November, 2013

Planning Ahead - January Coming Soon.

Christmas Dinner Tickets on Sale – Stop by the Welcome Table

We invite you to join us for our annual celebration on Wednesday, December 25, 12 pm, in Assembly Hall for a delicious dinner hosted by Rev. Orlanda Brugnola.  Purchase tickets at the Welcome Table by Sunday, December 15 - $20 adults/$7 children under 12. Tickets must be prepaid/Payment by check or cash (exact amount) accepted.

Holiday Craft Fair – December 1, 12:15-4 pm, Assembly Hall

It will once again feature food, fun, and fabulous crafts and gifts made by artisan members and friends of Community Church.  Contact Person:  Jody Leight at j_ cyberbunny@yahoo.com  or at (973) 673.7354.
 

Young Adult Brunch – December 1, 12:30 pm - Meet by elevator

The Young Adults are invited to gather at 12:30 pm to enjoy a brunch and conversation together at a nearby (reasonably priced) restaurant.
 

Christmas Eve Messiah Choir Rehearsal– December 1, 12:45-2 pm – Join us for our first rehearsal.
 

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Monday, December 2, 6 - 7:30 pm, Conference Room
 

Building Your Own Theology – Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 pm, Chapel – Last Session

In this weekly course, we will examine our values and beliefs about God, human nature, ethics, and the meaning and purpose of life. We will build on what we discover in this exploration to articulate our beliefs in credo statements, and finally to build our own personal theologies. We will do this through techniques such as self-study, reflection and group discussion over several sessions led by Emily DeTar, our Student Minister and Esther Rosado, Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Come and discover!
 

Personnel Committee – Wednesday, December 4, 6-8 pm, Conference Room

Death Café – Thursday, December 5, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, Assembly Hall

This is not a support group, or a counseling session, but rather gathering of people in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere, sharing respectful, thought provoking and life affirming conversation – and yes, sipping coffee/tea and treats.  What is Death? How does thinking about death improve my life?  How can we prepare for our own death?  What are some essential documents before you die? What’s a green burial?  And much more!
 

Secular Humanist Society of New York - Book Club

Thursday, December 5, 6:30-8:30 pm

Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism by Susan Jacoby - An authoritative history of the vital role of secularist thinkers and activists in the United States, from a writer of “fierce intelligence and nimble, unfettered imagination” (New York Times). Freethinkers offer a powerful defense of the secularist heritage that gave Americans the first government in the world founded not on the authority of religion but on the bedrock of human reason.  Some of us will have dinner together afterwards at a nearby (inexpensive) restaurant. Please join us. Join us even if you haven't finished reading. The book club is open to all ... and free!
 

Anti-Racism Team

Friday, December 6, 6:30 pm – Film: Eyes on the Prize”

First Saturday Feeding of the Hungry in the Bowery - Saturday, December 7, 10:45 am

We are invited to help the Sai Baba Group feed the hungry on the First Saturday of each month on Forsyth, just south of Houston at 10:45 am. Please bring vegetarian food to share with the over 100 people who come. This is an outdoor event so dress for the weather. For more information, contact Valerie Lynch at vlynch@ccny.org or 212-683-498*.
 

Greek – A Universal Language – Saturday, December 7, 12-3:30 pm, Front Lounge

Another opportunity to learn a new language and about another culture!  Yannis Tziligakis, a native speaker and a friend of Community Church, will facilitate this weekly course.
 

SMALLworks V -Gallery35 Open House – Saturday, December 7, 6-8 pm, Gallery

Gallery35 is presenting its fifth annual small works show—SMALLworks V!   All art—in a variety of media— will be 100 sq. inches or less and $100 or less.  Come see new work by church members Ellen Mandelbaum, Peter Robinson, Marsha Peruo, Patricia Garbarini and Virginia Asman along with that of 7 other talented Gallery35 artists. Great gift ideas!  Flyer

Peoples Voice Cafe – Most Saturdays, 8 pm, Assembly Hall
December 7: Charlie King & Rick Burkhardt - www.peoplesvoicecafe.org

Christmas Eve Messiah Choir Rehearsal– Sunday, December 8, 12:45 pm – New singers welcome.

Action for Justice Forum – Sunday, December 8, 1:15 pm, Assembly Hall
Social Justice at Community Church Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Flyer

December Social Tea – Tuesday, December 10, 2-3:30 pm, Assembly Hall – Note schedule change!

Ellen Mandelbaum will be our guest speaker.  Join us for light refreshments and great conversation!  RSVP to Esther Rosado, 212-683-4988, ext. 23 or erosado@ccny.org.  Flyer

Great Questions – Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-7:45 pm, Conference Room

This month - What Makes Something Sacred?   Facilitated by Rev. Orlanda Brugnola

Church Council – Wednesday, December 11, 6 pm Potluck / 6:30-7:30 pm Meeting

Young Adult Gathering - Friday, December 13, 6 pm, at Hummus Kitchen

We have scheduled a get-together - We'll meet at Hummus Kitchen, on 3^rd Ave. and 31^st Street.
 

Greek – A Universal Language – Saturday, December 14, 12-3:30 pm, Front Lounge

Another opportunity to learn a new language and about another culture!  Yannis Tziligakis, a native speaker and a friend of Community Church, will facilitate this weekly course>
 

SMALLworks V -Gallery35 Holiday Party and Sale – Saturday, December 14, 6-9 pm, Gallery

Gallery35 is presenting its fifth annual small works show—SMALLworks V!   All art—in a variety of media— will be 100 sq. inches or less and $100 or less.  Come see new work by church members Ellen Mandelbaum, Peter Robinson, Marsha Peruo, Patricia Garbarini and Virginia Asman along with that of 7 other talented Gallery35 artists. Great gift ideas!  Flyer

Peoples Voice Cafe – Most Saturdays, 8 pm, Assembly Hall
December 14: New York City Labor Chorus - www.peoplesvoicecafe.org

Deck the Halls – Community's Holiday Party – Sunday, December 15, 12:15-2 pm

We invite you to a special Fellowship Hour as we celebrate the Holidays together.  Soup will be provided – Bring a favorite dish or dessert to share. Santa will join us too!
 

Young Adult Brunch – Sunday, December 15, 12:30 pm - Meet by elevator
The Young Adults are invited to gather at 12:30 pm to enjoy a brunch and conversation together at a nearby (reasonably priced) restaurant.
 

Christmas Eve Messiah Choir Rehearsal– Sunday, December 15, 12:45-2 pm, Hall of Worship

New singers welcome.
 

Resistance Cinema Holiday Party and Film – Sunday, December 15, 1:15 pm, Gallery

Our annual holiday party with live music and great food will feature the film Duck Soup - The small state of Freedonia is in a financial mess, borrowing a huge sum of cash from wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale. She insists on replacing the current president making crazy Rufus T. Firefly the president/dictator and mayhem erupts.

Finance Committee – Wednesday, December 18, 6 pm, Gallery

Church Board of Trustees – Thursday, December 19, 6 pm, Conference Room

Christmas Eve Messiah Choir Mandatory Rehearsal– Thursday, December 19, 6:30-9 pm, Hall of Worship

Last opportunity to join Messiah Choir – Contact Jerry Brown, Director of Music, jbrown@ccny.org or 212-683-4988.

UU Christian Fellowship – Thursday, December 19, 7:30-9 pm, Front Lounge

Moving Beyond Doubting Thomas is the topical focus for our 2013-2014meetings. Together we will be discussing the Nag Hammadi discovery of The Gospel of Thomas, using religious scholar Ron Miller’s text The Gospel of Thomas: A Guidebook for Spiritual Practice as a cornerstone for discussion. We will also be using two companion volumes – Elaine Pagel’s Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas and Hal Taussig’s A New New Testament. All three of these books are recommended reading, not required. Our inquiries into this material will be kept open-ended, so people can explore personal concerns as well as religious matters at the MNY-UUCF chapter meetings. How can Christian witness remain spiritually, intellectually, and psychologically vital and also provide grounding for people who identify as Unitarian Universalist? These are questions we will be asking ourselves throughout the year.
 

Esperanto Society – Friday, December 20, 3^rd Floor Classroom

Christmas Eve Messiah Choir Rehearsal– Saturday, December 21, 12:45-2 pm, Hall of Worship

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Christmas Eve Services

Candle Lighting Service – Tuesday, December 24, 4:30 pm – Followed with reception

Annual Handel's Messiah Concert - Tuesday, December 24, 7:30 pm

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Christmas Dinner – Wednesday, December 25, 12 pm, Assembly Hall

Those who purchased tickets in advance will gather for our annual celebration, a delicious dinner hosted by Rev. Orlanda Brugnola. Purchase tickets at the Welcome Table by Sunday, December 15 - $20 adults/$7 children under 12 – Check or cash exact amount accepted.
 

Kwanzaa Sunday – Sunday, December 29, 11 am, Hall of Worship

Kwanzaa is a Pan-African celebration of family, community, and culture. This year marks the forty-seventh anniversary of the first celebration and concludes on the first day 2013. The service will include elements for all ages and children are welcome!

Office Volunteers
Community Church needs you!  Do you have a few hours to spare during the week?  We are looking for several office volunteers.  This is a wonderful way to help your Congregation reach its financial goals and be a welcoming presence in the church.  If you are comfortable answering phones and doing other light office work, please call Bob Martin, Business Administrator at 212-683-4988 ext. 20 or rmartin@ccny.org.

BJ's Place, our men's shelter, needs additional volunteers to serve as overnight hosts.  Even if you can only offer a night or two, please contact George Garland at gagarland@gmail.com for more information. Thank you!

Greeting and Hospitality Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help greet at worship services and serve after-service refreshments.  Please see Valerie Lynch, Membership Coordinator, during Fellowship Hour or call 212-983-4988, ext. 19.

First Saturdays at the Bowery
Community members and friends are invited to help at the Sai Baba’s feeding of the hungry in the Bowery on first Saturdays of each month at 10:45 am, on Forsyth just south of Houston.  Children are welcome to come help too!  Bring a vegetarian item (such as chips, veggies, juice, pasta casserole or PBJ sandwiches). Pre-packing snacks or sandwiches in small plastic bags is very helpful and makes it easier to distribute to the over 200 people who come for this meal. This is a rain or shine event so dress for the weather.  RSVP to Valerie Lynch at vlynch@ccny.org or 212-683-4988, ext. 19.

 

The Volunteer Choir provides music for several of the Sunday Worship Services. The Messiah Choiir performs the Christmas Portion of Handel's Messiah on Christmas Eve. New people are always welcome. Contact Jerry Brown, Director of Music - jbrown@ccny.org or 212-683-4988, for more information.