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

An Invitation for Halloween Sunday

Come witches and goblins, pirates and puppies.

Come bats, and knights, butterflies, and frogs. 

Come those whose costumes will remain at home.

Come those who aren’t so sure about Halloween, but won’t turn down a piece of candy. 

Come into the space which invites us to show up as who we want to be, or pretend to be for a time.

Come into the space that invites us to share or put down the many masks we wear throughout our days. 

Come as we gather to tell our stories once again. 

All are invited, though not required, to wear a costume to service on Sunday. We will explore with our children what it means to be seen for who we are. Our children will then head to a Halloween party while we continue to explore one of the practices of Halloween, to move beyond our initial perceptions. 

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

We had our first conversation at Kol Ami this past Tuesday. About thirty people gathered to talk about the New Colossus poem, engraved on the Statue of Liberty. The group that I was part of had a deep discussion on whether the poem still holds an aspirational meaning to us.

Next Tuesday, we will be meeting to discuss excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. 

Upcoming Conversations

Tue Oct 27, 7pm at Congregation Kol Ami ("The Declaration of Independence")

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

Sunday's Music

Gathering Music: From “El amor brujo” (Love, the Sorcerer)

Pantomime – Danza del terror – Medianoche – Danza ritual del fuego

~ Manuel de Falla

Adam Kent, piano

Offertory: “Shine Your Light” ~ Greg Gilpin

CUUC Choir, directed by Lisa N. Meyer, accompanied by Barbara Orwick, Kathy Williams, solo 

Anthem: “More to Me” ~ Pinkzebra

Kathy Williams, Claudia Levy, and Andrew Michelson, soloists

Parting Music: Graceful Ghost Rag ~ William Bolcom

From Our Board Chair ~ Bill Roberts

Dear Friends in the Congregation,

All of our many fall activities are in full swing at CUUC! The life of the Congregation Fair, our second Inside & Out Day, the new labyrinths, and our first Potluck brunch have brought us all together in service, contemplation, and fellowship. Reverend Danielle and the Worship Team have created meaningful and restorative services, and our children are curious and engaged in the RE program under Reverend Tracy’s guidance—just to name a few. 

The Accessibility Project is finally becoming a reality, making our Congregation even more welcoming to all. Big thanks to the Accessibility Committee for their wonderful and persistent work in bringing this to fruition!

During the past year, the Sustainability Planning and Revitalization of CUUC (SPARC) committee has done exceptional work gathering, organizing, and thoughtfully compiling feedback from all of you in the Congregation. They have recently provided their preliminary findings to the Board of Trustees for review. Once feedback from the Board has been incorporated, SPARC will be working with relevant committees, teams, and groups to gather additional information. They plan to provide a final report to the full Congregation during the first quarter of next year. Many thanks to SPARC and to all who offered such thoughtful input!

Finally, we can’t wait to gather in community and festivity at our upcoming Renaissance Revelry goods and services auction on Sat Nov 14. A big “Thank You” to our Auction Committee!

Yours in fellowship ~ Bill Roberts, CUUC Board Chair

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.

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.

Voter Suppression Discussion

Online Congregation Discussion: “Voter Suppression Continues,” Tue Oct 27, 7:000pm, Online: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-7899

The CUUC Racial Justice Team will host an online discussion about voter suppression and what we can do. Everyone is invited! Contact: Jeff Tomlinson

Celebrating Samhain

Samhain Ritual, Thu Oct 29, 7:00pm, Fireside Area

Samhain is the ancient Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season. Join us for an evening of ritual, celebrating the ancestors, and welcoming the new year. All are welcome. 

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 in Concert, “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 de Falla’s work. 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/Music-at-CUUC

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.

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

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 participate in conversations that invite us to think deeply about our responsibilities in community as well as how we can communicate constructively with one another when a misunderstanding arises. Direct and kind communication around ‘small’ issues helps build trust and skills needed when bigger issues crop up among individuals and in our community. Contact Rev. Tracy or Karen Dreher.

Reminder: Help Shape CUUC's Vision Statement

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.

Wear Your CUUC Values

The CUUC Apparel Shop is open! We are gathering a big order in October to be 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 styles. If you can't wait for our order or if you miss the deadline, you can order directly from the online shop. 

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

New this year: Auction Ambassadors! If this is your first time attending our auction - or if you are just not sure how it all works - fear not! When you arrive at the auction an Ambassador will be waiting to show you around, explain the various ways you can participate, and answer any questions you might have. Stop by the auction table in the lobby any Sunday to find out more, buy tickets, get donation ideas, or talk costumes! Contacts: Patricia Goettel, Dave Morkal

Science & Spirituality

Science & Spirituality, Thu Oct 29, 11:30am, Fireside Area & Online: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-7899

We meet the second and fourth Thursdays of each month to discuss books and articles that explore the relationship between science and spirituality. We are reading Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World by Peter Godfrey-Smith. Come join our flexible, easy-going discussions! Contact: Barbara Mair, Norm Handelman

Ways to Make a Difference

Early Voting Starts Tomorrow

Early voting is Sat Oct 24 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.  

Gratitudes

From UU Congregation of Hudson Valley: "Thank you to all UU congregational members and friends who helped us meet our goal of sending out 4,000 Get Out the Vote postcards to young, independent voters in CD-17 communities of Northern Westchester. These are registered voters between the ages of 18 and 45 who have a low-turnout history of voting, and our postcard message encouraged them to vote in this election. Our UUCHV team mailed over 2,000 postcards, and we achieved the rest with help from all four Westchester UU congregations: UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester, Mt. Kisco; First Unitarian Society of Westchester, Hartsdale; Fourth UU Congregation of Westchester, Mohegan Lake; and CUUC, White Plains. Thank you all for supporting this important endeavor. We encourage everyone to make their voice heard with their vote!" In Fellowship, Ginny Stillman and Daria Gregg, UUCHV Co-Chairs of UU the Vote

The CUUC Democracy Matters team sent 500 postcards. Thank you Ginny, Daria, and UUCHV for putting together a campaign that we were happy to be part of! 

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

Feeding Our Neighbors

Meals for HOPE food prep: Mondays, 9:00am-1:00pm, CUUC Kitchen, Next Date Sun Oct 25

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

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.

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

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.