On Saturday, April 4, 2009: “The Vagina Monologues” is coming to the Fourth Universalist Society!
That’s right, Eve Ensler’s powerful, award winning play-that-has-become-a-movement will be presented right here at Fourth Universalist on April 4 at 8:00 p.m. and we’re looking for a passionate team of volunteers!
Organized by Deborah Roth, and directed by Nancy Robillard, we will join the hundreds of thousands of “Vagina Warriors” around the world who have launched productions in support of V-Day — a global movement to end violence against women and girls. In 2008, over 4000 V-Day benefit events took place produced by volunteer activists in the U.S. and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls.
To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $60 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and Public Service Announcement campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 6000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic Of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq.
Women and men of all ages are invited to participate! If you would like to be involved, please download the application form and submit it by e-mail to Deborah Roth at dsrothny@aol.com, or give her the hard copy at church. Questions? Call Deborah at 212-665-9660.
On Sunday, November 16 after services, we want to gather everyone who cares about RE to meet about the DRE position. We hope and expect to hire a new Director of Religious Education for next year, the position that Aisha Hauser last filled. The search committee for the DRE has the lead responsibility of writing and posting a job description, reading application materials, nterviewing candidates, facilitating their visits, and making a recommendation to the board. The committee needs ideally five members, and definitely at least three. This meeting will take place in the RE Office above the north side of the Sanctuary.
These workshops, led by Jennifer Pader, will be held on November 2, 9, 16, 23 and December 7 and 14 at 1:00 PM.
Three opportunities for spiritual reflection are available this fall at Fourth U, in workshops led by our senior and affiliated ministers that will begin in October. The one-time fee for each series is $15, and preregistration is encouraged; just phone our office and speak to Alex at ext. 21 to let him know which series you plan to attend. Sign up sheets will also be available in the back of the Church during services; alternatively, email office@4thu.org to reserve space.
1) On Sunday afternoons each week, beginning at 1 p.m. on Oct. 5, The Rev. Jennifer Pader will offer an all-new participatory adult workshop adapted for UUs from The Virtues Project In weekly workshops, participants will use sharing circles to talk about and do exercises based on such virtues as idealism, joyfulness, kindness, integrity, trustworthiness and others. A variety of faith traditions will be used to inform our own growth as UUs.
2) On the second Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m., on Oct. 9, The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt will offer a monthly series of readings on “The Spirituality of Leadership.” In this cumulative series on spiritual growth, we will explore what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist leader. The goal is to provide a welcoming and thoughtful place for congregational leaders to develop their awareness of themselves as spiritual people who hold the privilege of leadership. These monthly gatherings are limited to committee chairs, MAC members, and members of the Board of Trustees.
3) On the third Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m., on Oct. 16, The Rev. Jill Bowden will offer a time of readings and reflections on “The Leadership of Spirituality.” In this cumulative series on spiritual growth, we will explore what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist every day. The social issues of our time, and the conscious commitment toward change challenge us all to live our truth, to stand together in faith and in love. But our faith is hollow if we fail to live our beliefs. The group will explore the question: What can one person do?
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.
