Newcomers

Welcome

Welcome to this religious community, a place where both your questions and your convictions will be taken seriously.  As a community, we offer care and support for those who need it, and we challenge everyone to do what they can to bring justice, equity, and compassion to the world.

Unitarian Universalism is rooted in the most liberal end of religious expression in this country, with a heritage that includes Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Susan B. Anthony.  It is also a living faith, responsive to the insights and needs of the present day.  Our core beliefs in the worth and dignity of every individual and sacredness of the interdependent web of existence can help you to make sound ethical decisions and to live a life of wholeness in these challenging times.

Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains (CUUC) is an independent congregation within the larger fellowship of congregations making up the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association), the headquarters of which are in Boston.

OUR Mission

The CUUC Mission, adopted in 2014, is:

We covenant to nurture each other in our spiritual journeys, foster compassion and understanding within and beyond our community, and engage in service to transform ourselves and our world.

Our vision

The CUUC Vision Statement, adopted in 2017, is:

Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains will be a welcoming “sanctuary without walls” that promotes diversity, fellowship, spiritual growth, and inspiration, while committing to people and the planet through social action and service.

Connect with CUUC

We invite newcomers to fill out our contact information page to be connected to our community through the weekly email newsletter, or request information about the Religious Exploration program for children and Youth, our Social Justice Teams, the choir and concert series, and other aspects of congregational life. Click here to GET CONNECTED.

Unitarian Universalist Association General Principles

The Unitarian Universalist Association is the result of the 1961 merger of the two primary liberal religious communities. At the 1984 General Assembly (the annual meeting of the representatives of all of the Unitarian Universalist congregations), a statement of general principles was passed. It begins with these words:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and support:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in the human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and  in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice of all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part; and
• Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other forms of oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

Our Congregation

Our local congregation was founded in 1909 by eight households. Unhappy with the religious education their children were receiving, they formed their own religious school and congregation, based for the most part on liberal religious principles. They first met in members’ homes. Outgrowing that, in 1921, they built a meeting house on Longview Avenue at the corner of Maple Street in White Plains. Our current Rosedale property was purchased in 1956 and the present building was dedicated in 1959.

From the original 16 households, we have grown to a congregation of approximately 220 adult members. 

The governing body of the congregation is the Board of Trustees, elected for 3-year rotating terms by the members of the congregation each spring at the Annual Meeting. The Board meets monthly and minutes of the meeting are posted outside the main congregational office. The trustees are responsible for the overall health and well-being of the congregation.  In consultation with the minister, the Board administers the financial and operational aspects of CUUC.  They partner with the minister in the various pastoral and religious programming aspects of congregational life.

The minister has the responsibilities of leading Sunday services, providing pastoral care, representing the congregation and denomination in the larger community, supervising the staff, and overseeing programming in general. The minister is granted, without reservation, a free pulpit where they can express their thoughts and feelings as they see fit.  Parishioners are, of course, encouraged to respond.

The Religious Exploration Program is a vital part of the programming of our congregation. 

To learn more about CUUC, please contact our Congregation Administrator, Pam Parker (admin@cucwp.org, 914-946-1660 x2).