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Religious Education & Faith Development
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
March 6, 2022
2021-2022 RE Theme: Community, Wholeness, Discovering Our New Normal
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CUUC Returns to In Person
Gatherings This Sunday!
Given the decline in cases in Westchester County and the risk level dropping on covidactnow.org, the COVID Safety Committee has recommended, and the Board has approved, a plan to return to in-person gathering THIS SUNDAY. While we will stick with our established vaccination, masking, and distancing protocols, there are few changes we’ll be making to loosen some restrictions. Click here to see the email message from the committee. |
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Childcare
9:30am-*12:45pm
Diane and Hans offer childcare for young children. Everyone wears a mask. No snacks are served. Drop off and pick up in room 32 in the yellow hallway.
*Childcare is extended this Sunday for the programs happening after RE and worship (see below).
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1st-9th Grade Classes
In Person
10:00am-11:15am
Wear a mask, enter through the RE lobby, and visit the RE welcome table. After worship, please pick up your children so RE leaders can go to other activities. We will continue using blue dots on nametags to indicate completed vaccines. Share updated vaccination information with Tracy.
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1st-5th Grade Class, Love Connects Us
Meet in Fellowship Hall
Norm H and Laura S H are leading session 11, Science and Religion, which explores the covenant phrase to "seek the truth in love." Through the story of Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), children discover our Unitarian heritage of seeking truth. Priestley, a scientist and a Unitarian minister, combined his theological beliefs with scientific inquiry. He made scientific breakthroughs we recognize today, such as proving the existence of oxygen. Yet, Priestley was ostracized during his time for his ideas. His story reminds us of the dual importance of seeking the truth in love and following our conscience in standing up for our beliefs. Children will also be learning about the James Webb Space Telescope!
6th-7th Grade Class, Amazing Grace: Exploring Right and Wrong
Meet in Room 41 in the Green Hallway
Alex Z and Gail J are leading session 11, Rules, Rules, Rules, which explores the role of rules in people's lives. At first glance, rules seem a simple matter. Obey them and be virtuous, disobey them and be sinful. What happens when rules bump into each other, as they so often do? The session also explores the Ten Commandments, then youth create their own commandments for an alien who enters their lives with no clue about how to act.
8th-9th Grade Class, Coming of Age Handbook & Compass Points
Meet in Room 11 in the Red Hallway
Raquel B and Nicholas A are leading session 21, Starting With Us, which begins a unit on UU theology. Youth will explore what motivates people to engage in good or bad behavior, how groups influence the behavior of individuals, the Ten Commandments, and then compose their own set of rules for ethical human behavior. They will also debrief the Friday/Saturday COA Credo Writing Retreat and may use their COA journals, To This I Give My Heart.
We look forward to seeing you - in person!!
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10:00am Worship
In Person & Livestream
“Humility” ~ Rev. Meredith Garmon
What can one do about arrogance? It’s usually other people’s arrogance that seems to be the main issue. Still, we might do well to begin with our own. We all have flare ups of arrogance from time to time.
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Drag Queen Story Hour
In Person & Livestream
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In celebration of our return to in person activities and as a companion program for Tony Arrien's workshop (see the box below), we will host Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) for children of all ages. DQSH is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. Click here for a flyer to share. All are welcome! Masks required in person.
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Trends in Gender Identity, Intersectionality, and Neurodiversity
In Person & Livestream
11:30am, Sanctuary and Zoom 2210
Childcare will be available
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Tony Arrien of the LGBTQIA Social Justice Team presents a workshop and Q&A session to share important trends relevant to teachers, administrators, employers, mental health professionals, LGBTQ allies, and UUs so we can become more aware, inclusive, understanding, supportive, and welcoming of diverse peoples, gender identities, and neurotypes, and appreciate the effect of their combined minority stress. We will learn about the emerging term “Neuroqueer.” We encourage everyone supporting children and youth to attend. Contact: Tony Arrien (arrien@optonline.net).
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Consider Serving in
Congregational Leadership
on the
Board of Trustees &
Nominating Committee
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Nominations for the Board of Trustees
If you know someone who would be a great addition to our Board of Trustees, the Nominating & Leadership Development Committee invites you to complete and submit a nomination application form. The form is available either to print out and write in, or to type in directly, save, and attach to an email. Self-nominations are encouraged! Email the application form to Randy Marshall (rmarshra@gmail.com) or mail to CUUC by Sun Mar 13.
Nominations for the Nominating Committee
If you'd like to serve on our Nominating and Leadership Development Committee, or want to nominate another member (with their consent), complete our nomination application form (select an application to print, fill in, and mail; or an application to type in, save, and attach to an email). Send form to board chair Joe Majsak, either by email (jmajsak@verizon.net) or USPS mail (26 Blackthorn Lane, White Plains, NY 10606). Application deadline is Sun Mar 13. Contact: Joe Majsak (jmajsak@verizon.net, 914-281-3243). See our letter here.
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Grateful for Your Support
We continue colleting donations for the Caro family, clothing, coats and other winter gear, school supplies, and personal items.
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Clothing sizes are women’s size M, men’s size M-L (34-30), and children’s size 12-14. You may also send a financial donation using the donate button on our website. On the drop down menu, choose "Support for CUUC Family." Please direct questions to Caring and Sharing member, Julie Gans (julieagans@gmail.com & 914-830-0944). Thank you so much.
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“First Saturdays” PlaceKeeping Practice
Sat Mar 5, CUUC Grounds
This Saturday our special guest is Jessica Schuler, former Forestry Restoration Curator at the NY Botanical Garden. Join us by by the Spirit Fire at 10:00am for our Gratitude Practice, based on the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. Then we will walk the paths with Ms. Schuler to learn about the re-wilding of our land. You are welcome to join us throughout the day. Contact: Bice Wilson (bicewilson@gmail.com), Terri Kung (terrikung@yahoo.com).
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Bird Walk
Birding for Life
Sun Mar 6, 8:45am, CUUC Grounds
RSVP - Rev. Lora Kim (amoloros@gmail.com) or Meetup.
Come join us before worship as we seek to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. RSVP to Rev. LoraKim Joyner (amloros@gmail.com) or Meetup.
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Supporting Young People's Mental Health
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What to Say to Kids
When the News is Scary
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Youth Peer Pastoral Care Training
for HS Youth & Adults
Sunday, March 13th, 1:30pm, Online
We are working with the UUA to offer a series of interactive online workshops for youth to learn peer pastoral care skills - deep listening and sharing feelings.
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Pastoral care is an essential part of religious community and an essential part of caring for each other as human beings. We each can be present to each other as we go through both the hard and joyful parts of life. Compassion, witness, listening, and empathy are gifts we can give each other. Sharing those gifts with others helps us learn to receive those gifts when we need them. Youth come to this training with questions like: Am I supposed to be good at giving advice? What should I say after someone shares something hard? Should I ask questions? This training covers all of that and more! To learn more about this series please visit the Peer Pastoral Care workshop series webpage.
Presenters are Rev. Evin Carvill-Ziemer and young adult Max Solomon-Frye.
Registration fees is $10 per person. Contact Tracy for financial assistance.
Register Now. All youth also complete the UUA Online Drop-in Form.
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Week 7: March 6, 2022
Continuing Mindfulness
Children’s book, Here and Now written by Julia Denos, Illustrated by E.B. Goddale [2:27]
Left Brain Buddha, Mindfulness Practices, Especially for Kids. Mindfulness is a powerful practice that helps ALL of us improve our focus and concentration, and manage stress. Below are five simple mindfulness concepts you can introduce to kids as young as four or five. Click HERE to read the full Left Brain Buddha blog, and HERE for a handy poster you can print and post.
- I can find my anchor and breathe. An anchor keeps our mind from drifting too far by offering a specific place to put one's attention, often the breath.
- I can notice my puppy mind. Minds are like puppies that are curious and want to wander off! We don't get angry at our puppy mind, but notice it has wandered and gently call it back.
- I can send kind thoughts and be grateful. We can wish for ourselves and others happiness, safety, health, and send kind thoughts. We can also pause and notice what we are grateful for.
- I can notice my feelings. Mindfulness can help children become more aware of their emotions. Adults can help build awareness by asking where in their body they feel a feeling. They can pause and name the emotion. These help children learn to recognize and handle emotions.
- I can be still as I look, listen, and learn. You can simply sit and let your mind, body, and nervous system take a break. It can help us to remain still and focused by having something to pay attention to, e.g., the sounds of nature, the breeze of a fan, the smell of something baking. Be present in the moment.
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