“A Great Light”

The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt

This Sunday, we’ll continue our reflections on why we rejoice, and pay tribute to International Human Rights Week, which began on Dec. 10.  It’s important to keep in mind that, in spite of the ongoing and tremendous struggle for human dignity, there is a growing worldwide movement that has achieved great victories.  We’ll take a look at how different the world has become since 1945, and what we people of liberal faith can do to keep bending the universe toward justice.  We’ll have our second collection for holiday toys for the Regent Family Residence, and there’s still plenty of time to support our children and youth who are collecting “Change for Change” to buy chicks to help families in developing nations.  We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Youth Group leads Soulful Sundown, December 11th
This week’s Soulful Sundown worship service is being led by the Fantastic Fourth Youth Group.  Soulful Sundown is Fourth U’s evening service held at 5pm in the sanctuary from September through June.  Please join us for a dynamic worship service.

For the fourth year in a row, V-Day 4thU is staging a series of events to raise money for the cause of ending violence against women and girls. First will be a party with a purpose, a Valentine’s Day Party for V-Day at the church on Monday, Feb. 13. This free event begins at 6 pm. The party aspect offers  live music, catered appetizers, a cash bar and festive holiday decorations in the sanctuary. The purpose part features a presentation from guest speaker Judy Norsigian, executive director of Our Bodies Ourselves and author of the book of the same name. Ms. Norsigian has been one of the leading experts on women’s health movement for 40 years.

Also featured with be presentations from Men Can Stop Rape and the Center Against Domestic Violence. Both groups provide education and advocacy services to end violence against the female half of the human race. These two organizations are the beneficiaries of V-Day 4^thU’s fundraising in 2012. They also benefitted from the group’s efforts in 2011 when nearly $20,000 was raised.

All members and friends of Fourth U are invited to attend this free event to learn more about how they can support the cause. Please register in advance at http://4thuvdayvalentinesparty.eventbrite.com. Registration is important so that refreshments are adequate for the number of guests. V-Day 4thU may work miracles but so far has been unable to do the “loaves and fishes” number.

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The play that spawned a global movement to end violence against women and girls will be presented in the sanctuary each night at 8 PM. At least 30 women and girls from a wide diversity of backgrounds will speak the powerful words of Ensler, one of America’s leading “artivists,” a creative artist whose works promote women’s freedom from violence around the world.

In its first three years, V-Day Fourth U’s fundraising efforts garnered nearly $35,000 for local organizations which work to end violence against women and girls. The beneficiaries from last year’s benefit were Centers Against Domestic Violence and Men Can Stop Rape. The two organizations will benefit from this year’s production as well.

Each local V-Day group around the world gives 10% of its proceeds to V-Day at the national level for its annual Spotlight Campaign. The focus chosen for the spotlight campaign is a country where women and girls are at greatest risk. This year, the Spotlight shines on Haiti, where the female population is working with courage and strength to improve opportunities for survival and safety. Haiti was also the focus of the 2011 V-Day Spotlight.

The 2012 production of “The Vagina Monologues” is organized by Deborah Roth, a Fourth U member and interfaith minister. Co-directors are Erin Bigelow and Ege Maltepe.   Among the 40+ V-Day groups in New York City, V-Day FourthU is the only group based in a house of worship. Other V-Day groups are based on campuses and community organizations. Some presentations take place in Spanish. See www.vday.org.

Fourth U is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, call 212-665-9660.
For tickets, please click here

Fourth U’s Religious Exploration classes will be presenting this year’s holiday pageant, “The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming,” as part of this Sunday’s morning service.  Everyone in RE has been working hard to make this a great Hanukkah pageant.  Please make sure you’re at Fourth on time to get a good seat and cheer on our young people, then stick around for coffee hour with latkes!

Soulful Sundown, 5pm– Jazz Vespers

Fourth U is participating in this week’s “Occupy the Pulpit” endeavor put forth by NYC’s Occupy Faith.  The theme for Jazz Vespers is “Seeking Justice, Singing Justice.”  Please join musicians Suzanne and Jeff Pittman along with Rev. Julie for an evening of jazz and protest.

On this Sunday that celebrates the founding of Universalism in America, we’ll be celebrating the gift of salvation–yours, mine and all of creation. If you think liberal religious people don’t need salvation–think again! Join us as we tell the story of John Murray, “Father of Universalism,” and reflect on the many ways we are saved. We’ll be taking up TWO special collections this Sunday–one for the Regency Transitional Shelter school supplies fund, and the second in honor of Murray Grove, our Universalist camp and conference center. Our gifted seminarians will lead the 5 pm worship service, as they do each fourth Sunday. We look forward to seeing you at one or both services!