The “First Thursdays at Fourth U” adult RE series continues to explore spirituality and spiritual practices from a UU perspective. On Thursday, January 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Gary Jacinto, D.Min. will lead a workshop on exploring mindfulness in everyday life. Gary is a member of The Community Church of New York UU. He has been a guest student at the Zen Mountain Monastery at Tassajara, Big Sur, California; has participated in various Buddhist groups in New York City, and had private teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India. This event is sponsored by the Worship Arts Committee. Light dinner will be served and childcare provided. Please contact Jennifer at jenncjack@mac.com or 718.783.8757 for more information and to RSVP for childcare. We look forward to seeing you!
Next month’s New Moon Sister Circle (for women only) is convening on Monday, January 7 ,at 6:30 PM. Our circles provide a safe and sacred space each month to honor our connection to the Earth, to the cycles of the Moon, to our deepest selves and to each other. Call Deborah Roth at 212-665-9660 or email dsrothny@aol.com for the theme and more information.
January 6: “The Next Big Thing” - led by the Rev. Dr. William G. Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Bill Sinkford is the first African-American president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Named one of the nation’s most prominent and powerful black religious leaders by Beliefnet, a multi-faith electronic community, he is cited for being a particularly vocal proponent of legalizing gay marriage and of peace in the Middle East. While at Harvard University, he advised youth groups, served as Assistant Director of Rowe Camp and directed the Harvard-Roxbury summer project. After graduation, he spent a year in Greece as a Michael Clark Rockefeller Fellow. He received his Master of Divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry and was ordained in 1995.
A video of a highly dramatic one-person play, with Joseph Ben-David in five different roles, will be screened at Fourth U on Friday, January 18, 2008, from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. The play, which was performed for four months in New York, presents Jesus as a humanistic personality who challenges ancient and contemporary myths about his life and aspirations. At a time when millions of people await the second coming of Jesus, and prophecies warn of wars, famine, pestilence, and other calamities that will afflict humanity at his return, this show asks: What would people really do if Jesus returned today? The play speaks out freely on some of the most critical issues of society, against the tyrannical designs of fundamentalism and the threat of the Orwellian nightmare. Followed by discussion. All are welcome.
Buy a poinsettia and support our fundraising effort. The beautiful poinsettias you see decorating the church this holiday season are part of the project to help us reach our goal of $17,500 this fiscal year. Take one home with you after services on either Sunday, December 23 or Christmas Eve, for either $20 (small) or $30 (large). Or buy one to be donated to the Kateri Home Residence to help make their season bright. You can give your money either to Pam Plate (who will be sitting at the Fourth U Boutique on Sunday) or Seana Anderson. Thank you for your support.
The Christmas Eve service will be held at Fourth U on Monday, December 24, beginning at 7:00 PM. Please bring treats to share with each other after the service. We will provide hot chocolate, tea and decaf coffee.
All Fourth U members, families, and friends are invited to the New Members Dinner and Holiday Soiree on Friday, December 14 from 6:30—9:30 PM. Please let Seana Anderson know how many of you are coming, what you plan to bring (appetizer, salad or dessert), and what volunteer service you can perform. There are slots for decorating, set-up, food serving, tending bar, entertaining, and clean-up. You can email her at seana@4thu.org. There will also be a sign up sheet with Seana for the next two Sundays.
Hannah Zetlin will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Overnight Relay Race to be run in December at Brandeis University. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. To contribute online, click her personal page (or copy and paste in the link): Click here to visit my personal page.
