"Building A Bigger Table"
Rev. Tina Simson, Preaching
Rev. Joel Miller
, Co-Leading
Saturday, March 11, 2017
4:30pm
Music by Orange Sky
Sunday, March 12, 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
Next Sunday
: Intergenerational Spring Equinox Services at 9:30am and 11:15am
Rev. Joel Miller,
Rev. Tina Simson,
Sheila Schuh and Thom Snell.
*Please note: No Service Saturday, March 18.*
|
|
|
Let Us Keep You In Our Thoughts and Prayers
Please hold
Merrillan Thomas in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers from unexpected gall bladder surgery this week.
We are saddened to share the news that
Bob Brennan,
long-time member of our church community,
died Monday, peacefully with his children and Libby by his side. Please send cards and emails, no calls yet. The memorial 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." I
f you have a joy or concern to share, please contact Rev. Tina Simson at tsimson@rochesterunitarian.org or 585-330-9177
for inclusion in our newsletter.
|
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
|
|
Happening in the Week Ahead
|
|
Annual Petition and Letter Signing Weekend
This Saturday and Sunday, March 11 & 12, Social Justice Council is holding their annual Petition and Letter Signing Weekend. Come to the Williams Gallery after any of the services and check out the many tables with different social justice issues you can communicate with your legislators about. Democracy works best with active citizen participation.
|
|
This Weekend's Plate Collection Will Help Support the UUSC
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
works to promote human rights and social justice in about 20 countries throughout the world, including the United States. For these programs, UUSC collaborates with local grassroots groups to advance economic justice, bolster environmental justice, and protect rights at risk. These are grounded in our UU belief that all people have inherent power, dignity, and rights. More information is available at
www.uusc.org
.
|
|
UU/Schools Partnership Art Show
The children of Schools #15 & #22 are busy creating their best artwork for the UU/Schools Partnership Art Show, scheduled to run from this Thursday, March 9 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!
|
|
Aging Gratefully and Spring
Aging Gratefully is a discussion group open to everyone age 60 and over meeting monthly to discuss a topic related to aging. The next meeting is this Thursday, March 9, 1:30-3:00pm and the topic is "Spring: Rebirth and New Beginnings." Come and share your joy at the coming of Spring!
|
|
Annual Rochester Reads: The Enchanted
Rene Denfeld's book is this year's selection for the annual "Rochester Reads" community-wide book discussion. The Literature And Visual Arts (LAVA) book group will discuss it this Friday, March 10, 7:00pm in the Susan B. Anthony Lounge. Open to anyone in the Rochester community, so come and join us! For more information, click here.
|
|
Starting Point Class
Register now! 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 is scheduled for this Saturday, March 11, 9:30am-2:00pm. Please email Rev. Carlos to register for this class at
connections@rochesterunitarian.org
with "Next Starting Point" in the subject line.
|
|
UU101: Introduction to Unitarian Universalism and Our Church
The next class will be offered this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12, after each service. UU101 is a 45 minute introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our church. No need for prior registration, just meet outside the Sanctuary after service; children are welcome.
|
|
Bookstore Open This Sunday
Our bookstore will be open this
Sunday, March 12, 9:00am-1:00pm, and will not open again until Sunday, April 2. We always have a variety of new titles to peruse and books are discounted at least 20% from list price. We also have a variety of donated, new books at discounts of 50% off list price. So stop in and browse, chat with other congregants and bookstore volunteers, and support our church community.
|
|
Honduras Task Force Requests Donations
The Honduras Task Force will be collecting school supplies for their curriculum on Eric Carle, a 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. The collection bin and members of the task force will be available for further discussions between and after services this Sunday, March 12, as well as the following two Sundays, March 19 & 26.
|
Please Note: No Service Next Saturday
There will be no worship service next Saturday, March 18. All are invited to special inter-generational services celebrating the Spring Equinox on Sunday, March 19 at 9:30am and 11:15am. |
|
Tarot Readings Next Sunday
Jenna Bernardi will offer brief Tarot readings in exchange for a donation to the Grace Fund next 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 that day at her table in the Williams Gallery for your appointment.
|
|
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 on 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.
|
|
Food Cupboard Appreciation
Last weekend's donations, heavy on baked beans and tuna, were appropriate for some Lent followers. We could also use some more canned fruit, vegetables or baby food. As always, thank you! For questions, contact Alison Wilder at awilder@frontiernet.net or 585-342-2459.
|
|
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." On
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.
|
|
Grants Panel Accepting Applications
Through 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.
|
Invitation to a One Day Silent Retreat
Our First Unitarian Buddhist Fellowship would like to invite you to join a One Day Silent Retreat at the Springwater Retreat Center near Hemlock Lake (7179 Mill St, Springwater, NY 14560) on Saturday, March 25, 8:30am-4:00pm. With all the turmoil in the nation, a day of silence and reflection may be just what is needed. Registration in advance is required. For more information, click here.
|
|
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.
|
|
Environmental Climate Task Force Green Tip of the Week
Spring is two weeks away, are you thinking about gardening yet? Here are some tips from the New York League of Conservation Voters:
Some plants are not suited to our climate and function as invasive species, e.g. insects and birds can't use the plant's products and may even be harmed by these plants. Having intra-regionality is the ideal context for a garden's overall synergy.
Water only when you observe the need, and do it when the sun is low. This minimizes evaporation and maximizes water uptake for the plant.
Instead of buying fertilizers, compost dead material from your garden; this brings cyclicity to your plants' life cycles. Instead of chemical pesticides, allow natural predators like spiders and slugs to help manage pests' populations.
Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle!
|
|
Mother's Day Recycled Plant Sale
This annual plant sale at our church, which consists of donations from our gardens, will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14, 4:00-6:00pm. 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 nkoch@rochester.rr.com or 585-662-5537, or Alison Wilder at 585-342-2459 or awilder@frontiernet.net.
|
|
It's Spring - Really!
Now's the time to bring out all those pretty, flowery curtains, new bedspreads, linens, and tablecloths. Just wash out those winter items and put them in a box marked "Rummage Sale." If you donate sheets/spreads, please include a note as to size (full, queen, king). Sunday, June 11 is the date to start bringing items to our church for the sale opening on Thursday, June 15. If you are moving out of the area and want to donate for the sale, contact Sandy Hollands at 585-703-2979 or sandy.hollands@gmail.com. This is the largest fundraiser for the church but we need your treasures to sell.
|
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)
Next deadline is Tuesday, March 14 at 10:00am.
For Emergency Pastoral Care:
585-330-9177
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
