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

We are a diverse, welcoming spiritual community, inspired to live meaningful lives of service while striving to create a world of peace, love and joy.

Looking forward to your contribution and support.

Soulful Sundown, Meditation Service
“What Am I Here For?” is the title for Sunday’s Soulful Sundown meditation service.  Join Rev. Julie at 5pm on Sunday for a service of meditation and reflection connected to this month’s worship theme: What do we stand for?

Religious Exploration Program
RE classes are back in swing this Sunday after several weeks off for the Hanukkah pageant and holidays.  Welcome back to kids and teachers alike!

Youth Group Returns
The Fantastic Fourth Youth Group will resume meeting this Sunday after a two-week holiday break.  Youth Group meets upstairs in the youth room from 1:30p-3:30p.

Sunday, Dec. 25^th is Christmas Day—and we’ll be right here, with a joyous Worship Feast at 10:45 am. Join us for good food, sacred conversation and songs of good cheer at our “At Table” service.  And we’ll be here on New Year’s Day, too, to welcome the New Year, our new worship time—11 am—and new opportunities to deepen our spiritual lives in 2012.

Soulful Sundown, December 25 & January 1
There will be NO Soulful Sundown services on Christmas or New Year’s Day.  Fourth U’s evening service will resume on January 8th at 5pm.

Fantastic Fourth Youth Group
Due to school vacations and the holidays there will be no Youth Group for the next two weeks.  We will gather together again on Sunday, January 8th from 1:30p-3:30p.

Religious Exploration Program

The RE program is on a holiday hiatus and will resume classes on January 8th.

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.