter Godfrey-Smith’s Living on Earth. Join us! Contact: Barbara Mair, Norm Handelman

Community Open Mic

Second Friday Open Mic, Monthly on the Second Friday, 6:30pm sign-up, 7:00pm performances, Fellowship Hall, Next Date: Fri Nov 13

Each month we provide space for musicians and others in and around CUUC to showcase their talents, and support their fellow performers. Arrive at 6:30pm to sign up, then take the stage starting at 7:00pm. Not a performer? Join us as a member of the all-important audience. Bring a friend and introduce them to CUUC! Contact Joann Prinzivalli

New Sunday Morning Journey Group

We have added an additional Sunday morning in-person Journey Group! Sarah Carr and Jeff Tomlinson will be co-facilitating on the third Sunday of each month. First meeting is Sun Nov 15. To join, sign up at https://cuucwp.org/events-programs/journey-groups.

Help Shape CUUC's Vision for the Future

Submit your form by Mon Nov 30. The Committee on Ministry is grateful to everyone who participated in our visioning exercise in October. This is the first step toward creating CUUC’s next Vision Statement, which helps guide our congregation as we seek to live into our values more fully. For those who have not had the opportunity to share their thoughts, this form will be open until the end of November: bit.ly/2026-CUUC-Vision-Form

We will also have paper forms available at the CommUUnity Table on Sundays. The committee is in the process of reviewing the responses and will share our next steps with the congregation in January. Questions? Contact Alex Sehdeva. 

2026 Auction: “A Renaissance Revelry”

2026 CUUC Goods & Services Auction, “A Renaissance Revelry” Sat Nov 14, 5:30pm

Last day to buy your ticket is this Sun Nov 8! Hear ye, hear ye! News about the Revelry! A draft of the Auction Booklet is now available for preview! Click the links below to see all the offerings and check your calendar in advance before you bid on date-specific events. Note: some updates and additions may happen between now and auction night, so be sure to review your final auction booklet at the event. Please stop by the auction table this Sunday to let us know you are coming or purchase your tickets online at bit.ly/CUUC-Donation (select the dropdown "auction tickets").

• 2026-CUUC-Auction-Silent
• 2026-CUUC-Auction-Live
• 2026-CUUC-Auction-Fixed-Price
• 2026-CUUC-Auction-Dinners

Ways to Make a Difference

Feeding Our Neighbors

Meals for HOPE food prep: Mondays, 9:00am-1:00pm, CUUC Kitchen, Next Date Mon Nov 9

The Meals for HOPE cooking team (part of CUUC's Hunger & Homelessness Social Justice Team) puts our congregation's love into action by preparing meal trays that we deliver to feed our neighbors at HOPE Community Services, Open Arms men's shelter, Hope's Door, and more. Helping hands are always appreciated: bit.ly/HOPE-Cooking-Signup

Join Our Usher Ministry

Our CUUC ushers do the important work of supporting Sunday worship, helping fulfill the congregation's mission of “encouraging one another in our spiritual journeys.” We would like to welcome a few more members who recognize the importance of worship, enjoy greeting and helping, and are good with detail. Contact: Marianne Milzoff, Anne Majsak  

Share Your Thanksgiving with an International Student

For many years, CUUC congregants have hosted foreign students for a Thanksgiving meal in their homes, supporting One to World's mission to foster understanding and build positive relationships with these international students. Past hosts have said it is fascinating to learn about these students' lives and cultures. If you would like to host a student for your Thanksgiving celebration, please contact Julie Gans

Support Our Ministry of Welcome

Volunteer to host Coffee Hour after worship, and help spread our ministry of welcome. Sign up now to get your preferred date! Contact Chris Jacobs or Chris Kortlandt

or go to bit.ly/CUUC_CoffeeHour.

Caring & Sharing 


If we can help you or someone you know in our congregation, please reach out to this month's Caring & Sharing Circle caregivers: Catherine Kortlandt, or her backup, Astrid Rogers. You may also contact the congregation office at admin@cuucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2.

November Share the Plate: Meals for HOPE

CUUC's “Meals for HOPE” team prepares hot meals year-round for four local organizations including HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Community Services in New Rochelle, as well as meals for our congregants when needed. Since 2020, we've prepared over 60,000 meals, and our Tuesday team and Religious Exploration program have made thousands of sandwiches and bagged meals. Your plate share donation will allow our good work to continue by helping us buy ingredients and supplies. Mail checks to CUUC with the memo “Share the Plate - HOPE” or click here to pay online, and select “Share the Plate.” You may also select “Other” and type in “Meals for HOPE” in the note if you'd like your full donation to go to the group.

More Information, Calendar, & Zoom Links

Check Out Our Table!

Stop by the CommUUnity table following our worship service to find information on even more ways to connect and become involved with Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains.

CUUC Food Enthusiasts

CUUC Food Enthusiasts Group, Second Sunday of the Month, Local Restaurants, After Worship, Next Outing Sun Nov 8

Join us as together we explore a vibrant array of restaurants that celebrate the richness and diversity of world cuisines, including Yemeni, Balkan, Filipino, Chinese, Cuban, Dominican, Ukrainian, Polish, Ethiopian, Sri Lankan, Georgian, and more. Our next outing will be to an authentic Yemeni restaurant on Sun Nov 8, and we will conclude the calendar year with a festive gathering at a Ukrainian restaurant on Sun Dec 13. Space may be limited depending on the restaurant selected, so let us know early if you're interested. Cost is approximately $35-40 per person, depending on restaurant and number of participants. We would be delighted to have you join us for this community-building and flavor-filled experience! Contact: Scott Damashak or Mohammed Loutfy.

Zoom Security Reminders

Because we publish Zoom links in the public CUUC calendar, it's always possible a bad actor can see the information online and try to join your meeting uninvited. Here's how to protect your meeting:

Claim Host:

1. Join the meeting (i.e., log in to your Zoom room), preferably early.
2. Click on Participants icon at bottom.
3. Click Claim Host at the bottom of the participants list.
4. Enter the host key: [contact the office for the key code]
5. Click Claim Host.

Select Security Options:

Once the host key is verified, you can click on the shield icon at the bottom of your screen to select security options like:

• removing or muting participants;
• "locking" the meeting after everyone has logged in;
• enabling a waiting room; and
• making the host the only person who can share images from your screen.

Here are step-by-step instructions along with screen images: Zoom Security Instructions

You can find more information here: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0061231

Invitation to Membership

If you've been attending for a while, value what our community stands for, and want to commit to supporting it and having a say in its future, you may be ready to become a Member of CUUC! To learn more, contact our office at 914-946-1660 x2, admin@cuucwp.org.

Safety First: We Keep Our Entrance Doors Locked

How to enter the building during the week:
(The front doors MUST remain locked during school hours.)

1. Use the code to OPEN THE LOCKBOX and retrieve the key.
2. Use the key to unlock the entrance door. Kick down the doorstop and prop the door open.
3. RETURN THE KEY to the lockbox and close - do not keep the key with you!
4. SPIN THE DIALS so the code is not displayed.
5. Enter the building and kick up the doorstop to let the door close behind you. THE DOOR WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY.
6. If you are part of a group meeting, ask one member to remain in the lobby to open the door for others as they arrive.