Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains, NY
Spirituality   ·   Compassion   ·   Service
Practice of the Week

Don't Be Alarmed. Don't underestimate the amount of background alarm in your body and mind. It's hard-wired and relentless, inherent in the collision between the needs of life and the realities of existence. While this alarmism has been a great strategy for keeping creatures alive to pass on their genes, READ MORE
From the Minister

I admit I've been slower on the uptake than many of my colleague Unitarian Universalist ministers in grasping the damage of cultural appropriation. It's a difficult area for many. For one thing, cultural appropriation is often ambiguous. Diffusion of cultural aspects (dress, cooking, music, technology, ideas, READ MORE
Lifespan Religious Education

This is the year in our two-year curriculum rotation that the 2nd-3rd graders learn about world religions. Historically at CUUC, this has meant a jaunt through the various cultures and religions presented in the curriculum Holidays and Holy Days. Over time in UU RE, we have come to realize that READ MORE.
From the Music Director  
 
As a kid, I had a morbid fascination with great composers who died young. Chopin at 39, Mendelssohn at 38, Purcell at 36, Mozart at 35, Schubert at 31 - I could recite them all. The Rock world would seem to trump them all, with Jim Morrison, Janis...  READ MORE 
Upcoming Worship Services

Sun Oct 1
Yay! Death!
Rev. Meredith Garmon
The good news is: you're going to die. What a relief! You don't bear responsibility for eternity, you don't have to get everything fixed. We tend to act like we're going to be around forever, but remembering that we won't be liberates us to enjoy each moment we are..

Sun Oct 8
On Statues and Statutes
Cindy Davidson, Ministerial Intern

As UUs repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and re-think Columbus Day in favor of celebrating Indigenous People's Day, what work remains to be done the other 364 days of the year?
Science & Spirituality   
       
Science & Spirituality, Today, Thu Sep 28, 11:30am, Fireside Area
A bi-monthly meeting to explore the relationship between science and spirituality. We are discussing Evening Thoughts by Thomas Berry and preparing for How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker. Join us! Contact: Yvonne Lynn (ylynn20@gmail.com). 
Sit and Sing with Us!
 
Choir Open House, Sun Oct. 1, 11:35am, Sanctuary
Come sing with the CUUC choir after coffee hour. Gather near the piano to sing rounds, beloved hymns, and accessible choral pieces. See what it is like to work with Choir Director... Read more HERE. Contact: Lisa Meyer at choir@cucwp.org or call 516-299-2475 (daytime).
Calling Young Adults    
       
Young Adult Gathering, Sun Oct 1, 11:45a, Room 43
A Young Adults group at CUUC is forming! All interested members, friends and visitors in young adulthood who are interested in meeting one another and engaging on issues of faith and other interests in a mutually supportive environment are invited to participate. Contact Cindy Davidson ( intern@cucwp.org , 781-710-1640) or Perry Montrose (dlre@cucwp.org) . 
Getting to Know You - Getting to Know One Another
 
Neighborhood Socials, Sun Oct 1, 4:00pm-6:00pm  
Some CUUC friends have graciously agreed to host an open house so we can get to know one another better. Guests choose the home, RSVP to the host, then bring a snack to share. Contact: Jane Dixon (lilrhodie@gmail.com, 914-949-5919). Find host homes HERE
Nature Nurture Community      
 
Workshop: Nurturing Our Children, Ourselves, and Nature, Sat Oct 7, 10:00am-3:00pm, CUUC
A workshop for educators and facilitators where we address the disconnect between humans and nature, and provide tools for adults to help children... Read more and register HERE. Co-facilitated by Rev. LoraKim Joyner (amoloros@gmail.com). 
Music Committee      
 
Music Committee Meeting, Sun Oct 8, 9:00am, Room 22
Attention music lovers! CUUC's Music Committee needs your support. Our committee meets several times a year and remains in touch by e-mail in the interim. Our work supports all matters musical at CUUC, including the running of CUUC's Concert Series, assisting the Music Staff in planning music as part of Sunday morning worship, strengthening the role of music in our RE program, making annual budget proposals to the BOT, and planning music for summer worship services. We invite all to attend our first meeting. We hope to see many of you there but - even if you can't make it - please let us know if you'd like to help out. Contact: Janet Bear (jsbear1@gmail.com) and Lois Holt ( mediamomforlife@gmail.com ).  
The Fall Communitarian is Here!
 
Read all about it! Our magazine-length newsletter is now posted on the website. Find articles on your ministry, religious education, board of trustees, social justice teams, committees, choir, concerts, and the annual auction. Click HERE.
Social Justice Team Events     
 
LGBTQIA Social Justice Team Event: Trans* 102 with Rhyrus Falcone, Sun Oct 22, 11:40am, Fellowship Hall
Join us for a recap and follow up to last year's presentation Trans* 101 Talking Gender, followed by an LGBTQIA Social Justice Visioning session. Childcare available with advance request to marycava4@gmail.com by Sun Oct 15. Contact: Tony Arrien ( arrien@optonline.net).  
 
Save the Date: "Reframing Westchester's Housing Crisis," Sun Oct 29, 11:45am, Fellowship Hall
Our guest speaker is Alexander H. Roberts, Exec Dir of Community Housing Innovations . CHI is the largest provider of housing for the homeless outside of New York City, with 1,000 people in its facilities each night. Co-sponsored by the Racial Justice and the Hunger and Homelessness social justice teams. Childcare available with advance reservation to admin@cucwp.org .
A Night in Havana... Ask a Question!    
       
2017 Auction, Sat Nov 18, 5:30p, Tickets $40
This week: Everything you ever wanted to know about the auction but were afraid to ask! Each Sunday between now and November 18, the auction committee will be at coffee hour waiting to talk to you about anything-and-everything related to the auction. Maybe you are thinking about attending but not sure what to expect? Are you are wondering if a particular donation might work for us? Are you curious what this Bid-and-Bump thing is all about? Please stop by and talk to us. We'd love to chat! See FAQs HERE.  
Hurricane Relief Donations    
       
As we plan our celebration of Cuban culture, we are keenly aware of how islands in the Caribbean are suffering from the devastation wrought by recent hurricanes. The UUA has established the UUA Disaster Relief Fund to assist congregations impacted by natural disasters in repairing damage, and to respond to the needs of members and communities in their efforts to recover. UUA staff is working closely with leaders in the Association's Southern Region, to ascertain where the need is greatest and to distribute funds efficiently.  
Our Social Justice Teams - Opportunities for You to Engage in Service
 
 
       
The third part of our mission statement is to "engage in service to transform ourselves and our world." Our goal is for each CUUC Member and Friend to participate on a team. Sign up in the lobby or online HERE. To learn more, look for core members wearing team buttons on Sundays. Or contact one of the Social Justice Coordinators (see Contacts below)... Read more HERE.  
Journey Group Signups   
       
Journey Groups help us deepen our understanding of life and strengthen our relationship to one another while we explore monthly themes together. Sign up using the sheets posted in the CUUC entryway or go online HERE. Please join even if you can only attend a few monthly meetings -- Journey Groups are how we help each other become the people we most want to be!
Sing, Sing, Sing - with the CUUC Choir!   
       
Rehearsals Tuesdays, 7:30-9:15pm, Sanctuary  
All voice parts welcome - you don't have to read music! We sing two Sundays a month and perform two concerts a year. Join full-time or part-time. Contact: Lisa Meyer at 516-299-2475 (daytime) or lisa.meyer@liu.edu. 
Share the Plate for October: Animal Welfare
 
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the Animal Advocacy Social Justice Team has been researching organizations that help unfortunate animals injured, displaced, and adversely affected by disaster. This month half of our non-pledge donations will go to a nonprofit organization that recognizes how animals are often the most vulnerable and forgotten victims. The organization selected will be one that rapidly assesses an event, transports rescuers and equipment to the scene, and works hand-in-hand with local groups to address the crisis. We are pleased to announce that the amount collected will be matched up to $1,000 by a generous couple in our congregation who have chosen to remain anonymous. The Animal Advocacy Social Justice Team's purpose is to foster understanding and respect for the community and experiences of all species, and to open themselves and others to greater compassion and kinship with all animals. 
Process for a Share-the-Plate Request    
       
There is no shortage of worthy causes, and as much as we wish we could honor all requests, there are only twelve months in the year. Please make your Share the Plate requests to the Social Justice Coordinating Committee (see Contacts below). We give priority to Social Justice Teams who have a long-term relationship with the organization they are recommending... Read more HERE.  
Birthday Bag Update  
 
In September the Hunger & Homelessness Social Justice Team collected birthday party supplies to be distributed to children in the Food Bank for Westchester's BackPack Program. We're pleased to announce that thanks to your donations we will be able to create over 100 Birthday Bags, all of which are needed by the Food Bank right now. Thanks to everyone who contributed! Contact: Amy Swiss (amyswiss@aol.com).
In the Community
 
Important Voter Registration Deadlines for 2017
The last day to register to vote for the November 2017 election is October 13th. If you want to change party affiliation to vote in the 2018 primary, the deadline is October 13th. If registering by mail, the form must be received by October 18th. Find the form HERE.  
Greeters Needed :-) 
 
Make our Sunday visitors feel welcome - come a little early to share your smile and a warm greeting. You can sign up for one or more Sundays HERE. Contact: Jane Dixon (lilrhodie@gmail.com).   
Did you know...?   
       
CUUC relies on rain for our lawn, tree, and shrub irrigation rather than a sprinkler system. This prevents landscaping water waste.
Caring & Sharing Circle

If anyone knows of another among us who is in need of a caregiver, please contact Janet Giewat (914 617-2137 or bean1a2@aol.com) or her backup Adine Usher (914 328-2307 or adinevictoriaray@gmail.com).
This Week at CUUC

The full calendar can be found HERE. Room numbers subject to change; please check the board on Sunday morning. To reserve a room, please contact Pam at the CUUC office (914-946-1660 x2, admin@cucwp.org).

Thu Sep 28 - 11:30am Science & Spirituality
Fri Sep 29 - 6:30pm Journey Group-Families
Sat Sep 30 - 9:00am Metro NY YAC; 10:00am Zen; 10:00am Strategic Planning; 4:30pm Rental: WCHJ
Sun Oct 1 - 8:45am Parent Teacher Meeting; 9:00am Economic SJT; 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:30am Choir Open House; 11:30am Auction Committee; 11:30am Welcome Committee; 11:45am Young Adult Gathering; 4:00pm Neighborhood Sunday
Mon Oct 2 - 6:30pm T'ai-ch'i; 7:00pm Rental: We Persist; 7:00pm Rental: Straight Spouse Network; 8:00pm Rental: Amnesty International
Tue Oct 3 - 7:00pm Rental: WCSPP; 7:30pm Choir rehearsal
Wed Oct 4 - 7:30pm Program Council
Thu Oct 5 - 9:30am Rental: League of Women Voters; 7:30pm Journey Group Facilitators
Fri Oct 6 - 7:00pm Rental: WCSPP
Sat Oct 7 - 9:30am Nurture Nature MultiGen Workshop; 10:00am Zen; 12:30pm Journey Group Facilitators; 1:30pm Rental: WCHJ (tentative)
Sun Oct 8 - 9:00am Music Committee; 9:00am Refugee Resettlement; 9:00am LGBTQIA meeting (tentative); 9:30am Nursery Care; 10:00am Worship; 11:15am Coffee Hour; 11:30am Environmental Practices; 11:40am Animal Advocacy
Contacts
 
Minister: Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x3 
Director of Lifespan Religious Ed. & Faith Development: Perry Montrose, dlre@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x4 
Community Minister: Rev. Deb Morra, getreal714@verizon.net, 914-830-1509
Community Minister: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, amoloros@gmail.com
Ministerial Intern: Cindy Davidson, intern@cucwp.org, 781-710-1640
Youth Program Coordinator: Chandeerah Davis, ypc@cucwp.org
Music Director: Adam Kent, music@cucwp.org, 212-595-7280
Choir Director: Lisa Meyer, choir@cucwp.org
Congregational & Communications Administrator: Pamela Parker, admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2
Bookkeeper: Diane Pearson, cuucwpbookkeeper@gmail.com, 914-946-1660 x5
Board of Trustees
Board Chair: Dean Silverberg, Dsilverberg@ebglaw.com, 212-351-4642   
Vice Chair: Karen Dreher, KMDreher55@gmail.com, 914-235-7845
Treasurer: Chris Kortlandt, kortlandtbunch@gmail.com, 914-834-7112
Secretary: Steve Miller, obitsman@gmail.com, 914-723-0982
Social Justice Coordinators
Jeff Tomlinson, jefftomlinson8@gmail.com
Mary Cavallero, marycava4@gmail.com
Pamela Cucinell, pamelajcny@gmail.com
Rev. Meredith Garmon, minister@cucwp.org
Quick Links

Your Moment of Zen

Propinquity. The same evening that Gray Wolf appeared was also Cougar's first time at Tallspruce circle. Mole stayed underground throughout the zazen period that day, but poked his nose out for the discussion of karma. After Raven's final response to Gray Wolf, Cougar asked, "Then is karma READ MORE
Saturday Zen Practice at CUUC: HERE.
The e -Communitarian newsletter is e-mailed each Thursday. 
Please send submissions to admin@cucwp.org by noon on Tuesday.
STAY CONNECTED:
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter