Welcome to the Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester in Mohegan Lake, New York.
We are a liberal religious community where members and friends gather to support each other in spiritual journeys
and to give service to the wider world of which we are a part.
We are a liberal religious community where members and friends gather to support each other in spiritual journeys
and to give service to the wider world of which we are a part.
Enter, Rejoice, and Come In!
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Our Mission: We are a caring and inclusive spiritual community of children, youth, and adults who honor differences and support open-minded spiritual exploration and ethical development. We celebrate life, nurture each other, and provide support in loving and open-hearted acceptance. We commit ourselves to social justice through action in our local community and the larger world. |
New to 4th UU? Click Here!
Online and In-Person Worship We are holding guest speaker or lay-led hybrid services, in person and also livestreamed on Zoom to join from home. Services are generally every two weeks, with virtual coffee hours between. On our weeks off, we invite you to visit other UU congregations virtually. Learn more in the weekly 4th Word newsletter.
Sunday, October 2 Visit a local worship virtually Afterward, join our 4thUU virtual coffee hour (link below). this week Sunday, October 9, 10:30am - Hybrid Service, "Indigenous Peoples Day" - 4th UU Worship Asociates The Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to fully understand the legacy of Christopher Columbus, just as it calls us to respect and learn from indigenous peoples and support their struggles for social justice and religious freedom. We join UUs across the United States in honoring Indigenous Peoples Day. Sunday, October 16 Visit a local worship virtually Afterward, join our 4thUU virtual coffee hour (link below). Sunday, October 23, 10:30am - Hybrid Service, "What is a JuBu?" - Rev. Paul Tesshin Silverman First cited in the 1994 book The Jew and the Lotus by Rodger Kamenetz, the expression "JuBu" was humorously coined to describe the many Buddhist practitioners that include their Jewish heritage in their spiritual practice. Some estimate that approximately 30% of the Buddhist practitioners in America have Jewish ancestry. Rev. Paul Tesshin Silverman is one of those Zen leaders/teachers, recognized both in Japan and America, and he will share his thoughts on this topic with us. Sunday, October 30 Visit a local worship virtually Afterward, join our 4thUU virtual coffee hour (link below). ======= Our 4th UU services and virtual coffee hours may be joined online by phone or computer. Click here to join by computer. Or join by phone (audio only): 646-558-8656, Meeting ID 922 824 2044, Passcode 529167 ======= EventsOnline 4th UU Journey Group Meetup
Thursday, September 29, 7:00 - 8:30pm, on Zoom Marc Bernstein will facilitate the discussion on the subject of THE MOVIES THAT MADE US. Click here to download the packet to read beforehand. New participants are always welcome! Click to join the Journey Group by computer/device, or call 646-558-8656, Meeting ID 933 0515 9526, Password 371728. 4th UU Second Friday Meditation Group Friday, October 14, 7:30 - 8:45pm, at 4th UU Join us for 20 minutes of silent group meditation, followed by discussion. Marge Grimm, LCSW, will demonstrate how to conduct a lay-led Dream Group. Please bring a dream, written down if possible. Marge Grimm retired as a full-time Psychiatric Social Worker in 2010. Especially notable amongst her many job placements are: Creator and Director of The New Beginnings Day Treatment Recovery Program for women at the Westchester County Dept of Corrections in Valhalla, and Psychiatric Social Worker on the intensive care unit, and West Prep Adolescent Day Care Treatment Program. Marge worked at Westchester Medical Center from 1985-2010. She was trained as a lay-led Dream Group Leader by Dr. Montique Ullman, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and sleep specialist. Marge is a member of 4th UU. RSVP to: Janet Alona Catalina (914-548-8372, catalina.janet@gmail.com); David Thwaite (914-539-6521, dhthwaite@optonline.net); Bob Schavrien (914-962-3737, schavrien@optonline.net). Online 4th UU Fourth UU Book Club The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers Sunday, October 30, 7:30 - 9:00pm Our next book selection is The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, by Maxwell King. Pick up a copy and join us! All are welcome (even if you haven’t finished the book). Book Club Zoom Meeting ID 961 0068 2226, Passcode 972225 ======= |
UUs Remain Committed to Reproductive Justice: Statement from UUA president, Rev. Susan Frederick-GrayBoston, Mass. (June 24, 2022) The Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women Health Organization case, which overturns Roe v. Wade, upending nearly 50 years of access to abortion. Below is a statement from Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), regarding this decision:
This decision manifests the worst fears of those of us who have been working for decades to protect and affirm reproductive rights. The overwhelming majority of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) support keeping abortion legal in all or most cases. This is rooted in our Principles and our core religious beliefs that affirm gender equity. It also reflects a moral commitment to the idea that reproductive care is healthcare and is essential to the well-being of individuals and families. This anti-choice decision by the Supreme Court infringes on our deeply held religious beliefs. Access to abortion and the right to choose is an issue of gender equality, bodily autonomy, and religious liberty, all of which are long held Unitarian Universalist religious teachings. As I said when the draft decision was leaked in May, I fear this decision will justify efforts to further limit the rights of women, pregnant people, and other vulnerable people and communities. Curtailing reproductive rights will be felt most by people of color, young people, poor and working-class people, and those living in rural areas. The rights of people in more vulnerable communities will only become more limited and diminish healthcare equity. Too many people are already deprived of ready access to comprehensive and equitable reproductive healthcare, including abortion access. Unitarian Universalists are committed to Reproductive Justice, a framework created by Black women in the 1980s and 1990s, which affirms the human right to have children, not to have children, to parent the children one has in healthy environments, to safeguard bodily autonomy, and to express one's sexuality freely. The UU faith has a long history of collaborating in this movement and advocating for safe, legal, accessible abortion care. The Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health decision does not alter Unitarian Universalists' commitment to Reproductive Justice. Comprehensive reproductive care, including access to abortion, is essential to the health and well-being of individuals and families. The decision to limit this basic human right means that this fight will shift to state legislatures across the country. Guided by our moral values, we are prepared to be a part of that ongoing struggle and continue to show up for Reproductive Justice in all aspects of public life. Our faith calls us to advocate on behalf of all those who need ready access to safe, legal abortion care whenever and wherever they need it. We will not rest until that reality is true across the country. I urge lawmakers, elected officials, and leaders in public life across the country to take action for gender and healthcare equity for all. https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/committed-reproductive-justice From the Pastoral Care TeamThe 4th UU Pastoral Care Team is here to help and support members of the congregation, reaching out during times of hardship, illness, or bereavement. We can arrange food deliveries, transportation, make a phone call, send a card, offer a candle lighting, and more. If you need assistance or know of of another member who does, please let us know. Details can be kept confidential.
Judy Schavrien (914-962-3737, schavrien@optonline.net) Carole Ellis (914-260-9182, carole.ellis14@gmail.com) Rev. Paul Tesshin Silverman is a resource for the 4th UU Pastoral Care Team and our congregation. Members can reach out to him directly at pjsilverman@gmail.com. In the CommunityYorktown Zen Meditation
Saturday mornings, 9:00 - 11:30am 4th UU Congregation Building, and via Zoom Join us in creating a community of Zen practitioners in Northern Westchester and Putnam County, NY. We meet every Saturday at 9am for authentic Zen training including two meditation sessions, Dharma talk, and tea ceremony. All meetings are free and open to everyone. We also offer a 30-minute Zoom-only practice session every Wednesday at 8pm. More information can be found on the Yorktown Zen website. ======= |
Can't make it to a service? Don't miss a thing! Listen to our podcasts on your computer or phone.
Visit http://daviesjo.podbean.com or search for Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester under Podcasts on your smart phone.
Visit http://daviesjo.podbean.com or search for Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester under Podcasts on your smart phone.
