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Upcoming Online Services
Dec 6: Reaching for Peace, Rev. Joan Montagnes There are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Oriented goals and there are stretch goals. Both have their place in our lives. We need to reach for peace in our hearts, homes, communities and world without ceasing. Perhaps that will have to be enough. Click here for login information to use Zoom Webinar. Dec 9, 7pm: Blue Christmas, Rev. Joan Montagnes (see link below) The Holiday Season is, for some, a season of great sadness. Memories of the past and today’s pain can become overwhelming. Perhaps this is your first Christmas without a loved one. Perhaps you are estranged from family. Or maybe you are living in depression. And this year we are all raw from the pandemic, political strife, the struggle for racial justice, and worries about climate change. Come to the Blue Christmas Service, a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the “blue” feelings we have during the Holidays and seek comfort in caring fellowship. We pray that you will find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Zoom to https://uuma.zoom.us/j/94891851371 in your browser or call 646-876-9923, meeting ID 948 9185 1371 Previous Sunday's Service November 29: Under Pressure, Rev. Joan Montagnes and Tracey Kassman These days it’s easy to lose your temper, react rather than respond, and generally blow your gasket. Stress levels are so high that we lose sight of our best selves. Time to take a moment for stillness and healing, for even here, even in the wildly unpleasant days, you are at home. 
We are a compassionate, thoughtful, and diverse religious community who nurture and challenge each other to deeper understanding, meaning and purpose in our lives. We use our hearts and our heads (and a good deal of humor) to make a difference not only in our lives, but the lives of those beyond our doors. Learn more about our beliefs, our services, and our history in the About Us tab.
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What Does it Mean to be a People of Stillness?
December is a good month to be still. Especially this December. We usually demand so much of ourselves around the holidays – travel, entertaining, gifts, expectations, and gifts. And more gifts. And the perfect gifts. Most people find this last month of the year utterly exhausting. Beautiful, jolly, merry even, but exhausting nonetheless.
December 2020 asks something different of us. Every month this year seems to have asked something different from us. I recently heard someone say, “I’ve lived through the ‘60s, the 70’s, the 80’s, the 90’s, and every month of 2020.” These twelve months have been a wild ride, too wild. So let’s just stop the wildness for a season. December 2020 we are being asked to stay at home. Skip the malls and the massive family gatherings. Zoom across the country and around the world but not by car or plane. And instead of the endless holiday parties full of noise and anxiety, enjoy a cup of cozy cocoa, a good book, or a sappy movie (or all three). Let’ take a lesson from nature. Let go. Let the leaves fall from the tree. Blanket yourself. Allow the snow to be a mantle of safety. Be quiet. Hibernate. Breathe slowly and steadily. Close your eyes. Just breathe. Expect nothing more. Until, months from now, after we have been still for a long time, sap will begin to flow again, rivulets surge into mighty rivers, nature will wake, stretching and yawning greenly into a new day, and spring will rouse you in vibrant and restored health. Have faith. Stay home. Be still. Be kind to yourself and all those you love. Yours in faith and affection, Rev. Joan Montagnes |
Our Vision
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
December Share The Plate Recipient: Family Promise Of WNY
Family Promise of WNY is an emergency shelter for homeless families. They are one of only two shelters in Erie County that keeps families, including fathers and teenage sons, together. On any given day in Erie County, there are twice as many families who need shelter as there are shelter beds. They strive to create a family-like environment based on compassion, respect, and shared community. They provide intensive case management to make sure that their kids are in school every day and that their parents receive the services they need to succeed. Volunteers are imperative to Family Promise of WNY's success in achieving their mission of ending family homelessness.
Let's help create some holiday magic on Christmas morning for the 11 sweet kids staying at Family Promise of WNY! Are there any knitters or folks who sew who would like to make stockings? The Justice Ministry Team will be collecting stocking stuffers in December during the Mitten Tree drop off times. The children range from newborn to 12 years old. Some fun suggested items: crayons, markers, craft kits, small stuffed animals, Matchbox cars, Lego minifigures, teething rings. Please contact Denise at depietrocircus@gmail.com with any questions or if you have a donation but are unable to drop off at the church. Thank you!
Family Promise of WNY is an emergency shelter for homeless families. They are one of only two shelters in Erie County that keeps families, including fathers and teenage sons, together. On any given day in Erie County, there are twice as many families who need shelter as there are shelter beds. They strive to create a family-like environment based on compassion, respect, and shared community. They provide intensive case management to make sure that their kids are in school every day and that their parents receive the services they need to succeed. Volunteers are imperative to Family Promise of WNY's success in achieving their mission of ending family homelessness.
Let's help create some holiday magic on Christmas morning for the 11 sweet kids staying at Family Promise of WNY! Are there any knitters or folks who sew who would like to make stockings? The Justice Ministry Team will be collecting stocking stuffers in December during the Mitten Tree drop off times. The children range from newborn to 12 years old. Some fun suggested items: crayons, markers, craft kits, small stuffed animals, Matchbox cars, Lego minifigures, teething rings. Please contact Denise at depietrocircus@gmail.com with any questions or if you have a donation but are unable to drop off at the church. Thank you!