Growing Souls, Doing Justice, and Being Bold in a Caring Community since 1825

Here At Community

Members’ BirthdaysA Musical Summer Vacation

News from the Fatoumata’s Family

UUA General AssemblyUUA General Assembly HighlightsUnited Nations & Global Affairs

Pages 2-4

Gallery35 at CommunityPage 5

OpportunitiesPages 6-7

Back PageSeptember Calendar Credits & Guidelines

Page 8

Issue 78 • September 2017

Celebrate Community’s

Homecoming

Morning Worship 11 amSeptember 10, 2017

Join us for Homecoming SundayWe welcome Rev. Carlos R. Martinez

Our New Interim Minister

HERE AT COMMUNITY

1 Michelle Asencio 2 Jeannette Juanita Gilmore 4 Carol Apicella 4 Barbara Phillips4 Molly Scott 7 Hope Johnson 7 Janice Marie Johnson 8 David Asencio

11 Jil Novenski 15 Marvin Carlson 18 Robert McNatt 20 Kay Xanthakos 21 Heriberto Rosario 22 Anthony Torchio 22 Christopher Asencio 29 Samuel Gale

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

HERE AT COMMUNITY

By Lois Ross

E very August I spend one week in Bennington, Vermont, at a piano Camp called Sonatina. I look forward to this because I get a chance to see old friends and meet new ones, all ofwhom play the piano just for the joy of it. We enjoy getting coaching, practicing several

hours each day and getting master classes to improve our playing. The camp offers piano study in a large house with a piano in every room. The meals are

always very healthy and delicious. Before dinner we have a "happy hour" where we gather in theliving room to chat and relax. Vermont is a beautiful place with stately homes surrounded bylarge green lawns, tall trees and mountains. We not only play the piano, but we also share thehousehold tasks, setting the tables, sweeping up etc.

We practiced for four hours every day and received three coaching sessions from excellentteachers At night there was always a concert given by a professional pianist. When once could-n’t come, Polly van der Linde, founder of the camp, called Bennington College and got two oftheir students to substitute for her. One student was from Argentina and the other from China.The one from China was blind and it was amazing to see how beautifully and confidently heplayed. They both played duets and I loved their performance.

For my concert, I played a two piano piece by Bizet called, "The Top" and the other "TheBall", with my friend from St. Paul, Minnesota. I played the secundo part and she played theprimo. It was great fun. I also played the “Ballade in G Minor” by Chopin and got a standingovation!

It was a great pleasure to have a change from New York City and see the green lawns andmountains every day. The air was fresh and clean; it was peaceful and quiet. I will always havethis vision of Vermont and the wonderful experience I had.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~

2

A Musical Summer Vacation

Mohammed's Elementary SchoolGraduation June 22, 2017

News From Fatoumata’s Family

Aminata's going to college! And is 18!Fanta will be back from Ghana! And will be a Senior at Boston UniversityBintou will be a Sophomore at Daemen College!Mohamed, Abdou, and Npenda are also doing great things.Fatoumata has a new job!

HERE AT COMMUNITY

By Greg JonesUUA General Assembly

L ike the City of New Orleans, itself, the 2017 UUA GeneralAssembly (GA) held there in June was notable for its complexity, its energy, and its boldness. There were moments

of super-charged intensity, and moments of quiet reflection.

This was my fourth GA, and for me, it was unlike any of the others.I arrived in New Orleans among almost 4,000 other attendees,uncertain about what to expect. The UUA had recently lost its pres-ident, Peter Morales, and two other senior staff members, inresponse to tensions around hiring decisions that were “calledout” as perpetuating systems of white supremacy within theorganization. In the week leading up to GA, the executive directorof the UU Ministers Association (UUMA) also resigned. The UUAboard had made the wise – and somewhat surprising – decision tobring in three highly-regarded interim co-presidents: SofiaBetancourt, Bill Sinkford, and Leon Spencer. Each a person of color,they established an atmosphere of collaboration (a collective “non-anxious presence”) and confidence in the future.

In the midst of those changes, our association also lost its extraor-dinarily-gifted moderator, Jim Keys, to cancer, just three weeksbefore GA was to convene. He was honored at a special GA memo-rial service on June 24. Video of the memorial is available at:http://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2017/key-memorial

In a highlight of the week, the UUA made history with the electionof Susan Frederick-Gray as president of the association. She is thefirst woman to be elected for the position. The UU World coverageof her election is at: http://www.uuworld.org/articles/susan-fred-erick-gray-elected-president

Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, delivered the Ware Lecturethis year. He challenged the audience to actively “get proximate” to the poor and oppressed, be willing to get uncomfortable, andmaintain hope while changing social narrative though Stevenson’slecture is not available on video, see UU World coverage of his talkat: http://www.uuworld.org/articles/stevenson-2017-ware-lecture

I’ve always been inspired by each year’s “Service of the LivingTradition,” when we honor those entering or retiring from creden-tialed ministry, religious education, or music ministry, as well asthose who have died during the past year. This year, Rev. CherylWalker delivered a rousing sermon, asking her audience if theywanted to “make a name…or make a difference?” Rev. Walkeris currently the minister at the UU Congregation of Wilmington, NC.The service can be found at: http://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2017/worship/slt

During the final session on Sunday, June 25, the three co-presi-dents honored Back Lives UU (BLUU) with the Annual Award forVolunteer Service. The award recognizes a person or organizationthat has performed extraordinary and vital service to the UUA as avolunteer. The (mostly) young leaders of BLUU made a significantcontribution to our association by courageously advocating forchange, and offering resources to assist individuals and congrega-tions in creating change. UU World’s coverage is at:http://www.uuworld.org/articles/volunteer-service-award-2017

A personal highlight for me was my round-trip travel between NewYork City and New Orleans on Amtrak’s “Crescent Line” train. I’dnever been through the Blue Ridge mountains or any of the “deepSouth” states. Traveling by train allowed me to see countless newsites and make many memories. I’m genuinely grateful to haverepresented the Community Church of New York at GA, and thank-ful for the congregation’s support in sending me.

3

The business sessions were well-attended. Among the most significantactions:• Delegates accepted a proposal to amend the second statement of

Sources, by replacing the words “women and men” with the word “people.” If also approved by a two-thirds majority of delegates next year, the change will be implemented. The simple change will make our Sources more inclusive of gender non-conforming individuals

• Adopted a UUA Statement of Conscience on “Escalating Economic Inequity.” A final version of the statements is at: http://www.uua.org/economic/escalatinginequality/escalating-inequality

• Adopted a resolution urging the leaders of the “Standing on the Side of Love” campaign to “create a new imagining that better includes and reflects the needs and contributions of disabled people.” Also, Jason Shelton, composer of the hymn, “Standing on the Side of Love” (#1014 in Singing the Journey) announced that he supports changing the title and text of the hymn to “Answering the Call of Love.”

• Began formal consideration of a proposal to add an Eighth Principleby establishing the required study commission. The proposed EighthPrinciple to be considered by the commission would read:

“We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote… Journeyingtoward spiritual wholeness by building a diverse, multiculturalBeloved Community by actions that accountability dismantleracism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

4

HERE AT COMMUNITY

The United Nations and Global Affairs Committee (UNGAC) of the Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist Presents its United Nations’ Day Anniversary PROGRAM

Topic: “Big Changes Loom for the UN, United States, and World Economies: The Crises Deepen”

UN SUNDAY, October 22,12:45-2:30 p.m.

From economic crises and turmoil in old capitalist economies—North America, Western Europe, and Japan—to rapid economic growth inChina and India—enormous changes are shifting the balance of economic and political power. Can capitalism as a system accommodatethese shifting balances? You are cordially invited to hear and respond to Dr. Wolff’s presentation and analysis

Dr. Wolff’s Photo: courtesy of (betsy@democracyatwork.info)

For further details, contact Dr. Fay Bennett Lord, (flord459@aol.com) or call: (347) 613-6001.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Richard Wolff, Renowned Economist Our keynote speaker is Professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and VisitingProfessor at the New School’s graduate program in International Affairs in New York City. Prof. Wolff was educatedat,Economics). The numerous published materials of Dr. Wolff challenge the conventional wisdom that capitalism isthe ideal framework for the political economy. His writings include: Occupy the Economy: Challenging Capitalism;Capitalism Hits the Fan: The Global Meltdown and What to do about It (also in a DVD); and Democracy at Work: A Curefor Capitalism, among many others. Prof. Wolff has concentrated on analyzing the causes and alternative solutionsto the global economic crises. In 2010, Dr. Wolff decided to put his economic theories into action, and co-foundedDemocracy at Work (http://RDWolff@att.net; contact Betsy Avila: betsy@democracyatwork.info). This is a projectthat aims to build a social movement and society whose workplace is more equitable, sustainable, and democratic.The UNGAC’s celebration is a unique and wonderful occasion to meet Dr. Wolff and to discuss the deepening crises inour global and UN system.

UUA General Assembly HighlightsBy Kay S. Xanthakos

T wo worship services were highlights for me at the 2017 UUAGeneral Assembly in New Orleans.

One was the UU Service of the Living Tradition with Rev. CherylWalker’s excellent sermon, "A Name, A Difference." This servicehonors religious professionals in various stages of service.Included this year were former Community Church Student andSummer Minister Emily DeTar, who received ministerial preliminaryfellowship, and Rev. Suzanne Marsh, an intern here several yearsago, whose beautiful photo was part of the “In Memoriam” presen-tation.

Rev. Cheryl Walker’s sermon was inspiring. Her theme for all of uswas: "Do I want to make a name or do I want to make a differ-ence?" She noted the difference between those who primarily wantcredit and those who do good works without care of credit. Rev.Walker first encountered UU-ism here at Community and remains amember. She serves the Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofWilmington, NC and is currently the President of the UnitarianUniversalist Ministers Association. (UUMA)

Another worship highlight was “Resist and Rejoice,” a servicefocusing on Caribbean Connections to Unitarian Universalism andthe resilience of the people of the Diaspora. The participantsincluded Community members Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson (Minister ofthe UU Congregation of Central Nassau and UUA Central EastRegional Consultant) and Dr. Janice Marie Johnson (UUA Director ofMulticultural Ministries and Leadership); our Director of LifespanReligious Education Esther Rosado; former Community Student andSummer Minister Rev. Daniel Gregoire (UU Society of Grafton andUpton); former minister Rev. Gordon Bailey (UU Church of VerdugoHills); with assistance from Student and Summer Minister JulioTorres. With some stirring Caribbean musical interludes, each ofthe presenters offered moving homilies emphasizing their faith,tenacity and creativity as well as their resilience in overcomingadversity.

In addition, it was a great joy to be with other CommunityChurchers – Sophia Donham Whitney, Greg Jones, Esther, Hope,Janice, Julio and Bruce!

Gallery35 at Community

5

September 10-October 28, 2017Artists’ Reception: September 16th, 6-8 pm

Windows and doors are usually just for peering through and tra-versing. In Gallery35 at Community’s newest exhibit, they alsofunction as an inspiration for artwork!

For the gallery’s opening exhibit of the 2017/2018 season—Doorsand Windows—member artists have created work related to thetheme that is both literal and imaginary.

Yolande Heljnen’s small dramatic paintings of windows were completed during a travel grant in 2016 in France where sheworked mostly out of a sketchbook.

Making use of her own garden flowers (at a time when she wasteaching 5 days per week and only had weekends to paint,)Diane Martin created Blue Spring Window. She worked eachweek with a different piece of stem, leaf, or flower observedfrom life. Since she didn’t know what might be available to usefrom the garden each week, she simply let “chance” composethe image over time. The architectural pediment at the topderives from memories of Italian 16th century architecture.

Within Beth Barry’s abstract acrylic painting Green Door, perhaps there lies “that secret it’s hiding”!

The adobe wall surrounding many Santa Fe homes usually featuresan entry door through which visitors must proceed. Using a littleimagination—plus original and antique photographs—VirginiaAsman’s series Time Warped Welcome explores the possibility of“characters” of the Old West greeting the viewer. Come visit withAnnie Oakley, Sitting Bull and Kateri Tekakwitha (the first Native-American saint)!

Also in the fanciful vein is Lois Ross’s collage Serenade BeneathMy Window.

Come see these and the work of other gallery artists includingSusan Demmet, Teresa Hommel, Cari Clare, Ellen Mandelbaum,Patricia Garbarini, Denise Fryburg, Ingrid Sletten and Valerie Lynch.

By Virginia Asman

Work by (l-r) Yolande Heljnen, Diane Martin, Beth Barry, Lois Ross, Virginia Asman

HERE AT COMMUNITYHERE AT COMMUNITY

Hatha Yoga with Nafisa Degani – Tuesdays, 6-7:30 pm / Saturdays,12:30-2 pm, Rear LoungeHatha Yoga is a branch of yoga which concentrates on physicalhealth and mental well-being. Hatha yoga uses bodily postures(asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation(dyana) with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body anda clear, peaceful mind. Please bring a yoga mat to the class.Requested Contribution $15/$5 Students (No sessions on some holiday weekends)

NYC Street Singers – Most Tuesdays, 7 pm, 3rd Floor Classroom(Often meets at local parks in pleasant weather)The NYC Streetsingers are now doing community outreach with Singfor Hope, a volunteer artists program that performs in Healthcarefacilities throughout NYC. Open to all who also believe in thetransformative power of the arts to inspire and unite, please join uson Tuesday evenings. For more information/summer meeting loca-tions, please contact clisbin25@aol.com.

Classical Vocal Arts for ChildrenNew Series Begins October 82nd & 4th Sundays, 12:30 – 2 pm, GalleryCheryl Warfield, Artistic Director of Manhattan Opera RepertoryEnsemble, known as MOREOpera, will offer a new series of classi-cal vocal arts for children and youth, including music appreciationand chorus training program open to all children aged 6-14 (someflexibility) so invite family, friends and neighbors too. There is notuition fee. New children always welcome. Questions - ContactValerie Lynch, Membership Coordinator, vlynch@ccny.org or 212-683-4988.

First Saturday Feeding of the Hungry in the BowerySaturday, September 2, 10:45 am-12 pm, OffsiteWe invite you to help the Sai Baba Group feed the hungry on theFirst Saturday of each month. We meet on Forsyth, just south ofHouston at 10:45 am. Please bring vegetarian food to share withthe over 100 people who come. This is an outdoor event so dress forthe weather. For more information contact Valerie Lynch atvlynch@ccny.org or 212-683-4988, ext. 26.

Art and Card Making CircleSunday, September 3, 1-4 pm, Front LoungeJoin us after Fellowship Hour for an afternoon of crafting fun.Create art and/or cards for the holidays or other special occasions.Supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own as well.

Gallery35 at Community – Saturday, September 16, 6-8 pm,GalleryDoors and Windows – Fist show of the new church year! See page 5.

Secular Humanist Society of New York Book ClubFirst Thursdays, September 7, 7-8:30 pm, Front Lounge Some of us will have dinner together afterwards at a nearby (inex-pensive) restaurant. Please join us. Join us even if you haven't fin-ished reading. The book club is open to all ... and free! Seewww.shsny.org for titles.

Constructive White Conversations – 4th Mondays, September 25,6:30-9 pm, Gallery (Conversation starts at 7 pm)What is Constructive White Conversations? It is a gathering inwhich those of us who identify as white can speak freely and openlyabout race, racism, oppression, isolation, and all related issues.This is an entry point for white people who want to understand anddismantle racism, build and maintain white antiracist community,and explore the nature of white identity. Facilitator: Stoop Nilsson /More Information: https://www.constructivewhiteconversations.org/Please RSVP to: cwc.midtown@gmail.com.

Speech Support GroupTuesdays, September 5 and 19, 6:30-8:15 pm, 3rd Floor ClassroomThis monthly group is open to Community members and friends. Itwelcomes anyone who is a secondary stutterer – that is an adultwho acknowledges he/she does stutter, and one who always has"anticipatory anxiety", the expectation to fail, to be dis-fluent. Ourmeetings start with relaxation breathing, then follows with specificexercises and then conversation using the taught techniques. Thereis a $2 fee per meeting.

OPPORTUNITIES 2017

6 OPPORTUNITIES continues on page 7

Meet the New Interim MinisterYou are invited to meet Rev. Carlos R. Martinez, CCNY's newInterim Minister. The purpose of these gatherings is to get to know one another and share ideas about the upcominginterim ministry period and the future of Community Church.The dates will be announced soon. RSVPs will be needed sowatch the Sunday Announcements and respond quickly.

HERE AT COMMUNITYOPPORTUNITIES 2017 continued from page 6

7

Coming Soon .

Worship ReflectionsWill resume soon! An informal conversation about the topicsraised in the sermon and other things on people’s minds andhearts.

Anti-Racism TeamThe team will offer films and discussions on various Sundays.

Social TeaJoin us for a guest speaker, conversation and light refreshments. It will resume later this fall.

UNGA Forum and LuncheonUN Sunday" Big Changes Loom for the UN, United States, andWorld Economies: The Crises DeepenSunday, October 22, 1 pm, Assembly HallUnited Nations and Global Affairs Committee will offer a forum celebrating the birthday of the UN Topic: Dr Richard Wolff,renowned economist, will be the keynote speaker.

Peoples' Voice Cafe – Fall 2017at Community Church of NY, lower level

40 East 35th Street, NY, NY 10016Most Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Assembly Hal

Doors open 7:30 pm • www.peoplesvoicecafe.org

Here’s what’s coming up:September 16: Carolyn Hester's 80th Birthday CelebrationSeptember 23: Joshua Garcia and Jan LubyOctober 7: Tret Fure and Liz Hershon & The Living Room SingersOctober 14: Professor Louie & the Lewis FamilyOctober 21: Bill & Eli Perras and George MannOctober 28: The Rix and Chris Nauman

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – 11 am• September 10 – Homecoming Program• September 17 – Sunday School Begins

Register now. All Children and Youth are Welcome! Contact Esther Rosado, DLRE, 212-683-4988 ext. 23.

Church MeetingsGovernance/Committee Meetings:Board of Trustees Meetings – 4th Wednesdays, 6 pm, GalleryChurch Council Meetings – Meets Quarterly (next meetingSeptember 20) 6 pm Potluck, 6:30-7:30 pm Meeting, Rear LoungeFinance Committee – 3rd Wednesdays, 6 pm, GalleryBuildings and Grounds Committee – 1st Mondays, 6, 6 pm,Conference RoomShelter Committee – 2nd Sundays – 9:30-10:30 am, ShelterKitchenUN and Global Affairs Committee – 2nd Sundays, 1-2:15 pm,Conference RoomGallery35 at Commiity – 1st Wednesday, 6:30-8 pm, Gallery

Other Oppor tuni t i e sEsperanto Society – Third Fridays, 7 pm, 3rd Floor Classroom (September-May)

Henry George School is offering classes at Community on variousevenings. Community Church Members and Friends are welcome –no fee. For more information contact (212) 889-8020 or emailinfo@hgsss.org.

The Community Church of New YorkUnitarian Universalist40 East 35th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10016www.ccny.orgTel: 212.683.4988

ISSUE: SEVENTY EIGHTHere At Community, Opportunities, Calendar and much more... Deadline for October/November issue due September 6, 2017

9

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1Church Building Closed

SATURDAY, SEPT. 210:45 1st Saturday Feeding

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3 9:30 Choir Rehearsal

11:00 Morning Worship11:00 Sunday School12:15 Fellowship Hour12:45 Volunteer Choir1:00 Art & Card Making

MONDAY, SEPT. 4Labor Day Holiday

Church Building Closed

TUESDAY, SEPT. 56:00 Yoga with Nafisa 6:30 Speech Support

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 66:30 Gallery35@ccny Mtg.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 77:00 Secular Humanist

Society Book Club

SATURDAY, SEPT. 912:30 Children’s Vocal Arts12:30 Yoga with Nafisa6:30 Gallery35@Community

hanging

SUNDAY, SEPT. 10~ Homecoming ~

9:30 Choir Rehearsal9:30 Shelter Meeting

11:00 Morning Worship11:00 Sunday School12:15 Fellowship Hour

1:00 UN Global Affairs

MONDAY, SEPT. 116:00 Buildings & Grounds

TUESDAY, SEPT. 126:00 Yoga with Nafisa

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 136:00 Finance Committee

FRIDAY, SEPT. 157:00 Esperanto Society

SATURDAY, SEPT. 166:00 Gallery35@Community

Artists’ Reception8:00 People’s Voice Café

SUNDAY, SEPT. 179:30 Choir Rehearsal

11:00 Morning Worship11:00 Sunday School12:15 Fellowship Hour12:45 Volunteer Choir

Rehearsal

TUESDAY, SEPT. 196:00 Yoga with Nafisa6:30 Speech Support

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 206:00 Finance Committee6:30 Council Meeting

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2312:30 Yoga with Nafisa8:00 People’s Voice Café

SUNDAY, SEPT. 249:30 Choir Rehearsal

11:00 Morning Worship11:00 Sunday School12:15 Fellowship Hour 12:45 Volunteer Choir

Rehearsal

MONDAY, SEPT. 256:00 Constructive White

Conversations6:30 Studying Humanism

TUESDAY, SEPT. 262:00 Social Tea6:00 Yoga with Nafisa

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 276:30 Board of Trustees

Events Calendar for September 2017

FOR MORE Adult Religious Education andOpportunities/Events see pages 6-7

Rev. Carlos R. Martinez, Interim MinisterEsther Rosado, Director of Lifespan Religious EducationGerald A. Brown, Director of MusicValerie Lynch, Membership CoordinatorJeffrey Loveland, Church Administrator

Credits & GuidelinesMembers are encouraged to submit articles to Community Connections. The submission deadline is typically the first Wednesday of the month prior to issuedate. Submissions can be emailed to info@ccny.org or hand delivered to theChurch. Articles submitted are subject to proofing and editing for clarity, brevity,grammar, punctuation, spelling and content.