Enter, Rejoice, and Come in...
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Welcome to the Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester in Mohegan Lake, New York. Our fellowship is 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.
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 Fourth UU? Click Here!
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October 31, 2018
A special Message from our Minister, Cindy Davidson:
Friends, these have been a difficult few days for communities of faith in America as hatred and gun violence have once again breached the sacredness, peace and sanctuary of yet another worshipping community. The shock of the horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh continues to reverberate in our consciousness and through our media. With each vigil, prayer service, funeral and public statement lifted up in the media, we grieve, again, the senseless loss of life and injury. We denounce, again, religious intolerance and this display of anti-Semitism. We call, again, for a change to our culture that upholds easy access to weapons capable of inflicting such damage on our neighbors and friends.
As others around the nation and world are doing, let us hold the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh in our heart. So, too, let us show the same love, care and concern to our Jewish neighbors. For, life itself is precious and we are all vulnerable as we exercise our right to religious freedom.
Sometimes words fail to give us the full answer and way forward we seek in response to tragedies like this. Sometimes what our souls and bodies most need is to gather in community to lift a shared message of hope and solidarity. That’s part of what is behind the call that has gone out nationwide for people of the Jewish faith and their allies to #ShowUpForSabbath.
Nearby, Rabbi Weiner of Temple Beth Am, a reform congregation in Yorktown Heights, has announced plans to conduct a special Family Shabbat Service of Hope and Solidarity this Friday evening at 7pm. In his words, “Families and neighbors, young and old, Jews and non-Jews are invited to join us not only to celebrate the Shabbat, but also to show that we will not let hatred and anti-Semitism keep us away. Through special music, poetry and prayers all wrapped around the idea of hope, we will shine light where there is darkness. Please participate with us for this special Sabbath Service.”
Temple Beth Am of Northern Westchester is at 203 Church Place, Yorktown Heights.
I encourage all of you who are able to attend to do so. If, like me, you will be away this weekend, try searching FaceBook or the Internet for a #ShowUpForSabbath opportunity happening near your destination.
With best wishes and blessings,
Cindy
A special Message from our Minister, Cindy Davidson:
Friends, these have been a difficult few days for communities of faith in America as hatred and gun violence have once again breached the sacredness, peace and sanctuary of yet another worshipping community. The shock of the horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh continues to reverberate in our consciousness and through our media. With each vigil, prayer service, funeral and public statement lifted up in the media, we grieve, again, the senseless loss of life and injury. We denounce, again, religious intolerance and this display of anti-Semitism. We call, again, for a change to our culture that upholds easy access to weapons capable of inflicting such damage on our neighbors and friends.
As others around the nation and world are doing, let us hold the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh in our heart. So, too, let us show the same love, care and concern to our Jewish neighbors. For, life itself is precious and we are all vulnerable as we exercise our right to religious freedom.
Sometimes words fail to give us the full answer and way forward we seek in response to tragedies like this. Sometimes what our souls and bodies most need is to gather in community to lift a shared message of hope and solidarity. That’s part of what is behind the call that has gone out nationwide for people of the Jewish faith and their allies to #ShowUpForSabbath.
Nearby, Rabbi Weiner of Temple Beth Am, a reform congregation in Yorktown Heights, has announced plans to conduct a special Family Shabbat Service of Hope and Solidarity this Friday evening at 7pm. In his words, “Families and neighbors, young and old, Jews and non-Jews are invited to join us not only to celebrate the Shabbat, but also to show that we will not let hatred and anti-Semitism keep us away. Through special music, poetry and prayers all wrapped around the idea of hope, we will shine light where there is darkness. Please participate with us for this special Sabbath Service.”
Temple Beth Am of Northern Westchester is at 203 Church Place, Yorktown Heights.
I encourage all of you who are able to attend to do so. If, like me, you will be away this weekend, try searching FaceBook or the Internet for a #ShowUpForSabbath opportunity happening near your destination.
With best wishes and blessings,
Cindy
Upcoming ServicesSeptember 9, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Our first service of the year! Cindy Davidson will lead our traditional Water Communion at ingathering. Don't forget to bring a small container of water from your (literal or virtual) wanderings this summer. Of course, we'll have a little extra on hand just in case... Please come visit us, whether it’s your first time, or you just to catch up with everyone. |
News and Events******* The 4th UU Community proudly welcomes our new minister, Cindy Davidson! Cindy officially starts on August 1st. We're all looking forward to beginning a wonderful shared ministry with Cindy. In the meantime, here are a few words she shares with us: Greetings, members and friends, I am delighted to be joining you soon for the next chapter of shared ministry at 4th UU! I join you while in the final stages of becoming an ordained UU minister, having received my MDiv from Meadville Lombard in May, and having completed my service as the ministerial intern at Community UU Congregation at White Plains in June. I am honored and particularly enthusiastic for the opportunity to now serve your congregation as minister. One of the things that most excites me about the year ahead is your reputation as a congregation with a rich and vibrant lay leadership, from worship to social justice and governance. From observing my parents’ involvements in the small-town Methodist church of my upbringing, to my own experiences as a lay leader in my home UU congregation in Lexington, MA, I’ve seen the important role lay leaders (and those who appreciate them!) play in the health, vitality and spiritual well-being of a congregation and its members. I have no doubt such vitality – and a few challenges, for sure! – exists at 4th UU as well. I am confident we’ll find our stride as we craft our own shared ministry in matters large and small, spiritual and practical, life-affirming and fun. A bit more about me: I was born in western PA and headed to the Big City for music studies on the French Horn, earning a BMusic at the Mannes College of Music, and then worked in artist and non-profit management for several years. I married, moving to Durham, NC, and Paris, France before settling in Lexington, MA. During these years, I was a mother-at-home to four children (now in their 20’s), active as a LaLeche League peer breastfeeding counselor, trained in massage therapy and briefly had a small private practice. My own spiritual stirrings and a desire to connect with a community like the one I remembered growing up was what led me to visit the Unitarian Universalist church near me in my forties. Here I found a welcoming faith and community to support and encourage my inner search and to also challenge and encourage the outward, socially engaged, expression of my values. With such a strong voluntary ethic in my background, how could I not become more involved? Singing in the choir was the first step. Then, over the course of fifteen years, I served on the Board, chaired the Social Action and Music Committees, ran the concert series, co-facilitated a Parenting Teens group, was part of the Worship Associates team, and co-chaired the Green Sanctuary Committee through the Green Sanctuary certification process. As a result of following my mounting concerns about ecological, climate and environmental justice, I became a GreenFaith Fellow and joined the Board of the UU Ministry for Earth seven years ago. Together, these are the things that “seeded” my call to ministry. I believe the spiritual quest of meaning-making is never-ending and the opportunities for spiritual growth and depth are numerous and available to each of us in everyday life. Theologically, I lean towards religious humanism and religious naturalism, and find that process and liberation theologies appeal in their most liberal interpretations. I’m drawn to contemplative practices that focus on meditation, the natural world, the written word, and music. I am wondering how you describe yourselves, and look forward to meeting and getting to know you in the months ahead! In the meantime, May you be blessed in life, and may you be a blessing to others. In faith, Cindy **** Zen Meditation Group, Meets Every Saturday, 9:00 - 11:30 AM, Led by Rev Paul Silverman, free and open to the public **** |
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 iPhone.
Visit http://daviesjo.podbean.com/ or search for Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester under Podcasts on your iPhone.
