Let Us Keep You In Our Thoughts and Prayers

The memorial for Bob Brennan, long-time member of our church community, is scheduled for next Saturday, April 1, 10:00am. Rev. Jen Crow, a long time friend of Libby and Bob's, will be officiating the service. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. " To live in hearts that love is not to die." 

From now through Wednesday, April 5, Rev. Joel Miller will be covering pastoral care emergencies while Rev. Tina is on vacation. You can reach him at 585-271-9070 ext. 106; after hours, your call will be forwarded to his private phone.  I f you have a joy or concern to share, contact Rev. Joel at jmiller@rochesterunitarian.org  for inclusion in our newsletter.

Gifts and Talent Auction

Join us this  Sunday, March 26 at 12:30pm (after services) for the Gifts and Talent Auction. Our talented congregation has donated gift baskets, lessons, gourmet meals, social events, fine arts and much more. Items are only available for bidding during the event, there is no online auction this year. What a fun way to raise money for the great work of our church! Please spread the word and share with your friends and family. There will be lunch available to purchase, soup and subs for $5. Click here for a catalog of items that will be available during the auction. Don't miss this special fundraiser for our church!

This is the theme of our Annual Budget Drive (ABD) to be kicked off at our services next Saturday and Sunday, April 1 & 2. Within the next few days you will receive a letter from John Solberg and Paul Suwijn, co-chairs of the ABD Committee. To help achieve our pledging goal for the 2017-2018 budget, plans are being made for every member of our church community to be contacted, not only to obtain their pledge, but also to hear about their experiences at our church. For each pledge that is increased, the amount of dollars increased will be matched by an anonymous donor. Please consider volunteering to help with the drive. Also, be thinking about your pledge so that when contacted you will be ready! Other members of the ABD Committee are Sue Ames, John Farrell, Cynthia Looney, and Louise Paulsen.

How Should We Fund the Roof Replacement?

There is a special congregational meeting to vote on funding for the roof replacement on Sunday, April 9. In preparation for that, Treasurer Anne Perry has met with some longtime members of our church to develop a firm proposal for the Board to present at that meeting. Now is your opportunity to consider the options. Please meet Anne Perry at one of the following forums:

* Saturday, March 25, following the 4:30pm service (Room 115);

* Sunday, April 2, following the 9:30am service;

* Sunday, April 2, following the 11:15am service.

See the Lobby screen for location.

Now Showing in the Williams Gallery: UU/Schools Partnership Art Show

The children of Schools #15 and #22 have created their best artwork for the UU/Schools Partnership Art Show, showing now through Tuesday, April 18 in the Williams Gallery. We have held this show for many years and it is delightful for the children, their parents and guests.

Grants Panel Accepting Applications

Through this Friday, March 24, the Grants Panel is accepting applications for grants of between $2,000 and $4,000 from the Social Justice Outreach Fund and the Josephine and Paul Wenger Fund for Peace through International Understanding. If you are aware of a Rochester organization that needs funds to carry out a project related to Social Justice or International Peace, please let them know about this potential funding from our church. Information, applications and sponsor forms are available via email from Mary Palmer at mmkp120@gmail.com. Copies are also available in the Workroom. Questions may be directed to Mary Palmer at mmkp120@gmail.com or by calling 585-242-0522.

UU101: Introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church

The next class will be offered this Saturday and Sunday, March 25 & 26, after each service. UU101 is a 45 minute introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. No need for prior registration, just meet outside the sanctuary after service; children are welcome.  

Parenting and Child/Youth Mental Health

This Sunday, March 26, at 9:30am in the Youth Room, explore expectations and characteristics of children's mental health, and share experiences related to family systems. How, as Unitarian Universalists, do we continue to open to life's gifts and live our values as we struggle with our children's struggles?  Co-lead by Rev. Lynn Acquafondata and Sheila Schuh, our Director of Religious Education. 

Honduras Task Force Collection! Bin in Workroom

The Honduras Task Force will be collecting school supplies for their curriculum on Eric Carle, (regional and international children's book illustrator and writer). Barbara Gawinski will take these supplies and curriculum to teachers of seven schools in Honduras to help them practice developing curriculum to learn English, Spanish, Art, Observations and Book Making. Please consider donating a new or slightly used Eric Carle book, large glue sticks, 12 x 12 colorful crafting paper, construction paper, scissors, markers and color pencils. A collection bin is located in the Workroom.

UUA General Assembly Information Sessions

Attend the UUA General Assembly from the comfort of your living room. Join David Friedman and Rev. Carlos to learn how you can become a Remote Attendee or Remote Delegate at the General Assembly 2017.  Information sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 7:30pm; Sunday, April 2, 12:30pm; or Sunday, April 9, 12:30pm. Please RSVP your participation to Rev. Carlos at cmartinez@rochesterunitarian.org  with "GA Online" in the subject line. 

An Evening With Henry David Thoreau

Step back in time to 1856 as Henry David Thoreau pays a visit to our church on Friday, March 31, at 7:00pm.  Mr. Thoreau, portrayed by impersonator, historian and storyteller Richard Smith, coming to us from his home in Concord Massachusetts, will discuss his essay Walking, or the Wild. Pianist Heather O'Donnell will frame the event with a performance of the last movement of Charles Ives' monumental Concord Sonata joined by flutist Laura Lentz, playing the offstage flute part which Ives wrote to represent Thoreau playing his flute over Walden Pond. Please join us for a 200th celebration of the anniversary of Henry David Thoreau's birth with a lively and entertaining discussion of Transcendentalism, his times and ours, as Richard Smith takes questions from the audience.  Free-will donations encouraged and gratefully accepted at the door. For questions, contact John Farrell at 585-330-1418.

Reminder:  Deadline Approaching for the St. Lawrence Spring Gathering

The programming includes the forum with the UUA Presidential Candidates, the Gould Lecture with Rev. Dick Gilbert, and workshops offered by congregational leaders as well as UUA staff. The gathering is next Saturday, April 1, and the d eadline for registration is this Sunday, March 26. For the registration link and more information, click here.

Healing Circles

Listening to one another is a primary task of interim time, so we learn to trust each other again as we prepare to call a new minister to our community. Our Reference Team, through their work with the congregation and Dr. Brubaker, recommended these circles.  It is the important work of each of us as a member of the congregation. The Listening Healing Circles are scheduled through May. P lease follow  this link  and sign up for a session. Those who are uncomfortable signing up online, please call Rev. Tina at 585-271-9070 x104. Once you sign up, you will receive a packet of pre-work to complete before the session. This pre-work is the beginning of the healing process and is necessary for you to be fully present to the experience of the circle. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Tina at  tsimson@rochesterunitarian.org.

Do You "Like" us on Facebook?

If you are not yet one of our 1,507 fans on Facebook, stop by facebook.com/firstu and click the "like" button to encourage Facebook to show you our posts. Recently we've shared video and photos from the spring equinox service (including the baby parade), upcoming events at church and in the community, a fact from the "Beyond the Binary" adult sexuality session, social justice action opportunities, local interfaith news, posts from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and more. 

Bring Mindfulness, Focus, and a "Larger View" to Your Life

Spring Meditation Classes are open for registration and spaces are limited. Beginning Meditation classes will be on Tuesday nights and Wednesday afternoons. Deepening Meditation classes will be on Wednesday afternoons. New Ongoing Meditation classes will be on Thursday evenings, when we will explore the practices offered by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu in the bestseller The Book of Joy. Registration is open for four, six or eight sessions from April through June. For more information or to register, email Carolyn at  livingandworking.info@gmail.com . You can reach Jan Cook directly at 585 -381-7657 or janburkecook@gmail.com.

Food Cupboard Notice

The need for UUs to bring food to church each week continues but the author of the notices has run out of something new to say.  There will still be reminder messages, but not as often.  We will still take donations from the church basket to the Brighton Food Cupboard as before.  For questions, contact Alison Wilder at awilder@frontiernet.net  or 585-342-2459.

Starting Point Class

Register your interest! Starting Point provides an enjoyable exploration of our church, Unitarian Universalism, and how we join together in community to deepen our understanding of ourselves and Unitarian Universalism. The next class will be held on a Saturday in April (to be determined), 9:30am-2:00pm. To express your interest, email Rev. Carlos at connections@rochesterunitarian.org with "April Starting Point" in the subject line.

Wednesday AM Book Club

The next reading for the Wednesday AM Book Club is The Hotel on The Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. The discussion will be on Wednesday, April 5 at 11:00am in the Susan B. Anthony Lounge. Anyone interested in this great book is welcome. Contact johnswartz@yahoo.com for further info.

Has Your Contact Info Changed?
Have you changed email addresses, phone numbers, or your home address? The recent storms highlight the need to keep our church directory up to date so that we can reach people about cancellations. If any of your contact information has changed, please send updated details to agundlach@rochesterunitarian.org.

Financial Planning Seminar

Please come to the free Financial Planning Seminar on Saturday, April 8, 1:00pm, in the Williams Gallery, sponsored by the First Unitarian Church Legacy Committee. Learn about when to take your Social Security payments, how to manage your IRA, long term care issues, and risk and reward in investing. The speaker will be Randolph Rowe, JD and CLU, from the Lincoln Financial Group. Reserve a seat by emailing Cynthia Looney at cslooney@rochester.rr.com.

Official Notice - Upcoming Congregational Meeting

There will be a Special Congregational Meeting on  Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 12:45pm in the Sanctuary. For the agenda,  click here.  According to the bylaws, business is limited to matters stated in the agenda.

Currents Discussion Group

The Currents Group meets monthly to explore topical issues selected by the group.  You are welcome to attend as many or as few of these discussions as you like.  The topic for April will be "Money and Medicine:  Restructuring the Healthcare System."  Dave McLaughlin will moderate the discussion when we meet on Wednesday, April 12, at 12:15pm.  To be included on the distribution list and receive articles prior to the meeting, contact Dave McLaughlin at davebcctf@hotmail.com , with "Currents" on the subject line.

UU's Reading Non-Fiction

April's book selection is Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick.  This book examines the complex relationship between Washington and Arnold which ultimately culminated in a betrayal that forced Americans to realize that "the real threat to its liberties might not come from without but from within."  All are welcome to join our discussion on Wednesday, April 12, 7:00-8:30pm. For questions, c ontact Audrey Perry at auperry066@gmail.com or 585-244-4013.

Environmental Climate Task Force Green Tip of the Week

Aging Gratefully and Humor

The next meeting of Aging Gratefully is Thursday, April 13, 1:30-3:00pm in the Susan B. Anthony Lounge. Aging Gratefully is a discussion group open to everyone age 60 and over that meets to discuss a topic related to aging . This month's topic is "Humor."

Organ Concert

Join us Sunday, May 7, 3:00pm for an exciting collaboration including dance and organ music sponsored by the Edward T. Schell III Crescendo Fund. No tickets to purchase. Free-will contributions accepted.

Mother's Day Recycled Plant Sale

This annual plant sale at our church, which consists of donations from our gardens, will be held Saturday, May 13, 4:00-6:00pm and Sunday, May 14, 9:30am-1:00pm. If you are planting seeds now, please sow some extras for the sale.  Most items for sale will be perennials, small bushes, ferns or ground cover that have outgrown their space in our gardens, are dug up, and brought to church that weekend. For further information, contact Nancy Koch at 585-662-5537 or nkoch@rochester.rr.com, or Alison Wilder at 585-342-2459 or awilder@frontiernet.net.

Kahn's Corner

What is unusual about the Williams Gallery?  The Williams Gallery can be divided into two rooms when smaller groups use the space. The  two heavy doors that swing to separate the space are just over thirteen feet each and hang  from very strong hinges. A ceiling stop prevents the doors from swinging too far. Within  these large doors are two regular-sized doors, or doors with doors.

Membership Team Forming

Are you interested in engaging with new prospective members? Are you comfortable facilitating groups and possess good listening skills?  Eager to share your enthusiasm for Unitarian Universalism and our church? Then contact Rev. Carlos to be considered for the newly forming membership team. Email cmartinez@rochesterunitarian.org with "Membership Team" in the subject line. 

Pledge Payment Options
You have options in the way your pledge payments are processed.  Some choose to send a check directly to our Church.  Another good alternative is automatic ACH contributions from your checking account.  They are the easiest way for our Church Office to receive pledge contributions.  They are easy to set up and save us credit card fees.  Your monthly contributions would come out of your account on the 15th of each month.  Please contact Al Gundlach at 585-271-9070 x103 or agundlach@rochesterunitarian.org if you are interested.

Church Office:   585-271-9070 (Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm) 

Newsletter submissions:  Send to  announcements@rochesterunitarian.org .

Next deadline is Tuesday, March 28 at 10:00am. 

 

Order of Service or Screen announcement submissions:   Send to  announcements@rochesterunitarian.org.    Next deadline is Thursday, March 30, at 1:00pm.

 

Building usage requests:  Email  office@rochesterunitarian.org .  

For Emergency Pastoral Care:   585-271-9070 x106