Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York

Trinity Shelter is in desperate need of volunteers to sleep overnight on Saturdays. If you can help with that or are interested in helping at the Wednesday night dinners hosted by Fourth U please contact Claudia Lorie Ishariel@aol.com (212) 708-8884

Fourth U’s music and meditation services continues. Join co-leaders Rev. Beth Putnam, Fourth U Affiliate Community Minister, and Tom McGinnis, Fourth U Music Director, for brief services of reflection built around music, poetry and silence offered one Wednesday a month at 7:00 pm at Fourth U.
Each month will focus on a different spiritual tradition; here are the topics for the summer:
July 15 – In many Buddhist traditions, sitting meditation combines chant meditation and silent meditation to expand each participant’s consciousness of themselves and their connection to the world and those around them. Come share an evening of mantra chanting and silent meditation with others.
August 19 – Summer is a time when many of us explore nature. Come explore nature inside our own heads at Refresh and Revive. This nature meditation will combine simple songs with the poetry of Mary Oliver and times of silence.

Fourth U invites you to DISCOVER THE TREASURE at our Annual Auction Gala!

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, 6:00 – 10:00 PM

Ahoy mateys!! The auction steering committee is already hard at work planning the 4th annual auction gala. Anyone who wants to be involved in helping with the event should contact Jeanne Martinet at Jeanne@Jeannemartinet.com or Liz Wolfe at lwolfe@wintecgroup.com.

Now is the time for you to begin soliciting donations from your neighborhood businesses, professional contacts, and your friends and family to help us make this a bountiful, spectacular night for 4th U. Some ideas for donations include: restaurant certificates; tickets to performances of all kinds - theatre, ballet, music, sports, etc; a week or weekend in a vacation home, valuable artifacts, sports memorabilia, new designerwear, fine jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, or any items from your own personal treasure chest.

Let’s hoist the sails high for this year’s event!

We’ve given 4thu.org a facelift!

The webmaster, Lois Coleman, working with Shai Sachs of Welcoming Websites, has changed the theme and the colors to conform to the Fourth U brand as designed by Micki Pagano.

We’ve also added a Members Only section which includes a link to the Google group where members can access documents related to Fourth U, like the Space Request Form and the Branding Guide, logos and the forthcoming Members Directory (when it’s completed).

We hope you enjoy it.

LIGHT &  LOOT!

 Live Auction with Professional Auctioneer!

Bid and Bump!

Coupon Draw!

Fund-a-wish!

Sumptuous Dinner!   Lots of Drink!     Friends!    Fun!

Fourth U will hold a special collection for this year’s Chalice Lighters recipient during our December 7 service. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern can trace its history back to the middle of the 19th century. But on September 12, 2006, their meetinghouse was destroyed by fire. Most of the historical records, artwork displayed in the sanctuary, countless photographs, an antique baptismal font, and a century-old Steinway piano were lost in the fire. Plan for the Future: Following the fire, the congregation unanimously decided to rebuild on the Vance Lane Property, which is located in Orange County, the fastest-growing county in the state. As the congregation explains it:

Two priorities became clear: We must allow for continued growth, and particularly for an expanding Religious Education program. And we must build in a way that respects the Earth, while providing space for spiritual renewal, liberal ideas, social activism,and the arts. We have developed a building plan that provides for a much larger sanctuary with seating for 175 people, as well as a fellowship hall, office suite, and expanded religious education space. In addition, our design includes a highly energy-efficient building envelope, and sustainable siding and interior materials. 

Cost and Funding: The estimated cost of our new building is about $1,226,000.00. Approximately $800,000 is currently available from insurance, savings, donations, and fundraising efforts. A Capital Campaign has raised an additional $150,000 to date. The remaining amount that we are seeking to raise is estimated at $275,000. We have applied for grants and NYSERDA reimbursements, and are also exploring mortgage options to obtain this amount. We are hopeful that Chalice Lighters might provide as much as $50,000 that would partially offset the mortgage we may need to take out. We thank you wholeheartedly for your continued support through this Chalice Lighter Call, as we rise from the ashes and move into the future.