Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York

Join Tom Kennedy and fellow congregants for a contemplative service of poetry after worship April 24 at 12:15PM. You are welcome to bring poetry that inspires you, connects you to your spiritual life, or just come to listen.

Once upon a time, as I was reading the Gospel stories about Easter in preparation for my once-a-month preaching at the Kateri Residence Nursing Home, I asked myself an obvious Unitarian question: If Jesus died and stayed dead, it is still a good story? It seems the answer is, Yes, maybe even a better story. Come to Fourth U April 21 at 7PM and share Bob McNatt’s and my UU take on the traditional Easter scripture. Included will be an informal communion with real food, more like the way it was done in the early church–before priests who couldn’t cook took control of the liturgy!

–Robert Martin

Join us for a workshop that will provide you with strategies and tools so you are comfortable helping others in our congregation. We will be covering active listening, confidentiality, and how to handle difficult situations. Everyone who is interested is encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn MacLaury at parismalcolm464@aol.com.

The most important thing in life is how we relate to ourselves, others and nature. Unfortunately, people in our society typically treat one another as objects, rather than being genuine, supportive partners. There is a big difference between just talking and being engaged in a dialogue. Talking is often a pastime, or may be intended to persuade others of one’s opinion. Dialogue, on the other hand, is based on and enhances interpersonal rapport, and it allows for the discovery of beneficial information. Dialogue is not always possible. However, when we can engage in dialogue, we will experience not only heightened awareness, but also a feeling of satisfaction and joy. Martin Buber, Laura Huxley, Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and other pioneering philosophers and psychologists provide the inspiration for this new series of interactive meetings. The great humanist Albert Schweitzer says: “By having a reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relation with the world. By practicing reverence for life, we become good, deep, and alive.” Meet new and old friends in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We also encourage you to bring friends. There is no fee, but a voluntary  donation toward costs will be appreciated.

The Fourth Universalist Book Group will meet on Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30PM here at Fourth U.

This month’s discussion will center around Tatiana de Rosnay’s “Sarah’s Key.” You do not have to have read the book to participate, but we know you will really enjoy this one! A New York Times Bestseller, it takes place in Paris, in July 1942. Sarah, a 10-year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family’s apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours. Tatiana de Rosnay offers us a brilliantly subtle, compelling portrait of France under occupation and reveals the taboos and silence that surround this painful episode.

If you would like to join us please be in contact with Rev. Jill Bowden at jbowden16@gmail.com.

April’s meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 12 at 7PM in Rev. Rosemary’s office.

In our next UU for Grown-Ups class, we’ll continue to look at “Humanist Manifesto” by the American Humanist Association, primarily Part I. This small book is available FREE at www.manybooks.net if you go to this link:

http://www.manybooks.net/titlesamericanhumanistassociationother08humanist_manifesto_I.html

Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided, and we go from 7 to 8:30PM. See you there!