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

It takes courage to come through the doors of a congregation on a Sunday morning. We never really know what to expect, even if we have been here for decades. Will I feel connected to the music and the words, the people? Will I leave with something I can carry with me in the next week? Will I be challenged when I need to be challenged and held when I need to be held? We keep coming back because here we find something meaningful, special, possible even.

We are a place and a people that try our best to live into our values week after week, that work to take care of one another, reminding each other that we are not in this alone. 

We create this place for and with each other. Part of defining ourselves is considering and revisiting our statements that try to tell the world who we are. This Sunday, we will be reimagining our vision statement.

Our current vision-" Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains will be a welcoming “sanctuary without walls” that promotes diversity, fellowship, spiritual growth,

and inspiration, while committing to people and the planet through social action and service."

What does our community, both CUUC and beyond look like in five years because of our work and place in it? We will hold space for our questions and answers during our service on Sunday.

If you are newer to CUUC, we are holding a conversation after service in Fellowship Hall as a space for conversation and connection, while discovering more ways to create community and be involved here at CUUC.

Dive deeper into your theology and our collective UU theology with Rev. Danielle and Rev. Tracy on Saturday October 24 from 9am-1pm with Creating Your Own Theology. If you attended the conversion two years ago, consider attending again as the format has changed. We are looking forward to sharing and listening deeply as we explore together what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. Please RSVP here: https://bit.ly/CTT-Oct26

We have several interfaith opportunities coming up!

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.

• Tuesday, October 20th, 7pm at Congregation Kol Ami (The New Colossus)
• Tuesday, October 27th, 7pm at Congregation Kol Ami (The Declaration of Independence)
• Sunday, November 1st, 2pm at First Baptist Church of White Plains (America the Beautiful)
• Sunday November 8th, 2pm at Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation (What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?)
• Wednesday, November 18, Community Ritual and Celebration at Congregation Kol Ami

You do not have to attend all of the conversations to be part of the program. Please RSVP at QR code in the flyer or email Rev. Danielle, minister@cuucwp.org. 

Save the date for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 22, 2pm at Chase Park in Scarsdale. 

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

About Our Sunday Music

This Sunday's is… all about “us.” With that in mind, two of our wonderful musical talents—Christian Force and Enid Press—provide music for today’s Offertory and Meditation. The solo piano works in the Gathering Music are by other Unitarians from the more distant past, Edvard Grieg and Bela Bartok. And, for our Parting Music, a work by Jane Hart, who was a long-time member of CUUC and recommended me as a sub more than 35 years ago, the first time I played at a worship service for this congregation. 

About This Sunday’s Worship: “A Vision For Our Future”

This Sunday, we will be traveling through time: to CUUC, five years from now. What do you think you’ll see, hear, and experience when you arrive for a service? Who or what would you like to encounter?

What about people visiting or hearing about CUUC five years from now? What would you want them to know about us?

As part of Sunday’s service, the Committee on Ministry will lead us in a visioning exercise to begin the process of crafting a new vision statement for our congregation. We will provide pages with prompts to help guide your thinking, as well as a link for people who are participating online.

There are no wrong answers to the questions we will explore together, and we welcome everyone’s input.

Can’t join us this Sunday? You can still respond to the visioning exercise by picking up our page of prompts from the CommUUnity Table, or by completing this Google form: https://bit.ly/2026-CUUC-Vision-Form.

Questions? Contact Alex Sehdeva of our Committee on Ministry team. 

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.

Game Night

Community Game Night, Sat Oct 17, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

We invite newcomers, families, and friends to join us for an evening of old-fashioned, in-person fun together! Remember, we no longer need donations for pizza, BUT if you’d like a slice, be sure to register at bit.ly/2026-27_CommunityGameNight_SignUp and let us know what type of pizza you like and how many of you are coming (so we'll know what to order). Contact: Audra Russell.

Newcomers’ Conversation

Newcomers' Conversation, Sun Oct 18, After Worship (Fellowship Hall)

New to CUUC? New to Unitarian Universalism? Join the Membership Team to learn more about our vibrant community and ways to get involved, and to share any questions you have about our faith, our congregation, or what it means to belong at Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We invite visitors to join us during coffee hour for a Newcomers’ Conversation - grab a coffee and meet in the lobby with our Engagement Team to move to a meeting room. It will be good to be together!

Adult RE Class: Creating Theology Together

Adult Religious Exploration Class “Creating Theology Together,” Sat Oct 24, 9:00am-2:00pm, in person, at CUUC

Join us to explore, question, and share our ever-changing individual theologies while practicing pluralism as a core value. Together, we’ll ask: How do we make space for a shared theology to emerge? RSVP to https://bit.ly/Creating-Theology-Together-RSVP or use the QR Code. Lunch Provided. Childcare available if requested by Sun Oct 18.

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 dish to share. Please label your dish with all 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

Wear Your CUUC Values

The CUUC Apparel Shop is open! A big shout out to Kim Force for designing the shirts and setting up the store!! We will be doing a big order in October shipped to CUUC so that we can offer free shipping. Go to https://bit.ly/CUUC-Apparel-Order-Sheet to place your order in October. Deadline: November 1. If you want to view apparel, sizes, colors, and price, check out the online shop at https://cuucwp.myshopify.com to check out the available apparel, sizes, colors, and prices. If you can't wait for our order or if you miss the deadline, you can order directly from the online shop. 

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.

If you are interested in joining the interfaith choir, which will be performing during the ritual on November 18, please reach out to Rev. Danielle, minister@cuucwp.org.

2026 Auction: “A Renaissance Revelry”

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

Behold! You have uncovered Ye Olde Scrolls of Auction Knowledge! ...otherwise know as our Frequently Asked Questions Document - especially helpful for anyone new to the auction this year! Find the answers you seek in our FAQ document here: https://bit.ly/CUUC-Auction-2026-FAQ. Or visit our table after worship on Sunday. Contacts: Patricia Goettel, Dave Morkal

Step Up to Be a Journey Group Facilitator

This year's Journey Groups are full! We will be opening a third Sunday group, meeting after worship, starting in November.

You can join our wait list by filling out the information at https://cuucwp.org/events-programs/journey-groups. This will help us plan. Rev. Danielle will reach out when spots become available. 

If you have ever wondered about facilitating, or helping hold space for small, theme-based conversations, please contact Rev. Danielle at minister@cuucwp.org. We have more CUUC folks who are interested in joining. We would love to open up a few more meetings!

CUUC Journey Groups are monthly gatherings of 4–10 participants that meet from Sep through Jun to explore a monthly theme through deep listening, meaningful sharing, and reflection. Participants receive a link to a Journey Group packet with quotes, poems, and articles related to that month’s theme. Paper copies of the packet are available upon request in the CUUC lobby. If you would like a copy mailed to you, contact our office (admin@cuucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2).

Ways to Make a Difference

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

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

H&H Sandwich-Making Team: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30am (or earlier), CUUC Kitchen, Next Date Tue Oct 27 (no sandwiches Tue Oct 20)

Make a direct difference in just 90 minutes a week! The Hunger & Homelessness social justice team is seeking a 4th person to join our friendly crew. We assist with weekly preparation of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the clients of HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (www.hopecommunityservices.org). Contact: Ellen Simon

Meals for HOPE food prep: Mondays, 9:00am-1:00pm, CUUC Kitchen, Next Date Mon Oct 26 (no cooking Mon Oct 19)

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

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

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

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.

October Share the Plate: PrideWorks

This month we share half our non-pledge collection with the PrideWorks® Conference for LGBTQ Youth and Their Allies, a day-long conference offering much needed space for ally education and most importantly, joyful celebration, affirmation, and welcome for LGBTPQIA++ youth. Over 600 youth and adults attend each March. It's important that we show up where our youth need us to be. The support and affirmation that PrideWorks offers is vital, even life saving. UUs are a steady and visible presence of love, affirmation, and support. Mail checks to CUUC with the memo “Share the Plate - PrideWorks” or click here to pay online, and select “Share the Plate.” You may also select “Other” and type in “PrideWorks” in the note if you'd like your full donation to go to the group.

More Information, Calendar, & Zoom Links

Walkabout Concert at CUUC

Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse presents Connie Kaldor, Sun Oct 18, 3:30pm, CUUC Sanctuary

Connie Kaldor is a Canadian folk music icon who's been performing for 45 years. The Boston Globe has described her as “a masterful performer, wildly funny one moment, deeply personal the next.” See the flyer here. Come early to join the informal sing-along with the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus at 2:45pm. Call 914-946-1625 or visit https://walkaboutchorus.org/coffeehouse-2026-2027. Click here to reserve advance tickets (no service fees!)

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.