Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York

October 19: “A Life Worth Living” - led by Rev. Edmund Bolella

October 12: Association Sunday. “A Ministry that Matters” - led by Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt

Please join Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt of Fourth Universalist Society, Rev. Cheryl M. Walker of the Unitarian Church of All Souls, Ibrahim Raney of the Muslim American Society and other Unitarian Universalist and Muslim leaders, on Sunday, September 21, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, in a Muslim - Unitarian Universalist dialogue here at Fourth U.

Sponsored in part by the UU Service Committee, this dialogue is one of five taking place across the United States to facilitate understanding and begin cooperation between our two religious communities. We’re especially pleased to be part of this historic event during the holy month of Ramadan; we hope to listen and to learn with open hearts and minds—and we hope you’ll join us.

Refreshments will be served. This event will take place in the Gymnasium, so please use the 76th Street entrance.

On Saturday, September 20, from 1:00 to 5:30 PM, as part of the United Nations International Day of Peace, the Coalition for One Voice along with One Spirit Learning Alliance are sponsoring the World Shift to Peace Festival here in our landmark Fourth U edifice (home of the Peace Tower of New York City.)

Along with keynote speaker theologian/author Matthew Fox, there will be many exciting workshops and presentations throughout the day. For further information and to purchase tickets for this event go to http://www.CoalitionForOneVoice.org/ and click on the “Upcoming Events” link on the right side of the screen.

The Cosmic Mass will be coming to New York on Friday, September 19, with its Creator, noted theologian Matthew Fox.

The One Spirit lnterfaith Community will present New York City’s first-ever Cosmic Mass, a worship service for the 21st century, at 7:00 PM at the Fourth Universalist Society, 160 Central Park West, at 76th Street. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Acclaimed Creation Spirituality theologian, educator, and author Matthew Fox, whose vision gave birth to this postmodern phenomenon, will be among the chief celebrants.

What’s a Cosmic Mass?
It’s a ritual that unites community across religions, cultures, and generations. Sacred wisdom from western, eastern, and global indigenous traditions is blended with ecstatic music, poetry, dancing, and multimedia imagery. Artists and musicians collaborate with spiritual leaders to reinvent and revitalize worship. The inclusive environment empowers participants of every age, race, and persuasion, to come together to share prayer and celebration. Since the first one in California in 1996, the Cosmic Mass has steadily gained worldwide attention. Its debut in New York was initiated by Rev. George Kuhn, a seminary graduate of One Spirit Learning Alliance (onespiritinterfaith.org), Manhattan-based world leader in interfaith/integral spiritual education. Inspired by his studies, he took part in a Cosmic Mass facilitator training, given by Friends of Creation Spirituality, in Oakland, CA. With Rev. Fox’s blessing, Kuhn then invited the seminarians and ministers of the One Spirit community to join him in making it happen locally.

The theme, “One Radiant Peace - The Marriage of Compassion and Strength,” will be featured throughout the worship space in artwork, altars, and projected images of the Divine Feminine, the Sacred Masculine, and the honoring of peace, as seen through the prism of many faith traditions. The landmark venue is courtesy of Fourth Universalist Society’s Board of Trustees. In addition to Dr. Fox and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, pastor of Fourth Universalist Society (and a former New York Times Book Review editor), presenters include many multi-talented interfaith ministers and seminarians: Drummer Zenobia Conkerite (an original cast member of “Hair”); gospel singer Rhetta Morgan; liturgical dancers, led by Samuel Lipton; poetlsinger Erin Bailey; a Native American flute performance by Joelle Danant, Bob Demetrician, and Kathryn Twinfeathers; Manda Stretch on “hang” drum; “Circle of Soul,” a collective of female singers, dancers, and artists whose creativity honors the earth; and DJ Shaman Rev. Bobby D, spinning trancelelectronica. The evening is among several “Weekend of Peace” events being held in New York in observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. With capacity limited to 500 attendees, the Cosmic Mass is expected to sell out in advance. Tickets: $30 through July 31; $40 thereafter; $20 for students, ages 15-17; available at cosmicmassnyc.org. For more information, please contact Rev. Susan Turchin at revsusan@onespiritinterfaith.org, 212-931-6840, ext. 24.

One Spirit Learning Alliance. 330 West 38Ih Street. Suite 1500. New York, NY 10018 . www.onespiritinterfaith.org

On September 7 at 10:00 am there will be a first rehearsal/informational meeting with our new Music Director, Tom McGinnis, in the choir room.  Subsequent rehearsals will be
held on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Workshop: Committees on Ministries & Conflict Management
A day-long workshop sponsored by the Metro NY District and the Fourth Universalist Society on Saturday, September 13, 2008, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at Community Church of New York UU, 40 E 35th St, Manhattan.  Presidents, Ministers, Committee on Ministries members, and other leaders are all welcome!

The Rev. Robert T. Latham, UU minister and creator of the Committee on Ministries Program (and our guest preacher on September 14th), will lead the morning session; Dr. Frances Sink will lead the afternoon session.

This workshop will examine a framework for understanding conflict in congregations and will offer practical approaches to conflict dialogue and resolution.

Cost: $40 for the first person from a congregation to register; $25 for each additional person from the same congregation. This includes coffee and pastry at 9:00 am and lunch. Rev. Latham’s  book, Moving on From Church Folly Lane, is available for $15 by pre-order.

Register online at: https://www.formdesk.com/uuforms/COMandConflictManagement

Questions? Contact Andrea Lerner at alerner@uua.org or 914-373-0193

October 5: High Holy Days. “Hanging in the Balance”  - led by Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt