Upcoming Worship Services
FINAL SUMMER SERVICE!
Sunday, September 3 at 10:00am
First Unitarian Buddhist Fellowship, leading
Rev. Tina Simson, co-leading
HOMECOMING SUNDAY:
September 10, 2017
Intergenerational Services at 9:30am and 11:15am
Rev Joel Miller, preaching
Rev. Tina Simson and Sheila Schuh, co-leading
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Minister's Column
by Rev. Joel Miller
In reading this week’s newsletter, you’ll read about the activities of our Black Lives Matter Task Force and the Social Justice programming around the book “Waking Up White.” The author of the book, Debby Irving, will be speaking here at our church the evening of October 8. In advance of her speaking with us we will have a display, “Facing Racism,” in Williams Gallery about the history of racism in Rochester and Monroe County.
First Unitarian has a proud history of working against racism. When the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lead the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in March of 1965, 150 people were on the two buses that First Unitarian Church chartered to take people there. And in earlier generations our church had programs that served Rochester’s Black youth.
Yet our justice-work against racism is not finished. New work will face us in our own Williams Gallery next week. I wrote a short quote for the “Facing Racism” promotional materials about this work:
"As a White Liberal, I thought that discarding racism would destroy it. Yet racism is as strong as ever, and the evidence is clear that us White folks are, despite our good intentions, still somehow racists. But neither shame nor willpower can overcome our racism. We will overcome racism by learning about it -- and by experiencing the real discomfort that education requires of us. That learning is worth it, and our integrity as human beings the reward for it."
We will experience “discomfort” doing this Justice Work -- the personal work around racism is very uncomfortable. But without it getting personal, we cannot overcome racism.
First Unitarian sent two busloads of people to march with Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Neither Dr. King nor our own folks from our church had to march alone. We had, and we have, companions for our journeys. It’s when the work is hard and uncomfortable that we need each other. Keep connected in the months to come. Have a look at the “Facing Racism” exhibit. And know that we are here to support one another, even when it is uncomfortable.
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"Soul Assembly" with Orange Sky
Starting this September, we invite you to join
Soul Assembly,
a once-a-month, mostly lay-led, intergenerational night of worship centered on the arts. As with Saturday services of the past seven years, the heart of this monthly service will be rock & popular contemporary music by our house band Orange Sky. But wait, there's more!
Soul Assembly
will be released from the structure of a standard, sermon-centered order of service, allowing for a deeper, more innovative exploration of the contemporary arts. Watch for elements like video, readings, slam poetry, personal reflections and more, as we celebrate the wonderful creative strengths of our church community.
This idea emerged at just the right time, in many respects. First, Rev. Joel has pointed out that three weekly worship services are unsustainable with only two ministers, and he is excited that we'll be providing another opportunity for congregants to be involved in creating and leading worship. Also, Music Director Thom Snell is looking to diversify musical offerings on Sunday mornings, and this change will allow Orange Sky to play once a month at the 9:30am service on Sundays.
This means beginning this fall there will not be a weekly Saturday service.
(While to some this might initially feel like a loss, we encourage our regular Saturday attendees to join us on this journey. We trust that you will come to view these changes as a clear net positive.)
Join us for the kick-off of this new form of worship on
Saturday, September 16 at 7:00pm
in the Sanctuary. Families are welcome. Bring some friends, too. There will also be a special performance by some of the youth from our church, who will reprise their performance of "My Shot" from the musical Hamilton.
Please watch for announcements regarding the timing of
Soul Assembly,
and Orange Sky participation in Sunday 9:30am services. By December, the schedule for
Soul Assembly
will regulate to 7:00pm on the second Saturday of each month, with Orange Sky leading music on the fourth Sunday of the month at the 9:30am service.
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Here are the latest opportunities to stay informed, strengthen
your faith, and connect with the community:
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Gratitude, Joys and Sorrows
A huge thank you to our church sextons,
Will Hayes
and
John Grego
, who worked hard this summer waxing and polishing many of our spaces, including Williams Gallery, classrooms, Susan B. Anthony Lounge, hallways and the Sanctuary (see picture above). This week they will finish up by waxing the Lobby. It’s a labor intensive job, with simply beautiful results. Pass on your gratitude when you see them!
Thank you for your generosity!
Two weekends a month our plate collections go to a community organization outside our church. On the other weekends the collection goes directly to support our church budget. This fiscal church year, we have already donated $2,512 back to our greater community (excluding the Greater Good fund). On August 6, $496.45 was collected for Gateways Music Festival. On August 13, $503.75 was collected for our church. On August 20, $357 was collected for UU Rochester People’s Climate Coalition. On August 27, $367 was collected for our church.
If you have a concern about a member of our congregation, please don't hesitate to contact Rev. Tina at 585-271-9070 x104.
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Happening This Week
Facing Racism
The newest exhibit in our Williams Gallery explores racism through historical photos of black people's experience in Rochester (courtesy of Monroe County’s archives) and through the Take it Down exhibit from Rochester Museum and Science Center. Take it Down explains the controversial pickaninny-style farm scene panel that was once part of the Dentzel Carousel at Ontario Beach Park. Come to the opening reception
Friday, September 8,
6:00-8:00pm
. The exhibit, coordinated by our Social Justice Council, closes October 23.
Meditation Classes Begin Soon
Meditation classes with Jan Cook begin next week.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies your freedom and power to choose your response. In those responses lie your growth and your happiness."
Quote attributed to Victor Frankl. Come explore that space, the sacred pause, in fellowship with others committed to transforming our world from the inside out.
Click here
to learn more and register.
Homecoming Sunday
This is our last weekend of one service on Sundays. Homecoming is
Sunday, September 10
with services at
9:30am and 11:15am
.
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Calls to Action
UUSchool Partnership
We have a great opportunity for a few volunteers to teach 4th grade science once or twice a week at School #22. Lessons would be during Extended Learning Time from about 9:00-10am. Equipment and lesson plans are available. Make a difference, please. Email
Joe Simson
.
Help Wanted
Cafe Veritas is seeking a Sound Technician for their monthly cafe series. It’s preferred that person be available for all eight shows, but not required. If interested, email
Jackie Lange
.
Register Now for Religious Education
Please be sure your children our grandchildren are registered for Religious Education (6 months through 18yrs)! To register,
click here
.
For more information, contact
Sheila Schuh.
Food Needs Continue:
Baby food or supplies, soup or canned fruit or vegetables, paper goods like tissues would all be welcome. We will deliver whatever shows up in the basket at our church next week to the Brighton Food Cupboard. For more information, email
Alison Wilder
.
Pledge Payment Options
You have options in the way your pledge payments are processed. Some choose to send a check directly to the 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. Contact
Al Gundlach
at 585-271-9070 x103 if you are interested.
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Other News and Reminders
Update from Roof Communication Team
After many rain delays, we have good news regarding the roof replacement project.
Click here
to read more.
We are delighted to share that
Shannan Foos
will join the First Unitarian staff as membership coordinator. Shannan held the position as interim in the Spring of 2016, and is eager to bring her ideas and welcoming presence to this vital position. Please say congratulations next time you see her. We are lucky to have her skill, dedication to UU, and her enthusiasm.
Currents
discussion group resumes
Wednesday, September 13, at 12:15pm
and the topic will be "What Will a Post-Trump USA Look Like?"
Click here
for details.
This month,
Aging Gratefully
discusses "Our Parents."
Click here
for details.
Racial Justice Presentations
In association with the “Facing Racism” exhibit in the Williams Gallery, the Rochester community's Take it Down Planning Committee has scheduled three opportunities to view the exhibit, hear about racism today, and learn about actions people can take locally to work toward racial justice. The roughly identical sessions will each be held at our church on
Thursdays,
September 14, 7:00-9:00pm; September 28, 7:00-9:00pm; and October 19, 7:00-9:00pm.
Waking Up White
Our Social Justice Council is bringing to town Debby Irving, author of the 2014 award-winning book
Waking Up White
, to speak about her journey away from racial ignorance, confusion, and frustration and toward empowerment and action. Come hear her on
Sunday, October 8 at 7:00pm
at our church. Donations are encouraged to cover expenses and to support our social justice initiatives.
Co-creating the next generation of congregations.
How might we find ways to offer the love and grace of Unitarian Universalism to a world that needs us? Rev. Renee Ruchotzke is keynote speaker at the upcoming leadership conference and workshop “Leadership as a Team Sport” on
Saturday, October 14, 1:00-5:00pm
, at the UU Church of Buffalo (695 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14222). Please register
here
by
October 13
. This is a free event and all are welcome.
Does your group meet at church?
Be sure to reserve a room in advance!
with the details.
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First Unitarian Church
220 Winton Road South
Rochester, NY 14610
Church Office is open
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm
585-271-9070
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All entries are subject to editorial approval.
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