Upcoming Worship Services

Sunday, October 29, 2017 at
9:30am and 11:15am
"Masks"
Rev. Joel Miller, preaching
Suzy Farrell, Worship Associate

Our plate collection will help support Interfaith Impact of New York .

Next weekend: Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 9:30am and 11:15am
Memory Tree Intergenerational Service
Here are the latest opportunities to stay informed, strengthen
your faith, and connect with the community. Click on the red links to learn more about each opportunity.
Gratitude, Joys and Sorrows
Warm congratulations to our Religious Education staff member, Emma (Kilmer) Hale, who was married to Alexander Hale at Artisan Works last Saturday, October 21.

Heartfelt thanks to Glenn and Nancy Koch for refurbishing the credenza in the Sanctuary. They are responsible for what will no doubt be a beautiful restoration, which included extensive research on their part to ensure the credenza is refinished to honor its original historic design. We are truly grateful!

We are also extremely thankful to Steve Brown for his woodworking artistry of a table in Room 224. Great job!
If you have a concern about a member of our congregation, please don't hesitate to contact Rev. Tina Simson at
585-271-9070 x104.
Happening This Week - click on the red links for additional information!
Now Showing in Williams Gallery : “The Sweet, Simple Things” works by artist and church member Laura Wilder. All are invited to the opening reception this Friday, October 27 at 6:00pm .

UU101: Introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. If you are new to our church, please join us after either service this Sunday, October 29, for UU101.

Learn about Socially Responsible Investing this Sunday, October 29, at 12:30pm.

Our Environmental Task Force is offering an extensive 4-session series which will go more deeply into the solutions we need to pursue to bring down the global greenhouse gas concentration. It starts this Sunday, October 29, 6:00pm. 

Meditation Classes with Jan Cook begin Wednesday, November 1 and run through Wednesday, December 20.

The First Wednesday Book Group will meet on Wednesday, November 1 at 11:15am to discuss Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo. 

Roc/ACTS Public Action Meeting and Potluck Supper will be held on Thursday, November 2. The Potluck Supper will be 5:00-6:00pm at our church in Room 110
Calls to Action
Greater Good Vote Is Coming Soon! This Sunday, October 29 , the children will be voting for the Greater Good recipient for 2017. Parents, please review the choices with your child so they are ready to vote next Sunday. For questions, please contact Sheila Schuh. Wondering what Greater Good is?  Click here .

Please stop by the table in the Williams Gallery after services this Sunday, October 29, to sign a letter supporting reinstatement of this critical funding.

Call for Gilbert Spirit Fund Proposals : We have posted updated information about the Gilbert Spirit Fund and the new application form on the church website. Proposals are due by Thursday, February 1, 2018. Please help spread the word to non-profit organizations in our community with a focus on social justice and/or the arts.

The Environmental Task Force plans to offer a seed library next year and they need your help to build a seed base.

Benefits Boutique is Saturday, November 11, 10:00am-4:30pm and Sunday, November 12, 10:00am-1:00pm. Purchase unique gifts, tasty soups and sweets while supporting our Social Justice efforts. Every vendor donates at least 20% of your purchases to our Social Justice groups. New this year, young people can make gifts to give, $3 each or 2 for $5.  

As the holidays approach, check your calendar for Thanksgiving Day. Our Hospitality Team plans to host a festive Thanksgiving Day meal at our church on Thursday, November 23, 2:30pm. All are invited to share a harvest fest of traditional favorites, complemented by home-spun specialty deserts. Folks interested in providing food offerings to share or volunteering their time and hospitality presence can email Fritz Lange

Brighton Food Cupboard staff is already gearing up to provide Thanksgiving baskets to those in need and ask that donors provide stuffing and cranberry sauce in the next two weeks. For questions, contact Alison Wilder at 585-342-2459.

Another Green Tip from the Environmental Climate Task Force : Check your tires and make sure they're properly inflated. Remember to Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.
Other News and Reminders
Our events calendar is online ! Be sure to view it often and keep up with all the activities happening at our church!

The next meeting of the LAVA Group is Friday, November 3, and the book under discussion is Pulitzer Prize winning The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Starting Point will be offered on Saturday, November 4 !   Have you attended UU101 and are ready to find your place at our church? Please join us for Starting Point , a 4-hour Saturday class that offers an opportunity to explore ways in which Unitarian Universalism can make a difference in your life and help you connect with others.

Currents Discussion Group on Wednesday, November 8, 12:15-1:45pm . Back in the early days of radio, TV, and no computers, it was possible to have a "national conversation" that allowed people of varying viewpoints to weigh in. Today, with so many sources competing for our attention, complex issues have been reduced to simplistic, polarizing talking points, and public response through polling, etc. is frequently ignored. Is there a way back? Join in the discussion!

UUs Reading Non-Fiction will next discuss The Making of Donald Trump , by investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston on Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00pm.

Aging Gratefully next discusses "Our Greatest Achievements: What are we most proud of?"

Join in the 55th Anniversary Celebration o f our building and for a conversation with our architect Louis Kahn, portrayed by Lew Ward-Baker. 

Next Up at Café Veritas is John Gorka on Saturday, November 11, show starts at 7:30pm

Roof Construction is progressing and on schedule. The south parking lot is unavailable for church use. Also note that the back door is to be used as an emergency exit only.
Coming Soon:
November's monthly worship theme is Surrender!
First Unitarian Church
220 Winton Road South
Rochester, NY 14610   

Church Office is open
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm

585-271-9070
   Newsletter submissions may be sent to announcements@rochesterunitarian.org . Church or church-sponsored events only. Deadline is each Tuesday at 10:00 am.
All entries are subject to editorial approval.