Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York

New Moon Sister Circles (for women only) provide a safe and sacred space each month to honor our connection to the Earth, to the cycles of the Moon, to our deepest selves and to each other. This month’s circle will take place on November 24.  Call Deborah Roth at 212.665.9660 for upcoming dates and more information.

 Join in the Water Communion Ceremony and bring water to the morning service on Sunday, November 30. This ceremony involves merging waters from many places into one bowl to symbolize the merger of community and a blessing of the waters. Please bring water from as many places and as far away as you can. Water will also be available if you can’t bring water of your own.

Are you looking to develop your spirit and personal ministry, and to deepen your relationship with your fellow parishioners here at Fourth U? There are opportunities now to do just that and we welcome your joining in our shared ministry as a way to help yourself and to help us as well. If you are interested in working with our young people, please contact Lisa Stiffler, who is developing this ministry with our youth.  Please talk with Spiritt if you would like to be part of the ministry that takes care of our finances — an important calling that you can share with others and that will help your personal growth as well. And if there is a way you believe that your calling is in helping us to communicate with the world outside of our walls, to let them know what we are doing and why, please contact Robert McNatt. You can find us after services, listed in the church directory, or you can let Alex in the church office know that you are interested in these ministries and he will let us know. In the ministry of all souls every one of us can play a part.

The Humanist Discussion on Friday, November 21 at 7:00 pm will be: The Evolution or Devolution of Humanity?  We have reason to celebrate great human progress since the dark ages. Marvelous advancements have been made in the evolution of science, life extension, and intellectual and social awareness. But technology and education can be abused to bring about a state of global totalitarianism. Nuclear war poses an increasingly imminent and catastrophic threat to humanity and to life on earth. Can the devolution be stopped?  The speaker and moderator, Joseph Ben-David, Humanist Counselor, will introduce the topic and lead the discussion.

To be held at Fourth U on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 PM. Sponsored by the Church of Humanism. Information: 212.877.5662.  Web: www.humanistfoundation.org . On Youtube, search for “Ben-David humanist”.

On Wednesday, November 19, we continue our new monthly worship series of music and meditation modeled on a style of ecumenical prayer begun in Taizé, France almost 70 years ago. At Fourth U, the evening will consist of song, spoken verse, and quiet reflection by candlelight. Please gather with us in the sanctuary from 7:00 to 7:45 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?