Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service:   Moving Right Along (Jeff Donahue, UUA Transitions Coach). When a congregation changes ministers, lots of emotions arise. Grief, anger, despair, wonder, all surface… and at different times for different people. This service is about a congregation’s greatest change and how we can help each other move into the future with grace and confidence.
Note: Jeff Donahue, UUA Transitions Coach, will also be leading a congregational meeting after the service. Details about time are not yet available, but will be forthcoming. The meeting will address aspects of this interim year.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion: Daring Democracy. Francis Moore Lappé’s and Adam Eichen’s Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning and Connection for the America We Want is a UUA “good read” for 2017-2018. Phil Ebersole will summarize the high points and lead a discussion.
Upcoming Events
Film Viewing and Discussion
On Tuesday,  October 10th , from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Theo Munson will be presenting the film Grief Walker and leading a discussion. The subject is end-of-life care and bereavement, and much more! The star, Stephen Jenkinson, uses parables and Algonquin ways of life to persuade us to live in a state of praise and appreciation - because  we know life will come to an end.
Have We Heard From You Yet?
By now, you should have received an email from the Ministerial Search Committee inviting you to fill out an online survey. If you haven't received it, please contact Christina Witkowski at office@uuroc.org or 546-2826. (If you have a Gmail account, the email may be hidden in your Promotions folder.) If you prefer to fill out the survey on paper instead of online, pick up a paper form at the church and return it to the church office. The completed surveys are due on Sunday, October 15th. Please help us by completing the survey promptly. We need your input to accurately describe our congregation to ministers in search, and so that we can choose a minister who is the best fit for our church. All information gathered will be confidential.
Clean-Up Day
The 2017 Fall Clean-up Day has been scheduled for Saturday October 21st , starting around 9:00 AM. If you have ever wanted to volunteer for the church or to just get to know the building as well as other members a little better, this is a perfect opportunity! There will be all kinds of cleaning, fixing, painting, etc. jobs to be completed – something for all skill levels. Bring along your favorite tools or cleaning products. Breakfast snacks and a light lunch will be provided. Socializing and fun will also be part of the agenda. For more information, please contact Tom Ruganis at 746-7796 (cell) or 442-2968 (home) or email to tom.ruganis@frontier.com .
Additional Announcements
AUTHOR TO SPEAK ON ENDING POVERTY:  The Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, author of Always With Us? What Jesus Really Said About the Poor , will be speaking Wednesday, October 11th at a 7pm book signing at Syracuse University Hendricks Chapel. Theoharis is co-director of the Kairos Center for Religion, Rights, and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

UUA FALL LEADERSHIP DAY: Saturday, October 14th , at the UU Church of Buffalo. Leadership as a Team Sport : This leadership conference is designed to address a number of common areas of shared ministry for congregations. The day features a keynote by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, followed by workshops on various areas of shared ministry and networking time. Register by Oct. 13th at https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/k189inbl1wo40go/ .

NYSCU CONFERENCE:   The New York State Convention of Universalists (NYSCU) invites you to attend its conference on Friday, October 20th , and Saturday , October 21st . It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Albany. The Reverend Dr. Richard S. Gilbert will be the keynote speaker. We are entitled to send 6 delegates to the convention. Please let Shirley Bond know by Tuesday, October 10th if you would like to be one of our delegates. Registration information is posted at nyscu.org . Information about the conference can be found on the bulletin board outside of the church office, or you can contact Shirley at   bondshirl1@gmail.com   or 585-325-6084.

PETER CARDEGNA MEMORIAL:  On Saturday, October 21st , a memorial service will be held here for Peter Cardegna, Physics professor at RIT and a former member of this congregation, who passed away September 30th at the Cleveland Clinic. The service will be held at 2:00 pm.

RAIHN* OPEN HOUSE AND TRAINING:   Four times a year, temporarily homeless families stay at First Universalist for a week. We give them a safe place to stay and tasty meals. To join the volunteers who make this happen, attend the next training session on Thursday, October 26th , 6:30-8:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, 25 Church St, Pittsford. RSVP to Jen Canning, coordinator@raihn.org , 506-9050. If you have any questions, contact Chris DeGolyer, Marti Eggers, or Sarah Singal after the Sunday service. RAIHN staff and guests love the new Day Center at 142 Webster Avenue. Come see it for yourself at RAIHN's open house on Thursday, October 19th , 5:30-7 PM.
*Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence

BOOK GROUP:  Our Book Group selection for the month of October is "Saving Faith" by Elizabeth Osta. She has agreed to lead a discussion of her wonderful memoir. Elizabeth is an accomplished storyteller, so this should be an event too good to miss. The Fairport library has a copy as does First Universalist. We will meet in the Chalice Room on Sunday, October 29th at 12 noon. You do not have to have read the book, but try to fit it into your schedule as it is delightful. If you have any questions, please see or e-mail Shirley Bond at bondshirl1@gmail.com or Sarah Singal at ssingal@rochester.rr.com.
To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org  no later than Thursday at noon.   
Staff:
The Reverend Peggy Meeker, Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

Christina Witkowski, Office Administrator
150 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14604 | (585) 546-2826 | office@uuroc.org