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Religious Exploration & Faith Development
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation White Plains, NY
September 27, 2026
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2026-2027 Overview
For a detailed overview of the year ahead with opportunities for adults,
youth, and children, read the September 6 RE News or visit our website.
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It Takes a Village
RE Families met last Sunday to hear an overview of the year ahead, learn about ways to get involved at CUUC, and build community. The families also talked about ways they welcome support from the community. These include gently and lovingly asking the children to check in with their adults before taking handfuls of sweets during coffee hour, intercepting young children if they are heading outside, and reminding them to walk in the hallways. We want our children to feel welcome and comfortable at CUUC, while also being safe and cared for by the larger community. Please be patient and kind with your support.
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Childcare
Sundays, 9:30-11:30am
Diane Keller, Hans Elsevier, and Salma Nasser welcome children every Sunday. We offer a safe, loving environment where our youngest build community and play outside when weather permits. After worship, please pick up your child(ren) from RE before attending coffee hour.
Families who remain in worship are invited to make use of the family area. Please sit near your children and help tidy up after service.
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Worship
"Balloons & Belonging" ~ Rev. Danielle Lindstrom
10:00am in the Sanctuary and On Zoom
Through ritual, story, and music in worship, we explore together themes that inform our faith, challenge us to go deeper, and call us to action with love at the center. We hope you find care, support, love, and community here. Each service is a little different. The one thing that never changes: it is good to be together.
To join the Sunday Worship livestream: bit.ly/CUUC-Worship or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923. Webinar: 761 321 991, Passcode: 468468.
Online worshipers may post your Joys and Sorrows at any time by visiting bit.ly/CUUC-Online-Joys-and-Sorrows. The site is available all week, 24/7.
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K-9th Grade Religious Exploration
begin in the sanctuary at 10:00am
Families, please let us know if your child or youth will miss class so teachers can adjust plans as needed. If your child is attending worship instead of going to class, teachers appreciate knowing so they are not waiting to begin class.
K-9th grade classes meet this Sunday. We begin in the sanctuary, then leave after the story.
K-1st grade Our Whole Lives class meets with Kate Colson, Bryan Cherry, and Betsy Walkup. Having discussed a class covenant, the children will learn about Our Wonderful Bodies. Children will explore similarities and differences in body parts. They will learn that people's gender idenitty is not always consistent with their sex assigned at birth, even though society often expects it to be. De-linking genitals from gender allows us to speak more inclusively. [Click here for the Homelink that was sent home after class last week.]
2nd-4th grade Soul Matters class meets with Norm Handelman, Laura Sehdeva, and Irene Cox. As Unitarian Universalists, we make covenants or agreements about how we will treat one another and be in community. The group will create a covenant and then explore the UU practice of beginning again in love when promises are broken.
5th-6th grade Soul Matters class meets with Denice Tomlinson, April Castoldi, and Gary Press. As Unitarian Universalists, we make covenants or agreements about how we will treat one another and be in community. The group will create a covenant and then explore the UU practice of beginning again in love when promises are broken.
7th-9th grade Coming of Age class meets with Alex Sehdeva and Matthew Darnall. They are in the 'Belonging' unit and this week will explore the family they belong to. What are the lavels and expectations our families put on us?
Classes end at 11:15am.
3rd grade and under must be picked up in the classroom by their adult.
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Life of the Congregation Fair, Sun Sep 27, After Service, Fellowship Hall
Come to our annual Life of the Congregation fair, meet the many teams and committees at CUUC, and find which one's work speaks to your heart. Bring your ideas, energy, and talent, and discover how you can support CUUC and contribute to our mission. Contact: Terri Kung
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Sunday, September 27, 12-noon: Walking Tour of CUUC Trails
Take a 30-minute tour of our walking trails guided by Ben Chonigman and Elizabeth Brigham. Meet at the PlaceKeeping Team’s table at the Life of the Congregation Fair in Fellowship Hall. Please wear shoes that can navigate wood chip trails. Contact: Cynthia Roberts.
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Faith development and religious exploration continue over our lifetimes. We offer adults the opportunity to continue learning, growing, sharing and deepenig in supportive community.
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Adult Class: Creating Theology Together
October 24, 9:00am-2:00pm at CUUC
Lunch included. Childcare available if requested by October 18
By understanding our personal theology and then moving beyond a focus on the individual search for truth and meaning, we create space for a shared theology to emerge as we continue growing together in faith. We will begin by defining theology, and exploring our personal relationship with theology and how it has evolved along our journey. Where do we come from? What do we carry? How does that impact, inform, challenge us? We will then explore how to honor our individual experiences as we journey together in covenanted community, consider our congregational theological identity, and examine what it means to practice pluralism as a value. What does it look like to allow a shared theology to emerge? How do we make space for what others bring? RSVP HERE
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2026-2027 Classes
Creating Theology Together
October 24, 9:00am-2:00pm
Led by Revs. Danielle and Tracy at CUUC - Read more and RSVP here
Adult Coming of Age: Exploring Your Evolving Beliefs
6 sessions (dates coming soon)
Led by Rev. Danielle
Exploring Mortality: Facing Death With Life
6 sessions (dates coming soon)
Led by Rev. Tracy
Let us know your interest and help choose session topics, time, and location by responding to this form
Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators
Fridays 6:00-9:00pm, March 5 & 12, April 2, 9, 16
Led by Rev. Tracy
2026-2027 Groups
Conversations on Aging is a monthly support group to share concerns, fears, joy, hopes, and wisdom regarding aging, for ourselves and our loved ones. Contacts: Astrid Rogers, Kathy Williams, Karen Leahy. The group meets first Wedensdays, 2:00pm at CUUC.
CUUC Committees, Groups, and Teams are a wonderful way to be involved in congregational life and practice living into our values. By supporting each other with our time, energy, and unique gifts, we have the opportunity to learn more about each other and develop new friendships while helping to sustain our beloved community. Read more here.
Journey Groups are theme-based monthly gatherings where congregants can explore their deepest values and inner voices, and connect with others in a small group. 2026-2027 registration is available on our website.
Parents of Young Adults is a monthly group where parents support each other in the spiritual adventure of parenting at this stage. The group meets on Zoom, second Thursdays at 7:30pm.
NEW! CUUC Dads Connect is a space for dads to build community and support each other in parenting. Contact Andrés Otero, Matthew Lindstrom, and Derick Engelbrecht.
PlaceKeepers meet for 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. Visit throughout the day. Bring your family and friends! Contact: Cynthia Roberts, Eileen Macholl. First Saturdays, 10:00am & throughout the day, CUUC grounds.
Science & Spirituality meets to discuss books and articles that explore the relationship between science and spirituality. We are reading A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Join us! Contact: Barbara Mair, Norm Handelman. Second and fouth Thursdays, 11:30am at CUUC and on Zoom.
Find more opportunities on our website calendar.
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Inside & Out: A Day of Renewal, Community, and Service, Sat Oct 3, 9:45am-1:00pm
Join us to care for our spiritual home and create spaces that meet our needs. All ages are welcome! There is a task for everyone! Childcare is available if requested by Sept 27. RSVP to Terri Kung, use the QR code above, or click here to sign up.
- Arrival & Gathering (9:45-10:00AM) - Coffee, Juice and Donuts
- Kickoff (10:00-10:15AM) - Welcome and Projects Description
- Project Grouping (10:15-10:30AM) - Sorting into project teams, meeting project leaders and getting instructions
- Work Time (10:30AM-12:15PM)
- Lunch & Connection (12:15-12:45PM) - Gratitudes AND Sandwiches, Chips, and Fruit
- Wrap-Up (12:45-1:00PM) - Final clean up of projects and lunch area
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- Sun Sept 27, 10:00am: K-9th Grade Classes Meet
- Sun Sept 27, 11:30am: Life of the Congregation Fair - Opportunites to Connect in Community
- Sun Oct 4, 10:00am: K-9th Grade Classes Meet
- Sat Oct 10, 5:00pm: Movie Night, Monsters, Inc. - Friends welcome. RSVP with Terri Kung for the pizza order.
- Sun Oct 11, 10:00am: K-6th & HS have PlaceKeeping; 7th-9th COA Class Meets
- Sat Oct 17, 5:30pm: All Ages Game Night - Friends are Welcome!
- Sun Oct 18, 10:00am: K-1st & 7th-9th Classes Meet; All Others Have a Social Action Activity, Making HOPE Meal Bags
- Fri Oct 23, 6:30pm: 6th-12th Grade Youth and Parents from the White Plains, Croton, and Mt. Kisco Congregations Gather to Hear about Joint Activities this Year and Build Community
- Sat Oct 24, 9:00am: Adult Class, Creating Theology Together - Read more and RSVP here
- Sun Oct 25, 10:00am: Whole Congregation Halloween Worship
Find more dates and Zoom links on our website calendar.
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Resources for Families
September Theme: Beginnings
We are using Soul Matters Sharing Circle materials in Religious Exploration classes, Journey Groups, and worship. Each month we will share resources for families so you can explore the theme together at home. There are stories, movie suggestions, activities, conversation prompts, and more. Click here for the materials or pick up a copy on the RE Welcome table.
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CUUC Google Groups
RE Families: Swap clothes, share information and invitations, and connect with other CUUC families. Request to Join here: bit.ly/CUUC-Families.
Parents of Young Adults: Parents supporting each other n the spiritual adventure of parenting young adults. Request to Join here: bit.ly/CUUC-ParentsYA.
Caring for Aging Beloveds: A space for conversation and support among those caring for beloveds who are aging. Write here: cuuc-caringagingbeloveds@googlegroups.com
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CUUC Online
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