2021-10-29

Religious Education: October 31, 2021

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Religious Education & Faith Development
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
October 31, 2021

2021-2022 RE Theme: Community, Wholeness, Discovering Our New Normal.
Find Current RE Information & Class Summaries Online Here. 
Sunday Morning 
Halloween Party
Moved to Sunday Morning

 
Sunday, 10:00am-12:30pm, Upper Parking Lot
The Saturday forecast calls for rain so we are moving the Halloween party to Sunday morning, 10:00am-12:30pm in the upper parking lot. Come in costume and invite friends!
There will be games and crafts, plus the traditional Halloween parade at the start of the worship service, outside along the sanctuary's glass wall. We will have Trick-or-Treating in the upper parking lot at 11:30am and invite everyone to bring treats and fill our Trick-or-Treaters’ bags with goodies. Classes and Youth Group do not meet. 
Childcare

9:30-11:45am, Outdoor Playground
Diane and Hans offer childcare for young children on our outdoor playground. Everyone wears a mask. No snacks are served. Drop off and pick up on the playground (enter through the upper parking lot). 
10:00am Worship
In Person & Online

“Samhain” ~ Rev. Meredith Garmon & Joe Gonzalez
The pagan celebration of mid-autumn (halfway between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice) marks a time for remembering those no longer with us and preparing for winter.
At our in-person worship in our sanctuary, we follow Covid safety protocols: showing proof of vaccination, remaining masked, and maintaining social distance from those not in our household. Please have your mask on and proof of vaccination (or blue dot on your nametag) as you enter.

We livestream the service on Zoom for people to join online or by phone. To watch the service online, click https://bit.ly/CUUC-Worship, or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923, Webinar: 761 321 991, Passcode: 468468

We will not yet be hosting in-person or virtual coffee hour after worship.

To watch the service online from your device, click https://bit.ly/CUUC-Worship, or phone in (audio only): 1-646-876-9923. Webinar: 761 321 991 · Passcode: 468468

Orders of service are e-mailed and uploaded to our website prior to each Sunday.  Revisit past services anytime at our YouTube Channel.
ATTN Youth
Videos for Change
Register by Saturday, 30th

The Irvington Theater is offering Videos for Change by High Resolves, an online filmmaking class in which students will work both independently and virtually with an instructor to research and craft a key message about social issues they care about.

They will make a storyboard then create, edit, and promote a one-minute film about a social justice issue, building social advocacy skills and providing them a global platform to amplify their message. No prior filmmaking experience is required; participants are welcome to use any technology they have on hand, from a smartphone to a digital camera. Class meets biweekly via Zoom from November 1-17. The cost of the program is $100 and financial assistance is available. Read more here and register by October 30th.
JUUst Breathe Live
for Youth and Young Adults

JUUst Breathe Live is a YouTube live stream where youth ministry has a say! Hosts Shannon Harper and Eric Bliss interview youth and adult bad asses who hold a vision of liberal religious youth ministry that is both lifesaving and spirit lifting.

Join us for real time conversations where your ideas matter and your questions get answered. Explore faith, spirituality, and life purpose as never before. And above all, bring your authentic self and...JUUst Breathe.  JUUst Breathe YouTube Channel offers the first three recorded episodes: 

  • Mental Health First Aid
  • The Other Side of the Bridge: What Happens After Youth Group
  • Youth Spirituality (We especially encourage COA youth, teachers, mentors and parents to watch this one!)
Center Lane Programs
for Youth and Young Adults

The TransParentcy group for youth and adults continues meeting Wednesdays at 6:30pm.  Email Center Lane at centerlane@wjcs.com or call (914) 423-0610.

Join us for the
Rainbow Book Club - the first book is Alex Ever After! Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/virtualcl.

Starting Monday 11/1: Gender Joy Project! Our Gender Joy Group is an 8-week, free, virtual group running on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm for LGBTQ+ youth 13-18!  The group will bring LGBTQ+ youth together to explore gender and sexuality identities in a way that focuses on positive feelings, and helps them learn to frame something that is so often painful in a euphoric way; to find the aspects of their genders and sexualities that make them happy. The goal of the Gender Joy Project is to access the parts of gay experience that spark joy and spread joy within ourselves and our community as a whole. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/GenderJoy

Starting Tuesday 11/16: Center Lane’s Pride Academy! Our Pride Academy is a 12-week, free, virtual group running on Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm for LGBTQ+ youth 13-18! This is a unique program filled with opportunities to make new friends, connect with LGBTQ+ mentors and learn more about yourself! At Pride Academy you will learn more about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, aspects of LGBTQ+ culture, the role the media plays in shaping the social understanding of LGBTQ+ people, the history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, how to advocate for the community in different ways, and how you understand your place in the world. Mostly importantly, you’ll have fun!  Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/PrideAcademy.

Children & Youth
MLK Institute Reading Initiative
PreK - 8th Grade
 
Online Groups Begin October 27th and 28th
Since 1988, through programs for all ages, the MLK Institute has taught nonviolence as a way of life, and as a path to social justice, equity and security for all. We work to further the legacy of Dr. King when he envisioned and took action to build the “Beloved Community.”

Now we present a reading initiative for children and youth, through our exceptional Martin Luther King Freedom Library. Focusing on early childhood through middle school children, we will draw on our core themes. Our Library holds over 3.000 books and some DVDs and videos about Dr. King, other great peacemakers, African American history, the Civil Rights Movement, African American biography, peace, anti-racism, nonviolent action for social change and more.

Early Childhood, K-2nd grade, and 3rd-5th grade meet in separate groups the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month starting 10/27, 4:00-4:30pm. The Middle School group (CUUC’s Amy Nathan is one of the readers!) starts October 28th at 6:30pm and meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.  Click on the grades above for that group’s registration link. Find additional information on the library’s website.

Children's Story Time
New Room: Zoom 3131
 
Thursday, November 4, 7:15-8:00pm
Barbara M is starting a new book for story time, Five Children and It by E. Nesbit (grades 4-7). While their parents are away, some English children unearth a sand-fairy who is forced to grant their wishes, but luckily for them the wishes come undone at sunset. Zoom 3131Meeting ID: 313 195 3131 · Passcode: 468468. Contact: Tracy Breneman (cuucwptracy@gmail.com)
Connecting in Community
Room at Your Table?

Is there room at your table? Share your Thanksgiving with an international student. Learn and enjoy from this opportunity for cultural exchange. Promote cultural understanding and world peace. This makes a wonderful experience for children as it adds to the family table conversation. All participating students will be fully vaccinated. To sign up, call Or email Jane Dixon (Lilrhodie@gmail.com, 914-949-5919). 

Save the Date
Holiday Gift & Donation Activity

 
Saturday, December 4th, 10:00am-12:00pm at CUUC
This is a fun activity for all ages, making holiday gifts for friends and family, and something special to brighten another person's day. We'll be making earrings. For every pair you make to take home, you'll make a 2nd pair to be donated to a women's shelter. We hope you will join us! We will observe safety measures like wearing masks and distancing. Contact Raquel (youth@cucwp.org).
Podcasts for Parents and Caregivers

Audra R let us know about excellent podcasts for parents and caregivers offered through the White Plains public library. You will find podcasts about parenting and caregiving, equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism, social justice, books, health and wellness, and more.  Click here.

Helping Families Rebuild

Furniture Sharehouse is launching a Hurricane Ida Mattress Campaign to raise funds to purchase new mattresses to help affected families begin rebuilding their lives after the devastating storm. Donations will go directly towards purchasing new twin, full, and queen mattresses sets and frames. In addition, if they raise $10,000, an anonymous donor will match it with an additional $10,000! To learn more, click here.

For the most updated information, schedules, past class summaries and Zoom links, visit the RE overview and schedule. You may also consult our CUUC website calendar, which always has Zoom links. Families participating in childcare through 12th grade RE, please submit 2021 registration (click here for the form).
Read All CUUC Announcements in the Weekly e-Communitarian Newsletter
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains  
468 Rosedale Ave · White Plains, NY 10605-5419