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Religious Education & Faith Development
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
April 3, 2022
2021-2022 RE Theme: Community, Wholeness, Discovering Our New Normal
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Revisions to COVID Protocol
CUUC’s COVID Safety Committee met on Thursday, March 31st and recommended five revisions to our current COVID protocols, which were quickly approved by the Board on Friday. The Committee's update was circulated via the congregation's e-mail list. You can also click here to read it. |
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Childcare
9:30am-11:30am
Diane and Hans (and probably Abby & Zack!) 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 will be extended this Sunday for the Welcome & Information Session for New Families, 11:30am-12:00pm.
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10:00-11:15am
1st-9th Grade Classes
In Person
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
Room 13 in the Red Hallway
Norm H and Laura S are leading class. Children will explore the phrase in the Blake covenant which encourages us to "help one another." Through the story of 19th-century Unitarian Elizabeth Blackwell, who became a physician in order to help others heal, we discover our faith heritage of perseverance, hope, and giving. Blackwell became the first woman doctor in the United States—one of the pioneering Unitarians and Universalists who heeded a calling to help others despite societal obstacles and personal hardships.
6th-7th Grade Class, Amazing Grace: Exploring Right and Wrong
Room 41 in the Green Hallway
Christine H and Laura G are leading class. This is the second of four classes that focus on ethical development. This Sunday, youth explore ethical and character conflict in terms of two inner wolves, examining how each of us has a "good" and a "bad" side to our character and personality.
8th-9th Grade Class, Coming of Age Handbook & Compass Points
Room 11 in the Red Hallway
COA class will go until 11:30am this Sunday to accommodate the discussions and project. Betsy W is leading with Raquel B and mentors, and joined by Dinsa M
Youth continue exploring the ‘big questions’ of theology, studying the sacred within, among, and beyond us. Discussion will invite youth to explore these questions in ways that align with their personal experiences and religious traditions. For young people to get in touch with their own theology, they must break down old “God” stereotypes and consider UU ways of understanding ultimate reality. Then, Betsy will check in briefly with youth about their credo writing process at this stage. At 11:00am, Dinsa M will join class to show youth a model of the chalice they designed for the congregation and discuss next steps.
We look forward to seeing you!!
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10:00am Worship
In Person & Livestream
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To join the worship livestream, click https://bit.ly/CUUC-Worship, or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923. Webinar: 761 321 991, Passcode: 468468. Due to a recent Zoom update, you will now need to enter your e-mail to join. Revisit past services anytime at youtube.com/TheLiberalPulpit and subscribe!
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Welcome & Information
for New & Visiting Families
11:30am-12:00pm, Room 43, Green Hallway
We are delighted to have several new and visiting families. Welcome!
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We invite you to join our Director of Religious Education, Tracy Breneman, for a short information session about our Religious Education/Exploration programs, with Q&A. Childcare will be provided. Join us in the green hallway, classroom 43, 11:30am-12:00pm. Future sessions will be held May 1st, May 22nd, and June 12th. Contact: Tracy Breneman, cuucwptracy@gmail.com
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In the Spirit of Truth
& Racial Justice Team Meeting
11:45am, Room 41, Green Hallway & Zoom 6161
We begin our meetings with “In the Spirit of Truth,” a supportive circle for sharing experiences and concerns regarding racism, discrimination, and oppression in our lives and communities.
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Then, the Racial Justice Team will discuss opportunities for engaging in social action in the congregation and community. Everyone is invited and welcome! Contact: Jeff Tomlinson (jefftomlinson8@gmail.com). To join by Zoom: bit.ly/CUUC-Zoom-6161 or phone (audio only): 929-436-2866 · Meeting: 616 163 6161 · Passcode: 468468
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Chamber Concert
"2 outta 3 B's: Sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms"
12:30pm Sanctuary and Livestream
Join us, in person or virtually, as Music at CUUC presents violinist Elena Peres and pianist and CUUC Music Director Adam Kent in concert.
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The performance features works from two of classical music's famous "Three B's": Beethoven's Violin and Piano Sonata No. 8 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 3, and Brahms's Violin and Piano Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108. Suggested donation: $20 for adults; $10 for students and seniors; children 13 and under $5, with a maximum family donation of $45. Visit our website to use the donate button or click directly: bit.ly/MusicCUUC-donate. The login for the live-stream will be bit.ly/Music-at-CUUC, or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923. Webinar: 761 321 991, Passcode: 468468.
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Family Conversations
Tracy, in partnership with the DRE of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, is offering a series of conversations for parents/caregivers and children together, and parents/caregivers of youth that are designed to open communication and support conversations at home.
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Parents/Caregivers & Children Together: Nurturing Resilience & Communication
K-5th Grade Families
5 Fridays: April 22 - May 20, 7:00-7:30pm, Online
Five thirty-minute sessions for parents/caregivers and elementary age children together. Each begins with viewing a short video about understanding and talking about emotions, then we'll practice a skill related to the video’s topic, and inviting ongoing conversation at home. Dates & Topics: April 22, Understanding Feelings; April 29, Relaxation Skills; May 6, Understanding Thoughts; May 13, Managing Intense Emotions; May 20, Mindfulness.
Parents of Teens: The Mystery of the Teenage Brain
6th-12th Grade Parents/Caregivers
Wednesday, May 18, 7:30-8:30pm, Online
One one-hour session for parents/caregivers of teens. We will watch a short video by Dr. Sanjay Gupta together, discuss it, and share suggestions and support for continuing the conversation at home.
RSVP with Tracy, cuucwptracy@gmail.com
Both meet on Zoom: bit.ly/CUUC-RE
Two-step login: https://zoom.us/j/817388428 + Passcode: 468468.
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BPD on TikTok
Conversations around mental health challenges are on the rise, which is a good thing when information comes from reliable sources. Recently, there have been increasing numbers of videos on TikTok about borderline personality disorder (BPD) with youth sharing accounts of raw emotions and self-destructive behavior they report as BPD.
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This has tempted other young people to diagnose themselves, even though emotional highs and lows are typical in adolescence. The Child Mind Institute that reported the trend offers information about BPD and why it is often misdiagnosed, and describes different kinds of depression. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers information and resources about poor mental health as a growing problem for adolescents, and The National Institute of Mental Health offers resources for parents and caregivers. You might check in with your child(ren)/youth in case they are seeing these videos, and invite a conversation about how they are doing these days.
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Upcoming Schedule
Classes will not meet April 10th & 17th, taking a break for the week long school holiday. On those Sundays, we will enjoy whole congregation worship with vaccinated congregants of all ages in the sanctuary! Childcare will be available. Classes resume April 24th. Click here for the schedule and program information.
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PlaceKeeping Practice
“First Saturdays” PlaceKeeping Practice, Sat Apr 2, CUUC Grounds
Join the PlaceKeepers each month to appreciate, improve, and maintain the building and grounds of CUUC, our spiritual home. Socialize by the Spirit Fire, help tend our springs and paths, or take a walk and watch for wildlife. You are welcome to join us throughout the day. Contact: Bice Wilson (bicewilson@gmail.com), Terri Kung (terrikung@yahoo.com). Note: after much deliberation, the PlaceKeepers have decided not to host a "Pesto Fest" this April to help harvest the overly plentiful wild garlic mustard plants at CUUC.
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UU BIPOC Gathering
Monthly
1st Mondays at 6:30pm, April 4, May 2, and June 6.
If you identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC), you're invited to join us for the Central East Region's BIPOC. In our gatherings we are joined by lay folks of color, lay leaders of color and/or religious professionals of color to be in community. Our conversations focus on topics like wellness and resilience and our goal is to center BIPOC experiences and create space to explore our UU experiences. Contact Sana Saeed at ssaeed@uua.org for connection information.
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Youth Art & Activism
Photo Exhibition and Movie
Wednesday, April 6th
Bedford Playhouse
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6:00pm Youth Photography Show
7:00pm Movie Screening and Youth Led Panel Discussion with Monica Berra, Film Producer - A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks explores the power of images in advancing racial, economic, and social equality as seen through the lens of Gordon Parks, one of America's most trailblazing artists, and the generation of young photographers, filmmakers, and activists he inspired. View the official movie trailer here. To lean more and RSVP for the free event, visit the WYA website.
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An Easy Way to
Connect with Children & Youth
Occasionally, we have a Sunday when only one member of a teaching team is available. When that happens, you have the opportunity to sit in! Having a second adult in each class helps us uphold our Safe Congregation practices.
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Visiting class is a wonderful way to get to know the children and youth. It demonstrates that you value their presence in our CUUC community and support their spiritual journey. And it makes it possible for us to offer RE in a safe environment. We’d love to have you on our standby list! For more about the assistant role, click here. Contact Tracy to volunteer, cuucwptracy@gmail.com.
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We invite you to read Defund Fear, then join one of our four small group discussions:
- Sun Apr 24 at 11:45m, facilitated by Adine Usher (on Zoom)
- Tue Apr 26 at 7:30pm, facilitated by Kevin McGahren-Clemens (at CUUC)
- Thu Apr 28 at 7:30pm, facilitated by Tracy Breneman (on Zoom)
- Sat Apr 30 at 11:00am, facilitated by Jeff Tomlinson (at CUUC and on Zoom)
To sign up, contact Pam Parker (admin@cucwp.org) with your group choice. You can also contact Pam to purchase your copy of Defund Fear.
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