Intergenerational Spring Equinox
Please join Rev. Joel, Rev. Tina, Sheila Schuh and Thom Snell for a lively intergenerational Equinox service this Sunday
at 9:30am and 11:15am
. There will be singing and dancing and storytelling to welcome the season of Spring into our hearts. We will also bless and dedicate the many babies born this church year, into our community.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
9:30am Music by Zachary Zwahlen
11:15am
Music by Zachary Zwahlen and
the First Unitarian Choir
This week, our Plate collection will help support
our church.
Next Weekend
:
Rev. Carlos R. Martinez, Preaching
Rev. Joel Miller, Co-Leading
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Let Us Keep You In Our Thoughts and Prayers
The memorial for Bob Brennan, long-time member of our church community, is scheduled for 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 Tuesday, March 21, 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.
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Gifts and Talents Auction Coming Soon!
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Gifts and Talent Auction
Join us on
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. Mark your calendars as the 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.
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To date we have facilitated 10 Listening-Healing circles. The primary response from participants has been positive. Here are just a few examples:
"I feel connected again." "I feel certain I can move forward now." "The whole process was helpful, the pre-work made me really think about my own contribution to the conflict. I was silent and should have spoken up." "This will build trust among us again. I wish everyone would take advantage of this."
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, also recommended these circles.
I encourage you to sign up. It is the important work of each of us as a member of the congregation. The Listening Healing Circles are scheduled through May. Please 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 me at
tsimson@rochesterunitarian.org.
Yours in Faith,
Rev. Tina
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Happening in the Week Ahead
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Please Note: No Service This Saturday
There will be no worship service this Saturday, March 18. All are invited to special intergenerational services celebrating the Spring Equinox on Sunday, March 19 at 9:30am and 11:15am. |
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Tarot Readings This Sunday
Jenna Bernardi will offer brief Tarot readings in exchange for a donation to the Grace Fund this Sunday, March 19, after both services. The next available Sunday Tarot Reading will be Easter Sunday, in April; then Jenna leaves until fall. Sign up on Sunday at her table in the Williams Gallery for your appointment.
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sUUper Supper
Don't forget to sign up for a sUUper Supper after services this Sunday, March 19. We have a host who welcomes adults and children. This is a fun time to meet new folks, renew acquaintances and make new friends. The host supplies the entrée and the guest brings a dish to pass. For questions, call Elaine at 585-388-6978.
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Beyond The Binary
Have you been confused by the terms you've heard people using to express ideas around gender and sexuality? Do you know someone who might define as a sapiosexual, a demisexual, or a pansexual? Is it "PC" to use terms like "transvestite," "queer" or "transexual?" Please come join us this Sunday, March 19, 12:30-2:00pm in Room 110, as we explore a little bit of "OWL for Adults!" The first half will be part presentation, interactive discussion, and activity while the second half will be devoted to a question and answer format of panelists who identify as transgender, gender queer, gender fluid, gender non-conforming or gender variant. Please bring a pen, a friend and as many questions as you'd like as we delve into the fascinating topic of sexual identity. Light snacks will be served. For questions, contact Jule Sanchez at bestfriendjule@yahoo.com or Sheila Schuh at sheilas@rochesterunitarian.org.
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Black Lives Matter - An Approach to Building the Beloved Community
Our local Interfaith Impact of NYS Committee is conducting a briefing on a current topic of concern to UU's, entitled "Black Lives Matter - An Approach to Building the Beloved Community." This
Sunday, March 19, at 2:00pm, panelists will discuss what gave rise to the Black Lives Matter Movement, what the current issues are, and what action you can take to address these root issues. More information is available
here. Interfaith Impact is our UU State Action Network, putting our religious values into action in Albany.
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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. The opening reception with the children, teachers and guests will be on Wednesday, March 22, at 4:00pm. We have held this show for many years and it is delightful for the children, their parents and guests. Mark your calendars for this special event and help support the children from our partnership schools!
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Grants Panel Accepting Applications
Through next 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.
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Thank you from UU/Schools Partnership!
We contemplated how to best help meet the underwear and sock needs of both Schools #15 and #22. The results were our talked about "Sock it to Me Saturday" and "Undie Sunday" collections. Your overwhelmingly generous donations were just what the students needed. Thank you from deep within.
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Parenting and Child/Youth Mental Health
Next 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.
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You Can Learn Tai Chi Here at Our Church
Emphasizing relaxed muscles and consisting mainly of weight shifting slowly from one leg to the other, Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance, reduce falls, and improve overall health, as well as provide relief from stress and tension. Beginner classes are on Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm, and Saturdays, 10:00-11:00am. Classes for continuing students are Saturdays, 11:00am. Anyone is welcome to attend any class, however the level of instruction may not be well suited to any given person. Contact Tim Farnum for more information at tim.farnum@gmail.com, 585-749-3240 (c) or 585-241-9249 (h). There is an email list for schedule changes and cancellations.
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Food Cupboard Reminder
Each one bring one! If we follow that rule, our collection basket will overflow. Suggested foods are cereal, canned milk, canned meats, or whatever you have to spare.
For questions, contact Alison Wilder at
awilder@frontiernet.net
or 585-342-2459.
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The St. Lawrence Spring Gathering is Coming Up Soon
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 Saturday, April 1, and the d
eadline for registration is Sunday, March 26. For the registration link and more information, click here.
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Cafe Veritas
Next up at Cafe Veritas is Vance Gilbert on Saturday, April 1, 7:30pm. Opening for Vance is Maria Sebastian. The cost is $18 for adults, $10 for students, and children are free. Coffee, desserts and other refreshments are available for purchase during the show. For more information, click click here.
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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 are welcome. Contact
johnswartz@yahoo.com for further info.
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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.
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Thank You from our Social Justice Council
Social Justice Council wants to thank all the members of the congregation as well as those in the Youth Group who participated in the Letter + Petition Signing Weekend. The twelve social justice groups that participated were very pleased with the almost 900 total amassed signatures they registered. This is democracy in action.
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Official Notice - Upcoming Congregational Meeting
There will be a Special Congregational Meeting on
Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 12:45pm in the Sanctuary. Agenda items are as follows: A c
all to order and certification of a quorum; a
ppointment of tellers; approval of the June 12, 2016 and September 25, 2016 Congregational Meeting Minutes; and, a
pproval of the plan to finance the new roof. A link to all will provided next week.
Only members at least sixteen years of age may vote at congregational meetings.
All voting must be in person
and not by proxy. According to the bylaws, business is limited to matters stated in the Agenda.
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Environmental Climate Task Force Green Tip of the Week
Many people who like to 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' enjoy birds and feed them. Should feeders be cleaned as winter comes to a close? Yes, not only can bacteria and viruses accumulate on old seed and feeders, but some molds grow even when it's cold outside. Extreme weather doesn't get rid of these organisms from your feeder; be sure to clean it well in the spring and often throughout the year.
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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.
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People Power Needed!
Our annual Rummage Sale opens to the public Thursday, June 15, 6:30-8:00pm for a charge of $5.00 for non-volunteers. We will begin taking in items on Sunday, June 11. We need people to move chairs from the Sanctuary after Sunday's service to Room 110, and to set up tables in the Sanctuary. After that, we'll be sorting items that come in during the week. Remember, you can buy while you're sorting. We most urgently need cashiers on June 15, 16 and 17. If you have questions and/or can help, please contact Sandy Hollands at 585-703-2979 or sandy.hollands@gmail.com.
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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.
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Church Office:
585-271-9070 (Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm)
Next deadline is Tuesday, March 21 at 10:00am.
For Emergency Pastoral Care:
585-271-9070 x106
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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