IN-PERSON WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY & LIVESTREAM

Safety Updates

We will update our lockbox code AFTER we complete construction of the new outdoor accessibility ramp. You can contact the office (admin@cuucwp.org, 914-462-1260 x2) then to be given the new code.

From Our Minister ~ Rev. Danielle Lindstrom

We move from courage, in all its forms, saying no and saying yes, to our November theme, healing. Healing invites a space for contemplation about what comes after or alongside the moments of courage. Navigating what comes after the yes, the no, the lean into possibility, the run into what is scary but worthwhile, or what comes alongside the decisions or the events that have no other way out but through. 

Healing invites all kinds of images - the kintsugi pot that is put back together with seams of gold, reminders of the scars the pot still holds as part of its story now made beautiful. 

Parker Palmer, from our Journey Group Packet this month, offers, “When the heart is supple, it can be 'broken open' into a greater capacity to hold our own and the world’s pain. When we hold our suffering in a way that opens us to great compassion, heartbreak becomes a source of healing, deepening our empathy for those who suffer and our ability to reach out to them.”

Courage, healing, belonging, all of our themes so far this year, have invited us to practice being vulnerable. What does it mean to share here the burdens, possibilities, fear, and hope. We are all holding much on top of the constant hum of anxiety around economic struggles, the breaking apart of our democracy, the continued rule of fear, -isms, and division. We don’t have easy answers. The only one I have in this moment is the hope that comes from being together, listening to one another, sharing our lives. It matters that you are here. It matters that we are here. And we will keep on moving forward, whatever that may mean in the days, months, and years to come. 

Please vote your values on Tuesday. The Pastoral Care Associates will be hosting an election drop-in space in the sanctuary from 3-7pm on Tuesday. Drop in after voting, or when you have a spare moment, to light a candle, and breathe in our shared sacred space. However Tuesday may go, the work will still remain. The goals of the beloved community will still remain. We will keep going. 

Our CommUUnity table in the fireside area continues to be the source for all things happening at CUUC! Each month we have been inviting people to answer a question based on the month’s theme. For November, our question will be “What are people/places/things that heal your spirit?” May our answers inspire one another. 

In the spirit of connection and community, all are invited to the ongoing faith250 conversations. 

Upcoming Conversations

• Sun Nov 1, 2pm at First Baptist Church of White Plains ("America the Beautiful")
• Sun Nov 8, 2pm at Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation ("What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?")
• Wed Nov 18, Community Ritual and Celebration

Faith250 is a program that 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. You do not have to attend all of the conversations to be part of the program. Please RSVP at QR code on the flyer or at this link: https://nykolami.shulcloud.com/form/WPFaith250.html

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

From Our Music Director ~ Adam Kent

Dear CUUC Community:

A reminder that this Sunday, November 1, at 12:30pm, I will perform a solo piano recital titled “Ready, Aim… Falla!”, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. The concert follows a potluck brunch in Fellowship Hall. Click the video below for a little taste of the wonderful music in store. Scroll down the newsletter for more details, and please consider sharing with the music lovers in your life. Music is a beautiful way to bring new people to CUUC!

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.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Daylight Savings time ends Sunday morning

Remember to "Fall Back." Set your clock back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday. This is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Working smoke alarms save lives!

Potluck & Concert

Community Potluck & Concert, Sun Nov 1, After Worship, Fellowship Hall & Sanctuary

Join us for a community potluck followed by a solo piano concert by our own Adam Kent. If you'd like to join us, please bring a NON-DESSERT dish to share (we will be sharing a cake to celebrate Karen Leahy before she moves away). Please label your dish with all its ingredients, so those with food restrictions can eat safely. Volunteers are needed for setup and cleanup! Click this link to add your name: https://bit.ly/CUUC-Community-Meal-Signup

Adam Kent in Concert

Adam Kent presents “Ready, Aim… FALLA!” Sun Nov 1, 12:30pm, Sanctuary & Livestream

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Manuel de Falla, arguably Spain’s greatest composer. Join celebrated pianist Adam Kent at CUUC for a solo concert celebrating Falla’s work. Please see the preview video below for more details and please consider forwarding this to the music lovers in your life. Music is a beautiful way to bring new people to CUUC!

Suggested donation: $20 adults, $10 seniors/students, $45 family. You may donate at the door, or by visiting cuucwp.org, or by going to https://bit.ly/CUUC-Donation.

Come in person or join the livestream at https://bit.ly/CUUC-ConcertSeries

Election Day Support

Election Day Drop-In Space, Tue Nov 3, 4:00-7:00pm, Sanctuary

Drop in at any point to sit in our sacred space, breath, light a candle, and connect with Rev. Danielle.

Caring for Our Land

PlaceKeeping First Saturday, 10:00am & throughout the day, CUUC grounds, Next Gathering: Sat 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 on 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.

Community Forum

Relationship Building in Community: An Interactive Discussion led by the Partners in Covenant (PIC) team, Sun 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.

New Sunday Morning Journey Group!

We have added another Sunday morning Journey Group starting Sun Nov 15! Sarah Carr and Jeff Tomlinson will be co-facilitating on the third Sunday of each month. Please reach out to Rev. Danielle at minister@cuucwp.org to join their group.

Submit Your Thoughts to Shape Our Vision

If you missed our service on Sun Oct 18, when the Committee on Ministry led a visioning exercise to elicit ideas for CUUC’s next vision statement, we invite you to share your thoughts using this link: https://bit.ly/2026-CUUC-Vision-Form. Or, if you’d rather respond on paper, you can pick up our visioning prompts from the CommUUnity Table on Sunday. Revising our Vision Statement is an important part of our shared life together and ensures that we are fully living our UU values. We’d like to hear from everyone as we start this process. Questions? Contact Alex Sehdeva.

Order by Nov 1 for Free Shipping

The CUUC Apparel Shop is open! We are gathering one big order in October and shipping it to CUUC so we can offer free shipping for you! Go to https://bit.ly/CUUC-Apparel-Order-Sheet to add your items to our October order. Deadline is Sun Nov 1. You can see the apparel, styles, sizes, colors, and prices at our online shop: https://cuucwp.myshopify.com. If you miss the deadline, you can always order directly from the online shop and ship it directly to you. 

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  

2026 Auction: “A Renaissance Revelry”

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

Friends and nobles - the Faire approaches! Thou shall be in awe of the wide range of goods on which to bid! All donations must be dropped off by this Sun Nov 1. The time draws near - please stop by the auction table THIS SUNDAY to: 

• buy your ticket - RSVP by 11/8; 
• let us know if you need childcare;
• drop off your donation - by 11/1;
• or ask any questions you might have about the auction.

Contacts: Patricia Goettel, Dave Morkal

Ways to Make a Difference

Early Voting Ends Sunday

Early voting is open through Sun Nov 1, and Election Day is Tue Nov 3. The CUUC Democracy Matters social justice team asks: do you know who’s on your ballot? Visit https://www.vote411.org/new-york and enter your address to get a sample ballot. Visit Westchester County Board of Elections at https://citizenparticipation.westchestercountyny.gov/voting/early-voting-2026 for a list of local voting sites. You can cast an early vote at ANY of the locations listed.  

From Environmental Practices Group

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) has been introduced in the Senate! BAAJA contains key provisions the Citizens Climate Lobby has advocated for, including limiting the review period to get to a “yes” or “no” faster, making it easier to build long-distance electricity transmission lines, and introducing certainty to prevent political interference with already-permitted projects. Read a full explainer on the bill here: The Senate’s Big Bipartisan Permitting Deal, Explained - Heatmap News (sign up for a free account). The CUUC Environmental Practices Group asks you to learn about this legislation and please consider writing to your Senators to show support: cclusa.org/baaja 

Feeding Our Neighbors

Meals for HOPE food prep: Mondays, 9:00am-1:00pm, CUUC Kitchen, Next Date Mon Nov 2

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, which 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

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

Shopping Bag Collection

Got a stash of reusable bags? Share them with our neighbors in need! Throughout October the Hunger & Homelessness social justice team will be collecting reusable bags for the food pantry at HOPE Community Services. A marked collection bin will be in the lobby. We are asking for standard size (think Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, etc.). Please no small or paper bags, and be sure donations are clean and without tears. This is an easy way to support our neighbors who rely on the pantry – and a good use for that pile of extra bags at home! Contact: Ann Marie Damashek

Caring for Our Environment

The CUUC Environmental Practices Group reminds everyone that if you have fall leaves to dispose of, consider mulch-mowing and leaving the shreds on the lawn. Over the winter the mulch disappears, returning much-needed nutrients to the earth in slow-release organic form. In addition to the nutrient benefit, it saves your municipality pickup and disposal expenses, and helps keep decomposing leaves out of storm sewers, protecting water quality in streams, lakes, and rivers. Many lawn care services will do it if asked. See these short demonstration videos to help get you started: Mulching leaves (lawn) youtu.be/klxU2353InI and Mulching leaves (driveway) youtu.be/9MXtJzBGKvA

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 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.